NKORT

FLIPP vs. TenniBot: Choosing the Right Tennis Ball Picker for Your Court

NKORT — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 02:23:11 +0000

If you’ve ever run a tennis drill or practiced with dozens of balls, you know how much time and energy gets spent picking them up. That’s where tools like FLIPP and TenniBot come in — both aim to make ball collection faster and easier, but they do it in very different ways.

Whether you’re a coach, player, or club manager, choosing the right solution depends on your budget, training needs, and how you value convenience vs. technology. In this post, we’ll break down the key differences between FLIPP, a new manual ball picker/hopper from NKORT, and TenniBot, one of the leading automated options on the market.

Quick Overview

Feature	FLIPP	TenniBot
Type	Manual ball picker & hopper (2-in-1)	Automated robotic ball picker
Ball Capacity	~80 balls	~80 balls
Collection Method	Push along ground with spring-loaded forks	Autonomous navigation via camera + sensors
Power Source	None (fully manual)	Rechargeable battery (4–5 hours per charge)
Portability	Lightweight and foldable	Wheeled robot, bulkier than FLIPP
Feeding Capability	Yes – converts to waist-height hopper	No – storage only, needs separate hopper
Price Range	~$150 retail	~$3,000 retail
Maintenance	Very low (no electronics)	Moderate – battery, software updates, etc.
Ideal For	Coaches, clubs, regular players	High-end academies, tech-forward users

What is FLIPP?

FLIPP is a new product designed by NKORT to combine two familiar tools into one: a ball picker and a hopper. Instead of bending to scoop balls or carrying a separate basket, you simply roll FLIPP across the court to collect balls using its forked pickup system. Once full, you flip the handle and it becomes a hopper at waist height — ready for feeding drills.

It’s manual, but thoughtfully designed to be efficient, lightweight, and portable. After testing at local clubs, early feedback has been very positive, especially from coaches who liked the speed and simplicity.

What is TenniBot?

TenniBot is an automated ball collector — think of it as the “Roomba” for your tennis court. It uses cameras and sensors to navigate and scoop up balls on its own. You can even control zones via an app. It holds about the same number of balls as FLIPP but does not serve as a hopper, so you’ll still need a separate container for feeding.

The main draw is convenience: set it up, start hitting, and let the robot do the cleanup. It’s fully autonomous, but it comes at a steep cost (around $3,000).

Why Choose FLIPP Over Automation?

1. Cost-Effective and Accessible

Not everyone has the budget for a $3,000 robot — especially local clubs, school programs, or individual players. FLIPP delivers a big time-saving upgrade over traditional baskets and tubes at a fraction of the cost. It’s also easier to justify when buying multiple units for different courts or teams.

2. No Charging, No Apps, No Tech Hassles

FLIPP works anytime, anywhere. There’s no battery, no software updates, and no learning curve. Just roll, flip, and go. If you’ve ever had tech issues mid-practice, you’ll appreciate the simplicity.

3. Built-In Hopper Functionality

TenniBot collects balls, but you still need to transfer them to another hopper to run feeding drills. FLIPP cuts out that extra step — once full, it’s ready to use. That’s less equipment to manage and less setup time between drills.

4. Portable and Durable

FLIPP is compact and foldable, making it easy to throw in your trunk or store at the club. It’s made for the real world — no fragile electronics, and no need for a perfectly flat court to operate.

5. Good Fit for Most Players and Coaches

While TenniBot might appeal to academies with big budgets, FLIPP is designed for practical, everyday use. If you’re a coach working with kids, or a club player doing serve drills, it gets the job done without overcomplicating your setup.

When Automation Might Make Sense

TenniBot does shine in certain environments:

Elite academies with dozens of courts and large-scale training programs.
Private users who want to eliminate all manual work (and can afford the cost).
Facilities looking to showcase cutting-edge tech as part of their brand.

If you’re in one of those groups, the automation may be worth it.

Final Thoughts

In the end, both FLIPP and TenniBot are trying to solve the same problem — how to pick up balls faster. The key difference is in how they approach the problem, and who they’re built for.

If you want an affordable, durable, and coach-friendly tool that improves your workflow on court, FLIPP is a smart choice.
If you’re running a high-budget academy and want a hands-off, futuristic solution, TenniBot might be right — assuming the investment makes sense.

For most players and clubs, FLIPP offers the best blend of efficiency, practicality, and value. It’s a modern take on a tool every tennis program needs — without the complexity or price tag of automation.

STOP Wasting Time Picking Up Balls – Use FLIPP Instead

NKORT — Mon, 26 May 2025 18:25:22 +0000

Check out our latest FLIPP ad!

Tubes? Drag yourself through the court picking one ball at a time?

Wire basket? Same deal, push down and look like a clown.

Roller? Are you kidding? This junk was made to pick up walnuts!

Use FLIPP, this basket is 5 times faster than the other inventions.

FLIPP is light, portable, it can both pick up balls and flip into a hopper, it folds and fits in your trunk, and it even has cup holders.

Stop paying to pick up balls and tell your coach to get FLIPP today.

Stop wasting time, master your serves, and destroy your opponents.

FLIPP – Play More. Suffer Less.

Full Video Review of FLIPP Hopper/Picker by NKORT

NKORT — Thu, 22 May 2025 16:45:39 +0000

Hey there, tennis coach or serious player! You know those moments after a killer practice session when you’re stuck picking up dozens of tennis balls scattered across the court? Yeah, nobody loves that part. That’s where FLIPP by NKORT comes in—a game-changing ball hopper and picker that’ll save you time and get you back to crushing your serves and drills.

Check out this video review by Miguel, NKORT founder and FLIPP creator:

What’s FLIPP All About?

Picture this: a sleek, portable tool that holds up to 80 tennis balls and switches effortlessly between a hopper for your drills and a picker to scoop up those stray balls. FLIPP is designed to make your life on the court easier, so you can focus on what you love—playing tennis. It’s compact, rolls smoothly, and folds up to fit right in your car trunk. Ready to see why it’s such a big deal?

Why You’ll Love FLIPP’s Features

1. Flip It, Use It

With FLIPP, you can switch from hopper to picker in seconds. Just flip a couple of tabs, and boom—your hopper’s at waist level, ready for you to fire off serves or run drills. Done practicing? Flip those tabs back, and you’re ready to roll over the court to pick up balls. It’s so simple, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it!

2. Roll With Ease

FLIPP glides across the court in both modes, making it a breeze to move around during drills or chase down balls. No more lugging heavy baskets or bending over endlessly. You’ll zip around the court, keeping your energy for smashing forehands instead of wrestling with equipment.

3. Forks That Grab More

Here’s where FLIPP really shines. Its clever fork system extends the pickup width by 40%, so you can scoop up multiple balls in one go. Got balls stuck along the court’s edges after a long rally? No problem—those forks are built to grab them with ease. You’ll clear the court in record time, leaving you more minutes to perfect your game.

4. Pack It Up, Take It Anywhere

When you’re done, FLIPP folds down with a quick pull of two pins. The handle collapses, and you can toss it in your trunk or stash it in a corner. Whether you’re heading to a new court or just back home, FLIPP’s compact design makes it your perfect practice buddy.

5. Stay Hydrated, Keep Playing

FLIPP’s got your back with two built-in cup holders. Pop your water bottle or sports drink in there, and you’re set to stay hydrated during those marathon practice sessions. It’s the little things that make a big difference, right?

How FLIPP Boosts Your Game

Imagine cutting your ball pickup time in half—yep, FLIPP’s that fast! It’s two to three times quicker than wire baskets or pickup tubes, especially for those pesky edge balls. If you’re hitting the court for an hour a week, that could mean hours of extra practice over a year. NKORT even has a savings calculator to show you how much time (and how many extra balls) you’ll gain. More swings, more serves, more wins—what’s not to love?

Why You Need FLIPP

As a coach, you’ll keep your sessions flowing smoothly. The hopper mode lets you feed balls like a pro, and the picker mode means less downtime between drills. Your players will thank you for keeping things moving! If you’re a serious player, FLIPP gives you more time to hone your skills, whether you’re working on your serves or perfecting volleys. Plus, it’s so portable you can take it to any court, any time.

Get in on the Action

FLIPP’s still a prototype, but it’s already fully functional and ready to impress. NKORT’s planning a Kickstarter to bring this bad boy to life, and you can get in on the ground floor by joining the waitlist. Sign up, and you’ll be one of the first to snag a FLIPP when it launches. Trust me, you’re going to want this tool to spend less time picking up balls and more time playing the game you love.

So, what are you waiting for? Join the waitlist, and get ready to take your tennis sessions to the next level with FLIPP by NKORT. Let’s hit the court and play more tennis!

Balls in the corners? FLIPP will get them

NKORT — Tue, 20 May 2025 18:25:31 +0000

The most common complaint I hear from other ball tennis pickers is they fail to get balls from the edges and corners of the court.

This is specially true for the roller-type pickers, which are not only much slower than FLIPP, but struggle at picking up balls from the court edges.

Here is a short video demonstrating how FLIPP can clean a tennis court corner in mere seconds.

As you can see, with FLIPP, you can get right to the very corner of the court and still pick up all the balls without having to push them away from the fence.

What else do you wish your existing ball picker/hopper could do?

Cheers,

Miguel @ NKORT.com

Battle of The Hoppers: What’s the best option for coaches & players?

NKORT — Tue, 13 May 2025 19:16:12 +0000

A Novel Approach to an Old Problem — Watch how FLIPP stacks up against the competition

The need to pick up and carry multiple tennis balls for practice drills has existed since the beginning of the sport. Yet, despite how common this need is, there has been surprisingly little innovation in the last 50 years. Every tennis club, coach, and player is familiar with the usual tools: wire baskets, pick-up tubes, and rollers. Some are good a holding many balls, some are good at picking balls, some are portable, some are foldable, but none are good at everything.

In the following Battle of the Hoppers, we’ll show you that there’s finally an all-in-one solution that checks every box. It’s both a hopper and a ball pickup system. It’s portable, lightweight, clever, compact—and fun to use. It’s called FLIPP: an innovative 2-in-1 ball picker and hopper, developed in collaboration with top tennis instructors across Canada.

You already know tennis is hard. It takes thousands of reps to fine-tune your serve and strokes. It takes time, lots of time to master this beautiful sport. FLIPP will give you some of precious time back. By cutting down on ball pickup, it helps you make the most of every training session. With FLIPP, you’ll train hard and train smart.

Rules of The Battle

The goal of this comparison is to determine which tool is the fastest and most convenient for both picking up balls and holding them at waist level for feeding drills.

Our four contenders are: FLIPP, a wire basket, two pick-up tubes, and a pick-up roller.

The test measures two variables:

The time it takes to pick up 60 balls (arranged in 15 rows of 4 balls each*).
The time it takes to bring those 60 balls to waist level, ready for feeding drills.

The winner is the device that completes both tasks in the least amount of time.

Out of the four devices, only FLIPP and the wire basket are designed to function as both pick-up tools and hoppers. For these, the second time measures how long it takes to convert from pick-up mode to hopper mode.

Pick-up tubes and rollers must be paired with a separate hopper. For these devices, the second time measures how long it takes to unload the balls into the corresponding hopper or basket.

Watch the videos below!

Make sure to watch the three side-by-side comparison videos below. We’ve put FLIPP head-to-head with each of the three alternatives. In each video, FLIPP is shown on the left, and the competing product is shown on the right. There are no tricks—no videos have been sped up or slowed down. Everything is shown in real time.

Let the battle begin!

*We know tennis balls are never arranged this neatly during real practice sessions. However, we used this setup to ensure a consistent testing environment for all devices and to make the side-by-side comparisons below easier to evaluate.

FLIPP vs Wire Baskets

Times (60 balls)	FLIPP	Wire Basket
Pickup Time	3 secs	36 secs
Convert to Hopper	5 secs	15 secs

FLIPP was 12x faster picking up balls and 3x faster converting into a hopper than a wire basket.

Wire baskets have long been the go-to for tennis ball pick-up, but their flaws are hard to ignore. Most are built from cheap wire frames that bend, break, or warp over time — especially when tossed in and out of trunks or dragged across courts. Their limited capacity means you’re constantly stopping to unload, and pushing down to collect balls requires more effort than you’d expect. When it’s time to switch into feeding mode, you’ll have to manually snap each leg into place — a two-handed, clunky process that slows you down.

FLIPP was built to eliminate every one of those pain points. With a generous capacity of about 80 balls and smooth-rolling action, it’s faster and more efficient. And when it’s time to feed balls? A single, satisfying swivel flips the handle down into a sturdy pedestal — no fidgeting with fold-out legs. Its premium materials and foldable design make it durable, compact, and easy to transport — making wire baskets feel like relics of the past.

FLIPP vs Pick-Up Tubes

Times (60 balls)	FLIPP	Pick-Up Tubes
Pickup Time	3 secs	69 secs
To Hopper / Unload to Basket	5 secs	20 secs

FLIPP was 23x faster picking up balls and 4x faster getting balls to waist level than two pick-up tubes used at once.

Pick-up tubes are simple, lightweight, and inexpensive. They’ve earned their place in tennis clubs everywhere. But when you’re working with 60+ balls on the court, their limitations become crystal clear. Tubes only pick up one ball at a time — and with a typical capacity of just 15 balls, you’ll be unloading them over and over. Worse yet, you’ll need a second piece of equipment (a separate hopper) just to hold the rest of the balls. So much for packing light.

FLIPP does the job of both. It picks up balls in bulk thanks to its spring-loaded intake forks and wide sweep area, then instantly transforms into a feeding hopper. No bending. No swapping tools. No wasted time. FLIPP saves your back, your space, and your budget — delivering simplicity and power in one premium tool.

FLIPP vs Pick-Up Rollers

Times (60 balls)	FLIPP	Pick-Up Rollers
Pickup Time	3 secs	39 secs
To Hopper / Unload to Basket	5 secs	34 secs

FLIPP was 13x faster picking up balls and 7x faster getting balls to waist level than a pick-up roller.

Ball rollers have gained popularity for their speed — and rightly so. They can scoop up balls faster than tubes or baskets and are often easier to maneuver. But the trade-offs add up quickly. Their average capacity tops out around 50 balls, and when they’re full, unloading them can become an awkward, two-handed wrestling match. Many coaches report spending as much time emptying rollers as they do picking up balls. And just like with tubes, you still need a separate hopper to feed balls — meaning two purchases, more bulk, and more to carry.

FLIPP not only picks up balls fast, it holds more — about 80 — and then flips into a stable, elevated hopper for feeding drills right away. No extra gear. No messy transfers. Plus, thanks to its innovative side forks, FLIPP shines where rollers stumble: in the tight edges and corners of the court.

Here are the results

The chart below shows the total time it took each of the four contenders to pick up 60 balls and prepare them at waist level for practice.

FLIPP comes as the clear overall winner. With FLIPP, it took just over 10 secs to both pickup 60 balls and convert it into a hopper. Followed by the wire basket at 52 secs. Having to push down each time to pick up balls wasted a lot of time. It also took longer to snap each leg into place to convert it into a hopper.

Pick-up tubes placed third, taking roughly eight times longer than FLIPP to complete the same task. While they can be somewhat effective in group lessons—where each student is given a tube—they’re still slow enough to cut into valuable practice time. Additionally, because they require a separate cart or basket for unloading, they’re not as affordable or convenient as they might initially seem.

The roller came in last overall, despite picking up balls faster than the wire basket (39 seconds vs. 60 seconds). Most of the time was lost during the unloading process. In fairness, rollers can often be the second-fastest solution, but in this test, we pushed its capacity to the limit, which made dislodging the balls at the end more difficult. While some rollers convert into hoppers, they tend to perform poorly in that role, as they’re primarily optimized for ball collection.

Without FLIPP you’re probably wasting up to $1K a year

Let’s do the math. In a typical 1-hour lesson, a coach can easily go through 10 baskets with 80 balls each. Using traditional tools, it takes about 3 minutes for one person to pick up 80 scattered balls. In a one-on-one session, that means the student could spend up to 30 minutes—half the lesson—just picking up balls.

If the lesson costs $60 per hour, that’s essentially $30 wasted on ball collection instead of actually playing tennis.

Now, let’s say you take 50 lessons a year (about one per week). Even if we’re conservative and assume just 20 minutes per lesson are spent collecting balls, that still means you’re wasting $20 per session—or $1,000 per year—on time not spent training.

Can you see now why it makes so much sense to minimize the time spent collecting balls?

Let’s take a closer look at how much time—and money—you could save by using FLIPP. In all our tests, FLIPP consistently outperformed every alternative, saving at least 2 to 3x the time when it comes to picking up balls and getting them ready for feeding drills in hopper mode. Given how much time is typically spent on ball collection during lessons, even saving a few minutes per session can quickly add up to hundreds of dollars worth of time over the course of a year.

Even if FLIPP were only twice as efficient, a student taking weekly one-hour lessons could easily save $500 per year. The more lessons you take, the more time you save—and the more time you spend actually improving your game.

The bottom line? If you value your time, your money, and your progress on the court, investing in one or more FLIPP units might be the smartest decision you make.

And if you’re a coach or club owner, the benefits go even further. Yes, your sessions may become more intense with less downtime, but that’s a good thing. Your players will improve faster, stay more engaged, and be far more likely to book future lessons—with you, not the competition.

What about group lessons? While pickup time may seem quicker with four or more players, keep in mind: the time is divided. In a one-hour class with four students, each player gets only 15 minutes of actual instruction. Subtract even 5 minutes per player for picking up balls, and you’re down to just 10 minutes of real coaching. That’s why saving time during group lessons is just as critical as in one-on-one sessions.

Conclusion: The Future of Ball Pick-Up Has Arrived

Wire baskets bend and break. Pick-up tubes are slow and inefficient. Rollers move fast but leave you juggling gear. All of them were created in a time when tennis players and coaches just accepted the hassle. But FLIPP was built to challenge that — and to win.

After two years of obsessive design and testing, FLIPP isn’t just a tool — it’s an evolution. It combines the speed of a roller, the simplicity of a tube, and the capacity of a hopper, all in one compact, durable, beautifully engineered system. With FLIPP, you’ll save time, you’ll save money, and you’ll get better at tennis faster!

Ready to Flip the Way You Practice?

Join the waitlist now to be the first to know when FLIPP launches on Kickstarter. Get exclusive updates, early bird pricing, and a front-row seat to the revolution in tennis training gear.

Introducing FLIPP: The Ultimate Tennis Ball Picker & Hopper 🎾✨

NKORT — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 02:25:10 +0000

For decades, tennis players and coaches have relied on the same old ball hoppers—basic wire baskets that are either too flimsy, too heavy, or frustratingly limited in function. If you’ve spent time on the court, you know the drill: picking up dozens of balls one by one, dealing with hoppers that break under pressure, or struggling with bulky designs that barely fit in your trunk.

That’s exactly what led Miguel Hernandez, a lifelong tennis enthusiast, to ask a simple but important question: “Why hasn’t anyone made a better ball hopper?”

After years of frustration with existing options, Mike took matters into his own hands. He started experimenting with different designs, testing materials, and refining prototypes until he finally landed on something truly special. The result? FLIPP—a game-changing, patent-pending tennis ball picker and hopper that makes ball collection effortless and enjoyable.

Why FLIPP?

Two Functions, One Smart Design

FLIPP isn’t just a ball picker—it’s also a high-capacity hopper! With a simple flip of the handle, it transforms from pickup mode to hopper mode, so you can collect and store up to 80 balls without any hassle.

Effortless Ball Pickup

Unlike traditional hoppers that require you to press down with force, FLIPP features an innovative, patent-pending ball pickup mechanism and spring-loaded side forks that make collecting balls easier than ever—even from the hard-to-reach corners of the court. No more bending, no more frustration. Just smooth, easy pickup every time.

Lightweight & Portable

Tired of lugging around a heavy metal hopper? FLIPP is lightweight and compact, and thanks to its folding handle, it fits neatly in your car trunk for easy transport and storage. Whether you’re heading to practice, coaching a lesson, or running a tennis camp, FLIPP goes wherever you go.

Built-In Cup Holders

Yes, we even thought of that! FLIPP comes with two foldable cup holders, so you can keep your drinks or phone secure while you train. It’s the small details that make a big difference.

A Fresh Take on an Old Problem

Let’s be real—tennis ball hoppers haven’t seen meaningful innovation in decades. The same flimsy wire baskets or heavy plastic buckets have been the norm for far too long. Some are good for picking up balls but terrible for storage. Others are decent hoppers but clunky to carry around.

Mike was determined to break the mold. He spent years testing different ideas, tweaking designs, and finally developing a solution that combines durability, efficiency, and versatility in one sleek package. With FLIPP, picking up balls is no longer a chore—it’s fast, easy, and frustration-free.

Join the waitlist!

Stay tuned for more updates, behind-the-scenes looks at how FLIPP was created and get updates as we move toward launch.

Join the waitlist here →