200909 Racquet Sports Industry

September/October 2009Volume 37 Number 9 $5.00www.racquetsportsindustry.com

Court Construction& Maintenance

� What’s ‘normal’ foryour courts?

� Creating ‘social spaces’at your facility

Apparel for Spring

Court Construction& Maintenance

� What’s ‘normal’ foryour courts?

� Creating ‘social spaces’at your facility

Apparel for Spring

TIA News• ‘Racket Up!’ For a

Million Bucks• Tennis Health Index

Shows 18%Growth

DEPARTMENTS

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INDUSTRY NEWS

7 Q2 racquet, ball salesturn slightly upward

7 USPTA World Conferenceset for Marco Island

7 Three finalists in “BestTennis Town” Contest

8 Wilson “Baiardo” stringingmachine hits the U.S.

8 Alan Schwartz inducted intoTennis Industry Hall of Fame

8 New racquetball framesintroduced by Wilson

9 Billie Jean King receivesPresidential Medalof Freedom

9 Community Tennis Workshopset for San Diego

9 USTA Serves awardsgrants for $252,000

10 Short Sets

12 Peoplewatch

13 Head, PTR extendcontract to 2013

13 Letters

4 Our Serve

7 Industry News

14 RSI Champions of Tennis 2009

16 TIA News and Updates

28 String Playtest: Prince Hybrid Power EXP

30 Tips and Techniques

32 Your Serve, by Rod Cross

2 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/Octoer 2009www.racquetsportsindustry.com

FEATURES

18 Is That Normal?When you have questions about yournew courts or court maintenance,check with your contractor first.

20 Social ServiceCreate opportunities to interact and“social spaces” and you’ll encouragepeople to play more tennis.

COURT CONSTRUCTION& MAINTENANCE

22 No-Fault FashionBold designs are a hallmark of theupcoming year’s newest tennisapparel.

24 Wilson BaiardoWith top features and benefits, thisinnovative stringing machine focuseson ergonomics.

There’s a new rallying cry for tennis, and it’s beingspread by tennis retailers, racquet manufacturers,teaching pros, tennis associations and more:

“Racket UP, America!”RUA is not just a slogan, though. It’s an industry-wide promotional cam-

paign for the sport designed to drive tennis awareness and to help retail sales.

The basics are simple: When a consumer buys a new racquet, they register

their purchase (through Sept. 30) at playtennis.com/million and they’re

entered into a drawing where they can win a chance to serve for $1 million,

or win a trip to the 2010 US Open finals, or win $500 in tennis merchandise.

(The potential million-dollar serve will take place at the BNP Paribas Show-

down in New York’s Madison Square Garden on March 1, during Tennis Night

in America.) In the promotion’s first couple of weeks, thousands of consumers

went on the website, registered purchases and were entered into the drawing.

Maybe more important, feedback from retailers on RUA has been positive.

The industry, through the TIA and its partners, is collaborating to stimulate the

retail tennis business, and from those dealers who have contacted us, they

appreciate this effort. If you’re not taking advantage of the RUA campaign,

you’re missing out on an important chance to increase your business.

The key here, though, is that we—all of us in this business—need to make

“Racket UP, America!” the rallying cry for tennis players. This specific pro-

motion goes a long way toward making that happen, by bringing attention to

tennis and helping push this sport’s overall public relations efforts. The RUA

battle cry should generate excitement and interest in tennis, so that overall

participation—and particularly our key frequent-player group, the heart of

your market—continues to grow.

But this campaign needs your help, too. You need to promote “Racket UP,

America!” in your stores and facilities, on your websites, to your customers,

and to your local community. It’s easy and free to do this, too. Go to playten-

nis.com/partner and download all you need—fliers, posters, ads, website

ads, press releases, email templates and more.

We’re now in the throes of the US Open, the premier pro event for tennis.

What better time is there to get people in your community to “Racket UP!”

Peter FrancesconiEditorial Director

Our ServeA Battle Cry For Our Sport (Incorporating Racquet Tech and Tennis Industry)

PublishersDavid Bone Jeff Williams

Editorial DirectorPeter Francesconi

Associate EditorGreg Raven

Design/Art DirectorKristine Thom

Contributing EditorsRobin BatemanCynthia CantrellKristen 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 is published 10 times per

year: 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 at

Periodicals Postage Prices is Pending at Vista, CA and

additional mailing offices. Sep/Oct 2009, Volume 37,

Number 9 © 2009 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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4 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2009

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

www.racquetsportsindustry.com

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

Sales of tennis racquets in tennis specialty stores, which slipped in the beginning of 2009,bounced back slightly in the second quarter. Year-to-date for the first six months, however,sales are still 14 percent below the same period last year in both units and dollars (see page

8), according to the latest data from the Tennis Industry Association.“At this point, we’re cautiously optimistic, and waiting to see what July sales figures will

bring,” says TIA Executive Director Jolyn de Boer. “It was encouraging that unit sales for racquetsfor the month of June went into positive terri-tory—up 1 percent—but we’re certainly notready to say this industry, in terms of retailsales, is out of the woods.”Second-quarter 2009 racquet sales figures

are down 9 percent in both units and dollarsfrom the same period a year ago. First-quarterracquet sales for 2009 were off by 20 percentfrom 2008.Second-quarter tennis ball shipments also

turned slightly upward, with an overall increaseof .9 percent. “What’s really nice to see, how-ever, is a nearly 91 percent jump in shipmentsof what we call ‘transition’ tennis balls—softertennis balls used for beginner programs,” says de Boer. “This is evidence that the new Quick-Start Tennis format, designed to bring kids into the game using these types of balls, is really tak-ing hold in the U.S.”“While it’s good to see that certain indicators for racquets and balls moved in a positive direc-

tion in the second quarter—supporting our strong participation results—we are still closely mon-itoring market trends for retailers in all other key product categories,” says TIA President JonMuir. “We still need to be cautious when it comes to overall retail sales at specialty stores.“We’re obviously pleased that participation has continued its upward trend,” adds Muir. Ten-

nis participation is now at a 15-year high in the U.S., with nearly 27 million players, accordingto the latest research by the U.S. Tennis Association and the TIA.

Three Finalists inAmerica’s “BestTennis Town” ContestIndependence, Kan., Midland,Mich., and Ojai, Calif., have beenselected as the top three finalists,as determined by nationwide vot-ing, in the USTA’s first-ever searchto determine America’s “BestTennis Town.”

The ultimate winner of the “BestTennis Town” search will beannounced during the 2009 USOpen. In addition to the title, thewinning town will receive a$100,000 grant from the USTA tobe used for community-widetennis programming or facilityenhancements. The second-and third-prize winners willreceive $50,000 and $25,000,respectively.

The search for America’s “BestTennis Town” is the USTA’s first-ever nationwide search to identi-fy the local area—from small,rural towns to large, urban metroareas and everywhere inbetween—that best exemplifiesthe passion, excitement, spiritand impact that tennis brings tothe local level. From an initialgroup of 56 entrants, a panel ofjudges selected 10 communitiesas finalists.Tennis fans then votedonline from that list of finalists.

In the nationwide voting, Inde-pendence, Midland and Ojai beatout Baton Rouge; Cary, N.C.;Grand Junction, Colo.; Hickory,N.C.; Las Vegas; Springfield, Mo.;and Tempe,Ariz. Those seven run-ners-up each will receive $2,000worth of tennis equipment forcommunity use. For more infor-mation, visit www.besttennis-town.com.

USPTA World Conference Set for Marco Island

The USPTA World Conference on Tennis, held Sept. 21 to 26 at the Marco Island Marriott onMarco Island, Fla., will feature such speakers as Nick Bollettieri, Tom Gorman, Rick Macci,Brett Hobden, Emilio Sanches and more. Forty-five seminars and four-hour specialty cours-

es will be offered during the conference. In the past, nearly 1,500 tennis pros and coach-es, manufacturer representatives and media have attended the World Conference.The event also includes a Tennis Buying Show on Sept. 24. Exhibitors

include tennis equipment, apparel and footwear companies, marketersand wholesalers of hard and soft goods, video-analysis, Web-based pro-grams and software, teaching aids, court surfacing and lighting, awards, edu-cational materials, nutrition bars and vitamins, and more. In addition, the USPTASilent Auction will be held during the buying show.For information or to register, visit www.uspta.com.

Q2 Sales of Racquets, Balls Turn Slightly Upward

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September/October 2009 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 7www.racquetsportsindustry.com

8 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2009 www.racquetsportsindustry.com

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Wilson’s ‘Baiardo’ StringMachine Hits the U.S.

Wilson dealers began receiving the first U.S. shipment ofthe innovative Baiardo stringing machines recently. The Baiardo

is the first machine designed using multiple ergonomic features,which aid in user comfort. The machines, which are in stock andavailable for shipment, were used at the 2008 US Open.Baiardo automatically adjusts the height and tilt three times

during the stringing process (at mounting, when doing themains, and when doing the crosses) putting the string bed inthe proper biomechanic position to suit the stringer. Stringers who have used the

Baiardo say they experience less stress on thelower back, shoulders, neck, and arms.“It’s an outstanding piece of equipment,” says

George Wrigley of Wrigley’s Tennis in PuntaGorda, Fla. “It looks like Wilson spent extra timeto look at every aspect of the stringing processwhen making this machine.”"One of the best features of our new Baiardo

is that it offers the ability to customize the posi-tion for each of the stringers in our shop,” adds Lance Holm of Player's RacquetShop East in Portland, Ore.About 30 dealers from across the country received machines in the intial ship-

ment. Visit www.wilson/baiard.com to find out more. (see the review on page 28.)

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

Best-Sellers1. Babolat Aeropro Drive Cortex (MP)2. Babolat Pure Drive Cortex (MP)3. Prince EXO3 Red (OS)4.Wilson K Blade (MP)5. Prince O3 Speedport Black (MP)“Hot New Racquets”(Introduced in the past 12 months)

1. Prince EXO3 Red (OS)2. Babolat Pure Drive GT (MP)3. Prince EXO3 Silver (OS)4. Prince O3 SP Black Team (MP)5.Wilson KZen Team FX.Orange (MP)

Tennis Racquet PerformanceSpecialty Stores, January - June, 2009 vs. 2008Units 2009 302,462

2008 350,237% CHG v. '08 -14%

Dollars 2009 41,718,0002008 48,447,000% CHG v. '08 -14%

Price 2009 $137.932008 $138.33% CHG v. '08 0%

Top-Selling Tennis Shoesat Specialty StoresBy year-to-date dollars, January - June, 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)

Wilson Introduces New R-Ball Frames

Wilson has come out with four new racquetball rac-quets. The [K] RX 165 is designed for serious

players looking for power; the [K] RX 175, at a pop-ular weight for all player levels, combined with alarger head size for players seeking more power; thelightweight, maneuverable [K] RX 160 designed toimprove feel; and the [K] RX 170, designed for controland feel. Visit www.wilson.com.

Try Out the BaiardoWilson will be conducting demonstrationevents for the Baiardo stringing machineat numerous locations in New York Cityfrom Sept. 2 to 13, during the US Open.Stringers are invited to experience work-ing on a Baiardo machine. Space is limit-ed. Contact [email protected].

Alan Schwartz Inducted IntoTennis Industry Hall of Fame

Alan Schwartz of Chicago is the 2009 inductee into theTennis Industry Hall of Fame, which recognizes key indi-

viduals who have made a significant impact on tennis, theTennis Industry Association announced.Schwartz has been involved in tennis throughout his life.

As a player, he earned national rankings as a junior and sen-ior. In the tennis industry, he founded Midtown Tennis Clubin Chicago and Tennis Corporation of America, which now has 13 facilities underthe Midtown Athletic Clubs name. A former USTA president and chairman of theboard, Schwartz also has been an influential member of the International TennisFederation and on the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s Executive Committee,among many other positions in tennis.Schwartz will be honored at the TIA Tennis Forum in New York City on Sept.

1, and a plaque will be on display at the International Tennis Hall of Fame inNewport, R.I., which donated space for the Tennis Industry Hall of Fameinductees. He joins Dennis Van der Meer and Howard Head, who were the inau-gural inductees into the Tennis Industry Hall of Fame last year.


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

USTA Serves Awards $252,000

USTA Serves, the philanthropic and charitable enti-ty of the USTA, has awarded 13 grants in its 2009

spring Aces for Kids funding cycle, totaling $252,000.USTA Serves awards grants to programs that success-fully combine tennis and education and help childrenpursue their goals and highest dreams by succeedingin school and becoming responsible citizens.Aces for Kids, a national initiative of USTA Serves,

strives to promote healthy lifestyles by combatingchildhood/adult obesity by providing disadvantaged,at-risk children the opportunity to learn to play ten-nis and improve their academic skills in a structuredformat. Programs awarded 2009 spring Aces for Kidsgrants are:� Apple Ridge Farm, Roanoke, Va.� Dallas Tennis Association, Addison, Texas� First Serve New Mexico, Santa Fe� Greater Baltimore Tennis Patrons, Baltimore, Md.� Holliday Park Kids, Topeka, Kan.� King Street Youth Center, Burlington, Vt.� NJTL of Indianapolis, Ind.� Net Results Junior Tennis, Denver, Colo.� Special Olympics Alaska, Anchorage� University of Akron, Akron, Ohio� University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo, P.R.� White Plains Youth Bureau/Memorial Methodist Church, WhitePlains, N.Y.

� Zina Garrison All-Court Tennis Academy, Houston, Texas

CTDW Set for San Diego

The USTA’s 2010 Community Tennis Development Workshop will beJan. 22-24 at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina in San Diego.

The workshop is for community tennis leaders, tennis teachers, andmany others involved in tennis.Sessions will include the QuickStart Tennis play format and other pro-

gramming, advocating for tennis in your community, energizing the vol-unteer base, marketing and communications, fund-raising, and more.There also will be a resource center, “courtside consultants” and otheropportunities to network.Registration information and a preliminary schedule will be available in

October. For more information, visit www.usta.com/ctdw.

BJK Receives PresidentialMedal of Freedom

Tennis champion, sports icon and social justicepioneer Billie Jean King received the Presidential

Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilianhonor, in ceremonies at the White House on Aug.12. Recognized for her efforts and accomplishmentson and off the tennis court, King was one of 16 indi-

viduals honored by President Obama in a ceremony in the East Room.“I am honored and humbled to receive the Presidential Medal of

Freedom and I share this recognition with my family, friends and thosewho have come before me, those who will follow and those who arecommitted to making a difference in the lives of others,” says King.


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S H O R TS E T S> Mike and Bob Bryan have signed a con-

tract to use Luxilon strings. The top men’s

doubles team, which has 53 career titles,

uses Luxilon Big Banger ALU Power Rough

125 exclusively.

> Shelly Lewis of Metuchen, N.J., won a

Prince contest to guess the number of ten-

nis balls in a 7 x 2 x 2-foot Plexiglas con-

tainer. Among the thousands of entries,

she hit it on the nose with 2,953 balls and

won a new Prince EX03 racquet signed by

Maria Sharapova and a racquet bag.

> The American Sports Builders Associa-

tion Technical Meeting will be Dec. 5-7 at

the Hyatt Regency Savannah in Savannah,

Ga. For information call 866-501-ASBA

(2722) or visit www.sportsbuilders. org.

> Babolat has honored outstanding sales

reps and retail partners. Monte Long was

named sales rep of the year; Patty Walker

received the In-House MVP award; and

John Ainsworth and Mike McCormick

were recognized for customer service. Tennis

Express was named Dealer of the Year.

> Adidas has a new face for the fall-winter

2009 Adidas by Stella McCartney tennis line

— Danish star Caroline Wozniacki. The 19-

year-old, ranked ninth on the WTA Tour, starts

her new role at the US Open.

> CRTS has partnered with tennis consultant

Mark McMahon, president of McMahon &

Associates, in the new CareerPath section,

which includes tips and articles on maximizing

and managing career opportunities. McMa-

hon & Associates conducts Tennis Director

Retained Search for clubs—positions are not

advertised. If you are a Master Professional, or

certified as “PTR tested” or “USPTA P1,” you

are eligible to complete a confidential Career-

Path profile with McMahon & Associates. Visit

www.jobeasier.com.

> The U.S. was knocked out of the Davis

Cup in July when Croatia won their quarterfi-

nal tie, 3-2.

> Ektelon has redesigned and relaunched its

website, www.ektelon.com. The site provides

extensive player, product and program

information. Among the features is an

enhanced multimedia section, news ticker

and upgraded Club Ektelon.

> The health benefits of tennis is the sub-

ject of an article in the June issue of “The

Physician and Sportsmedicine” journal,

written by Jack Groppel, Ph.D., co-chair of

the USPTA’s “Tennis – for the health of it!”

advisory council, and Nick DiNubile, M.D.,

an advisory council member,

> Leander Paes of the Washington Kastles,

and the Springfield Lasers’ Vania King were

named the 2009 Male and Female MVPs of

the Advanta World TeamTennis Pro League.

Mike Russell of the Kansas City Explorers

and Liga Dekmeijere of the St. Louis Aces

picked up the WTT Rookie of the Year hon-

ors and Springfield Lasers coach John-

Laffnie de Jager was named the 2009 WTT

Coach of the Year.

> USPTA First Vice President Tom Daglis

lobbied Capitol Hill for key health promo-

tion legislation with the International

September/October 2009 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 11



Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Associa-

tion in July. He met with several senators

and congressmen.

> The Advanta World TeamTennis Pro

League issued fines to the Washington

Kastles and New York Sportimes for the

unprofessional conduct of several play-

ers—Leander Paes, Rennae Stubbs and

Olga Puchkova from the Kastles; and John

McEnroe, Robert Kendrick and coach

Chuck Adams for the Sportimes—during

a match on July 16. Puchkova and

Kendrick also received individual fines,

Puchkova for leaving the bench and ver-

bally confronting another player, Kendrick

for unsportsmanlike conduct when he hit

a serve at Paes as he stood at the net. Pre-

viously Sportimes Coach Chuck Adams

had been fined and suspended for one

match for violating the Coaches’ Code of

Conduct.

> NBC Sports coverage of the five-set

Wimbledon final between Roger Federer

and Andy Roddick was the most-viewed

men’s final in 10 years. The average of 5.71

million viewers was the highest since the Pete

Sampras-Andre Agassi final in 1999 (5.85 mil-

lion). Last year's final between Federer and

Rafael Nadal attracted an average of 5.17 mil-

lion.

> The U.S. girls’ team of Sachia Vickery of

Miramar, Fla., Victoria Duval of Delray Beach,

Fla., and Brooke Austin of Indianapolis, defeat-

ed the Czech Republic 2-1 in early August in

Prostejov, Czech Republic, to win its third

straight World Junior Tennis title. The World

Junior Tennis Competition is an international

team event featuring players ages 14-and-

under. The U.S. is the first country to win three

consecutive titles.

> The Youth Tennis San Diego Whalers edged

the Westview Attackers 41-37 in overtime in

early August to win a record fifth title at the

Advanta WTT Junior Nationals at George E.

Barnes Family Tennis Center in San Diego.

> The USTA has expanded its network of

Regional Training Centers, hoping to develop

future American tennis champions, to include

three facilities in the Chicago area—Mid-

town Tennis Club, Score Fitness and Tennis

Club, and the CARE Academy—and the

John Newcombe Tennis Ranch in New

Braunfels, Texas.

> The Andre Agassi College Preparatory

Academy in Las Vegas celebrated its first

graduating class in June. All the graduates

are going on to college studies. View the

slide show at http://agassi.eroi.com/gradu-

ation/.

> IBM has renewed its technology spon-

sorship of and business relationship with

the US Open. IBM will continue as the

“Official Information Technology Solution

Provider” of the US Open and also will con-

tinue as one of six USTA Corporate Cham-

pions. The multi-year deal continues

through 2012.

> Peter Burwash International will provide

tennis management services for Las Ven-

tanas al Paraiso, A Rosewood Resort, the

only AAA Five-Diamond luxury property

located in Los Cabos, Mexico.


• Wimbledon champion Roger Federer isthe proud father of twin girls after his wifeMirka gave birth in Switzerland on July 23.The 15-time Grand Slam winner said thegirls, who are the couple's first children,have been named Charlene Riva and MylaRose.

• Head racquetball player Jack Huczekwon the men’s singles title at the 2009World Games in July.

• Current USTA President Lucy Garvin andformer president Franklin Johnson wereelected to serve on the 2009-2011 boardof directors of the International Tennis Fed-eration.

• Former USTA Chairman of the Board andPresident Jane Brown Grimes and JohnReese are the 2009 recipients of the Inter-national Tennis Hall of Fame’s Chairman'sAward, which recognizes outstanding serv-ice by a Hall of Fame Board Member.

• Tim Mayotte has been hired as a USTANational Coach, facilitating coaching andtraining programs while working with play-ers in the USTA Player Development pro-gram. He will be based at the USTATraining Center Headquarters in BocaRaton, Fla., and will report to Jay Berger.

• Robert “Bob” Falkenburg, Robert Lands-dorp, Robert “Bob” Lutz, Margaret“Peggy” Michel, Stan Smith and PatriciaYeomans were inducted into the SouthernCalifornia Tennis Hall of Fame in July.

• USTA Chief Diversity Officer Kevin Clay-ton was elected to join the Board ofTrustees for the Women’s Sports Founda-tion.

• WTA Tour No. 7 Vera Zvonarevaappeared at the largest mall

in Istanbul, Turkey, as apromotion for the Istan-bul Cup in late July. Sheplayed some tennis on a

mini tennis court withTurkish player Ipek Senoglu

and then signed autographs.

• Patrick Wilson has been named seniorvice president, distribution, of the TennisChannel.

• Jordan Cox, 17, of Duluth, Ga., who

reached the final of the 2009 WimbledonJunior Championships, has signed withIMG.

• Robin Roberts, an anchor on ABC’s“Good Morning America,” will emcee the29th annual “Legends Ball” to benefit theInternational Tennis Hall of Fame & Muse-um on Friday, Sept. 11, at Cipriani 42ndStreet in New York City.

• Kelani Bailey, a WTEAMplayer and one of the mostpromising junior racquet-ball players, won threegold medals at the JuniorRacquetball National Cham-pionships held in Michigan inJune. Kelani, age 15, won her age divisionin singles, doubles, and mixed doubles andnow holds nine total gold medals.

• Jack Sock of Lincoln, Neb., and KristaHardebeck of Santa Ana, Calif., capturedthe USTA Boys’ and Girls’ 18s National ClayCourt Championship singles titles in July.

• Kayla Cyr, 20, of Westminster, Md., andHeather Welch, 20, of Columbia, S.C.,have been named the 2009 National NovoNordisk Donnelly Awards recipients, andreceived the award from WTT co-founderBillie Jean King in July. Cyr and Welch, whoboth have Type I diabetes, will each receivea $5,000 scholarship. Randall Haylock, 18,of Lindenhurst, Ill., and Jillian Tallarico, 21,of Lancaster, Pa., will also receive regionalfinalist scholarship awards of $2,500.

P E O P L E W AT C H


S E P / O C T 2 0 0 9I N D U S T R Y N E W S

Head-PTR ExtendContract to 2013

Head has renewed its sponsorshipagreement as an approved rac-

quet and bag of PTR to 2013, whichwill mark 30 yearsthat the PTR andHead have beentogether.Head’s spon-

sorship of the PTR, ongoing now formore than 27 years, is one of thelongest sponsorships in tennis his-tory. PTR members can receive dis-counted prices on Head racquetsand bags, as well as apply for exclu-sive racquet contracts throughPTR’s Team Head Program.“We couldn’t be happier about

extending our relationship withPTR,” says Head Senior Director ofSales Greg Mason. “Their membersare on the front line helping growthe game of tennis at all levels andwe’re proud to support theirefforts.”




Letters

The open letter co-written by Jim Martzand Paul Fein in the July 2009 issue hitthe nail on the head, and that is, toincrease participation and retain play-ers, the efforts must start at the locallevel. The results show that participa-tion is up, but a significant componentto maintaining that increase is localtennis coverage.

Everyone likes to read about them-selves, their offspring, their friends andeven their opponents. Unfortunately,it’s the local media that is being hit thehardest by the economy, fewer hard-copy readers or simply changing times.Regardless of the cause, the result isthe same: less coverage of local players.By far, the highest percentage of

players nationwide resides in the localarena, not on center court!

I definitely agree with Jim and Paul’ssuggestion for a partial solution to thisdecline of local media reporting. Whycan’t the USTA or the TIA consider step-ping in and assisting with grants,advertisement and out-of-the-box mar-keting?

What would the harm be in tryingthis approach? Perhaps the gain wouldbe greater than imagined!

Nancy MorganFreelance Tennis Writer

Past President, USTA Florida

Support for RegionalTennis Magazines

I just finished reading Pat Hanssen’s“Your Serve” article, “A Suitable TennisPartner,” in the August issue, regardinginappropriate TV commercials. I couldn’tagree more. My children are grown, butI still cringe when ads like Cialis arebroadcast. I work with young childrenlearning tennis and encourage them towatch tennis matches. Surely there aresponsors that are more geared to thetennis audience. Thanks for your help inbringing this issue to our attention.

Sheila EvansExecutive Director

USTA–A Tennis Association for Kids(www.atakthenet.com)

Questioning TennisSponsor Ads

Congratulations To the FollowingFor Achieving CS Status

Jack Ford The Villages, FL


Annual AwardsChampions of Tennis 2009Help us recognize the people and organizations that are making adifference in the business of tennis.

Once again, we’d like to honorthe champions of our sport—the many, often unheralded

heroes who work tirelessly to developtennis in the U.S. But once again, we

need your help in identifying these men,women and organizations and how theiraccomplishments have helped the game,whether in their local areas or nationally.Please take a look at the categories

below and email your nominations [email protected] (put “Champions”in the subject line). Include:� Nominee’s name;� Where they work or what they do relat-ed to tennis;� Phone or email (if possible);� Brief description of why you believethey are the champions in theirareas;

� Your name and contact information(for confirmation purposes only).All nominations will be confiden-

tial, and you may nominate for asmany categories as you’d like. And, ifthere’s a category that we don’t listthat you think we should include,please let us know.

We need your nominations bySept. 30. Email is preferred, but youmay fax them to 760-536-1171 or mailthem to: Racquet Sports Industry, 75Painter Hill Rd., Woodbury, CT 06798.In an upcoming issue, we’ll include

a special section acknowledging thededication of those who work to keeptennis vital in the U.S.

2009 CHAMPIONS OFTENNIS CATEGORIES� Person of the Year� Pro/Specialty Retailer of the Year� Chain Retailer/Mass Merchant of

the Year� Stringer of the Year� Builder/Contractor of the Year� Grassroots Champion of the Year� Junior Development Champion of

the Year� Sales Rep of the Year� Wheelchair Tennis Champion of the

Year� Municipal Facility of the Year� Private Facility of the Year� Public Park of the Year� Community Tennis Association of

the Year� High School Coach of the Year� USTA Section of the Year� PTR Member of the Year� USPTA Member of the Year

��


In manyways, thisindustry isvery fortu-nate. Play-ers loveour sport,

professionals love oursport. Tennis is vibrantand vital. And industrypartners have been busyrallying around “RacketUp, America!” the lastfew months to spreadthe word to consumers.

It’s only the beginningof plans to build ahealthy roadmap for theindustry. And while wehave all been affectedby the economy, we doexpect to see more posi-tive indicators in themonths and yearsahead, and plan to doOUR part to help busi-nesses grow.

As the saying goes,those who play together,stay together. At the TIA,we will continue to rallythis industry, and we arecommitted to the posi-tive growth for our sportand businesses.

Jolyn de Boer

The Tennis Health Index, which uses five key ele-ments to measure the health of tennis, hasincreased 18.1 percent in the U.S. over the last

six years. Published by the TIA and USTA, the TennisHealth Index includes three participation surveys thatuse different methodologies, combined with measuresof ball shipments and court activity.

The five elements collectively provide a more accu-

rate view of the state of tennis participation in theU.S. “This is a great indicator that our industry’s col-lective efforts are having a positive impact and get-ting more people on the court,” says KurtKamperman, the USTA’s chief executive of Communi-ty Tennis. From the baseline year of 2003, which hasan index of 100, through 2008, the Tennis HealthIndex shows steady growth up to 118.1.

Join the TIA . . . Increase Your Profits . . . Grow the Game . . . www.TennisIndustry.org

News You Can Use!

NEWS & UPDATESNEWS & UPDATEST I A N E W S S E P / O C T 2 0 0 9

Hit a Million-Dollar Serve on National TV!

Ever dream of serving for the big prize, in front of thousandsof fans? You can live your dream through a tennis-industry-wide sweepstakes called “Racket UP, America!”

If you’re the lucky winner, you’ll receive a trip to New York Cityto attend the “BNP Paribas Showdown for the Billie Jean King Cup”in Madison Square Garden on March 1, which will feature the topwomen tennis players in the world.

In the unique promotion, anyone who buys a new tennis racket—of any brand, and at any tennis retailer or pro shop—through Sept.30, 2009, could win the chance to serve for $1 million. Consumerssimply register their racket purchase at playtennis.com/million.Other prizes include a trip for two to the 2010 US Open Men’s Singlesand Women’s Doubles finals and 20 $500 tennis merchandise prize packs. (Free entry available, seewebsite for official rules and details.)

The BNP Paribas Showdown on March 1, which is part of “Tennis Night in America,” will bringtogether four of the world’s best women pros who are 2009 Grand Slam winners or No. 1 players, vyingfor $1.2 million in prize money and the Billie Jean King Cup. Serena Williams is the defending champ,and so far, she and Svetlana Kuznetsova have qualified for the Showdown. Williams won the 2009 Aus-tralian Open and Wimbledon; Kuznetsova won Roland Garros.

The Showdown’s format will be two one-set semifinals followed by a best-of-three-set final. The“Racket UP, America!” sweepstakes winner will hit the potential million-dollar serve between the sec-ond semifinal and the final, in front of the MSG crowd and a television audience. The winner also willmeet tennis legends Billie Jean King and Ivan Lendl, along with other tennis champions.

“We are thrilled to be able to have the ‘Racket UP, America!’ sweepstakes winner go for a million dol-lars at the BNP Paribas Showdown,” says Jerry Solomon, president of StarGames, which is partneringwith Madison Square Garden to produce the event. “This is what Tennis Night in America is all about—a real celebration of tennis. We’re happy to help bring attention to such a worthwhile industry-widepromotion.”

“‘Racket UP, America!” is a collaborative effort by the tennis industry designed to generate excite-ment and interest in the sport while helping to stimulate retail sales. “Tennis is a fun, social, healthy,lifelong sport,” says Jon Muir, president of the Tennis Industry Association, which is spearheading thepromotion. “We’ve been thrilled that over the last eight years, tennis participation has grown 43 per-cent, far outpacing all other traditional sports, according to the SGMA.”

Official rules and details are at playtennis.com/million. And follow “Racket UP, America!” on Twit-ter and Facebook. For more information, email [email protected].

Tennis Health Index Shows 18.1% Growth

T I A N E W S

Growing Tennis News

Cardio Tennis Playerof the Month: Dr.Julie HollifieldUp until two years ago, Dr.Julie Hollifield, 38, had neverplayed tennis. Then a friendbought her a series of tennislessons as a gift. On the firstday, she saw Cardio Tennis ona nearby court. “I saw themrunning around and playingwith the up‐beat music,” she

says. “It just looked like so much fun, I immediatelysigned up for the next class.” And it only took one class

to get her completely hooked.Now a 3.5 player, Hollifield partici-

pates in Cardio Tennis at Serendipity inSarasota, Fla., five times a week andhas dropped close to 25 pounds in theprocess. “Iʼm losing weight without evenrealizing it. Itʼs so much fun that it does-nʼt feel like exercise—more like recessfor adults,” says Hollifield, who burnsfrom 450 to 650 calories every class.“Iʼve never been so fit before. I runacross the street and realize that Iʼm notout of breath anymore.”

Hollifield has also noticed a tremendous improvementin her footwork and level of play. Not only has her ratingimproved in just a year of Cardio, but also, sheʼs takingeverything she does in her Cardio classes onto the com-petitive court. “Iʼll be playing a match and hit a few shotsand think to myself, ʻThat is just what we did in CardioTennis yesterday.ʼ”

Do you or someoneyou know have what ittakes to be CardioTennis Player of theMonth? E-mail yourstory to [email protected]. Ifyour story is featured,you will win a CardioTennis Survival Kit.

TWC Spotlight: VillageGlen Tennis Club,Williamsville, NY

Drive into the parking lot of Village Glen Tennis Club andyou’re greeted with a huge Tennis Welcome Center bannerhanging outside the club. The banner lets everyone know

that this facility is a place that anyone can call home … and manypeople do. Village Glen Tennis Club, in Williamsville, N.Y., a suburbof Buffalo, is booming with close to 1,000 members, 14 courts, anindoor soccer field, a rehabilitation center with five massage thera-pists, and a small gym.

“Village Glen has a real personal touch and most of our mem-bers like to call it a home away from home,” says Tennis DirectorStephen Sayoc. “Being a Tennis Welcome Center fits with the phi-losophy of the club: We want everyone to play no matter what yourlevel or age. Whether you play singles, doubles or Cardio Tennis, wehave something for everyone.”

Village Glen has programming for all levelsof play, including programs especially for begin-ners. “EZ Tennis in a Snap” is a class for newplayers and has three different levels. Eachseries of clinics is five weeks and costs $79,which includes a free racquet. “We normallyhave about 120 new players in each sessionand we see good retention with these playersas well,” says Sayoc. “Most continue in otherprograms and leagues after completing thethird phase.”

Upcoming Schedule� Sept. 17-20: PTR Busi-

ness DevelopmentWeekend, Hilton HeadIsland, SC

� Sept. 21-26: USPTAWorld Conference,Marco Island, FL

� Oct. 13-16: NRPAExpo, Salt Lake City

Special Request Work-shops: email us [email protected]

September/October 2009 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 17Join the TIA . . . Increase Your Profits . . . Grow the Game . . . www.TennisIndustry.org

Serena Williams Participatesin WTT QuickStart Clinic

It was a day that the group ofchildren from Randall’s IslandSports Foundation programs

will never forget. On July 10, about50 children were treated to tennis instruction from 11-timeGrand Slam champion Serena Williams, who had stoppedby the courts of Sportime at Randall’s Island in New YorkCity to participate in a QuickStart Tennis clinic.

Williams, who had just won the 2009 Wimbledon sin-gles title, was on Randall’s Island to play a WorldTeamTennis match. But beforehand, she made time for

some area children. A few QSTcourts were set up at theSportime facility, and as thechildren hit balls back andforth, Williams came to jointhem.

QuickStart “definitely makes[tennis] more exciting,” Williamssaid. “It was really good to be outthere with the kids.”

Va. Club Installs First PermanentQuickStart Clay Courts in U.S.

The first permanent QuickStart Tennis Har-Tru courts wereinstalled recently at the Farmington Country Club inCharlottesville, Va., by Lee Tennis. The club saw an oppor-

tunity to convert an existing Har-Tru court into four QST courtsto allow children under the age of 10 and older seniors to playtennis on a learning and forgiving surface.

“Bringing young players into the game of tennis and creat-ing an environment where they can learn to play smarter andlonger are crucial to developing their immediate and long-term skills and habits,” says club Tennis Director PatrickKearns. The Farmington Country Club plans to hold QuickStartTennis tournaments throughout the remainder of the year.


C O U R T C O N S T R U C T I O N & M A I N T E N A N C E

IS THATNORMAL?

When you have questionsabout your new courts or

maintenance, don’t hesitate tocheck with your contractor.

B Y M A R Y H E L E N S P R E C H E R

It finally happened. That new tennis court is up and running. Itlooks great. It plays great. It’s the showpiece of your facility andeveryone wants to play on it.There’s only one problem: It has been so long since you had a

brand-new court, you’re not sure if certain things are normal. Youwant to protect your investment, you want to keep your playershappy—but you do have questions. So how do you find out?

Easy. You talk to a tennis court contractor. Many who haveinstalled courts in various regions of the country say that first-timecourt owners—or even experienced court managers who areworking with brand-new courts or a brand-new facility for the firsttime in many years—can be expected to have certain questions.

MARKS ON THE SURFACEIn a new facility, says Richard Zaino of Orange, Calif.-based Zaino Tennis Courts, “The court surface mayseem slower due to the newness of the courts.”Squeegee marks are normal in acrylic-coated hardcourts; in fact, contractors sometimes joke that theonly sure way to avoid such marks (which occur nat-urally while the court surfacing material is beingapplied) is to use a squeegee that is as wide as thecourt itself.

Scuff marks, generally caused by players’ shoes,are normal, but black marks are not. Be sure to posta sign of rules for the court. The first rule should bethat court shoes are required (rather than just “sug-gested”). Remember that many players who are newto the game often wear running shoes or cross train-ers or other types of sneakers that have black soles.

Even hard courts, which are sometimes called

“all-weather courts,” are not meant to be used in all types ofweather. “A non-slip surface does not mean you can play tennisin the rain and not slip,” says Zaino. Likewise, no court is meantto be shoveled or de-iced for use in cold weather.

“ SEASONING” THE LIGHTSDoes the new court have lighting? If you’ve recently upgraded toa new system, such as metal halide lights, remember that onceturned off, those types of lights will take time to re-ignite andcome back to full power, sometimes 10 to 15 minutes.

In addition, says Bruce Frasure of LSI Industries in Cincinnati,“Metal halide lamps require a 100-hour burn-in period, or ‘sea-soning,’ before they will reach stable operation. The chemicals inthe arc tube of the lamp will settle during the seasoning period.

During the 100 hours, the lamps may demonstraterapid shifts in color, referred to as ‘flaring.’ In addi-tion, the light output of the metal halide lamps overthe 100 hours will depreciate as much as 20 per-cent. Both of these characteristics are normal, andthe light output and the flaring will stabilize withinthe first 100 hours.”

WINDSCREENS AND NETSA new windscreen, the pros add, can add to the aes-thetic appeal of the court, and to the playing expe-rience. However, no windscreen will last if it’ssubject to high winds, so take down the screens dur-ing harsh or extreme weather.

“If we don’t install windscreen, we inform theclient that windscreens can easily damage fences ifsized wrong or improperly installed,” says Matt Hale

IS THATNORMAL?

Tips for Keeping theCourt Looking New� Use a leaf blower toremove leaves, pine nee-dles, etc.

� Take players’ concernsseriously.

� Call the contractor withquestions about anyirregularities.

� Nothing stays new forev-er. Eventually, aging ofthe surface will takeplace, no matter howwell made the court is.


of Halecon Inc., Bridgewater, N.J. “There isno standard windscreen size and they arenot interchangeable. The client must knowthat a windscreen design calculation mustbe made, as all fence systems and locationsare different.”

Keep an eye on the net, too. “In the coldweather, the net cable shrinks,” notes Hale.“This can either heave the net-post footingsor bend the net posts. A simple solution is toreduce the tension on the net during thecold weather.” (Some contractors recom-mend removing the nets entirely if it isunlikely that play will take place during thewinter.)

“Also, we never leave the cranks for thenets on the net post,” says Hale. “We feel itinvites a problem. Many times people willtamper with the net height.” Many manu-facturers make net posts with internal windmechanisms so that the court owner ormanager can set the net to the proper heightand tension, then remove the handle.

REGULAR MAINTENANCEBut perhaps the most important thing themanager or owner of a new court needs toknow, say the experts, is that all tennis facil-ities—new or old—will require periodicupkeep. (The March 2009 issue of RSI con-tains a “Court Maintenance Planner” for reg-ular court maintenance; the same chart alsois in “Tennis Courts: A Construction andMaintenance Manual,” jointly published bythe ASBA and USTA and available atwww.sportsbuilders.org.)

“Courts will not last forever. They needmaintenance,” says Zaino. “Plan for andbudget long-term care for the courts. Startnow with the builder to understand whatand when items need care, replacement andbudget costs and get on a program to takecare of these items.”

Throughout the year, the surface shouldbe kept free of debris, says David Baird ofIndustrial Surface Sealer Inc. in Cleveland.“Outdoor courts must be kept free of leavesand algae,” he says. “The leaves sitting in acorner will stain the color, promote mildewand let algae grow. The first signs of mildewshould be washed off with a mild solution ofTSP or other mild cleaner. Do not usebleach, as it will stain color coats.”

Make sure the area under the court staysclean too, adds Baird. “Check drain tilesonce per year. Put a hose in one of the clean-outs on the corner of the court.”

“We recommend you give your court athorough cleaning once per month,” adds

Tom Magner of DecoTurf in Andover,Mass. However, he notes, let the court drythoroughly before resuming play.

FIGHTING STAINSNo court surface is indestructible; attack-ing a stain with a harsh abrasive may dam-age the acrylic surfacing. Professionalsrecommend starting with the mildestequipment. “A soft nylon or hair-typebroom can be used for sweeping andscrubbing,” says Magner. “Beware thatscrubbing too hard can damage the sur-face. Connect a water broom to a standardgarden hose (max. 70 psi) for hard-to-clean areas. Do not use a power washer.”

The most important thing an owner ormanager can do, say the pros, is to keepa close eye on the surface of the court.Look for signs of wear (many of which arenormal) and for cracks, depressions orother problems. Document these prob-lems to find out if they are worsening withtime.

Baird recommends that owners andmanagers “review color coats at the base-line area, which is the first area of thecourt to wear. If the subgrade, eitherasphalt or concrete, shows through, thecourt needs to be resurfaced, usuallyevery five to seven years. Too often, own-ers ignore little signs of trouble becausethey see the court every day and don'treally inspect it. That means the court candeteriorate slowly.”

What’s the most important tool to usein keeping a court looking good? Commu-nication. Encourage players to voice anyconcerns they have about the state of thefacility. Take photos of anything question-able and e-mail them to your court con-tractor, who can evaluate the situation orcome out for a consult.

Remember that a little time now canpay dividends in years to come. �

Note: The American Sports Builders Associ-ation (ASBA) is a non-profit associationhelping designers, builders, owners, opera-tors and users understand quality sportsfacility construction. The ASBA sponsorsinformative meetings and publishesnewsletters, books and technical construc-tion guidelines for athletic facilities includ-ing tennis courts. Available at no charge isa listing of all publications offered by theAssociation, as well as the ASBA’s Member-ship Directory. 866-501-ASBA (2722) orwww.sportsbuilders.org.


C O U R T C O N S T R U C T I O N & M A I N T E N A N C E

SOCIALSERVICE

Create opportunities tointeract and “social spaces”and you’ll encourage people

to play more tennis and hangaround your facility.

B Y M A R Y H E L E N S P R E C H E R

Does your tennis facility have a social life? In other words, doplayers enjoy one another’s company in addition to a goodgame? Do they rest between sets or matches with a bottle of

water or an energy drink? Do they spend time relaxing and social-izing after their match? Or do they simply show up, play and leave?

With new player initiatives in place, it’s more important nowthan ever before to play up the social side of tennis. Otherwise,what’s to stop newly-minted players from goingback to the gym, or for a long, solitary run? Ten-nis is not only a great sport, it’s a social game.Business arrangements have been made,friendships have formed and romantic partner-ships have started over the net.

Trouble is, that’s not taught by instructors.So who gets to teach it? Pros, facility managersand others, who can help appoint and arrangefacilities, and then provide programming toattract and enhance the social aspect of thegame.

“Golf has done so much to play up on the‘19th hole’ idea that it’s almost an automaticthat the game itself is just the beginning of thesocializing. We need to better capitalize on thatin tennis,” says Tom Magner of DecoTurf inAndover, Mass.

To create a good space for socializing, makeyour courts the focal point. Players are alreadyinterested in the game, and being able to watchothers on the court will keep them around andengaged. With that in mind, say facility design

and construction professionals, strive to create a “family room”vibe, or perhaps more accurately, a “rec room”—with your tenniscourts (rather than the TV) providing the entertainment.

MAKE IT COMFORTABLEComfortable seating is a must. (Note: comfortable seating meansjust that. It doesn’t mean sitting on the grass, on the court surface

or on narrow benches). For outdoor facilities,shaded shelters should be provided, or alterna-tively, tables with umbrellas that can be put upor down according to spectators’ wishes.

If seating and social areas are locatedbetween courts, they should be positioned at thenet line. Indoor facilities should have a deck orviewing windows that overlook the courts so thatspectators can watch matches in progress with-out having to enter the playing area.

“You need social space adjacent to the courtsbut out of the way of play, so watchers feel com-fortable and not in the way,” says John Welbornof Lee Tennis Court Products of Charlottesville,Va. “Tables, grills, and social areas with space tolounge and keep drawboards and allow peopleto gather is the key to taking the group past theplayers-only event.”

Water coolers or fountains, and machinesthat dispense beverages and snacks, also willkeep users happy and increase the area’s appeal.Rest rooms or changing booths add to playerand spectator comfort and keep people around.

SOCIALSERVICE

Set the Social Scene…� Create conversation areas near the

courts with benches, chairs andtables.

� Amenities such as mini-lockers withremovable keys allow players to relaxand spend more time together, know-ing their wallets, keys or cell phonesare secure.

� Have plenty of hooks for jackets, ath-letic bags, etc. so that items are notpiled on chairs or tables, which dis-courages others from sitting down.

� Scatter around magazines or newspa-pers for players who are waiting for acourt, or who have finished playing.

� Furniture doesn’t have to be fancy,according to Rob Werner of SportslineInc. of Villanova, Pa. Werner sends areport from his colleague, AnthonyDeCecco of Tennis Addiction TennisClub: “We put in an old sofa and anold chair and now we can’t get peo-ple to leave.”


COURT AMENITIESRobert Hellerson of Century Sports in Lake-wood, N.J., says facility managers can inviteplayer interaction with attractive landscaping,and by providing extra amenities. “Near thecourt, include such conveniences as score-keepers, water coolers, court trash cans, out-door clocks, and court valets to hold players’keys, towels and beverages,” he adds. “Anddon’t forget to have a weather-protected post-ing area for player information.”

A bulletin board where upcoming eventscan be advertised will create interest and gen-erate opportunities for players to meet. Postnotices of lessons, leagues, upcoming tourna-ments and so forth. Allow players who arelooking for partners to put up their informa-tion as well.

The goal, according to Alex Levitsky ofGlobal Sports & Tennis Design Group, LLC inFair Haven, N.J., is “to extend the amount oftime a participant spends at the facility beforeand after playing.”

According to Levitsky, various aspects oftennis facilities will enhance the social life ofthe game. A stadium or exhibition court, henotes, encourages gathering as a group for aparticularly exciting match. And a clubhouse“is an important part of any tennis facility. It

could be a modest structure that only includesa toilet and a room where the facility managerstores equipment, or it could be an elaboratefacility that also includes offices, locker rooms,lobby, a pro shop, food service, etc.”

One of the added benefits of creating socialspaces that allow for good views of play inprogress and for meeting others, say industryprofessionals, is that it gets non-players inter-ested in tennis. If the game looks fun and thepro’s office is close enough, only a few shortsteps can turn a non-player into an enthusias-tic beginner. �

…Then Add Programming� Create events that bring players together and encourage

interaction: round-robins, mixed doubles, play the pros,Cardio Tennis, etc.

� Schedule these events monthly or weekly, and add ontothem, making them into pot-luck dinners or dessert nights.

� Don’t forget youth activities; schedule fun kids’ program-ming—including QuickStart Tennis and Junior Team Ten-nis—or special teen nights.

� Periodically have demo events. Invite vendors to bring innew models of shoes, racquets, etc. so that members canget together and test them out.

� Invite a local sports medicine or nutrition professional togive a talk to members; hold a casual reception afterward.

FILAFila’s signature tradition-based Heritage collection for women features red, whiteand peacoat blue and is made from a poly spandex jersey. A jacket, tank tops,sleeveless polo with breathable mesh inserts, skorts, and cap-sleeve tops in thesebold hues, diagonal stripes and contrast trim are flattering and stylish.

The men’s Heritage collection offers six integrated pieces including a cottonpoly knit warm-up jacket and pants. The short-sleeve polo with Fila’s signatureprinted window-pane design and rounded drop tail is the highlight of the collection.Fila’s F-box Heritage patch logo is prominent on this polyester andpoly/cotton/spandex line, which offers comfort, breathability and moisture-wicking.

www.fila.com • 410-773-3000


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

JOFITJofit is a new line launched by former phys ed teacher Joanne Cloak.Frustrated by clothing that didn’t fit correctly (not only for herself butfor other women), Cloak developed a golf collection in 2006 and thena tennis line in 2008. Fabricated of “Jodry” Jersey poly spandex knit,the pieces also feature moisture-management properties. The “techpique” fabric has a soft cottony feel that isn’t clingy. Jofit makes skirtswith three different lengths to accommodate different body types andpreferences, and some include built-in ball pockets. A variety of tops,sweaters, and bottoms in pinks and vibrant blues with flashes of yel-low round out this new addition to tennis apparel.

www.jofit.com • 866-99-JOFIT

NO-FAULTFASHIONNO-FAULTFASHIONBold designs are a hallmark of the upcoming year’s newesttenniswear. Feel and fit continue to be important to active playersand those who just want “the look.” Combining traditional looks withcutting-edge fabrics and cuts are sure to attract a broad range ofconsumers, both men and women.

APPAREL

PRINCEPrince has three collections based on itsadvanced Aerotech system, which allows ulti-mate fit, UV protection and breathability and

ventilation. The Gold Collection, which iswhat Prince touring pros are wearing,boasts a more athletic fit with boldcolors and accents. The Silver Collec-tion is a more relaxed line with fash-ion accents. And the Black Collection isdesigned around classic fit and com-fort—versatile enough for team andleague play. Men’s shorts come in twolengths and are made from apoly/spandex blend. A half-zip men’spolo comes with mesh detailing in thecollar and inserts along with flat seamsand color-contrast binding—again inpoly/spandex blends.

www.princetennis.com800-2-TENNIS



BOLLEBolle’s bold black and white “WhiteNight” group is part of its high-per-formance line. Dresses, skirts, ¾-sleeve tops and racer-back tops gofor contrast. There is a pleated skirtwith contrasting hem that’s flirty,stylish and comfortable. A variedstriped pattern on the tops echo thetrims on the skirt, and the racer-backsolid black dress carries over thesame black-and-white themedstripes on the shoulders and sideinsets. Paired with the solid blackand white, it makes dramatic state-ments on and off the court.

www.bolletenniswear.com301-362-0360

WILSONWilson’s new tennis line for 2010 is an expression of fit, fabric, finish anddetail. Wilson’s nanofiber technology benefits performance while offering30+ UPF sun protection, moisture-wicking properties and anti-microbialodor protection. Integrated ball pockets (women’s line), laser laminationand perforation emphasize the details of their collections. The Men’s CorePerformance line offers similar details with “cooling zones,” and theSpring and Summer lines are loaded with laser-cut details and burn-outbody mapping. Each line offers colors from vibrant to more muted—butalways complementary. Wilson also completes the line with new boys’and girls’ collections with the same technical features.

www.wilson.com • 800-333-8326

TAILTail’s colorful Pacific Rim linehighlights shades of aquama-rine, white and a bit of lime.The performance Advantagedress has a back mesh insertand modified racer back. Thecollection features dresses,skirts/skorts, tanks, cap-sleevedtops, polos, shorts, capri pantsand outerwear using cotton,poly blends, spandex piqueand Invista Lycra Jersey blends.The flattering cut, feel, mois-ture-wicking, antimicrobial andUV protection add to the valueof these versatile pieces.

www.tailactivewear.com305-638-2650

ELIZA AUDLEYEliza Audley’s stylish but comfy, haute-couture lookcontinues into next season with the finish and detailsshe is known for. The sultry “Chocolate Covered Cher-ries” group (photographed by Deone Jahnke) features agathered tank in a printed tonal red fabric with built-inbra. This unique piece can be paired with Audley’sbasic A-line skirt in white or black—with or withoutshorties. A “three-metal tank” with built-in bra displaysa draped necklace stitching in white or black. A com-panion sheer mesh petal layered skirt comes in whiteor black with or without shorties. All are fabricated in amostly micro-poly/spandex blend.

www.Elizaaudley.com • 262-691-4770



Stringing Machines

“Baiardo” is the name of a mythicalhorse that changes its size to matchthe size of its rider. Likewise, Wilson’sBaiardo stringing machine automatical-ly changes its height to match its user.It is designed with ergonomic featuresto make stringers more comfortable—something it does better than anystringing machine ever built.

In fact, the Baiardo is the biggestthing to happen to stringing machines inquite some time. It utilizes almost all thefeatures available on the most expensivemachines, then it adds features thataren’t found on any other stringingmachine.

Wilson spent four years developingthe Baiardo.It didn’twant todevelop a

machine that merely matched the capa-bilities of the best and most popularmachines on the market. Instead, itdecided to re-invent the stringingmachine. The result was a focus onergonomics that has never been done inthis industry.

Wilson understood that a stringingmachine has to hold the racquet securelyand safely, pull tension on each string,and hold tension on each string as theuser moves on to the next string. Sincethere are already many machines that dothese things well, Wilson decided tofocus on the comfort and convenience ofthe stringer.

It worked with experts in ergonomicsand design to study the interactionbetween stringers and their machines.What it discovered was that stringerswere exposed to a great deal of repetitiveactivity in positions and processes thatwere not as ergonomically friendly asthey could be. Wilson even came up witha clever acronym for this ergonomicfocus: BEST, for Biomechanically Efficient

Stringing Technology.The Baiardo is now the official

machine of Wilson’s international string-ing team (made up of many of the beststringers in the world), which strings formany tour events (over 20 in 2009),including the Australian Open and USOpen. Wilson is so pleased by how theBaiardo has held up under these intenseconditions that the company offers athree-year warranty on the wholemachine and extends the warranty tofive years on the motors and sensors.

ASSEMBLYAssembling the Baiardo was a breeze—we had it unpacked and assembled inabout 20 minutes—but it is a two-personjob because of the weight. It arrived intwo boxes: One approximately 75pounds and the other about 50 pounds.Inside we found an illustrated poster with16 steps for assembly.

We had no trouble interpreting theillustrations and found all of the parts,supplies, and assembly tools in theboxes. Stringing tools included startingclamp, diagonal cutters, needle-nose pli-ers, bent needle-nose pliers and awl,with different color handles to help findeach when stacked in the tray.

The assembled machine has a clean,sleek, professional look that would makea great focal point in any stringing opera-tion. When we turned it on, parts of itstarted moving on their own as part ofits diagnostic check.

PROSThe Baiardo has far too many positivesto list here, so we’ll cover some of themajor ones. Be sure to visitwww.racquetsportsindustry.com for therest of the story.

The Baiardo has three separatemotors. One controls the tension head,which is common to all electric stringingmachines. Another controls the height of

the machine, which isadjusted automaticallybased on the height ofthe user that isentered into themachine’s computer.The Baiardo auto-matically changesheight for differentphases of stringing:one height whenyou’re mount-ing theframe, a lit-tle higherwhen installingthe mains, and finally even higher whenyou’re installing the crosses.

The third motor causes the unit totilt for different parts of the stringingprocess. It sits flat like a traditionalmachine when the user is mounting theracquet. It then tilts the entire upperunit toward the user at the same timethat it raises for installing the mains.This is designed to move the stringbedinto a position that reduces the user’sneed to bend and twist. Finally, it tiltsforward even more at the same timethat it raises again for installing thecrosses.

The tilt and height positions for thethree stringing modes (mounting,mains, crosses) are determined by for-mulas based on the height of the userentered into the system. These formulasare based on the average dimensions ofthe human body, but you can also cus-tomize these settings. The machine canremember all the settings for up to sixusers.

The Baiardo features a multilingualtouch-screen display and a menu sys-tem that is icon-based, fairly intuitive,and easy to remember when you’veused it once or twice. With more play-ers using different tensions for mainsand crosses, the Baiardo’s computer letsthe user set the differential percentagebetween the mains and crosses. Then,when the stringer switches from mainsto crosses, the machine automaticallychanges the tension accordingly.

Wilson BaiardoThis innovative machine has the features and benefits of top units, with a unique focus on ergonomics.



The mounting, tensioning, andclamping systems are world-class. TheBaiardo features a six-point mountingsystem with 360-degree rotation, whichwe found to be sturdy and one of thequickest and easiest to use that we’veever tested. With the included adapters,the Baiardo can string tennis, racquet-ball, squash and badminton frames.

We were especially impressed withthe stable turntable lock and theturntable speed control. Baiardo usesconstant-pull tensioning that is accurateand quick to make adjustments as ourstrings stretched. It features a linear-pulltensioner that requires less string lengththan a rotational tensioner. The tensionhead includes a nosecone to helpreduce the amount of pressure the ten-sion jaws need to apply while tension-ing.

Baiardo’s tensioning system fea-tures multiple pull speeds, along with apre-stretch setting that works as well asany we’ve seen. Baiardo also featuresknot tensioning, a practice that seemsto be growing in popularity. Again,Baiardo does this as a percentage of thereference tension.

The most unique aspect of Baiardo’stensioning system is how the user canmanually adjust the calibration. Wilsonincludes the instructions in the opera-tor’s manual, and it’s simple, quick andlogical.

Baiardo’s clamping system is anoth-er strong feature. It uses dual-swiveldual-action clamps, which allowstringers to handle any pattern. Theclamps use dual rollers to apply evenpressure across the width of the clamp.And the clamping system offers anoth-er relatively new feature that we appre-ciate: At one end of each track that theclamps move in, Baiardo has a pop-outplug, making it quick and easy toremove the clamp base(s).

The modular construction makes ita little easier to pack up and take to atournament. But, the best part is that itmeans you don’t have to send thewhole machine back to Wilson if some-thing goes wrong; Wilson made it easyto remove just the electronics forreplacement or repair.

Another big plus is a dedicated web-site, www.Wilson.com/Baiardo, whereyou can learn about the machine, see

demos, download the manual,etc. Eventually, Wilson wantsto have short videos showinghow to fix or service Baiardo.

CONSAs is the case with most pre-mium machines, the biggestdrawback is that it is expen-sive, with a retail price of$6,000. However, Wilson saysit can bring that down as lowas $4,000 for shops that buycertain amounts of otherWilson products.

Baiardo is not particularly light oreasily portable. But, it weighs about 124pounds, about the same as othermachines.

The mounting adjustment knobs pre-sent two concerns. First, the gearing ofthe knobs creates such leverage that it iseasy to overtighten. Second, the knobsdo not taper, so it is possible for string tobecome caught around them. But Wilsonbuilt a hex screw in the center of thelower knob (which controls the outersupports), so a user can use a hex

wrench (included) to release the pres-sure.

The auto clamp base release can be alittle awkward when preparing to makethe first pull on a racquet. If you don’tmaintain a small amount of tension onthe string by hand, the clamp can falland release the base. Also, during string-ing, we found that if you don’t align theclamp just right when clamping thestring, it doesn’t want to fall when youopen the clamp. This means you have topull the clamp down by hand. But, if youpull it down with the base still locked,the clamp’s diamond dust can scratch

the string. This is why wewere happy to see the but-ton that allows you to manu-ally release the clamp base.

The Baiardo’s tool trayisn’t big enough to conve-niently fit all the tools thatcome with it. Wilson tells usthey built in an option toattach a tray expander,which when available theywill provide to Baiardo own-ers for free.

CONCLUSIONOverall, we are extremely impressed byBaiardo. It’s hard to believe this is thefirst stringing machine developed by thisteam at Wilson. You would really thinkthese guys have been building machinesfor a long time.

But perhaps it is because this wastheir first machine that Wilson was ableto truly start from scratch, think outsidethe conventional rules, and develop aunique machine that does so manythings no stringing machine has everdone before. �



String Playtest

EASE OF STRINGING(compared to other strings)Number of testers who said it was:much easier 2somewhat easier 5about as easy 22not quite as easy 12not nearly as easy 0

OVERALL PLAYABILITY(compared to string played most often)Number of testers who said it was:much better 1somewhat better 7about as playable 12not quite as playable 17not nearly as playable 4

OVERALL DURABILITY(compared to other stringsof similar gauge)Number of testers who said it was:much better 7somewhat better 20about as durable 11not quite as durable 2not nearly as durable 1

RATING AVERAGESFrom 1 to 5 (best)Playability 3.4Durability (19th overall) 4.2Power 3.4Control 3.5Comfort 3.0Touch/Feel 3.0Spin Potential 3.3Holding Tension (17th overall) 3.6Resistance to Movement (5th overall) 4.1

Prince now combines one-half set ofPrince Poly EXP and one-half set of PrincePremier LT as Prince Hybrid Power EXP.This string comes standard in demos ofthe EXO3 Rebel, EXO3 Rebel Team, EXO3Ignite, and EXO3 Ignite Team, which aredesigned to be Prince’s player frames. Inan earlier playtest (RSI, March 2009), Pre-mier LT received the highest overall scoreof any synthetic we had tested to date.

As for Poly EXP, it is made using a co-extrusion technology that allows Prince tocombine different types of polyester materi-als in the same string to create the perfectpoly for any player.

The target customer is the player lookingfor the spin and control of a poly withimproved comfort and playability.

Hybrid Power EXP is available in 17/16in optic yellow/natural and gray/natural,although the same string combination isavailable in 18/17 as Prince Hybrid SpinEXP. Hybrid Power EXP is priced from $15for sets of 22 feet/20 feet. Reels are avail-able. For more information or to order, con-tact Prince at 800-2-TENNIS, or visitprincetennis.com. Be sure to read the con-clusion for more information about getting afree set to try for yourself.

IN THE LABWe tested the 17/16 gauge Hybrid PowerEXP. The coils measured 22’ (Poly EXP) and20’ (Premier LT). The diameters measured1.26-1.28 mm and 1.29-1.32 mm beforestringing, and 1.22-1.23 mm and 1.25-1.26mm after stringing. We recorded astringbed stiffness of 79 RDC units immedi-ately after stringing at 60 pounds in a Wil-son Pro Staff 6.1 95 (16 x 18 pattern) on aconstant-pull machine. According to Prince,you can use Hybrid Power EXP with thePremier LT in the mains for comfort andfeel, but we tested it with the Poly EXP inthe mains, which Prince claims is better forcontrol, endurance, and spin. We advisedmembers of our playtest team to reduce thetension on the mains by 5-10 percent.

After 24 hours (no playing), stringbedstiffness measured 72 RDC units, represent-ing a 9 percent tension loss. Our controlstring, Prince Synthetic Gut Original Gold

16, measured 78 RDC units immediatelyafter stringing and 71 RDC units after 24hours, representing a 9 percent tensionloss. Hybrid Power EXP added 16 grams tothe weight of our unstrung frame.

The string was tested for five weeks by41 USRSA playtesters, with NTRP ratingsfrom 3.5 to 6.0. These are blind tests, withplaytesters receiving unmarked strings inunmarked packages. Average number ofhours playtested was 28.2.

The Poly EXP feels thick to the touch,but it strings up like a typical poly. The Pre-mier LT is much softer, of course, to thepoint that it can mush out a bit on blockedholes. The surface of the Poly EXP is sosmooth that we were unable to straighten

thecrosses as weworked, so straightening had to waituntil after all the crosses had been installed.

One playtester broke samples duringstringing, six reported problems with coilmemory, five reported problems tying knots,and one reported friction burn.

ON THE COURTJudging solely by our playtester ratings,Prince Hybrid Power EXP is definitely forplayers who are already using full poly setupsor poly hybrids, and are looking to temperthe poly experience with a softer string. Thatis to say, while Touch/Feel and Comfortscores were just average, Hybrid Power EXPreceived a 5th-best score in Resistance toMovement, a 17th-best score in TensionRetention, a 19th-best score in Durability,and well-above average scores in Power andSpin Potential, out of 135 published stringplaytest reports. These category scores com-bine to give Prince Hybrid Power EXP anoverall average score that is well above average.

Yet, there is more to the story (as thereoften is with strings), with some of ourplaytesters commenting on how comfortableHybrid Power EXP is, and one playtesteradmiring its qualities for feeding balls.

Two players broke the sample during theplaytest period, one at six hours and one at ten.

CONCLUSIONBesides the great scores our playtest teamgave Prince Hybrid Power EXP, the com-ments we received about this string reveal asomewhat surprising depth and complexity inthis combination. Of course, being a hybrid,you could also string it up with the poly in thecrosses, and change the tensions around.Between the Poly EXP and the Premier LT,you have two premium strings to help youget the stringbed characteristics you want.

If you think that Prince Hybrid PowerEXP might be for you, fill out the coupon toget a free set to try. —Greg Raven �

Prince Hybrid Power EXP



“ This hybrid has great feel and control.” 4.0male serve-and-volley player using Wilson nSixOne Tour strung at 56/60 pounds LO (WilsonSuper Spin 16)

“ This string has a wonderful feel. Very lowvibration. Remarkable bite.” 3.5 male baselinerwith heavy spin using Dunlop Aerogel 2 Hundredstrung at 58 pounds CP (Tecnifibre NRG2 16)

“ Very crisp! Great power on serves. Tensionmaintenance is excellent. I would definitely rec-ommend this to my customers, especially stringbreakers.” 4.0 female serve-and-volley playerusing Head i.S6 OS strung at 50 pounds CP(Gamma Live Wire 16)

“ This is the perfect string for the aggressivebaseliner. Big swings are rewarded with greatcontrol. The feel is slightly lacking.” 5.0 maleall-court player using Wilson nTour Two strung at58 pounds CP (Prince Synthetic Gut Original 16)

“ This is a firm string with low power. Greatcontrol and spin. Recommended to college play-ers and string breakers.” 5.0 male all-court

TESTERS TALKplayer using Vantage VT231 strung at 54 poundsCP (Natural Gut 16)

“ Good power and control. Excellent durability.Not enough feel.” 4.5 male all-court playerusing Babolat Drive Z Cortex strung at 54/58pounds CP (Babolat Addiction 17)

“ Decent tension maintenance and no stringmovement. The feel is much softer than onewould expect, given the polyester mains.” 4.5male all-court player using Prince O3 SpeedportBlack (port inserts) strung at 60 pounds LO(Prince Premier w/Softflex 16)

“ This string plays very firm. Feel, touch, andcontrol are on the low side.” 4.0 male all-courtplayer using Pro Kennex Core 1 No. 10 strung at62 pounds LO (Pacific X Force/Gosen OG-SheepMicro Super JC 18/17)

“ Not enough ‘pop.’ The response is too dead.The soft feel might make it a good option forthose with tendon problems.” 4.5 male all-court player using Prince O3 Speedport Black(hole inserts) strung at 50 pounds LO (Head SonicPro 17)

FREE PLAYTEST STRING PROGRAM

Prince will send a free set of Hybrid Power EXP to USRSA members

who cut out (or copy) this couponand mail it to:

Offer expires 30 Sep 2009Offer only available to USRSA

members in the US.

Name:

USRSA Member number:

Phone:

Email:If you print your email clearly,

we will notify you when your samplewill be sent.

USRSAAttn: Prince String Offer,

330 Main Street, Vista, CA 92084

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

stringsample@racquet tech.com


For the rest of the tester comments, visitwww.racquetsportsindustry.com.

long-side mains, you start by double-clamping the first short-side main.

The benefits are that you don’t have toput the first clamp on a limp string, youare clamping the string in the same linewhere it will be when you are done, andthat first clamp doesn’t take all the forceof the first pull by itself. Also, because the

THE YUSUKI METHOD OFSTARTING A STRING JOBI learned this from my good friend ToruYusuki while stringing at tournaments.Instead of putting the starting clampbehind the string clamp to eliminate slip-page when starting a string job, start bypulling tension on both first mains at thesame time. Then, if for example you nor-mally install the short-side mains first, putyour string clamp and starting clamp onthe first long-side main while it’s still undertension, positioning the machine clamp asnormal at the far end of the racquet fromthe tension head, and starting clamp out-side the frame, between the frame and thetension head. After you release the tensionhead, there will be enough tension in thestring to hold both clamps in place.

Proceed to install the short side mainsas normal. After installing two or threemains on that side, go back to the otherside, re-tension the first main, remove thestarting clamp, and continue as usual.Obviously, if you normally start with the

28 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY August 2009

Tips & Techniques

starting clamp is outside of the frame,there are no visible marks on the mainstring, other than what is left from thestring clamp.5 sets of Gamma Synthetic Gut with Wear-guard 16 to:Vince Chiarelli, MRT, Largo, FL

Editor’s note: This method does mean youwill be doing one additional pull when start-ing the mains, but it is invaluable withmachines such as the Babolat Sensor andWilson Baiardo that feature base clampsthat release automatically when the stringclamps drop down, and it is very helpful onPrince’s O3 racquets where the location ofthe limp string can be very different fromits location when tensioned due to the sizeof the O-Ports.

GROMMET STRIP TOOLHere is a tool I made that will help youinstall the ends of a grommet strip. The endsof the grommet strip never seem to be longenough and require the heat of a hairdryer

Readers’ Know-How in Action


to stretch them. This tools helps to stretchthe grommet strip without cooking yourfingers. It can be made very easily andinexpensively as follows:Materials:• 1 – 8-inch bolt about 5-16-inches inthickness

• 1 – hex key small enough to fit intothe grommet hole

• Electrical tapeDirections:1. Bend one end of the 8-inch bolt 90degrees. This makes it easier to pull.

2. File or grind the other end of the boltso it is flat and about 1/8-inches thick.

3. Drill a hole the size of the hex key inthe end of the bolt.

4. Install the hex key though the holeand tape the key to the bolt.To use this tool, put the end of the hex

key into one of the grommet holes in thegrommet strip and pull as you heat thestrip with the heat gun.5 sets of Wilson Sensation 16 to:Greg Christopherson, Oceanside, CA

CLEANER CLEAN-UP

I found a wonderful cleaner for theblack, sticky mess left behind by anancient replacement grip that hadbecome smeared all over the frame.Casual Clean is an outdoor furniturecleaner. It cuts through the gunk andeven removes old stencil ink from thepatio table I was using.10 3-packs of Tourna Grip to:Paula Powell, Fort Lauderdale, FL

—Greg Raven �

Tips and Techniques submitted since 2000 by USRSAmembers, and appearing in this column, have allbeen gathered into a single volume of the Stringer’sDigest—Racquet Service Techniques which is a bene-fit of USRSA membership. Submit tips to: GregRaven, USRSA, 330 Main St., Vista, CA 92804; oremail [email protected].

Technology Smokescreen?A tennis physicist says racquet company marketing claims may have littlemeaning in a scientific sense and may not be serving players.

Recent issues of RSI have includednice summaries of the differenttechnologies used by various rac-

quet companies. As a physicist, I know thatthe most important physical properties of aracquet are its mass, length, swing weight,head size and stiffness. Together withstring type and tension, these are thethings that determine how a racquet per-forms.

I also know that these physical proper-ties and the performance of a racquet canbe measured, and so can the differencesbetween different racquets. I would there-fore expect that the various technologiesused by the racquet companies, if theyare of any real benefit to a player, couldbe described in terms of the above prop-erties.

But given that these properties arerarely mentioned in the advertising litera-ture, I wonder if the tennis industry isbeing well-served by advances in technol-ogy, or whether it is more of a smoke-screen. Some of the improvements thatare quoted, such as "30% more feel,"have no meaning in an engineering or sci-entific sense, and leave me feeling that Iam being conned.

The actual performance of a racquetcan be measured in terms of ball speed,ball spin and rebound angle. The questionthat players should ask is how each tech-nology affects the speed, spin and direc-tion of the ball as it comes off the racquet.If the technology makes no difference, orif the difference is too small to measure,then there may be no real advantage.

Suppose that a manufacturer comes upwith a racquet that delivers 5% morepower, in the sense that the ball comesoff the strings 5% faster. Will that actuallybenefit a player? Most players would prob-

ably agree that it will, but the physics of thesituation says there are only two basic waysto increase the ball speed by 5%. One wayis to swing the racquet 5% faster. The otherway is to increase the swing weight of the

racquet, by making the racquet head heav-ier. Either way, the player will need to worka bit harder to get an increase in the ballspeed.

A decrease in string tension will also helpto increase the ball speed off the strings, butthe effect is very small and it leads to a smalldecrease in ball control. An increase in rac-quet stiffness will increase ball speed off thetip of a racquet, by reducing the energy lostto racquet vibrations, but it has no effect onball speed off the middle of the strings.

There are certain properties of a racquetthat have nothing to do with ball speed, spinor direction, but that do affect the choice ofthe racquet that a player prefers. Players aresensitive to the feel of a racquet, and theyare also sensitive to the sound of a racquet.If a racquet doesn’t feel right or if it doesn’tsound right, then the player won’t like it.

The main way to affect the sound is toadd or remove a string dampener. Playerswho normally use a string dampener say

B Y R O D C R O S S

Physicist Rod Cross retired in2003 as an honorary memberof the Sydney University staffand continues to work on thephysics of sport and forensicphysics. He is the co-authorof “Technical Tennis” and

“The Physics and Technology of Tennis.”


“Some of theimprovements that arequoted … have nomeaning in anengineering orscientific sense, andleave me feeling that Iam being conned.”

that the racquet feels terrible if the dampen-er is removed. Players who don’t use adampener say that the racquet feels terribleif a dampener is added. In either case, theplayer confuses the feel of the racquet withits sound. If the dampener is stuck to thethroat of the racquet with tape, rather thanbeing inserted in the strings, then sound willbe different but the feel and performance ofthe racquet will be the same. In any case,dampeners are too light to have any signifi-cant effect on racquet performance.

The feel of a racquet is affected by itsweight, its swing weight and its stiffness. Itis also affected by the type of grip used. Thestiffness affects the level of vibrations in thehandle that occur after the ball leaves thestrings. Excessive vibration feels uncomfort-able and the player won’t like it, even if theball comes off the strings as fast as with anyother racquet. For that reason, much of theeffort that goes into the design of a racquetis aimed at reducing handle vibrations,thereby improving the feel of the racquet. Ifthe player hits the ball at the sweet spot inthe middle of the strings, then the racquetwon’t vibrate at all. But most recreationalplayers hit the ball all over the string plane,in which case any technology that helpsreduce racquet vibrations will feel good,even if there is no difference in racquetperformance. �

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

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