200804 Racquet Sports Industry

April 2008Volume 36 Number 4 $5.00

ContentsContents

DEPARTMENTS

R S I A P R I L 2 0 0 8

INDUSTRY NEWS

7 Prince set to acquireViking Athletics

7 Wilson, ITA develop intern program

7 Two named PTRMaster Professionals

8 GrowingTennis, TennisConnectoffer “Open Houses”

9 USTA launches new No-CutCoach website

9 Babolat creates new“Armani” racquet

10 Gamma introduces AsteriskTour string

10 USPTA launches onlineCertification Review Course

10 Head renews deal with BeachTennis USA

11 Bälle de Mätch to distribute Kaelin

11 LBH Group debuts new lookfor summer

14 Dunlop adds 3 new Aerogel frames

15 ASBA, USTA release new “TennisCourts” manual

4 Our Serve

7 Industry News

18 TIA News & Updates

20 Business Trends

42 String Playtest: Luxilon Alu Power Fluoro 123

44 Ask the Experts

46 Tips and Techniques

48 Your Serve, by Scott Hanover

SPECIAL SECTION: RACQUETS

22 Building ExpectationsAs players get smarter about their frames,they continue to expect more from racquetcompanies.

24 2008 Racquet Selection MapOur exclusive annual guide to racquets willhelp you quickly and easily choose the rightframes for your customers.

2 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2008

FEATURES

32 Taking One for the TeamTeam apparel can be big business forretailers, as manufacturers offer outfitsto suit all types of groups.

36 Overcome Obstacles to PlayDon’t just teach your beginners how tohit the ball. Teach them how to play amatch.

38 Quality ConstructionThe outdoor hard-court DistinguishedFacility-of-the-Year Award winnersdemonstrate excellence on a grand scale.

nce again, I felt fortunate to attend one of this indus-try’s best workshops for those actually delivering ten-nis at the grassroots level. I’m talking about the USTA’s

Community Tennis Development Workshop, a yearly eventthat brings together those who are in the trenches, makingtennis happen in communities throughout the U.S.The 2008 CTDW was held Feb. 22 to 24 at the Flamingo Las Vegas.

Nearly 600 community tennis leaders from around the country attend-ed, from volunteers, to teaching pros, to district and section staff, andmany more. The key thing, though, is that all of these attendees are pas-sionate about tennis.You’ve all heard talk about tennis participation on the rise. Well, it’s

these folks—and the thousands like them who could not make it toVegas for this CTDW—who should get the credit for actually makingthat growth happen. They are the true champions of this sport, and theyare the people that all of us in this industry depend on.As I’ve said for a number of years, the USTA’s CTDW is probably the

best thing the USTA does to help tennis at the grassroots level. At theCTDW, the biggest problem I hear about is attendees unable to attendall the sessions they want to because there is just so much happening atone time.This year, presentations covered a broad range: starting a CTA, spon-

sorship and marketing, advocacy, building partnerships, raising funds,dealing with volunteers, instruction in public parks, public relations,QuickStart Tennis, and much, much more. The sessions are led by USTAstaff, volunteers, section folks, and other experts in their fields.But beyond the presentations, simply spending time with other atten-

dees is inspiring. In fact, to aid in networking, the USTA this year usednew “nTAG” technology, which is an electronic nametag that can easilyswap your contact info with those you meet. After the weekend, atten-dees received an email that showed the contacts they made at theevent. (The nTAG also can do many other things, including instantpolling.)If you’ve never been to a CTDW, or haven’t been to one in the last

few years, you need to go. The February 2009 event will be on HiltonHead Island, right after the PTR Symposium. Start making your plans.

Peter FrancesconiEditorial Director

Our ServeA Gathering of Champions

(Incorporating Racquet Tech and Tennis Industry)Publishers

David Bone Jeff Williams

Editorial DirectorPeter Francesconi

Associate EditorGreg Raven

Design/Art DirectorKristine Thom

Contributing EditorsRobin BatemanCynthia Cantrell

Rod CrossKristen DaleyJoe DinofferLiza Horan

James MartinGreg Moran

Chris NicholsonBob Patterson

Cynthia ShermanMary Helen Sprecher

RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRYCorporate Offices

330 Main St., Vista, CA 92084Phone: 760-536-1177 Fax: 760-536-1171

Email: [email protected]: www.racquetTECH.com

Office Hours: Mon.-Fri.,8 a.m.-5 p.m. Pacific Time

Advertising DirectorJohn Hanna

770-650-1102, [email protected]

Apparel AdvertisingCynthia Sherman203-263-5243

[email protected]

Racquet Sports Industry (USPS 347-8300. ISSN 0191-

5851) is published 10 times per year: monthly Janu-

ary through August and combined issues in

September/October and November/December by

Tennis Industry and USRSA, 330 Main St., Vista, CA

92084. Periodicals postage paid at Hurley, NY 12443

and additional mailing offices. April 2008, Volume

36, Number 4 © 2008 by USRSA and Tennis Industry.

All rights reserved. Racquet Sports Industry, RSI and

logo are trademarks of USRSA. Printed in the U.S.A.

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O

RSI is the official magazine of the USRSA, TIA,and ASBA

INDUSTRY NEWSINDUSTRY NEWSR S I A P R I L 2 0 0 8

I N F O R M A T I O N T O H E L P Y O U R U N Y O U R B U S I N E S S

Prince Sports Inc. announced in February that it is set to acquire the platform tennisbrand Viking Athletics. The partnership would add paddle sports to Prince’s portfolioof racquet sports, which includes tennis,

squash and racquetball. As of early March, details ofthe deal had yet to be finalized.

Viking Athletics was founded in 1984 in Linden-hurst, N.Y., by David Kjeldsen, an avid platform play-er who is widely accepted as the “guru” of the sportand who will be inducted into the ATPA Hall of Famein March. “Prince is a complete racquet and court sportscompany and as specialists we want, and need, to beinvolved in every aspect of the industry,” says Prince CEOGeorge Napier. “Viking is the clear leader in platform tennis so it makes perfect sense to part-ner with David.”

Viking Athletics will retain its name and will continue to conduct business in the samefashion. The Viking brand will be managed by Scott Winters, vice president of Small CourtSports at Prince who is responsible for both the Prince Squash and Ektelon brands. Kjeldsenwill join the Prince team. Charlie Osborn, vice president of National Sales for Prince, willmanage the sales initiatives for the new brand.

Wilson, ITA DevelopIntern ProgramWilson and the Intercollegiate TennisAssociation (ITA) are expanding theirpartnership to help support those witha passion for tennis and an interest indeveloping a career in the racquetsports industry.

Through a new Wilson/ITA Intern Pro-gram, both Wilson and the ITA will rec-ognize outstanding varsity tennis teamstudent-athletes and team managers,of which a select few will be awardeda Wilson internship at the company’sChicago headquarters. The intern pro-gram will recognize individuals whopromote the sport at the college ten-nis level by devoting consistent timeand effort to promotional activities tosupport and bring awareness to eithertheir school program or tennis overall.

Two categories of collegiate promotershave been established, Varsity TeamManagers and Varsity Student-Ath-letes. Three individuals will be nomi-nated by the ITA from each categoryand receive a certificate of recognitionfrom the ITA and a special award fromWilson. One individual from each cate-gory will then be selected to receive apaid summer internship at Wilson’sglobal headquarters.

“We are very pleased that Wilson isexpanding its leadership role as amajor industry partner of the ITA andsuch a great supporter of college ten-nis,” says David Benjamin, executivedirector of the ITA. “The Wilson/ITAIntern Program presents a wonderfulopportunity for student-athletes to berecognized for their promotional effortsfor their school programs and for ten-nis in general, and also provides thema unique opportunity to work (throughthe intern program) at the leadingcompany in the tennis industry.”

April 2008 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 7

Prince Set to Acquire Viking Athletics

Two Named PTR Master Professionals

Fernando Velasco of Austin, Texas, and Shinichi Suzuki of Chiba, Japan, were named PTRMaster Professionals at the annual PTR International Tennis Symposium, which tookplace Feb. 16-21 at the Van der Meer Shipyard Racquet Club on Hilton Head Island, S.C.

The Master Professional level of certification recognizes those individuals who have madesignificant contributions to the game of tennis throughout their careers. The designation isan important distinction in which PTR members must demonstrate their broad involvementin tennis over many years, showing growth in their knowledge of the game, a strong involve-ment in introducing tennis to their community, expertise in teaching and coaching, and acommitment to developing professionally.

Velasco (below, left, with Master ProCommittee Chairman Pete Collins) is themanager and director of tennis at CircleC Tennis Club in Austin. He has been aguest speaker at PTR symposia for 15years, with presentations on manage-ment and on-court teaching in bothSpanish and English. In 1999, Velascowas named PTR Professional of the Year.

In 1976, Suzuki became one of thefirst PTR members in Japan. He mentorsother coaches in Japan, is a PTR Nation-al Tester, and has conducted numerousPTR clinics over the years.

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GrowingTennis,TennisConnect Offer‘Open Houses’

Expand your tennis business andincrease your profits through aseries of free, public, online “Open

Houses” that make it easy to understandtwo key systems—GrowingTennis andTennisConnect.

The GrowingTennis System allowsyou to post your tennis program infor-mation for free on key consumer web-sites (such as USTA.com, Tennis.com,TennisWeek.com, TennisChannel.com,TennisWelcomeCenter.com and Cardio-Tennis.com) so players can easily findyou and your facility. Every month,there are more than 1 million consumerqueries on the GrowingTennis System.Online sign-up and payment featuresare also available.

The half-hour Open House will takeyou through the steps to getting themost out of the GrowingTennis System.The online training gives you the chanceto ask the experts, as technology profes-sionals guide you through the informa-tional tutorial. You will need a computerwith high-speed internet access and aseparate phone line to call in.

The GrowingTennis Open House isoffered three times a week: Mondays,Wednesdays and Thursdays, 1-1:30 p.m(Eastern time). Immediately followingeach of the GrowingTennis Open Hous-es will be a half-hour, free Open Houseon TennisConnect (M, W, Th, 1:30-2p.m.), allowing users to evaluate thisonline communications and marketingtool for tennis facilities.

The TennisConnect Open House willintroduce you to features such as thewebsite builder, eCalendar, contactmanager, court reservations, groupemail and more. The Open House isideal managers, decision makers andothers looking for a “quick tour” of thesoftware and for those who will bedeeply involved in the use of Tennis-Connect.

To find out more visitwww.GrowingTennis.com and www.TennisConnect.org, or call 843-686-3036.

Wayne Bryan Named PTR Pro of the Year

Wayne Bryan of Camarillo, Calif., was named PTR Professional of the Year dur-ing the 2008 PTR International Tennis Symposium, held Feb. 16-21 on HiltonHead Island, S.C.

The Symposium, which included 60-plus on-court and classroom presentations,a tennis trade show and $25,000 Championships, was held at the Van der MeerShipyard Racquet Club. The PTR has more than 13,000 members in 122 countries.


Spring Scholarship Seminars Offered

Parents, coaches and high school students in the Southern California areainterested in finding out more about college scholarships for tennis playersshould try to attend a free College and University Scholarship Seminar. The

seminars, put on by longtime tennis industry expert and coach Mark Winters,offer useful tips about searching for a scholarship, among other things.

No reservations are needed for these free seminars. For more informationabout the College & University Scholarship Program, call Winters at 310-208-3838, Ext. 231. For directions to a facility, contact the individuals listed at eachlocation.� April 2: LA84 Foundation in Los Angeles, 5:30 p.m. (Pilar Diaz,[email protected])

� April 3: Valencia High School in Valencia/Santa Clarita, Calif., 7 p.m. (Annie Kellogg,[email protected])

� April 9: Barnes Tennis Center in San Diego, 6:30 p.m. (Kerry Blum, 619-221-9000)� April 10: Pasadena Enterprise Center, 1015 N. Lake Ave., Suite 102 in Pasadena, 6:30p.m. (Hank Castillo, [email protected])

� April 16: Santa Barbara Tennis Club in Santa Barbara, 6:30 p.m. (Cathy Ann Simon,805-680-3870)

� April 23: Temescal Canyon High School in Lake Elsinore, 6:30 p.m. (Alison Roell, 951-901-9110, [email protected])

Other annual PTR award recipientsinclude:� Wheelchair Pro of the Year: Geoff Norton, KansasCity, Kan.

� Clinician of the Year: Adam Gard’ner, Shanghai,China

� Tester of the Year: John Carrigan, London, Eng-land

� Humanitarian Award: Linda McCollum, Jasper, Ga.� Volunteer of the Year: Jack Barker, Greer, S.C.� Coach Verdieck Touring Pro Coach of the Year:Richard Williams, Palm Beach, Fla.

� Coach Verdieck College Coach of the Year: ChuckKriese, Seneca, Ga.

� Coach Verdieck High School Coach of the Year:Dan Vonk, Kingsland, Ga.

� PTR Male Player of the Year: Zbynek Mlynarik,Chatsworth, Calif.

� Public Facility of the Year: Mobile Tennis Center,Mobile, Ala.

� Private Facility of the Year: Midtown Athletic Club,Weston, Fla.

� Media Excellence Award: Bob Larson, Edina,Minn.

� PTR/USTA Community Service Award: Sal Castillo,San Antonio, Texas

� PTR/TIA Commitment to the Industry: FrankAdams, Aurora, Colo.

In addition, PTR recognizedseveral State Members of theYear for their contributions to theorganization in their respectivestates.� Daniel Leal, Pike Road, Ala.� Don Henson, Bonita, Calif.� John Danise Jr., Sebastian, Fla.� Donald Young Sr., Atlanta, Ga.� Kelly Anchors, Old Town, Maine� Orlando Corona, Uxbridge, Mass.� Jorge Capestany, Hudsonville, Mich.� Larry Haugness, Springfield, Mo.� Geoffrey Jagdfeld, Lincoln, Neb.� Jerry Johnson, Las Vegas, Nev.� Carol MacLennan, Haddonfield, N.J.� D’Wayne Begay, Albuquerque, N.M.� Steve Keller, Rochester, N.Y.� Larry Karageanes, Durham, N.C.� Luke Taylor, Akron, Ohio� Thomas Vicario, Easton, Pa.� Robert Brown, Bluffton, S.C.� Bill Riddle, Nolensville, Tenn.� Bert Cole, Arlington, Texas� Brad Pearce, Provo, Utah� Ron Manilla, Greenwood, Va.� Kwan Law, Bellevue, Wash.� Mary Tuchscherer, Wis.


I N D U S T R Y N E W S

Hall of Fame Calls for Nominations

The International Tennis Hall of Fame has announced an open call for nomina-tions for the induction class of 2009. Nominations must be received by April1. The International Tennis Hall of Fame recognizes and honors both athletes

and contributors connected to the sport of tennis.Nominations can be submitted online at www.tennisfame.com. Printable nom-

ination forms are also available online, while nomination forms may also beobtained by contacting the International Tennis Hall of Fame, 194 Bellevue Ave.,Newport, R.I. 02840; phone 401-849-3990; fax 401-849-8780; email: [email protected].

USTA Launches New No-Cut Coach Website

The USTA has launched a new website designed to serve as a resource for its near-ly 1,800 high school coaches who have adopted a no-cut philosophy for their ten-nis teams. The website, www.usta.com/no-cut, provides access to an interactive

community where all high school coaches registered in the USTA’s No-Cut programcan share tips, success stories and challenges as they offer all high school kids theopportunity to play tennis.

The No-Cut program was launched in 2006 by the USTA as a way to encourageand recognize high school coaches who make a commitment to their students by notcutting any student who tries out for the team. Since its inception, the USTA’s No-Cutprogram has nearly doubled each year. Thousands of students who may have other-wise dropped the sport are now part of a team and competing for their school. Highschool coaches can register as a no-cut coach through www.usta.com/no-cut.

Registered coaches receive updates and tips from the No-Cut Coaches AdvisoryTeam. Comprised of seasoned and successful no-cut coaches, the Advisory Teamoffers guidance and resources to coaches who are challenged by the obstacles ofworking with such large teams.

The website also allows coaches to connect easily with their peers, both locallyand nationally. Through an interactive forum, coaches can share tips and strategies,as well as connect with other no-cut coaches in their area to schedule matches.

“We are very excited to launch of our new website and offer no-cut coaches theopportunity to share their knowledge and experiences,” says Kurt Kamperman, USTAchief executive of Community Tennis. “Our goal is to provide all kids, regardless ofability, the opportunity and resources to play tennis, and our first step is to build astrong base with the no-cut coaches.”

Every registered no-cut coach is recognized for their efforts with a certificate fromthe USTA. In addition, the USTA sends a letter to the coach’s principal and athleticdirector acknowledging the coach’s dedication to their students. Each year, twocoaches are selected to receive the National No-Cut Starfish Award at the USTA Ten-nis Teachers Conference held during the US Open in New York.

Bryans Use Custom Inserts for Prince FrameTop doubles players Bob and Mike Bryan are customizing their PrinceO3 Speedport Black frames with colored inserts. Prince says that withthe colored inserts for the O3 Speedport Black, which are availablenow, players can customize their frames with more than 2,400 combi-

nations. Formore informa-tion, visitwww.prince-tennis.com.

Babolat Creates New‘Armani’ Racquet

Babolat has entered the world of sportfashion with the launch of the EA7Emporio Armani tennis

racquet. Babolat developedthe exclusive racquet forEmporio Armani 7, thesports technology brandof Giorgio Armani.

Babolat says high-tech materials and keytechnologies make theEA7 a high performance,lightweight, aerodynamicracquet that is maneuver-able and appropriate for com-petitive players as well as clubplayers. The cosmetic, by Empo-rio Armani, is a white, silver andblack color combination.

The 9.7-ounce, 100-square-inch racquet is now availableexclusively at Emporio Armanishops.

Imperial Introduces‘Green’ HeadwearImperial Headwear has intro-ducedits new“Green”head-wearcollec-tion,madewith 65percentorganiccotton and35 percentbamboo charcoal.Imperial says theheadwear is hypoallergenic,breathable and dries quickly, andis odor absorbent, machine-washable, thermal regulatingand environmentally friendly. Formore information, visitwww.ImperialHeadwear.com orcall 800-950-1916.

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Gamma Introduces Asterisk Tour String

Gamma Sports has introduced Asterisk Tour, a new high performance syntheticstring that contains polyester microfilament, creating a crisp, powerful stringthat offers precise control, says the company. The polyester fibers also

increase durability, says Gamma.“Asterisk Tour perfectly combines polyester material with multifilament design

to create a superb string,” says Chuck Vietmeier, Gamma string product manag-er. “Its unique design will give players of all levels the benefits of a multifilamentwithout surrendering control.”

Asterisk Tour is available in 40-foot sets and 360-foot reels in 16 and 17gauge. For more information contact Gamma at 800-333-0337 or visitwww.gammasports.com.

USPTA Launches OnlineCertification Review Course

The USPTA is providing its Certification Review Courseonline, making it easier for tennis pros to earn USPTAcertification, the organization says. In addition, appli-

cants will be able to take the written and grip portions of the exam online as well.The USPTA says this will be a boost for busy teaching pros who may not have

the time to attend a six-hour review course at a particular testing location. Theonline review course can be done at home, reviewing all the critical material forthe certification exam. Also, online videos will give applicants a taste of what toexpect during the on-court part of the exam. The online review will combineaudio, visual and text formats, as well as short quizzes at the end of each section.

The 100-question written exam and grip exam will be accessible once appli-cants have completed the on-court portion and the stroke-analysis exam. Appli-cants will be tested against a time limit.

The online CRC will completely replace the six-hour classroom review sessionafter May 18, except for exams held at the Regional Testing Centers, USPTA WorldConference and divisional conventions. Previously, the classroom review wentover the material presented in the 522-page “The Complete Guide to USPTA Mem-bership” the day prior to the exam at each testing location. For more informationvisit uspta.com or call 800-USPTA-4U.

Top-Selling Racquetsat Specialty StoresBy year-to-date dollars, January-September 2007(average selling price)

Best-Sellers1. Babolat Pure Drive Cortex (MP) $1722. Prince O3 White (MP) $1853.Wilson K Six One 95 (16 x 18) (MS) $1754.Wilson K Six One Tour 90 (MS) $1845.Wilson K Six One Team 95 (MS) $176“Hot New Racquets”(Introduced in the past 12 months)1.Wilson K Six One 95 (16 x 18) (MS) $1752.Wilson K Six One Tour 90 (MS) $1843.Wilson K Six One Team 95 (MS) $1764. Prince O3 Speedport Red (OS) $2275. Prince O3 Speedport Blue (OS) $244

Tennis RacquetPerformanceSpecialty Stores,January-September, 2007 vs. 2006

Units 2007 634,3172006 613,684% Change vs. ’06 3%

Dollars 2007 $87,842,0002006 $80,948,000% Change vs. ’06 9%

Price 2007 $1382006 $132% Change vs. ’06 5%

Top-SellingTennis Shoes atSpecialty StoresBy year-to-date dollars,January-September 2007(average selling price)

1. AdidasBarricade IV $100

2. NikeAir Breathe Free 2 $95

3. AdidasBarricade II $83

4. PrinceMV4 $94

5. PrinceT10 $77

Top-SellingTennis Stringsat SpecialtyStoresBy year-to-date dollars,January-September 20071. Prince

Synthetic Gut Duraflex2. Wilson

NXT3. Wilson

Sensation4. Prince

Lightning XX5. Luxilon

Alu Power

Head Renews DealWith Beach Tennis

Head/Penn Racquet Sports and BeachTennis USA have renewed their part-nership for 2008, so all matches at

all events will use Head/Penn equipment.Head will serve as the official racquet

and Penn the official ball for all events onthe Beach Tennis USA 2008 National Tour.Beach tennis is played on a 30- by 60-footbeach volleyball court using Pro Pennlow-compression tennis balls.

“Head/Penn is proud to continue asthe official sponsor of Beach Tennis USA,bringing tennis to a new audience in aunique and fun way,” says Amy Wishin-grad, Head’s national promotions manag-er.

Beach Tennis USA events will be tele-vised on Tennis Channel, Comcast Sport-sNet and SportsNet New York (SNY). Formore information, visit www.beachten-nisusa.com.

(Source: TIA/Sports Marketing Surveys)



Bälle de Mätch to Distribute Kaelin

Bälle de Mätch will distribute Kaelin apparel starting July 1. Kaelin, which wasfounded in 1982 by former Head Sportswear executives as a women’s fash-ion brand, was previously distributed by Diadora.

“The classic style is a nice addition to our youthful look and allows us to reacha broader range of players,” says Bälle de Mätch founder and designer Chris Dev-erian.

“Kaelin was struggling with customer service and delivery, which is our forte,”says Bälle de Mätch co-owner and partner John Embree. “But Kaelin is strong insourcing and we believe we can tap into their sourcing expertise.”

Kaelin will continue to be led by industry veteran Stu Keiller, who will keep hisdesign team in New York City and work from his office in Baltimore.

LBH Group Debuts New Look for Summer

The LBH Group Ltd. has launched its summer ’08 collections for its two tennislines: LBH and Wimbledon. Under the new direction of Vice President and Cre-ative Director James Sowins, the company says it has revitalized the look of LBH

and Wimbledon and re-branded The LBH Group’s golf line, Lily’s of Bev-erly Hills, to bring a new perspective to the 35-year-old company.

"We feel we have struck the right balance between athletic excel-lence and the needs of contemporary women,” says Sowins, who joinedLBH Group in February 2007. “We are trying to deliver this with a range

of looks and fabrics that strike a balance between style and perform-ance.”

The newly re-branded LBH collection includes a new logo andapparel that “features luxurious yet athletic performance fabrics fora perfect synthesis of sport and fashion,” says the company. Thesummer Wimbledon collection has been re-designed and expandedby 40 percent to feature athletic performance fabrics in expressivecolors and vivid prints. The LBH Group has held the license todesign, manufacturer and sell women’s and men’s tennis apparelunder the Wimbledon name in the U.S., Canada and Caribbeansince 1996.The LBH and Wimbledon summer ’08 collections will be

available in April and deliver through August. For more informa-tion, visit www.lbhgroup.com.

2008 Cardio Tennis Workshops

In 2008 there will be four NationalCardio Tennis workshops, sched-uled for Atlanta, Houston, Los

Angeles and the Mid-Atlantic section.These two-day workshops cover alltopics regarding Cardio Tennis, includ-ing the standard curriculum, music, heart rate monitors, games, marketing andspecial segments such as kids, seniors and starter players.

The workshops, which have been updated this year, are suitable for pros at allfacilities, whether at an experienced Cardio Tennis site or new to the program. Formore information or to register, visit www.growingtennis.com and click on train-ing/workshops.� April 13-14, Atlanta, Midtown Athletic Club at Windy Hill� May 3-4, Houston, Houston Racquet Club� May 17-18, Bowie, Md., Sport Fit Bowie� June 8-9, Los Angeles, Home Depot Center

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• Dunlophas named Hunter

Hines the Eastern Region-al Manager for its Rac-quet Sports Division.With his appointment,Dunlop has now

revamped its service andcoverage to the Pro and

Specialty channels on both coasts; Dunlopjust recently named his counterpart for theWestern Region, Steve Schultz. As a territorymanager for Head/Penn, Hines was namedRSI’s Sales Rep of the Year in 2007.

• Geoff Norton of Kansas City is the direc-tor of Junior High Performance at TCA’sMidtown Tennis Club in Overland Park, Kan.Formerly, he was the PTR’s director of devel-opment and the USTA’s national manager ofadult/senior competition and technical pro-grams. He recently was named PTR wheel-chair tennis professional of the year.

• RSI Contributing Editor Robin Bateman ofMacon, Ga., recently won the

USTA Southern Section’sMark Kaplan Media Excel-lence Award. The honorwas presented to her atthe annual awards ban-

quet in January in Atlanta.

• Head players Aimee Ruiz and Jack Huczekseparately captured national titles recently atthe 2008 USA Racquetball National DoublesChampionships at the Arizona State Uni-versity Recreation Center. Both Ruiz andHuczek are members of Head’s Pro Staff

and with their respective wins haveearned one-year appointments to

the USA Racquetball NationalAdult Team. That team will

represent the U.S. in the2008 International

Rac-

quetball Fed-eration’s (IRF) WorldChampionships in Irelandthis August. In addition, Huczekwon the International RacquetballTour’s Seattle Open in February.

• Justine Henin, playing with a new [K]Tour racquet, won a tournament in Bel-gium.

• ATP pro Kei Nishikori, age 17, of Japan,has signed with Wilson and will play withthe [K] Tour 95 racquet. The deal alsoincludes tennis bags, strings, grips and otherWilson accessories. Nishikori won his firstATP title in February in Delray, Fla.

• Mississippi senior Erling Tveit received theIntercollegiate Tennis Association Sports-manship Award in February at the ITANational Men's Team Indoor Championshipsat the Nordstrom Tennis Center in Seattle.Tveit, a native of Oslo, Norway, was chosenfor this annual award by the 16 participat-ing coaches for displaying outstandingsportsmanship and exemplifying the spirit ofcollege tennis during the course of the tour-nament and throughout his career.

• Longtime USTA volunteer Carlton Ander-son, an expert on tennis balls and ball test-ing, died Feb. 8 of cancer. Anderson, ofWeston, Conn., was a founding member ofthe USTA Ball Testing and Equipment Com-mittee (now a part of the USTA TechnicalCommittee).

• Todd Martin will join the field of Out-back Champions Series players at theinaugural The Residences at The RitzCarlton, Grand Cayman LegendsChampionships April 16-20and the Champions CupBoston, April 30-May 4.

P E O P L E W AT C H


USRSA MEMBER CLASSIFIEDSEMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: Prince Sports is looking for an experiencedproduct manager for their strings, grips, machines and accessories division.Full job description is available on http://www.racquetsportsindustry.com/news/2008/03/prince_sports_inc_looking_for.html. Candidates can emailtheir resume directly to Prince Human Resources at [email protected].


> Wilson and World Team Tennis have

renewed their longstanding partnership for

2008 and beyond. Co-founded by Billie Jean

King, World Team Tennis (WTT) is a profes-

sional and recreational tennis league featur-

ing thousands of players in communities

throughout the U.S. The professional WTT

league features the biggest names in tennis

playing in a co-ed team format and has been

continually recognized for its innovative

approach to both the fan experience and the

on-court format for the players.

> Prince is the official racquet, tennis ball

and string of the Nike Junior Tour, a world-

wide series of singles tournaments for boys’

and girls’ in the Under 12 and 14 age groups.

Currently there are more than 60,000 players

from 24 countries participating in the pro-

gram, which includes tournaments, training

clinics, exhibitions and speaking engage-

ments at the grassroots level. As part of the

agreement, Prince will be onsite at every NJT

sponsored tournament and affiliated event.

> Luxilon has extended its multi-year con-

tract as the official racquet stringing service

and string of the Sony Ericsson Open, an

agreement it has had since 2004. The Luxilon

stringing team, consisting of 10 world-class

stringers from five countries, will be on-site

for the March 26-April 6 event in Key Bis-

cayne, Fla.

> Prince was the official racquet, tennis ball

and string of the three-year-old Tennis Chan-

nel Open, which took place March 3-9 in Las

Vegas. And in related news, the SAP Open in

San Jose, Calif., has announced a new three-

year partnership with Prince as the official

ball, racquet, footwear and apparel supplier.

The event took place in February.

> The Ferris State University Professional

Tennis Management (PTM) program in Big

Rapids, Mich., has formed a partnership with

Dartfish Video Software Solutions. Dartfish

will provide training and support for the PTM

degree program and Ferris will incorporate

additional teaching modules into its curricu-

lum that use Dartfish.

> For the third straight year, Lacoste will be

the apparel sponsor of the Family Circle Cup,

held April 12-20 in Charleston, S.C. Lacoste

will outfit staff of the Family Circle Cup

and nearly 500 volunteers.

> Roger Federer told ESPN.com recent-

ly that he planned to play competitive

tennis for years to come. "My goal is to

play for as long as possible, possibly until

I am 35," the 26-year-old Swiss told

reporters after winning the Laureus

Sportsman of the Year award for a

record fourth year in a row. Justine

Henin, who won 10 WTA titles in 2007,

took home the women's edition of the

Laureus award.

> Lejay’s 2008 collection is online at

www.lejay.com. Retailers can view and

order online by logging onto the web-

site, following the link for “retailers,”

and entering their five-digit account

number with password “LEJAY.” To

request a catalog, email [email protected].

For inquiries about upcoming trade

shows in your area, contact 800-932-

7535 or [email protected].

> The Family Circle Cup, held April 12-

20 in Charleston, S.C., is again offering a

Team Getaway Package designed for

league players. Call the box office at

843-856-7900, ext. 1.

> Recreational tennis teams from Flori-

da, Georgia, Missouri, New Jersey and

South Carolina won regional champi-

onship titles in February at the World

TeamTennis Rec League National Qualifi-

er at IMG Bollettieri Academy in Braden-

ton, Fla. The winning teams in each

division advance to the WTT National

Finals, Oct. 31-Nov. 2, in Indian Wells,

Calif.

> No. 3 seed Gustavus Adolphus of St.

Peter, Minn., upset defending champi-

ons and No. 1 seed UC-Santa Cruz 5-4

in the final at the Intercollegiate Tennis

Association Division III National Men's

Team Indoor Championship. It was Gus-

tavus Adolphus’ fourth Team Indoor title.

In Division I, top-seeded Virginia beat

No.3 Ohio State 4-1 in February to win

the Intercollegiate Tennis Association

National Men's Team Indoor Champi-

onship.

SHORT SETSI N D U S T R Y N E W S

Dunlop Adds3 AerogelFrames

Dunlop hasadded to itsAerogel line of

racquets with thenew (from top to bot-tom) 6Hundred, 8Hun-dred and 1Thousandframes. The company saysthe technologies in these threeframes are suited to help play-ers maximize the power oftheir ground strokes whilemaintaining comfort andtouch at the net.

Dunlop says Aero-gel is the world’slightest solid, madeup of 99 percentair. The material isused throughouteach frame, addingpower and strengthto the racquets, saysthe company. Also, allthree frames have Dun-lop’s Aerobridge technolo-gy, a dampening system thatcancels string vibration byusing an injection-moldedpolymer sleeve to enclose thethroat of the racquet.

The Aerogel 8Hun-dred also has Vibro-core, an additionallayer of protectionagainst frame vibra-tion and shock,made up of a ther-mal-plastic resinwith a silicone coreinserted into thethroat.

“Game improversacross America will appreci-ate the benefits these rac-quets deliver to their games,”says Kai Nitsche, Dunlop’s gen-eral manager of Racquet Sports.For more information, call 800-768-4727.

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2008 GSS SymposiumBeginner, Veteran Stringers to Benefit from Seminars

Whether you’re an experienced stringer or just starting out, you’ll find usefuland practical information to help your business at the 2008 Grand SlamStringers Symposium, which will be Oct. 11-14 in Orlando, Fla.

For the beginner to intermediate technician, U.S. Racquet Stringers Associa-tion Executive Director Dave Bone (who is also a co-publisher of RSI magazine)and 2006 RSI Stringer of the Year and MRT Grant Morgan will lead the Basics of

Stringing seminar. Topics will include machine preparation, racquetpreparation, racquet mounting, string & tension selection, basicstringing patterns and techniques (including one- and two-piecestringing), using the starting clamp, and various knots used to com-plete the job.

Beginning stringers won’t want to miss this opportunity to learnthe fundamentals from industry veterans, and experienced stringerswill find many things that can elevate their business to the next

level. For those ready to become Certified Stringers or Master Racquet Technicians,

there are a limited number of spots available for testing at the Symposium, sosign up now. If you want to make sure you are ready for the test, sign up for theAdvanced Stringing and Service Review seminar presented by 2005 RSI Stringerof the Year and MRT Bob Patterson. He’ll review important topics and the“hands on” portion of the test with demonstrations including knot tying andstringing techniques. Patterson also will demonstrate handle build-up and grom-met/bumper installation. Whether you’re planning to take the test at the Sym-posium or at some time in the future, this will be a useful seminar for you.

To register for the 2008 GSS Symposium, visit www.grand-slam-stringers.com.

FREE ADMISSION TO THE 2008 GSS STRINGERS SYMPOSIUM

GSS is waiving the $495 symposium fee for one lucky winner. Just cut out this coupon and mail it to:

Baselines Racquet Sports LLC4710 Norwood St SW, Roanoke, Va 24018

One entry per month, per person please. Drawing will be held July 15th, 2008. Offer good for symposium admission only. Travel, lodging, and food not included.

Name _____________________________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________________

Phone _____________________________________________________________

Email ______________________________________________________________winner will be notified by phone and email - please write legibly!

2008 GSS Symposium

Available in April is a new book byaward-winning tennis journalist andauthor Paul Fein, Tennis Confidential II:More of Today’s Greatest Players, Match-es, and Controversies. With a forewordby Mary Carillo, Fein covers some of thegreatest storylines in tennis, and includesinterview with former champions. Price is $27.50, available atwww.potomacbooksinc.com.


USPTA OffersNational Tourneys

In 2008 the USPTA will againpresent the USPTA National Sur-face Championship Series and

offer members the chance to earnprize money and ranking points.

USPTA members can begincompeting and test their playingskills starting with the USPTAIndoor Championships set for April25-27 in Minneapolis. Total prizemoney for this tournament is$5,000. The tournament will fea-ture events in the following cate-gories: men’s and women’s openand 45s singles and doubles com-petition, and mixed competition inopen and 45s.

The tournaments are open toProfessional-level USPTA membersin good standing. For information,contact 800-USPTA-4U. USPTA Pro-fessionals may log in to the “mem-bers only” section ofwww.uspta.com for more informa-tion and an application.The 2008 schedule is:� USPTA Indoor Championships,April 25-27, Baseline Tennis Cen-ter, Minneapolis. (Contact BrianMcCoy, 763-656-1590)

� USPTA Clay Court Championship,May 9-12, Ibis Golf and CountryClub, West Palm Beach, Fla.(Contact Chuck Gill, 561-624-8900)

� USPTA Grass Court Champi-onships, Aug. 22-24, PhiladelphiaCricket Club, Philadelphia. (Con-tact Ian Crookenden, 215-247-6290)

� USPTA International Champi-onships, Sept. 15-18, La QuintaResort and Spa, La Quinta, Calif.(Contact Frank Kelly, 512-453-7249)

� USPTA Hard Court Champi-onships, Oct. 24-26, HollytreeCounty Club and Tyler Tennis &Swim Club, Tyler, Texas. (Con-tacts Jim Sciarro, 903-581-7788;Guillaume Gauthier, 903-561-3014; Frank Kelly, 512-453-7249)

Electronic Stringing Unit Offers USRSA Discount

USRSA members can receive a 10 percent discount on the 2086 ProfessionalTension Head, which quickly and easily converts a lockout stringing machineto an electronic constant-pull machine.

“The Tension Head is accurate, consistent and does all the things that moreexpensive machines do,” says Herb Wise, president of Wise USA and the develop-er of the electronic unit. “And it’s simple to install, in three minutes.”

The compact, 12-pound unit uses a linear gripper and is factory-calibrated,although it can be recalibrated easily without opening the machine. It sets up inminutes, says Wise, and has easy to read digital read-outs. There are three pullingspeeds, multiple memory settings, and an optional foot pedal to simplify operation.Also, pre-stretch is built into the machine and can be set to different percentages,says Wise.

The unit fits most stringing machine models. For more information, and to seea short video on setting up and using the 2086 Professional Tension Head, visitwww.tennishead.com, or call 888-836-7466.

ASBA, USTA Release 5th Edition ‘Tennis Courts’

The American Sports Builders Association and the USTA recently published thefifth edition of Tennis Courts: A Construction & Maintenance Manual. The 228-page book includes updated information on all facets of tennis courts—plan-

ning and design (including design for different playing populations), constructionguidelines, surfacing systems, and accessories and amenities. The book contains

more than 50 diagrams and charts, many which havebeen revised, and many color photos. The new editionalso includes an expanded section on the maintenanceof tennis courts, as well as court accessories, fencing,landscaping, etc.

The manual is the ultimate resource for those in thedesign and/or construction field, such as architects,engineers, contractors and specifiers, as well as forowners and end-users, such as tennis professionals,club owners and managers, coaches, and park and recdirectors.

It’s available through either the ASBA or USTA for$44.95, plus shipping and handling. To order onlineat www.sportsbuilders.org, click on “publications”on the left side of the home page.


WTT Adds New Pro League Team

The World TeamTennis Professional league has added a franchise in Washing-ton, D.C., called the Washington Kastles. The new team is owned by a groupled by venture capitalist and entrepreneur Mark Ein. This is the first D.C.-

based team in the WTT’s 33-year history.“Area fans have supported tennis for many years and we think they will really

embrace our unique brand of tennis,” says WTT CEO/Commissioner Ilana Kloss.“We’ve looked at this market for several years as a great location for expansion.”

There are now 11 WTT Pro League teams. The Kastles team is currently look-ing at several potential locations to build a temporary stadium for the WTT regu-lar season, which runs from July 3 to 23.

In other WTT news, the Pro League recently finalized its 2008 schedule andannounced the addition of pro Anna Kournikova to the League’s lineup of players.Other marquee players include Lindsay Davenport, Serena Williams, VenusWilliams, Andy Roddick, Martina Navratilova, and Bob and Mike Bryan. For infor-mation and schedules, visit www.WTT.com.


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New Business & Tech Workshops

USTA Honors People,Organizations

The USTA presented honors to vari-ous tennis organizations and peo-ple from around the nation at the

annual Community Tennis Develop-ment Workshop, which was held at theFlamingo Las Vegas Feb. 22-24.

The CTDW is one of the premiergatherings in the U.S. for communitytennis leaders. This year’s workshopoffered a variety of seminars and pre-sentations, from helping to establishand manage a CTA or NJTL, to runningprograms and events, to securing spon-sors and raising funds. The CTDW alsooffered several sessions about the newQuickStart Tennis format.

Leadership trainer Paul Wesselmannled opening and closing sessions, theawards banquet was emceed by tennis-pro-turned-broadcaster Justin Gimel-stob, and Christy Haubegger, thefounder of Latina Magazine, was theclosing keynote speaker.

The following awards were present-ed at the CTDW:� NJTL of the Year (presented at three differ-ent budget levels): Rising Stars of KentuckyTennis, Louisville, Ky.; NJTL of Trenton Inc.,Trenton, N.J.; and Dallas Tennis Associa-tion, Dallas, Texas.

� Janet Louer USTA Jr. Team Tennis Organiz-er of the Year: Rita Gladstone, DaytonaBeach, Fla.

� Adaptive Tennis National Community Serv-ice Award: Orthotic & Prosthetic AssistanceFund of Langhorne, Pa.

� Community Tennis Association of the Year:Florence Tennis Association, Florence, S.C.

� Eve Kraft Community Service Awards: SueJollensten, Albuquerque, N.M.; NancyHorowitz, Pembroke Pines, Fla.; JaimeKaplan, Macon, Ga.; Bob Phelps, CarsonCity, Nev.

Looking to improve customer service through the use ofonline tennis technology? Then attend a Tennis WelcomeCenter Business & Technology Workshop—“How to Fast

Track Your Business with Technology”—offered at five loca-tions.

These interactive, full-day workshops are for serviceproviders, marketing staff, directors, managers and owners.They’re led by facilitators with expert training and backgroundin technology and online business, marketing and customerservice solutions.

Attendees receive training on the Growing Tennis System;become familiar with the Tennis Welcome Center, Cardio Ten-nis and No-Cut Coach programs and QuickStart Tennis; learnabout online enrollment; find out how to use TennisConnect toincrease profits; and much more.

The workshops run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will be: April8 in Tampa, Fla.; April 28 in Atlanta; May 5 in Philadelphia;May 19 in Los Angeles; and June 16 in Chicago. Cost is $50and includes lunch. Registration is limited to 20. Registrationand payment is online at www.GrowingTennis-Training.com.

T I A N E W S A P R I L 2 0 0 8

Industry Trends Highest Since the ’80sNews You Can Use!I recently wasinvited to theTennis Forumat the conven-tion of theInternationalHealth, Rac-

quet and Sportsclub Associa-tion (IHRSA) in San Diego. Itwas interesting to note thecontinued growth of the fit-ness industry to a degree thateven challenges IHRSA’s owncommercial tennis facilities,not to mention tennis facili-ties everywhere. The fact is—fitness is not going away, andfor those facilities that haveembraced it with Cardio Ten-nis and now the QuickStartTennis format, the proof is inthe numbers.

For instance, in 2007, Mid-town Tennis Club in Chicagomade $100,000 with CardioTennis, and it has set a goalof $150,000 for 2008. Mid-town also had a 90-minuteclass with 187 participants.

The Longfellow Club in Mas-sachusetts, an IHRSA mem-ber, recognized the value ofQuickStart Tennis by installingsmaller courts to accommo-date the format, then wit-nessing great success. Sincethen, they’ve added a parentviewing area and they’vealready seen the return ontheir investment.

Get involved with these ini-tiatives at GrowingTennis.comand watch your businessgrow!

NEWS & UPDATESNEWS & UPDATES

Jolyn de Boer

The 2007/2008 TennisHealth Index, com-posed of seven key

components that detail vari-ous aspects of the health ofthe sport in the U.S., is sched-uled to be released in earlyApril. The THI includes datafrom the 2007 TIA/USTA Ten-nis Participation Survey (left),ball shipments, online andmail participation studies, theCourt Activity Monitor, andfacility and player surveys.

As of mid-March, five ofthe seven indexes have beenreceived and all are reportingpositive numbers, which isgood news for all in the tennisindustry.

18 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2008 Join the TIA . . . Increase Your Profits . . . Grow the Game . . . www.TennisIndustry.org

Tennis Participation Fast FactsFrequent Participation Up 15.1% since 2003� Total participation… is up for 2007 (3.8%) to 25.1 million players, from 24.2 in 2006.� Total play occasions… are also up (3.1%) from 2006—to 533 million from 517 million.� Frequent players… are up (1.2%) to 5.25 million, from 5.19 in 2006. � New players… are down 5% (to 5.7 million from 6.0 million).� Continuing players… are up 5.6% (to 13.92 million from 13.18 million).� Rejoiners… are up 10.2% (to 5.48 million from 4.97 million).� Lapsed players… are down 3.3% (to 22.88 million from 23.65 million—which is good,because fewer people are giving up the game).

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Racquet shipments (in units) have increased over the last five years by 42.1% in dollars. Racquet shipments (inwholesale dollars) have increased for the last five years by 36%. One racquet category that has seen exceptionalgrowth in that time is the sale of Youth Racquets, which are up by 80%. Ball shipments since 2003 haveincreased by 15%.

April 2008 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 19Join the TIA . . . Increase Your Profits . . . Grow the Game . . . www.TennisIndustry.orgJoin the TIA . . . Increase Your Profits . . . Grow the Game . . . www.TennisIndustry.org

Grassroots Initiatives: GrowingTennis.com

Want a surefire way to increase your business, at absolutely NO COSTto you? As a facility or retailer, you can list your information and pro-grams on key consumer websites FOR FREE so that players and cus-

tomers can easily find you.In January, more than 1.9 million consumer queries were made to the infor-

mational “postcards” found on USTA.com, TennisWelcomeCenter.com, Car-dioTennis.com, Tennis.com, TennisChannel.com and other websites asconsumers searched for a match, facility, instructional program, pro shop, etc.All facilities and retailers can go on GrowingTennis.com to input and updatetheir information for free. That information is then accessible through the var-ious consumer websites.

Also, you can register for QuickStart Tennis and the No-Cut High SchoolCoach initiative through GrowingTennis.com, plus receive free marketing andpromotional material. Online enrollment options for your tennis programs alsoare available, and a soon-to-be-released racquet demo tracking system will beoffered for free to all Tennis Welcome Centers.

T I A N E W S

Growing Tennis Updates

How Does the Economy Affect Your Business?

We’ve analyzed two leading economic measures (theDow Jones Industrial Average and the ConsumerConfidence Index) against tennis player participa-

tion numbers and equipment shipments over the last six yearsand, while more analysis is needed to reach solid conclusions,what we’ve found so far is very interesting.

Player totals tend to be independent of economic consumerconfidence. The number of frequent players tends to increaseduring times of increased consumer confidence. Racquet andball shipments tend to increase in line with industrial trends.

With the threat of a recession becoming more likely, thismay provide some confidence that overall player levels willhold steady during difficult economic times. We’ll keep moni-toring the tennis industry indicators and let you know howthings stack up as more data becomes available.

TIA and the ASBAExpand Partnership

The TIA is helping to bringexpanded benefits, services andresearch to the court construc-

tion segment of the industry. Current members of the American

Sports Builders Association can receivea complimentary TIA Individual Mem-bership with their membership in theASBA. In addition, they can upgrade tothe Associate Member level – through ahalf-price offer - $195. At the AssociateMember level, court contractors andfacility designers will enjoy expandedresearch offerings that include the Ten-nis Marketplace Report twice a year,the Tennis Health Index, Hot LeadsReport, Exclusive Cost of Doing Busi-ness Report for Court Contractors (pro-posed research for 2008), and theCourt Construction/Renovation Moni-tor (proposed for 2008).

Upgrading to the Associate Memberlevel—through our half-price offer—may make sense for your growing busi-ness. All members receive discountsthrough TIA Merchant Card Services;shipping, travel, insurance and publica-tion discounts; public relations andmedia service; and newsletters, alongwith a searchable listing on TIA web-sites (with an ASBA membership flag).

To choose either membership level,visit TennisIndustry.org/onlinepaymentsand use the access code ASBA.

Expand Your Knowledge� Online Open Houses that make it fast and easy to understand the Grow-

ingTennis and TennisConnect systems are available three times a week (everyM, W, Th. 1-1:30 p.m. EST).

� TWC Business and Technology Workshops will help you improve customerservice online skills through interactive, hands-on training. Register for thesefull-day workshops today. Individual computer workstations provided.

� Cardio Tennis Training and Workshops are also scheduled for 2008, offeringsomething for all levels of Cardio Tennis experience within the two days oftraining. For more information, visit GrowingTennisTraining.com or call toll-free 866-686-3036 or email [email protected].

TIA Member Support

Since January the TIA welcomed 37 new members at a variety of mem-bership levels. Go to TennisIndustry.org to see the new members listing,and also to search for retailers, facilities, manufacturers, media and court

contractors in your area.

Economic Watch

call, have someone take an informaland confidential survey of a dozen peo-ple at your facility to see what theythink. You may be surprised.

� Court cleaning and lawn mowingduring high-activity times. Somehowor other, especially at golf and tennisclubs, the tennis facility often is theneglected stepchild. On the golf side ofthings, management would never thinkof scheduling lawn maintenance duringpeak hours. Don’t let it happen at yourtennis facility.

� Desk staff talking on the phone tofriends. It sounds silly, but the truth isit happens all the time. Pro shops canbe slow during various times of theday. A brief phone call to a friend iscertainly understandable (perhaps a fewminutes at a time and a few times aday at the most). However, when a cus-tomer walks in and needs help, makesure they don’t have to wait even 10seconds. Be proactive. Give your deskstaff projects to work on during slower

TRENDSbusiness�

Working EffectivelyMulti-tasking can be a great tool for your business.But if you’re not careful, it can also drag you down.


here are a number of trends in thebusiness world that, when usedproperly, can put you in the win-

ner’s circle. Conversely, if followed blind-ly, these same trends can run you into abrick wall and be harmful to your busi-ness.

“Multi-tasking” is just such a notion.At the right time and in the right situa-tion, multi-tasking in your tennis businesscan propel it toward success. However,multi-tasking at the wrong time andunder the wrong circumstances canbecome a reputation-killer.

Some 20 years ago, the concept ofmulti-tasking was the theme of manyleading management books. Nowadaysthis buzzword is used so commonly thatconcern for how to properly multi-taskhas almost become lost.

In your tennis business, here are someexamples of positive multi-tasking:� Stringing racquets in a high-visibili-

ty area. There are two extremes forstringing racquets in pro shops. Someshops outsource stringing to someonewho picks up the frames then returnsthem restrung. Other shops create aslightly raised and attractive platform inthe middle of their specialty store justfor the stringer. And they hire someonefull of personality who will educate andentertain customers while they wait(and hopefully shop, as well).

� Events and activities for kids andparents together. In most clubs, a“kids’ event” is just for kids and an“adult event” is just for adults. If anactivity is geared for children, the par-ents either drop them off or hangaround and passively watch. Anotherapproach involves positive multi-task-ing, and it can help you grow your par-ticipation numbers (and income)significantly. Sometimes it may be an

event where the parents and childrenboth play together. Or, while the par-ents play, offer a sports and skill-build-ing mini-camp for the kids. And, if thekids are on-court, how about a sit-down session on tennis-parenting ormental toughness with a guest speakerfor the parents?

� Create onlooker interest whenteaching. This opportunity for multi-tasking is too seldom considered. Manyfacilities put their teaching pros on theback courts, out of the way. Considerthis: Teaching experiences can andshould be seen as education and enter-tainment, and not just for the studenton the court, but for the onlooker aswell. Lessons and drill sessions shouldbe focused, generally high-energy, andvisually interesting. Use ball machines,visual teaching aids, and create an envi-ronment where positive feedback andreinforcement of success is the bench-mark of the lesson experience. Whatbetter way to create more interest inyour lesson program?

BACKFIRING ONYOUR BUSINESSUnfortunately, many of us who are in thehabit of doing more than one thing at atime may think that all multi-tasking is agood thing. But, in many cases, this the-ory can backfire and hurt business. Hereare some examples of negative multi-tasking:� Answering your cell phone while

teaching. While this may seem obvi-ous, it happens way too often thesedays. People are paying for the teach-ing pro’s time. Receiving phone callswhile teaching gives them less thanwhat they feel they are paying for. Ifyou think this seems extreme and thatit’s harmless to speak on your cell onceor twice for a minute or less on each

TB Y J O E D I N O F F E R


Joe Dinoffer is a Master Professionalfor both the PTR and USPTA. Hespeaks frequently at national and inter-national tennis teacher workshops as amember of both the Head/Penn and

Reebok National Speaker’s Bureaus. He is presidentof Oncourt Offcourt Inc. and has written 16 booksand produced more than 30 instructional videos.

times. Examples would be receivingmerchandise, cleaning tasks, phonecalls to welcome new members, phonecalls to offer birthday greetings, string-ing racquets, etc.

Multi-tasking can be a good thing atthe right time in the right situation.Focusing on the single task of themoment, or being “on-task,” can chal-lenge the compulsive multi-tasker, butit’s worth the effort. Your customers willremember you by how much you payattention to them, not by how manythings you can pay attention to at thesame time. �

RACQUETS

As players getsmarter abouttheir frames, theycontinue to expectmore fromracquetcompanies.


“It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy,” says SteveVorhaus, owner of Rocky Mountain RacquetSpecialists in Boulder, Colo. "The more rac-

quet models that are offered, the more the consumercomes to expect."

And the more consumers expect, the more theyseem to buy.

TIA research conducted by Sports Marketing Sur-veys shows that 2007 saw continued growth in the$220 million racquet business. Frame shipmentstopped $121 million, with the high end of the mar-ket—pro and specialty shops where racquets cost anaverage of about $138 each versus the chain sportinggoods and mass merchants at $53 and $24, respec-tively—up 4 percent in units sold and 8 percent indollar sales.

The 14 racquet manufacturers currently trackedby TIA research bring a total of about 140 differentracquet models to the American market, on average,and Head, Prince and Wilson combine to offer morethan half of those selections. The average peak sellingseason for a racquet is about 18 months, according toSports Marketing Surveys.

But are there too many racquet models out there,making it confusing for consumers and aggravatingfor retailers?

"Every manufacturer wants to blanket the marketso they won't miss anyone," says Vorhaus, whosestore is one of the country's top specialty retailers,selling more than 1,000 adult frames a year. "Andthere is an increase in interest from techies in know-ing all the parameters [of racquets], even if they can'ttell you how that translates to their game. Manufac-turers are, in essence, responding to this. To be com-petitive, I have to carry everything, but I could do thissame job with 30 percent fewer racquets than are onthe market.”

Linda Glassel, Prince’s vice president of market-ing, says she remembers years ago when “tennis wasbooming and there wasn’t enough product.” Sheagrees with Vorhaus that “consumers are smarter;technology is better.”

Prince, Glassel adds, “is in the business of helpingeverybody with their game," making racquets that,based on consumer research, are designed to helpthe games of recreational players and pros alike.

B Y K E N T O S W A L D

To help you choose the right rac-quet for your customers from allthe models available (as ofMarch 2008), see our exclusiveRacquet Selection Map, whichstarts on page 24.

Wilson General ManagerJon Muir says his company

also is looking to cover the recre-ational market completely. "We've got

a pretty broad base of consumers we aretrying to satisfy," he says, adding that the

clearest trend is "more serious players, moreserious racquets."

Likewise, Head says it is trying to addressthe desire of players who feel technology hasgiven them enough pop and who now seek tobalance that with more control. And, accordingto a company spokesperson, another significanttrend that came to light in recent years waswomen wanting something that fit them better.So Head added a series of racquets designed forwomen that address physiological differences—the racquets feature a balance and grip devel-oped by a marketing and research team andincluding Steffi Graf.

But again, are there too many frames outthere? Well, maybe yes, maybe no.

"I look on the [specialty retailer] wall and there are 30 to 50racquets," says Wilson’s Muir. From his perspective, the number ofracquets and all the information that is available on them is "over-whelming for the consumer—confusing and intimidating." Wilsonplans to simplify its marketing presentation to address those con-cerns.

But Prince’s Glassel sees it differently. "Consumers are not con-fused with what's there," she says. "They understand the nuancesand differences between products." As for too many racquets onthe wall, she believes the choices are good for players, and cus-tomers can rely on the expertise of specialty retailers and teachingpros to help them find exactly the right frame for them.

For retailers, it boils down to knowing what’s out there and tak-ing the time to become familiar with all that you offer for sale. Forinstance, Vorhaus, even though he says he can do the same jobwith fewer racquets, makes it a point to keep himself and his staffcurrent on all the models and their benefits.

Like other retailers, Vorhaus builds racquet sales aroundthe demo program. He and his staff keep trying to learnmore and more from the player with each demo. (And hemakes sure that everyone coming in for a stringing jobis encouraged to demo a racquet.) Also, each frameVorhaus sells is strung with a better synthetic string atno extra cost as a loss leader for the next purchase,whether a frame or string job. "If the racquet isn'tproperly strung," he says, "it doesn't play for beans."

Recommendations from specialty retailers andteaching pros go a long way with consumers and dohelp to make the choice manageable. For BarbaraWindham’s family of four in Northern California, the

past year saw four new racquets—from three differentmanufacturers. Her teenage son recently became more

serious about his tennis and bought a certain brand becausehis coach played with that brand. Her teenage daughter's coach

plays with a different brand, so she tookup that company’s racquet. And her hus-band just bought a new model—the thirdbrand for the family—thanks to the rec-ommendation of the club pro.

Windham’s experiences also validatea key notion that Vorhaus mentioned—the importance of the string job. Afterplaying for a long time with a particularframe, Windham had it restrung by some-one other than her usual stringer. Thestring job, she says, was not good, andshe was unhappy with how the rac-quet hit, so she tried her daugh-ter’s new frame and “neverplayed so well”—and shebought herself the sameracquet.

“There is neverjust one racquetfor a customer,”says Rye, N.Y.,teaching pro

Lloyd Emanuel, who says he’ll sellfewer than 100 racquets this year butnonetheless extols the virtues ofchoice when it comes to finding theright frame.

"I love to have customerscome and ask what is the latest,"he says. "Then I know I've madea sale." �


For retailers, itboils down toknowing what’sout there andtaking the time tobecome familiarwith all that youoffer for sale.

Former Tennis Week Editor KentOswald is a writer and marketingconsultant. He recently won sec-ond place in the “HardNews/Enterprise” category ofthe U.S. Tennis Writers’Association 2006 WritingContest for a story in Ten-nis Week.


1. Power/Control (columns). (formula = lengthindex x headsize x flex x swingweight) ÷ 1000.Length index calculation: 27" = 1.0, 27.5" =1.05; 28" = 1.1, etc.2. Maneuverability (rows). RDC (BabolatRacquet Diagnostic Center) swingweight units.3. Racquet ID. The number in the grid corre-lates to the accompanying racquet list.4. Headsize. Midsize and midplus (≤104 sq.in.) have no indicator.Oversize (105 -117 sq. in.) = •. Superoversize(≥ 118 sq. in.) = :.5. Length. x = extended length. Standardlength (27") racquets have no indicator.6. Flex (RDC). a = < 60; b = 60-64; c = 65-69;d = 70-74; e = > 74. The higher the number,the stiffer the racquet.7. Company. Coded by number and color. Seeaccompanying racquet list on the followingpages.

8. Racquet Quadrants and the Center of theRacquet Universe. The center of the racquetuniverse is located at the intersection of thetwo red lines. Approximately half the racquetslie to the right and left, and half above andbelow these lines. The lines divide the racquetuniverse into four color-coded quadrants –clockwise from top left: (1) quick power, (2)quick control, (3) stable control, (4) stablepower. These characterizations provide a gen-eral vocabulary for comparing racquets.9. Racquet Finder List. The racquet listaccompanying the map identifies each rac-quet and gives additional information. Themap provides specific (very narrow ranges,anyway) swingweight, flex and power statis-tics, and general size and length characteris-tics. The racquet list specifies the length andsize and further specifies weight, balance,and price.

How To Use It1. Ask questions. What are you looking forthat your current racquet does not provide?What do you like most and least about yourcurrent racquet? What are the strengths andweaknesses of your game?2. Locate current racquet on map. If the rac-quet is not in the list, take measurements.3. Locating potential racquets. Dependingon the answers to the above questions,draw an imaginary arrow (a wide or skinnyone) from your present racquet in thedesired direction for power and maneuver-ability.4. Narrowing the field. Shrink the choicesusing the length, headsize, and flex codes tomatch customer preferences.5. Selecting racquet demos. Once the choic-es are narrowed, locate the racquets bynumber in the racquet list.

RACQUET SELECTION MAP KEY

Our exclusive Racquet Selection Map enablesyou to help your customer choose a racquetwith “at-a-glance” ease. The entire perform-

ance racquet universe is presented on one easily nav-igable grid that instantly locates each racquet com-pared to every other in terms of power, control, andmaneuverability.

Simply locate the specs of your customer’s current rac-quet on the map. From this starting point, move outward inlarge or small increments in the direction of the customer’sprimary preference—relatively more or less power, control

or maneuverability. Once you have zoomed into an approxi-mate location on the grid, you can narrow down the rac-quet’s feel attributes by choosing from length, size, and flexspecs coded into the racquet number. Look up the racquet(s)by number in the accompanying table and send your cus-tomer out the door with a handful of “choice customized”demos. This procedure eliminates player’s doubt and sec-ond-guessing, minimizes buyer’s remorse, creates a satisfiedcustomer, and leads to more profits. But the Racquet Selectorwon’t work for you unless you let it. Post it on the wall as atool for the whole world to see and use. And then, look out!

RACQUETS

April 2008 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 25RSI’s annual Racquet Selection Map was compiled by Jonathan Wolfe and designed by Kristine Thom.


Avery

1 M3 Control 95 27.00 346 12.20 31.00 12.20 62 307 1808 $179

2 M3 Power 95 27.00 355 12.52 32.25 12.70 68 331 2138 $180

3 M5 110 27.00 349 12.31 31.25 12.30 59 323 2096 $179

babolat

4 Aero 112 (with cortex) 112 27.50 279 9.84 37.00 14.57 66 320 2484 $219

5 Aero Storm (320g with cortex) 98 27.00 316 11.15 32.60 12.83 67 304 1996 $185

6 Aero Storm Tour (with cortex) 98 27.00 348 12.28 32.50 12.80 68 331 2206 $185

7 AeroPro Drive + (with Cortex) 100 27.50 322 11.36 33.00 12.99 70 330 2426 $185

8 AeroPro Drive (with Cortex) 100 27.00 322 11.36 32.80 12.91 70 324 2268 $185

9 Drive Z 110 (with cortex) 110 27.50 270 9.52 36.90 14.53 65 305 2290 $199

10 Drive Z 118 (with cortex) 118 27.25 273 9.63 36.00 14.17 71 299 2568 $229

11 Drive Z Lite (with Cortex) 100 27.00 271 9.56 36.00 14.17 68 306 2081 $169

12 NS Drive OS 109 27.00 271 9.56 35.80 14.09 67 301 2198 $129

13 Pure Drive 107 (with Cortex) 107 27.00 313 11.04 33.00 12.99 71 319 2423 $185

14 Pure Drive 110 (with Cortex) 110 27.00 306 10.79 35.00 13.78 67 323 2381 $185

15 Pure Drive Roddick 100 27.00 332 11.71 32.75 12.89 73 328 2394 $189

16 Pure Drive Roddick + 100 27.50 333 11.75 32.75 12.89 72 336 2540 $189

17 Pure Drive (with Cortex) 100 27.00 318 11.22 33.00 12.99 72 318 2290 $185

18 Pure Drive + (with Cortex) 100 27.50 319 11.25 33.25 13.09 71 328 2445 $185

19 Pure Storm 98 27.00 308 10.86 33.75 13.29 65 319 2032 $179

20 Pure Storm LTD 95 27.00 329 11.61 31.45 12.38 58 296 1631 $179

21 Pure Storm Tour 98 27.00 334 11.78 32.30 12.72 65 328 2089 $179

22 Pure Storm Tour + 98 27.50 338 11.92 32.00 12.60 63 328 2126 $179

bancroft

23 ACE Advantage 107 27.00 270 9.52 34.50 13.58 57 279 1702 $195

24 Ace Omni 107 27.25 272 9.59 36.75 14.47 79 308 2669 $169

25 Ace Rocket 116 27.50 274 9.67 38.00 14.96 78 330 3135 $199

26 ACE Tour 98 27.00 307 10.83 33.50 13.19 67 304 1996 $195

27 ACE Tour + 98 27.00 323 11.39 33.75 13.29 70 319 2188 $195

blackburne

28 Double Strung 107 107 27.00 292 10.30 36.75 14.47 68 341 2481 $199

boris becker

29 Becker 11 (325g) 98 27.00 343 12.10 32.50 12.80 63 335 2068 $179

30 Becker 11 Mid 93 27.00 347 12.24 32.00 12.60 61 327 1855 $220

31 Becker 11L 98 27.00 302 10.65 33.00 12.99 65 286 1822 $179

32 Becker Pro 100 27.00 311 10.97 33.00 12.99 69 311 2146 $200

33 Becker V1 MP 102 27.00 305 10.76 33.60 13.23 68 315 2185 $199

34 Becker V1 OS 110 27.60 309 10.90 34.40 13.54 67 331 2586 $199

dulop

35 Aerogel 1 Thousand (1000) 118 27.50 258 9.10 36.90 14.53 70 301 2611 $189

36 Aerogel 2 Hundred (200) 95 27.00 340 11.99 32.55 12.81 64 326 1982 $189

37 Aerogel 3 Hundred (300) 98 27.00 324 11.43 33.75 13.29 63 324 2000 $199

38 Aerogel 5 Hundred (500) 100 27.00 291 10.26 34.15 13.44 70 299 2093 $199

39 Aerogel 5 Hundred (500) Tour 100 27.00 315 11.11 33.50 13.19 73 324 2365 $199

40 Aerogel 6 Hundred (600) 105 27.00 284 10.02 35.50 13.98 71 307 2289 $189

41 Aerogel 7 Hundred (700) 108 27.30 274 9.67 35.60 14.02 74 307 2527 $209

42 Aerogel 8 Hundred (800) 110 27.50 270 9.52 37.00 14.57 73 310 2614 $219

43 Aerogel 9 Hundred (900) 113 27.50 273 9.63 35.80 14.09 73 308 2668 $219

44 M Fil Lady G 108 27.50 277 9.77 35.00 13.78 69 291 2277 $149

45 Roland Garros Racing 100 27.00 286 10.09 33.75 13.29 72 288 2074 $129

RACQUETS AS OF MARCH 2008

BLACKBURNE 888-GUTSwin • www.blackburneds.com

Racquet Headsize Length Weight Weight Balance Balance Flex Swingweight Power Retail(in2) (in.) (gm) (oz) (cm) (in.) (RDC) kg x cm2 Formula Price

BABOLAT 877-316-9435 • www.babolat.com

AVERY 800-758-9467 • www.averyracquets.com

BANCROFT 800-779-0807 • www.harrowsports.com

DUNLOP 800-768-4727 • www.carltonsports.com

BORIS BECKER 866-554-7872 • www.borisbecker.com


feather

46 Court Ti 2000 107 27.50 253 8.92 39.00 15.35 77 321 2777 $120

fischer

47 GDS Vision 102 $140

48 M 1210 118 27.50 245 8.64 37.95 14.94 64 298 2363 $250

49 M Comp 95 95 27.00 345 12.17 32.20 12.68 63 325 1945 $220

50 M Motion 112 27.75 273 9.63 37.00 14.57 69 323 2683 $230

51 M Pro No. One 105 (UL) 105 27.00 308 10.86 33.00 12.99 65 301 2054 $190

52 M Pro No. One 98 (SL) 98 27.00 337 11.89 32.25 12.70 56 312 1712 $210

53 M Pro No. One 98 (UL) 98 27.00 309 10.90 33.45 13.17 63 306 1889 $210

54 M Rally (Red or Yellow) 102 27.50 200 7.05 34.20 13.46 65 300 2088 $230

55 M Tour 100 (SL) 100 27.00 331 11.68 31.45 12.38 59 299 1764 $180

56 M Tour 100 (UL) 100 27.00 305 10.76 33.30 13.11 58 302 1752 $180

57 M Vision 102 27.40 250 8.82 33.45 13.17 67 299 2125 $180

58 Pro 1 X-Lite 98 27.00 273 9.63 35.00 13.78 57 292 1631 $170

gamma

59 Big Bubba 28 137 28.00 273 9.63 38.30 15.08 66 349 3471 $190

60 C Four 100 27.25 315 11.11 35.50 13.98 75 360 2768 $140

61 C One 106 27.75 270 9.52 35.40 13.94 70 311 2481 $190

62 C Three 102 27.00 310 10.93 33.50 13.19 65 304 2016 $130

63 C Two 106 27.50 279 9.84 36.00 14.17 70 310 2415 $180

64 G250 110 27.75 275 9.70 35.95 14.15 72 319 2716 $180

65 G260 105 27.00 279 9.84 34.50 13.58 63 305 2018 $160

66 G290 103 27.50 305 10.76 33.50 13.19 73 324 2558 $160

67 G310 100 27.00 323 11.39 32.00 12.60 61 300 1830 $160

68 G325 95 27.00 341 12.03 31.15 12.26 61 297 1721 $160

69 IPEX 2.0 SOS 137 27.75 272 9.59 37.50 14.76 65 334 3197 $190

70 IPEX 3.0 OS 116 27.50 265 9.35 36.00 14.17 70 302 2575 $180

71 IPEX 5.0 MP 96 27.25 272 9.59 34.50 13.58 67 293 1932 $160

72 IPEX 7.0 MP 98 27.00 323 11.39 32.25 12.70 64 311 1951 $150

73 IPEX 7.0 OS 107 27.00 322 11.36 32.50 12.80 59 308 1944 $150

74 T Five 100 27.00 326 11.50 34.50 13.58 76 355 2698 $150

75 T Seven 100 27.00 324 11.43 31.75 12.50 58 296 1717 $170

76 T Six 98 27.00 302 10.65 33.95 13.37 65 307 1956 $160

head

77 Agassi Radical (Limited Edition) 107 27.00 340 11.99 32.90 12.95 62 330 2189 $99

78 Airflow 1 99 27.00 267 9.42 36.25 14.27 76 294 2212 $150

79 Airflow 3 102 27.00 262 9.24 35.85 14.11 75 284 2173 $180

80 Airflow 5 109 27.00 250 8.82 35.50 13.98 74 270 2178 $200

81 Airflow 7 115 27.00 255 8.99 35.00 13.78 73 265 2225 $225

82 Flexpoint 10 121 27.50 259 9.14 38.00 14.96 69 316 2770 $275

83 Flexpoint 4 107 27.33 281 9.91 35.50 13.98 67 309 2288 $225

84 Flexpoint Prestige Mid 93 27.00 345 12.17 32.00 12.60 67 312 1944 $225

85 Flexpoint Prestige MP 98 27.00 338 11.92 32.38 12.75 66 315 2037 $225

86 Flexpoint Prestige XL MP 98 27.38 342 12.06 33.13 13.04 67 333 2268 $225

87 FXP Instinct Team (Flexpoint) 105 27.00 281 9.91 35.00 13.78 68 298 2128 $170

88 FXP Prestige Team 102 27.00 310 10.93 34.00 13.39 56 319 1822 $210

89 FXP Radical Team (Flexpoint) 102 27.00 294 10.37 35.00 13.78 59 312 1878 $190

90 Metallix 10 124 27.33 270 9.52 36.00 14.17 69 289 2554 $275

91 Metallix 2 102 27.30 273 9.63 36.00 14.17 69 290 2102 $200

92 Metallix 4 107 27.25 269 9.49 37.00 14.57 67 306 2249 $200

93 Metallix 6 115 27.30 268 9.45 36.25 14.27 69 290 2370 $225

94 MicroGEL Extreme 100 27.25 312 11.01 32.45 12.78 68 308 2147 $180

HEAD 800-289-7366 • www.head.com

FISCHER 800-844-7810 • www.fischertennisusa.com

FEATHER 323-692-8256 • www.feathersports.com

GAMMA 800-333-0337 • www.gammasports.com



head cont.

95 MicroGEL Extreme Pro 100 27.00 341 12.03 32.50 12.80 71 335 2379 $180

96 MicroGEL Extreme Team Oversize 107 27.00 285 10.05 33.50 13.19 58 287 1781 $150

97 MicroGEL Instinct Mid Plus 100 27.00 313 11.04 33.00 12.99 66 313 2066 $150

98 MicroGEL Mojo 100 27.00 301 10.62 34.00 13.39 63 302 1903 $150

99 MicroGEL Monster 102 27.00 289 10.19 34.50 13.58 70 297 2121 $160

100 MicroGEL Prestige Mid 93 27.00 345 12.17 32.00 12.60 65 329 1989 $200

101 MicroGEL Prestige Mid Plus 98 27.00 336 11.85 32.15 12.66 64 304 1907 $200

102 MicroGEL Prestige Pro 98 27.00 332 11.71 32.00 12.60 64 308 1932 $200

103 MicroGEL Radical MP 98 27.00 309 10.90 33.50 13.19 60 308 1811 $180

104 MicroGEL Radical OS 107 27.00 311 10.97 33.20 13.07 56 312 1870 $180

105 MicroGEL Radical Pro MP 100 27.00 330 11.64 33.50 13.19 68 316 2149 $180

106 MicroGEL Radical Team 102 27.00 286 10.09 34.00 13.39 62 299 1891 $170

107 MicroGEL Raptor Mid Plus 102 27.00 272 9.59 35.50 13.98 69 304 2140 $120

108 MicroGEL Raptor OS 110 27.00 268 9.45 32.00 12.60 308 64 2168 $120

109 Protector MP 102 27.38 282 9.95 36.75 14.47 66 320 2235 $300

110 Protector OS 115 27.63 283 9.98 38.00 14.96 64 340 2659 $300

powerangle

111 Power 102 (Light Blue) 102 27.38 274 9.67 36.50 14.37 72 314 2392 $199

112 Power 102 (Navy Blue) 102 27.38 272 9.59 37.00 14.57 73 315 2433 $199

113 Power 102 (Yellow) 102 27.38 274 9.67 36.50 14.37 72 314 2392 $199

114 Power 115 (Light Blue) 115 27.38 268 9.45 37.25 14.67 74 318 2808 $199

115 Power 115 (Red) 115 27.25 262 9.24 37.25 14.67 73 309 2659 $199

116 Power 115 (Yellow) 115 27.38 268 9.45 37.25 14.67 74 318 2808 $199

117 Power 98 98 27.00 322 11.36 30.50 12.01 63 289 1784 $199

118 Power 98/K 98 27.00 326 11.50 30.75 12.11 64 289 1813 $199

prince

119 O3 Blue 110 27.50 281 9.91 34.25 13.48 65 295 2215 $280

120 O3 Hybrid Comp MP 102 27.00 307 10.83 33.80 13.31 65 319 2115 $159

121 O3 Hybrid Hornet MP 100 27.00 302 10.65 34.25 13.48 72 314 2261 $190

122 O3 Hybrid Hornet OS 110 27.00 283 9.98 35.00 13.78 71 305 2382 $190

123 O3 Hybrid Lite OS 110 27.00 271 9.56 35.90 14.13 69 303 2300 $159

124 O3 Hybrid Shark MP 100 27.00 314 11.08 33.75 13.29 66 322 2125 $200

125 O3 Hybrid Shark OS 110 27.50 295 10.41 35.00 13.78 67 323 2500 $200

126 O3 Hybrid Spectrum MP 100 27.00 302 10.65 34.00 13.39 73 313 2285 $149

127 O3 Hybrid Spectrum OS 110 27.00 281 9.91 34.50 13.58 69 293 2224 $149

128 O3 Hybrid Tour (16x18) 95 27.00 329 11.61 31.75 12.50 67 326 2075 $200

129 O3 Silver OS 118 27.75 270 9.52 37.50 14.76 78 320 3166 $300

130 O3 Speedport Black (with hole inserts) 100 27.00 327 11.53 33.00 12.99 72 336 2419 $199

131 O3 Speedport Black (with port inserts) 100 27.00 321 11.32 32.80 12.91 71 328 2329 $199

132 O3 Speedport Blue 110 27.50 290 10.23 35.15 13.84 67 325 2515 $269

133 O3 Speedport Gold OS (Conventional Throat Insert) 115 27.50 273 9.63 37.40 14.72 71 325 2786 $249

134 O3 Speedport Gold OS (Strung-Thru Throat Insert) 115 27.50 267 9.42 37.05 14.59 69 316 2633 $249

135 O3 Speedport Platinum OS (Conventional Throat Insert) 125 27.50 272 9.59 37.40 14.72 71 325 3029 $269

136 O3 Speedport Platinum OS (Strung-Thru Throat Insert) 125 27.50 270 9.52 37.50 14.76 71 325 3029 $269

137 O3 Speedport Pro White MP 100 27.00 329 11.61 33.15 13.05 69 335 2312 $199

138 O3 Speedport Red 105 27.25 297 10.48 34.50 13.58 67 324 2336 $249

139 O3 Speedport Silver 118 27.75 267 9.42 37.00 14.57 74 314 2947 $289

140 O3 Speedport Tour (with hole inserts) 97 27.00 341 12.03 32.20 12.68 68 340 2243 $199

141 O3 Speedport Tour (with port inserts) 97 27.00 335 11.82 31.95 12.58 66 330 2113 $199

142 O3 Speedport White MP 100 27.00 318 11.22 33.45 13.17 68 325 2210 $199

143 O3 Tour MP (100) 100 27.00 324 11.43 32.25 12.70 61 312 1903 $220

144 O3 Tour MS 95 27.00 338 11.92 31.75 12.50 65 315 1945 $220

POWER ANGLE 877-POWER-21 • www.powerangle.net

PRINCE 800-2TENNIS • www.princetennis.com


HEAD cont. 800-289-7366 • www.head.com


145 O3 Tour OS 107 27.50 316 11.15 34.00 13.39 66 321 2380 $220

146 O3 White MP 100 27.00 315 11.11 33.25 13.09 67 317 2124 $220

147 OZone Four 110 27.50 292 10.30 34.80 13.70 70 324 2620 $170

148 OZone One 118 27.75 273 9.63 37.50 14.76 77 335 3272 $170

149 OZone Pro Tour MP 100 27.00 346 12.20 32.00 12.60 66 330 2178 $179

150 OZone Seven 105 27.25 299 10.55 34.95 13.76 74 318 2533 $170

151 OZone Tour MP 100 27.00 330 11.64 32.15 12.66 62 326 2021 $179

pro supex

152 Dynamic Energy 100 27.00 328 11.57 31.95 12.58 67 308 2064 $100

153 Nano Energy 95 27.00 346 12.20 33.50 13.19 65 347 2143 $100

154 Ti. S1 100 27.00 314 11.08 33.50 13.19 70 316 2212 $100

155 Uniflex MP3 100 27.00 325 11.46 33.15 13.05 64 326 2086 $100

slazenger

156 Pro X1 95 27.00 336 11.85 32.00 12.60 67 305 1941 $180

157 Quad 255 (Flex) 108 27.50 271 9.56 35.40 13.94 65 300 2211 $159

158 Quad 270 (Flex) 100 27.00 282 9.95 34.00 13.39 73 295 2154 $139

159 Type 2 NX One 98 27.00 310 10.93 33.60 13.23 65 321 2045 $120

160 Type 2 NX Three 114 27.25 278 9.81 35.00 13.78 73 307 2619 $100

161 Type 2 NX Two 98 27.00 290 10.23 33.45 13.17 72 298 2103 $160

tecnifibre

162 T Fight 320 (16x20) 97 27.00 329 11.61 31.50 12.40 67 299 1943 $170

163 T Fight 320 (18x20) 97 27.00 335 11.82 32.30 12.72 68 320 2111 $170

164 T Fight 320 XL (18x20) 97 27.50 337 11.89 32.30 12.72 64 338 2203 $190

165 T Fight 335 (16x20) 97 27.00 350 12.35 31.25 12.30 67 315 2047 $170

166 T Fight 335 (18x20) 97 27.00 351 12.38 31.50 12.40 66 319 2042 $170

167 T Flash 270 OS 110 27.50 283 9.98 33.75 13.29 68 308 2419 $180

168 T Flash 290 100 27.00 308 10.86 33.75 13.29 69 312 2153 $170

169 T Flash 310 (16x19) 100 27.00 329 11.61 32.85 12.93 71 320 2272 $170

170 T Flash 310 (18x20) 100 27.00 325 11.46 32.10 12.64 70 314 2198 $170

vantage

171 VT001 Black 90 27.00 338 11.92 32.50 12.80 63 321 1820 $221

172 VT001 White 90 27.00 338 11.92 32.50 12.80 63 321 1820 $221

173 VT002 Black 95 27.00 334 11.78 32.00 12.60 61 323 1872 $221

174 VT002 White 95 27.00 334 11.78 32.00 12.60 61 323 1872 $221

175 VT003 Black 100 27.25 306 10.79 34.75 13.68 61 324 2026 $221

176 VT003 White 100 27.25 306 10.79 34.75 13.68 61 324 2026 $221

volkl

177 C10 Pro 98 27.00 348 12.28 31.50 12.40 56 321 1762 $200

178 DNX 1 w/Power Arm 115 27.80 267 9.42 35.85 14.11 71 306 2698 $290

179 DNX 2 Attiva 110 27.30 283 9.98 35.50 13.98 71 310 2494 $200

180 DNX 3 110 27.75 280 9.88 35.25 13.88 66 315 2458 $240

181 DNX 4 105 27.60 290 10.23 33.75 13.29 67 300 2237 $180

182 DNX 6 Attiva 100 27.00 285 10.05 34.00 13.39 67 300 2010 $150

183 DNX 7 100 27.00 290 10.23 33.65 13.25 67 299 2003 $150

184 DNX 8 100 27.00 312 11.01 33.50 13.19 70 317 2219 $170

185 DNX 9 98 27.00 320 11.29 32.50 12.80 68 312 2079 $180

186 Scorcher 5 102 27.00 294 10.37 32.80 12.91 65 282 1870 $150

187 V1 Classic (Silver Color) 102 27.00 316 11.15 34.00 13.39 67 316 2160 $179

weed

188 EXT 135 Blue 135 28.25 280 9.88 37.00 14.57 64 338 3285 $250

189 EXT 135 Green 135 28.25 275 9.70 37.00 14.57 62 334 3145 $250

190 EXT 135 Pink 135 28.25 277 9.77 37.00 14.57 64 340 3305 $250

191 EXT 135 Tour 135 28.25 263 9.28 37.00 14.57 60 322 2934 $250

VANTAGE +44 (0)1753 621177 • www.vantagetennis.com

VOLKL 866-554-7872 • www.volkl-tennis.com

TECNIFIBRE 877-332-0825 • www.tecnifibre.com

SLAZENGER 724-273-3342 • www.slazenger.com

PRO SUPEX 866-787-4644 • www.prosupexusa.com


WEED 800-WEED RKT • www.weedusa.com


weed cont.

192 X ONE25 (27 1/2) 125 27.50 269 9.49 36.25 14.27 69 311 2816 $209

193 X ONE25 (28 1/2) 125 28.50 269 9.49 38.25 15.06 69 360 3571 $209

194 X ONE25 Tour 125 28.50 $250

195 Z One 35 135 27.00 273 9.63 36.25 14.27 67 314 2840 $250

wilson

196 KBlade 98 98 27.00 317 11.18 33.75 13.29 67 331 2173 $210

197 KBlade Team 104 27.25 303 10.69 33.75 13.29 59 314 1975 $210

198 KBlade Tour 93 27.00 337 11.89 31.08 12.24 68 320 2024 $220

199 KFive 108 108 27.25 292 10.30 37.45 14.74 51 335 1891 $250

200 KFive 98 98 27.25 296 10.44 37.00 14.57 59 341 2021 $250

201 KFour 105 (K4) 105 27.25 281 9.91 35.00 13.78 75 311 2510 $230

202 KFour 112 (K4) 112 27.50 280 9.88 37.50 14.76 74 341 2968 $260

203 KOne 122 (K1) 122 27.50 264 9.31 38.20 15.04 73 316 2955 $350

204 KPro Open 100 27.00 311 10.97 32.80 12.91 70 302 2114 $200

205 KPro Tour 96 27.00 323 11.39 31.80 12.52 64 302 1855 $210

206 KSix One 95 (18x20) 95 27.00 349 12.31 31.20 12.28 68 324 2093 $210

207 KSix One 95 (68 Holes) 95 27.00 347 12.24 31.55 12.42 71 325 2192 $210

208 KSix One 95 X 95 27.50 347 12.24 33.00 12.99 69 359 2471 $210

209 KSix One Team 95 27.00 305 10.76 34.10 13.43 61 316 1831 $210

210 KSix One Tour 90 27.00 356 12.56 31.85 12.54 66 331 1966 $220

211 KSix Two 100 100 27.00 295 10.41 33.00 12.99 69 300 2070 $180

212 KSting 105 27.25 275 9.70 35.00 13.78 62 298 1988 $160

213 KSurge 100 27.00 292 10.30 33.95 13.37 71 303 2151 $200

214 KThree 115 (K3) 115 27.50 268 9.45 37.50 14.76 65 313 2457 $300

215 KTour 95 95 27.25 306 10.79 35.00 13.78 65 336 2127 $200

216 KZen (103) 103 27.25 318 11.22 33.10 13.03 73 328 2528 $190

217 KZen Team 103 27.25 285 10.05 34.50 13.58 73 305 2351 $190

218 KZero 118 27.50 258 9.10 36.25 14.27 73 291 2632 $250

219 n1 115 27.90 256 9.03 38.75 15.26 75 323 3037 $300

220 n5 Force 110 110 27.25 286 10.09 37.50 14.76 56 329 2077 $240

221 nFury Two (100 sq. in.) 100 27.00 278 9.81 34.00 13.39 54 290 1566 $120

222 nFury Two Oversize 110 27.00 271 9.56 35.60 14.02 69 296 2247 $120

yonex

223 RDS 001 90 90 27.00 344 12.13 31.75 12.50 65 320 1872 $199

224 RDS 001 98 98 27.00 309 10.90 31.75 12.50 66 309 1999 $199

225 RDS 002 98 27.00 315 11.11 33.00 12.99 66 314 2031 $199

226 RDS 002 Tour 98 27.00 342 12.06 31.75 12.50 68 320 2132 $199

227 RDS 003 100 100 27.25 312 11.01 32.75 12.89 69 306 2164 $189

228 RQ Speed 30 102 27.50 269 9.49 35.00 13.78 71 293 2228 $119

229 RQIS 1 Tour 95 27.00 333 11.75 31.50 12.40 61 312 1808 $189

230 RQIS 2 Tour 100 27.50 303 10.69 33.25 13.09 68 313 2235 $199

231 RQS 11 100 27.50 292 10.30 34.25 13.48 67 311 2188 $229

232 RQS 22 102 27.50 285 10.05 34.80 13.70 65 309 2151 $249

233 RQS 33 107 27.50 279 9.84 36.00 14.17 70 321 2525 $239

234 RQS 55 112 27.50 265 9.35 37.15 14.63 70 314 2585 $259

WILSON 800-272-6060 • www.wilson.com

YONEX 800-44-YONEX • www.yonexusa.com


WEED cont. 800-WEED RKT • www.weedusa.com

T E N N I S A P P A R E L

Team apparel can be big business for retailers, astenniswear manufacturers offer outfits to suit alltypes of groups.


When you look at tennis apparel sales in the U.S., onething you notice is that tennis team wear can accountfor big retail business. And in the future, it’s going to

get bigger. League tennis players—whether USTA Leagues,WTT Rec Leagues or others—have been increasing in the lastfew years, and initiatives such as School Tennis, USTA Tennison Campus, the No-Cut High School team programs andmore have been adding to the notion that tennis is a teamsport.All of this means more and more people—both adults and

juniors—are playing tennis on teams, which makes sense,because tennis not only is competitive, but it can be a verysocial sport, too. And with the increased numbers of teams,players are looking to coordinate their team outfits.For some retailers, team wear accounts for a sizable

chunk of their apparel revenue. If you’re not yet in the teamgame, or have only lightly dabbled in selling to teams, youshould consider the ways you can cash in on this revenuestream in your area.One way, of course is to make sure you meet school

coaches and league captains in your area. “Over the years,we’ve formed some great relationships with high school

coaches,” says Terry Hunter of Tennis Outlet in Lubbock,Texas. “We know what fits into the school’s needs and bud-get. The challenge is pleasing everyone.”Hunter says when dealing with schools, retailers need to

consider a number of factors. “Kids are fashion conscious,parents have their preferences, and the coach doesn’t want tospend a lot of time thinking about uniforms,” Hunter says,“So we try to make it easy and efficient for everyone con-cerned.”At the Indianapolis (Ind.) Racquet Club, Kevin Lindley, the

director of team sales, will sometimes loan clothing samplesto schools so they can see it in person for sizing, color and fit.“Criteria for a lot of teams concern school colors first,” hesays, “and also a quality product at a good price, becauseschools are on tight budgets. In some cases, brand loyaltyplays a factor.” Often, coaches defer to the kids, especiallythe team captain, for team uniform decisions.Lindley says he does whatever it takes to help

schools and teams with the ordering process. And theIndianapolis Racquet Club offers discounts to teams, too.Here are some of the manufacturers who offer team

apparel lines.

TAKINGONE FORTHE TEAM

B Y C Y N T H I A S H E R M A N

TAKINGONE FORTHE TEAM

DiadoraTeam wear comprises at least half ofDiadora’s business, the company says.Diadora’s extensive team line is availablein many styles and colors for men andwomen. Made of 100 percent moisture-wicking DiaDry Poly, the women’s line hastwo dress, four skirt and four tank styles.The men’s line features crews, polos, andtwo styles of shorts. With a 105,000-square-foot warehouse, Diadora says it isable to keep stock year round, with imme-diate shipping capabilities, and volume dis-counts are available.

www.diadoraamerica.com,800-DIADORA


FilaFila's Essenza men’s and women’s collection includes team stand-out boldcolor blocking and mesh inserts paired with Fila's performance fabric, whichis a unique stretch fabric that provides superior moisture-wicking for maxi-mum dryness and comfort. The Essenza collection includes items that areavailable year round for at-once delivery. The color palette stays consistentseason to season with a few pop colors rotated into the collection. There is awide variety of styles available for all tastes and fits, from cami tanks andpolos to racer-back tops, crews and long-sleeve shirts, and skirts/skorts forwomen, to sleeveless, polos, crews, and shorts for men.

www.fila.com, 800-845-3452


Athco/WilsonWilson apparel licensee Athco launched men’s andwomen’s team tennis wear this year, featuring 100 percentpoly interlock Hypertek, the clothes boast moisture-wickingand breathability. The women’s line also features Hypertek,poly/lyrca with meryl stretch fabric in racer-back tops, ath-letically fitting tanks, and classic cuts with tanks and cap-sleeved polos. Skorts come in a variety of colors. Men’sshirts come in three crew styles in all colors, white withaccent trim and solid color with accent trim, two polos, andthree different styles of shorts in three different lengths. Thecompany says it is fully stocked, with immediate shipping.

www.athco.com, 800-990-0000

LejayWith the growth of team sales, Lejay has expanded itsTeam Collection to include more style choices to fitevery body. Team Essentials offer 11 solid colors in theLeDry high performance fabric, which also features UVprotection. All styles can be custom-cut in any colorcombination and can take team or club logo embroi-dery. (Custom orders take two to three weeks.) Boldcolor-blocking and trim stands out on skirts, skorts,tanks, racer backs and a dress which has a built-in bra.

www.lejay.com, 800-932-7535


PrincePrince’s team wear shows offclassic silhouettes in a varietyof colors and designs in con-temporary styles. For men,100 percent poly with breath-able mesh at the underarmand back is featured in theshort sleeve and sleevelesscrews, polos, and long-sleevecrews. Shorts, warm-uppants, and jackets round outthe line. The women’s sidefeature skirts, tops, shorts,jackets and pants in blends ofpoly and spandex withbreathable mesh inserts andbacks in a rainbow of colors.

www.princesports.com,800-2-TENNIS

Bälle de MätchTeam wear constitutes about 40 percent of Bälle deMätch’s business. The company says it always has inven-tory in all colors, and that orders get shipped out thesame day they’re placed. Bälle de Mätch keeps the teamline consistent, introducing one new piece a year, socoaches and players can count on continuity, stabilityand clothing that will always be in season.The men’s side features crews, polos and shorts in 100

percent poly in a variety of colors. The women’s line sportsracer-back tops, tanks, skorts and dresses in a playablespandex/poly blend, again in a full range of colors.

www.balledematch.com, 800-356-1021

the heck’s this tie-break thing all about?The instruction pathway leads straight into leagues, but

you’re left to fend for yourself when it comes to the more“social” aspects of the game, such as etiquette and rules.Even a topic as essential as match strategy can be ignoredin lessons.

As a coach or programs coordinator, why not alleviatemany of these stresses and concerns novice players facewhen they begin league play? You can do that by offeringinstructional “league” classes.

Understanding the BasicsSarah Witherspoon, the adult programs coordinator forMacon Tennis Connect run out of John Drew Smith Tennis


lose your eyes. Remember back to your very first USTAleague match. You step onto the court, sweaty palms grip-ping your racquet. “Eye on the ball,” you mutter. Your

partner is a newbie, too, and barely knows how to keep score.Together, you both will try to remember everything the coachtaught you in your beginner class.

Odds are, though, that your class focused more on strokeexecution than on match strategies, changing ends, foot-work/movement during a point, communication with your part-ner, player etiquette, rules, etc. These aspects of a matchprobably received scant attention in your lessons.

During points, you probably tried to make mental notes toask your coach later: What’s a let? How much time do we geton a changeover, and what should I do on a changeover? What

PROGRAMM ING

CB Y R O B I N B A T E M A N

Don’t just teach your beginners how to hit the ball. Formore complete participation in your programs andleagues, teach them how to play a match.

Center in Macon, Ga., runs an instruc-tional league class. Sessions run fourweeks, and the format mimics leagueplay: Participants are placed on teams toplay real matches, using one set regularscoring so they become familiar withhow deuce/ad works.

“The major difference between leagueclass matches and USTA league playis…well…me,” says Witherspoon. “Play-ers can stop play to ask me questionsabout anything they don’t understand.Also, if I see obvious errors or plays thatcan benefit from advice on movement orcommunication, I stop play myself.”

Witherspoon stands nearby, observ-ing students, determining when to inter-ject. From her position on top of a hill,she monitors all six courts the leagueclass uses. Sometimes, she waits untilthe point is played before giving instruc-tion on what should have been done,while other times, she walks right oncourt, especially when order of serve isbroken, or scoring issues arise.

“The ‘on-the-job training’ is the bestway the beginner players can improvetheir game with the on-court assistancefrom the coordinator,” Witherspoonsays. “It’s a great stepping-stone to tran-sition them into USTA leagues.”

Players like Clare McBride, a secretaryfor Bibb County School District’s After School Program, lovethe league classes. “They give me the opportunity to gainmatch experience without the worries of real USTA competi-tion,” McBride says. “I don’t want to be the weak link on theteam.” McBride enrolled in her first beginner’s class last Mayas a way to relieve stress from the pressures of work andschool. She then signed up for her first league class in June.She will continue registering for league classes until, she says,she can “hold her own” on a team.

Reviewing the RulesEach class begins with a quick review of rules: no cell phoneson court, no racquet abuse, wait until the point is playedbefore you walk behind your neighbor’s court, etc. ThenWitherspoon assigns everyone to his or her matches beforetaking her monitoring post.

Witherspoon also addresses spectator rules. “Many begin-ners think their fans can sit on the player benches on court.Furthermore, novice players believe spectators are allowed tosettle line call disputes and scoring issues. We let them knowright away this is wrong.”

Another common mistake new players make is calling theball “out” before it has landed. All of these and many moreetiquette procedures along with USTA rules are reviewedthroughout the league class, ensuring participants graduatewith an all-around knowledge of the game.

If you’re looking for ways to increaseleague play and program participation,why not start by offering a class that willcreate strong, confident players who arefamiliar with the intricacies of matchplay and can’t wait to enroll in all of yourprograms? Your players will thank youthrough program participation inleagues, tournaments and round-robins.Your coaches will thank you for theincreased lessons generated.

With league class participation at theJohn Drew Smith Tennis Center averag-ing close to 40 participants and retentionlevels reaching 95 percent, who canargue with success? In fact, Witherspoonsays that from the spring 2007 instruc-tional league classes, five new USTAteams were formed that participated inleague play last fall, three women’s 2.5teams and two men’s teams, at 2.5 and3.0.

If you help your beginning players tofeel more comfortable playing the game,they’ll continue to grow and develop areal love for tennis. Which can only begood for your business.�


Are you sure?� Friend At Court, the USTA handbook oftennis rules and regulations, is a greatplace to find official answers to all yourUSTA match play questions. The bookcan be purchased for $5 through USTA.Or a full version of Friend At Court canalso be accessed online. Go towww.usta.com, click on the “About Us”tab, then click the “Rules” tab.

� The Code, which is printed in the firstpart of Friend At Court, provides rulesand regulations for playing unofficialmatches.

� USTA sections and districts often publishhelpful information for players, parentsand spectators. Remember to check outyour local district’s website whensearching for tennis do’s and don’ts.

� Presented in an entertaining manner,Tennis for Dummies, written by PatrickMcEnroe and Peter Bodo, and The Com-plete Idiot’s Guide to Tennis, by TrishFaulkner, give lots of information aboutstrokes, etiquette and mental tough-ness, and offer personal tennis anec-dotes throughout.

Contributing Editor Robin Bateman is the site coordina-

tor for the Tattnall Tennis Center in Macon, Ga., where

she coordinates tennis programs and leagues, is a tour-

nament director, serves as a team captain and assists

junior teams competing at district, regional, and section

events.


QUALITYCONSTRUCTIONThe outdoor hard-court winners demonstrateexcellence on a grand scale.

The six outdoor hard-court winners (not including resi-dential projects) of the Racquet Sports Indus-try/American Sports Builders Association 2007

Distinguished Facility-of-the-Year Awards represent a nice mixof facilities that show the breadth of tennis in communitiesthroughout the country. The winners include a youth tenniscomplex, middle school, high school, community college, uni-versity and public complex.

Projects ranged from the renovated single rooftop courtabove a parking garage at Rockefeller University in New YorkCity to the new 16-court indoor and outdoor Arthur AsheYouth Tennis & Education complex in Philadelphia. (AAYTEalso won the Court-of-the-Year Award for the facility; this Dis-tinguished Facility-of-the-Year honor is for their outdoorcourts.)

The AAYTE project included two outdoor rebound wall minicourts, an outdoor stadium court and two backboards. AAYTEis one of the U.S.’s premier non-profit tennis facilities, whichserves thousands of youngsters in the Philly area. It’s beenhonored for excellence in tennis and education by the USTA,PTR and ITF, and it also won RSI’s Municipal Facility of theYear Award last fall. The new facility was built on the groundsof an old swimming pool complex and required the removal oftons of rubble. In addition, a major gas line that servesPhiladelphia runs under portions of the courts, so excavationhad to be done with extreme care.

The 12-court Maize Middle School complex in Kansas isalso new construction and includes a concrete hitting wall. Sig-nificantly, the large and well-received tennis facility willreceive double duty in the near future as the school district

plans to build a new high school to share in the use of this first-class tennis complex.

While the facility at Oconomowoc High School in Wiscon-sin is considered an upgrade, it required the demolition ofseven existing courts and the installation of a 10-court com-plex. This is truly a community-based project. During the ini-tial design phase, the project was submitted for fundingthrough the USTA. But funding was declined, so the commu-nity rallied together with private donations and fund-raisers tosupplement the funds supplied by the school district and parkand recreation department.

The 10-court Goddard Eisenhower Tennis Complex inKansas was completed in just eight weeks. To meet the dead-line, the contractor had to form and place the concrete withintwo weeks, let it cure for 30 days, then surface all the courtsin a week. The result, though, offers players and spectators aspectacular venue.

Mesa Community College in Arizona had eight new courtsinstalled under a tight deadline. The result includes a spectatorviewing area, and a complex that both students and the com-munity can use and be proud of.

Rockefeller University in the heart of New York City want-ed to convert the concrete deck on top of a parking garage, ona 100-year-old structure, to a tennis court. The contractorredesigned the drainage system to eliminate the ineffectivespot drains and installed a trench drain, in addition to slopingthe court surface, which previously had been flat. They alsoinstalled custom fencing to surround the cushioned hard court.

Clearly, quality is king with this year’s hard-court winners.—Peter Francesconi

D I S T I N G U I S H E D F A C I L I T Y - O F - T H E - Y E A R A W A R D S

QUALITYCONSTRUCTION

Rockefeller UniversityNew York, N.Y.(Nominated by Classic Turf Co., Woodbury, Conn.)Number of Courts: 1Specialty Contractor: Classic Turf Co.Surface: Classic Turf SystemFencing: Classic Turf System Custom SeamlessLighting: LSIColor Coating: Nova Sports


Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis & EducationPhiladelphia(Nominated by Sportsline Inc., Exton, Pa.)Number of Courts: 16 (8 outdoor, 8 indoor)Specialty Contractor: Sportsline Inc.Surface: DecoTurfLighting: LSIWindscreens: M. PuttermanNets, Straps: J.A. CisselNet Posts: Collegiate PacificBackboards: Bakko

Maize Middle School Tennis ComplexMaize, Kan.(Nominated by Mid-American Courtworks, Wichita, Kan.)Number of Courts: 12Architect/Engineer: Schaefer, Johnson, Cox & FreyGeneral & Specialty Contractor: Mid-American CourtworksColor System: Vance Bros. Vantage ColorNets, Posts: Douglas Industries

Oconomowoc High SchoolOconomowoc, Wis.(Nominated by Munson Inc., Glendale, Wis.)Number of Courts: 10Architect/General Contractor: Munson Inc.Surface and Fencing: Munson Inc.Nets: J.A. CisselLighting: Lee TennisColor Surfacing Material: California Products

Goddard Eisenhower Tennis ComplexGoddard, Kan.(Nominated by Mid-American Courtworks, Wichita, Kan.)Number of Courts: 10Architect/Engineer: Wilson & Co., Salina, Kan.General Contractor: Coonrood & Assoc.Specialty Contractor: Mid-American CourtworksColor System: Vance Bros. Vantage ColorNets, Posts, Windscreens: Douglas Industries

Mesa Community CollegeMesa, Ariz.(Nominated by General Acrylics, Phoenix)Number of Courts: 8Specialty Contractor: General AcrylicsSurface: General AcrylicsLighting: LSINets, Posts, Windscreens, Straps: Douglas Industries

For details on the2008 DistinguishedFacility-of-the-YearAwards, contactthe ASBA at 866-501-ASBA [email protected].


string PLAYTEST

EASE OF STRINGING(compared to other strings)Number of testers who said it was:much easier 0somewhat easier 2about as easy 20not quite as easy 13not nearly as easy 0

OVERALL PLAYABILITY(compared to string played most often)Number of testers who said it was:much better 0somewhat better 4about as playable 17not quite as playable 13not nearly as playable 1

OVERALL DURABILITY(compared to other stringsof similar gauge)Number of testers who said it was:much better 6somewhat better 13about as durable 16not quite as durable 0not nearly as durable 0

RATING AVERAGESFrom 1 to 5 (best)Playability 3.4Durability (3rd overall) 4.5Power 3.3Control (14th overall) 3.8Comfort 2.9Touch/Feel 2.8Spin Potential 3.4Holding Tension (7th overall) 3.7Resistance to Movement (1st overall) 4.2

Alu Power Fluoro is the latest monofila-

ment string from Luxilon. It is based on

the original Alu Power 125, which took

the pro tour by storm before becoming a

favorite with other competitive players.

It is created with a poly-ether-ether-

material augmented with fluorocarbon

and aluminum fibers. The fluorocarbon

migrates to the outer surface of the

string during the extrusion process, and

creates a softer feeling string.Luxilon recommends Alu Power Fluoro

to any player seeking more comfort in asofter feeling high performance monofila-ment string, which includes those seekingto include Luxilon’s famous characteristicsin hybrid string combinations.

Alu Power Fluoro 123 is available in1.23 (17 gauge) in silver. It is priced from$15 for 40 feet, 125-foot mini-reel for$45, and 726-foot reels for $250. Formore information or to order, contact Wil-son at 773-714-6400, or visitwww.wilson.com. Be sure to read the con-clusion for more information about gettinga free set to try for yourself.

IN THE LABThe coil measured 40 feet. The diametermeasured 1.22-1.25 mm prior to stringing,and 1.18-1.21 mm after stringing. Werecorded a stringbed stiffness of 75 RDCunits immediately after stringing at 60pounds in a Wilson Pro Staff 6.1 95 (16 x18 pattern) on a constant-pull machine.

After 24 hours (no playing), stringbedstiffness measured 66 RDC units, repre-senting a 12 percent tension loss. Our con-trol string, Prince Synthetic Gut OriginalGold 16, measured 78 RDC units immedi-ately after stringing and 71 RDC units after24 hours, representing a 9 percent tensionloss. Alu Power Fluoro 123 added 16grams to the weight of our unstrungframe.

The string was tested for five weeks by

35 USRSA playtesters, with NTRP ratingsfrom 3.0 to 6.0. These are blind tests,with playtesters receiving unmarkedstrings in unmarked packages. Averagenumber of hours playtested was 23.7.

Luxilon recommends lowering the ref-erence tension by at least 10 percentwhen stringing any of its Big Bangerstrings. We instructed our playtesters tolower the reference tension by 5 to 10percent.

Out of the package, Alu Power Fluoro

feels much the same as AluPower. The softness of the added fluoro-carbon is felt during play, not duringinstallation. Therefore, installing AluPower Fluoro is very similar to installingAlu Power, as expected. However, wedid not notice any burning of the mainstrings when installing the crosses, as cansometimes happen with Alu Power.Blocked holes were not a problem.

No playtester broke his sample duringstringing, 17 reported problems with coilmemory, 6 reported problems tyingknots, and none reported friction burn.

ON THE COURTOur playtest team loved Alu Power Fluo-ro’s Resistance to Movement, Durability,Tension Retention, and Control. AluPower Fluoro’s scores for Resistance toMovement put it in a tie for first place ofthe 119 strings we’ve playtested to date.In the Durability category, it scored athird-place finish of all the strings we’vetested. In the category of Tension Reten-tion, Alu Power Fluoro came in seventhoverall, and in the category of Control, itcame in 14th overall. On top of this,each of these four top-20 scores putsLuxilon Alu Power Fluoro ahead of allother Luxilon strings in these categories.In addition — and this will be no surpriseif you’re familiar with Alu Power — AluPower Fluoro scored well above averagein the category of Spin Potential. AluPower Fluoro also received above aver-age scores for Playability and Power.

CONCLUSIONLuxilon Alu Power Fluoro looks to be anexcellent candidate to extend Luxilon’sreach into the market. Recreational play-

LuxilonAlu Power Fluoro 123

FREE PLAYTEST STRINGPROGRAM

Luxilon will send a free set of AluPower Fluoro 123 to USRSA mem-bers who cut out (or copy) this

coupon and mail it to:USRSA,

Attn: Luxilon Alu PowerFluoro String Offer,

330 Main Street, Vista, CA 92084or fax to 760-536-1171,or email the info below to

[email protected] expires 15 April 2008Offer only available to USRSA

members in the US.

Name:

USRSA Member number:

Phone:

Email:If you print your email clearly, we will noti-fy you when your sample will be sent.


and there is very little string movement. Touchplayers are advised to hybrid this with a softcross.” 4.5 male baseliner with heavy spinusing Wilson nSix-One 95 (68 Holes) strung at 45pounds LO (Wilson NXT 17)

“ This feels like a premium poly. It has verygood control. The overall playablity does notquite separate it from the pack.” 5.0 maleserve-and-volleyer using Prince O3 Hybrid Tour(16x18) strung at 53 pounds CP (Poly-ester/Natural Gut 17/16)

“ Initially, though stiff, this string possessesgood control. After the tension loss, however,the ball’s flight seems less predictable. As a mul-tifilament loyalist, I have never been able toappreciate polyester. I simply prefer a softer feel.This polyester did not change my mind.” 5.0male all-court player using Head i.S6 OS strungat 59 pounds LO (Tecnifibre NRG2 16)

For the rest of the tester comments, visit

www.racquetsportsindustry.com.

“ Finally, a comfortable polyester thatholds tension well. My serve is 5 mph faster.The spin potential is out of this world. I amnow a fan of polyester. Sign me up.” 4.5male all-court player using Wilson nTourTwo strung at 60 pounds CP (Gamma Aster-isk 16)

“ This is the perfect string for a baselinepower player interested in comfort and dura-bility. It has a very solid feeling. This isn’tjust a niche string for string breakers. It hasa high degree of touch on volleys and shortangles.” 5.0 male all-court player usingWilson Hyper Pro Staff 5.1 Surge strung at60 pounds LO (Klip Kicker 16)

“With a 5 percent reduction in tension,this string is quite comfortable and surpris-ingly powerful. More importantly, unlikewith other polyesters, it didn’t bother mywrist.” 4.0 male all-court player using Tec-nifibre T Feel 290 XL strung at 56 pounds LO(Klip Excellerator 17)

“ This is not your average polyester. It iscomfortable and has great feel. It can handletouch shots with ease.” 5.0 male all-courtplayer using Wilson n4 strung at 50 poundsLO (Polyester 16)

“ This string has a comfortable feel andgood playability. The control on groundiesand volleys is striking. The ball comes off thestringbed with a deep, solid thwap.” 5.0male all-court player using Head LiquidmetalRadical OS strung at 60 pounds CP (HeadRIP Control 16)

“ This is a stiff string. It holds tension well

ers who like — or think they might like —the benefits of Alu Power but want amore comfortable string, should give AluPower Fluoro a try. Between the softerfeel and the fact that our playtesters feltthat it holds tension well, you have a pre-mium monofilament that might suit awide variety of big hitters, both straightup and in hybrid string sets.

If you think that Luxilon Alu Power Flu-oro 123 might be for you, fill out thecoupon to get a free set to try.

—Greg Raven �

TESTERS TALK

the EXPERTSask

HYBRID THEORYDO YOU THINK IT WOULD improveplayability of a hybrid-strung racquetif the mains and crosses were strung

in such a way that the dynamic stiffness wasmore equal? For example, if you have Lux-ilon Alu Power in the mains, the dynamicstiffness is 242 with a tension loss of 17.13.On a Head Prestige Mid, the longest mainsare 12.375 inches long, and the longestcross is 9.125 inches long, a ratio of roughly.73.

It seems to me that if the crosses werestrung at the same tension as the mainswith (in this case) Prince Synthetic Gut 17,which has a dynamic stiffness of 178 (242times .73 equals about 177) and a tensionloss of 16.88, you might get the best ofboth worlds without having to tinker withthe tension.

This seems as though it might be a betterapproach than tinkering with the tensionbecause making tension adjustments to

compensate for differences in dynamicstiffness is kind of like cutting off your legsto fit your pants ... it doesn't really accom-plish everything you're trying to do.

THIS APPROACH WOULD MAKE ITmuch easier to market hybrid string

jobs, because when you explain yourapproach to your customers, it wouldsound impressive. There are two draw-backs, though. First, it’s going to be a lotof work finding pairs of strings with char-acteristics in the ratio you seek. Second,the bottom line is the final stiffness of thestringbed, no matter how you achieve it.That is, if you can achieve a certain stiff-ness using either one-piece stringing ortwo-piece stringing, the response of theball off the strings should be the same.The joker in the deck is that some stringsdo not have a linear response on impactrelative to the speed of the ball (everythingelse being equal). The best way to get the

mains and crosses to have the same impact“signature” is to use the same string forboth the mains and crosses. Given thenumber of players using hybrid string setsthat are not matched as you propose, andgiven that some players will prefer a hybridset with the stiffer string in the mains andothers use that same set with the stifferstring in the crosses, the most reasonableconclusion is that it comes down to per-sonal preference, rather than calculations.

POWER PADSI AM HAVING A HARD TIME findinga tennis supplier that still carriesleather power pads (preferably the

round ones).

TRY GRAND SLAM STRINGERS, on-line at www.grandslamstringers

.com. GSS sells strips of leather, which youcan cut into whatever size and shape youdesire.

QA


AQ

Your Equipment Hotline


INCREASINGSWINGWEIGHT?

I HAVE BEEN USING HEAD TAPEat the throat of the racquetinstead of a dampener. The tape

is 1-1/2" wide, and I use one piece oneach side of the stringbed, pressedtogether, covering the throat area. Mycustomers like it. One said it sloweddown his swing. By creating wind resis-tance in the face of the frame; am Iincreasing swing weight?

THE MASS OF THE TAPE IS proba-bly fairly small, and by placing it

low on the stringbed, you are gettingminimal additional swingweight. Howev-er, by increasing the wind resistance, youare making it more difficult to swing theracquet, but in a slightly different way.As Doctor Porsche taught us many yearsago, the more mass you have, the moredifficult it is to accelerate (and deceler-ate) that mass. However, once you accel-erate that mass, it doesn’t take muchmore effort to keep it in motion than ifthe mass were lower, unless you arefighting gravity. A light racquet with lowswingweight is going to be easy toswing.

Wind resistance (or drag, as it’s alsoknown), on the other hand, grows pro-portionally with speed. It’s also affectedby the angle of the racquet relative tothe direction of swing. That is, if youwere to swing the racquet edge-on andthen suddenly turn it 90 degrees, you’dnotice a big difference in the amount of

drag on the racquet. Therefore, even alight racquet with a low swingweightmight be difficult to swing, depending onthe amount of drag you are creating withyour tape dampener.

Keep in mind that by adding tape tothe stringbed you are also changing thesound of the ball impact, so your cus-tomers may be feeling a little drag but,because the sound of impact is muted,be thinking that there’s more drag thanthere actually is.

—Greg Raven �

We welcome your questions. Please send them

to Racquet Sports Industry, 330 Main St.,

Vista, CA, 92084; fax: 760-536-1171; email:

[email protected].

Q

A

Editor’s note: Some combinations ofstring and grommets can create areal cacophony when pulling thecenter mains. Be careful not to mis-take this for the sound of a brokenframe. Also, check to see that thesound picked up by the stethoscopeis not so loud that it damages yourhearing.

FAVORITE CUTTERSSeems like I keep reading about peo-ple using diagonal cutters, or nippers

and TECHNIQUES

STRINGING BY EARI use a stethoscope to listen to frames whilepulling tension. This is especially useful indiagnosing frames with integrity issues. If acrack is suspected, I can usually pass or failthe frame using the stethoscope. If I hear anoise that sounds like radio static whilepulling tension, I can be pretty sure thatsomething is wrong and the frame is break-ing down. If I just hear a “swoosh” sound,the string sliding into place, I can be rela-tively certain that no issues are present. I lis-ten during several pulls, especially thosethat are close to areas that I suspect. Some-times a pull in the center of the frame willjust “swoosh” while an outer pull, closer toa suspected crack, will provide a differentnoise indeed. (Hint: When listening to aframe with suspected issues, it is wise towear safety goggles as your face is close tothe possible weakened area.)5 sets of Head FXP 16 to:John Youngblood, Suwanee, GA


tips

with their stringing. I’ve found that myfavorite stringing tool after my awl is apair of Fiskars Ultimate Craft Scissors(#12-7927). These are phenomenal atquickly cutting through string beds, tie-off knots snip with ease, and coil tiesare easily dispatched. They’re supercomfortable in your hand, springloaded for easy use, and well con-structed with a lifetime warranty.5 sets of Gamma Synthetic Gut withWearGuard 16 to:Eric Jubin, Missouri City, TX

GREAT CART FOR TABLE-TOP STRINGING MACHINESAfter looking everywhere for a cart formy Alpha Revo 4000, I found a great

Readers’ Know-How in Action


Tips and Techniques submitted since2000 by USRSA members, and appear-ing in this column, have all been gath-ered into a single volume of theStringer’s Digest—Racquet ServiceTechniques which is a benefit of USRSAmembership. Submit tips to: GregRaven, USRSA, 330 Main St., Vista, CA92804; or [email protected].

buy at Sam’s Club (item #135623) foronly $49.87+ tax. The cart is the SevilleHeavy Duty Commercial Cart Model99307 and is very sturdy. The cart ischrome plated, has 3 adjustable shelveswith liners, lockable wheels, and is NSFrated at 500 lbs. The cart is 33.75 inlong x 18 in wide x 32.25 in tall and isvery easy to assemble. It fits my stringerperfectly and the shelves help to keepmy stringing supplies organized.Because it is on wheels, I can easily roll itaround as needed. A great cart for agreat price!5 sets of Prince Synthetic Gut Multi-filament 16 to:Marshall Knight, Summerville, SC

RESTRING BY …Recently a regular customer asked mewhen he would be due for anotherstring job if he had not broken one bythen. This gave me an idea for a greatadvertising tool. I had some businesscards printed up with the date strung,type of string, tension, and the recom-mended date for the next restringing.This gets my customers coming in beforethey break a string, and they are happierbecause they keep playing at a higherlevel.5 sets of Ashaway SyntheticGut 16 to:Steve Moore, Knoxville TN

Editor’s note: You can also enter the“string by” date on the racquet label,instead of the “strung” date, if youdon’t want to print up business cards.

NEVER TOO THINWhen stinging with stiff polys, I thin outthe tip with emery cloth when stringingthe crosses. This makes the tip easier togrip onto and also gives it a bit moreflex.

5 sets of Wilson Enduro Pro 18 to:Scott Brashier, Newport Beach, CA

—Greg Raven �

League LeaderA longtime tennis director says WTT RecLeagues are not only fun for all, but theyalso add to your bottom line.

Last November, I had the tennis-playing thrillof a lifetime, competing at the WorldTeamTennis Recreational League National

Finals. Holding the national champions bannerand sharing the victory with my team is some-thing I will never forget.

Being a part of this first-class nationalevent, with folks like WTT co-founder BillieJean King and WTT CEO/Commissionerllana Kloss leading the way, made thememories that much more incredible. But Ihave had the thrill of participating in andorganizing World TeamTennis leagues foryears, and from my vantage point as aplayer, team organizer and facility manag-er, WTT may be just the right league foryour club, park or CTA.

For those of you not familiar with WTT,it’s a coed recreational league with NTRP oropen skill levels. Players play five or six no-ad sets of men’s and women’s singles,doubles and mixed doubles, with everygame counting toward the winning score.

There are many reasons you may wantto consider starting a WTT league, both foryou and your players.

1. Format: Easily scheduled within atwo-hour time frame, a WTT match can beplayed on two courts. It offers all of tennis’events, plus the excitement of playing lets,no-ad scoring, changing sides after fourgames and substitutions. And with over-time, losing teams who win the last sethave a chance to catch up. Players enjoythe quick pace and trying something new!

2. Averaging Levels: As long as thetop two men and top two women on ateam average out to the league skill level(4.0 for example), you can have a 4.5 man,a 4.0 man, a 4.0 woman and a 3.5 womanon your team. It allows friends of differentlevels, and oftentimes spouses, to be onthe same team together.

3. Revenue: Generate new business atyour facility, encourage team practices and

fill up court time. After paying your sitelicense fee to WTT (which allows you permis-sion to host a WTT League and be eligible forall the benefits), all the revenue produced isyours! And you have the option of onlinepayments through PayPal for your league.

4. Opportunity to Advance: Like USTALeagues, teams winning local WTT Leaguescan qualify for one of six National Qualifiersaround the country.

5. Great Benefits: WTT has benefits fordirectors and players (league rewards pro-gram, toll-free assistance) plus many dis-counts and incentives through Advanta,Wilson, and Bälle de Mätch.

6. New Website and Web Tools: In thepast year, WTT has greatly enhanced its web-site, WTT.com, with online registration,online league scheduling, posting schedulesand scores, email notifications system andmore.

7. Other WTT Programs and Services:A. X TeamTennis—An event for high

school-age players featuring singles andmixed doubles. A day-long local-level tourna-ment qualifies players for nationals. Schoolsmay send multiple local co-ed teams.

B. Corporate Leagues—These are takingoff around the country, and allow folks toplay with co-workers, raise company moraleand reduce health care costs at work. Offer-ing many of the same benefits as WTTLeagues, corporate local winners qualify fortheir own national championship.

C. WTT is the format for USTA Tennis onCampus, bringing non-varsity players togeth-er on college club teams throughout thecountry, again featuring Section and Nationalchampionships.

D. Pro Leagues—If you live near a proleague franchise, you have the added benefitof getting a free ticket for each of your recleague players to attend a professional

B Y S C O T T H A N O V E R

match. Plus there is the cross-marketingopportunities of the local and pro leaguetogether.

8. Customer Service: The nationalstaff is always just a phone call away andextremely helpful. Delaine Mast has beenWTT’s national director for the RecLeagues for more than 20 years andknows all the ins and outs of WTTLeagues. Jen Smith has coordinated theNational Qualifiers and Nationals for sev-eral years and is a great problem-solver.And returnee Elaine Wingfield has plentyof experience as WTT League director,and coordinates the collegiate competi-tion.

I have hundreds of local league playerswho are sold on WTT. “It’s competitive,fun and social—all at the same time,”says Kathryn Johnson of Kansas City, Mo.,who plays on a 3.5 team. “We meet lotsof new players and earn theopportunity to travel toother cities for the NationalQualifiers. And best of all,we enjoy playing allevents—singles, doublesand mixed—in one night,with our friends.”

WTT Rec Leagues are fun for you andyour players, and they generate revenue,too. What more could you ask for? �

Your Serve

Scott Hanover is the generalmanager of the Plaza TennisCenter, a 14-court outdoor facili-ty in Kansas City, Mo. As a vol-unteer, he serves as the nationalchairperson of the USTA Commu-

nity Tennis Association Development committee.

We welcome your opinions. Please emailcomments to [email protected] or faxthem to 760-536-1171.


To find out moreabout WTT Leagues,call Delaine Mast at1-866-PLAY-WTT orvisit www.WTT.com.

Documents

200804 Racquet Sports Industry