201004 Racquet Sports Industry

April 2010Volume 38 Number 4 $5.00www.racquetsportsindustry.com

Brand ManagementManufacturers face key issues thataffect all areas of this business

2010 Racquet Selection Map

What Gear Do The Pros Use?

STATE OF THE INDUSTRY

Brand ManagementManufacturers face key issues thataffect all areas of this business

2010 Racquet Selection Map

What Gear Do The Pros Use?

DEPARTMENTS

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INDUSTRY NEWS

7 Head to launchStar Series frames

7 Hall of Fameannounces class of 2010

8 PTR presents annual awards

8 Babolat updatesPropulse, Team shoes

9 ATP Tour signs CoronaExtra as major partner

10 Short Sets

10 Roddick, Hingis topWTT draft picks

11 USPTA pros raise$4 million for charity

12 Peoplewatch

12 Ashaway introduceslight badminton string

12 Upcoming industry schedule

13 Babolat launchesRPM Blast string

14 PTR to host second TennisClub & Facility conference

4 Our Serve

7 Industry News

13 Letters

16 TIA News & Updates

18 USRSA Members

34 Tips and Techniques

36 Ask the Experts

38 String Playtest: Unique Quasi-Gut

40 Your Serve, by Kent Oswald

2 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2010 www.racquetsportsindustry.com

ContentsContentsFEATURES

20 What the Top Pros Are UsingWhat are the top pros using on court? Here are theracquets, shoes and clothes the top 20 men andwomen use.

29 Racquet Selection MapOur exclusive map enables you to find the perfectracquet for your customers quickly and easily.

SPECIAL REPORT:STATE OF THE INDUSTRY

23 Brand ManagementFor industry manufacturers, the economic storm maybe clearing, but they’re not putting away the foul-weather gear just yet.

Our Serve(Incorporating Racquet Tech and Tennis Industry)

PublishersDavid Bone Jeff Williams

Editorial DirectorPeter Francesconi

Associate EditorGreg Raven

Design/Art DirectorKristine Thom

Contributing EditorsRobin BatemanCynthia CantrellJoe DinofferLiza HoranGreg MoranBob 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. April 2010, Volume 38,

Number 4 © 2010 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 April 2010

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

www.racquetsportsindustry.com

Industry Gathering Points

March 1 was a busy day for tennis. The BNPParibas Showdown for the Billie Jean King Cupwas held in New York’s Madison Square Garden

that evening, and earlier in the day, the TIA had a boardmeeting at a hotel across the street from MSG.

TIA board members heard about new research that the industry is doing(some of it appears in this issue on page 16 and in the story on pages 23-27), andJolyn de Boer, the TIA’s executive director, addressed the challenges and realitieseach segment of the industry faces, along with specific action being taken. Shealso updated members on three task forces formed a year ago to address press-ing issues in this industry: Economic Growth, Frequent Player Growth, and Com-munications/Positioning. Each task force can point to some progress and actionon specific items they’ve worked on (see page 17). But the work continues.

Special guests at the meeting included USTA Chairman and President LucyGarvin, USTA Executive Director Gordon Smith, and ITF Executive Director forTennis Development Dave Miley. Garvin gave a brief update on recent moveswithin the USTA to bring together Professional Tennis and Community Tennisassets, and also spoke about the long-range plan to update the USTA Billie JeanKing National Tennis Center. Miley went through “Play & Stay,” the ITF’s versionof QuickStart Tennis, and said a proposed ITF rule change for 2012 will mandatethe use of transition balls for ITF-sanctioned 10-and-under events.

The next morning, there was a smaller meeting with a few manufacturers andretailers about retailer concerns. One of the areas the TIA wants to focus on andhelp to improve is the state of tennis retail in the U.S. This meeting was a solidstep toward increased dialogue and possible creation of a retailer panel.

The BNP Paribas Showdown on the night of March 1 was a fun event, withKim Clijsters, Venus Williams, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Ana Ivanovic. (Ivanovicwas a replacement for Serena Williams, who pulled out due to injury.) The no-adscoring format kept things moving and made the timing of the event much morepredictable. The two semifinals were one set each, while the final (Williams beatClijsters) was best of three no-ad sets.

Jerry Solomon, president of StarGames, which presented the Showdown,hopes that in the future, the event can be expanded into a bigger showpiece andfocal point for the sport and the industry. He envisions all sorts of activities sur-rounding the event. (Like last year, this year’s Showdown coincided with theUSTA’s Tennis Night in America and Youth Registration into summer tennis pro-grams.)

This industry needs these types of exhibitions and events that are able toshow tennis its best—while also linking to the grassroots game. But also, as anindustry, we need these types of gathering points. When players, teaching pros,manufacturers, retailers, court builders, media, pro tours and associations gettogether like this, we all benefit.

Peter FrancesconiEditorial Director

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

In early May, Head plans to introduce toconsumers its new YouTek Star Seriesracquets, which the company says

has revolutionary technologies that willhelp the game of players with shorter,more compact swing styles. The threeframes are the YouTek Six Star, Five Starand Three Star.

Key technologies include “QuadFace,”which extends the stringbed at key points

of the frame, provid-ing longer strings andan enlarged sweetspotthat results in more power,says Head. “Inner Quad-Face” is an indentation on theinside of the frame that allowsthe strings to be more flexiblebefore reaching the grommetsfor a more forgiving sweetspot.“Outer Quadface” exends the out-side of the frame to allow thestrings to be longer, providingmore consistent power, says thecompany.

The “Control Ring”—eithertwo-piece or four-piece, depend-ing on the racquet model—is designed toreduce string deformation for added controland accuracy. The third new technology is the“MultiZone Grip,” a smooth, sweat-absorbingnonslip surface for greater comfort and control.

YouTek frames also use Head’s d3o “smart material,”which Head says changes its behavior under dynamic loadingor impact. The material “senses” the needs of a player during dif-ferent strokes. On aggressive shots, the molecules lock together to increase

stiffness and provide power; on slower-speed shots the molecules absorb impact and provide asofter touch for better feel, says Head.

Head officials say champions Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi were an integral part of the devel-opment team for the Star Series of frames. Both legends will be featured in three online teaservideos to consumers, which will run from April 12 to 30, prior to the consumer launch in May.

Consumers can go to head.com/stars to learn about the frames and hear and see Agassi andGraf explain the technologies and features in a series of four videos. Each video will contain a cluethat, when pieced together, will allow consumers to enter a contest to win an on-court session withAgassi and Graf in Las Vegas.

Hall of Fame to InductDoubles Stars,Wheelchair LeaderThe International Tennis Hall ofFame class of 2010 will includetwo doubles teams, ToddWood-bridge-MarkWoodforde and GigiFernandez-Natasha Zvereva, for-mer player Owen Davidson,wheelchair tennis pioneer BradParks, and, posthumously, formerBritish Lawn Tennis AssociationChairman Derek Hardwick.

The inductees for 2010 wereannounced on March 1, in Madi-son Square Garden in New YorkCity, during the BNP ParibasShowdown for the Billie JeanKing Cup. The two doubles teamsare in the Recent Player category,Davidson is in the Master Playercategory, and Parks and Hardwickare in the Contributor category.

“In recognition of their competi-tions and contributions, the Classof 2010 is a tribute to the gameof doubles and to wheelchair ten-nis,” said Christopher Clouser,chairman of the International Ten-nis Hall of Fame & Museum. “TheRecent Players and Master Playerachieved an incredible record ofdoubles wins. In the ContributorCategory, we are pleased tohonor individuals who led twoimportant evolutions of the gamethrough the creation of wheel-chair tennis and the initiation ofthe Open Era.”

The Hall of Fame’s 2010 InductionCeremony will be July 10 in New-port, R.I., during the final week-end of the Campbell’s Hall ofFame Tennis Championships (July5-11). Visit www.tennisfame.comfor info and tickets.

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April 2010 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 7www.racquetsportsindustry.com

YouTek Six StarFeatures: d3o, InnerQuadFace, Outer Quad-Face, 4-Part ControlRing, MultiZone GripHead size: 107 sq. in.Weight: 9 oz.String pattern: 16/19

YouTek Five StarFeatures: d3o, InnerQuadFace, Outer Quad-Face, 2-Part ControlRing, MultiZone GripHead size: 107 sq. in.Weight: 9 oz.String pattern: 16/19

YouTek Three StarFeatures: d3o, InnerQuadFaceHead size: 115 sq. in.Weight: 8.3 oz.String pattern: 16/19

Head to Launch Star Series Frames


PTR Presents Annual Awards

The PTR presented its annual awardsin February during the 2010 PTR

International Tennis Symposium atPTR Headquarters on Hilton Head Island, S.C. The eventincluded 50-plus on-court and classroom presentations for ten-nis teachers and coaches, a tennis trade show and $25,000Championships. PTR award winners are:Master Professional Ron Manilla Charlottesville, VAProfessional of the Year Herbert Schnaubelt Meran, ItalyClinician of the Year Butch Staples Chicago, ILTester of the Year Jose Naranjo San Jose, Costa RicaHumanitarian Award David Altschuler Peabody, MAWheelchair Pro of the Year Dan James Oakdale, Minn.Volunteer of the Year Dr. Glenn Roswal Jacksonville, ALCoach Jim Verdieck TouringPro Coach of the Year Brian De Villiers Atlanta, GACoach Jim Verdieck CollegeCoach of the Year Frank Barnes Janesville, WICoach Jim Verdieck HighSchool Coach of the Year Wendy Thomas Albuquerque, NMMale Player of the Year Karl Hale Toronto, CanadaMale Player of the Decade Zbynek Mlynarik Chatsworth, CAFemale Player of the Decade Diane Fishburne Charleston, SCPublic Facility of the Year DeWitt Tennis Center Holland, MIPrivate Facility of the Year The Polo Club Boca Raton, FLPTR/USTA CommunityService Award Mary Conaway Reston, VAPTR/TIA Commitmentto the Industry Mike Woody Midland, MI

In addition, PTR recognized several State Members of theYear for their contributions to the organization in their respec-tive states. They are:AK – Colin Gillam IN – Desmond Evans OR – Anni MillerAZ – Larry Funk KY – Federico Mas PA – Lisa DuncanCA – Paul Allam LA – Richard Verzaal SC – Graham CoxCT – Jack Waite MD – Aaron Hutt TN – Orlando LourencoCO – Rich Berman MA – Lance Andersen TX – Todd CarlsonFL – Devin Reddick MI – David Brouwer VT – Scott ColebourneGA – Craig S. Jones MS – Amy Williams HI – Ron RomanoMO – Donna Austin ID – Adam King NH – Debbie LloydIL – Oliver Stephens NY – John Curtis

Babolat Updates Propulse, Team Shoes

Babolat has updated its Propulse and Team range high-per-formance tennis shoes. The Propulse range is the compa-

ny’s highest performing line.Andy Roddick wore the

new Propulse 2 Titanium,the most popular in therange, at this year’s Aus-tralian Open. ThePropulse 2 Titanium (sug-gested retail $109, juniorversion $60) is designed forplayers who move withspeed and aggression onthe court. The Propulse 2White ($109) is a moreclassic all-white look, but fea-tures the same technology asthe Propulse 2 Titanium.

Also in the line is thePropulse Lady 2 Parma($104), an all-surfacewomen’s shoe with newtouches of purple for 2010,worn by pro Nadia Petrova. This shoe hasPropulse 2 technologies with materials and fit specificallydesigned for the female foot.

Key Propulse features include “Foot Belt” technology forprecise and adjustable foot support, Exact Pro for an extrastrong spring and Michelin technology in the sole for grip anddurability.

New in the Team range is the Team All Court Style Reverse($89, junior model $50), an offbeat look for the Team All Court4 because the left and right shoes are asymmetrical. OtherTeam Range models include Team Clay 4, Team All Court 4,Team All Court 4 White, Team Lady 3 and Team Junior 4.

COLLEGE TENNIS ROUNDUP� Tournament host University of Virginia captured its third Division 1

ITA National Men's Indoor Championship title after defeating thefifth-seeded Tennessee Volunteers in Februrary. Sanam Singh, a juniorat the University of Virginia, received the ITA Sportsmanship Award.

� The University of Northwestern captured its second consecutive Divi-sion 1 ITA National Women's Indoor Championship title after defeat-ing unseeded North Carolina at the A.C. Nielsen Tennis Stadium,hosted by the University of Wisconsin. Amanda Granson, a senior atDuke University, received the ITA Sportsmanship Award.

� Top-seeded and top-ranked UC-Santa Cruz captured its third ITANational Division III Men's Team Indoor title with a 6-2 victory overWashington University in the 2010 championship in February hostedby Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota.

� Top-seeded Emory University captured the 2010 ITA National DivisionIII Women's Team Indoor title with a 6-3 win over the University ofChicago. The event was held at DePauw University in Indiana.


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Back row, from left: PTR CEO Dan Santorum, Butch Staples, Dr. MarkKovacs, Ron Manilla, Dan James, Frank Barnes, Herbert Schnaubelt;front row: David Altshuler, Jean Mills (The Polo Club), Jose Naranjo,Jorge Capestany (DeWitt Tennis Center). Photo by Clive Carrigan.

Propulse 2 Titanium

Propulse Lady 2 Parma

Team All Court Style Reverse

April 2010 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 9

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

Girls Night Out at Madison Square GardenAs part of Tennis Night in America and the BNP Paribas Showdown for the Billie JeanKing Cup at Madison Square Garden on March 1, USTA Eastern held a "Girls Night Out"panel discussion. A group of 100of the top-ranked girls in theUSTA Eastern section, ages 12 to18, attended the forum. Panelistsincluded (from left) Olympic skat-ing champ Nancy Kerrigan; IlanaKloss, chair of the Women'sSports Foundation; tennis champand commentator Mary Joe Fer-nandez; WTA Chairman and CEOStacey Allaster; and KatrinaAdams, executive director ofHarlem Jr. Tennis and Education.


Corona Extra Is Major ATP Partner

Corona Extra, the world’s No. 1 Mexican beer brand, is the new global premier part-ner of the ATP World Tour. As part of the 5½-year agreement, which begins later

this year, Corona Extra becomes the official beer sponsor of the ATP World Tour andwill have significant presence at tour events around the world, including net brandingand other marketing rights.

“We have admired the success of the sport in recent years and view the ATPWorld Tour as a terrific platform for us globally,” said José Parés, chief sales and mar-keting officer for Grupo Modelo, maker of Corona Extra. Corona Extra has been asponsor of ATP tournaments in Acapulco for 16 years and Toronto for four years.


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DUSTRYNEW

S

> The U.S. Davis Cup team that took onSerbia March 5-7 were all Prince players,using racquets that featured O-Technology.John Isner, ranked No. 20, plays with the O3White and Sam Querrey, ranked No. 22, usesthe O3 Hybrid Tour. Bob and Mike Bryanjoined Prince in 2007 and last fall switchedto the EXO3 Ignite Team 95 frame, prior towinning the ATP World Tour Finals inNovember and the Australian Open earlierthis year.

> Birmingham, Ala., has been selected asthe site for the 2010 Fed Cup by BNP Paribassemifinal tie between the U.S. and Russia,April 24-25. The matches will be played atthe Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Com-plex Arena, which will be hosting a Fed Cupevent for the first time. The venue also wasthe site for the 2009 Davis Cup by BNPParibas first-round tie between the U.S. andSwitzerland. The Tennis Channel will presentlive daily coverage of the U.S. vs. Russia FedCup semifinal.

> Babolat signed a two-year contract tobecome presenting sponsor of the Road tothe “Little Mo'” Nationals and the “LittleMo” International Open tennis tournament.The “Little Mo” is open to any player fromaround the world who is 8 to 11 years old.The tournament has special meaning forBabolat’s top U.S. men’s player, Andy Rod-dick—he won “Little Mo” in 1992 at age10.

> The USPTA is accepting nominations forits 2010 National Awards Program. Theawards are presented in every facet of thetennis business in which USPTA memberswork. Deadline for nominations is July 2.Recipients will be honored during the annu-al awards breakfast at the USPTA WorldConference Sept. 27-Oct. 2 in La Quinta,Calif. Award nomination forms and guide-lines are available at www.uspta.com.

> Active Network, a leading provider ofsoftware technology and marketing solu-tions for community service organizations,will be the exclusive advertising representa-tive for the USTA’s official website,USTA.com. Active Media + Marketing, a divi-sion of the Active Network, will manageUSTA.com’s online advertising inventory, andUSTA.com will join Active.com’s family ofmedia properties targeting people who par-ticipate in sports and activities.

> John Isner and James Blake, the second-and fourth-ranked American men’s tennisplayers, have committed to play the 2010Atlanta Tennis Championships. The Atlantaevent, owned and operated by USTA South-ern, will serve as the kick-off to the 2010Olympus US Open Series and will be held atthe Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek,Ga., from July 19 to 25. USTA Southern pur-chased the sanction for the ATP World Tour250 tournament in December. It had beenheld in Indianapolis.

> The Family Circle Cup has selected VaporApparel to manufacture and design its 2010apparel for this year's tournament, held April10-18 in Charleston, S.C. Vapor Apparel isbased in North Charleston.

> More than $34,000 in USTA WheelchairProgram grants has been awarded to 23wheelchair tennis programs across the coun-try. Grants were awarded to local organiza-tions that promote and develop the growthof wheelchair tennis and use the sport oftennis to build stronger, healthier communi-ties. Additional USTA Wheelchair TennisGrant opportunities will be announced in2010. Email [email protected] formore information.

> Peter Burwash International will directtennis operations at the new Hyatt RegencyCuraçao Golf Resort, Spa and Marina, open-ing April 20. The luxury resort's tennis facili-ty will feature four state-of-the-artHydroGrid clay courts, all lit for night play,and a full-service pro shop.

> Tifosi Optics Inc. has added Tennis Ware-house to its domestic and international deal-er base. Tifosi Optics offers tennis-specifictechnology in over 40 models featuring theGT™ lens tint, to make it easier to see theball in flight and on the court.

> The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour’s secondannual “Heroes Among Us” global cam-paign, which recognizes parents, teachers,coaches and community leaders who haveencouraged young women to pursue theirdreams, is accepting nominations. To submita nomination, visit www.sonyericssonwta-tour.com/heroesamongus. Five finalists willbe announced on Oct. 1, then fans can voteonline for the winner, who will receive aprize package for two to the Sony EricssonChampionships in Doha, Qatar.

S H O R T S E T S Roddick, Hingis, DavenportTop WTT Draft Picks

Andy Roddick, Mar-tina Hingis and

Lindsay Davenportwere selected as thetop three overall picks in the 2010 WorldTeamTennis Pro League Marquee PlayerDraft, held in February. The PhiladelphiaFreedoms picked Roddick with the overallNo. 1 selection while the New York Buzzchose Hingis with the second pick andthe St. Louis Aces took Lindsay Davenportwith the third pick.

The WTT Pro League, co-founded byBillie Jean King, is a professional co-edsports league featuring three generationsof tennis stars playing in a team formatin 10 U.S. markets. The 2010 WTT ProLeague begins July 5, concluding with theWTT Championship Finals on July 25.

Prior to today's Marquee Draft, twoteams made big moves with last-minutetrades. The 2009 WTT Champion Wash-ington Kastles acquired the rights fromPhiladelphia for Venus Williams, whonow joins her sister Serena on the Kas-tles lineup. The New York Sportimespicked up the rights for 2009 US OpenChampion Kim Clijsters in a deal withthe St. Louis Aces.

For more details and information,visit www.WTT.com.

U.S. Knocked OutEarly in Davis Cup

Serbia dashed U.S. hopes in DavisCup with a 3-2 win over the Ameri-

cans in the first round in Belgrade. It’sthe first time since 2005 that the U.S.was eliminated in the first round. JohnIsner and Sam Querrey lost their open-ing-day singles matches, but Bob andMike Bryan kept the Americans in it bywinning the doubles point. On the lastday, Isner fell in five sets to NovakDjokovic to seal the win for Serbia. Quer-rey won the abbreviated fifth match.

Serbia advances to the quarterfi-nals, where it will meet Balkan rivalCroatia in July. The U.S. will play in theWorld Group Playoffs Sept. 17-19, tocompete for a spot in the 2011 DavisCup World Group.


U S R S A N E W S


USPTA Pros Raise$4 Million for Charity

In 2009, USPTAteaching pros

raised just over $4million for charitythrough the associa-tion’s Lessons for Life program.

“Our members continue to staycommitted to raising money forimportant charitable causes, while atthe same time bringing their commu-nities together through these effortswith tennis,” says Diane Selke, Les-sons for Life chair, USPTA Master Pro-fessional and head tennisprofessional at Valley Country Club inAurora, Colo.

A variety of charities benefit eachyear from the USPTA’s Lessons forLife program, including the AmericanCancer Society, Cystic Fibrosis Foun-dation, Juvenile Diabetes ResearchFoundation, Tim & Tom GulliksonFoundation, Mothers Against DrunkDriving, Scripps Stevens Cancer Cen-ter, and many other national andlocal charities.

Lessons for Life became USPTA’snational charitable program in 1999.The USPTA and its members haveraised more than $40 million sincethe program’s inception.

Obama Names SolomonTo Arts/Humanities Group

Cable industry veteran Ken Solomon,who is the CEO and chairman of Ten-

nis Channel, was sworn in as a memberof President Obama’s Committee on theArts and the Humanities recently in theU.S. Supreme Court. Justice StephenBreyer administered the oath to commit-tee members, including Solomon, whoalso is chairman of Ovation, the only tel-evision network dedicated to art andcontemporary culture.

As a member of the President’sCommittee on the Arts and the Human-ities, Solomon and his fellow committeemembers will work with federal culturalagencies and civic, corporate, founda-tion, and private funders to further theU.S.’s national investment in its culturallife.


• Roy Barth of Charleston, S.C., has joined the PTRboard of directors as treasurer, replacing SkipHartman of New York City, who served in theposition from 2003. Barth, a former pro player(ranking as high as No. 8 in singles and No. 2 indoubles) and junior champion, became the tennisdirector at Kiawah Island Golf Resort in 1976 andcurrently runs two tennis centers, with 28 courts, at Kiawah. Hewas named PTR Pro of the Year in 1990 and selected as a PTRMaster Pro in 2007.

• Edoardo Artaldi is the new global tour manager for the Völklbrand. Also, Völkl Tennis signed doubles pro Liezel Huber.

• The Vero Beach Tennis Club in Vero Beach, Fla., has hired DannyTarpley as its director of tennis.

• Lee Schlazer is the new vice president, distribution for the TennisChannel. He comes to Tennis Channel from Lifetime EntertainmentServices, where he was vice president of national accounts andfield sales for the western region.

• Marat Safin, the charismatic winner of two major singles titlesand one of 24 men to rank No. 1 in the world, made his debut onthe Champions Series tennis circuit at the 2010 Rio ChampionsCup played March 12-14 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

• World No.15 Yanina Wickmayer has signed a spon-sorship agreement with Donnay for racquets, stringsand accessories. The 100-year-old Belgian companywill design a special black-and-gold racquet forWickmayer that will feature the Belgian flag andthe company’s anniversary logo.


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P E O P L E W AT C H

Babolat OffersPromo to SupportRoddick Foundation

Babolat has teamed up on a special pro-motion to raise money for the Andy

Roddick Foundation. “Put Yourself inRoddick’s Shoes” gives tennis fans anopportunity to win prizes, receive addedvalue on Babolat purchases and supportthe Andy Roddick Foundation.

Through May 18, participants mayenter to win Babolat’s weekly giveawaysof Roddick’s team bag, T-shirts, hats, ten-nis racquet accessories and more withthe chance of winning the ultimate grandprize—hitting with Roddick at the 2010US Open. Promotional efforts include afree club backpack with the purchase ofany Babolat shoe and racquet at partici-pating retailers. A portion of the proceedsfrom Babolat’s promotion will go to theAndy Roddick Foundation.

“Andy has been part of our Babolatfamily for the past 10 years. We are excit-ed to be able to support him and his pas-sion for his foundation with thispromotion,” says Susan DiBiase, market-ing director of Babolat USA.

To enter, consumers visitwww.babolat.com/advantagebabolat andanswer the Andy Roddick trivia ques-tions correctly. All adult racquets, PureDrive junior, Aeropro Drive Junior andadult and junior shoes are eligible for thepromotion.

Upcoming Industry Schedule� Mar. 19-22: USTAAnnual Mtg., Dallas� Mar. 24-Apr. 4: Sony Ericsson Open, Key Biscayne, FL� Apr. 10-18: Family Circle Cup, Charleston, SC� May 13: USPTA Southern Division Convention, TBD� May 17: USPTA Eastern Division Convention, Flushing, NY� May 19: PTR Professional Development Weekend/Tennis Club &Facility Managers Conference, Hilton Head Island, SC

� June 1: USPTA Florida Division Convention, Key Largo, FL� June 3: USPTA Pacific Northwest Division Convention, Richland, WAFor the numerous certification workshops available, visit ptrtennis.org and uspta.org.

Ashaway IntroducesLight Badminton StringAshaway Racket Strings’ new ZyMax62 is the lightest badminton stringever made, says the company, thanksto a new core construction techniquecalled ZyWeaVe, which makes it 25percent lighter than standard .70mmstrings. Ashaway says ZyWeaVe pre-vents tension loss while its braidedsurface provides control.

“ZyMax 62 is designed for veryparticular professional players whowant the lightest string possible formore power on smashes and betterfeel and control on touch shots,”says Steve Crandall, vice president ofAshaway. “ZyWeaVe technologyguarantees less elongation, soZyMax 62 strings up tighter andplays crisper with maximum tensionstability.”

Visit www.ashawayusa.com formore information.


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


Letters

I’d like to respond to Tony Taverna’s YourServe (“Retailer’s Bill of Rights”) in theMarch issue. In general, we agree onmany of these topics. The local pro shop isa great source of support, informationand of course products for local players.Well-run local shops can be among thebiggest drivers of tennis growth in aregion, which we see time and time againacross the country. I know that Head/Pennrecognizes this and am sure that othermembers of the Tennis Industry Associa-tion feel the same way.

Head/Penn has taken many steps tosupport this trade channel, including thefirst pro/specialty-only tennis racquet in2002, an elite retailer program in 2003,the first racquet company to require aseparate application to sell via the inter-net in 2001, etc. Some of these initiativeshave been embraced by pro/specialty andbeen visible, while others have operatedbehind the scenes. However they have allbeen put in place to reward and supportthe local dealer.

We have been the only brand to keepa tennis ball exclusive to pro/specialtyshops with Pro Penn, and we’ve held trueto this promise for over 30 years. In addi-tion, our support of USTA, PTR, USPTA,WTA, ATP, etc., are all meant to help builddemand at the local level.

However in our most recent racquetlaunch we have taken this support to thenext level, and based on our commitmentwould hope that support is shown at thelocal level with specialty retailers. In ournew Stars series of power racquets, wewill do some of the things suggested byMr. Taverna in his article: guarantee MAPpricing for two years, limit distribution tothe less than 10 percent of the total ten-nis retailers in the U.S., provide moredemo’s at grassroots than ever before,make sure that only authorized Starsretailers are able to receive product fromour authorized distributors, etc.

We agree that pro/specialty shops arecritical, which is why we have decided totake this approach. The important thingfor local retailers to realize is that takingthese aggressive measures is not withoutrisk to a manufacturer, and it is importantfor this to be a two-way street in whichthe product is supported and promoted atthe pro shop based on the level of manu-facturer’s commitment.

At the end of the day, it is critical thatboth retailers and manufacturers maintaina relationship that helps both partiesbuild profitable business models. Thatrequires a healthy amount of investmentand support on both sides of the table.

Greg MasonVP - Sales and Marketing,Head/Penn Racquet Sports

Manufacturer Respondsto ‘Bill of Rights’

We welcome your letters and comments.Please limit letters to 300 words maximum.Email them to [email protected] or faxthem to 760-536-1171.

Babolat Launches RPM Blast String

Babolat has launched a new string, RPM Blast, a black string with a white doubleline, which is now being used by pros Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick and Jo-Wilfried

Tsonga. RPM Blast (RPM for “revolutions per minute”) is a monofilament designed togive players more spin, more power and a unique feel at ball impact. It will be in storesstarting in April in 125 and 130 gauge, with a suggested retail price of $16.95.

“The advice and recommendations of tour players has been decisive in the devel-opment of the string,” says Cécile Gindre, string products manager at Babolat. “Thetests have allowed us to identify their needs in order to develop the characteristics ofthe new RPM Blast. The combination of the high-density material and a specific coat-ing gives it both power and spin.”

INDUSTRYNEW

SA P R I L 2 0 1 0


PTR to Host Second TennisClub & Facility Conference

The PTR will host its second Tennis Cluband Facility Conference May 19-21 at

PTR Headquarters on Hilton Head Island,S.C. The three-day event is designed fortennis club owners, club managers anddirectors of tennis.

Presentations and breakout sessionswill include topics such as Customer Serv-ice, Programming to Fill Courts, Innova-tive Ideas for New Clinics, Marketing YourClub & Programs, Forming a Club OwnersAssociation, Controlling Energy Costs &Expenses, Managing Your Staff, Renovat-ing Your Club, and Creating/ImprovingYour Website.

The program starts at 1 p.m. Wednes-day, May 19, and runs through 5 p.m. May21. The cost, $349 before May 1, $399after, includes all workshops, meals andsocial activities through Friday afternoon.Additional attendees from the same clubare $299 each. For information or regis-tration, call 800-421-6289 or visitwww.ptrtennis.org.

GSS Sets 4th AnnualStringers Symposium

Grand Slam Stringers has finalized thetime and place of the fourth annual

GSS Racquet Stringers Symposium. Itwill be held Oct. 9 to 14 at the HiltonGarden Inn in Orlando, Fla.

“We’re excited about the 2010 sym-posium,” says GSS founder Tim Strawn.The core staff of GSS seminar leaderswill return for 2010, along with somenew presenters and material.

“For stringers and shop owners, thisis a great event because it opens upface-to-face opportunities for direct dia-logue, learning experiences throughhands-on participation and networkingnever available to them before,” saysStrawn. “Attendees tell me they like thelaid-back atmosphere and the fact thatseminar leaders are so approachableand eager to teach. That’s a testamentto their professionalism and their dedi-cation to the success of this event.”

For more details and to register, goto www.grandslamstringers.com andselect the “Symposium” link.

16 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2010 Join the TIA . . . Increase Your Profits . . . Grow the Game . . . www.TennisIndustry.org

N E W S & U P D A T E S

New York City was the gathering place March 1 for a TIA board of directors meeting designed to include the BNPParibas Showdown for the Billie Jean King Cup, the Madison Square Gardenevent for which the TIA was a participating sponsor. Also taking place that

night was Tennis Night in America and the Racket UP, America! million-dollar serve.In an afternoon board meeting, members heard about the state of the industry

with a year-end research review, along with updates on trends and challenges thatall sectors are facing. A key part of the meeting was an update on three taskforces—Economic Growth, Frequent Player Growth, and Communica-tions/Positioning—that the TIA created a year ago to address issues facing the ten-nis industry.

Special guests at the meeting included USTA Chairman of the Board and Presi-dent Lucy Garvin. She told the board the USTA is looking at a long-range masterplan to update the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, and that recentmoves within the USTA have “woven together” the Professional Tennis and Com-munity Tennis divisions.

Dave Miley, executive director of tennis development for the International Ten-nis Federation, updated the group on “Play & Stay,” which is similar to QuickStartTennis in the U.S. A proposed ITF rule change for January 2012 will say that tran-sition balls, not regulation tennis balls, will be used for ITF sanctioned 10-and-under events.

Also attending the meeting were USTA Executive Director Gordon Smith and JerrySolomon, who is the president of StarGames, which was one of the presenters of theBNP Paribas Showdown. At the MSG event, Christine Smith of Texas, the randomwinner of the industry’s Racket UP, America! promotion, was unsuccessful in her tryto serve to a target for $1 million.

The next morning, there was a small meeting for retailers to discuss issuesimportant to their business and to their relationship with manufacturers.

Tennis Is Again the Fastest Growing Traditional Sport

Research, Task Force Efforts Highlight TIA Board Meeting

Last year, the annual survey of sports participation inthe U.S. showed impressive results for tennis. Thisyear, though, the news is even better for the sport.

The latest “Sports, Fitness and Recreation Participa-tion Overview Report” by the Physical Activity Council,which came out in mid-March, shows that from 2000 to2009, tennis was again the fastest growing traditionalparticipation sport in the U.S., but now by an even widermargin. The survey (which in past years was put out bythe Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association) says ten-nis grew by 43% in that nine-year period, far outdis-tancing its nearest rival, racquetball, which grew by 2%.

Tennis and racquetball were the only sports to showan increase in participation; all other sports lost partici-pants since 2000. The third best showing, soccer (which had shown a slight increase in 2008), was down 2%, fol-lowed by golf and fishing, each down 6%, then basketball, down 8%.

Now Available: 2009Tennis Marketplace

This year-end report providesan executive summary of allTIA research and market

intelligence and includes anoverview from tennis participationstudies, consumer reports, specialtyretail audits, and retailer satisfactionand census reports. For more infor-mation contact the TIA or [email protected].

Name Shop City State Name Shop City StateAleman, Dallas & Nancy Towpath Racquet Club Cuyahoga Falls OHAmos, Richard North Shore Racquet Club Northbrook ILBailey, Jack Jacks Stringing Delray Beach FLBalena, Daniel Hunt Street Professional Bldg Ajax ONBanks, Michael Professional Racquet Services Detroit MIBarr, John Greenmont Racquet Club Vienna WVBaysa, Ray B2 Strung Out Walnut CABell, Craig Bent Tree Country Club Dallas TXBenefield, Jerry Benefield Sport Spot Inc Centre ALBenish, David Tennis of Spokane Spokane WABenjumea, Tony Little Neck Swim & Racquet Club Virginia Beach VABookbinder, Carl stringing.com Ambler PABotto, Giorgio Plano TXBracken, Jack Brackens Pro Shop Modesto CABrown, Dottie Vestavia Country Club Birmingham ALBurtis, Steve The Villages FLBuscombe, Terry Croydon, VictoriaCaldwell, Thomas Quality Racquet Stringing Seattle WACarney, Craig Racquet Master Iowa City IACarter, Andrew Harlingen Country Club Harlingen TXCascarano, Tom Greensboro Tennis Pro Shop Greensboro NCChard, Peter Bathurst Squash Centre Bathurst, N S WChirban, David Vessells Fitness Complex Rolla MOClaudio, JR, Jose Quorum International Inc Brgy, San Miguel Pasig CityClay, Beth Cherokee Town & Country Club Atlanta GACoates, Donn Racket Stringing Services Cincinnati OHCramp, Liz & Art ALC Tennis Pennington NJCrouse, Carol First Serve Havertown PADadich, Rich Rich Dadich Tennis Services Lubbock TXDavis, Paul Princeton Sports Baltimore MDDeibel, Jeffrey Jeffreys Stringing Powell OHDixon, Jim Lilydale Club Woodbury MNDolese, Peter PD Tennis Clifton NJDonati, Donald String Em Up Clinton CTDoud, Joyce Twin Oaks Sports & Fitness Colchester VTDredge, Ronald Elida OHDutton, Rick Custom Stringing Specialist Sarasota FLEckhardt, Peter PFE Tennis Services Tallahassee FLEgleston, Mark Marks Stringing Marshalltown IAEvans, William Strings by William Centennial COFilstrup, Ronald St Paul Rcqt Str & Tennis St Paul MNFisher, Paul Pauls Stringing El Dorado ARFlick, Johan Flick’s Stringing Sugar Land TXFlohre, Ralph Ralphs Stringing Service Virginia Beach VA

Foley, John No Shore Tennis & Squash Club Salem MAFowler, David Davids Stringing Milford CTFrancis, Ed East Side Tennis Pueblo COFrey, Bob Bob Frey Pro Shop Scarsdale NYGlidewell, Jerry Jerrys strings Topeka KSGoldin, Mark The Pennbriar Erie PAGolomeic, Alex Hartnell College Salinas CAGorman, Jim Jims Tennis Service Santa Clara CAGormley, Fred FCG Consulting Ottawa ONGothard, Sylvia Saggys Strings & Collectibles Homewood ILGould, Gene Gould Tennis Services Burnt Hills NYGrand, Jeffrey Racquets & Strings Cranford NJGray, William W R G Strings Boise IDGriffey, Greg Carmel Racquet Club Carmel INGruidl, Al Als Racquet Place Plano ILGyurkey, Ed Eds Ski & Tennis Ketchum IDHaase, Lauren & Bruce Carmel Valley CAHajducky, Joe JH Racquet Service Trumbull CTHatgas, Sarah Rhodes College Germantown TNHatic, Debby Debbys Stringing Coral Springs FLHays, Christi Key Lob Sonoma CAHeatwole, Gary Garys Racquet Service Ormond Beach FLHeffernan, Peter Down Under Sports Baltimore MDHelfenstein, Gary Fromuth Tennis West Lawn PAHibben, Steve Glenview Tennis Club Jupiter FLHildahl, Elaine Dimond Adventures Anchorage AKHofer, Doug Hofer Tennis Visalia CAHolden, John Johns Stringing North Attleboro MAHolt, Jeremy Apollo Leisure Verwood, DorsetHolthus, Vicki Holly Tennis Center Centennial COHouston, Randy Palm Desert CAHoward, Skip Lakourt Tennis Fort Myers Beach FLHughes, Dale High Strung Nazareth PAHunter, John THE RACQUET DOCTOR Suitland MDIngersole, Dina Katz Superlative Strings New York NYIngram, Laura Lauras Racquet Stringing Jefferson Hills PAJackson, Jim The String Shoppe Citrus Heights CAJerome, Lawrence LBJ Stringing Service Naples FLJohnson, Richard St Louis Country Club St. Louis MOKalinec, Kevin Houghton MIKelly, Frank Westwood Country Club Pro Shop Austin TXKillen, Terence Terry Killen, Inc. Darnestown MDKoehler, Garry Garrys Racquet Shop Marshfield WIKoeppel, David Stuart FL


25 - 29 Year Members

The U.S. Racquet Stringers Association has always had astrong and loyal following. With the start of a new decade,we thought this would be a good time to recognize the

USRSA members who have been longtime supporters.We started out planning to list those who have been mem-

bers for more than 10 years. But, the list is so long, we justcouldn't make room in the magazine. So we've decided to usethe website (www.racquetsportsindustry.com) to list everyonewith at least 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of loyal service. Butbelow is a list of the longest-standing memberships, each withat least 25 or 30 years of membership.

"We truly appreciate the long-term commitments that somany of our members have made,” says David Bone, execu-tive director of the USRSA. "But we like to believe that ourmembers renew their memberships not just out of a sense ofloyalty. Rather, we hope they choose to renew each yearbecause they value the service, tools and information we pro-vide on a daily basis."

Members of the USRSA receive a long list of member ben-efits. Just a few of the highlights include:

� The Stringer's Digest: A complete industry resource guide including

stringing instructions for every tennis, racquetball, squash and bad-

minton racquet on the market today, and many more.

� Technical Assistance: The USRSA has Master Racquet Technicians

on staff to help members with any questions regarding equipment

or racquet service.

� RacquetTECH.com: The USRSA's member-only website is the

industry's most up-to-date and interactive source on racquet sports

technology with powerful tools that help simplify the most complex

information and procedures in the racquet-service business.

� Racquet Sports Industry magazine: The official publication of the

USRSA and only publication to focus on the racquet sports business.

� Membership certificate and decal: These symbols of membership

let customers and colleagues know they are part of a prestigious

organization of professionals.

� Free samples and discounts: Each year, manufacturers offer USRSA

members free samples and discounts on their products.Just like the list of members, there are far too many mem-

ber benefits to list here. For a more complete list of benefitswith better descriptions, visit www.racquettech.com.

A LOYAL FOLLOWING

Kogon, Larry Tenniservices Fairfield OHKozelsky, Dennis Westchester Tennis Club Westchester ILKramer, Randy The Racket Doctor, Inc. Los Angeles CAKretchmer, Chris Chris Stringing Carmel CAKwasek, Don Tazz Racquet Stringing Phoenix AZKwilosz, Ralph Ralph’s Stringing Frankfort ILLambert, Ray Rays Stringing Rochester NHLarson, Alvan Al’s Stringing Arlington MALawlah, John Lawlahs Stringing Temple Hills MDLawler, Rex Lawler Sports Terre Haute INLawrence, Wayne Heber City UTLearned III, Ned Racquet Lab Tunkhannock PALee, Albert RACQUET-TECH Potomac MDLepere, Patrick TennisPlanet 5684 Pl BestLitz, Darren Portsmouth Tennis Academy Portsmouth OHLospennato, Robert Bobs Strings Revere MALum, Bruce Las Vegas NVLussier, Jeffrey Rochester NYLynne, Michael Michael Lynnes Tennis Shop St. Louis Park MNManter, Rob Maine Pines Racquet & Fitness Brunswick MEMarken, Gary Strings N Things Woodland CAMartinez, Simmon Spring City Sporting Goods Co LLP Waukesha WIMaruoka, Robert Your Advantage Tennis Shop Chicago ILMatsuoka, John Paradise Traders, Ltd. Honolulu HIMcAmis, Daniel Strings by Daniel Kissimmee FLMcCann, Bruce Daytona Golf Club Dayton MNMcCombs, Terris Terris Stringing Delta COMcGuire, Minuard Dunwoody GAMcWilliams, Fred Arlington TXMeehan Jr, James Hi Sierra Racket Coarsegold CAMilitzer, Peter Peters Stringing PortageScotts MIMiller, Steven Stringing by Steve Longboat Key FLMitchell, Gregory Mitchell Services Philadelphia PAMorin, David Fore Court Racquet Club Cumberland RIMurakami, Tami Tami’s Racquet Shop Kealakekua HINebergall, Kevin Kevins Tennis Cedar Rapids IANett, Donald Nett Strings Co Woburn MANicoloff, Cathy Wailea Tennis Club Kihei Maui HIO Reilly, Dennis WEED USA LLC Galena OHOkun, David Strings Attached Evesham NJOlsen, Evan Precision Stringing Little Rock ARPahiakos, Leonidas Lion Tennis Mart N Smirni, AthensPalmer, Diana The Court Connection Forestville MDParkes, Thomas Wilmington NCPayne, Garry GP Racquet Stringing North Bay ONPekich, Steve Syracuse NYPepiot, Jack Racquet Infirmary Virginia Beach VA

Pinson, Joseph Joes Racquet Pensacola FLPiretti, Richard Sweat Stop Lenox MAPrentiss, Robert Racquet Works Pro Shop Ltd Medford NYProett, Roland Rocky Mountain Sports Lakewood COProfessional Racquet Sports Glenbrook Racquet Club Northbrook ILProulx, Steve Carmel Valley Tennis Camp Carmel Valley CAQuinlan, John Q Strings Barre VTRamirez, Sam Sam The Stringer San Francisco CARandolph, Sam Racquet Sports Hollister MORicci, Marianne Professional Tennis Services Stoughton MARidgley, James Ridgleys Tennis Shop Washington DCRogers, Jr, Chet Chesters Stringing Service Danvers MARohrbacher, Tom International Tennis & Rec Ventura CARose, Ray Bowling Green KYRowley, Stacy Rowleys Pro Shop Allentown PASantos, Art Sports Core Kohler WISchultz, Ronald Racquet Corner Lincoln NESchwartz, David The Tennis & Golf Company Royal Oak MISelkirk, Ron St Joseph Tennis/Swim Club St Joseph MOShoemaker, Skip Stringing Is My Racquet Villanova PASica, Joseph The Tennis Spot Trumbull CTSommers, Bill & Kathy Stringers Corner Apple Valley MNStevens, Harold Strings by Stevens Rockledge FLSteverson, Matt Altamonte Springs FLStewart, Buster Total Tennis Rainbow City ALStewart, Randy Bryan TXSumrow, Ken High Point Tennis Center Plano TXSwaynie, Steve Walden Racquet Club Montgomery TXSwetka, John Swetkas Tennis Shop Mountain View CATakishita, Glen T n T Tennis Pearl City HITanguay, George SILTON TENNIS Framingham MAThomas, Linda JCC of Houston Bellaire TXTompkins, Ph.D., George Racquet Doctor Professional Stringing Grand Junction COTuttle, Bob Bob Tuttle Tennis Baldwin NYVaughn, Tony Official Stringer Silver Spring MDViant, Gerri Nyack Field Club Nyack NYWatson, Carlyle CB Watson Tennis Co Richmond KYWeant, Ginny Cary NCWeymuller, Carol FW & CHW Racquet Service Honeoye Falls NYWheeler, Ken Kens Racquet Stringing Hammond INWilder, Jessie Strings by Jessie Thomaston GAWilson, David Second Serve Boaz ALWolfe, Lew Tri Tennis Tamarac FLWong, Fred Wong Racquets Bethesda MDWunsch, Kenneth KenKraft New Hyde Park NYYearick, Rod Yearicks Tennis & Trophy Addison NY

Name Shop City State Name Shop City State

Name Shop City State Name Shop City State

30+ Year Members

Angeles, Ruffino Precision Racquet Stringers Fresh Meadows NYArmentrout, Dean Court & Slope Inc Elgin ILAtteberry, Les Les’ Tennis Service Morgan Hill CABarbadora, Al Als Pro Shop Dayton OHBarnett, Bruce Westwood Sports/Racquet Depot San Diego CABixby, Ned Neds Racquet Stringing Las Cruces NMBoudman, John The Racquet Stringer Hummelstown PABrown, Ulysses Tennis By Brown Los Angeles CABurdick, Fred The Starting Blocks, Inc Dalton GACabello, Noe Sweetspot Racquet Shop Mishawaka INCartland, Jack Racqueteer Sports London ONChristensen, Hal Hals Racquet Service Fairfax VAClay, Steve Grand Slam Stringing Service Hollister CACole, Jabari Glenlake Tennis Center Decatur GAComulada, Chris Stringing by Chris Fort Bragg NCCowdright, George Cowdrights Stringing Harrisburg PACrane, Jim Tennis Nest Viera FLCranford, Bradley Bradleys Stringing Service Greer SCDellinger, Dennis Sierra Vista W Tennis Shop Albuquerque NMDumansky, Jeff Nutley NJFairchild, Randy Grand Rapids MIFischer, Jon Jon Fischer Tennis Shop Ypsilanti MIFisher, Paul StringMasters Burke VAFord, Ruth Ruthies Racket Baytown TXGefen, Israel Gefen Sports Kensal Rise, LondonGosek, Stanley Stanleys Stringing Oswego NYGrear, Gary String n Swing Tennis LLC Memphis TNGuevara, Jorge L.A.A.C.O. Los Angeles CAHagen, Mike Indpls Racquet Club Indianapolis IN

Hankins, Jerry Springdale ARHegendeffer, James J & H Solutions Clinton MOHehl, Joseph Grand Blanc MIHolbrook, Bruce Holbrook Stringer Glen Allen VAHowe Jr, Donald Howes Stringing Chester NYHudgins, Janice Jans Racquet Stringing Brandon FLIftner, Larry Iftners Tennis Shop Highland ILLambert, Randy Lamberts Stringing St Amant LALyst, Gary Silver Springs MDMast, Morey Mast Strings Bangs TXMaxwell, Dorothy Business Is A Racket Bell CAMiller, Leon Millers Stringing Perkasie PANead, Donald Donalds Stringing Crystal Lake ILNovak, Thomas Toms Tennis Monterey CAOstlind, Dan Ostlind’s Sporting Goods Whitehouse Station NJPapagni, Jack JPs Stringing Rochester NYParker, Larry Home Court Advantage Cupertino CAPizzat, Michael Stringing with Pizzazz Savannah GAPrice, Cliff & Sherry Totally Tennis Inc Tulsa OKSchnell, BJ Coconut Grove FLShipley, Richard Richards Stringing Grand Terrace CASims, Jim Sims Stringing Riverside CASmith III, Archie AJS Tennis Services Florence SCStrickland, Jim Westlake Sporting Goods Austin TXTidrick, John TennisSet.com Lenexa KSVan Lieshout, William Sandys Court Oshkosh WIWeintraub, Myron Racquet World New City NYZamberlan, Dennis The Stringing Machine Richfield OH



EQU IPMENT

What are the top 20 men and women pros using on court? We contacted mplayer sites) to give you the racquets, shoes and clothes the top players a

MENPLAYER RACQUET SHOES CLOTHING

1 Federer, Roger (SUI) Wilson Six.One Tour BLX Nike Lunarlite Vapor Nike All Court Polo

2 Djokovic, Novak (SRB) Head YouTek Speed Pro Adidas ClimaCool Genius 2 Sergio Tacchini

3 Nadal, Rafael (ESP) Babolat Aeropro Drive Nike Air Court Ballistec 2.3 Nike

4 Murray, Andy (GBR) Head YouTek Radical MP Adidas Barricade V Adidas

5 Del Potro, Juan Martin (ARG) Wilson Pro Tour BLX Nike Breathe Cage II Nike

6 Davydenko, Nikolay (RUS) Prince Ozone Tour Asics Gel Challenger 7 Airness

7 Roddick, Andy (USA) Babolat Pure Drive Roddick+ Babolat Propulse II Titanium Lacoste

8 Soderling, Robin (SWE) Head YouTek Radical MP Lotto Syn-Raptor X-treme Adidas

9 Tsonga, Jo-Wilfried (FRA) Babolat AeroPro Drive Cortex Adidas ClimaCool Genius Adidas

10 Cilic, Marin (CRO) Head YouTek Radical MP Fila Alfa Fila

11 Verdasco, Fernando (ESP) Tecnifibre TFlight 320 VO2 Max Adidas Barricade V Adidas Edge Group

12 Gonzalez, Fernando (CHI) Babolat Pure Storm+ Adidas Barricade V Adidas

13 Monfils, Gael (FRA) Prince EXO3 Rebel 95 Nike Air Court Ballistec 1.3 Nike

14 Stepanek, Radek (CZE) Bosworth Tennis Nike Air Vapor Vi Tour Alea

15 Youzhny, Mikhail (RUS) Head YouTek Extreme Pro Adidas Barricade IV Adidas Edge Group

16 Simon, Gilles (FRA) Head YouTek Prestige MP Adidas Barricade V Adidas

17 Robredo, Tommy (ESP) Dunlop 4D Aerogel 300 Nike Sergio Tacchini

18 Haas, Tommy (GER) Head YouTek Prestige MP K-Swiss Defier miSoul Tech K-Swiss

19 Ferrer, David (ESP) Prince Ozone Tour Lotto Syn-Raptor X-treme Lotto

20 Hewitt, Lleyton (AUS) Yonex RDiS 100 mid Yonex SHT-306 Yonex

WHAT THE TOP PRWHAT THE TOP PR


manufacturers and scoured various websites (including manufacturer andare using. (Rankings are as of Feb. 15.)

OS ARE USINGROS ARE USINGWOMENPLAYER RACQUET SHOES CLOTHING

1 Williams, Serena (USA) Wilson [K] Blade Team Nike Air Max Smash Nike

2 Safina, Dinara (RUS) Babolat Aero Storm Adidas Barricade V Adidas Competition

3 Wozniacki, Caroline (DEN) Babolat Aeropro Drive Adidas Barricade V Adidas

4 Kuznetsova, Svetlana (RUS) Head YouTek Extreme MP Fila Torneo II Fila

5 Williams, Venus (USA) Wilson [K] Blade Team EleVen EleVen

6 Azarenka, Victoria (BLR) Head YouTek Extreme Pro Nike LunarLite Speed Nike

7 Dementieva, Elena (RUS) Yonex RDiS 100 Mid Yonex SHT 304S Yonex

8 Jankovic, Jelena (SRB) Prince O3 Speedport White Anta Anta

9 Radwanska, Agnieszka (POL) Babolat Pure Drive Lite Nike Air Max Breathe Free II Prokom

10 Li, Na (CHN) Babolat Pure Drive Nike Air Zoom Mystify II Nike

11 Pennetta, Flavia (ITA) Wilson [K] Blade 98 Sergio Tacchini Sergio Tacchini

12 Stosur, Samantha (AUS) Babolat Pure Storm Nike Lacoste

13 Bartoli, Marion (FRA) Prince O3 Red Nike Air Zoom Mystify III Nike

14 Zvonareva, Vera (RUS) Prince EXO3 Black 100 K-Swiss Defier RS K-Swiss

15 Wickmayer, Yanina (BEL) Babolat Pure Drive Roddick Nike Lunarlite Speed Erke

16 Sharapova, Maria (RUS) Prince EXO3 Black 100 Nike Air Zoom Mystify III Nike

17 Clijsters, Kim (BEL) Babolat Pure Drive Fila Torneo Fila

18 Schiavone, Francesca (ITA) Babolat Aeropro Drive Lotto Lotto

19 Petrova, Nadia (RUS) Babolat Aero Storm Babolat Propulse Lady 2 Parma Ellesse

20 Zheng, Jie (CHN) Yonex RDiS 300 MP Anta Anta


S P E C I A L R E P O R T : S T A T E O F T H E I N D U S T R Y

BRANDMANAGEMENTFor industry manufacturers, the economic storm may be clearing,but they’re not putting away the foul-weather gear yet.BY P E T ER FRANCESCON IAdd i t i o n a l r e p o r t i n g b y Ma r y H e l e n S p r e c h e r

Among tennis manufacturers, there appears to be measured opti-mism that this industry is slowly emerging from the storm. Signsare pointing to business this year that will be at least slightly bet-

ter than 2009.The reasons for this feeling that we’ve weathered the worst of it

stems from a number of things, among them, that the inventory sit-uation that dogged tennisretail for the last yearappears to be clearing up.Racquet sales at pro andspecialty shops, while downoverall for the year, turnedslightly upward in the fourthquarter (as did balls andstrings). In fact, at

pro/specialty, racquet sales in the fourth quarter of 2009 were up 3percent in both units and dollars over 2008 Q4.

Also contributing to the sense that the worst may be behind us isthat overall player participation hit a 20-year high in 2009, with morethan 30 million people playing tennis. This was tempered somewhatby a slight drop in the all-important frequent player category and inplay occasions. But at least there’s a bigger base now from which tocreate more frequent players, and industry initiatives are aiming todo just that.

Manufacturers recognize the challenges the tennis industry, likeall industries in this economy, continue to face. According to someresearch, most sports equipment markets are down 5 to 10 percentin shipments, and some segments, such as fitness equipment, aredown as much as 20 percent. But while industry-watchers say tennisis better positioned than most other participation sports to weatherthis current economic storm, manufacturers still have concerns.

The economy has forced many tennis manufacturers to adjusttheir business plans and strategies, tightening their belts internally.Some, particularly some of the smaller apparel makers, have goneout of business. Many companies have reduced or shifted staff inefforts to save costs. All are wary of the tight credit situation and what

it means for their companies and their retail accounts. And the skit-tish economy has put pressures on the brands’ relationships withretailers.

Among the issues manufacturers need to contend with are:� Dealing with product inventory and closeouts.� Concerns over product life cycles and number of racquet SKUs.� Maintaining and enforcing Minimum Advertised Pricing policies.� Concerns about distribution channels and product availableto each.

� An erosion of the dealer base.� A shift in the way consumers communicate and get information.� The importance of innovations in products.

Nowadays, many manufacturers are willing to talk moreopenly about challenges they have with pricing policies, close-outs, excess inventory and more. But the biggest issue—the onethat may connect some of the dots to a lot of other issues—issomething that some manufacturers mentioned provided theyremain anonymous:

“We’ve allowed certain retailers to be too big and to dictate toomuch of what goes on,” says one manufacturer. “Without a doubt,that’s the biggest thing we face, and it’s causing a lot of the prob-lems we have.”

WHO CALLS THE SHOTS?“It’s the pink elephant in the room,” is the way another manufac-turer put it. “I think there are a few key retailers out there who arepowerful and influential and who dictate a lot of the tennis econo-my. Everyone is chasing sales and trying to get as much top-linesales as they can. But I think it has hurt the overall marketplace.”

Pro and specialty shop owners aren’t so guarded. “Online retail-ers, large retailers—they really start to just dictate policy, and that’snot what I think should be happening,” says Chris Gaudreau, ownerof the Racquet Koop in New Haven, Conn. “As far as I’m con-cerned, they get first dibs. They can buy as much as they want, andthey’ll get it.”

It’s a situation, some manufacturers told us, that the industry

BRANDMANAGEMENT

This is the first in a series of articles aboutthe tennis industry’s changing landscape.Future topics will deal with retailers, teachingpros, participation, court construction, protennis and more. We’d like to hear yourcomments and concerns, too. Email them [email protected]. Please put “state ofthe industry” in the subject line.

itself created. “What it’s done is devalued the size of our industry,average selling prices have come down, and something has togive—and unfortunately that means manufacturers’ and retailers’

margins suffer,” says one manufacturer. “Wehave ourselves to blame.”

“Think about it,” says another. “Peoplecan walk into a major sporting goods chain—and everyone’s to blame here—and buy areally great tennis racquet for half or a third ofwhat the original retail price point was. Whenyou have to compete with that, it makes itextremely difficult to sell premium technolo-gy, particularly in pro and specialty stores.”

“As far as the bigger [retailers], do theyhave influence? Of course they do,” says DaveHaggerty, chairman of Head USA and a pastpresident of the Tennis Industry Association.“But I wouldn’t say they have more influencethan others. I know that not every companycaters to them, but it’s hard for other retailersto understand or believe that.”

“Are there challenges in some distributionchannels? Absolutely,” adds Cory Springer,global business director for performance rac-quets at Wilson Racquet Sports. “We sell ourproducts to a variety of channels, and somuch of that is tied to changing consumerbehavior. The internet has had an impact onthe way consumers shop. It’s important for allof us to be in tune with that and understandhow to communicate and best market ourgoods to the consumer.”

But, if it’s true that larger retailers are cre-ating a situation that decreases the controlmanufacturers have, is there a way it can bechanged? No one’s sure, at this point. Do yousacrifice short-term sales, with no guaranteethat other manufacturers will be willing to dothe same thing? It’s a risky proposition.

Even Gaudreau thinks it’s unlikely tochange. “Quite frankly, they’re so set in theway they’ve been doing business that theyprobably can’t change,” he says, then adds:“But the bigger manufacturers can take smallsteps, implementing different policies to makesure that smaller retailers are still here 20years from now to sell their products.”

“ SECONDARY WHOLESALERS”Related to this is the issue of “secondarywholesalers”—companies that buy largequantities and resell to “authorized” dealers.Many retailers utilize such companies whenthey need a specific item they may have soldout of, so these secondary wholesalers often

provide a valuable, timely service in helping retailers keep cus-tomers happy.

“We understand the challenges of the small retail pro shop in

this industry and this economy,” says Pat Shields, president andowner of Fromuth Tennis. “Their size prevents them from carry-ing too much inventory, so we assume the risk and carry it forthem. And we emphasize customer service and same-day ship-ping, so the retailers that use us can give their customers excep-tional service.”

But who is an “authorized” dealer, able to buy from these sec-ondary wholesalers? In an economy where every sale can be vitallyimportant for a small business, some brick-and-mortar tennis retail-ers question whether those able to buy at the lower prices fromthese secondary wholesalers are legitimate dealers. “Teaching pros,coaches, ‘pseudo’ retailers,” as one retailer puts it, can buy atreduced prices and then resell. And for a small pro/specialty shop,losing even half a dozen sales every few months could have a majorimpact.

“Anybody who gets a wholesale account from us is approved bythe manufacturers—they have to submit their account numbers andthen we get clearance from Head, Wilson, Prince, Nike, etc.,” saysShields. “We don’t want unauthorized accounts and we won’t riskour relationships with suppliers for one or two accounts gettingproduct the wrong way.”

Policing this can be a tall order for manufacturers. “I think eachcompany has its own way to try to handle it,” says Haggerty. “Butit’s hard, you can’t be checking every account. I know that Head andother companies, when we find out, we try to enforce our dealeragreements.”

“ DESTOCKING” INVENTORYOne of the biggest problems of recent months, excess inventory,now seems to be clearing up. Racquet sales at pro/specialty storesfor all of 2009 were down vs. 2008, although the good news is thatfor the 2009 fourth quarter, numbers turned slightly positive, givingmanufacturers reason for optimism going into 2010.

Since racquets were moving slowly, retailers bought less, leavingmanufacturers with much more inventory than they had plannedfor. “Retailers are afraid they’ll be stuck with inventory,” says JohnEmbree, president of Prince Americas, “so they’re expecting themanufacturers to hold that inventory for them. But we’re not goingto do that. We have to manage our working capital just like they do.”

“The reality is a lot of consumers haven’t been consuming theproducts,” says Jon Muir, worldwide general manager of Wilson Rac-quet Sports and president of the TIA. “They were delaying their pur-chases, or buying at a lower price point. Apparel got hit hard. Stringwas less impacted because participation has been up. Tennis ballsoverall were almost flat. The strength to that dynamic is that it cre-ates a bit of a ‘demand boomerang’ that I hope will affect this indus-try this year and next.”

“We do know that people have been putting off purchases of alltypes of sports equipment, not just tennis,” says Keith Storey, vicepresident of Sports Marketing Surveys, which does extensiveresearch in the tennis industry and for other sports, too. “Sportsequipment should start to bounce back a little bit based on the num-ber of people who have put off buying.”

Muir cites a “destocking/restocking” effect: Retailers ran theirbusinesses using less inventory. “From a manufacturer’s standpoint,this destocking effect had an impact,” he says. “When a lot of retail-ers at all levels brought inventories down, manufacturers thenpushed to bring their inventory down.



Quarterly TrendsBalls (units)2008 to 2009Q1 -9.3%Q2 +0.9%Q3 -8.4%Q4 +9.9%Full Year = -2.3%

Balls (dollars)2008 to 2009Q1 -6.2%Q2 +3.0%Q3 -7.3%Q4 +10.0%Full Year = -1.1%

Strings (units)2008 to 2009Q1 +2.8%Q2 -12.5%Q3 -11.3%Q4 +11.0%Full Year = -4.5%

Strings (dollars)2008 to 2009Q1 +9.3%Q2 -9.5%Q3 -3.2%Q4 +6.2%Full Year = -0.3%

Racquets(units, at specialtystores)2008 to 2009Q1 -20%Q2 -9%Q3 -10%Q4 +3.0%

Racquets(dollars, at specialtystores)2008 to 2009Q1 -20%Q2 -9%Q3 -10%Q4 +3%


“My sense now is that it bottomed out in late third quarter, andnow retailers are feeling, maybe not confident, but a little morecomfortable carrying more inventory. We are seeing signs of it.”

Muir says that going into 2010, Wilson is in a “clean inventoryposition,” adding, “I expect there will be less closeouts and lessdiscounted inventory in 2010 vs. 2009 overall, for all retailers.”

Jim Baugh, a former president of Wilson and past president ofthe TIA, says that the recent problems the industry experiencedwere because, “We were overselling our player base. The playerbase from 2003 to 2008 went up 12 percent, but units went up 44percent. That’s not sustainable or realistic. We’re just overdue forthis correction. We’re going through an industry correction that wasunavoidable.”

“As a result of what happened in 2009,” says Embree, “all man-ufacturers learned some lessons. At Prince, we changed the man-agement process on ourend to align with theeconomy and what’s hap-pened in the market-place. We’ve looked athow we manage ourinventory, purchase prod-uct, the life cycle of rac-quets. As a brand, wemade a conscious effortto reduce the number ofSKUs this year.”

“This economy meansthat we need to be carefullike everybody else,” saysSusan DiBiase, Babolat’sU.S. marketing director.“Credit has tightened upfor everybody, includingretailers. We need to be careful with our credit limits and be fiscallyresponsible.”

DISCOUNT PRICINGExcess inventory often is at the heart of closeouts and the “was-is”phenomenon of discount pricing, as too much product is chasingtoo few dollars. “This industry can be its own worst enemy,” saysDoug Fonte, a longtime industry veteran who is the retired presidentof Prince NA and a founder of the TIA.

“‘Was-is’ happens quickly, and that plays right into degrading thewhole price structure of the industry,” Fonte adds. “If a retailer hassizable buying power, there’s no question that they’re looking forbargains. But when Minimum Advertised Pricing goes by the way-side, it’s open war for those larger retailers to buy up what’s not cov-ered by MAP. This hasn’t been a major profitability issue for a lot ofmanufacturers up until now, when the market has condensed.”

“If we make a large closeout buy, we take the risk in making thatinvestment,” says Don Hightower, president of online retailer Ten-nis Warehouse. “There are times when we’re sitting on product fora long time.”

“Unfortunately manufacturers have created this self-fulfillingprophecy that we’re going to launch the new stuff and expect youretailers to promote and sell this stuff, then in one-and-a-half to twoyears we’re going to dump it into the next series of distribution

channels at lower prices,” says retailer Steve Vorhaus of RockyMountain Racquet Specialists in Boulder, Colo. “In a perfect world,it would be really nice if we could depend on longer product shelflife and stable pricing policies.”

“For the most part, retailers are right” regarding closeouts, saysKevin Kempin, CEO and president of Head USA. “It’s not enough tojust throw a bunch of racquets out on the market and see whatsticks, and if it doesn’t stick, move away from it.”

But there’s always the other side to it, he adds. “I think there’salso an impatience at the retail level. If it’s not hot right away, we’llsometimes see manufacturers and retailers cut bait too early on aproduct.”

Product life cycles can often put manufacturers in a no-win situ-ation with retailers. For some retailers closing out a product can bea smooth transition in which they’re left with minimal demand for

the old product and min-imal excess inventory tosell at a discount. But forother retailers, the timingcould just be wrong—they have racquets onthe wall that didn’t selland now they’re forcedto take reduced marginsand carry old product.Plus, they have to com-pete with larger retailerswho now may be able tosell the same product at asteeper discount.

“Retailers tell us notto turn over product asoften,” says Kai Nitsche,general manager of Dun-

lop Racquet Sports. “But the problem you run into is that it’s thenew stuff that sells, that’s what dealers and consumers are askingfor. So there has to be a balance in trying to support the retailer andmaking sure you’re competitive and launching new product at theright time. You do find a lot of consumers looking for new productevery few years.”

Closeouts, though, can also end up being a good deal for retail-ers. “You never want to have closeouts,” Muir says, “but it is a goodopportunity for retailers to get a great value.”

One of the frustrations that some manufacturers mentioned isseemingly retailer apathy when it comes to manufacturer promo-tions that are designed to help both brands and retailers.

“Sometimes, retailers just don’t pay attention when we do a pro-motion, and I think that hurts them,” says Babolat’s DiBiase.“They’re so busy trying to keep their businesses up and running, butthey don’t have time to look at a program and initiatives that helpthem. We’re trying to be a better partner, but we want them to workwith us.”

STICKING TO MAPMinimum Advertised Pricing, or MAP, something that wasn’t at allprevalent in the tennis industry 15 to 20 years ago, is now a key forretailer survival. Manufacturers and retailers alike recognize thatwhen products on a MAP policy are sold for less, or when products


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are taken off MAP, retailers can be affected by lower margins andlost sales.

In general, most manufacturers say that before taking a productoff MAP or changing the MAP structure, they’ll try to give retailers atleast 60 days notice so they have time to sell what they have at cur-rent margins.

“Having a MAP policy I think has been a key that has allowed forimproved profitability on those products,” says Muir. “It ensures alevel of profitability for dealers of all sizes and in all trade channels.”Wilson, he adds, is extending its MAP policy to include not just rac-quets, but also bags, strings and balls.

Products off MAP, though, in mostcases seem to be up for grabs, andthat’s where smaller retailers seem tosuffer more. Manufacturers alwaysmaintain that certain products willnever be “was-is,” says Vorhaus, “butthat never happens. All the majormanufacturers are doing this—withthe exception of Babolat.”

Babolat, maybe because it’s a fam-ily-owned business that built up itsracquet business slowly in the U.S.,comes in for praise from retailers forhow it’s able to maintain its pricingand distribution standards, refusing tobow to larger retailers and therebyputting pro and specialty tennis shopsat ease. Off the record, some U.S.manufacturers credit the French com-pany as having hit on a formula thatallows them to avoid some of the dis-tribution and retailing challengesother brands face.

“Babolat protects its dealers,” saysretailer Gaudreau. “They make sureeveryone is on a level playing fieldand they are willing to shut down anybody who is not playing bytheir rules.”

ARE THERE TOO MANY RACQUETS?Ask manufacturers if there are too many racquet models in the mar-ketplace, and most will say yes. “We have 12 premium racquets thattry to address different player types and we feel that is a good,healthy number for a racquet range,” says Dunlop’s Nitsche. “Thereare others who have a much wider range, so when you add up allthe offerings to retailers and consumers, it can be a bit overwhelm-ing.”

Tecnifibre, which is fairly new to the racquet game in this coun-try, has six SKUs in the U.S. “We don’t go in wanting to sell all six,”says Tecnifibre’s Paul Kid. “We want to focus on one or two modelsin a store, so we can get the retailer to support that model and pushit. Retailers can’t take a large amount of inventory these days. Andwe don’t offer discounts, so we’re able to control our mass pricing.”

Most manufacturers say they’re looking at about a two-year lifecycle for products. Tecnifibre, however, is shooting for longer. “Ourgoal is to design a racquet that will be around for seven to 10 years,”Kid says. “The product may evolve during that lifespan, with maybe

a new cosmetic or new material, but we want it in our line for twoto three years without making any kind of change. We really wantplayers to enjoy that racquet and get behind it.”

Wilson, like other major manufacturers, has reduced its numberof racquet models in 2010, says Muir. “For Wilson, being the largestmarket share in racquets, we have the most consumer segments.It’s fueled our growth, but it has also contributed to this feeling thatthere is a high number of racquets out there.”

At Vorhaus’s store in Boulder, Colo., “We’ve watched our racquetwall creep around the corner so that we can try to have all the offer-ings from these different manufacturers,” he says. “There are way

too many racquet models.”But there also is a shift in what

retailers are looking to stock: fewerpower racquets and fewer framesin the $200-plus category. “Moreplayers are going to smaller heads,heavier racquets, less powerful, inthat quest for more control,” saysVorhaus.

Vorhaus says he believes theinternet has contributed to thelarge number of models available.“People start doing research on theinternet and with all this data, theyalmost want to custom-design aframe.” What happens, he says, isthey end up searching for frameswith specific characteristics, thenmore and more manufacturershave to make those specific rac-quets.

The internet, though, is a keyfor not only manufacturers, butretailers and consumers, too. Partof the new economy involves shift-ing trends in how consumers com-

municate and get their information about products and services.“With social networks, people tend to trust their peer groups

more than a manufacturer or association,” says Wilson’s Springer.“That’s a huge shift in the way consumers educate themselves. Itwasn’t that many years ago that they relied on the manufacturer,but today they seek out the opinions of others.

“In today’s marketplace, the best products and services will winbecause people will share that information,” he continues. “It’s awonderful opportunity for all segments of our industry to under-stand that quality matters.”

ERODING THE DEALER BASEOf concern to the industry is whether brick-and-mortar tennisshops—local “touchpoints” for tennis in a community—simply can’tmake it financially and are closing their doors. “There is a feelingthat retailers have been closing,” says Muir. “The TIA is still trying toquantify it so we can better understand the situation.”

“A lot of brick-and-mortar stores do seem to be struggling,” addsJolyn de Boer, executive director of the TIA. “Yes, it’s a tough envi-ronment to sell high-end tennis racquets because it’s a discretionarypurchase, and people are more careful with their discretionary dol-




lars. But I still think brick-and-mortar stores have a huge advantageover everybody else. They need to focus on their strengths: provid-ing a level of service no one else can.”

“We’ve seen some retailers closing,” says Babolat’s DiBiase.“Two years ago, we said this was probably going to happen. Peopleon the borderline financially, some will go under. In the long run theones that survive will be healthier, and hopefully, as we come out ifthis, everyone’s healthier.”

“Clearly, there’s going to be some consolidation out there, andthat’s not healthy for the industry,” adds Embree. “The erosion ofour dealer base is a huge concern for all of us. Retailers are the mostcritical link, and we have to support them and help them sell moremerchandise. But they have to help themselves, too.”

OPPORTUNITIES AND FREQUENT PLAYERSMany manufacturers realize that they can reap benefits when theyget behind programs and initiatives to increase play.

“I think a real opportunity is in QuickStart Tennis products,” saysSpringer. “Some of the QuickStart products, such as transition balls,can be used by adults. The key is getting themwidely distributed andin communicating that this is the way to start playing.”

Kurt Kamperman, the USTA’s chief executive of CommunityTennis, agrees. “Manufacturers can clearly help by making theQuickStart Tennis equipment—foam balls, nets, racquets—morereadily available. Our industry is desperate for home kits. We haveto get that out there for tennis.”

For at least one manufacturer, holding inventory in QST equip-ment has given them an advantage. “Gamma is one of three man-ufacturers the USTA has chosen for QuickStart,” says ChuckVietmeier, the company’s product manager. “Having inventory hashelped us with the program. We’ve been able to fill orders that oth-ers couldn’t.”

But for all manufacturers, there’s a huge potential if more kidsget into tennis. “As QuickStart starts to take hold, we have poten-tially hundreds of thousands of frequent players,” says Kamper-man. “And they’ll constantly need new equipment, larger racquets,shoes and clothing as they grow and improve.”

All segments of the industry agree that frequent players hold thekey to potentially unlimited growth in recreational tennis. Whenyou consider that the 5.3 million frequent players (those playing atleast 21 times a year) represent 18 percent of total players but 68percent of total spending, you can see how important it is to createmore of them. Frequent players take more lessons, buy moreequipment, restring their racquets, spend for court time and partic-ipate in leagues regularly.

“A player is not born a frequent player,” says Kempin. “At somepoint, they had to be an infrequent player. So the feeder system iscritical. If we’re trying to pump up frequent players, they have tocome from the infrequent player base.”

“Our retention of people after getting them into a tennis pro-gram is good, but we need to stay focused on it,” says Baugh. “Ten-nis should be very proud—there’s no sport in America that canclaim what it has: ways for kids to come into the sport, adult pro-grams—we have the tools to grow this.”

INNOVATION AND EDUCATIONA couple of tools that manufacturers can use to grow the sport, andtheir businesses, are innovation and new technology.

“One obvious thing manufacturers need to continually do isoffer innovative products,” says Muir. “At the end of the day, whatdrives business is consumers wanting to buy something and want-ing to spend more for something that is innovative. What everyretailer should be pushing every brand to do is to make innovativeproducts. As a manufacturer or a retailer, you need to offer productthat meets and exceeds consumer expectations.”

Next, says Muir, is for manufacturers to “continue to work onthe best possible service. It’s not just inventory levels, it alsoinvolves communicating what is available and what is not available.From a Wilson perspective, we try to be consultants to retailers,providing education, knowledge and service.”

Tecnifibre’s Kid says that for his company’s string account base,“We’ve grown our market share over the past four years by beingclose to our loyal customers. We try to provide them with moreeducation about our products, so they can pass on correct informa-tion to consumers. We set out to educate the stringer and align our-selves with these loyal customers.”

GOOD NEWS AHEAD?On the whole, tennis appears to be better positioned than a lot ofother sports to pull out of this economic morass. Just releasedresearch by the Physical Activity Council once again shows tennisfar ahead of all other traditional sports in terms of participationgrowth from 2000 to 2009. The gap between tennis and the No. 2sport in the survey has widened even more, while virtually everyother sport is showing a participation decline since 2000.

Possibly even more important is the collective effort by theindustry, led by the TIA and USTA, to improve things for all. “I’venever heard of any sport coming together, top to bottom, with suchunity, ever,” says Mike May, the longtime director of communica-tions for the SGMA. “The united aspect of tennis at all levels isunprecedented. It’s a model for other sports to follow.”

For its part, the TIA is plugged into the concerns of manufactur-ers, retailers and others in the industry. “We had a series of summitmeetings over the last year to pinpoint things we can do,” says theTIA’s de Boer. The TIA’s Frequent Player Growth Task Force has agoal of helping to create 7.5 million frequent players by 2015, and10 million by 2020.

The TIA also created an Economic Growth Task Force to betterdefine the economic impact of the industry and to identify ways toimpact growth. “One of the main things we do is use research toidentify and try to stay ahead of issues, such as issues dealing withmanufacturers’ inventory control,” de Boer says. “We’re also form-ing a retail panel to better work together with manufacturers andother groups.”

The TIA also created a Careers In Tennis initiative (CareersIn-Tennis.com) that it hopes will help bring new people, along withnew ideas and new enthusiasm, into the industry. “A lot of us havebeen around a long time,” says Tecnifibre’s Kid. “We’re not gettinga lot of new blood in, which is a concern because you want newideas so that we all can grow.”

But at the end of the day, it’s simply about people buying tennisproducts. “We have to work harder and support efforts to drive con-sumers to retail stores,” says Embree. “The business is differenttoday. It’s a different dynamic right now than even two years ago.”

“It’s about building more tennis consumers,” adds Wilson’sSpringer. “That’s where the health of our industry lies.” �

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

8. Racquet Quadrants and the Center of theRacquet Universe. The center of the racquet uni-verse is located at the intersection of the two redlines. Approximately half the racquets lie to theright and left, and half above and below theselines. The lines divide the racquet universe into fourcolor-coded quadrants – clockwise from top left:(1) quick power, (2) quick control, (3) stable con-trol, (4) stable power. These characterizations pro-vide a general vocabulary for comparing racquets.9. Racquet Finder List. The racquet list accompa-nying the map identifies all the new racquets andgives additional information. For a complete list ofall current frames on the map, go toRacquetSportsIndustry.com. The map provides spe-cific (very narrow ranges, anyway) swingweight,flex and power statistics, and general size andlength characteristics. The racquet list specifies thelength and size and further specifies weight, bal-ance, and price.

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

RACQUET SELECTION MAP KEY

RACQUETS

babolat

9 Aero Storm GT 98 27 318 11.22 33.5 13.19 68 324 2159 $185

10 Aero Storm Tour GT 98 27 337 11.89 32 12.6 70 322 2209 $185

11 AeroPro Drive + GT 100 27.5 322 11.36 33.6 13.23 71 345 2572 $185

12 AeroPro Drive GT 100 27 316 11.15 33.5 13.19 71 327 2322 $185

13 AeroPro Lite GT 100 27 280 9.88 35.5 13.98 72 308 2218 $175

14 AeroPro Team GT 100 27 291 10.26 34 13.39 71 303 2151 $185

15 Drive Z 105 105 27.5 279 9.84 35 13.78 72 301 2389 $169

19 E Sense Comp 100 27 290 10.23 35 13.78 64 320 2048 $129

20 E Sense Lite 100 27 280 9.88 35.5 13.98 64 311 1990 $129

New Racquets from April 2009 to March 2010Racquet Headsize Length Weight Weight Balance Balance Flex Swingweight Power Retail

(in2) (in.) (gm) (oz) (cm) (in.) (RDC) kg x cm2 Formula Price

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

Our exclusive Racquet Selection Map enables you tohelp your customers choose the perfect racquet forthem quickly and easily, with the features and per-

formance they want.The map on the following page presents the entire per-

formance racquet universe on one grid that instantly locateseach racquet compared to every other in terms of power, con-trol, and maneuverability. Simply locate the specs of your cus-tomer’s current racquet on the map, then move outward inlarge or small increments in the direction of the customer’s pri-mary preference—relatively more or less power, control ormaneuverability. Once you’ve zoomed into an approximate

location on the grid, you can narrow down the racquet’s feelattributes by choosing from length, size, and flex specs codedinto the racquet number.

Next, look up the racquet(s) by number in the accompany-ing table. Note, though, that the table on these pages lists everynew performance racquet that came out in the last 12 months.If the racquet you find on the grid is not in one of these charts,you’ll find it online at www.racquetsportsindustry.com, wherewe have the complete list of every racquet that is currently onthe market, both the newest and the older models.

Your customer will now have a handful of “choice-cus-tomized” demos. And you’ll have a satisfied customer.

RACQUETSELECTIONMAP


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RSI’s annual Racquet Selection Map was compiled by Jonathan Wolfe and designed by Kristine Thom.

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

babolat

21 Pure Drive + Cortex GT 100 27.5 318 11.22 32.15 12.66 72 319 2412 $185

22 Pure Drive 107 Cortex + GT 107 27 296 10.44 33.5 13.19 70 301 2254 $185

23 Pure Drive Cortex GT 100 27 316 11.15 32.2 12.68 72 307 2210 $185

24 Pure Drive Lite GT 100 27 297 10.48 33.5 13.19 71 293 2080 $185

25 Pure Drive Roddick + GT 100 27.5 330 11.64 32.1 12.64 73 326 2499 $189

26 Pure Drive Roddick GT 100 27 330 11.64 32.1 12.64 74 315 2331 $189

27 Pure Storm GT 98 27 315 11.11 33.8 13.31 66 316 2044 $179

28 Pure Storm LTD GT 95 27 335 11.82 31.5 12.4 62 296 1743 $179

30 Pure Storm Tour + GT 98 27.5 341 12.03 32 12.6 64 330 2173 $179

31 Pure Storm Tour GT 98 27 338 11.92 32.5 12.8 66 314 2031 $179

32 XS 109 (Xtra Sweetpsot) 109 27 270 9.52 37 14.57 65 324 2296 $119

boris becker

40 Delta Core Legend 98 27 330 11.64 32.9 12.95 64 316 1982 $189

41 Delta Core Power 110 27.6 284 10.02 36.3 14.29 69 336 2703 $219

42 Delta Core Pro 100 27 312 11.01 33.5 13.19 70 318 2226 $185

43 Delta Core Sportster 102 27 318 11.22 33 12.99 68 316 2192 $199

dunlop

46 Aerogel 4D 1 Hundred 90 27 329 11.61 31.9 12.56 64 296 1705 $199

48 Aerogel 4D 2 Hundred Tour 95 27 345 12.17 33.5 13.19 62 348 2050 $199

50 Aerogel 4D 3 Hundred Lite (300) 100 27 284 10.02 33.9 13.35 68 290 1972 $179

54 Aerogel 4D 5 Hundred Lite (500) 100 27 259 9.14 37.5 14.76 72 303 2182 $179

gamma

68 CP 1000 102 27.5 284 10.02 35.7 14.06 73 315 2463 $130

69 CP 1200 110 27.5 283 9.98 35.1 13.82 68 316 2482 $180

78 Tour 300 X 98 27 313 11.04 34.6 13.62 65 328 2089 $160

81 Tour 340 X 93 27 339 11.96 31.9 12.56 66 324 1989 $179

head

90 Prestige MP (YOUTEK ) 98 27 331 11.68 32.1 12.64 65 312 1987 $200

91 Youtek Extreme MP 100 27.2 310 10.93 33.85 13.33 70 333 2378 $180

92 Youtek Extreme Pro 100 27 330 11.64 32.5 12.8 72 334 2405 $180

93 Youtek Instinct 100 27 312 11.01 33 12.99 66 313 2066 $150

94 Youtek Mojo 100 27 294 10.37 33.9 13.35 63 296 1865 $150

95 Youtek Prestige Mid 93 27 344 12.13 32.5 12.8 66 322 1976 $200

96 Youtek Prestige Pro MP 98 27 332 11.71 32.85 12.93 67 314 2062 $200

97 Youtek Radical Lite OS 105 27 266 9.38 34.65 13.64 64 281 1888 $199

98 Youtek Radical MP 98 27 310 10.93 34 13.39 63 318 1963 $190

99 Youtek Radical OS 107 27 313 11.04 33 12.99 56 310 1858 $190

100 Youtek Radical Pro 100 27 330 11.64 33.5 13.19 61 338 2062 $190

101 Youtek Raptor MP 102 27 268 9.45 35.05 13.8 67 287 1961 $120

102 Youtek Raptor OS 110 27 261 9.21 36.4 14.33 65 306 2188 $120

103 Youtek Speed Elite 100 27 297 10.48 34.5 13.58 68 309 2101 $189

104 Youtek Speed Lite 102 27 274 9.67 35 13.78 69 285 2006 $189

105 Youtek Speed MP 70 Holes 100 27.2 331 11.68 32.1 12.64 63 310 1992 $199

106 Youtek Speed MP 76 Holes 100 27 329 11.61 32.9 12.95 67 311 2084 $199

107 Youtek Speed Pro 98 27 350 12.35 32 12.6 70 326 2236 $199

pacific

108 Finesse 102 27 254 8.96 37 14.57 68 295 2046 $160

109 Nexus 118 27.5 245 8.64 37.8 14.88 66 300 2453 $240

110 Raptor 102 27 303 10.69 33.8 13.31 69 302 2125 $180

111 Speed 107 27 290 10.23 35.5 13.98 69 314 2318 $150

112 X Force 98 27 310 10.93 33 12.99 65 307 1956 $180

113 X Force Lite 98 27 278 9.81 35.4 13.94 58 302 1717 $150

114 X Force PRO 98 27 335 11.82 32.2 12.68 65 314 2000 $180

powerangle

115 Centric 102 27 291 10.26 36 14.17 75 333 2547 $209

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

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

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

HEAD 800-289-7366 • www.head.com

PACIFIC 760-200-8400 • www.pacificlifeopen.com

New Racquets from April 2009 to March 2010 (Cont.)

BABOLAT (CONT.) 877-316-9435 • www.babolat.com

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


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

116 Grand 115 27 258 9.1 37.3 14.69 78 301 2700 $219

125 Pro 98 27 327 11.53 33.5 13.19 69 325 2198 $199

prince

126 EXO3 Black (hole inserts) 100 27 318 11.22 33 12.99 71 330 2343 $179

127 EXO3 Black (port inserts) 100 27 315 11.11 33 12.99 72 326 2347 $179

128 EXO3 Black Team (hole inserts) 100 27 298 10.51 35.5 13.98 68 336 2285 $179

129 EXO3 Black Team (port inserts) 100 27 296 10.44 35.6 14.02 68 332 2258 $179

130 EXO3 Blue 110 110 27.25 270 9.52 36.5 14.37 64 323 2331 $260

133 EXO3 Hybrid 100 100 27 300 10.58 33 12.99 60 313 1878 $99

134 EXO3 Hybrid 104 104 27 288 10.16 34.8 13.7 62 309 1992 $129

135 EXO3 Hybrid 110 110 27 263 9.28 36 14.17 64 302 2126 $149

136 EXO3 Ignite 95 95 27 342 12.06 31 12.2 71 334 2253 $189

137 EXO3 Ignite Team 95 95 27 314 11.08 34 13.39 69 325 2130 $169

142 EXO3 White MP 100 27 308 10.86 34 13.39 68 320 2176 $179

tecnifibre

153 T Flash 300 Speed Flex 100 27 319 11.25 33.2 13.07 71 323 2293 $199

154 T Flash 315 Speed Flex 100 27 326 11.5 32.1 12.64 70 319 2233 $199

topspin

155 F 100 Pure 100 27.5 280 9.88 35.4 13.94 68 302 2156 $119

156 X 95 Pure 95 27.5 298 10.51 36.3 14.29 68 334 2266 $119

volkl

167 Power Bridge 10 Mid 93 27 337 11.89 31.8 12.52 61 309 1753 $189

168 Power Bridge 2 115 27.6 283 9.98 35.5 13.98 72 319 2800 $219

169 Power Bridge 3 110 27.8 289 10.19 35.75 14.07 70 330 2744 $199

171 Power Bridge 5 102 27 290 10.23 33.5 13.19 68 291 2018 $199

174 Power Bridge 9 98 27 320 11.29 32 12.6 66 298 1927 $180

175 Power Bridge V1 MP 102 27 294 10.37 33.05 13.01 69 291 2048 $199

176 Power Bridge V1 OS 110 27.6 299 10.55 34 13.39 70 310 2530 $199

177 Quantum Scorcher 102 27 282 9.95 32.8 12.91 62 278 1758 $119

vortex

179 ES 100 100 27.5 300 10.58 33.6 13.23 68 308 2199 $199

180 ES 108 108 27 323 11.39 32 12.6 68 312 2291 $209

181 ES 116 115 27.75 267 9.42 37.5 14.76 68 310 2606 $219

182 ES 133 133 28.5 275 9.7 37.5 14.76 68 330 3432 $229

wilson

189 Cirrus One FX BLX 118 27.5 287 10.12 37.5 14.76 77 337 3215 $300

190 Coral Wave BLX 105 27.25 274 9.67 33 12.99 63 274 1858 $180

194 K Bold 100 27 279 9.84 34.2 13.46 52 283 1472 $130

195 K Fierce FX 105 27.25 279 9.84 34 13.39 55 288 1705 $160

197 K Pro Six 100 27 281 9.91 34.9 13.74 59 300 1770 $130

204 Khamsin Five FX BLX 108 27.25 288 10.16 33 12.99 26 329 947 $180

207 Pro Open BLX 100 27 314 11.08 32.1 12.64 72 299 2153 $210

208 Pro Team FX BLX 103 27.25 314 11.08 32.1 12.64 72 299 2273 $210

209 Pro Tour BLX 96 27 345 12.17 32.2 12.68 66 325 2059 $210

210 Six One 95 BLX (68 Holes) 95 27 340 11.99 31.35 12.34 69 314 2058 $199

211 Six One 95 BLX (76 Holes) 95 27 350 12.35 31.25 12.3 68 325 2100 $199

212 Six One Lite BLX 102 27.25 268 9.45 25.4 10 71 290 2153 $210

213 Six One Team BLX 95 27 300 10.58 33 12.99 61 293 1698 $230

214 Six One Tour BLX 90 27 347 12.24 31.95 12.58 66 316 1877 $199

215 Surge BLX 100 27 292 10.3 34 13.39 69 298 2056 $200

216 Tidal Wave BLX 105 27.25 282 9.95 33.3 13.11 63 284 1926 $180

217 Tour BLX 95 27 304 10.72 34.9 13.74 66 332 2082 $220

yonex

228 S Fit 1 (285g) 100 27 298 10.51 33 12.99 69 294 2029 $199

229 S Fit 1 (300g) 100 27 314 11.08 32.2 12.68 68 303 2060 $199

230 S Fit 3 105 27.25 292 10.3 34.8 13.7 70 315 2373 $199

231 S Fit 5 112 27.25 280 9.88 35.4 13.94 69 304 2408 $219

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

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

WILSON 800-272-6060 • www.wilson.com

VORTEX 888-938-6783 • www.vortextennis.com

PRINCE 800-2TENNIS • www.princetennis.com

YONEX 800-44-YONEX • www.yonexusa.com

TOPSPIN 49-2233-700167 • www.topspintennis.de


the strings are out of the racquet, andgain access to the frame beneath thebumperguard, where you can put somelead tape.The trick is that you can duplicate this

access in many other racquets. Here’show.

First, remove the strings from theframe. Next, use a carpenter’s square tomark a straight line on the bumperguardat “top dead center” on the outside of thetip, so you’ll know where to cut. Then,carefully cut through the bumperguardwith a razor knife, being careful not tocut into the carbon fiber of the racquetitself. You should now be able to push thegrommets at the top of the hoop backinto the frame, and then grab thebumperguard and pull a couple of inchesfree. You need to be careful not to peelthe bumperguard back so far that it pullsout any grommet barrel that is flared,either due to tying off or to the angle of

ANOTHER STAPLE GUNRECOMMENDATION

We needed another staple gun, so I askedaround. Nate Ferguson recommended theDuo-Fast Electric Tacker, which isdesigned for laying carpet and upholsterywork, so it’s got plenty of power. Its sta-ples are 3/16-inches wide, and are avail-able in lengths from ¼-inch to9/16-inches. The downside is that it retailsfor $158, but you can find it discounted ifyou shop around.5 sets of Wilson K-Gut Pro 16 to:Paul Reed, MRT, San Luis Obispo, CAEditor’s note: This product seems to havebeen superceded by the Duo-Fast Carpet-Pro (pictured), which retails at $169.95.However, the Duo-Fast Electric Tacker isstill available from some sources.

ADDING LEAD TAPE UNDER THEBUMPERGUARDPlacing lead tape around the inside ofthe racquet hoop is tried and true: It’seasy to apply, and easy to get to if youwant to make adjustments. However, thetape is also exposed, which some feel isunsightly, and being exposed, it is sub-ject to damage from mis-hits, mountingthe racquet for restringing, extremeweather (which can reduce the adhesionof the tape backing), etc. Protecting thelead tape underneath the bumperguardsolves these problems, but then you losethe easy access.There is a middle way, however,

when you’re adding lead tape at the 12o’clock position with the primary goal ofaltering the swingweight. Certain Headand Volkl racquets feature bumperguardswith a seam at the tip of the racquet.This seam allows you to peel back thebumperguard a couple of inches when

34 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY March 2010

Tips & Techniques

the string going through the frame, as itmay be impossible to get any suchgrommet barrels back through the framewhen you’re done adding lead tape.Then you apply your lead tape and

carefully close everything back up. Tomake the job look neater, you can use athin piece of electrical tape on top of thelead tape at the 12 o’clock positionbefore closing up, as there will be aslight gap and the electrical tape blendswith the color of the bumperguard toconceal the lead tape.

Aside from the obvious differences inusing this method as opposed to apply-ing lead tape to the inside of a strungframe, is that reaching your desiredmeasurements becomes a bit trickier.What I do first is apply lead tape to theinside of the tip of the hoop of a strungracquet of the make and model onwhich I’m working until achieving thedesired measurements, and then I cutout the strings and measure theunstrung frame. This gives me an ideaof my goal for the frame when I’mapplying lead tape beneath the bumper-guard. The USRSA’s on-line “MassMover” tool (available to USRSA mem-bers only) is a big help here.Finally, I’ve also used this technique

to make it easier to mount “new oldstock” bumperguards to racquets, assometimes the replacement bumper-guards seem to shrink just enough tomake it difficult to get them in place.Splitting the top piece at 12 o’clocktakes care of this issue for me.5 sets of Babolat Revenge 16 to:L. Hodges, Lucerne Valley, CA

—Greg Raven �

Readers’ Know-How in Action

Tips and Techniques submitted since 2000 by USRSA mem-bers, and appearing in this column, have all been gatheredinto a single volume of the Stringer’s Digest—Racquet ServiceTechniques which is a benefit of USRSA membership. Submittips to: Greg Raven, USRSA, 330 Main St., Vista, CA 92804; oremail [email protected].


Head and Volkl bumperguards

Marking the bumperguard

Cutting the bumperguard

After weighting

Finished racquet

? Ask the Experts

RACQUET BAGSWHERE CAN I GET CLEAR PLASTICracquet bags?

THERE ARE SEVERAL SOURCES forplastic racquet bags, such as Fro-muth Tennis and Grand Slam

Stringers. The problem you may run into isthat shipping costs on the bags — whichare fairly heavy in bulk — can really addup. If you find this to be the case, checkbag and box suppliers in your area to see ifyou can save by having the bags shippedthe shortest possible distance. You’re look-ing for bags roughly 14 inches wide by 36inches long, made of poly in a thickness of1.5 mil or so. Thinner material costs lessbut doesn’t hold up as well, thicker materi-al costs more initially and weighs more forshipping but is more durable. These bagswill have no printing on them. If you wantto customize them, you can pay more forpre-printed bags, or have a local printermake up some stick-on decals for you thatyou can apply to the bags as needed.

STRING SPECIFICATIONSI HAVE TWO REQUESTS FORchanges to the USRSA’s onlineString Specification tool. First, could

you add the percentage of tension loss togo with the tension loss in pounds? Andsecond, could you provide a measurementof how much weight each string adds tothe frame after stringing? This knowledgecould aid in explaining to a customer that achange to a stiffer or softer brand of strings(and the likely weight differential) canaffect racquet balance and swingweight.

WHILE IT WOULD BE EASY TO adda column to the String Specification

results that expresses the tension loss as apercentage, this wouldn’t really give anynew information. It would merely restate

the tension loss in a way that might lead toconfusion, if for no other reason than therewould be only one measurement for stiff-ness but two for tension loss. Because wemeasure the tension loss in pounds, itseems more appropriate to report the testresults that way.

As for the added weight for each string,this might be helpful but it would be diffi-cult to gather all this data as we wouldhave to string up every one of hundreds ofsets of string, weigh the strung racquet,and then cut out the strings to see howmany feet of string we used. Obviously, wecould measure out exactly 40 (for example)feet and then weigh it, but not only do dif-ferent racquets require different amountsof string, but also different strings stretchdifferently so that stringing two identicalracquets with two different strings thathave the same mass per 40 feet wouldnot necessarily give you the same totalstrung weight, let alone balance andswingweight. Let’s not even get into theissue of hybrid string jobs.

However, your question made uswonder: What is the range of stringweights, balance, and swingweightbetween the lightest and heaviest strings?To find out, we went back over our yearsof playtest results and identified the light-est and heaviest strings, as well as theaverage weight of all the strings we’veplaytested to date. Obviously, there maybe lighter and/or heavier strings, but thissample should be fairly representative ofavailable strings.

At the light end, we had Wilson Stami-na 17 (a nylon). On the heavy end, we hadLuxilon M2 Plus 1.30 (a “poly”). Represent-ing the average, we grabbed a set of HeadFiberGel Power 16. We had the samestringer install each string in the same rac-quet using the same machine and 60-pound reference tension. This gave us a

range of five grams between the lightestand heaviest strings, so the heaviest stringweighed 35 percent more than the lightest.The results of our measurements are inTable 1.

As you can see, the biggest change is inswingweight. Few players are going tonotice five grams difference in overall rac-quet mass, or 0.06 centimeters difference inbalance. A difference of 6 kg•cm2, though,is noticeable, although in our experiencemost players simply won’t care. There areplenty of players — perhaps the overwhelm-ing majority — who use more than one rac-quet, with the differences among theirracquets being far more than the differ-ences we measured for the extremes instrings. To illustrate this, we went through astringing log of a private stringer and cameup with some ranges for weight, balance,and swingweight for five players who havebeen using the same racquet and stringover a period of time.

Each of these players is happy with hisequipment, even though the range ofweights is more than double what we foundas a result of comparing the lightest andheaviest string in our test. Likewise, the bal-ance range is well beyond anything thatcould be accounted for by changing strings,and in the range of swingweights, even theplayer’s racquets with the least divergenceare more different than if he was usingidentical frames with the lightest strings inone and the heaviest strings in the other.

This is not to say that swingweight (andother) differences resulting from differentstring weights aren’t important, but ratherthat introducing string weights into the deci-sion-making process for your customerswhen their racquets probably have extremevariances may make life more difficult foryou and your customers with no real bene-fit. Before you get them worried aboutstring weights, get their racquets matchedup. Then, if they change to a differentstring, you can adjust the racquets to match,if needed and/or desired. —Greg Raven �We welcome your questions. Please send them to RacquetSports Industry, 330 Main St., Vista, CA, 92084; fax: 760-536-1171; email: [email protected].

AQ

Q

A


Your Equipment Hotline

Table 1. Wilson Head LuxilonOverall string weight for 35 feet 14.00 16.00 19.00 gramsString weight per foot 0.40 0.46 0.54 gramsFrame Weight 336.00 336.00 336.00 gramsRacquet Weight 349.00 351.00 354.00 gramsOverall installed string weight 13.00 15.00 18.00 gramsBalance 31.97 31.98 32.03 cmSwingweight 327.00 330.00 333.00 Kg•cm2

Table 2. Wt. range Bal. range Swgwt rangePlayer 1 11.5 0.7 8Player 2 10.5 2.3 11Player 3 11.0 0.8 14Player 4 13.0 0.6 20Player 5 20.0 1.3 21


String Playtest

EASE OF STRINGING(compared to other strings)Number of testers who said it was:much easier 4somewhat easier 17about as easy 15not quite as easy 0not nearly as easy 0

OVERALL PLAYABILITY(compared to string played most often)Number of testers who said it was:much better 2somewhat better 12about as playable 12not quite as playable 9not nearly as playable 1

OVERALL DURABILITY(compared to other stringsof similar gauge)Number of testers who said it was:much better 0somewhat better 12about as durable 14not quite as durable 9not nearly as durable 1

RATING AVERAGESFrom 1 to 5 (best)Playability (6th overall - tie) 3.9Durability 3.4Power (11th overall - tie) 3.7Control 3.6Comfort (7th overall - tie) 3.8Touch/Feel (5th overall - tie) 3.8Spin Potential 3.4Holding Tension 3.4Resistance to Movement 3.2

Tourna Quasi-Gut is an advanced multi-filament nylon string meant to play andfeel like natural gut, while maintainingbetter durability. Unique tells us thatTourna Quasi-Gut is constructed fromthousands of tightly wound microfibers,each permeated with and contained ina new thermo-elastic polyurethaneresin. According to Unique, this hightech resin greatly increases the durabili-ty and weather resistance of the stringwithout compromising its natural gut-like performance.

Unique is promoting Tourna Quasi-Gutto advanced players who love the feel andperformance of natural gut but needadded durability, as well as to playerswho prefer a lively, responsive and pow-erful string, and players who suffer fromtennis elbow or arm soreness.

Tourna Quasi-Gut is available in 16and 17 in natural. It is priced from $7.95for sets of 40 feet, and $99 for reels of660 feet. For more information or toorder, contact Unique at 800-554-3707, orvisit uniquesports.com. Be sure to readthe conclusion for more informationabout a special offer on Tourna Quasi-Gut.

IN THE LABWe tested the 16 gauge Tourna Quasi-Gut.The coil measured 40 feet. The diametermeasured 1.31-1.33 mm before stringing,and 1.24-1.25 mm after stringing. Werecorded a stringbed stiffness of 77 RDCunits immediately after stringing at 60pounds in a Wilson Pro Staff 6.1 95 (16 x18 pattern) on a constant-pull machine.

After 24 hours (no playing), stringbedstiffness measured 71 RDC units, repre-senting an 8 percent tension loss. Ourcontrol string, Prince Synthetic Gut Origi-nal Gold 16, measured 78 RDC unitsimmediately after stringing and 71 RDCunits after 24 hours, representing a 9 per-cent tension loss.

In our lab testing of 833 differentstrings, we found that Unique TournaQuasi-Gut 16 has a stiffness of 185 lbs/in.and a tension loss of 15.59 lbs. TournaQuasi-Gut 16 is lighter than average,

adding 13 grams to the weight of ourunstrung frame.

Being soft, Tourna Quasi-Gut is a plea-sure to string, although as with otherpolyurethane strings you have to be judi-cious when pulling the crosses to avoidfriction burn. We had no trouble gettingthe string through blocked holes.

No playtester broke samples duringstringing, none reported problems withcoil memory or tying knots, and onereported friction burn.

ON THE COURTThe string was tested for five weeks by 36USRSA playtesters, with NTRP ratings

from 3.5 to 6. These are blind tests, withplaytesters receiving unmarked stringsin unmarked packages.

Our playtest team found TournaQuasi-Gut 16 impressive even for a softnylon, giving it ratings in the top 20 infour separate categories: 5th overall forTouch/Feel, 6th overall (tie) for Playabili-ty, 7th overall (tie) for Comfort, and 11thoverall (tie) for Power. Bolstering theseresults are the teams’ well-above-aver-age ratings for Tourna Quasi-Gut forControl, Spin Potential, and TensionRetention. As a result, Unique TournaQuasi-Gut 16 is tied for 16th overall outof the 140 strings we’ve playtested todate for publication. Additionally, ourplaytest team told us that Tourna Quasi-Gut 16 doesn’t sacrifice playability fordurability or vice versa.

Members of the playtest team aver-aged 19.8 hours of court time playingwith the test sample. This includes thefive playtesters who broke the sampleduring the playtest period, one at 6hours, two at 10 hours, and one each at11 and 13 hours.

CONCLUSIONIt’s great to have a soft nylon score wellin Touch/Feel, Playability, Comfort, andPower, with two of the playtest teamcomparing it favorablity to natural gut.That’s what you might expect fromUnique Tourna Quasi-Gut 16. Then, outof left field, it also garners good marksfor spin potential, and two members ofthe playtest team compare it favorablyto polyester. According to our playtestteam, this ain’t your father’s nylonstring.

If you think that Tourna Quasi-Gutmight be for you, Unique is makingUSRSA members in the U.S. a “buy one,get one free” offer (shipping additional).You can contact Unique at 800-554-3707. —Greg Raven �


Unique Tourna Quasi-Gut


“ All day comfort. Big topspin from thebaseline. Touch and placement are effort-less. Very solid feel at impact. Great con-trol.” 4.5 male all-court player usingWilson nTour strung at 58 pounds CP(Head Sonic Pro 16)

“ Excellent playability. Firm and respon-sive. Great control from the baseline andnet.” 4.0 male baseliner with heavy spinusing Wilson nTour strung at 58 pounds CP(Signum Pro Poly Plasma 18)

“ This string has the control, power, com-fort, and general responsiveness of naturalgut.” 4.5 male all-court player usingVolkl Power Bridge 1 strung at 58 poundsCP (Forten Dynamix 16)

“ I am returning to the game from a handinjury. This string is exactly what the doctorordered. Quiet and vibration free. Easypower.” 5.0 male all-court player usingHead Flexpoint Radical MP strung at 53pounds CP (Polyester 16)

“ Great combination of comfort and con-trol.” 4.0 male baseliner with heavy spinusing Babolat Pure Drive OS Team strungat 60 pounds CP (Luxilon Original 16)

“ Extremely easy to string. Excellent con-trol. The feel is stiff at first. Over time itgets more comfortable.” 4.5 male all-court player using Wilson K Tour strung at57 pounds CP (Luxilon Alu Power Rough16L)

“ This has the soft feel of a multifilamentwith the crisp control of amonofilament.” 5.0 male all-court playerusing Babolat Pure Storm GT strung at 57pounds CP (Luxilon Alu Power Rough 16L)

“ This string plays better after it settles in.It is a good all-around string. Having saidthat, however, I do not see a need to ‘stopthe presses.” 3.5 male all-court playerusing Prince O3 Citron OS strung at 60pounds CP (Luxilon Timo )

TESTERS TALK


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

Within the last year, the Ameri-can tennis community has cel-ebrated two models for the

sports' promotion. One appears lessexpensive and seems to correlate withresults. But it’s the other one that getsmore attention.

In 2009, Midland, Mich., a city of41,000-plus about 100 miles northwest ofDetroit, was named America's Best TennisTown. An estimated 25 percent of the res-idents play tennis, and one would assumethose 10,000 also take lessons and buyracquets, balls, string and tennis clothes.

One thing that undoubtedly helpedbring about that critical mass of tennisinterest in Midland was its hosting of theDow Corning Tennis Classic for the last 22years, just one of the 90 or so eventsaround the country making up the USTAPro Circuit. For each event, the USTA kicksin around $50,000 to tournaments' coffersfor prize money support, marketing help,umpires and some general training. Inreturn, a "minor league" field (players allhave world rankings below 70) providesthe opportunity for American player devel-opment (although the fields are interna-tional) and fertilization of tennis interest atthe grassroots—Midland draws about15,000 fans per year to the Dow Corningevent.

As a quick aside about the importanceof grassroots interest as a remedy for whatails a game, consider minor-league base-ball. Most dramatically, in 1994 the minorleagues kept fan interest in “the nationalpastime” from drifting when the majorleagues went on strike. Minor-league ballcurrently claims more than 40 million tick-ets sold per year. Equally important, base-ball fans nourish their relationship to theirsport without having to pay major-leaguepark prices or dependence on televisioncoverage. Imagine such a foundation forfans and businesses in the world of tennis.

Admittedly, I have no scientific researchlinking Midland's tourney to its open-armedembrace of recreational tennis. Nor can I sayfor sure that since the second runner-up inthe America’s Best Tennis Town competi-tion, Independence, Kan., is within an hourand a half drive of four Pro Circuit tourna-ments, that has anything to do with morethan 200 kids in a town of less than 10,000playing tennis in the summer. (The first run-ner-up, Ojai, Calif., supports the country’soldest amateur tournament.)

But it certainly can’t hurt when it comesto getting kids and a whole communityinvolved with tennis. At these smallerevents, you can actually talk to pros whoaren't usually besieged by fans, or stand 20feet from a match between some of theworld's best tennis players.

While minor-league tennis seems to offera pretty good return on the dollar, in termsof policy and promotion it is the red-hairedstepchild. Again, the Pro Circuit events arenationwide and throughout the year. Do youknow when one is near you? How often haveyou been contacted about one or contactedsomeone to link up with professional tennisin your area?

Now consider how much you heardwhen the ATP decided to close the men'stournament in Indianapolis, then the greatcries of relief heard when that event wasinstead shifted to Atlanta.

This isn't to denounce the intentions ofthe city’s advocates for taking on the tourna-

Kent Oswald is a contributor toTennisNow.com, producer atthe JockBookReview.com and aformer editor of Tennis Weekmagazine.


“Rather than alwaysfocusing on the bigevent, why can't we inthe tennis communityfocus on following asuccessful model?”

ment. It is probably also not worth thetrouble to discuss whether it was a gooduse of membership dollars when the USTAswung its weight around so the U.S. couldhost one more tour event in addition to thethree women’s, six men’s, four combinedand one major tournaments already on theprofessional calendar.

However, Atlanta had a clay-courtevent from 1992 to 2001 and didn't wavegoodbye to it because folks supported ittoo much. Indianapolis has been without atitle sponsor for the last couple of years,and attendance in 2009 fell about 16,000from the year before, down just over56,000 from its 1993 high. It is possiblethat within a few years the Atlanta TennisChampionships might be galvanizing ten-nis participation and business throughoutthe South in July. However that hasn’tbeen the way these things have beenworking recently.

Rather than always focusing on the bigevent, why can't we in the tennis commu-nity focus on following a successful model,instead of throwing cash at dreams of“what hasn't been for years”? (Not that thesame argument couldn't be made formuch of the money the USTA is paying outsupporting player development whenmost measurable success has come fromoutside “the system.”)

When everyone agrees we need towork on the grassroots of tennis, why can'twe build “minor-league” tennis across thecountry with major-league efforts fromlocal fans, businesses and the media? �

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

Your Serve


Sweat the Small(er) Stuff

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

For success at the grassroots game, let’sbuild up the ‘minor leagues’ of tennis.

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