The Match Game

If you've walked to the train station to sound of bouncing tennis balls, or dawdled at Baird to watch a heated match, spend five minutes with tennis pro and South Orange resident José Funés and you'll be running for a racquet. Funés, originally from El Salvador, has been an avid tennis player since moving to the Bahamas when he was 11 years old. Moving around with his family, he eventually landed in New Providence and attended Seton Hall where he played college tennis. Funés has been a fixture on the local courts ever since, imparting his vast knowledge to local tennis enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds.

Throughout his years as an instructor, one question seemed to plague him: where could his students find someone to hit with outside of lessons? Sounding almost as grueling as the dating scene, finding a tennis partner with a compatible schedule and equal skill level can be quite challenging. This constant conundrum sparked an idea and Funés, together with his partner Megan Howard, started Singles 2 Doubles, a tennis partner matching service serving the South Orange-Maplewood area.

This unique service arranges tennis matches for people who are looking for a partner. Members email their availability on a Tuesday, and on Thursdays they receive an email with matches scheduled for the weekend. Partners are matched on skill level, but personality and social factors are also taken into consideration. For example, a very competitive player is matched with another; if two parents have children in the same school, they might be paired up. According to Funés, the goal is to "optimize the enjoyability" of the game for each player. Funés verifies each player's level by hitting a few balls with them and classifying them as beginner, intermediate, or advanced.

Not only does Singles 2 Doubles offer the matching service, they also conduct clinics and workshops for their members. These group lessons are another great way for players to connect with each other. Their Facebook page is also a constant source of tips and pointers, so members can keep on top of their game between clinics and matches.

Funés' enthusiasm for the game is contagious, and his passion for teaching is apparent. "I love tennis and I wanted to share that passion," Funés says. For him, it's about watching the courts being used and seeing his students out there, using the tools he's given them to succeed. With Singles 2 Doubles gaining momentum in the community, the courts will surely become busier than ever.