Finding a Friend in Tennis – The “Pack and Putt” Duo Edition: How a Single Match Forged a 20-Year Brotherhood

Tennis is about more than just a racquet hitting a ball; it’s the ultimate training ground for the relationships that define who we become. This isn’t just a “tennis story” it’s a testament to how the heat of competition can spark a lifelong bond between teammates.

We are continuing our journey with David Packowitz, a man currently shaping the future of the sport through his career at Wilson. But to see what drives David’s competitive spirit, you have to meet the guy who has been his right-hand man since they were kids: Ross Putterman.

The Match That Started It All

Growing up in Chicago, Ross and David were local titans who spent years orbiting the same tournament circles, constantly hearing whispers of the other’s talent before finally colliding on the courts at McFetridge Sports Center.

While they started out living fifteen minutes apart, the real shift happened when David was twelve. He moved to a house just two minutes away from Ross, right near a set of tennis courts at the end of the block. From that point on, they spent the majority of their youth as neighbors, meeting at those courts to play every single week.

Ross still remembers the nerves. David was the veteran with the upper hand, but that day, the momentum shifted. Ross walked off the court with a 6-1, 6-1 victory and a newfound sense of confidence.

“I walked away feeling pretty unstoppable,” Ross says with a laugh. “But come to find out, I only beat David because he was playing with a broken finger from a rollerblading incident. That’s David for you, always a daredevil, and always refusing to sit out.”

While that first win felt definitive, their head-to-head record remained roughly even throughout their careers. Despite their talent, they never actually liked playing against one another. Whenever friends asked the inevitable question… “Who’s better?” The two refused to answer. For them, there wasn’t always a clear winner, and they weren’t willing to let a competitive rivalry jeopardize their friendship.

That lopsided score didn’t create a rivalry; it sparked an instant connection. What started as a fluke victory became the foundation for a bond that has weathered the last two decades.

More Than a Partner: The “Pack and Putt” Era

David quickly became much more than just a competitor across the net. He became the doubles partner, the teammate, and eventually, the “Pack” to Ross’s “Putt”. Their duo became so well-known on the circuit that it turned into a local trademark; at games, people would constantly approach them to ask, “Which one is Pack and which one is Putt?” To lean into the fun, they started wearing matching shirts in different colors to every meet and tournament they attended.

In the high-pressure world of junior tennis, where the grind of travel and constant training can often feel like a solo mission, Ross and David found their anchor in each other. They weren’t just practicing together; they were a force on the doubles court. Over their high school career, they put up a staggering 100-5 IHSA record, and likely played another 100+ USTA doubles matches together outside of school.

Ross credits David as the reason he stayed in the game as long as he did. Having a best friend who understood the hustle, and shared the same uniform for hundreds of matches, made every hour of hard work worth it. That shared experience transformed the individual “grind” into a team effort that defined their youth.

A Friendship Without Borders

Now, over 20 years later, the rollerblading injuries are a distant memory. While David drives innovation at Wilson in Chicago,and Ross builds his life in Minneapolis, living states away has naturally changed their “weekly play” schedule. They may only get to suit up for a match together when they are in the same city, but that hasn’t slowed down their love for the game. Ross still hits the courts in his downtime as much as possible, keeping his game sharp for the next time the duo reunites.

 “Ross and I shared an incredible journey together. A true stroke of luck that we lived so close and loved the same sport. Singles was fun and rewarding at tournaments but knowing that Ross and I would take the court later in the day is what I really looked forward to. Win or lose, we always knew had most didn’t, brotherhood.”

-David Packowitz 

Even with the distance, they always make time for their friendship. From childhood courts in Chicago to hiking trips in Utah, they remain a team. They serve as a living reminder: The greatest trophy you can win in this sport isn’t made of silver; it’s the person standing next to you in the photo.

At the USTA/Midwest Tennis & Education Foundation, we are building more than just athletes; we are building roots for a stronger tomorrow. We are proving that on these courts, everyone can find their team.