What We Learned From Our First AceFit Courtside Station
This past weekend gave us more insight into what players actually need on court than months of planning could have. It was our first time setting up an AceFit Courtside Station — a two-day event where we simply showed up with water, ice, and electrolytes and tried to serve players the best way we could.
The Basics Matter More Than We Expected
Going in, we didn't know exactly what to expect. What we found was simple, and a little humbling: players needed the basics, constantly. People came back again and again to refill water — even players who'd shown up prepared, with plenty of their own. Others just needed shade.
Being a tennis player myself, I understand what long days on court feel like. But seeing it from the other side of the table gave me a different perspective entirely. It reinforced why we want AceFit present in the tennis community in the first place — not because we're trying to reinvent anything, but because there's real value in simply showing up and supporting players where they already are.
A Warm Response to AceFit Hydrate
This was also the first time a large group of players tried AceFit Hydrate in an actual event setting, and the response was genuinely encouraging. A lot of players asked what the flavor was, and when we told them it was hibiscus, more than a few were surprised — in a good way.
A Surprise We Didn't Expect
AceFit Hydrate came out of my own experience as a woman and a tennis player. I wanted something different, and I built the kind of electrolyte drink mix I personally wanted to reach for — so there will always be a dedication to women behind this product.
What surprised me was how naturally it resonated with men, too. We had a lot of men trying it, coming back for samples, and buying it online afterward — genuinely positive feedback on the taste and how it felt to use on court. It turned out the pink packaging didn't matter nearly as much as I expected going in. What mattered was whether the product actually fit into someone's tennis life. Women inspired AceFit Hydrate, and they always will — but anyone who cares about what they're putting into their body is welcome here too.
What's Next for Courtside Stations
One of the more meaningful things we noticed all weekend was players finding shade between matches — not just to hydrate, but to stretch, breathe, and take a moment before heading back out.
That gave us an idea for where these stations go next: a hydration and fueling side, with water, ice, electrolytes, and simple options like bananas and oranges — and a self-use recovery area, where players can stretch, breathe, grab an AceFit Cooling Towel, and reset before or after a match.
The idea behind it is simple. Players give so much of themselves on court. We'd like to make it a little easier for them to give something back to their bodies, between matches and after.
The Takeaway
We made some great connections over the weekend and learned about more opportunities to bring Courtside Stations to future events — we're excited to keep building on what we learned. It was also a good reminder that the need we're seeing around hydration and recovery isn't necessarily unique to tennis. For now, though, tennis is where our focus stays — it's our community, and it's where we want to keep showing up.
If there's one thing this weekend confirmed, it's that wellness doesn't have to be complicated to make a difference. Sometimes it's water. Sometimes it's ice, electrolytes, a cooling towel, some shade, or simply having a place to reset. If you haven't tried AceFit Hydrate yet, here's what's actually in it and why.