Caribbean hot spot Barbados is known for its scenic beaches and being a relaxing place to both live in and visit for purposes of getting some tennis in while on holiday. Growing up on the exotic island, Richard Henry knew from a young age that he wanted to pursue a career in tennis. The Volkl VIP fell head over heels for the sport at 10 years old, and since then has dedicated himself to perfecting his game while sharing that knowledge with others.
“Travel at an early age allowed me to meet and interact with many different cultures, which completely changed my outlook on life,” says Henry, who represented Barbados in international competition in the mid to late ‘90s before receiving a full ride to Jackson State University. “We were fortunate enough to travel, which really opened up a lot of doors.”
Fast forward to today on a hot summer day at the Metropolis Country Club in Westchester (celebrating its 100thanniversary this year), and Henry can be seen donning a Volkl-themed tennis shirt alongside his self-made line of clothing called “Vibe Tennis”. As part of his job as the club’s tennis director, Henry guides close to 300 family members to be armed with well-rounded tennis games on the seven beautifully groomed Har-Tru courts; his Saturday mornings are spent leading a round robin with members, many of whom already have a Volkl racquet in their hands. Rather than looking toward becoming an architect as his college major would suggest, Henry still applies that creativity and knowledge in his daily endeavors in tennis and in life.
“Vibe Tennis is a movement; it speaks to a power brand born out of my passion for tennis and music,” says Henry about growing up in a musical family and blending his past with present. “I am an artist first, and need everything to reflect what I love.”
When discussing Volkl, the VIP since 2015 and V-Cell V1 Pro teaching professional says the following.
“There’s synergy with Volkl — I think that Volkl is a progressive brand, unafraid of taking chances. They’re a fun brand and something exciting.”
Follow Henry on Instagram @vibetennis
