Finding her Voice Through tennis: How Rebecca Falkner Axelrod’s story
Rebecca’s journey with tennis began when she was just six years old. Growing up, she was considered largely non-verbal, “I pretty much got kicked to the curb in other sports because coaches didn’t understand nor wanted to deal with me,” she recalls. But everything changed when her mom found a coupon for tennis lessons
“The second I stepped on that court, something changed,” Rebecca says. “It felt like a safe space. No matter how horrible the day I had was or how difficult a speech therapy session was, I knew I would be safe on the court playing the sport I love.”
Rebecca credits her first tennis coach for being patient and committed to finding the best way to communicate with her. Slowly but surely, the garbled sounds turned into words. “Each session I had, I would begin to talk a little bit more,” she says. “Now, I can’t stop talking on the court!” Tennis gave Rebecca more than just a place to play — it gave her a voice. Today, Rebecca is not only thriving in the sport but also giving back to the community that helped shape her.
She has been involved with ACEing Autism for over two years and has served on the board of directors for almost one year. For Rebecca, the mission is deeply personal.
“I loved the community outreach impact,” she says. “Each individual on the court has a different story and journey, but we can all play the beautiful sport of tennis together. The volunteer and mentor impact is very important to me, so being able to be a part of that and see it firsthand is amazing to witness.
Rebecca’s biggest objective as a board member is to make tennis more accessible. “Tennis is such an adaptable sport, and anyone can play it,” she says. “Let’s continue to work together to grow the game!”
Rebecca is also supporting the launch of a new ACEing Autism program in Overland Park, Kansas. While her husband is leading the effort, Rebecca has been working behind the scenes to make it happen. “The experience has been pretty seamless,” she says. “The ACEing staff has been phenomenal to work with, and I’m looking forward to introducing adaptive tennis and ACEing Autism back to the Kansas City community.
Rebecca’s commitment to growing the sport extends far beyond ACEing Autism. She is the current Executive Director of USTA Heart of America and serves on the USTA National Adaptive Tennis Committee. She is also RSPA and PTR Level 2 Certified, a Tennis Industry Consultant, and previously co-directed the ACEing Autism Phoenix program. Her passion for tennis was nurtured during her collegiate career at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where she played from 2016 to 2021. Rebecca earned a BA in Sports Management with a minor in Coaching and later completed an MA in Sports Administration and Leadership. She is also a graduate of ASU Law, where she earned a Master’s in Sports Law and Business.
Rebecca’s story is a testament to the transformative power of sport. From finding her voice on the court to now helping others discover their strength through tennis, Rebecca’s journey has come full circle. “I don’t know where I would be without tennis,” she says. “It’s amazing to now be in a position where I can give back and help others find their own safe space on the court.”
Rebecca’s work with ACEing Autism, USTA, and adaptive tennis is more than just a career — it’s a calling. Through her leadership and passion, she’s helping to ensure that tennis remains a sport for everyone, no matter their background or ability.
