When South Carolina native Roddy Cantey met his future wife, Naples native Sarah Witten, locally in 2009, he exclaimed that he had played against her brother Jesse in a USTA junior tournament 12 years earlier. These days, Roddy Cantey is co-commissioner of the Germain BMW of Naples Pro Tennis League, encompassing events at 11 clubs through April, with Jesse Witten returning as one of the players. These are just a couple of the many intriguing tennis interconnections among the trio.

Another: After the couple had won the annual Naples-Fort Myers Challenge mixed doubles title five consecutive times, Sarah needed a different partner in 2015 when Roddy had a knee replacement. Her easy choice was Jesse — with whom she had teamed up in USTA junior events years before, and in the U.S. Open mixed doubles qualifiers two months earlier — and they were victorious. Roddy and Sarah teamed up again for the 2016 edition of the event just 14 weeks after the birth of their twins (a boy and a girl).

“It’s always been fun playing with Roddy,” Sarah said. “We’ve played together in many exhibitions, as well as tournaments. It’s been kind of a date night for us for a long time!”

Jesse was active on the ATP tour for more than a decade, including taking one set from superstar Novak Djokovic in the third round of the 2009 U.S. Open. He then began teaching professionally, was co-owner of a Naples youth tennis acadenaplespress. my and now spends eight months a year as a teaching pro at Kensington Country Club in Naples and other locations. He spends summers sharpening player skills in North Carolina.

Witten has won multiple men’s open and doubles crowns at annual area tournaments including the Sterling Oaks Spring Tennis Championships, Naples-Fort Myers Challenge and Clay in May at Cambier Park.

He relishes the dynamics of the Naples Pro League.

“Most of the players know each other. We’re all so busy, so it’s so great to see each other at the events. It’s more about relationships, friendships. Player families come out. The tennis is a bonus,” he said.

Roddy has run the ProAm Tennis and Pickleball retail store in North Naples since 2008. It managed the Naples Community Tennis Center at the YMCA for a period, has sponsored numerous competitions and conducted many racquet demo events at country clubs. As a Master Racquet Technician, he recommends the type of string, tension at which it should be set, grip and more to match someone’s ability and playing style, and to provide maximum shock absorption in hopes of preventing tennis elbow. He estimated he and his staff have performed 113,000-plus restringing services over the years.

“Tennis gave me everything,” he said. “Now, giving back as much as I can is very gratifying.”

Sarah considered the arc of the sport and its role in their lives — from participating in clinics locally with Jesse when both were toddlers to how the couple’s three children love tennis and are taking lessons.

“Tennis and family … it’s now a full circle,” she said.