About
Meet Bert-Founder
Bert, the founder and owner of "Tennis & Fitness Sports," which later evolved into "Tennis String Theory," has been a cornerstone of the tennis community for decades. His journey in tennis began as a teenager, competing passionately in tournaments despite facing significant challenges due to the prejudice of his time. These barriers extended beyond the court, as finding someone to string his rackets proved difficult because of his ethnicity.
Determined to overcome this hurdle, Bert taught himself the art of stringing tennis rackets. His skill quickly gained recognition, and soon, he was stringing rackets for friends and colleagues. His reputation grew, and before long, he found himself stringing numerous rackets daily while also teaching tennis.
In 1969, Bert opened his first tennis shop off Seminary Road, near "The Broiler." Later, he relocated to a smaller store in Bailey's Crossroads, where he continued to serve the community until 2019. Throughout these years, he transitioned from competing to fully dedicating himself to his business and family.
Bert has always been an active and cherished member of his community. Many of his customers remain loyal, returning to "Tennis String Theory" for racket restringing and other services. Even at 85 years old, Bert remains a passionate presence in the world of tennis. Although retired, he continues to play the sport he loves and maintains an active role in the business he built from the ground up.
His story is one of perseverance, dedication, and a lifelong love for tennis, leaving a legacy that inspires all who know him.
Meet Ivy
Ivy Smith’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Her love for tennis began at just 5 years old and has since grown into a lifelong passion that touches every corner of her life. With a background as a multi-sport coach in basketball, cheerleading, boxing, and tennis, Ivy brings versatility, dedication, and heart to everything she does. She’s especially proud of her work teaching tennis to children with special needs—fostering inclusion, confidence, and joy through sport.
With over a decade of stringing experience—including at major tournaments—Ivy is known for her precision and deep knowledge of tennis gear. She’s passionate about helping players find the perfect racquet and equipment to elevate their game.
Ivy is also a seasoned entrepreneur. In addition to taking over and expanding her family’s tennis shop—including a new second location in Ashburn—she has owned several businesses since she was 18, including a restaurant, a janitorial service, and a few other ventures she keeps up her sleeve. Across all of her businesses, Ivy has personally taught and trained every member of her team, instilling a standard of excellence, customer care, and professionalism that reflects her own values and work ethic.
Despite a thriving career in acting and stunt driving, Ivy made the powerful decision to step up and carry on her father's legacy—motivated by his emotional encouragement and her own deep-rooted sense of purpose. Since then, she’s faced and overcome significant challenges, particularly as a woman in a male-dominated industry. While some still question her expertise, often turning to men for advice, Ivy’s years of hands-on experience and results-driven leadership speak for themselves—proving that true mastery knows no gender.
Her story is also one of resilience. After surviving a stroke in 2010 at just 30 years old, Ivy turned adversity into purpose. That life-changing moment ignited her mission to help others and solidified her commitment to making a difference through tennis and beyond.
Whether she’s coaching, stringing racquets, mentoring players, training her team, or building businesses from the ground up, Ivy leads with heart, courage, and unwavering passion. Her journey is a powerful reminder that perseverance, vision, and belief in yourself can turn any challenge into opportunity.
Meat Sean
Sean's journey in a career in Information Technology to becoming an integral part of Ivy's tennis business is fascinating. His adaptability and willingness to embrace new challenges highlight his determination and drive. It's impressive how quickly he became an expert in customer service, showcasing his dedication and work ethic.
His interest in tennis, sparked by his partnership with Ivy, demonstrates a willingness to explore new passions and collaborate effectively. Sean's enjoyment of stringing and his knack for retaining information due to his eidetic memory undoubtedly contribute to the success of the business.
Despite his busy schedule and diverse interests, Sean's commitment to spending time with family and seeking out new adventures underscores his balanced approach to life. His ability to find joy in both the simplicity of family time and the excitement of new experiences speaks volumes about his character.
Together, Ivy and Sean form a dynamic team, combining their unique skills and passions to create a thriving business while cherishing life's simple pleasures. Their partnership exemplifies the power of collaboration and the importance of pursuing one's passions with dedication and enthusiasm.
Sean's journey has taken an unexpected turn with the news of his liver disease and the impending need for a transplant. It's heart-wrenching to hear about his health challenge, but it's inspiring to see his resilience and determination to continue working at the shop while awaiting the transplant.
His dedication to his work, even in the face of such a significant health obstacle, speaks volumes about his character and strength. Sean's passion for tennis and his enjoyment of stringing rackets remain steadfast, serving as sources of solace and distraction during this challenging time.
His love for spending time with family and his anticipation of new adventures are undoubtedly driving forces that keep him motivated and optimistic despite the uncertainty of his health journey.
For those who wish to support Sean during this difficult time, the opportunity to donate to his transplant journey through his GoFundMe link is a meaningful way to offer assistance and solidarity.
Sean's story reminds us of the importance of resilience, community support, and cherishing each moment, even in the face of adversity. We send him our thoughts and well wishes for a successful transplant and a speedy recovery.
Meet Manny
Driven by a strong work ethic and natural leadership abilities, Manny has earned a reputation for his unwavering commitment to excellence and his remarkable talent for inspiring those around him. Whether he’s leading a team project, tackling a complex problem, or assisting a customer, Manny approaches every situation with a positive attitude and a solution-focused mindset that motivates others to bring their best.
Manny’s leadership style is rooted in collaboration and encouragement—he believes that great results come from empowering individuals and fostering a supportive environment. His ability to listen, communicate clearly, and adapt quickly enables him to guide teams through challenges with confidence and clarity.
Outside of his professional life, Manny is passionate about staying active and engaged through sports. Volleyball and tennis are two of his favorite pursuits, both of which perfectly embody his love for teamwork, strategy, and perseverance. These activities not only keep him physically fit but also sharpen the skills he values most: communication, focus, and resilience.
What truly sets Manny apart, however, is his genuine passion for helping others. Whether working with customers or colleagues, he finds deep satisfaction in delivering exceptional service and creating meaningful experiences. He approaches every interaction with empathy and a sincere desire to make a positive impact, no matter how big or small.
Committed to continuous growth, Manny combines the discipline honed through athletics with strong interpersonal skills and an unwavering dedication to making a difference. He actively seeks opportunities to learn and develop as a leader, always striving to elevate both himself and those around him. Manny’s blend of drive, compassion, and leadership make him an invaluable asset in any role he undertakes.
Meet Tracee'
Tracee's musical talent and prowess with stringed instruments, coupled with her athletic abilities in soccer and badminton, showcase her diverse range of skills and interests. It's impressive to see her excel as one of the youngest and fastest stringers on the East Coast, demonstrating both her natural talent and her dedication to mastering her craft.
Her willingness to learn and improve, coupled with her openness to feedback and new ideas, reflects a mature and growth-oriented mindset. Tracee's ability to overcome shyness and provide excellent customer service highlights her adaptability and commitment to personal development.
Like Sean and Ivy, Tracee finds stringing rackets therapeutic, underscoring the meditative and calming aspects of the task. Her passion for trying new cuisines and learning new things speaks to her adventurous spirit and curiosity about the world around her.
Tracee's story is a testament to the power of perseverance, self-improvement, and embracing new experiences. Her dedication to her craft and her willingness to step out of her comfort zone serve as inspiration for others pursuing their passions and seeking personal growth.
Meet Piper
Piper is a dedicated Psychology student at Virginia Commonwealth University who combines her academic focus with a lifelong passion for sports and fitness. From an early age, she was involved in nearly every sport imaginable—whether it was basketball, gymnastics, or outdoor games—but soccer and swimming quickly became her true favorites. These sports not only shaped her physically but also instilled in her the values of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance.
Today, Piper is an active member of VCU’s club swim team, where she trains rigorously and competes with a strong sense of commitment and camaraderie. Her love for staying active doesn’t stop there—when the weather warms up, she’s often found enjoying pickleball and tennis matches with friends, embracing the social and competitive aspects of the game.
Known among her peers and colleagues as a fast learner, Piper has a keen eye for detail that makes her particularly skilled at understanding the nuances of tennis and pickleball equipment. She genuinely enjoys helping others find the perfect racquet or gear to match their unique style of play, whether they’re beginners or seasoned players. Her ability to listen carefully and offer thoughtful recommendations stems from her deep knowledge and passion for the sport.
Beyond her athletic skills, Piper’s positive energy and people-first mindset make her a valued team member and friend. She thrives in environments where collaboration and encouragement are key, and she’s always eager to share tips, mentor newcomers, or simply cheer on those around her. Her combination of athletic background, academic pursuit, and genuine care for others positions her as a strong asset both on the court and in any team setting.
Whether balancing the demands of her studies or engaging in her favorite sports, Piper approaches everything with enthusiasm, determination, and a drive to excel. She’s not only building her own path but also inspiring others to discover and enjoy the joys of an active, healthy lifestyle.
Meet Tati
Meet Tati! She’s a proud new mommy and absolutely loves every moment of motherhood with her daughter—it’s her greatest joy. Balancing work and family life with a smile, Tati brings a calm, caring energy wherever she goes. She has a naturally warm and friendly personality, and she genuinely enjoys helping customers feel comfortable and confident in their choices.
Before stepping into motherhood, Tati was a dedicated athlete. She spent over seven years running track and cheering, and that strong foundation in discipline and teamwork continues to shine through in her work. She's also an avid reader and loves winding down with a good book whenever she has a quiet moment.
In the shop, one of Tati’s favorite tasks is stringing racquets. While it might seem tedious to some, she finds it peaceful and rewarding—like a form of meditation. She takes pride in the precision it requires and enjoys knowing she’s helping someone play their best game.
Tati is also the older sister of Tracee, and together with Ivy, they’ve built a strong sense of teamwork and support. She credits both of them for helping her grow professionally and inspiring her to push herself in new ways. Whether she’s helping a customer, stringing a racquet, or lending a hand to a teammate, Tati brings kindness, reliability, and quiet strength to everything she does.
Meet Daniel
Daniel lives in the Woodbridge area, and originally is from Mexico. He attended Northern Virginia Community College for computer classes and has taken Ivy’s boot camp classes for the tennis shop. He now enjoys playing tennis, as well as soccer. Daniel has been employed by the company for about two years and is moving forward steadily. As one of our newest stringers, he is starting to enjoy stringing and all the different techniques.
Daniel is always delighted to meet new people and have good conversations. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, learning new things, dancing and eating good food.
About Us
Tennis String Theory provides extensive expertise for all types of tennis players to help them find the best tennis gear to sharpen their game. We have a wide selection of clothing, shoes, racquets and bags for all your tennis and racquetball needs. In addition, our business has several convenient drop off and pick up locations for racquet stringing.
Above And Beyond
"Staff is very nice and will go above and beyond. This place is a diamond in a rough. Definitely worth going to."
- J.S.
Friendly And Helpful
"You have to go in the middle door, up the stairs, and take a left. The man working here is very friendly and helped us pick out some beginner rackets. He even added extra grip since I have big hands without charging me extra."
- Conrad E.
Great Shop
"The owner, who's always there, is a great guy! I went there to get my racket restrung and he took care of it in 2 hours and did a really good job. Small space on the second floor of a building but a great shop nevertheless."
- Caroline L.
Come see us and let us help you be the best tennis player you can be by suiting you up with the correct tennis racquet.
Our store, originally known as Tennis & Fitness Sports, opened in 1970. The original owner is a skilled tennis pro, has played established tennis icons, and is a well-known and respected member of the community. His passion for tennis was a definite draw for his customers, and his business grew entirely through word of mouth as his rapport and personalized touch brought in his large clientele. He continues his involvement in the business, which is now operated by his family.