John Mee has played on the hard courts his entire life.
He attended the University of Texas, where the team won the Big 12 Championship and captured the 2019 National Championship. Fast forward to the current day and he is looking to make his mark with racquet sport, TYPTI.
Mee has been playing tennis since he was about eight years old and has trained alongside tennis’ elite, including Frances Tiafoe, and other elite juniors. Following his varsity career, he relocated to Los Angeles and immersed himself in a variety of racquet sports.
Mee’s involvement with TYPTI began before the sport officially launched. Creator and founder, Steve Bellamy, had been developing the concept privately around Los Angeles, inviting high-level players from tennis and pickleball to test the sport and help refine its rules and structure before its official debut. Mee was invited to play in a private tournament by a friend who believed his groundstrokes and ability to transition quickly to the net would translate well into TYPTI. Mee competed in that private tournament and won, which he described as the moment he truly became hooked.
While tennis will always play a role in his life, he noted how it has become increasingly difficult to find courts and maintain a high level of play, due to physical demands. In contrast, TYPTI allows him to swing almost identically to how he does in tennis. Unlike padel or pickleball, where swing adjustments are necessary, TYPTI fully accommodates a traditional tennis swing.
He also noted that TYPTI offers an accessible entry point. The ball is soft and easy to time, yet still allows for pace. Whereas tennis balls can feel overly bouncy to newcomers, the TYPTI ball is easier to adapt to across skill levels. Mee believes players can adopt both the ball and the swing quickly, regardless of experience.
Offering tips for newcomers, Mee emphasized the importance of body control during swings. He also highlighted a unique rule: if the ball hits the net and comes back into play, players may still make a play on it using a body part or a non-string portion of the racquet. Many first-time players instinctively stop after a net touch, as they would in other racquet sports. Mee stressed the need to stay mentally ready for unexpected rebounds and to train awareness around that rule.
Mee credits Bellamy for innovating within the racquet sports space. He acknowledged that launching a new sport is not easy but noted the growing interest from clubs and players across the country.