Gwinnett tennis coach serves new app for Atlanta players
A gray, rainy Saturday morning did not stop the neon tennis balls from bouncing across Glenlake Tennis Center in Decatur. Valentino Caratini, tennis coach and founder of Hazlo, hosted a free clinic for the app’s users, a fitting introduction for a platform built around real-life connection.
Hazlo is the Atlanta area’s newest social networking app for tennis enthusiasts of any age and skill level. Think Tinder, but for all things tennis: It connects players with instructors, hitting partners, local events and other people who share a love for the game.
The name Hazlo translates to “make it happen” in Spanish, tapping into Caratini’s roots from Argentina.
The Buenos Aires born tennis player competed on the junior circuit, ranking third in Argentina, before pursuing a collegiate career at Georgia Gwinnett College. There, he became a four-time NAIA National Champion and All-American, holding a 70-3 singles record and 91-8 doubles record — the most wins in GGC history.
Caratini began working as a tennis coach post-graduation when he began to notice a gap for players struggling to find partners and coaches.
“I felt like my resume in tennis was great, and people didn’t know about me,” Caratini said. “They didn’t know where I was teaching, they didn’t know my reviews, my rates. There’s nothing in tennis that you can find coaches in a simple way.”
Caratini is not the only athlete on the Hazlo team. Lautaro Monardo, a fellow Argentine tennis player and assistant coach at SCAD, has a career in visual effects and was the first call Caratini made to help design the app.
Camilo Ponce, an Elon University tennis alum and teacher, noticed the gap as well and joined the sales team. While instructing, he remembers having to use multiple mediums just to offer his services.
“A lot of customers of mine, they would ask me, ‘Do you know anyone that I could play with? Nobody wants to play with me,’” Ponce said. “With this app, people can reach out to play tennis or sports, and also we’re trying to keep it all in one same place.”
Designed for players
After creating a profile on Hazlo, members are able to follow your page, view your skill level and see when you’re available to play — making it easier to connect and schedule matches.
The app also allows users to find and book coaches, with public ratings, reviews and prices listed. Beyond coaching, it additionally offers access to wellness services, including nutritionists, physical therapists and sports psychologists.
Hazlo frequently hosts free clinics, giving interested players a chance to learn the basics of tennis before committing to a coach.
“In these free clinics, we got a lot of newcomers and beginners that enjoy playing the sport, and they did it for free,” Ponce said. “It’s a good thing for us, but like in general, you’re bringing more people to play tennis and create a community.”
Hazlo’s focus is on Atlanta’s tennis community for now, but the team plans to expand to other sports in major cities like Miami and New York City.
Why tennis is good for you
Tennis holds the reputation of being “the world’s healthiest sport,” according to the United States Tennis Association. Research has linked tennis and racquet sports more broadly to a range of physical and mental health benefits. Here are a few reasons to consider picking up a racket.
- Better cardiovascular health: Tennis requires frequent and fast bursts of movement, like sprinting to keep the ball in play. Regular participation can improve cardiovascular health by helping lowering blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels and maintain a lower resting heart rate.
- Improved mobility: The full-body sport requires strength in the hips, core and legs. Regular play can help build muscle strength while also improving bone density, particularly in the hips and arms.
- Mental health benefits: Beyond the physical activity, tennis can help foster social connection and community — both of which are linked to improved mental well-being.
- Longevity: A study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that racquet sports are associated with a 47% lower risk of mortality. Researchers point to a mix of aerobic exercise, social connection and full-body coordination as key factors.