Beyond the Baseline … Getting to Know the Area’s Top Shops: Bill Levin of TopSpin Tennis & Fitness

More than 30 years ago, while working in Washington, D.C. as a controller of a publishing company, an opportunity presented itself to Bill Levin that he could not pass up.

With an undergraduate degree from American University and a master’s degree from George Washington University in accounting and finance, Levin was working in D.C. when he decided to change professional lanes.

“My parents started TopSpin in 1977, and in the mid-80s, I had the opportunity to buy the business from them,” recalls Levin. “The opportunity to come and own my own business was too good to pass up. And it’s the tennis business, a fun business in the best sport. So my wife and I bought the business and the rest is history.”

Even though his parents owned a tennis shop, Levin did not have much of a background in tennis. He played baseball and hockey growing up, but always enjoyed watching tennis.

“You learn how to do things,” Levin said of owning a tennis shop having never played the sport beforehand. “I loved watching the sport. I started taking lessons myself, and started stringing rackets, and within a year, I was on top of it. It’s a job, yes, but it’s also a pastime.”

With his background in finance and accounting, and her sense of fashion and other products, Levin and his wife, Flo, make a successful tandem.

“She kept me in line,” he said jokingly. I couldn’t go overboard with certain things and she had a great fashion sense. We didn’t get in each other’s way and complimented each other very well.”

And two decades later, TopSpin is still providing its customers with everything from clothes to tennis bags to running shoes, and have remained successful because of its unwavering customer service.

“We connect with our customers. We’re similar to our corner bar, like the television show ‘Cheers’ where folks can hang out and watch the tennis channel,” said Levin. “Ironically, even with the changing retail environment, we’ve been able to thrive because of our huge selection, customer service, guaranteed satisfaction and the lowest prices. Our customers keep coming back because we have the largest inventory of shoes and rackets on Long Island. We have a comfortable atmosphere here. The people coming in are playing a sport, not going to the dentist, so they are upbeat, and it makes for a fun way to make a living.”

The retail market has changed extensively over the last 10-plus years, as the Internet has made it easier for consumers to find the products they want without having to leave the comfort of their own home. But TopSpin Tennis & Fitness has kept up with this change because it continues to live up to its reputation, including stringing rackets for top players such as Andre Agassi, Martina Navratilova, Michael Chang and Long Island’s own Noah Rubin.

“The Internet has clearly changed the environment quite a bit,” said Levin. “But we’re staying on top of it so we can compete in terms of price and customer service.”

In addition to its location on Jericho Turnpike in Syosset, N.Y., TopSpin recently opened a pro shop at Christopher Morley Tennis in Roslyn.

“We have a great staff and we expand when we see an opportunity,” Levin said of the future. “Our customers are comfortable here and love coming in. This is probably the best area for tennis on the East Coast and we want to continue to provide superior technical and fashion expertise.”

TopSpin Tennis & Fitness is located at 218 Jericho Turnpike in Syosset, N.Y. or call (516) 364-9470. TopSpin's Pro Shop at Christopher Morley Tennis is located at 500 Searingtown Road in Roslyn, N.Y. or call (516) 484-4200. Visit TopSpin on the Web at TopSpinTennisLI.com.