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    June 2009Volume 37 Number 6 $5.00www.racquetsportsindustry.com

    GET THE MOOUT OF STRING

    GET THE MOOUT OF STRING

    Do You Know YoRacquet Technologie

    Footwear Fo

    A Cool Rid

    Do You Know YoRacquet Technologie

    Footwear For

    A Cool Rid

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    DEPARTMENTS

    R S I J U N E 2 0 0 9

    INDUSTRY NEWS 7 Wilson offers trade-upracquet program

    7 USTA seeks Best TennisTown in America

    7 Gamma renewssponsorship of PTR

    8 USPTA launches ProfessionaTennis Coaches Academy

    8 Babolat debuts newPure Drive racquet

    9 NovaPro offers guide torejuvenate synthetic grass

    9 Penns Golden Giveawayball promotion

    9 Head to focus on consumerpassion for tennis

    11 USPTA announces tennis health website

    11 Duke wins Tennis onCampus crown

    11 Tennis Universal offers courtresurfacing alternative

    13 Industry recognizes Top50 Tennis Welcome Centers

    4 Our Serve 7 Industry News15 TIA News & Updates17 Youth Tennis

    26 String Playtest: Gamma TNT2 Tour 1628 Tips and Techniques30 Ask the Experts32 Your Serve, by Jill Fonte

    2 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY June 2009 www.racquetsportsindustry.com

    FEATURES

    ContentsContents

    18A Cool Ride!In tennis shoes, players arelooking for ventilation andbreathability to keep their feetcool and dry.

    22First-String ServiceStringing provides your bestmargins. Heres how to get themost out of this vital area.

    24What Racquet TechnologiesAre You Selling?In our first of three parts, we takea look at all the major racquettechnologies that youllencounter.

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    In mid-May, I spent a week at the Tennis Industry Asso-ciation office on Hilton Head Island, where I also was

    fortunate to be able to attend a few sessions at the firstTennis Club Owners and Facility Managers Conference,which was presented by the PTR. The conference drewmore than 60 club owners and managers, and seemed tobe an enthusiastic step in our industry to reach out to thisgroup.

    Industry veteran Doug Cash, who has a tennis consulting business called

    CashFlow, led the two-day conference. Doug is a PTR and USPTA profession-

    al who has been involved in club management for many years, including as

    the COO of Tennis Corporation of America, from which he retired in 2005after 32 years. He also recently was named the first Wilson Tennis Business

    Advisor to the companys 2,500 sponsored professionals.

    As many in this industry have known, and as was shown at this gathering,

    club managers are eager for this type of information. The agenda covered su ch

    topics as bringing in revenue through dues; programming for your club; part-

    nering with the USTA to increase profits; filling courts; managing your staff;

    TIA sessions on the GrowingTennis System and TennisConnect; managing

    expenses, payroll and staff; and much more. Participants not only heard from

    experts, but also had a chance to share their knowledge with their peers and

    to network.In todays economic climate, manufacturers, retailers, organizations and

    court builders, among other groups, are realizing that they have more to gain

    by sharing with each other. Now, club and facility owners and managers are

    pulling together, too, realizing that success is achieved through working

    together and sharing ideas and best practices.

    Im confident that we all can look forward to more workshops and confer-

    ences geared toward facility owners and managers as this industry continues

    to reach out to this vital group. What better way to ensur e that participation

    continues to grow than to have those who manage tennis facilitieswhether

    public or privateget together to share knowledge.

    Peter FrancesconiEditorial Director

    Our Serve

    Reaching Out to Facility Managers(IncorporatingRacquet TechandTennis Industry )PublishersDavid Bone Jeff Williams

    Editorial DirectorPeter Francesconi

    Associate EditorGreg Raven

    Design/Art DirectorKristine Thom

    Contributing EditorsRobin BatemanCynthia Cantrell

    Kristen 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 Hanna770-650-1102, x.125

    [email protected]

    Apparel AdvertisingCynthia Sherman

    [email protected]

    Racquet Sports Industry is published 10 times peryear: monthly January through August and com-bined issues in September/October and Novem-ber/December by Tennis Industry and USRSA, 330

    Main St., Vista, CA 92084. Application to Mail atPeriodicals PostagePrices is Pendingat Vista, CA andadditional mailing offices. June 2009, Volume 37,Number 6 2009 by USRSA and Tennis Industry. Allrights reserved. Racquet Sports Industry, RSI andlogo are trademarks of USRSA. Printed in the U.S.A.Phone advertising: 770-650-1102 x 125. Phone circu-lation and editorial: 760-536-1177. Yearly subscrip-tions $25 in the U.S., $40 elsewhere. POSTMASTER:Send address changes to Racquet Sports Industry ,330 Main St., Vista, CA 92084.

    4 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY June 2009

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

    www.racquetsportsindustry.com

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    INDUSTRY NEWSINDUSTRY NEWSI 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

    Through June, Wilson is offering a trade-up program for racquet purchases. Consumers register ona web site and receive a $30 coupon via email. Consumers print the email, which includes aunique coupon code, then bring it along with a valid trade-in racquet to a dealer to receive $30 off

    select Wilson [K] Factor racquets.The trade-in racquet must be strung, in good playable condition regardless of brand and have been

    manufactured within 10 years of the promotion end date. The dealer has final discretion on conditionof acceptable trade-in.

    The retailer needs to complete the transaction with the consumer by June 30 and needs to savethe coupon email and original proof-of-purchase of the participating Wilson [K] Factor racquet inorder to be eligible to receive the program discount from Wilson.

    For every transaction, the dealer must send in all redeemed coupon e-mails along with matchingproof-of-purchase, along with afill-in order of participating[K] Factor racquets for thesame number of framesthe dealer has soldthrough this promotion.Dealers who fulfill theserequirements will thenreceive $20 off their nor-mal program price for in-lineparticipating [K] Factorframes.

    For the recycle and reuseaspect of the program, retailerscollect the trade-in frames andcan donate them to a charity orevent of their choice, or contacta Tennis Service Rep to find anevent or charity in their area.For more details, contact yourWilson rep.

    USTA Seeks BestTennis Town inAmerica The USTA isinviting everytown, boroughand city to competefor the title of Best TennisTown in America.To partici-pate, they must registeronline atwww.besttennistown.comand complete a submissionform, put together a five-minute video highlightingthe passion their communityhas for tennis and up to fiveletters of support from localpoliticians and communitymembers.A panel willreview all the entries to nar-

    row the selection process tothe top 10 finalists.

    Beginning in mid-July fortwo weeks, the generalpublic will view the 10videos and vote for whatthey think is the BestTennisTown inAmerica.The topthree finalists will attendthe US Open, with the win-ner to be announced at theevent.

    Top prize is $100,000 andthe title of Best TennisTown. The second-placewinner will receive $50,000and the third-place winnerwill receive $25,000.Therest of the top 10 finalistswill receive $2,000 worth of tennis equipment.

    More information and thecomplete rules and regula-tions are posted onwww.besttennistown.com.

    Gamma Sports Renews PTR Sponsorship

    Gamma Sports has renewed its sponsorship agreement for three years to be the official string,accessories and court equipment supplier of PTR. New PTR members receive a freeset of Gamma strings, and all PTR members can take advantage of dis-

    counted prices on Gamma strings, stringing machines and court products, includ-ing ball hoppers, nets, windscreens and more.

    In todays environment, return on investment is crucial. We are veryhappy with the ROI PTR and its members provide, says Gamma Product Man-ager Chuck Vietmeier.

    Gamma is a solid, progressive company with wonderful people and a wide variety of competitivetennis products, says Dan Santorum, PTR CEO. We are thrilled to continue our longstandingrelationship.

    Wilson Offers Trade-Up Racquet Program

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    USPTA LaunchesProfessional TennisCoaches AcademyThe USPTA has launched Profes-sional Tennis Coaches AcademyI, the first part of what will be abroader online academy systemto provide enhanced educationalcurriculum, including business,lessons, player development andmore.

    The PTCA I combines audio,visual and text formats, as well asshort quizzes at the end of eachsection. Within teaching skill top-ics, there are examples of tennislessons using progressions andvideos to improve a teachersquality of private and group les-sons. The business and program-ming section includes facility andpro shop management, equip-ment and Little Tennis. Advancedplayer development covers anato-my of a shot, common shots, spe-cialty shots, rules of tennis,strategy and tactics, and effectiveplanning and drills.

    This educational benefit allowstennis-teaching pros to review allthe critical material for the certifi-cation exam and further their ten-nis education from the comfort of their own home or office via theircomputers. Also, the PTCA and itsoffering of online tools allows theUSPTA to accommodate morepeople interested in beginning acareer as a teaching pro based onthe convenience of the certifica-tion and education process.

    The PTCA I also includes new

    instructional information availableto members who were certifiedbefore Jan. 1, 2008. They canreceive four educational creditsupon com pletion of the course.

    For more information visituspta.com or call 800-USPTA-4U.

    Babolat Debuts New Pure Drive RacquetsBabolat has launched a new generation Pure Drive racquet, featuring GT Technology,which has graphite tungsten for control, says the company. The 2009 Pure Drive alsohas a new look, while still conserving its characteristic blue color.

    The Pure Drive was launched in 1994 and has been used by former World No. 1 play-ers Carlos Moya, Andy Roddick and Kim Clijsters. Nearly 1.5 million of the frames havebeen sold in more than 120 countries.

    GT Technology is a hybrid material, combining braided carbonfibers and tungsten filaments primarily in the racquet head toreduce torque at ball impact. Tungsten is combined with lay-ers of graphite, resulting in improved frame construction,says Folco Canonico, international product group manager.The technology acts as a performance booster.

    The 2009 Pure Drive racquet range includes:Q Pure Drive, for advanced players looking for power and

    playability. It has a 100-square-inch head and weighs 10.6ounces, with a suggested retail price of $185.Q Pure Drive Roddick, for expert players with a full, fast swing.

    Head size is 100 square inches, weight is 11.1ounces, and its $189. Both frames are

    available in extended and junior ver-sions.

    Babolat also has a new line of Team bags that match the colors of

    the new Pure Drive. The line includesbags that hold three, six, nine or 12 rac-

    quets along with a competition bag andbackpack. For more, visit www.babolat.com.

    Classic Turf of Woodbury,Conn., started the reno-vation of two old, crackedand unsafe asphalt courtsat the Middle School inWoodbury, replacingthem with two post-ten-

    sion concrete courts,which will feature ClassicTurfs cushioned, roll-goods surface, along withcustom fencing. Visitwww.classicturf.org formore information.

    Tennis legends Billie Jean Kingand John McEnroe rallied on abarge floating on the HudsonRiver in New York City, part of aday-long celebration to kick offthe 12th annual National TennisMonth in May. King and McEnroespent the afternoon rallying backand forth in front of the Manhat-tan skyline.

    8 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY June 2009

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    NovaPro Offers GuideTo Rejuvenate Synthetic GrassSynthetic grass courts that have been neglected for some time may requireintense rejuvenation procedures. NGI Sports has a guide available to help facili-ties and court builders with repairs.

    Common problems on synthetic grass courts include deep moss and algae

    growth, separated seams or shrinkage of turf panels on courts that were manufac-tured without incorporating a dimensionally and thermally stable primary backingor interliner, matted fibers, loose and slippery sand granules, and worn-out fibersand rutted spots.

    For further recommendations or assistance, contact NGI at 800-835-0033 [email protected].

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

    Penns Golden GiveawayFor a limited time this summer, specially marked 4-packs of Penn Championship and Pro Penn+ ten-nis balls will include free gifts as part of Penns GoldenGiveaway promotion. Included in the pack are free

    gifts ranging from a carabiner sport watch to a Headperformance racquet to free Penn tennis balls for a year.

    Special white pack graphics alert consumers to the Golden Giveaway promotionand the gifts found inside each pack. Due to size, some gifts are presented in theform of a redeemable coupon. Product will be available beginning in June at majorsporting goods retailers and pro/specialty shops nationwide.

    Head Repositioning Puts FocusOn Consumer Passion for TennisHead has launched a brand repositioning effort designed to put an increasedfocus on individual athletes personal interaction with the game of tennis. Thenew marketing campaign showcases the passion for the game of tennis with itsclaim The Power of You.

    To support the repositioning campaign, Head recently signed World No. 3Novak Djokovic, giving the brand three players in the top 10 and a renewedemphasis on the brands junior tennis program. These young stars, along with oth-ers in the top 100, will be more deeply integrated into Heads marketing activitiesas part of its Head & You campaign, says the company.

    In addition, Head continues to incorporate its technologies into new products,including its latest racquets, which will be packaged under the umbrella brand con-cept YouTek.

    Our goal is to shift focus back on the consumer and bring more emotion toour customer, says Johan Eliasch, CEO of the Head N.V Group. We have a strong

    foundation of young talent in the ATP that will help carry our message to ensurethe Head brand meets consumer need and has continued success.As part of YouTek, Head incorporated d3o, a smart material, into its racquet

    line. The material adjusts for different strokes, says Head, so for slower hits andslices, it absorbs the impact to provide a softer touch and greater feel. For faststrokes, d3o locks together t o provide power.

    Congratulations To the FollowingFor Achieving MRT & CS Status

    New CSs

    Martin Mueller San Diego, CA

    Leif Eliassen Boca Raton, FL

    New MRTs

    Kevin Chan San Diego, CA

    Scott Joslin Hendersonville, TN

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    Top-Selling Tennis Stringsat Specialty StoresBy year-to-date dollars, January-March 2009

    1. Prince Synthetic Gut Duraflex

    2.Wilson NXT

    3. Wilson Sensation

    4. Prince Lightning XX

    5. Luxilon Alu Power

    Top-Selling Racquetsat Specialty StoresBy year-to-date dollars, January-March 2009(average selling price)

    Best-Sellers

    1. Babolat Aeropro Drive Cortex (MP)2. Babolat Pure Drive Cortex (MP)3. Prince O3 Speedport Black (MP)4. Wilson K Blade (MP)5. Prince EXO3 Red (OS)Hot New Racquets(Introduced in the past 12 months)

    1. Prince EXO3 Red (OS)2. Wilson K Pro Staff 88 (MS)3. Prince O3 SP Black Team (MP)4. Wilson K Zen Team FXFalse

    5. Babolat Aero Strike (MP)

    Tennis Racquet PerformanceSpecialty Stores, January-March, 2009 vs. 2008Units 2009 114,646

    2008 143,173% Change v. '08 -20%

    Dollars 2009 $15,890,0002008 $19,952,000% Change v. '08 -20%

    Price 2009 $138.602008 $139.36% Change v. '08 -1%

    Top-Selling Tennis Shoesat Specialty StoresBy year-to-date dollars, January-March 2009(average selling price)

    1.Adidas Barricade V

    2. Nike Air Breathe Free 2

    3. Prince T 22

    4. Adidas Barricade II

    5. Nike Air Breathe Cage II

    (Source: TIA/Sports Marketing Surveys)

    S H O R TS E T S

    > The Washington Kastles will host theAdvanta WTT Finals on July 26 at KastlesStadium in downtown Washington, D.C.the first time in the Leagues 34-year historythat the final will be played in the nationscapital. The Kastles will be one of 10 co-edpro tennis teams battling for a spot in thefinals during the 2009 regular season,which runs July 2-22. Visit WTT.com formore information.

    > Head/Penn Racquet Sports and BeachTennis USA have renewed their partnershipfor another year. For the fourth consecutiveseason, Head will serve as the official rac-quet and Penn the official ball for all the

    events comprising BTUSAs 2009 NationalTour, including the season-ending NationalChampionship in Long Beach, NY. Visitwww.beachtennisusa.net.

    > The deadline to nominate for the USTAsCTA of the Year award and the Eve Kraftawards is June 26. To nominate visitwww.usta.com/Get-Involved/CTA.aspx.

    > The U.S. Fed Cup team came back froma 1-2 deficit to defeat the Czech Republic3-2 in the 2009 Fed Cup by BNP ParibasWorld Group Semifinal in April. The U.S.heads to the final for the first time since

    2003, traveling to Italy Nov. 7-8.> World TeamTennis will grant $5,000 totwo young entrepreneurs who submit abusiness proposal that can be effectivelyused to help expand WTT profitability.Specifically, the proposal, due July 1,should focus on non-traditional marketingtechniques. Submit proposals via e-mail [email protected].

    > Peter Burwash International has signedan agreement to direct the tennis program

    at the Yarze Country Club in Beirut.> The International Tennis Hall of Famewill honor Rod Laver during its annualInduction Weekend July 10 to 12. Laver isthe only tennis player to capture twoGrand Slams, and this year marks the40th anniversary of his second one. Hewas inducted into the Hall in 1981.

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    USPTA Announces Tennis Health WebsiteThe USPTA has launched tennis-health.com, a website supporting theTennis for the health of it! initiative. This free, interactive sitetargets teaching pros, tennis consumers, health-care professionals,and non-tennis playing consumers. Its goal is to communicate thetremendous health benefits of tennis and that tennis is fun, easy, exer-cise for people of all skill, age and fitness levels.

    Tennis-health.com has various resources for each mar-ket/demographic that include video tips and articles on exercises,injury prevention and nutrition tips specific to tennis, links to DVDsand books, information on how to find local events and teaching pro-

    fessionals, etc. The interactive portion allows people to log in to a pri-vate area to record their personal statistics, track how often they playtennis/exercise each week and monitor their weight loss and healthgoals.

    Duke Wins Tennis on Campus CrownThe club team from Duke University won the title at the 2009 USTANational Campus Championship, held at the Surprise Tennis & Rac-quet Complex in Surprise, Ariz., in April. It was the Blue Devils first-everCampus Championship crown.

    For the 2008-09 academic year, there are more than 30,000 partici-pants and over 500 schools involved in the Tennis on Campus program.This years Championship was bigger than ever, drawing 550-plus com-pe titors from 64 of the countrys top programs.

    Each player at the 09 event received accessories from program spon-sor Tennis Warehouse and host section USTA Southwest. Wilson SportingGoods added free shoes for championship team captains in 2009. Thisyear alone, 40 teams were on the waiting list to compete in the field of 64.

    Several bigwigs, including tennis icon Billie Jean King, USTA ExecutiveDirector and Chief Operating Officer Gordon Smith, and USTA First VicePresident Jon Vegosen, made appearances at the championship.For more on the USTA Tennis On Campus p rogram, v is itwww.tennisoncam-pus.com.

    Tennis Universal Offers CourtResurfacing AlternativeAllan Gardner, president of Tennis Universal, saysthat during these economic times, court buildersneed to offer positive alternatives to court con-struction and renovation. In RSIs recent Court

    Construction & Maintenance Guide, nowhere did Isee any of the contributors mention a positivesolution for clubs or court owners with financialconcerns to maintain their facilities, he says.

    As a positive solution, Gardner offers up Ten-nis Universals Do-It-Yourself Repair and Resur-facing program. A potential customer cancherry-pick from our DIY Repair & ResurfacingGuidelines Chart, choosing only the pages pertain-ing to their particular court problems, Gardnersays. Customers can then use our mix and matchcolor chart to determine the court colors.

    We believe the personalized service TennisUniversal offers assists our customers, their staff ,volunteers, or friends and family to better under-stand how to repair and maintain their courts,says Gardner, whos offered the service since 1984.Everyone needs to offer positive alternatives tocourt solutions during these difficult times. Formore information, visit www.tennisuniversal.com

    Sampras to Face Safin in LAPete Sampras, 14-time Grand Slam champion whoheld the No. 1 ranking for a record 286 weeks, willreturn to the LA Tennis Center at UCLA July 27 for the"Millennium Challenge" as part of the 83rd annualLA Tennis Open. Hell face Marat Safin, who beatSampras in the 2000 US Open final.

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    Rick Vach of Jacksonville, Fla, is the newUSTA Florida Section communicationscoordinator, replacing Tori Townsend, wholeft at the end of May.

    Novak Djokovic, whoplays with a HeadYouTek Speed Pro,defeated LucacsKubot from Poland instraight sets in front ofhis home crowd to take thetop spot at the Serbia Open. This victorymarked the Serbs 13th ATP career title.

    In May, Dunlop Tour Team memberTomas Berdych won his fifth career title,

    beating Mikhail Youzhny in Munich.

    Richard Gasquet will miss both theFrench Open and Wimbledon after beingsuspended by the International Tennis Fed-eration following his positive test forcocaine. The ITF plans to assemble an anti-doping tribunal to hear the case. If foundguilty, the 22-year-old Frenchman could bebanned from all competition for two years.

    Stephen Bacala of Louisiana State andJessica Adler of Dartmouth have beenselected as the 2009 Wilson/IntercollegiateTennis AssociationInternship Award Pro-gram winners. The Internship Award Pro-

    gram recognizes individuals who promotethe game of tennis at the collegiate levelby devoting consistent time and effort topromotional activities.

    Industry veteran Mark McMahon hasformed McMahon & Associates, a newtennis consulting practice specializing inconsulting for club managers, tennis pros,Community Tennis Associations, local gov-ernment and more. Visitwww.mcmahonassociatesconsulting.com

    for more information, or contact 404-271-3088 or [email protected].

    Tom Gullikson has rejoined the USTAPlayer Development staff as a NationalCoach. The former director of coachingand a former U.S. Davis Cup captain, hewill be based at the USTA Training Center-West in Carson, Calif., where he will workwith both male and female players.

    Kristen Bellows, a member of Headsnational playing team, won theWomens Professional Rac-quetball Organization WorldChampionships recently.

    After a decorated juniorand amateur playing career,the victory is Bellows first pro-fessional tournament champi-onship.

    Ajay Pant will relocate to the MidtownClub in Rochester, N.Y., from OverlandPark, Kan. The facility in Rochester recentlyexpanded, and Pant will be the new direc-tor of racquet sports, in addition to main-taining his role as the national tennis

    director for Tennis Corporation ofAmerica.

    Former USTA PresidentJane Brown Grimes wasappointed chairman of theRodney Street Tennis &Tutoring Association(www.rodneystreettennis.org) in Wilming-ton, Del., a USTA NJTL Chapter.

    P E O P L E W A T C H

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    Industry RecognizesTop 50 TWCsThe "Top 50 Tennis Welcome Cen-ters of 2008" have been recog-nized by the TIA, USTA and RSI asleading the charge in the growth of the sport by providing well-roundedprograms to new and current playersof all ages and abilities. The tennisfacilities honored all exhibited excel-lent participation figures involvingnew and returning players, support of industry programs and communitytennis development, and were activewith Tennis Welcom e Center facilityrequirements, among other criteria.For information on becoming a TWC,visit partners.tenniswelcomecen-ter.com or growingtennis.com.

    The Top 50 TWCs of 2008, inalphabetical order, are:Annapolis Area Tennis School,Annapolis, MDArlington Tennis Center, Arlington, TXBay Tennis and Fitness, Harbor Springs, MIBluegrass Yacht & Country Club,Hendersonville, TNCary Tennis Park, Cary, NCCenter Court Youth Tennis Association,Arnaudville, LACircle C Tennis Club, Austin, TXColumbia Basin Racquet Club,

    Richland, WACooper Creek Tennis Center, Columbus, GACooper Tennis Complex, Springfield, MOCopamarina Tennis, Guanica, Puerto RicoCTA of East Williston, Wheatley, & CarlePlace, Williston Park, NYDelaware Tennis Center, Wilmington, DEDunnigan Family YMCA, Evansville, INFamily Circle Tennis Center, Charleston, SCGreenville Country Club, Greenville, MSHamilton Family YMCA Tennis Center, Chat-tanooga, TNHilton El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort& Club, Tucson, AZ

    Homewood-Flossmoor Racquet & FitnessClub, Homewood, ILKiwanis Recreation Center, Tempe, AZLaguna Creek Racquet Club, Elk Grove, CALake Charles Country Club,Lake Charles, LALexington County Tennis Complex,Lexington, SCLos Gatos Tennis Academy, Los Gatos, CAMandarin Middle School CommunityTennis, Jacksonville, FLMeadow Creek Tennis and Fitness Club,Lakewood, COMemorial Park Tennis Center,

    Colorado Springs, CO

    Midland Community Tennis Center, Midland, MIMidtown Athletic Club Weston, Weston, FLMidtown Tennis Club, Overland Park, KSMillbrook Exchange Tennis Center, Raleigh, NCMiller Tennis Center , Williamsville, NYOconomowoc Community Tennis Center,Oconomowoc, WIPaseo Racquet Center, Glendale, AZRaleigh Racquet Club, Raleigh, NCReed-Sweatt Family Tennis Center,Minneapolis, MNReynolds Plantation Lake Club Tennis Center,Greensboro, GARudgear Park, Walnut Creek, CA

    Sarver Tennis Club, Bluefield, WVShaw Park Tennis Welcome Center, Clayton, MOSouth Towns Tennis Club, Orchard Park, NYSpringfield Racquet Club, Springfield, OHSprinker Tennis Center, Tacoma, WASurprise Tennis & Racquet Complex,Surprise, AZTennis Center of Coral Springs, Coral Springs, FLTodd Morsilli Clay Court Tennis Center,Providence, RITowpath Tennis Center, Akron, OHUpper Main Line YMCA, Berwyn, PAVillage Glen Tennis Club, Williamsville, NYYMCA Greendale, Worcester, MA

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    T I A N E W S J U N E 2 0 0 9

    As consumers buyless, travel less andkeep closer watchon their expenses,the recession contin-ues to challenge the

    marketplace. But despite tougheconomic news, tennis participationis actually increasing, and whilethat doesnt translate into prof-itable times forevery sector of the

    tennis industry, it certainly bodeswell for the industry as a whole.

    Tennis is still the fastest growingtraditional sport in the U.S. Its ahealthy, lifelong sport. Its easy tolearn and to play. Its affordableand accessible. And tennis is fun,provides a social network and isgreat for families.All of these mes-sage points align perfectly withwhat todays consumers are look-ing for.

    We all need to drive this positivemessaging about tennis in order toincrease frequent play and attractnew players to our sport. And as anindustry, we need to help you serv-ice those players by increasing ourfocus on providing the tools andresources needed to help you growyour business.

    NEWS & UPDATESNEWS & UPDATES

    Jolyn de Boer

    Tennis Forum Set for Sept. 1

    T he third annual TIA Tennis forum will be in New York City on Tuesday,Sept. 1, during the 2009 US Open. Youll hear all the latest news about thestate of the industry, including participation growth, equipment sales data, thelatest grassroots initiatives and more.

    Speakers will include TIA President Jon Muir, USTA Chairman of the Board LucyGarvin, USTA Chief Executive of Community Tennis Kurt Kamperman and Tennis Maga-zine Group Publisher Jeff Williams. Last year, more than 300 people attended the Forum, which is

    held during the USTA Tennis Teachers Conference. To register, visit TennisIndustry.org/forum.

    News You Can Use!

    T he latest issue of The Tennis Marketplace was released in May and includes an overview fromthe tennis participation survey, Court Activity Monitor, Cardio Tennis survey,player study, market research, retailer cost of doing business, and more.Some of the findings include:Q Tennis participation grew to nearly 27 million, the highest level in 15 years; par-

    ticipation increased in all categories, including frequent players.Q Play occasions increased 13 percent in 2008.Q Tennis-related indices continue to hold up well against the declining Consumer

    Confidence Index and Dow Jones Industrial Average.Q Shipments of youth racquets rose through year-end 2008.Q In the specialty retail market, dollar sales of racquets were down 3 percent for 2008.

    For more information on The Tennis Marketplace, visit TennisIndustry.org or call the TIA at866-686-3036.

    Tennis Marketplace Report Offers Key Information

    June 2009 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 15Join the TIA . . . Increase Your Profits . . . Grow the Game . . . www.TennisIndustry.org

    Nominate for the Tennis Industry Hall of Fame

    N ominations are now being accepted for the 2009 Tennis Industry Hallof Fame, which recognizes those individuals who have made a sig-nificant impact on the sport, from the 1960s to the present. The finalinductees will be honored at a special reception in New York City, just beforethe start of the US Open during the USTA Tennis Teachers Conference.

    Nominations, which are due by June 15, can be made in four categoriesinventors, founders, innovators and contributorsby visiting TennisIndustry.org/HOF/. The TennisIndustry Hall of Fame was created last year, and the first two inductees were Dennis Van der Meerand the late Howard Head.Top 50 TWCs

    Honored

    T he TIA, along with theUSTA and RSI maga-zine, recently recog-nized the Top 50 TennisWelcome Centers of 2008.The winning facilities are list-ed on page 13 of this issue.There are more than 2,600TWCs (register for free tobecome a TWC at Grow-

    ingTennis.com).

    Run a Cardio Tennis: Get Fit! Contest Now

    L ooking to jumpstart your Cardio Tennis program? Receive a promotional kit to help you run aninnovative and profitable Cardio Tennis: Get Fit! contest at your facility and/or againstother Cardio Tennis facilities in your area. The kit contains forms, let-ters, templates, tips and other promotional detail to help you start a Car-dio Tennis team or teams at your facility, then to track team membersprogress throughout the con test.

    The inaugural event, Cardio Tennis: Get Fit Florida, took place over seven weeks, and at theend of March the six-person team from Midtown Athletic Club in Weston claimed the title, withthe winners attending the final of Sony Ericsson. For more details on this fun promotion, contact

    843-686-3036 x 223 or [email protected].

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    Private DonationsKeep Tennis Free forIsland YoungstersM arthas Vineyard may beknown for its celebrity resi-dents and high-profile sum-mer guests, but its free tennis programfor the islands resident youngsters isalso turning heads.

    Funded entirely by private donations,the Vineyard Youth Tennis Foundationbegan providing free lessons in the WestTisbury and Oak Bluff schools in 1997.The Vineyard Youth Tennis Center(www.vineyardyouthtennis.org) openedon 1 2 acres of land in Oak Bluffs in July2002, offering free lessons, court time,racquets, and apparel to children 4 to 18years old.

    The goal, according to ExecutiveDirector Scott Smith, is to teach valuesincluding sportsmanship, healthy compe-tition, and mutual respect while intro-ducing youngsters to a sport for alifetime.

    Ive been involved in tennis for 30years, and Ive never come across anoth-er program like this, says Smith, aUSPTA-certified pro who was an instruc-tor at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Acade-my in Bradenton, Fla., in the 1980s,when Andre Agassi and Jim Courier werestudents there.

    At the Vineyard Youth Tennis Center,more than 200 children play each weekunder a two-court bubble during the win-ter, with the figure topping 300 per weekon four outdoor clay courts in the sum-mer. Each child receives at least twohours of group instruction plus a weekly

    half-hour private lesson per six- to eight-week session. The facili ty also recentlyimplemented the QuickStart Tennis for-mat for 10-and-under players so theycan enjoy longer rallies.

    Computer records are kept on eachchilds progress, with videotape analysisoffered for advanced players. Throughscholarship fundraisersthe only timeadults are allowed to play on the Vine-yard Youth Tennis Center courtsyouthtournament players are offered somefinancial support to travel off island forevents. Scholarships are also awarded to juniors with demonstrated dedication,sportsmanship, and talent to attend aone-week tennis camp at the Bollettieriacademy or Saddlebrook Resort in Wes-ley Chapel, Fla.

    Because of the growing popularity of tennis on the island, Smith says, plansinclude construction of two more courtsalong with a parking lot expansion. Withits Vineyard-style clubhouse featuringlocker rooms, reception area, mediaroom, offices, and viewing deck over-looking two courts, the Vine yard YouthTennis Center received a USTA Facilityof the Year award in 2004.

    You wouldnt necessarily think thatMarthas Vineyard and tennis would gotogether in the winter, but were boom-ing, says Smith, who serves on theUSTA New England Eastern Massachu-setts Board of Directors. Were provingthat tennis on Marthas Vineyard isnt just for the rich and famous. Q

    B Y C I N D Y C A N T R E LL

    Youth Tennis

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    F O O T W E A R

    In tennis shoes, players are looking for ventilationand breathability to keep their feet cool and dry.

    You can hone your strokes to perfection, find just the right racquet, string ten-sion and attire to get you in that winning mood, but if your feet feel like burn-ing coals in your shoes, all bets are off, especially as summer temperatures

    soar.

    Tennis shoe manufacturers hear it from consumers all the timedurability andcomfort are essential, but keeping feet cool and dry is also top of mind these days.

    It's really critical, and one of the biggest things that we've noticed over the lastfew years is the need for cooling systems, says George Poulos, global businessdirector for footwear for Prince. It used to be the best shoes were solid leather,but that's not the case anymore. State-of-the-art shoes today feature more meshand breathability. People want more ventilation, more breathable shoes.

    Adds Matt Beck, senior product developer for New Balance: I think that overthe years, the consumer has become more informed and has come to expect mois-ture-wicking capabilities on high-end shoes. We think it's an important feature.

    But there is also a unique challenge for manufacturers when it comes to tout-ing their new cooling technologies, says Greg Mason, senior sales director of

    Head/Penn. It's impossible to demonstrate this technology at the retail level,because a consumer can't feel this technology when they try it on in the store.They only feel it 45 minutes into a match, says Mason. You can't demo a pair of shoes; they only experience this after they've made the purchase.

    That leaves word of mouth as the best remaining option, says Mason. A lot of people are trying to tell that story in the retail shop, but I haven't seen anythingthat tells that story real effectively, but you hope the store employee or sales per-son has had the shoe on and can tell your story.

    Here's a closer look at what some of the leading shoe manufacturers are doingto keep feet feeling cool this summer.

    A COOL RIB Y M I T C H R U S T A D

    WILSONWilsons new nanoWik technology features an innova-tive and ecologically friendly lining, utilizing nano tech-nology and made from a bamboo-derived fabric thatdraws moisture away from the skin, eliminates theassociated odor, and rapidly disperses wetness.

    But the good news for your tootsies doesn't stop there;nonoWik's infrared ray (similar to restorative sunlight)and ionic effects can lead to improved circulation, tem-perature and metabolic regulation, cell growth andhealing activation, says Wilson. NanoWik is featured in

    the Tour Spin and Pro Staff Fusion models.

    A COOL RI

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    HEAD/PENNEvery shoe in the line features the Head Cooling system, astate-of-the-art moisture-management technology creatinga dynamic climate-control system within the shoe. It main-tains ultimate breathability by absorbing and releasingexcess heat build-up, says Heads Mason.

    There's not just one element required for cooling, it needsto be a whole system, he adds. The key to the wholething is allowing the built-up heat and moisture to releaseduring play.

    NEW BALANCEThe new CT/WCT1004 tennis shoe features the company's LightningDry lining, which manages moisture and keeps feet dry and cooleven during long matches, Beck says. Lightning Dry is a proprietarytechnology that was, and still is, used first in our apparel line tomanage moisture transfer on our athletic apparel, he says. Thepolyester yarns in the fabric wick moisture away from the body tokeep you cool and dry.

    The 1004 features a Lightning Dry synthetic and mesh upper. Thetechnology also will be used in the company's running, trail runningand team sports shoes.

    PRINCEFirst and foremost, consumers demand performance and supportin their shoe, and engineers have long known that you can losethat vital support when you add cooling mesh for ventilation. ButPoulos says the company's new home run T22 model offersimproved ventilation, breathable synthetic leather and anAirMesh tongue that increases air flow to keep feet cool. The

    biggest thing for summer is breathability, and everyone is goingto mesh, he says.

    For support, big external medial and lateral support straps keepyour foot in place. The external supports are built right into theshoes, says Poulos. And for summer clay-courters, the mesh islayered in a honeycomb design (featuring two to three layers) tokeep clay out of the shoe.

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    R A C Q U E T S T R I N G I N G

    Stringing provides your best margins. Heres howget the most out of this vital area.

    Todays economy presents a serious challenge to local pro shopsand tennis specialty stores. The risk associated with maintain-ing large inventories of racquets, shoes and apparel is sub-stantial. The opportunity to make a good profit with less risk reallyresides in stringing. Those who set themselves apart in this area

    have a tremendous opportunity to grow their business andbecome more profitable.A key to building business is educating customers. Every cus-

    tomer who walks into the shop is a potential opportunity toadvance string-related revenue. For example, an adult playerinquires about an arm brace. Well, why do they need one? Yes,the racquet could be too heavy, light, long, stiff, etc., or they maynot have the best stroke technique. But your customer may notwant to buy a new racquet or spend the time to change hisstrokes. What's the easiest and most inexpensive way to ease armsoreness? Restring their current frame.

    Anytime a customer either brings his racquet in for inspection

    or inquires about string, it is an opportunity for you to educate himor her. Some players believe if its not broken, dont fix it. It'simportant to communicate to customers that if they haven't bro-ken a string within six months, they may be using the wrongstring. Once players are aware that they may be losing power andperformance, they often will gladly leave you their racquet.

    Even if they are using their ideal string, they need to under-stand that all strings lose tension and resiliency over time. Atsome point, loss of tension results in loss of control, while adecrease in resiliency leads to the string's inability to transferenergy back into the ball. The vast majority of players who askwhether they need to restring are already way past due.

    The general rule of restringing the numberof times per year as you play in a week is agood one, provided you add the caveat "witha minimum of twice per year." So even whenstrings "look" good on the surface, if it's beenmore than six months since a customer's rac-quet has been restrung, you can confidentlyassure him that he will feel a significantimprovement if he allows you to restring hisracquet.

    With each conversation you have with acustomer, you are planting seeds that will leadto future business and opportunities to provideexpert service.

    ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONSThe best service begins with asking the right questions. Ask yourcustomer about arm soreness, power, control, spin and durability.

    Arm SorenessAlways ask whether the player has any arm sore-ness. It is to everyone's benefit to do as much as pos-sible from a racquet-service standpoint to help

    players improve arm and shoulder health.The best string for helping with arm soreness is natural gut.

    While it is more expensive, its cost pales in comparison to thepain, expense, and time off the court that accompany an arminjury. Furthermore, natural gut maintains its tension and resilien-cy better than synthetics and thus plays better longer.

    If cost is still an obstacle, the next best option is a gut hybrid.With this set-up, your customer only pays for a half-set of gut andstill receives excellent arm protection. Since the main strings are

    responsible for about 70 percent of the total workload, the bestbang for the buck is to install gut in the mains. However, for stringbreakers and those who have trouble keeping gut in their rac-quets, we recommend installing gut in the cross strings.

    In lieu of natural gut, customers who need maximum arm pro-tection usually do well with a multifilament nylon. In each of thesearm-related solutions, select the lowest tension the player can con-trol. Moreover, most players report an increase in comfort as thegauge of the multifilament is increased. In other words, thinner,softer strings at lower tensions will best protect the arm.

    Power and ControlNext, ask about the amount of power and controlthe player is seeking. The same strings and tensionthat help with arm soreness also provide the most

    power. Natural gut is the most powerful string available, followedby nylon multifilaments and then premium performance nylons.Lower tensions provide more power due to the "trampoliningeffect" of the string bed.

    While players seeking more power from their strings are usu-ally less concerned about control, and vice versa, the controlaspect is still important to discuss, because some players wantmore power and control. Furthermore, some players are betterable to understand power, while some can communicate moreeffectively about control. If we don't discuss both aspects, we maynot be getting the whole picture from our customer.

    FIRST-STRING SERV

    www.racquetsportsindustry.com

    B Y T O N Y T AV E R NA

    BEFORERECOMMENDINGA STRINGMake sure you andyour customer discuss:1. Arm soreness2. Power level3. Control level4. Spin potential5. Durability6. Cost, if necessary

    FIRST-STRING SERV

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    For some players, control means dialing back on power. Theseplayers usually tend to overhit, so higher tensions and stiffer andthicker strings normally help this type of player.

    Others achieve control through spin, and still others producecontrol through feel and touch or "feeling the ball" on the racquet.Obviously, a thicker, stiffer string at a high tension will not sufficefor a player who produces control through feel, and a thicker stringis generally not going to improve control from spin. So we need to

    listen in order to understand not only how much power and controla player wants, but also how he perceives and achieves that powerand control.

    SpinNext, ask about spin. In today's game, spin is a char-acteristic that is highly coveted. However, not every-one produces spin effortlessly and the string we use

    can help. Players looking for more spin usually benefit from one ormore of the following: 1) thinner strings, 2) stiffer strings, or 3)shaped or textured strings. This can require some experimentation,since not all players feel the same increased spin benefit using these

    string types.

    DurabilityEvery customer has his own idea about how long astring should last. Generally, if a player is not breakinga string within six months, then durability is not an

    issue. For those who are breaking frequently, it is more importantto determine how much they are playing rather than how manyweeks or months have gone by.

    The most accurate judge of durability is the number of hoursplayed. The useful lifespan of a string job is between 50 and 70hours of play. If a player is on the court four times per week for two

    hours at a clip, that makes about eight hours per week, or 32 hoursper month. Someone playing that much probably shouldnt getmuch more than two good months out of his strings.

    For aggressive singles players and players who use excessivespin, expect about 30 to 40 decent playing hours per string job.Players who are breaking strings before 25 hours certainly can usemore durability. Increasing durability is usually best done in stages,so as not to cause poor playability and/or arm soreness.

    If the customer loves the string he plays with and wantsimproved durability, the first step is using a thicker version of thesame string. The next level of durability depends on the currentstring's construction. If it is a nylon multifilament, then try sometype of premium solid-core nylon. After that come solid-core nylonswith added wraps. Then try a polyester main string coupled with anylon cross. Finally, try all polyester. Be aware that while Kevlarstrings provide even more durability than polyesters, they can bemuch tougher on the arm.

    CostThe last thing to factor in, if necessary, is cost. Mostplayers realize theyll pay between $24 and $40 forsynthetics. It's usually not critical to make this a sub-

    ject for discussion unless a customer inquires or is considering nat-ural gut. If you sense that price may be an issue or the customerinquires, then simply let him know what your price range is for syn-thetics and natural gut.

    PRIORITIZE CHARACTERISTICSIn your discussion with your customer, make sure you note anyareas in which he or she would like to improve, and how muchimprovement is desired. You may need to adjust more than onevariable, such as string type, string gauge and tension, to achievethe desired result.

    Have the customer prioritize the playing characteristics hewants to improve, because there might be potential conflicts. For

    example, power and arm protection go hand in hand. Control anddurability are also very compatible. But if the same player whowants maximum arm protection and increased power also needsextra durability, youll need to discuss a trade-off.

    Sometimes, there will be no one string that can accomplish allthe player is looking for. For these scenarios, suggest hybrids, whichwill allow you to target different attributes for both the main stringsand cross strings. In the example of the player who needs maxi-mum arm protection with increased durability, you might suggest asoft co-polymer in the mains and natural gut in the crosses.

    CHOOSING STRING TYPESFor most stringers, its advantageous to be able to offer at least twostring models that address each of the categories discussed above:arm soreness, power, control, spin potential, durability and cost.Moreover, try to offer each string model in two gauges. This way,each string you stock meets a certain need.

    String types or categories can be broken down as follows:Q Basic Nylon: For a low-cost option.Q Premium Nylons: For improved feel and power with good control.Q Multifilament Nylons: For comfort and power.Q Polyesters: For durability, control and spin.Q Natural Gut: For arm protection and power.

    Offering multiple gauges makes it easier to bridge the gap

    between string types. For example, if the customer loves a thinstring but breaks it too quickly, offer a poly in a 17 or even an 18gauge. This maintains the thinness the customer desires, but alsohelps to bolster durability. The very best criterion for choosing astring is how each string plays vs. other strings from the same cat-egory. This is where playtesting can help. Ask employees and goodcustomers to get involved; the feedback you receive will be of con-siderable help when facing inventory decisions.

    THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSISTENCYIn order to keep your customers coming back, you need consisten-cy. This is especially important when you have more than one per-son stringing racquets. Using the same string, gauge and tensiondoesnt guarantee similar results.

    Consistent technique, keeping machines cleaned and calibrated,as well as accurate record-keeping all contribute to consistency.One helpful suggestion that we employ is to take a string-bed stiff-ness reading after every string job. This not only provides an imme-diate comparison, but also allows us to figure out how much tensiona customer has lost at any point in the future. Q

    Tony Taverna is a USRSA Master Racquet Technician and a USPTA Level 1 pro. He and his wife, Kathy, own twotennis retail shops in Connecticut. Taverna and his staff string more than 3,000 racquets per year.

    June 2009 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 23www.racquetsportsindustry.com

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    24 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY June 2009 www.racquetsportsindustry.com

    R A C Q U E T T E C H - P A R T 1 O F 3

    H ave you and your staff ever wished you had a list of all the major racquet technologies, all in one place?Well, with the help of material from the U.S. RacquetStringers Association, here it is.

    This is the first part of an alphabetical compilation of information taken directly from industry product and mar-

    keting catalogs and technical manuals. The claims madecome directly from the manufacturers, not from RSI or theUSRSA, and no endorsement of any product or claim isintended. Well run the rest of the manufacturers technolo-gies in the next few issues, and on our website,www.racquetsportsindustry.com.

    BABOLATQ Aero Modular Technology New frame concept with high-modulus graphite, varying beam profiles at 3 strategic locations offering power ancontrol, while increasing head speed. Thinner cross-section at tip to increase power. Standard cross-section at side of head to improve stability. Wcross-section at throat to increase control and allow a faster swing.

    Q Carbon Xtrem Layers of carbon braided on 3 different angles are placed on the head of the racquet for optimized hitting performance.Q Cortex System Throat system designed to filter out vibrations that interfere with feel, in order to enhance the feel of the ball.Q Elliptic Geometry Optimal cross-section shape designed to offer best resistance to torsion. Makes frame 20% stiffer for more power.Q GT (Graphite Tungsten) Improves racquet performance, based on the concentration of Tungsten fibers at various strategic parts of

    the frame. A greater concentration of Tungsten in the head of the racquet strengthens the frame to reduce torque for greater precision(26% more precision compared to the previous Pure Drive).

    Q Woofer Grommet system that permits all the strings to work together to their full potential when strings contact the ball, thanksto piston and pulley functions. It is designed to deliver 10% more power, enlarge the sweetspot, enable 25% more contact betweenthe ball and the strings, and absorb the shock and vibration from ball impact.

    Q Zylon MatrixA material with incomparable stiffness (50% stiffer than standard carbon) is placed in key areas of the racquet.Used in head of frame to reinforce torsion, making the frame more stable and more comfortable. Used in the throat to increase stiffness for mopower.

    Q Smart Grip First-ever truly ergonomic racquet handle perfectly shaped for your hand. The entire palm of the hand is in contactwith the grip. As of 2009, Smart Grips are adjustable and removable.

    Q Side Drivers Babolats exclusive dual structure construction connects the yoke and the head in the racquets key zones. Longer armsextend the yoke farther up each side of the racquet. These armsor Side Driverscreate a stiffer construction and distribute maximumpower from the base of the yoke to the middle of the head. Advanced precision comes from the connection of the Side Drivers to theracquet head at 3 oclock and 9 oclock, which results in less torque (or twisting) at ball impact.

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    FISCHERQ AirCarbonA material developed for the aircraft industry. It has 50%

    higher strength properties than conventional fibers and results in a racquetdesign with maximum resistance to twisting with minimum weight.

    Q Cap GripUses thermoplastic materials to absorb vibrations.Q Direct Energy System (DES)Dual-tube construction in the shaft

    enables maximum torsional stiffness and revolutionary weight distribution.Q Fischer Stability System Utilizes metal platelets at 3 and 9 o'clock

    that give the frame increased weight, and stability on both sides of thehead. It is designed to improve control of ball direction on off-center hits.

    Q Frequency Tuning (FT)Racquets feature a Precious Metal Matrix thatis applied to the entire surface of the racquet in precise amounts and loca-tions to optimize the weight distribution of the frame. This optimization isdesigned to make the various vibration frequencies of the racquet "tune"with one another. Frequency Tuning (FT) racquets provide greater powerwith less shock as well as greater feel and more control.

    Q FTiFrequency Tuning frames that also utilize titanium.Q Grip Dual System (GDS)As the name would imply, the grip is made

    of two parts. GDS is designed to reduce impact shock and eliminate tor-sional vibration from off-center hits.

    Q Magnetic Speed Technology utilizing magnets at 3 & 9 o'clock. Themagnets are equally polarized so that as the sides of the frame movetoward each other during impact with the ball, the magnets repel eachother causing the frame to return to original shape more quickly. This quickreturn to original shape causes the ball to be returned with greater power.

    Q Trapezoidal Profile A special box-shaped racquet profile designed toreduce arm strain.

    Q Twin TecTwin-tube construction in the shaft prevents vibrations reach-ing the grip area and offers maximum arm protection.

    Q Vacuum Technic A manufacturing technique designed to remove anyair pockets from the layers of graphite. This results in a frame that is homo-geneous and stress-free.

    Q Vibra Stop The Vibra Stops design allows it to dampen vibrations, giveplayers an excellent grip, and its even washable.

    BORIS BECKERQ AttivaA racquet concept gender-focused for the ambitious seri-

    ous female tennis player. Attiva features 3 properties: optimizedweight and balance, rounder and softer grip anatomy, and SensorPlus Handle System.

    Q DNXA unique material structure featuring high-strength micro-tube construction that is 25 times stronger than regular carbonfibers. It is integrated in strategic areas to add strength to the frame.

    Q Dynamic PCP (Power Control Pattern) Provides a densestring pattern in the racquet's sweetspot and ensures that power iscontrollable. Balls hit outside the sweetspot maintain optimal powerthanks to the more open string bed.

    Q Sensor Plus Shaft Dampening Cutting-edge shock and vibra-tion-absorbing element (made of high-grade vibration-inhibitingEVA material) is fitted into the shaft of the racquet. This is where itabsorbs a majority of the harmful vibrations before it even reachesthe handle.

    Q Speed Grommet Grommets shaped like 8 allow greaterstring movement for an increased sweetspot. This results in morepower, especially on off-center hits.

    Q DeltaCore Delta-shaped arrangementof the individual molecules, finely meshednetwork, enhanced tube structure resis-tance in all three dimensions, less expendi-ture of energy and more power, increasedstability and enhanced shock absorption.Tube structure is more compact and solid. The DeltaCore materi-al can be processed very finely and used throughout the frame.

    Q Double RailTwo braces consisting of two rails (Double Rails) span the curvedinside of the frame. Strings can oscillatefreely between the Double Rails. This spe-cial geometry significantly strengthensthe racquet head at 3 and 9 oclock. Dou-ble Rails offer greater resistance to torsionon off-center hits and make the frame more comfortable whileabsorbing vibration better in the head area. Double Rails provideoptimized mass distribution with the same overall weight.

    DUNLOP

    Q ISIS (Impact Shock Isolation System) Dampens frame shock andvibration through a decoupling handle.

    Q Vibrocore Made up of a thermal-plastic resin with a silicon core insert-ed into the throat of the racquet. The racquet is actually cut in half and re-constructed with the Vibrocore System dramatically reducing shock at ball

    impact.

    Q 4D (4D Braiding)Braidingfour differently angled layers of graphite into a single layerachieves the strength and stabilityof a traditional 4-layer construc-tion (producing 33% more control) while still retaining the softness of a one-layer construction (generating 33% more feel).

    Q Aerogel The world's lightest solid has astrength up to 4,000 times its own weight.Delivers an unmatched strength-to-weightratio for enhanced stiffness and increasedpower.

    GAMMA

    Q Integrated Stability System (ISS) Incorpo-rates extra weight positioned at 3 and 9 oclock to reducetorque for maximum stability, energy transfer and control.

    QAero BeamAerodynamic frame shape reducesair resistance and allows easier maneuverability.Also gives the perfect amount of flex in the headto store power for maximum ball speed.

    Q Power Step Larger rectangular cross-section forgreater power and torsional stiffness that steps down anaerodynamic cross-section to reduce aerodynamic drag.

    Next issue: Racquet technologies from Head, Prince & Tecnifibre

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    String Playtest

    EASE OF STRINGING

    (compared to other strings)Number of testers who said it was:

    much easier 3somewhat easier 5about as easy 23not quite as easy 5not nearly as easy 1

    OVERALL PLAYABILITY

    (compared to string played most often)Number of testers who said it was:

    much better 1somewhat better 6about as playable 13not quite as playable 16not nearly as playable 0

    OVERALL DURABILITY

    (compared to other stringsof similar gauge)Number of testers who said it was:

    much better 5somewhat better 10about as durable 17not quite as durable 4not nearly as durable 0

    RATING AVERAGES

    From 1 to 5 (best)Playability 3.5Durability 3.6Power 3.5Control 3.5Comfort 3.4Touch/Feel 3.3Spin Potential 3.3Holding Tension 3.5

    Resistance to Movement 3.4

    Gamma TNT 2 Tour is a wrapped multi-core multifilament string with a some-what unusual construction. In the core,a solid high-tenacity polyamide (nylon)outer matrix surrounds six high-energymonofilaments. The outer matrix isstiffer than the individual core monofil-aments. Around this composite core is asingle layer wrap, which includes bothmonofilaments and multifilament bundles.

    Gamma also uses its new ThermoNuclear Technology (TNT2) process onTour. This proprietary process alters the

    molecular structure of its co-polymermaterial. Before the TNT2 process, thestring material is strong but stiff, due tothe highly aligned long-chain molecules.The process breaks down the long-chainmolecules, reconnecting them via millionsof entangled and cross-linked intermolecu-lar bonds. According to Gamma, thisreconfiguration creates a stronger andtougher, and yet more flexible, material.

    According to Gamma, the result is apremium string that offers a crisper feel

    for tour-like control and accuracy, withexcellent resiliency and elasticity forgreater ball pocketing, exceptional power,comfort, and playability.

    TNT2 Tour is available in 16 (1.32mm) and 17 (1.27 mm) in natural only. Itis priced from $12 per set of 40 feet, and$108 per reel of 360 feet. For more infor-mation or to order, contact Gamma at800-333-0337, or visitwww.gammasports.com. Be sure to readthe conclusion for more information aboutgetting a free set to try for yourself.

    IN THE L ABWe tested the 16-gauge (1.32 mm) TNT 2Tour. The coil measured 40 feet. Thediameter measured 1.30-1.34 mm prior tostringing, and 1.27-1.28 mm after string-ing. We recorded a stringbed stiffness of 75 RDC units immediately after stringingat 60 pounds in a Wilson Pro Staff 6.1 95(16 x 18 pattern) on a constant-pullmachine.

    After 24 hours (no playing), stringbedstiffness measured 65 RDC units, repre-

    senting a 13 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. TNT2 Tour added 16 grams to theweight of our unstrung frame. On ourstring-testing machine, Gamma TNT 2 Tour16 has a stiffness of 209 lbs/in. and a ten-sion loss of 14.31 lbs.

    The string was tes ted for five weeks by37 USRSA playtesters, with NTRP ratingsfrom 3.5 to 6.0. These are blind tests, withplaytesters receiving unmarked strings inunmarked packages. Average number of

    hours playtested was 27.3.Out of the package, TNT2 Tour has vir-

    tually nocoil memory. It has a slighttexture, which makes it feel tough anddurable, without making it difficult to pullthrough grommets, or the crosses thro ughthe mains.

    No playtester broke his sample duringstringing, one reported problems with coil

    memory, one reported problems tyingknots, and one reported friction burn.Additionally, one playtesters samplebroke after stringing, but before he had achance to use the string.

    ON THE COURTIt would be easy to say that Gamma TNT 2Tour 16 scored well above average andleave it at that, but doing so would slightthe magnificent ratings it received fromour playtest team. TNT 2 Tour 16 did

    indeed score well above average, in everycategory, including the overall score, thefirst time any string has done this. And,because of its uniformly high scores, TNT 2Tour is the fifth most balanced stringweve tested, meaning it doesnt sacrificein one category and make up for it inanother. In fact, of our top ten most bal-anced strings, TNT2 Tour has the highestoverall average score.

    Three playtesters broke the sampleduring the playtest period, one each atthree hours, 12 hours, and 15 hours.

    CONCLUSIONIn the 132 strings we have playtested forpublication over the last 16 years, therehave been a couple of strings that did sowell across the board that weve character-ized them as having something for justabout everyone. Well, with Gamma TNT 2Tour 16, wed have to say that it has moreof everything for just about everyone.

    If you think that Gamma TNT 2 Tourmight be for you, fill out the coupon to geta f ree set to try. Greg Raven Q

    Gamma TNT2 Tour 16

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    Incredible blend of comfort and control. Giventhe bite and power, this string makes for explosivetopspin. 5.0 male all-court player using Wilson K Blade Team strung at 62 pounds LO (Babolat Super Fine Play 17)

    Very easy installation. No friction burn or kink-ing. This is a great overall string, with excellentplayability, comfort, and control. The solid durabilityis a huge bonus with this type of string. 5.0 male all-court player using Head MicroGEL Radical MP strung at 60 pounds LO (Babolat Xcel Premium 16)

    Resilient and explosive! This is a great string forbig, flat hitters. Very comfortable and precise. Depthcontrol is remarkable. Touch and spin are very easyto execute. Where do I sign? 4.0 female touch player using Prince O3 Hybrid Hornet MP strung at

    56 pounds CP (Pro Supex Matrix Hybrid 16L)

    Plenty of pop and control. Volleys are crisp andprecise. The lively feel does not diminish over time.This string has no negatives. Its a keeper. 4.0 male all-court player using Prince O3 Red MP strung at 54 pounds CP (Gamma TNT2 Pro Plus 17L)

    TESTERS TALK Not only does this string have excellenttouch around the net, it has remarkable feel,power, and spin from the baseline. 5.5 male all-court player using Wilson K Six One (68 Holes) strung at 60 pounds LO (Wilson NXT 17)

    Easy to string. Great touch around the net,and very solid on ground strokes. Very easy onthe arm. This would make a great hybridcross. 4.0 male all-court player using Wilson nSix Two strung at 58 pounds CP (Gosen Poly- lon SP 17)

    This is a powerful string with great dwelltime. It grips and holds the ball very noticeablyon slice and topspin. There is virtually no vibra-tion, even on off-center hits. The feel andplayability are outstanding. 5.5 male all-

    court player using Head Liquidmetal Radical OS strung at 65 pounds CP (Babolat VS Touch 16)

    This string has great feel and playability. Itheld tension through the entire playtest, withvery little string movement. 4.5 male all- court player using Wilson K Zen Team strung at 60 pounds LO (Wilson Hyperlast Spin 19)

    FREE PLAY TESTSTRING PROGR AM

    Gamma will send a free set ofTNT2 Tour 16 to USRSA memberswho cut out (or copy) this coupon

    and mail it to:

    Offer expires 15 June 2009Offer only available to USRSA

    members in the US.

    Name:

    USRSA Member number:

    Phone:

    Email:If you print your email clearly, wewill notify you when your sample

    will be sent.

    USRSA

    Attn: Gamma String Offer,330 Main Street,Vista, CA 92084

    or fax to 760-536-1171,or email the info below to

    [email protected]

    www.racquetsportsindustry.com

    For the rest of the tester comments, visit www.racquetsportsindustry.com.

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    CUSTOMER TR ACKINGI use the Filemaker product "Bento" to

    track all of my stringing jobs and cus-tomers. Iused thebuilt-in "cus-tomerlibrary" totrack namesand phonenumbers. Iadded myown list containing string jobs to tracktension, string used, gauge, and any

    other repairs/customizations I did to theracquet. Total setup time was 15minutes!

    Now, if the customer doesn't remem-ber what we did last, I can pull up every-thing and reproduce any particular job,no matter how long ago I did the job.5 sets of Ashaway Crossfire II 16 to: Jesse Tilly, Roswell, GA

    CUTTING OUT POLYFor me, removing the old poly string

    from a frame before restringing is moredifficult than removing other strings. Tomake it easier to remove poly, I cutaround the stringbed just inside theframe, so the entire stringbed comes outas a unit.

    Of course, my first cut is along thediagonal, to remove the residual tensionin the stringbed.

    5 sets of Wilson Enduro Pro 16 to: Leigh Cherveny, Sheboygan, WI

    28 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY June 2009

    Tips & Techniques

    Editors note: Bento is Mac-only, requiresMac OS X Leopard, and retails for $49.

    COLOR YOUR WORLDWith spring in the air, I like to takeadvantage of the colored string offeredby some manufacturers, starting withpink, orange,red, blue, opticyellow, andlime. It reallygets people tonotice whatequipment Imusing. After Iinstall one of these coloredstrings, my stu-dents often ask if my teaching or demoracquets are new. These strings are giv-ing my inventory a visibility it didnthave before.

    The colo r also helps sell the strings,

    Readers Know-How in Action

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    too. I have juniors who ask their parents tohave their racquets restrung somethingthat doesnt happen very often otherwise.

    Once I get them talking about newstrings, I have an opportunity to educatethem about the importance of string selec-tion, restringing intervals, and my MasterRacquet Technician certification from

    USRSA.Because of my success, one of my salesreps is supplying some colored string freeof charge, and he has requested that Istring his demos with it.5 sets of Gamma Asterisk 16 and a Hat to:Thomas L. d'Aquin, MRT

    Editors note: Dont forget these great usesof color string: Marketing with Flying Col-ors (RSI, September 2005), and GettingMore Mileage from Hybrids (RSI, April 2007). http://www.racquetsportsindustry

    .com/articles/2005/09/marketing_with_flyin g_colors.html & http://www.racquet sportsindustry.com/articles/2007/04/get-ting_more_mileage_from_hybr.html

    WHATEVER FLOATSYOUR DAMPENER

    Some frames come with a vibration damp-ener on the middle grommets at the bot-tom. Using a stringing machine withbilliards at six and twelve oclock createsa problem; its not a good idea to pinchthe dampener between the billiard and theframe during mounting. The solution is tomount the frame without the dampener,

    and then pre-string the two center mainsin such a way that the dampener floatson the center mains. When youre done,unmount the racquet and slide the damp-ener into place against the throat.5 sets of Babolat Xcel Premium 16 to:Vince Chiarelli, MRT Greg RavenQ

    Tips and Techniques submitted since 2000 by USRSAmembers, and appearing in this column, have all been

    gathered into a single volume of the StringersDigestRacquet Service Techniques which is a benefit of USRSA membership. Submit tips to: Greg Raven,USRSA, 330 Main St., Vista, CA 92804; or email

    [email protected].

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    Ask the Experts

    HOW OFTEN TO CHANGERACQUETS REVISITED

    I HAVE A CUSTOMER WHO JUSTobtained sponsorship from a rac-quet manufacturer, and as part of

    his contract, he receives a certain numberof frames each year. Whats the best wayof managing these frames? Should heput them all into service right away, splitthem into groups and rotate among them,

    or what?

    IT DEPENDS IN PART ON THEtemperament and talent of your cus-tomer. In the temperament department,if he expresses his on-court frustration bybreaking frames, managing framesbecomes hopeless at his level of sponsor-ship.

    Likewise, if you think hes a goodplayer, but without the potential tobecome good enough to continue toobtain sponsorship, then you might thinkabout trying to make his frame allotmentlast as long as possible.

    However, lets look on the positiveside: Hes got a great disposition and abright future, so hes easy on racquets andstands to be renewed or picked up byanother manufacturer at the end of hiscurrent contract. In this case, your bestbet would be to figure out how manyframes your customer needs to get himthrough any conceivable tournament,divide that into your racquet allotment,and youll have the number of times eachyear you should change his racquets.

    For example, if he gets a dozen rac-quets per year, and needs four racquets toget through a tournament, then youllwant to change racquets three times ayear, or every four months.

    As you retire racquets, you shouldhang onto them just in case his travel rac-quets go missing or disaster strikes theyll be your back-up sticks.

    The reason you want to rotate rac-quets this way is that you dont want yourcustomer to w ind up with a few favoriteracquets that hes played with for years.

    Think of it as being analogous to frequentrestringings: Just as you dont want yourplayer to perform at his best using ancientstrings that could break at any moment,you dont want him to accustom himself toframes that literally cannot be replaced. Atthe pro level, weekly (or daily) restringingand hours of hitting day in, day out, canand will soften a frame. If your customerbecomes attached to a softened frame andit breaks or goes missing, you wont beable to match it with a new frame. Theonly way to avoid this is to provide thefreshest frames you can at all times.

    This approach also helps ease transi-tions at the end of the year, when theremight be a slightly different frame availablefrom the sponsor, or from a potential newsponsor. This is especially important if thesponsor is willing to make a special framefor your customer, as building a new framethat matches the characteristics of a worn-out frame is going to beimpossible.

    One last thing that will make every-

    A

    30 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY June 2009

    Your Equipment Hotline

    Q

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    ones life easier is to get the sponsor toagree that the racquets it provides willbe matched for flex. Newly-sponsoredplayers typically cant get the manufac-turer to do more than provide theframes: Customization and matchingwill be up to you. Because you cant reli-ably modify the flex of the frame, youdont want to be stuck with racquets of differing flex, if you can avoid it. If thesponsor wont agree to provide flex-matched frames, see if you can at leastget it to agree to exchange frames afteryou check the flex yourself.

    Whether or not you can get suchassurances from the sponsoring racquetcompany, you definitely need to matcheach of your players frames for weight,balance, and swingweight as soon asthey arrive. Among other benefits, thisestablishes a baseline onto which youcan do any fu rther modifications, andhelps your player to get what he wantsfrom sponsors when its time for anequipment change.

    RACQUET STRENGTHHERE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDAwe get lots of seasonal guests(the new, politically-correct ter-

    minology for snowbirds) who play recre-ational tennis for the two to six monthsthey visit. Many string on arrival andleave the racquet in their condo or instorage when they leave. Does a strungracquet distort, or does the flex changemore when left strung, or should I havethem cut the strings before they leave?

    ONE POTENTIAL ISSUE IS THATif the racquet is improperly

    strung, leaving it improperly strungcould permanently deform the frame.However, with today's modern carbon-fiber frames, such an improperly string

    job can create internal damage rightaway, so cutting out the strings two tosix months later is not going to be of much help.

    Leaving the strings in a properlystrung racquet appears to have no illeffect on the frame. However, if youcan get them to cut out the stringsbefore going home, they definitely willneed to restring on their return, andthat's a good thing. Greg Raven Q We welcome your questions. Please send them to Rac-quet Sports Industry, 330 Main St., Vista, CA, 92084;

    fax: 760-536-1171; email: [email protected].

    A

    Q

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    Take Charge of the SportA longtime industry insider saysits up to all of us to keep thissport vital.

    Some years ago, when Kurt Kamper-man was president of the TennisIndustry Association, he asked every-

    one at an industry gathering to stand up if they played tennis at least once a year.

    Everyone in the room rose. Once amonth? Most people remained standing.Twice a month? Some sat. By the timeKurt got to twice a week, few remainedstanding.

    We industry insiders spend a lot of time strategizing ways to get more peopleplaying. We also consider ways to getexisting players to play more often. Towhat extent, however, arewe part of the solution? Howoften do we play? How

    much tennis consumerismare we responsible for?As tennis aficionados

    and avid players who alsoare involved in this indus-try, we have an indisputableinterest in helping our sportto thrive, especially in thesechallenging economictimes. How can we directly shoulderresponsibility for our sports vitality? Hereare some suggestions:Q Bring a friend, significant other or rel-

    ative. Put a racquet in somebodys handand get them to a court. Take someoneto a Tennis Welcome Center and getthem started. Stick with them, encour-age them and follow their progress.Bring a fitness enthusiast to a CardioTennis session. You just might create atennis player.

    Q Bring your kids, and encourage othersto bring their kids, too. How much soc-cer and baseball will kids be playingwhen theyre out of school? QuickStartTennis and Junior Team Tennis have

    made it easier than ever for kids to gethooked on the sport of a lifetime their firsttime out.

    Q Donate your time. You may already beinvolved in this industry, but now its timeto step it up even more. Volunteer for yourlocal Community Tennis Association.Dont have one nearby? You could startone. Are you a USTA volunteer? Contact

    your USTA sections officeto see how you can help.Q Talk it up. Dont assume

    everyone knows howgood it feels and howmuch fun tennis is toplay. Talk about the greatworkout you get playingtennis. Make sure yournon-playing friendsknow the sports bene-fits.

    Q Consume the consumables. Keep tennisat the forefront of your leisure activities.Buy tournament tickets; take a tennisvacation; take some lessons, update yourtennis wardrobe; replace your racquet;buy balls; subscribe to a tennis magazine;subscribe to the Tennis Channel. G et intogear and become an avid tennis con-sumer.

    Q Help with junior clinics. You dont haveto be a teaching pro to help kids enjoy thegame. Feed balls, help with round-robinplay and encourage kids to keep havingfun.

    Q Play! Whether its a gathering of the USTA,TIA, USPTA, PTR, USRSA, IHRSA, CMAA,ITA or any other of tennis organizations,

    B Y J I L L F O N T E

    Jill Fonte, who plays tennis at least three times a week, has had alifelong love of tennis on both a personal and professional basis.She was the owner and executivedirector of the U.S. Racquet

    Stringers Association for 20 years and has served on the TIA board of directors for many years. As an executive coach and business

    consultant, she is currently a Principal in Busi-ness Visions Group and has addressed tennisaudiences throughout the country throughher involvement with the USTA, USPTA, PTR,TIA, USRSA and various global suppliers. Alongtime local and national volunteer, shecurrently chairs the USTAs National TennisInnovation Committee, and serves as the VicePresident of Marketing and Communicationand a member of the governance, strategic planning and personnel committees for theUSTA Middle States Section.

    32 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY June 2009

    How can we

    directly shoulder responsibility for our sports vitality?

    make sure you show up as part of thesolution when youre asked how muchtennis youre playing.

    If youre reading this publication, yourelikely earning some or all of your livingfrom tennis. Perhaps you own a club, workin a pro shop, sell equipment, resurfacecourts, string racquets, give lessons, con-sult, write, or work for the USTA. No matterwhat hat you wear, please ask yourself,What more could I do to bolster the healthof our industry? At the very least, get out

    and play.Lets see everyone remain standingwhen asked whether we play at least twicea week. Q

    We welcome your opinions. Please email

    comments to [email protected] or faxthem to 760-536-1171.

    Your Serve

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