Contentscontents RSI a P R I L 2 0 0 8

April 2008 Volume 36 Number 4 $5.00

ContentsContents RSI A P R I L 2 0 0 8

SPECIAL SECTION: RACQUETS INDUSTRY NEWS

22 Building Expectations 7 Prince set to acquire As players get smarter about their frames, Viking Athletics they continue to expect more from racquet companies. 7 Wilson, ITA develop intern program 7 Two named PTR 24 2008 Racquet Selection Map Master Professionals Our exclusive annual guide to racquets will help you quickly and easily choose the right 8 GrowingTennis, TennisConnect frames for your customers. offer “Open Houses” FEATURES 9 USTA launches new No-Cut Coach website 32 Taking One for the Team 9 Babolat creates new Team apparel can be big business for “Armani” racquet retailers, as manufacturers offer outfits to suit all types of groups. 10 Gamma introduces Asterisk Tour string 36 Overcome Obstacles to Play Don’t just teach your beginners how to 10 USPTA launches online hit the ball. Teach them how to play a Certification Review Course match. 10 Head renews deal with Beach 38 Quality Construction Tennis USA The outdoor hard-court Distinguished Facility-of-the-Year Award winners 11 Bälle de Mätch to distribute Kaelin demonstrate excellence on a grand scale. 11 LBH Group debuts new look for summer 14 Dunlop adds 3 new Aerogel frames 15 ASBA, USTA release new “Tennis Courts” manual

DEPARTMENTS 4 Our Serve 42 String Playtest: Luxilon Alu Power Fluoro 123 7 Industry News 44 Ask the Experts 18 TIA News & Updates 46 Tips and Techniques 20 Business Trends 48 Your Serve, by Scott Hanover

2 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2008

Our Serve

(Incorporating Racquet Tech and Tennis Industry) A Gathering of Champions Publishers David Bone Jeff Williams

nce again, I felt fortunate to attend one of this indus- Editorial Director O try’s best workshops for those actually delivering ten- Peter Francesconi nis at the grassroots level. I’m talking about the USTA’s Associate Editor Greg Raven Community Tennis Development Workshop, a yearly event Design/Art Director that brings together those who are in the trenches, making Kristine Thom tennis happen in communities throughout the U.S. Contributing Editors The 2008 CTDW was held Feb. 22 to 24 at the Flamingo Las Vegas. Robin Bateman Nearly 600 community tennis leaders from around the country attend- Cynthia Cantrell ed, from volunteers, to teaching pros, to district and section staff, and Rod Cross Kristen Daley many more. The key thing, though, is that all of these attendees are pas- Joe Dinoffer sionate about tennis. Liza Horan You’ve all heard talk about tennis participation on the rise. Well, it’s James Martin these folks—and the thousands like them who could not make it to Greg Moran Chris Nicholson Vegas for this CTDW—who should get the credit for actually making Bob Patterson that growth happen. They are the true champions of this sport, and they Cynthia Sherman are the people that all of us in this industry depend on. Mary Helen Sprecher As I’ve said for a number of years, the USTA’s CTDW is probably the RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY best thing the USTA does to help tennis at the grassroots level. At the Corporate Offices CTDW, the biggest problem I hear about is attendees unable to attend 330 Main St., Vista, CA 92084 all the sessions they want to because there is just so much happening at Phone: 760-536-1177 Fax: 760-536-1171 Email: [email protected] one time. Website: www.racquetTECH.com This year, presentations covered a broad range: starting a CTA, spon- Office Hours: Mon.-Fri.,8 a.m.-5 p.m. Pacific Time sorship and marketing, advocacy, building partnerships, raising funds, dealing with volunteers, instruction in public parks, public relations, Advertising Director John Hanna QuickStart Tennis, and much, much more. The sessions are led by USTA 770-650-1102, x.125 staff, volunteers, section folks, and other experts in their fields. [email protected] But beyond the presentations, simply spending time with other atten- Apparel Advertising dees is inspiring. In fact, to aid in networking, the USTA this year used Cynthia Sherman new “nTAG” technology, which is an electronic nametag that can easily 203-263-5243 swap your contact info with those you meet. After the weekend, atten- [email protected] dees received an email that show ed the contacts they made at the Racquet Sports Industry (USPS 347-8300. ISSN 0191- event. (The nTAG also can do many other things, including instant 5851) is published 10 times per year: monthly Janu- ary through August and combined issues in polling.) September/October and November/December by If you’ve never been to a CTDW, or haven’t been to one in the last Tennis Industry and USRSA, 330 Main St., Vista, CA few years, you need to go. The February 2009 event will be on Hilton 92084. Periodicals postage paid at Hurley, NY 12443 Head Island, right after the PTR Symposium. Start making your plans. and additional mailing offices. April 2008, Volume 36, Number 4 © 2008 by USRSA and Tennis Industry. All rights reserved. Racquet Sports Industry, RSI and logo are trademarks of USRSA. Printed in the U.S.A. Phone advertising: 770-650-1102 x 125. Phone circu- lation and editorial: 760-536-1177. Yearly subscrip- tions $25 in the U.S., $40 elsewhere. POSTMASTER: Peter Francesconi Send address changes to Racquet Sports Industry, Editorial Director 330 Main St., Vista, CA 92084.

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

4 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2008

RSI A P R I L 2 0 0 8 INDUSTRYNEWSINDUSTRYNEWS INFORMATIONTOHELPYOURUNYOURBUSINESS Wilson, ITA Develop Prince Set to Acquire Viking Athletics Intern Program rince Sports Inc. announced in February that it is set to acquire the platform tennis brand Viking Athletics. The partnership would add paddle sports to Prince’s portfolio Wilson and the Intercollegiate Tennis of racquet sports, which includes tennis, Association (ITA) are expanding their P squash and racquetball. As of early March, details of partnership to help support those with a passion for tennis and an interest in the deal had yet to be finalized. developing a career in the racquet Viking Athletics was founded in 1984 in Linden- sports industry. hurst, N.Y., by David Kjeldsen, an avid platform player who is widely accepted as the “guru” of the sport Through a new Wilson/ITA Intern Pro- and who will be induct ed into the ATPA Hall of Fame gram, both Wilson and the ITA will rec- in March. “Prince is a complete racquet and court sports ognize outstanding varsity tennis team student-athletes and team managers, company and as specialists we want, and need, to be of which a select few will be awarded involved in every aspect of the industry,” says Prince CEO a Wilson internship at the company’s George Napier. “Viking is the clear leader in platform tennis so it makes perfect sense to part- Chicago headquarters. The intern pro- ner with David.” gram will recognize individuals who Viking Athletics will retain its name and will continue to conduct business in the same promote the sport at the college ten- fashion. The Viking brand will be managed by Scott Winters, vice president of Small Court nis level by devoting consistent time Sports at Prince who is responsible for both the Prince Squash and Ektelon brands. Kjeldsen and effort to promotional activities to will join the Prince team. Charlie Osborn, vice president of National Sales for Prince, will support and bring awareness to either manage the sales initiatives for the new brand. their school program or tennis overall. Two categories of collegiate promoters Two Named PTR Master Professionals have been established, Varsity Team Managers and Varsity Student-Ath- ernando Velasco of Austin, Texas, and Shinichi Suzuki of Chiba, Japan, were named PTR letes. Three individuals will be nomi- Master Professionals at the annual PTR International Tennis Symposium, which took nated by the ITA from each category Fplace Feb. 16-21 at the Van der Meer Shipyard Racquet Club on Hilton Head Island, S.C. and receive a certificate of recognition The Master Professional level of certification recognizes those individuals who have made from the ITA and a special award from significant contributions to the game of tennis throughout their careers. The designation is Wilson. One individual from each cate- an important distinction in which PTR members must demonstrate their broad involvement gory will then be selected to receive a in tennis over many years, showing growth in their knowledge of the game, a stro ng involve- paid summer internship at Wilson’s ment in introducing tennis to their community, expertise in teaching and coaching, and a global headquarters. commitment to developing professionally. “We are very pleased that Wilson is Velasco (below, left, with Master Pro expanding its leadership role as a Committee Chairman Pete Collins) is the major industry partner of the ITA and manager and director of tennis at Circle such a great supporter of college ten- C Tennis Club in Austin. He has been a nis,” says David Benjamin, executive guest speaker at PTR symposia for 15 director of the ITA. “The Wilson/ITA years, with presentations on manage- Intern Program presents a wonderful ment and on-court teaching in both opportunity for student-athletes to be recognized for their promotional efforts Spanish and English. In 1999, Velasco for their school programs and for ten- was named PTR Profession al of the Year. nis in general, and also provides them In 1976, Suzuki became one of the a unique opportunity to work (through first PTR members in Japan. He mentors the intern program) at the leading other coaches in Japan, is a PTR Nation- company in the tennis industry.” al Tester, and has conducted numerous PTR clinics over the years.

April 2008 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 7 A P R I L 2 0 0 8 Wayne Bryan Named PTR Pro of the Year

NEWS GrowingTennis, ayne Bryan of Camarillo, Calif., was named PTR Professional of the Year dur- TennisConnect Offer Wing the 2008 PTR International Tennis Symposium, held Feb. 16-21 on Hilton Head Island, S.C. ‘Open Houses’ INDUSTRY The Symposium, which included 60-plus on-court and classroom presentations, xpand your tennis business and a tennis trade show and $25,000 Championships, was held at the Van der Meer increase your profits through a Shipyard Racquet Club. The PTR has more than 13,000 members in 122 countries. E series of free, public, online “Open Other annual PTR award recipients In addition, PTR recognized Houses” that make it easy to understand include: several State Members of the two key systems—GrowingTennis and Q Wheelchair Pro of the Year: Geoff Norton, Kansas Year for their contributions to the TennisConnect. City, Kan. organization in their respective The GrowingTennis System allows Q Clinician of the Year: Adam Gard’ner, Shanghai, states. you to post your tennis program infor- China Q Daniel Leal, Pike Road, Ala. mation for free on key consumer web- Q Tester of the Year: John Carrigan, London, Eng- Q Don Henson, Bonita, Calif. sites (such as USTA.com, Tennis.com, land Q John Danise Jr., Sebastian, Fla. TennisWeek.com, TennisChannel.com, Q Humanitarian Award: Linda McCollum, Jasper, Ga. Q Donald Young Sr., Atlanta, Ga. TennisWelcomeCenter.com and Cardio- Q Volunteer of the Year: Jack Barker, Greer, S.C. Q Kelly Anchors, Old Town, Maine Tennis.com) so players can easily find Q Coach Verdieck Touring Pro Coach of the Year: Q Orlando Corona, Uxbridge, Mass. you and your facility. Every month, Richard Williams, Palm Beach, Fla. Q Jorge Capestany, Hudsonville, Mich. there are more than 1 million consumer Q Coach Verdieck College Coach of the Year: Chuck Q Larry Haugness, Springfield, Mo. Kriese, Seneca, Ga. Q Geoffrey Jagdfeld, Lincoln, Neb. queries on the GrowingTennis System. Q Coach Verdieck High School Coach of the Year: Q Jerry Johnson, Las Vegas, Nev. Online sign-up and payment features Dan Vonk, Kingsland, Ga. Q Carol MacLennan, Haddonfield, N.J. are also available. Q PTR Male Player of the Year: Zbynek Mlynarik, Q D’Wayne Begay, Albuquerque, N.M. The half-hour Open House will take Chatsworth, Calif. Q Steve Keller, Rochester, N.Y. you through the steps to getting the Q Public Facility of the Year: Mobile Tennis Center, Q Larry Karageanes, Durham, N.C. most out of the GrowingTennis System. Mobile, Ala. Q Luke Taylor, Akro n, Ohio The online training gives you the chance Q Private Facility of the Year: Midtown Athletic Club, Q Thomas Vicario, Easton, Pa. to ask the experts, as technology profes- Weston, Fla. Q Robert Brown, Bluffton, S.C. sionals guide you through the informa- Q Media Excellence Award: Bob Larson, Edina, Q Bill Riddle, Nolensville, Tenn. tional tutorial. You will need a computer Minn. Q Bert Cole, Arlington, Texas with high-speed internet access and a Q PTR/USTA Community Service Award: Sal Castillo, Q Brad Pearce, Provo, Utah San Antonio, Texas Q Ron Manilla, Greenwood, Va. separate phone line to call in. Q PTR/TIA Commitment to the Industry: Frank Q Kwan Law, Bellevue, Wash. The GrowingTennis Open House is Adams, Aurora, Colo. Q Mary Tuchscherer, Wis. offered three times a week: Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 1-1:30 p.m (Eastern time). Immediately following Spring Scholarship Seminars Offered each of the GrowingTennis Open Hous- arents, coaches and high school students in the Southern California area es will be a half-hour, free Open House interested in finding out more about college scholarships for tennis players on TennisConnect (M, W, Th, 1:30-2 P p.m.), allowing users to evaluate this should try to attend a free College and University Scholarship Seminar. The seminars, put on by longtime tennis industry expert and coach Mark Winters, online communications and marketing offer useful tips about searching for a scholarship, among other things. tool for tennis facilities. No reservations are needed for these free seminars. For more information The TennisConnect Open House will about the College & University Scholarship Program, call Winters at 310-208- introduce you to features such as the 3838, Ext. 231. For directions to a facility, contact the individuals listed at each website builder, eCalendar, contact location. manager, court reservations, group Q April 2: LA84 Foundation in Los Angeles, 5:30 p.m. (Pilar Diaz, email and more. The Open House is [email protected]) ideal managers, decision makers and Q April 3: Valencia High School in Valencia/Santa Clarita, Calif., 7 p.m. (Annie Kellogg, others looking for a “quick tour” of the [email protected]) software and for those who will be Q April 9: Barnes Tennis Center in San Diego, 6:30 p.m. (Kerry Blum, 619-221-9000) deeply involved in the use of Tennis- Q April 10: Pasadena Enterprise Center, 1015 N. Lake Ave., Suite 102 in Pasadena, 6:30 Connect. p.m. (Hank Castillo, [email protected]) To find out more visit Q April 16: Santa Barbara Tennis Club in Santa Barbara, 6:30 p.m. (Cathy Ann Simon, www.GrowingTennis.com and www. 805-680-3870) Q April 23: Temescal Canyon High School in Lake Elsinore, 6:30 p.m. (Alison Roell, 951- TennisConnect.org, or call 843-686- 901-9110, [email protected]) 3036.

8 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2008 INDUSTRYNEWS Babolat Creates New Bryans Use Custom Inserts for Prince Frame Top doubles players Bob and Mike Bryan are customizing their Prince ‘Armani’ Racquet O3 Speedport Black frames with colored inserts. Prince says that with abolat has entered the world of sport the colored inserts for the O3 Speedport Black, which are available Bfashion with the l aunch of the EA7 now, players can customize their frames with more than 2,400 combi- Emporio Armani tennis nations. For racquet. Babolat developed more informa- the exclusive racquet for tion, visit Emporio Armani 7, the www.princesports technology brand tennis.com. of Giorgio Armani. Babolat says high- tech materials and key technologies make the EA7 a high performance, USTA Launches New No-Cut Coach Website lightweight, aerodynamic he USTA has launched a new website designed to serve as a resource for its near- racquet that is maneuver- Tly 1,800 high school coaches who have adopted a no-cut philosophy for their ten- able and appropriate for com- nis teams. The website, www.usta.com/no-cut, provides access to an interactive petitive players as well as club community where all hig h school coaches registered in the USTA’s No-Cut program players. The cosmetic, by Empo- can share tips, success stories and challenges as they offer all high school kids the rio Armani, is a white, silver and opportunity to play tennis. black color combination. The No-Cut program was launched in 2006 by the USTA as a way to encourage The 9.7-ounce, 100-square- and recognize high school coaches who make a commitment to their students by not inch racquet is now available cutting any student who tries out for the team. Since its inception, the USTA’s No-Cut exclusively at Emporio Armani program has nearly doubled each year. Thousands of students who may have other- shops. wise dropped the sport are now part of a team and competing for their school. High school coaches can register as a no-cut coach through www.usta.com/no-cut. Registered coaches receive updates and tips from the No-Cut Coaches Advisory Imperial Introduces Team. Comprised of seasoned and successful no-cut coaches, the Advisory Team offers guidance and resources to coaches who are challenged by the obstacles of ‘Green’ Headwear working with such large teams. Imperial Headwear has intro- The website also allows coaches to connec t easily with their peers, both locally duced and nationally. Through an interactive forum, coaches can share tips and strategies, its new as well as connect with other no-cut coaches in their area to schedule matches. “Green” “We are very excited to launch of our new website and offer no-cut coaches the head- opportunity to share their knowledge and experiences,” says Kurt Kamperman, USTA wear chief executive of Community Tennis. “Our goal is to provide all kids, regardless of collec- ability, the opportunity and resources to play tennis, and our first step is to build a tion, strong base with the no-cut coaches.” made Every registered no-cut coach is recognized for their efforts with a certificate from with 65 the USTA. In addition, the USTA sends a letter to the coach’s principal and athletic director acknowledging the coach’s dedication to their students. Each year, two percent coaches are selected to receive the National No-Cut Starfish Award at the USTA Ten- organic nis Teachers Conference held during the US O pen in New York. cotton and 35 percent Hall of Fame Calls for Nominations bamboo charcoal. Imperial says the he International Tennis Hall of Fame has announced an open call for nomina- headwear is hypoallergenic, Ttions for the induction class of 2009. Nominations must be received by April breathable and dries quickly, and 1. The International Tennis Hall of Fame recognizes and honors both athletes is odor absorbent, machine- and contributors connected to the sport of tennis. washable, thermal regulating Nominations can be submitted online at www.tennisfame.com. Printable nom- and environmentally friendly. For ination forms are also available online, while nomination forms may also be more information, visit obtained by contacting the International Tennis Hall of Fame, 194 Bellevue Ave., www.ImperialHeadwear.com or Newport, R.I. 02840; phone 401-849-3990; fax 401-849-8780; email: new- call 800-950-1916. [email protected].

April 2008 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 9 A P R I L 2 0 0 8 Gamma Introduces Asterisk Tour String NEWS amma Sports has introduced Asterisk Tour, a new high performance synthetic Gstring that contains polyester microfilament, creating a crisp, powerful string that offers precise control, says the company. The polyester fibers also INDUSTRY increase durability, says Gamma. “Asterisk Tour perfectly combines polyester material with multifilament design to create a superb string,” says Chuck Vietmeier, Gamma string product manager. “Its unique design will give players of all levels the benefits of a multifilament without surrendering control.” Asterisk Tour is available in 40-foot sets and 360-foot reels in 16 and 17 gauge. For more information contact Gamma at 800-333-0337 or visit www.gammasports.com. USPTA Launches Online Head Renews Deal Certification Review Course With Beach Tennis ead/Penn Racquet Sports and Beach he USPTA is providing its Certification Review Course Tennis USA have renewed their part- online, making it easier for tennis pros to earn USPTA T Hnership for 2008, so all matches at certification, the organization says. In addition, appli- all events will use Head/Penn equipment. cants will be able to take the written and grip portions of the exam online as well. Head will serve as the official racquet The USPTA says this will be a boost for busy teaching pros who may not have and Penn the official ball for all events on the time to attend a six-hour review course at a particular testing location. The the Beach Tennis USA 2008 National Tour. online review course can be done at home, reviewing all the critical material for Beach tennis is played on a 30- by 60-foot the certification exam. Also, online videos will give applicants a taste of what to beach volleyball court using Pro Penn expect during the on-court part of the exam. The online review will combine low-compression tennis balls. audio, visual and text formats, as well as short quizzes at the end of each section. “Head/Penn is proud to continue as The 100-question written exam and grip exam will be accessible once appli- the official sponsor of Be ach Tennis USA, cants have completed the on-court portion and the stroke-analysis exam. Appli- bringing tennis to a new audience in a cants will be tested against a time limit. unique and fun way,” says Amy Wishin- The online CRC will completely replace the six-hour classroom review session grad, Head’s national promotions manag- after May 18, except for exams held at the Regional Testing Centers, USPTA World er. Conference and divisional conventions. Previously, the classroom review went Beach Tennis USA events will be tele- over the material presented in the 522-page “The Complete Guide to USPTA Mem- vised on Tennis Channel, Comcast Sport- bership” the day prior to the exam at each testing location. For more information sNet and SportsNet New York (SNY). For visit uspta.com or call 800-USPTA-4U. more information, visit www.beachten- nisusa.com.

Tennis Racquet Top-Selling Racquets Top-Selling Top-Selling Performance at Specialty Stores Tennis Shoes at Tennis Strings Specialty Stores, By year-to-date dollars, January-September 2007 Specialty Stores at Specialty (average selling price) January-September, 2007 vs. 2006 By year-to-date dollars, Stores Best-Sellers January-September 2007 By year-to-date dollars, Units 2007 634,317 1. Babolat Pure Drive Cortex (MP) $172 (average selling price) January-September 2007 2006 613,684 2. Prince O3 White (MP) $185 1. Adidas 1. Prince % Change vs. ’06 3% 3. Wilson K Six One 95 (16 x 18) (MS) $175 Barricade IV $100 4. Wilson K Six One Tour 90 (MS) $184 2. Nike Synthetic Gut Duraflex 2. Wilson Dollars 2007 $87,842,000 5. Wilson K Six One Team 95 (MS) $176 Air Breathe Free 2 $95 NXT 2006 $80,948,000 “Hot New Racquets” 3. Adidas 3. Wilson % Change vs. ’06 9% (Introduced in the past 12 months) Barricade II $83 1. Wilson K Six One 95 (16 x 18) (MS) $175 4. Prince Sensation 4. Prince Price 2007 $138 2. Wilson K Six One Tour 90 (MS) $184 MV4 $94 Lightning XX 2006 $132 3. Wilson K Six One Team 95 (MS) $176 5. Prince 5. Luxilon % Change vs. ’06 5% 4. Prince O3 Speedport Red (OS) $227 T10 $77 5. Prince O3 Speedport Blue (OS) $244 Alu Power

(Source: TIA/Sports Marketing Surveys) 10 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2008 INDUSTRYNEWS Bälle de Mätch to Distribute Kaelin älle de Mätch will distribute Kaelin apparel starting July 1. Kaelin, which was Bfounded in 1982 by former Head Sportswear executives as a women’s fashion brand, was previously distributed by Diadora. “The classic style is a nice addition to our youthful look and allows us to reach a broader range of players,” says Bälle de Mätch founder and designer Chris Dev- erian. “Kaelin was struggling with customer service and delivery, which is ou r forte,” says Bälle de Mätch co-owner and partner John Embree. “But Kaelin is strong in sourcing and we believe we can tap into their sourcing expertise.” Kaelin will continue to be led by industry veteran Stu Keiller, who will keep his design team in New York City and work from his office in Baltimore. LBH Group Debuts New Look for Summer he LBH Group Ltd. has launched its summer ’08 collections for its two tennis Tlines: LBH and Wimbledon. Under the new direction of Vice President and Cre- ative Director James Sowins, the company says it has revitalized the look of LBH and Wimbledon and re-branded The LBH Group’s golf line, Lily’s of Bev- erly Hills, to bring a new perspective to the 35-year-old company. "We feel we have struck the right balance between athletic excellence and the needs of contemporary women,” says Sowins, who joined LBH Group in February 2007. “We are trying to deliver this with a range of looks and fabrics that strike a balance between style and performance.” The newly re-branded LBH collection includes a new logo and apparel that “features luxurious yet athletic performance fabrics for a perfect synthesis of sport and fashion,” says the company. The summer Wimbledon collection has been re-designed and expanded by 40 per cent to feature athletic performance fabrics in expressive colors and vivid prints. The LBH Group has held the license to design, manufacturer and sell women’s and men’s tennis apparel under the Wimbledon name in the U.S., Canada and Caribbean since 1996. The LBH and Wimbledon summer ’08 collections will be available in April and deliver through August. For more information, visit www.lbhgroup.com. 2008 Cardio Tennis Workshops n 2008 there will be four National ICardio Tennis workshops, scheduled for Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles and the Mid-Atlantic section. These two-day workshops cover all topics regarding Cardio Tennis, including the standard curriculum, music, heart rate monitors, games, marketing and special segments such as kids, seniors and starter players. The workshops, which have been updated this year, are suitable for pros at all facilities, w hether at an experienced Cardio Tennis site or new to the program. For more information or to register, visit www.growingtennis.com and click on training/workshops. Q April 13-14, Atlanta, Midtown Athletic Club at Windy Hill Q May 3-4, Houston, Houston Racquet Club Q May 17-18, Bowie, Md., Sport Fit Bowie Q June 8-9, Los Angeles, Home Depot Center

April 2008 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 11 INDUSTRY NEWS A P R I L 2 0 0 8 P L E W A T E O C H P • Dunlop quetball Fed- has named Hunter eration’s (IRF) World Hines the Eastern Region- Championships in Ireland al Manager for its Rac- this August. In addition, Huczek quet Sports Division. won the International Racquetball With his appointment, Tour’s Seattle Open in February. Dunlop has now revamped its service and • Justine Henin, playing with a new [K] coverage to the Pro and Tour racquet, won a tournament in Bel- Specialty channels on both coasts; Dunlop gium. just recently named his counterpart for the Western Region, Steve Schultz. As a territory • ATP pro Kei Nishikori, age 17, of Japan, manager for Head/Penn, Hines was named has signed with Wilson and will play with RSI’s Sales Rep of the Year in 2007. the [K] Tour 95 racquet. The deal also includes tennis bags, strings, grips and other • Geoff Norton of Kansas City is the direc- Wilson accessories. Nishikori won his first tor of Junior High Performance at TCA’s ATP title in February in Delray, Fla. Midtown Tennis Club in Overland Park, Kan. Formerly, he was the PTR’s director of devel- • Mississippi senior Erling Tveit received the opment and the USTA’s national manager of Intercollegiate Tennis Association Sports- adult/senior competition and technical pro- manship Award in February at the ITA grams. He recently was named PTR wheel- National Men's Team Indoor Championships chair tennis professional of the year. at the Nordstrom Tennis Center in Seattle. Tveit, a native of Oslo, Norway, was chosen • RSI Contributing Editor Robin Bateman of for this annual award by the 16 participat- Macon, Ga., recently won the ing coaches for displaying outstanding USTA Southern Section’s sportsmanship and exemplifying the spirit of Mark Kaplan Media Excel- college tennis during the course of the tour- lence Award. The honor nament and throughout his career. was presented to her at the annual awards ban- • Longtime USTA volunteer Carlton Ander- quet in January in Atlanta. son, an expert on tennis balls and ball testing, died Feb. 8 of cancer. Anderson, of • Head players Aimee Ruiz and Jack Huczek Weston, Conn., was a founding member of separately captured national titles recently at the USTA Ball Testing and Equipment Com- the 2008 USA Racquetball National Doubles mittee (now a part of the USTA Technical Championships at the Arizona State Uni- Committee). versity Recreation Center. Both Ruiz and Huczek are members of Head’s Pro Staff • Todd Martin will join the field of Out- and with their respective wins have back Champions Series players at the earned one-year appointments to inaugural The Residences at The Ritz the USA Racquetball National Carlton, Grand Cayman Legends Adult Team. That team will Championships April 16-20 represent the U.S. in the and the Champions Cup 2008 International Boston, April 30- Rac- May 4.

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

12 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2008 INDUSTRYNEWS SHORT SETS > Wilson and World Team Tennis have will outfit staff of the Family Circle Cup renewed their longstanding partnership for and nearly 500 volunteers. 2008 and beyond. Co-founded by Billie Jean Roger Federer told ESPN.com recent- King, World Team Tennis (WTT) is a profes- > ly that he planned to play competitive sional and recreational tennis league featur- tennis for years to come. "My goal is to ing thousands of players in communities play for as long as possible, possibly until throughout the U.S. The professional WTT I am 35," the 26-year-old Swiss told league features the biggest names in tennis reporters after winning the Laureus playing in a co-ed team format and has been Sportsman of the Year award for a continually recognized for its innovative record fourth year in a row. Justine approach to both the fan experience and the Henin, who won 10 WTA titles in 2007, on-court format for the players. took home the women's edition of the > Prince is the official racquet, tennis ball Laureus award. and string of the Nike Junior Tour, a world- Lejay’s 2008 collection is online at wide series of singles tournaments for boys’ > www.lejay.com. Retailers can view and and girls’ in the Under 12 and 14 age groups. order online by logging onto the web- Currently there are more than 60,000 players site, following the link for “retailers,” from 24 countries participating in the pro- and entering their five-digit account gram, which includes tournaments, training number with password “LEJAY.” To clinics, exhibitions and speaking engage- request a catalog, email [email protected]. ments at the grassroots level. As part of the For inquiries about upcoming trade agreement, Prince will be onsite at every NJT shows in your area, contact 800-932- sponsored tournament and affiliated event. 7535 or [email protected]. Luxilon has extended its multi-year con- > The Family Circle Cup, held April 12- tract as the official racquet stringing service > 20 in Charleston, S.C., is again offering a and string of the Sony Ericsson Open, an Team Getaway Package designed for agreement it has had since 2004. The Luxilon league players. Call the box office at stringing team, consisting of 10 world-class 843-856-7900, ext. 1. stringers from five countries, will be on-site for the March 26-April 6 event in Key Bis- > Recreational tennis teams from Flori- cayne, Fla. da, Georgia, Missouri, New Jersey and South Carolina won regional champi- Prince was the official racquet, tennis ball > onship titles in February at the World and string of the three-year-old Tennis Chan- TeamTennis Rec League National Qualifi- nel Open, which took place March 3-9 in Las er at IMG Bollettieri Academy in Braden- Vegas. And in related news, the SAP Open in ton, Fla. The winning teams in each San Jose, Calif., has announced a new three- division advance to the WTT National year partnership with Prince as the official Finals, Oct. 31-Nov. 2, in Indian Wells, ball, racquet, footwear and apparel supplier. Calif. The event took place in February. No. 3 seed Gustavus Adolphus of St. The Ferris State University Professional > > Peter, Minn., upset defending champi- Tennis Management (PTM) program in Big ons and No. 1 seed UC-Santa Cruz 5-4 Rapids, Mich., has formed a partnership with in the final at the Intercollegiate Tennis Dartfish Video Software Solutions. Dartfish Association Division III National Men's will provide training and support for the PTM Team Indoor Championship. It was Gus- degree program and Ferris will incorporate tavus Adolphus’ fourth Team Indoor title. additional teaching modules into its curricu- In Division I, top-seeded Virginia beat lum that use Dartfish. No.3 Ohio State 4-1 in February to win > For the third straight year, Lacoste will be the Intercollegiate Tennis Association the apparel sponsor of the Family Circle Cup, National Men's Team Indoor Champi- held April 12-20 in Charleston, S.C. Lacoste onship.

April 2008 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 13 A P R I L 2 0 0 8

Available in April is a new book by

NEWS Dunlop Adds award-winning tennis journalist and author Paul Fein, Tennis Confidential II: 3 Aerogel More of Today’s Greatest Players, Match-

INDUSTRY Frames es, and Controversies. With a foreword unlop has by Mary Carillo, Fein covers some of the Dadded to its greatest storylines in tennis, and includes Aerogel line of interview with former champions. racquets with the new (from top to bot- Price is $27.50, available at tom) 6Hundred, 8Hun- www.potomacbooksinc.com. dred and 1Thousand frames. The company says the technologies in these three 22008008 GGSSSS SSymposiumymposium frames are suited to help players maximize the power of Beginner, Veteran Stringers to Benefit from Seminars their ground strokes while hether you’re an experienced stringer or just starting out, you’ll find useful maintaining comfort and Wand practical information to help your business at the 2008 Grand Slam touch at the net. Stringers Symposium, which will be Oct. 11-14 in Orlando, Fla. Dunlop says Aero- For the beginner to intermediate technician, U.S. Racquet Stringers Associa- gel is the world’s tion Executive Director Dave Bone (who is also a co-publisher of RSI magazine) lightest solid, made and 2006 RSI Stringer of the Year and MRT Grant Morgan will lead the Basics of up of 99 percent Stringing seminar. Topics will include machine preparation, racquet air. The material is preparation, racquet mounting, string & tension selection, basic used throughout stringing patterns and techniques (including one- and two-piece each frame, adding stringing), using the starting clamp, and various knots used to com- power and strength plete the job. to the racquets, says Beginning stringers won’t want to miss this opportunity to learn the company. Also, all the fundamentals from industry veterans, and experienced stringers three frames have Dun- will find many things that can elevate their business to the next lop’s Aerobridge technolo- level. gy, a dampening system that For those ready to become Certified Stringers or Master Racquet Technicians, cancels string vibration by there are a limited number of spots available for testing at the Symposium, so using an injection-molded sign up now. If you want to make sure you are ready for the test, sign up for the polymer sleeve to enclose the Advanced Stringing and Service Review seminar presented by 2005 RSI Stringer throat of the racquet. of the Year and MRT Bob Patterson. He’ll review important topics and the The Aerogel 8Hun- “hands on” portion of the test with demonstrations including knot tying and dred also has Vibro- stringing techniques. Patterson also will demonstrate handle build-up and grom- core, an additional met/bumper installation. Whether you’re planning to take the test at the Sym- layer of protection posium or at some time in the future, this will be a useful seminar for you. against frame vibra- To register for the 2008 GSS Symposium, visit www.grand-slam- tion and shock, stringers.com. made up of a thermal-plastic resin FREE ADMISSION TO THE 2008 GSS STRINGERS SYMPOSIUM with a silicone core GSS is waiving the $495 symposium fee for one lucky winner. inserted into the Just cut out this coupon and mail it to: throat. “Game improvers Baselines Racquet Sports LLC 4710 Norwood St SW, Roanoke, Va 24018 across America will appreci- One entry per month, per person please. Drawing will be held July 15th, 2008. at e the benefits these rac- Offer good for symposium admission only. Travel, lodging, and food not included. quets deliver to their games,” Name ______says Kai Nitsche, Dunlop’s gen- Address ______eral manager of Racquet Sports. Phone ______For more information, call 800- Email ______768-4727. winner will be notified by phone and email - please write legibly!

14 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2008 INDUSTRY NEWS Electronic Stringing Unit Offers USRSA Discount USPTA Offers SRSA members can receive a 10 percent discount on the 2086 Professional National Tourneys UTension Head, which quickly and easily converts a lockout stringing machine to an electronic constant-pull machine. n 2008 the USPTA will again “The Tension Head is accurate, consistent and does all the things that more present the USPTA National Sur- expensive machines do,” says Herb Wise, president of Wise USA and the develop- I face Championship Series and er of the electronic unit. “And it’s simple to install, in three minutes.” offer members the chance to earn The compact, 12-pound unit uses a linear gripper an d is factory-calibrated, prize money and ranking points. although it can be recalibrated easily without opening the machine. It sets up in USPTA members can begin minutes, says Wise, and has easy to read digital read-outs. There are three pulling competing and test their playing speeds, multiple memory settings, and an optional foot pedal to simplify operation. skills starting with the USPTA Also, pre-stretch is built into the machine and can be set to different percentages, Indoor Championships set for April says Wise. 25-27 in Minneapolis. Total prize The unit fits most stringing machine models. For more information, and to see money for this tournament is a short video on setting up and using the 2086 Professional Tension Head, visit $5,000. The tournament will fea- www.tennishead.com, or call 888-836-7466. ture events in the following categories: men’s and women’s open WTT Adds New Pro League Team and 45s singles and doubles competition, and mixed competition in he World TeamTennis Professional league has added a franchise in Washing- open and 45s. Tton, D.C., called the Washington Kastles. The new team is owned by a group The tournaments are open to led by venture capitalist and entrepreneur Mark Ein. This is the first D.C.- Professional-level USPTA members based team in the WTT’s 33-year history. in good standing. For information, “Area fans have supported tennis for many years and we think they will really contact 800-USPTA-4U. USPTA Pro- embrace our unique brand of tennis,” says WTT CEO/Commissioner Ilana Kloss. fessionals may log in to the “mem- “We’ve looked at this market for several years as a great location for expansion.” bers only” section of There are now 11 WTT Pro League teams. The Kastles team is currently look- www.uspta.com for more informa- ing at several potential locations to build a temporary stadium for the WTT regu- tion and an application. lar season, which runs from July 3 to 23. The 2008 schedule is: In other WTT news, the Pro League recently finalized its 2008 schedule and Q USPTA Indoor Championships, announced the addition of pro Anna Kournikova to the League’s lineup of players. April 25-27, Baseline Tennis Cen- Other marquee players include Lindsay Davenport, Serena Williams, Venus ter, Minneapolis. (Contact Brian Williams, Andy Roddick, Martina Navratilova, and Bob and Mike Bryan. For infor- McCoy, 763-656-1590) mation and schedules, visit www.WTT.com. Q USPTA Clay Court Championship, May 9-12, Ibis Golf and Country ASBA, USTA Release 5th Edition ‘Tennis Courts’ Club, West Palm Beach, Fla. (Contact Chuck Gill, 561-624- he American Sports Builders Association and the USTA recently published the 8900) Tfifth edition of Tennis Courts: A Construction & Maintenance Manual. The 228- Q USPTA Grass Court Champi- page book includes updated information on all facets of tennis courts—plan- onships, Aug. 22-24, Philadelphia ning and design (including design for different playing populations), construction Cricket Club, Philadelphia. (Con- guidelines, surfacing systems, and accessories and amenities. The book contains tact Ian Crookenden, 215-247- more than 50 diagrams and charts, many which have 6290) been revised, and many color photos. The new edition Q USPTA International Champi- also includes an expanded section on the maintenance onships, Sept. 15-18, La Quinta of tennis courts, as well as court accessories, fencing, Resort and Spa, La Quinta, Calif. landscaping, etc. (Contact Frank Kelly, 512-453- The manual is the ultimate resource for those in the 7249) design and/or construction field, such as architects, Q USPTA Hard Court Champi- engineers, contractors and specifiers, as well as for onships, Oct. 24-26, Hollytree owners and end-users, such as tennis professionals, County Club and Tyler Tennis & club owners and managers, coaches, and park and rec Swim Club, Tyler, Texas. (Con- directors. tacts Jim Sciarro, 903-581-7788; It’s available through either the ASBA or USTA for Guillaume Gauthier, 903-561- $44.95, plus shipping and handling. To order online 3014; Frank Kelly, 512-453-7249) at www. sportsbuilders.org, click on “publications” on the left side of the home page.

April 2008 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 15 A P R I L 2 0 0 8 New Business & Tech Workshops NEWS ooking to improve customer service through the use of Attendees receive training on the Growing Tennis System; Lonline tennis technology? Then attend a Tennis Welcome become familiar with the Tennis Welcome Center, Cardio Ten- Center Business & Technology Workshop—“How to Fast nis and No-Cut Coach programs and QuickStart Tennis; learn

INDUSTRY Track Your Business with Technology”—offered at five loca- about online enrollment; find out how to use TennisConnect to tions. increase profits; and much more. These interactive, full-day workshops are for service The workshops run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will be: April providers, marketing staff, directors, managers and owners. 8 in Tampa, Fla.; April 28 in Atlanta; May 5 in Philadelphia; They’re led by facilitators with expert training and background May 19 in Los Angeles; and June 16 in Chicago. Cost is $50 in technology and online business, marketing and customer and includes lunch. Registration is limited to 20. Registration service solutions. and payment is online at www.GrowingTennis-Training.com. USTA Honors People, Organizations he USTA presented honors to vari- Tous tennis organizations and people from around the nation at the annual Community Tennis Develop- ment Workshop, which was held at the Flamingo Las Vegas Feb. 22-24. The CTDW is one of the premier gatherings in the U.S. for community tennis leaders. This year’s workshop offered a variety of seminars and presentations, from helping to esta blish and manage a CTA or NJTL, to running programs and events, to securing spon- sors and raising funds. The CTDW also offered several sessions about the new QuickStart Tennis format. Leadership trainer Paul Wesselmann led opening and closing sessions, the awards banquet was emceed by tennis- pro-turned-broadcaster Justin Gimel- stob, and Christy Haubegger, the founder of Latina Magazine, was the closing keynote speaker. The following awards were presented at the CTDW: Q NJTL of the Year (presented at three different budget levels): Rising Stars of Kentucky Tennis, Louisville, Ky.; NJTL of Trenton Inc., Trenton, N.J.; and Dallas Tennis Associa- tion, Dallas, Texas. Q Janet Louer USTA Jr. Team Tennis Organiz- er of the Year: Rita Gladstone, Daytona Beach, Fla. Q Adaptive Tennis National Community Serv- ice Award : Orthotic & Prosthetic Assistance Fund of Langhorne, Pa. Q Community Tennis Association of the Year: Florence Tennis Association, Florence, S.C. Q Eve Kraft Community Service Awards: Sue Jollensten, Albuquerque, N.M.; Nancy Horowitz, Pembroke Pines, Fla.; Jaime Kaplan, Macon, Ga.; Bob Phelps, Carson City, Nev.

16 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2008

A P R I L 2 0 0 8

TIANEWS A P R I L 2 0 0 8 T I A N E W S NEWS&UPDATESNEWS&UPDATES

News You Can Use! Industry Trends Highest Since the ’80s

I recently was he 2007/2008 Tennis invited to the Health Index, com- Tennis Forum Tposed of seven key at the conven- components that detail vari- tion of the ous aspects of the health of Jolyn de Boer International the sport in the U.S., is sched- Health, Rac- uled to be released in early quet and Sportsclub Associa- April. The THI includes data tion (IHRSA) in San Diego. It from the 2007 TIA/USTA Ten- was interesting to note the nis Participation Survey (left), continued growth of the fit- ball shipments, online and ness industry to a degree that mail participation studies, the even challenges IHRSA’s own Court Activity Monitor, and commercial tennis facilities, facility and player surveys. not to mention tennis facili- As of mid-March, five of ties everywhere. The fact is— the seven indexes have been fitness is not going away, and received and all are reporting for those facilities that have positive numbers, which is embraced it with Cardio Ten- good news for all in the tennis nis and now the QuickStart industry. Tennis format, the proof is in the numbers. Tennis Participation Fast Facts For instance, in 2007, Mid- town Tennis Club in Chicago Frequent Participation Up 15.1% since 2003 made $100,000 with Cardio Q Total participation… is up for 2007 (3.8%) to 25.1 million players, from 24.2 in 2006. Tennis, and it has set a goal Q Total play occasions… are also up (3.1%) from 2006—to 533 million from 517 million. of $150,000 for 2008. Mid- Q Frequent players… are up (1.2%) to 5.25 million, from 5.19 in 2006. town also had a 90-minute Q New players… are down 5% (to 5.7 million from 6.0 million). class with 187 participants. Q Continuing players… are up 5.6% (to 13.92 million from 13.18 million). Q Rejoiners… are up 10.2% (to 5.48 million from 4.97 million). The Longfellow Club in Mas- Q Lapsed players… are down 3.3% (to 22.88 million from 23.65 million—which is good, sachusetts, an IHRSA mem- because fewer people are giving up the game). ber, recognized the value of QuickStart Tennis by installing smaller courts to accommo- date the format, then wit- nessing great success. Since then, they’ve added a parent viewing area and they’ve already seen the return on their investment. Get involved with these initiatives at GrowingTennis.com and watch your business grow! Racquet shipments (in units) have increased over the last five years by 42.1% in dollars. Racquet shipments (in wholesale dollars) have increased for the last five years by 36%. One racquet category that has seen exceptional growth in that time is the sale of Youth Racquets, which are up by 80%. Ball shipments since 2003 have increased by 15%.

Join the TIA . . . Increase Your Profits . . . Grow the Game . . . www.TennisIndustry.org 18 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2008 T I A N E W S Economic Watch How Does the Economy Affect Your Business? e’ve analyzed two leading economic measures (the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Consumer WConfidence Index) against tennis player participation numbers and equipment shipments over the last six years and, while more analysis is needed to reach solid conclusions, what we’ve found so far is very interesting. Player totals tend to be i ndependent of economic consumer confidence. The number of frequent players tends to increase during times of increased consumer confidence. Racquet and ball shipments tend to increase in line with industrial trends. With the threat of a recession becoming more likely, this may provide some confidence that overall player levels will hold steady during difficult economic times. We’ll keep monitoring the tennis industry indicators and let you know how things stack up as more data becomes available. Growing Tennis Updates Grassroots Initiatives: GrowingTennis.com TIA and the ASBA ant a surefire way to increase your business, at absolutely NO COST Expand Partnership to you? As a facility or retailer, you can list your information and pro- he TIA is helping to bring grams on key consumer websites FOR FREE so that players and cus- W expanded benefits, services and tomers can easily find you. research to the court construc- In January, more than 1.9 million consumer queries were made to the infor- T tion segment of the industry. mational “postcards” found on USTA.com, TennisWelcomeCenter.com, Car- Current members of the American dioTennis.com, Tennis.com, TennisChannel.com and other websites as Sports Builders Association can receive consumers searched for a match, facility, instructional program, pro shop, etc. a complimentary TIA Individual Mem- All facilities and retailers can go on GrowingTennis.com to input and update bership with their membership in the their information for free. That information is then accessible through the var- ASBA. In addition, they can upgrade to ious consumer websites. the Associate Member level – through a Also, you can register for QuickStart Tennis and the No-Cut High School half-price offer - $195. At the Associate Coach initiative through GrowingTennis.com, plus receive free marketing and Member level, court contractors and promotional material. Online enrollment options for your tennis programs also facility designers will enjoy expanded are available, and a soon- to-be-released racquet demo tracking system will be research offerings that include the Ten- offered for free to all Tennis Welcome Centers. nis Marketplace Report twice a year, the Tennis Health Index, Hot Leads Expand Your Knowledge Report, Exclusive Cost of Doing Busi- ness Report for Court Contractors (pro- Q Online Open Houses that make it fast and easy to understand the Grow- posed research for 2008), and the ingTennis and TennisConnect systems are available three times a week (every Court Construction/Renovation Moni- M, W, Th. 1-1:30 p.m. EST). tor (proposed for 2008). Q TWC Business and Technology Workshops will help you improve customer Upgrading to the Associate Member service online skills through interactive, hands-on training. Register for these level—through our half-price offer— full-day workshops today. Individual computer workstations provided. may make sense for your growing busi- Q Cardio Tennis Training and Workshops are also scheduled for 2008, offering ness. All members receive discounts something for all levels of Cardio Tennis experience within the two days of through TIA Merchant Card Services; training. For more information, visit GrowingTennisTraining.com or call toll- shipping, travel, insurance and publica- free 866-686-3036 or email info@growingtenn is.com. tion discounts; public relations and media service; and newsletters, along TIA Member Support with a searchable listing on TIA web- ince January the TIA welcomed 37 new members at a variety of mem- sites (with an ASBA membership flag). bership levels. Go to TennisIndustry.org to see the new members listing, To choose either membership level, Sand also to search for retailers, facilities, manufacturers, media and court visit TennisIndustry.org/onlinepayments contractors in your area. and use the access code ASBA.

Join the TIA . . . Increase Your Profits . . . Grow the Game . . . www.TennisIndustry.org Join the TIA . . . Increase Your Profits . . . Grow the Game . . . www.TennisIndustry.org April 2008 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 19 · business TRENDS Working Effectively Multi-tasking can be a great tool for your business. But if you’re not careful, it can also drag you down.

BYJOEDINOFFER

here are a number of trends in the event where the parents and children T business world that, when used both play together. Or, while the par- properly, can put you in the win- ents play, offer a sports and skill-build- ner’s circle. Conversely, if followed blind- ing mini-camp for the kids. And, if the ly, these same trends can run you into a kids are on-court, how about a sit- brick wall and be harmful to your busi- down session on tennis-parenting or ness. mental toughness with a guest speaker “Multi-tasking” is just such a notion. for the parents? At the right time and in the right situa- Q Create onlooker interest when tion, multi-tasking in your tennis business teaching. This opportunity for multi- can propel it toward success. However, tasking is too seldom considered. Many multi-tasking at the wrong time and facilities put their teaching pros on the under the wrong circumstances can back courts, out of the way. Consider become a reputation-killer. this: Teaching experiences can and Some 20 years ago, the concept of should be seen as education and enter- multi-tasking was the theme of many tainment, and not just for the student leading management books. Nowadays on the court, but for the onlooker as this buzzword is used so commonly that well. Lessons and drill sessions should concern for how to properly multi-task be focused, generally high-energy, and has almost become lost. visually interesting. Use ball machines, In your tennis business, here are some visual teaching aids, and create an envi- examples of positive multi-tasking: ronment where positive feedback and call, have someone take an informal Q Stringing racquets in a high-visibili- reinforcement of success is the bench- and confidential survey of a dozen peo- ty area. There are two extremes for mark of the lesson experience. What ple at your facility to see what they stringing racquets in pro shops. Some better way to create more interest in think. You may be surprised. shops outsource stringing to someone your lesson program? Q Court cleaning and lawn mowing who picks up the frames then returns during high-activity times. Somehow them restrung. Other shops create a BACKFIRING ON or other, especially at golf and tennis slightly raised and attractive platform in YOUR BUSINESS clubs, the tennis facility often is the the middle of their specialty store just Unfortunately, many of us who are in the neglected stepchild. On the golf side of for the stringer. And they hire someone habit of doing more than one thing at a things, management would never think full of personality who will educate and time may think that all multi-tasking is a of scheduling lawn maintenance during entertain customers while they wait good thing. But, in many cases, this the- peak hours. Don’t let it happen at your (and hopefully shop, as well). ory can backfire and hurt business. Here tennis facility. are some examples of negative multi- Q Desk staff talking on the phone to Q Events and activities for kids and tasking: friends. It sounds silly, but the truth is parents together. In most clubs, a Q Answering your cell phone while it happens all the time. Pro shops can “kids’ event” is just for kids and an teaching. While this may seem obvi- be slow during various times of the “adult event” is just for adults. If an ous, it happens way too often these day. A brief phone call to a friend is activity is geared for children, the par- days. People are paying for the teach- certainly understandable (perhaps a few ents either drop them off or hang ing pro’s time. Receiving phone calls minutes at a time and a few times a around and passively watch. Another while teaching gives them less than day at the most). However, when a cus- approach involves positive multi-task- what they feel they are paying for. If tomer walks in and needs help, make ing, and it can help you grow your par- you think this seems extreme and that sure they don’t have to wait even 10 ticipation numbers (and income) it’s harmless to speak on your cell once seconds. Be proactive. Give your desk significantly. Sometimes it may be an or twice for a minute or less on each staff projects to work on during slower

20 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2008 times. Examples would be receiving merchandise, cleaning tasks, phone calls to welcome new members, phone calls to offer birthday greetings, stringing racquets, etc.

Multi-tasking can be a good thing at the right time in the right situation. Focusing on the single task of the moment, or being “on-task,” can challenge the compulsive multi-tasker, but it’s worth the effort. Your customers will remember you by how much you pay attention to them, not by how many things you can pay attention to at the same time. Q

Joe Dinoffer is a Master Professional for both the PTR and USPTA. He speaks frequently at national and international tennis teacher workshops as a member of both the Head/Penn and Reebok National Speaker’s Bureaus. He is president of Oncourt Offcourt Inc. and has written 16 books and produced more than 30 instructional videos.

April 2008 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 21 RACQUETS

As players get smarter about their frames, they continue to expect more from racquet companies. BYKENTOSWALD

t’s a self-fulfilling prophecy,” says Steve But are there too many racquet models out there, Vorhaus, owner of Rocky Mountain Racquet making it confusing for consumers and aggravating “ISpecialists in Boulder, Colo. "The more rac- for retailers? quet models that are offered, the more the consumer "Every manufacturer wants to blanket the market comes to expect." so they won't miss anyone," says Vorhaus, whose And the more consumers expect, the more they store is one of the country's top specialty retailers, seem to buy. selling more than 1,000 adult frames a year. "And TIA research conducted by Sports Marketing Sur- there is an increase in interest from techies in know- veys shows that 2007 saw continued growth in the ing all the parameters [of racquets], even if they can't $220 million racquet business. Frame shipments tell you how that translates to their game. Manufac- topped $121 million, with the high end of the mar- turers are, in essence, responding to this. To be com- ket—pro and specialty shops where racquets cost an petitive, I have to carry everything, but I could do this average of about $138 each versus the chain sporting same job with 30 percent fewer racquets than are on goods and mass merchants at $53 and $24, respec- the market.” tively—up 4 percent in units sold and 8 percent in Linda Glassel, Prince’s vice president of market- To help you choose the right rac- dollar sales. ing, says she remembers years ago when “tennis was quet for your customers from all The 14 racquet manufacturers currently tracked booming and there wasn’t enough product.” She the models available (as of by TIA research bring a total of about 140 different agrees with Vorhaus that “consumers are smarter; March 2008), see our exclusive racquet models to the American market, on average, technology is better.” Racquet Selection Map, which and Head, Prince and Wilson combine to offer more Prince, Glassel adds, “is in the business of helping starts on page 24. than half of those selections. The average peak selling everybody with their game," making racquets that, season for a racquet is about 18 months, according to based on consumer research, are designed to help Sports Marketing Surveys. the games of recreational players and pros alike.

22 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2008 Like other retailers, Vorhaus builds racquet sales around the demo program. He and his staff keep trying to learn more and more from the player with each demo. (And he makes sure that everyone coming in for a stringing job is encouraged to demo a racquet.) Also, each frame Vorhaus sells is strung with a better synthetic string at no extra cost as a loss leader for the next purchase, whether a frame or string job. "If the racquet isn't properly strung," he says, "it doesn't play for beans." Recommendations from specialty retailers and teaching pros go a long way with consumers and do help to make the choice manageable. For Barbara Windham’s family of four in Northern California, the past year saw four new racquets—from three different manufacturers. Her teenage son recently became more serious about his tennis and bought a certain brand because his coach played with that brand. Her teenage daughter's coach plays with a different brand, so she took up that company’s racquet. And her hus- Wilson General Manager For retailers, it band just bought a new model—the third Jon Muir says his company brand for the family—thanks to the rec- also is looking to cover the recre- ommendation of the club pro. ational market completely. "We've got boils down to Windham’s experiences also validate a pretty broad base of consumers we are a key notion that Vorhaus mentioned— trying to satisfy," he says, adding that the knowing what’s the importance of the string job. After clearest trend is "more serious players, more playing for a long time with a particular serious racquets." frame, Windham had it restrung by some- Likewise, Head says it is trying to address out there and one other than her usual stringer. The the desire of players who feel technology has string job, she says, was not good, and given them enough pop and who now seek to taking the time to she was unhappy with how the rac- balance that with more control. And, according quet hit, so she tried her daugh- to a company spokesperson, another significant ter’s new frame and “never trend that came to light in recent years was become familiar played so well”—and she women wanting something that fit them better. bought herself the same So Head added a series of racquets designed for with all that you racquet. women that address physiological differences— “There is never the racquets feature a balance and grip devel- just one racquet oped by a marketing and research team and offer for sale. for a customer,” including Steffi Graf. says Rye, N.Y., But again, are there too many frames out teaching pro there? Well, maybe yes, maybe no. Lloyd Emanuel, who says he’ll sell "I look on the [specialty retailer] wall and there are 30 to 50 fewer than 100 racquets this year but racquets," says Wilson’s Muir. From his perspective, the number of nonetheless extols the virtues of racquets and all the information that is available on them is "over- choice when it comes to finding the whelming for the consumer—confusing and intimidating." Wilson right frame. plans to simplify its marketing presentation to address those con- "I love to have customers cerns. come and ask what is the latest," But Prince’s Glassel sees it differently. "Consumers are not con- he says. "Then I know I've made fused with what's there," she says. "They understand the nuances a sale." Q and differences between products." As for too many racquets on Former Tennis Week Editor Kent the wall, she believes the choices are good for players, and cus- Oswald is a writer and marketing tomers can rely on the expertise of specialty retailers and teaching consultant. He recently won sec- pros to help them find exactly the right frame for them. ond place in the “Hard For retailers, it boils down to knowing what’s out there and tak- News/Enterprise” category of ing the time to become familiar with all that you offer for sale. For the U.S. Tennis Writers’ instance, Vorhaus, even though he says he can do the same job Association 2006 Writing with fewer racquets, makes it a point to keep himself and his staff Contest for a story in Ten- nis Week. current on all the models and their benefits.

April 2008 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 23 RACQUETS

ur exclusive Racquet Selection Map enables or maneuverability. Once you have zoomed into an approxi- you to help your customer choose a racquet mate location on the grid, you can narrow down the rac- Owith “at-a-glance” ease. The entire perform- quet’s feel attributes by choosing from length, size, and flex ance racquet universe is presented on one easily nav- specs coded into the racquet number. Look up the racquet(s) igable grid that instantly locates each racquet com- by number in the accompanying table and send your cus- pared to every other in terms of power, control, and tomer out the door with a handful of “choice customized” maneuverability. demos. This procedure eliminates playe r’s doubt and sec- Simply locate the specs of your customer’s current rac- ond-guessing, minimizes buyer’s remorse, creates a satisfied quet on the map. From this starting point, move outward in customer, and leads to more profits. But the Racquet Selector large or small increments in the direction of the customer’s won’t work for you unless you let it. Post it on the wall as a primary preference—relatively more or less power, control tool for the whole world to see and use. And then, look out!

RACQUETSELECTIONMAPKEY

1. Power/Control (columns). (formula = length 8. Racquet Quadrants and the Center of the How To Use It index x headsize x flex x swingweight) ÷ 1000. Racquet Universe. The center of the racquet 1. Ask questions. What are you looking for Length index calculation: 27" = 1.0, 27.5" = universe is located at the intersection of the that your current racquet does not provide? 1.05; 28" = 1.1, etc. two red lines. Approximately half the racquets What do you like most and least about your 2. Maneuverability (rows). RDC (Babolat lie to the right and left, and half above and current racquet? What are the strengths and Racquet Diagnostic Center) swingweight units. below these lines. The lines divide the racquet weaknesses of your game? 3. Racquet ID. The number in the grid corre- universe into four color-coded quadrants – 2. Locate current racquet on map. If the rac- lates to the accompanying racquet list. clockwise from top left: (1) quick power, (2) quet is not in the list, take measurements. 4. Headsize. Midsize and midplus (≤104 sq. quick control, (3) stable control, (4) stable 3. Locating potential racquets. Depending in.) have no indicator. power. These characterizations provide a gen- on the answers to the above questions, Oversize (105 -117 sq. in.) = •. Superoversize eral vocabulary for comparing racquets. draw an imaginary arrow (a wide or skinny (≥ 118 sq. in.) = :. 9. Racquet Finder List. The racquet list one) from your present racquet in the 5. Length. x = extended length. Standard accompanying the map identifies each rac- desired direction for power and maneuver- length (27") racquets have no indicator. quet and gives additional information. The ability. 6. Flex (RDC). a = < 60; b = 60-64; c = 65-69; map provides specific (very narrow ranges, 4. Narrowing the field. Shrink the choices d = 70-74; e = > 74. The higher the number, anyway) swingweight, flex and power statis- using the length, headsize, and flex codes to the stiffer the racquet. tics, and general size and length characteris- match customer preferences. 7. Company. Coded by number and color. See tics. The racquet list specifies the length and 5. Selecting racquet demos. Once the choic- accompanying racquet list on the following size and further specifies weight, balance, es are narrowed, locate the racquets by pages. and price. number in the racquet list.

24 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2008 RSI’s annual Racquet Selection Map was compiled by Jonathan Wolfe and designed by Kristine Thom. April 2008 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 25 RACQUETS AS OF MARCH 2008 Racquet Headsize Length Weight Weight Balance Balance Flex Swingweight Power Retail (in2) (in.) (gm) (oz) (cm) (in.) (RDC) kg x cm2 Formula Price

AVERYAvery 800-758-9467 • www.averyracquets.com 1 M3 Control 95 27.00 346 12.20 31.00 12.20 62 307 1808 $179 2 M3 Power 95 27.00 355 12.52 32.25 12.70 68 331 2138 $180 3 M5 110 27.00 349 12.31 31.25 12.30 59 323 2096 $179 BABOLATbabolat 877-316-9435 • www.babolat.com 4 Aero 112 (with cortex) 112 27.50 279 9.84 37.00 14.57 66 320 2484 $219 5 Aero Storm (320g with cortex) 98 27.00 316 11.15 32.60 12.83 67 304 1996 $185 6 Aero Storm Tour (with cortex) 98 27.00 348 12.28 32.50 12.80 68 331 2206 $185 7 AeroPro Drive + (with Cortex) 100 27.50 322 11.36 33.00 12.99 70 330 2426 $185 8 AeroPro Drive (with Cortex) 100 27.00 322 11.36 32.80 12.91 70 324 2268 $185 9 Drive Z 110 (with cortex) 110 27.50 270 9.52 36.90 14.53 65 305 2290 $199 10 Drive Z 118 (with cortex) 118 27.25 273 9.63 36.00 14.17 71 299 2568 $229 11 Drive Z Lite (with Cortex) 100 27.00 271 9.56 36.00 14.17 68 306 2081 $169 12 NS Drive OS 109 27.00 271 9.56 35.80 14.09 67 301 2198 $129 13 Pure Drive 107 (with Cortex) 107 27.00 313 11.04 33.00 12.99 71 319 2423 $185 14 Pure Drive 110 (with Cortex) 110 27.00 306 10.79 35.00 13.78 67 323 2381 $185 15 Pure Drive Roddick 100 27.00 332 11.71 32.75 12.89 73 328 2394 $189 16 Pure Drive Roddick + 100 27.50 333 11.75 32.75 12.89 72 336 2540 $189 17 Pure Drive (with Cortex) 100 27.00 318 11.22 33.00 12.99 72 318 2290 $185 18 Pure Drive + (with Cortex) 100 27.50 319 11.25 33.25 13.09 71 328 2445 $185 19 Pure Storm 98 27.00 308 10.86 33.75 13.29 65 319 2032 $179 20 Pure Storm LTD 95 27.00 329 11.61 31.45 12.38 58 296 1631 $179 21 Pure Storm Tour 98 27.00 334 11.78 32.30 12.72 65 328 2089 $179 22 Pure Storm Tour + 98 27.50 338 11.92 32.00 12.60 63 328 2126 $179 BANCROFTbancroft 800-779-0807 • www.harrowsports.com 23 ACE Advantage 107 27.00 270 9.52 34.50 13.58 57 279 1702 $195 24 Ace Omni 107 27.25 272 9.59 36.75 14.47 79 308 2669 $169 25 Ace Rocket 116 27.50 274 9.67 38.00 14.96 78 330 3135 $199 26 ACE Tour 98 27.00 307 10.83 33.50 13.19 67 304 1996 $195 27 ACE Tour + 98 27.00 323 11.39 33.75 13.29 70 319 2188 $195 BLACKBURNEblackburne 888-GUTSwin • www.blackburneds.com 28 Double Strung 107 107 27.00 292 10.30 36.75 14.47 68 341 2481 $199 BORISboris BECKER becker 866-554-7872 • www.borisbecker.com 29 Becker 11 (325g) 98 27.00 343 12.10 32.50 12.80 63 335 2068 $179 30 Becker 11 Mid 93 27.00 347 12.24 32.00 12.60 61 327 1855 $220 31 Becker 11L 98 27.00 302 10.65 33.00 12.99 65 286 1822 $179 32 Becker Pro 100 27.00 311 10.97 33.00 12.99 69 311 2146 $200 33 Becker V1 MP 102 27.00 305 10.76 33.60 13.23 68 315 2185 $199 34 Becker V1 OS 110 27.60 309 10.90 34.40 13.54 67 331 2586 $199 DUNLOPdulop 800-768-4727 • www.carltonsports.com 35 Aerogel 1 Thousand (1000) 118 27.50 258 9.10 36.90 14.53 70 301 2611 $189 36 Aerogel 2 Hundred (200) 95 27.00 340 11.99 32.55 12.81 64 326 1982 $189 37 Aerogel 3 Hundred (300) 98 27.00 324 11.43 33.75 13.29 63 324 2000 $199 38 Aerogel 5 Hundred (500) 100 27.00 291 10.26 34.15 13.44 70 299 2093 $199 39 Aerogel 5 Hundred (500) Tour 100 27.00 315 11.11 33.50 13.19 73 324 2365 $199 40 Aerogel 6 Hundred (600) 105 27.00 284 10.02 35.50 13.98 71 307 2289 $189 41 Aerogel 7 Hundred (700) 108 27.30 274 9.67 35.60 14.02 74 307 2527 $209 42 Aerogel 8 Hundred (800) 110 27.50 270 9.52 37.00 14.57 73 310 2614 $219 43 Aerogel 9 Hundred (900) 113 27.50 273 9.63 35.80 14.09 73 308 2668 $219 44 M Fil Lady G 108 27.50 277 9.77 35.00 13.78 69 291 2277 $149 45 Roland Garros Racing 100 27.00 286 10.09 33.75 13.29 72 288 2074 $129

26 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2008 Racquet Headsize Length Weight Weight Balance Balance Flex Swingweight Power Retail (in2) (in.) (gm) (oz) (cm) (in.) (RDC) kg x cm2 Formula Price

FEATHERfeather 323-692-8256 • www.feathersports.com 46 Court Ti 2000 107 27.50 253 8.92 39.00 15.35 77 321 2777 $120 FISCHERfischer 800-844-7810 • www.fischertennisusa.com 47 GDS Vision 102 $140 48 M 1210 118 27.50 245 8.64 37.95 14.94 64 298 2363 $250 49 M Comp 95 95 27.00 345 12.17 32.20 12.68 63 325 1945 $220 50 M Motion 112 27.75 273 9.63 37.00 14.57 69 323 2683 $230 51 M Pro No. One 105 (UL) 105 27.00 308 10.86 33.00 12.99 65 301 2054 $190 52 M Pro No. One 98 (SL) 98 27.00 337 11.89 32.25 12.70 56 312 1712 $210 53 M Pro No. One 98 (UL) 98 27.00 309 10.90 33.45 13.17 63 306 1889 $210 54 M Rally (Red or Yellow) 102 27.50 200 7.05 34.20 13.46 65 300 2088 $230 55 M Tour 100 (SL) 100 27.00 331 11.68 31.45 12.38 59 299 1764 $180 56 M Tour 100 (UL) 100 27.00 305 10.76 33.30 13.11 58 302 1752 $180 57 M Vision 102 27.40 250 8.82 33.45 13.17 67 299 2125 $180 58 Pro 1 X-Lite 98 27.00 273 9.63 35.00 13.78 57 292 1631 $170 GAMMAgamma 800-333-0337 • www.gammasports.com 59 Big Bubba 28 137 28.00 273 9.63 38.30 15.08 66 349 3471 $190 60 C Four 100 27.25 315 11.11 35.50 13.98 75 360 2768 $140 61 C One 106 27.75 270 9.52 35.40 13.94 70 311 2481 $190 62 C Three 102 27.00 310 10.93 33.50 13.19 65 304 2016 $130 63 C Two 106 27.50 279 9.84 36.00 14.17 70 310 2415 $180 64 G250 110 27.75 275 9.70 35.95 14.15 72 319 2716 $180 65 G260 105 27.00 279 9.84 34.50 13.58 63 305 2018 $160 66 G290 103 27.50 305 10.76 33.50 13.19 73 324 2558 $160 67 G310 100 27.00 323 11.39 32.00 12.60 61 300 1830 $160 68 G325 95 27.00 341 12.03 31.15 12.26 61 297 1721 $160 69 IPEX 2.0 SOS 137 27.75 272 9.59 37.50 14.76 65 334 3197 $190 70 IPEX 3.0 OS 116 27.50 265 9.35 36.00 14.17 70 302 2575 $180 71 IPEX 5.0 MP 96 27.25 272 9.59 34.50 13.58 67 293 1932 $160 72 IPEX 7.0 MP 98 27.00 323 11.39 32.25 12.70 64 311 1951 $150 73 IPEX 7.0 OS 107 27.00 322 11.36 32.50 12.80 59 308 1944 $150 74 T Five 100 27.00 326 11.50 34.50 13.58 76 355 2698 $150 75 T Seven 100 27.00 324 11.43 31.75 12.50 58 296 1717 $170 76 T Six 98 27.00 302 10.65 33.95 13.37 65 307 1956 $160 HEAD head 800-289-7366 • www.head.com 77 Agassi Radical (Limited Edition) 107 27.00 340 11.99 32.90 12.95 62 330 2189 $99 78 Airflow 1 99 27.00 267 9.42 36.25 14.27 76 294 2212 $150 79 Airflow 3 102 27.00 262 9.24 35.85 14.11 75 284 2173 $180 80 Airflow 5 109 27.00 250 8.82 35.50 13.98 74 270 2178 $200 81 Airflow 7 115 27.00 255 8.99 35.00 13.78 73 265 2225 $225 82 Flexpoint 10 121 27.50 259 9.14 38.00 14.96 69 316 2770 $275 83 Flexpoint 4 107 27.33 281 9.91 35.50 13.98 67 309 2288 $225 84 Flexpoint Prestige Mid 93 27.00 345 12.17 32.00 12.60 67 312 1944 $225 85 Flexpoint Prestige MP 98 27.00 338 11.92 32.38 12.75 66 315 2037 $225 86 Flexpoint Prestige XL MP 98 27.38 342 12.06 33.13 13.04 67 333 2268 $225 87 FXP Instinct Team (Flexpoint) 105 27.00 281 9.91 35.00 13.78 68 298 2128 $170 88 FXP Prestige Team 102 27.00 310 10.93 34.00 13.39 56 319 1822 $210 89 FXP Radical Team (Flexpoint) 102 27.00 294 10.37 35.00 13.78 59 312 1878 $190 90 Metallix 10 124 27.33 270 9.52 36.00 14.17 69 289 2554 $275 91 Metallix 2 102 27.30 273 9.63 36.00 14.17 69 290 2102 $200 92 Metallix 4 107 27.25 269 9.49 37.00 14.57 67 306 2249 $200 93 Metallix 6 115 27.30 268 9.45 36.25 14.27 69 290 2370 $225 94 MicroGEL Extreme 100 27.25 312 11.01 32.45 12.78 68 308 2147 $180

April 2008 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 27 Racquet Headsize Length Weight Weight Balance Balance Flex Swingweight Power Retail (in2) (in.) (gm) (oz) (cm) (in.) (RDC) kg x cm2 Formula Price

headHEAD cont. cont. 800-289-7366 • www.head.com 95 MicroGEL Extreme Pro 100 27.00 341 12.03 32.50 12.80 71 335 2379 $180 96 MicroGEL Extreme Team Oversize 107 27.00 285 10.05 33.50 13.19 58 287 1781 $150 97 MicroGEL Instinct Mid Plus 100 27.00 313 11.04 33.00 12.99 66 313 2066 $150 98 MicroGEL Mojo 100 27.00 301 10.62 34.00 13.39 63 302 1903 $150 99 MicroGEL Monster 102 27.00 289 10.19 34.50 13.58 70 297 2121 $160 100 MicroGEL Prestige Mid 93 27.00 345 12.17 32.00 12.60 65 329 1989 $200 101 MicroGEL Prestige Mid Plus 98 27.00 336 11.85 32.15 12.66 64 304 1907 $200 102 MicroGEL Prestige Pro 98 27.00 332 11.71 32.00 12.60 64 308 1932 $200 103 MicroGEL Radical MP 98 27.00 309 10.90 33.50 13.19 60 308 1811 $180 104 MicroGEL Radical OS 107 27.00 311 10.97 33.20 13.07 56 312 1870 $180 105 MicroGEL Radical Pro MP 100 27.00 330 11.64 33.50 13.19 68 316 2149 $180 106 MicroGEL Radical Team 102 27.00 286 10.09 34.00 13.39 62 299 1891 $170 107 MicroGEL Raptor Mid Plus 102 27.00 272 9.59 35.50 13.98 69 304 2140 $120 108 MicroGEL Raptor OS 110 27.00 268 9.45 32.00 12.60 308 64 2168 $120 109 Protector MP 102 27.38 282 9.95 36.75 14.47 66 320 2235 $300 110 Protector OS 115 27.63 283 9.98 38.00 14.96 64 340 2659 $300 POWERpowerangle ANGLE 877-POWER-21 • www.powerangle.net 111 Power 102 (Light Blue) 102 27.38 274 9.67 36.50 14.37 72 314 2392 $199 112 Power 102 (Navy Blue) 102 27.38 272 9.59 37.00 14.57 73 315 2433 $199 113 Power 102 (Yellow) 102 27.38 274 9.67 36.50 14.37 72 314 2392 $199 114 Power 115 (Light Blue) 115 27.38 268 9.45 37.25 14.67 74 318 2808 $199 115 Power 115 (Red) 115 27.25 262 9.24 37.25 14.67 73 309 2659 $199 116 Power 115 (Yellow) 115 27.38 268 9.45 37.25 14.67 74 318 2808 $199 117 Power 98 98 27.00 322 11.36 30.50 12.01 63 289 1784 $199 118 Power 98/K 98 27.00 326 11.50 30.75 12.11 64 289 1813 $199 PRINCEprince 800-2TENNIS • www.princetennis.com 119 O3 Blue 110 27.50 281 9.91 34.25 13.48 65 295 2215 $280 120 O3 Hybrid Comp MP 102 27.00 307 10.83 33.80 13.31 65 319 2115 $159 121 O3 Hybrid Hornet MP 100 27.00 302 10.65 34.25 13.48 72 314 2261 $190 122 O3 Hybrid Hornet OS 110 27.00 283 9.98 35.00 13.78 71 305 2382 $190 123 O3 Hybrid Lite OS 110 27.00 271 9.56 35.90 14.13 69 303 2300 $159 124 O3 Hybrid Shark MP 100 27.00 314 11.08 33.75 13.29 66 322 2125 $200 125 O3 Hybrid Shark OS 110 27.50 295 10.41 35.00 13.78 67 323 2500 $200 126 O3 Hybrid Spectrum MP 100 27.00 302 10.65 34.00 13.39 73 313 2285 $149 127 O3 Hybrid Spectrum OS 110 27.00 281 9.91 34.50 13.58 69 293 2224 $149 128 O3 Hybrid Tour (16x18) 95 27.00 329 11.61 31.75 12.50 67 326 2075 $200 129 O3 Silver OS 118 27.75 270 9.52 37.50 14.76 78 320 3166 $300 130 O3 Speedport Black (with hole inserts) 100 27.00 327 11.53 33.00 12.99 72 336 2419 $199 131 O3 Speedport Black (with port inserts) 100 27.00 321 11.32 32.80 12.91 71 328 2329 $199 132 O3 Speedport Blue 110 27.50 290 10.23 35.15 13.84 67 325 2515 $269 133 O3 Speedport Gold OS (Conventional Throat Insert) 115 27.50 273 9.63 37.40 14.72 71 325 2786 $249 134 O3 Speedport Gold OS (Strung-Thru Throat Insert) 115 27.50 267 9.42 37.05 14.59 69 316 2633 $249 135 O3 Speedport Platinum OS (Conventional Throat Insert) 125 27.50 272 9.59 37.40 14.72 71 325 3029 $269 136 O3 Speedport Platinum OS (Strung-Thru Throat Insert) 125 27.50 270 9.52 37.50 14.76 71 325 3029 $269 137 O3 Speedport Pro White MP 100 27.00 329 11.61 33.15 13.05 69 335 2312 $199 138 O3 Speedport Red 105 27.25 297 10.48 34.50 13.58 67 324 2336 $249 139 O3 Speedport Silver 118 27.75 267 9.42 37.00 14.57 74 314 2947 $289 140 O3 Speedport Tour (with hole inserts) 97 27.00 341 12.03 32.20 12.68 68 340 2243 $199 141 O3 Speedport Tour (with port inserts) 97 27.00 335 11.82 31.95 12.58 66 330 2113 $199 142 O3 Speedport White MP 100 27.00 318 11.22 33.45 13.17 68 325 2210 $199 143 O3 Tour MP (100) 100 27.00 324 11.43 32.25 12.70 61 312 1903 $220 144 O3 Tour MS 95 27.00 338 11.92 31.75 12.50 65 315 1945 $220

28 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2008 Racquet Headsize Length Weight Weight Balance Balance Flex Swingweight Power Retail (in2) (in.) (gm) (oz) (cm) (in.) (RDC) kg x cm2 Formula Price

145 O3 Tour OS 107 27.50 316 11.15 34.00 13.39 66 321 2380 $220 146 O3 White MP 100 27.00 315 11.11 33.25 13.09 67 317 2124 $220 147 OZone Four 110 27.50 292 10.30 34.80 13.70 70 324 2620 $170 148 OZone One 118 27.75 273 9.63 37.50 14.76 77 335 3272 $170 149 OZone Pro Tour MP 100 27.00 346 12.20 32.00 12.60 66 330 2178 $179 150 OZone Seven 105 27.25 299 10.55 34.95 13.76 74 318 2533 $170 151 OZone Tour MP 100 27.00 330 11.64 32.15 12.66 62 326 2021 $179 PRO SUPEXpro supex 866-787-4644 • www.prosupexusa.com 152 Dynamic Energy 100 27.00 328 11.57 31.95 12.58 67 308 2064 $100 153 Nano Energy 95 27.00 346 12.20 33.50 13.19 65 347 2143 $100 154 Ti. S1 100 27.00 314 11.08 33.50 13.19 70 316 2212 $100 155 Uniflex MP3 100 27.00 325 11.46 33.15 13.05 64 326 2086 $100 SLAZENGERslazenger 724-273-3342 • www.slazenger.com 156 Pro X1 95 27.00 336 11.85 32.00 12.60 67 305 1941 $180 157 Quad 255 (Flex) 108 27.50 271 9.56 35.40 13.94 65 300 2211 $159 158 Quad 270 (Flex) 100 27.00 282 9.95 34.00 13.39 73 295 2154 $139 159 Type 2 NX One 98 27.00 310 10.93 33.60 13.23 65 321 2045 $120 160 Type 2 NX Three 114 27.25 278 9.81 35.00 13.78 73 307 2619 $100 161 Type 2 NX Two 98 27.00 290 10.23 33.45 13.17 72 298 2103 $160 TECNIFIBREtecnifibre 877-332-0825 • www.tecnifibre.com 162 T Fight 320 (16x20) 97 27.00 329 11.61 31.50 12.40 67 299 1943 $170 163 T Fight 320 (18x20) 97 27.00 335 11.82 32.30 12.72 68 320 2111 $170 164 T Fight 320 XL (18x20) 97 27.50 337 11.89 32.30 12.72 64 338 2203 $190 165 T Fight 335 (16x20) 97 27.00 350 12.35 31.25 12.30 67 315 2047 $170 166 T Fight 335 (18x20) 97 27.00 351 12.38 31.50 12.40 66 319 2042 $170 167 T Flash 270 OS 110 27.50 283 9.98 33.75 13.29 68 308 2419 $180 168 T Flash 290 100 27.00 308 10.86 33.75 13.29 69 312 2153 $170 169 T Flash 310 (16x19) 100 27.00 329 11.61 32.85 12.93 71 320 2272 $170 170 T Flash 310 (18x20) 100 27.00 325 11.46 32.10 12.64 70 314 2198 $170 VANTAGEvantage +44 (0)1753 621177 • www.vantagetennis.com 171 VT001 Black 90 27.00 338 11.92 32.50 12.80 63 321 1820 $221 172 VT001 White 90 27.00 338 11.92 32.50 12.80 63 321 1820 $221 173 VT002 Black 95 27.00 334 11.78 32.00 12.60 61 323 1872 $221 174 VT002 White 95 27.00 334 11.78 32.00 12.60 61 323 1872 $221 175 VT003 Black 100 27.25 306 10.79 34.75 13.68 61 324 2026 $221 176 VT003 White 100 27.25 306 10.79 34.75 13.68 61 324 2026 $221 VOLKL volkl 866-554-7872 • www.volkl-tennis.com 177 C10 Pro 98 27.00 348 12.28 31.50 12.40 56 321 1762 $200 178 DNX 1 w/Power Arm 115 27.80 267 9.42 35.85 14.11 71 306 2698 $290 179 DNX 2 Attiva 110 27.30 283 9.98 35.50 13.98 71 310 2494 $200 180 DNX 3 110 27.75 280 9.88 35.25 13.88 66 315 2458 $240 181 DNX 4 105 27.60 290 10.23 33.75 13.29 67 300 2237 $180 182 DNX 6 Attiva 100 27.00 285 10.05 34.00 13.39 67 300 2010 $150 183 DNX 7 100 27.00 290 10.23 33.65 13.25 67 299 2003 $150 184 DNX 8 100 27.00 312 11.01 33.50 13.19 70 317 2219 $170 185 DNX 9 98 27.00 320 11.29 32.50 12.80 68 312 2079 $180 186 Scorcher 5 102 27.00 294 10.37 32.80 12.91 65 282 1870 $150 187 V1 Classic (Silver Color) 102 27.00 316 11.15 34.00 13.39 67 316 2160 $179 WEED weed 800-WEED RKT • www.weedusa.com 188 EXT 135 Blue 135 28.25 280 9.88 37.00 14.57 64 338 3285 $250 189 EXT 135 Green 135 28.25 275 9.70 37.00 14.57 62 334 3145 $250 190 EXT 135 Pink 135 28.25 277 9.77 37.00 14.57 64 340 3305 $250 191 EXT 135 Tour 135 28.25 263 9.28 37.00 14.57 60 322 2934 $250

April 2008 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 29 Racquet Headsize Length Weight Weight Balance Balance Flex Swingweight Power Retail (in2) (in.) (gm) (oz) (cm) (in.) (RDC) kg x cm2 Formula Price

weedWEED cont. cont. 800-WEED RKT • www.weedusa.com 192 X ONE25 (27 1/2) 125 27.50 269 9.49 36.25 14.27 69 311 2816 $209 193 X ONE25 (28 1/2) 125 28.50 269 9.49 38.25 15.06 69 360 3571 $209 194 X ONE25 Tour 125 28.50 $250 195 Z One 35 135 27.00 273 9.63 36.25 14.27 67 314 2840 $250 WILSONwilson 800-272-6060 • www.wilson.com 196 KBlade 98 98 27.00 317 11.18 33.75 13.29 67 331 2173 $210 197 KBlade Team 104 27.25 303 10.69 33.75 13.29 59 314 1975 $210 198 KBlade Tour 93 27.00 337 11.89 31.08 12.24 68 320 2024 $220 199 KFive 108 108 27.25 292 10.30 37.45 14.74 51 335 1891 $250 200 KFive 98 98 27.25 296 10.44 37.00 14.57 59 341 2021 $250 201 KFour 105 (K4) 105 27.25 281 9.91 35.00 13.78 75 311 2510 $230 202 KFour 112 (K4) 112 27.50 280 9.88 37.50 14.76 74 341 2968 $260 203 KOne 122 (K1) 122 27.50 264 9.31 38.20 15.04 73 316 2955 $350 204 KPro Open 100 27.00 311 10.97 32.80 12.91 70 302 2114 $200 205 KPro Tour 96 27.00 323 11.39 31.80 12.52 64 302 1855 $210 206 KSix One 95 (18x20) 95 27.00 349 12.31 31.20 12.28 68 324 2093 $210 207 KSix One 95 (68 Holes) 95 27.00 347 12.24 31.55 12.42 71 325 2192 $210 208 KSix One 95 X 95 27.50 347 12.24 33.00 12.99 69 359 2471 $210 209 KSix One Team 95 27.00 305 10.76 34.10 13.43 61 316 1831 $210 210 KSix One Tour 90 27.00 356 12.56 31.85 12.54 66 331 1966 $220 211 KSix Two 100 100 27.00 295 10.41 33.00 12.99 69 300 2070 $180 212 KSting 105 27.25 275 9.70 35.00 13.78 62 298 1988 $160 213 KSurge 100 27.00 292 10.30 33.95 13.37 71 303 2151 $200 214 KThree 115 (K3) 115 27.50 268 9.45 37.50 14.76 65 313 2457 $300 215 KTour 95 95 27.25 306 10.79 35.00 13.78 65 336 2127 $200 216 KZen (103) 103 27.25 318 11.22 33.10 13.03 73 328 2528 $190 217 KZen Team 103 27.25 285 10.05 34.50 13.58 73 305 2351 $190 218 KZero 118 27.50 258 9.10 36.25 14.27 73 291 2632 $250 219 n1 115 27.90 256 9.03 38.75 15.26 75 323 3037 $300 220 n5 Force 110 110 27.25 286 10.09 37.50 14.76 56 329 2077 $240 221 nFury Two (100 sq. in.) 100 27.00 278 9.81 34.00 13.39 54 290 1566 $120 222 nFury Two Oversize 110 27.00 271 9.56 35.60 14.02 69 296 2247 $120 YONEXyonex 800-44-YONEX • www.yonexusa.com 223 RDS 001 90 90 27.00 344 12.13 31.75 12.50 65 320 1872 $199 224 RDS 001 98 98 27.00 309 10.90 31.75 12.50 66 309 1999 $199 225 RDS 002 98 27.00 315 11.11 33.00 12.99 66 314 2031 $199 226 RDS 002 Tour 98 27.00 342 12.06 31.75 12.50 68 320 2132 $199 227 RDS 003 100 100 27.25 312 11.01 32.75 12.89 69 306 2164 $189 228 RQ Speed 30 102 27.50 269 9.49 35.00 13.78 71 293 2228 $119 229 RQIS 1 Tour 95 27.00 333 11.75 31.50 12.40 61 312 1808 $189 230 RQIS 2 Tour 100 27.50 303 10.69 33.25 13.09 68 313 2235 $199 231 RQS 11 100 27.50 292 10.30 34.25 13.48 67 311 2188 $229 232 RQS 22 102 27.50 285 10.05 34.80 13.70 65 309 2151 $249 233 RQS 33 107 27.50 279 9.84 36.00 14.17 70 321 2525 $239 234 RQS 55 112 27.50 265 9.35 37.15 14.63 70 314 2585 $259

30 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2008

TENNISAPPAREL TAKINGTAKING ONEFORONEFOR

THETEAMTHETEAMTeam apparel can be big business for retailers, as tenniswear manufacturers offer outfits to suit all

types of groups. BYCYNTHIASHERMAN

hen you look at tennis apparel sales in the U.S., one coaches,” says Terry Hunter of Tennis Outlet in Lubbock, thing you notice is that tennis team wear can account Texas. “We know what fits into the school’s needs and bud- for big retail business. And in the future, it’s going to get. The challenge is pleasing everyone.” Wget bigger. League tennis players—whether USTA Leagues, Hunter says when dealing with schools, retailers need to WTT Rec Leagues or others—have been increasing in the last consider a number of factors. “Kids are fashion conscious, few years, and initiatives such as School Tennis, USTA Tennis parents have their preferences, and the coach doesn’t want to on Campus, the No-Cut High School team programs and spend a lot of time thinking about uniforms,” Hunter says, more have been adding to the notion that tennis is a team “So we try to make it easy and efficient for everyone con- sport. cerned.” All of this means more and more people—both adults and At the Indianapolis (Ind.) Racquet Club, Kevin Lindley, the juniors—are playing tennis on teams, which makes sense, director of team sales, will sometimes loan clothing samples because tennis not only is competitive, but it can be a very to schools so they can see it in person for sizing, color and fit. social sport, too. And with the increased numbers of teams, “Criteria for a lot of teams concern school colors first,” he players are looking to coordinate their team outfits. says, “and also a quality product at a good price, because For some retailers, team wear accounts for a sizable schools are on tight budgets. In some cases, brand loyalty chunk of their apparel revenue. If you’re not yet in the team plays a factor.” Often, coaches defer to the kids, especially game, or have only lightly dabbled in selling to teams, you the team captain, for team uniform decisions. should consider the ways you can cash in on this revenue Lindley says he does whatever it takes to help stream in your area. schools and teams with the ordering process. And the One way, of course is to make sure you meet school Indianapolis Racquet Club offers discounts to teams, too. coaches and league captains in your area. “Over the years, Here are some of the manufacturers who offer team we’ve formed some great relationships with high school apparel lines.

32 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2008 Fila Fila's Essenza men’s and women’s collection includes team stand-out bold color blocking and mesh inserts paired with Fila's performance fabric, which is a unique stretch fabric that provides superior moisture-wicking for maxi- mum dryness and comfort. The Essenza collection includes items that are available year round for at-once delivery. The color palette stays consistent season to season with a few pop colors rotated into the collection. There is a wide variety of styles available for all tastes and fits, from cami tanks and polos to racer-back tops, crews and long-sleeve shirts, and skirts/skorts for women, to sleeveless, polos, crews, and shorts for men. www.fila.com, 800-845-3452

Diadora Team wear comprises at least half of Diadora’s business, the company says. Diadora’s extensive team line is available in many styles and colors for men and women. Made of 100 percent moisture- wicking DiaDry Poly, the women’s line has two dress, four skirt and four tank styles. The men’s line features crews, polos, and two styles of shorts. With a 105,000- square-foot warehouse, Diadora says it is able to keep stock year round, with immediate shipping capabilities, and volume discounts are available. www.diadoraamerica.com, 800-DIADORA

April 2008 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 33 Lejay With the growth of team sales, Lejay has expanded its Team Collection to include more style choices to fit every body. Team Essentials offer 11 solid colors in the LeDry high performance fabric, which also features UV protection. All styles can be custom-cut in any color combination and can take team or club logo embroi- dery. (Custom orders take two to three weeks.) Bold color-blocking and trim stands out on skirts, skorts, tanks, racer backs and a dress which has a built-in bra. www.lejay.com, 800-932-7535

Athco/Wilson Wilson apparel licensee Athco launched men’s and women’s team tennis wear this year, featuring 100 percent poly interlock Hypertek, the clothes boast moisture-wicking and breathability. The women’s line also features Hypertek, poly/lyrca with meryl stretch fabric in racer-back tops, ath- letically fitting tanks, and classic cuts with tanks and cap- sleeved polos. Skorts come in a variety of colors. Men’s shirts come in three crew styles in all colors, white with accent trim and solid color with accent trim, two polos, and three different styles of shorts in three different lengths. The company says it is fully stocked, with immediate shipping. www.athco.com, 800-990-0000

34 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2008 Prince Prince’s team wear shows off classic silhouettes in a variety of colors and designs in contemporary styles. For men, 100 percent poly with breathable mesh at the underarm and back is featured in the short sleeve and sleeveless crews, polos, and long-sleeve crews. Shorts, warm-up pants, and jackets round out the line. The women’s side feature skirts, tops, shorts, jackets and pants in blends of poly and spandex with breathable mesh inserts and backs in a rainbow of colors. www.princesports.com, 800-2-TENNIS

Bälle de Mätch Team wear constitutes about 40 percent of Bälle de Mätch’s business. The company says it always has inven- tory in all colors, and that orders get shipped out the same day they’re placed. Bälle de Mätch keeps the team line consistent, introducing one new piece a year, so coaches and players can count on continuity, stability and clothing that will always be in season. The men’s side features crews, polos and shorts in 100 percent poly in a variety of colors. The women’s line sports racer-back tops, tanks, skorts and dresses in a playable spandex/poly blend, again in a full range of colors. www.balledematch.com, 800-356-1021

April 2008 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 35 PROGRAMMING

Don’t just teach your beginners how to hit the ball. For more complete participation in your programs and

leagues, teach them how to play a match. BYROBINBATEMAN

lose your eyes. Remember back to your very first USTA the heck’s this tie-break thing all about? league match. You step onto the court, sweaty palms grip- The instruction pathway leads straight into leagues, but C ping your racquet. “Eye on the ball,” you mutter. Your you’re left to fend for yourself when it comes to the more partner is a newbie, too, and barely knows how to keep score. “social” aspects of the game, such as etiquette and rules. Together, you both will try to remember everything the coach Even a topic as essential as match strategy can be ignored taught you in your beginner class. in lessons. Odds are, though, that your class focused more on stroke As a coach or programs coordinator, why not alleviate execution than on match strategies, changing ends, foot- many of these stresses and concerns novice players face work/movement during a point, communication with your part- when they begin league play? You can do that by offering ner, player etiquette, rules, etc. These aspects of a match instructional “league” classes. probably received scant attention in your lessons. Understanding the Basics During points, you probably tried to make mental notes to ask your coach later: What’s a let? How much time do we get Sarah Witherspoon, the adult programs coordinator for on a changeover, and what should I do on a changeover? What Macon Tennis Connect run out of John Drew Smith Tennis

36 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2008 Center in Macon, Ga., runs an instruc- If you’re looking for ways to increase tional league class. Sessions run four Are you sure? league play and program participation, weeks, and the format mimics league Q Friend At Court, the USTA handbook of why not start by offering a class that will play: Participants are placed on teams to tennis rules and regulations, is a great create strong, confident players who are play real matches, using one set regular place to find official answers to all your familiar with the intricacies of match scoring so they become familiar with USTA match play questions. The book play and can’t wait to enroll in all of your how deuce/ad works. can be purchased for $5 through USTA. programs? Your players will thank you “The major difference between league Or a full version of Friend At Court can through program participation in class matches and USTA league play also be accessed online. Go to leagues, tournaments and round-robins. is…well…me,” says Witherspoon. “Play- www.usta.com, click on the “About Us” Your coaches will thank you for the ers can stop play to ask me questions tab, then click the “Rules” tab. increased lessons generated. about anything they don’t understand. With league class participation at the Also, if I see obvious errors or play s that Q The Code, which is printed in the first John Drew Smith Tennis Center averag- can benefit from advice on movement or part of Friend At Court, provides rules ing close to 40 participants and retention communication, I stop play myself.” and regulations for playing unofficial levels reaching 95 percent, who can Witherspoon stands nearby, observ- matches. argue with success? In fact, Witherspoon ing students, determining when to inter- Q USTA sections and districts often publish says that from the spring 2007 instruc- ject. From her position on top of a hill, helpful information for players, parents tional league classes, five new USTA she monitors all six courts the league and spectators. Remember to check out teams were formed that participated in class uses. Sometimes, she waits until your local district’s website when league play last fall, three women’s 2.5 the point is played before giving instruc- searching for tennis do’s and don’ts. teams a nd two men’s teams, at 2.5 and tion on what should have been done, 3.0. while other times, she walks right on Q Presented in an entertaining manner, If you help your beginning players to court, especially when order of serve is Tennis for Dummies, written by Patrick feel more comfortable playing the game, broken, or scoring issues arise. McEnroe and Peter Bodo, and The Com- they’ll continue to grow and develop a “The ‘on-th e-job training’ is the best plete Idiot’s Guide to Tennis, by Trish real love for tennis. Which can only be way the beginner players can improve Faulkner, give lots of information about good for your business.Q their game with the on-court assistance strokes, etiquette and mental tough- from the coordinator,” Witherspoon ness, and offer personal tennis anec- says. “It’s a great stepping-stone to tran- dotes throughout. sition them into USTA leagues.” Players like Clare McBride, a secretary for Bibb County School District’s After School Program, love the league classes. “They give me the opportunity to gain match experience without the worries of real USTA competition,” McBride says. “I don’t want to be the weak link on the team.” McBride enrolled in her first beginner’s class last May as a way to relieve stress from the pressures of work and school. She then signed up for her first league class in June. She will continue registering for league classes until, she says, she can “hold her own” on a team. Reviewing the Rules

Each class begins with a quick review of rules: no cell phones on court, no racquet abuse, wait until the point is played before you walk behind your neighbor’s cou rt, etc. Then Witherspoon assigns everyone to his or her matches before taking her monitoring post. Witherspoon also addresses spectator rules. “Many beginners think their fans can sit on the player benches on court. Furthermore, novice players believe spectators are allowed to settle line call disputes and scoring issues. We let them know Contributing Editor Robin Bateman is the site coordina- right away this is wrong.” tor for the Tattnall Tennis Center in Macon, Ga., where Another common mistake new players make is calling the she coordinates tennis programs and leagues, is a tour- ball “out” before it has landed. All of these and many more nament director, serves as a team captain and assists etiquette procedures along with USTA rules are reviewed junior teams competing at district, regional, and section throughout the league class, ensuring participants graduate events. with an all-around knowledge of the game.

April 2008 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 37 DISTINGUISHEDFACILITY-OF-THE-YEARAWARDS QUALITYQUALITY

CONSTRUCTIONCONSTRUCTIONThe outdoor hard-court winners demonstrate excellence on a grand scale.

he six outdoor hard-court winners (not including resi- plans to build a new high school to share in the use of this first- dential projects) of the Racquet Sports Indus- class tennis complex. Ttry/American Sports Builders Association 2007 While the facility at Oconomowoc High School in Wiscon- Distinguished Facility-of-the-Year Awards represent a nice mix sin is considered an upgrade, it required the demolition of of facilities that show the breadth of tennis in communities seven existing courts and the installation of a 10-court com- throughout the country. The winners include a youth tennis plex. This is truly a community-based project. During the ini- c omplex, middle school, high school, community college, uni- tial design phase, the project was submitted for funding versity and public complex. through the USTA. But funding was declined, so the commu- Projects ranged from the renovated single rooftop court nity rallied together with private donations and fund-raisers to above a parking garage at Rockefeller University in New York supplement the funds supplied by the school district and park City to the new 16-court indoor and outdoor Arthur Ashe and recreation department. Youth Tennis & Education complex in Philadelphia. (AAYTE The 10-court Goddard Eisenhower Tennis Complex in also won the Court-of-the-Year Award for the facility; this Dis- Kansas was completed in just eight weeks. To meet the dead- tinguished Facility-of-the-Year honor is for their outdoor line, the contractor had to form and place the concrete within courts.) two weeks, let it cure for 30 days, then surface all the courts The AAYTE project included two outdoor rebound wall mini in a week. The result, though, offers players and spectators a courts, an outdoor stadium court and two backboards. AAYTE spectacular venue. is one of the U.S.’s premier non-profit tennis facilities, which Mesa Community College in Arizona had eight new courts serves thousands of youngsters in the Philly area. It’s been installed under a tight deadline. The result includes a spectator honored for excellence in tennis and education by the USTA, viewing area, and a complex that both students and the com- PTR and ITF, and it also won RSI’s Municipal Facility of the munity can use and be proud of. Year Award last fall. The new facility was built on the grounds Rockefeller University in the heart of New York City want- of an old swimming pool complex and required the removal of ed to convert the concrete deck on top of a parking garage, on tons of rubble. In addition, a major gas line that serves a 100-year-old structure, to a tennis court. The contractor Philadelphia runs under portions of the courts, so excavation redesigned the drainage system to eliminate the ineffective had to be done with extreme care. spot drains and installed a trench drain, in addition to sloping The 12-court Maize Middle School complex in Kansas is the court surface, which previously had been flat. They also also new construction and includes a concrete hitting wall. Sig- installed custom fencing to surroun d the cushioned hard court. nificantly, the large and well-received tennis facility will Clearly, quality is king with this year’s hard-court winners. receive double duty in the near future as the school district —Peter Francesconi

Rockefeller University New York, N.Y. (Nominated by Classic Turf Co., Woodbury, Conn.) Number of Courts: 1 Specialty Contractor: Classic Turf Co. Surface: Classic Turf System Fencing: Classic Turf System Custom Seamless Lighting: LSI Color Coating: Nova Sports

38 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2008 Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis & Education Philadelphia (Nominated by Sportsline Inc., Exton, Pa.) Number of Courts: 16 (8 outdoor, 8 indoor) Specialty Contractor: Sportsline Inc. Surface: DecoTurf Lighting: LSI Windscreens: M. Putterman Nets, Straps: J.A. Cissel Net Posts: Collegiate Pacific Backboards: Bakko

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

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

Goddard Eisenhower Tennis Complex Goddard, Kan. (Nominated by Mid-American Courtworks, Wichita, Kan.) Number of Courts: 10 Architect/Engineer: Wilson & Co., Salina, Kan. General Contractor: Coonrood & Assoc. Specialty Contractor: Mid-American Courtworks Color System: Vance Bros. Vantage Color Nets, Posts, Windscreens: Douglas Industries For details on the 2008 Distinguished Facility-of-the-Year Awards, contact the ASBA at 866- Mesa Community College 501-ASBA or Mesa, Ariz. info@sportsbuilders (Nominated by General Acrylics, Phoenix) .org. Number of Courts: 8 Specialty Contractor: General Acrylics Surface: General Acrylics Lighting: LSI Nets, Posts, Windscreens, Straps: Douglas Industries

April 2008 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 39

string PLAYTEST Luxilon Alu Power Fluoro 123

Alu Power Fluoro is the latest monofila- 35 USRSA playtesters, with NTRP ratings ment string from Luxilon. It is based on from 3.0 to 6.0. These are blind tests, with playtesters receiving unmarked the original Alu Power 125, which took strings in unmarked packages. Average the pro tour by storm before becoming a number of hours playtested was 23.7. favorite with other competitive players. Luxilon recommends lowering the reference tension by at least 10 percent It is created with a poly-ether-ether- feels much the same as Alu when stringing any of its Big Banger material augmented with fluorocarbon Power. The softness of the added fluoro- strings. We instructed our playtesters to carbon is felt during play, not during and aluminum fibers. The fluorocarbon lower the reference tension by 5 to 10 installation. Therefore, installing Alu migrates to the outer surface of the percent. Power Fluoro is very similar to installing Out of the package, Alu Power Fluoro string during the extrusion process, and Alu Power, as expected. However, we did not notice any burning of the main creates a softer feeling string. EASE OF STRINGING Luxilon recommends Alu Power Fluoro (compared to other strings) strings when installing the crosses, as can to any player seeking more comfort in a Number of testers who said it was: sometimes happen with Alu Power. softer feeling high performance monofila- much easier 0 Blocked holes were not a problem. ment string, which includes those seeking somewhat easier 2 No playtester broke his sample during to include Luxilon’s famous characteristics about as easy 20 stringing, 17 reported problems with coil in hybrid string combinations. not quite as easy 13 memory, 6 reported problems tying Alu Power Fluoro 123 is available in not nearly as easy 0 knots, and none reported friction burn. 1.23 (17 gauge) in silver. It is priced from OVERALL PLAYABILITY $15 for 40 feet, 125-foot mini-reel for (compared to string played most often) ON THE COURT $45, and 726-foot reels for $250. For Number of testers who said it was: Our playtest team loved Alu Power Fluo- more information or to order, contact Wil- much better 0 ro’s Resistance to Movement, Durability, son at 773-714-6400, or visit somewhat better 4 Tension Retention, and Control. Alu www.wilson.com. Be sure to read the con- about as playable 17 Power Fluoro’s scores for Resistance to clusion for more information about getting not quite as playable 13 Movement put it in a tie for first place of a free set to try for yourself. not nearly as playable 1 the 119 strings we’ve playtested to date. OVERALL DURABILITY In the Durability category, it scored a IN THE LAB (compared to other strings third-place finish of all the strings we’ve The coil measured 40 feet. The diameter of similar gauge) tested. In the category of Tension Reten- measured 1.22-1.25 mm prior to stringing, Number of testers who said it was: tion, Alu Power Fluoro came in seventh and 1.18-1.21 mm after stringing. We much better 6 overall, and in the category of Control, it somewhat better 13 recorded a stringbed stiffness of 75 RDC came in 14th overall. On top of this, about as durable 16 units immediately after stringing at 60 each of these four top-20 scores puts not quite as durable 0 Luxilon Alu Power Fluoro ahead of all pounds in a Wilson Pro Staff 6.1 95 (16 x not nearly as durable 0 18 pattern) on a constant-pull machine. other Luxilon strings in these categories. After 24 hours (no playing), stringbed RATING AVERAGES In addition — and this will be no surprise stiffness measured 66 RDC units, repre- From 1 to 5 (best) if you’re familiar with Alu Power — Alu senting a 12 percent tension loss. Our con- Playability 3.4 Power Fluoro scored well above average Durability (3rd overall) 4.5 trol string, Prince Synthetic Gut Original in the category of Spin Potential. Alu Power 3.3 Gold 16, measured 78 RDC units immedi- Power Fluoro also received above aver- Control (14th overall) 3.8 age scores for Playability and Power. ately after stringing and 71 RDC units after Comfort 2.9 24 hours, representing a 9 percent tension Touch/Feel 2.8 loss. Alu Power Fluoro 123 added 16 Spin Potential 3.4 CONCLUSION grams to the weight of our unstrung Holding Tension (7th overall) 3.7 Luxilon Alu Power Fluoro looks to be an frame. Resistance to Movement (1st overall) 4.2 excellent candidate to extend Luxilon’s The string was tested for five weeks by reach into the market. Recreational play-

42 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2008 TESTERS TALK Finally, a comfortable polyester that and there is very little string movement. Touch FREE PLAYTEST STRING “holds tension well. My serve is 5 mph faster. players are advised to hybrid this with a soft PROGRAM Luxilon will send a free set of Alu The spin potential is out of this world. I am cross. 4.5 male baseliner with heavy spin Power Fluoro 123 to USRSA mem- now a fan of polyester. Sign me up. 4.5 using” Wilson nSix-One 95 (68 Holes) strung at 45 bers who cut out (or copy) this male all-court player using Wilson nTour” pounds LO (Wilson NXT 17) coupon and mail it to: Two strung at 60 pounds CP (Gamma Aster- USRSA, isk 16) “ This feels like a premium poly. It has very Attn: Luxilon Alu Power good control. The overall playablity does not Fluoro String Offer, This is the perfect string for a baseline quite separate it from the pack. 5.0 male 330 Main Street, Vista, CA 92084 power“ player interested in comfort and dura- serve-and-volleyer using Prince” O3 Hybrid Tour or fax to 760-536-1171, bility. It has a very solid feeling. This isn’t (16x18) strung at 53 pounds CP (Poly- or email the info below to just a niche string for string breakers. It has ester/Natural Gut 17/16) [email protected] a high degree of touch on volleys and short Offer expires 15 April 2008 Offer only available to USRSA angles. 5.0 male all-court player using Initially, though stiff, this string possesses ” members in the US. Wilson Hyper Pro Staff 5.1 Surge strung at “good control. After the tension loss, however, 60 pounds LO (Klip Kicker 16) the ball’s flight seems less predictable. As a mul- Name: tifilament loyalist, I have never been able to With a 5 percent reduction in tension, appreciate polyester. I simply prefer a softer feel. USRSA Member number: “this string is quite comfortable and surpris- This polyester did not change my mind. 5.0 ingly powerful. More importantly, unlike male all-court player using Head i.S6 OS” strung with other polyesters, it didn’t bother my at 59 pounds LO (Tecnifibre NRG2 16) Phone: wrist.” 4.0 male all-court player using Tec- nifibre T Feel 290 XL strung at 56 pounds LO For the rest of the tester comments, visit Email: If you print your email clearly, we will noti- (Klip Excellerator 17) www.racquetsportsindustry.com. fy you when your sample will be sent.

This is not your average polyester. It is “comfortable and has great feel. It can handle touch shots with ease. 5.0 male all-court player using Wilson n4” strung at 50 pounds LO (Polyester 16)

This string has a comfortable feel and “good playability. The control on groundies and volleys is striking. The ball comes off the stringbed with a deep, solid thwap. 5.0 male all-court player using Head Liquidmetal” Radical OS strung at 60 pounds CP (Head RIP Control 16)

“ This is a stiff string. It holds tension well ers who like — or think they might like — the benefits of Alu Power but want a more comfortable string, should give Alu Power Fluoro a try. Between the softer feel and the fact that our playtesters felt that it holds tension well, you have a premium monofilament that might suit a wide variety of big hitters, both straight up and in hybrid string sets. If you think that Luxilon Alu Power Flu- oro 123 might be for you, fill out the coupon to get a free set to try. —Greg Raven Q

April 2008 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 43 ask the EXPERTS Your Equipment Hotline

HYBRID THEORY compensate for differences in dynamic mains and crosses to have the same impact DO YOU THINK IT WOULD improve stiffness is kind of like cutting off your legs “signature” is to use the same string for playability of a hybrid-strung racquet to fit your pants ... it doesn't really accom- both the mains and crosses. Given the Q if the mains and crosses were strung plish everything you're trying to do. number of players using hybrid string sets in such a way that the dynamic stiffness was that are not matched as you propose, and more equal? For example, if you have Lux- THIS APPROACH WOULD MAKE IT given that some players will prefer a hybrid ilon Alu Power in the mains, the dynamic A much easier to market hybrid string set with the stiffer string in the mains and stiffness is 242 with a tension loss of 17.13. jobs, because when you explain your others use that same set with the stiffer On a Head Prestige Mid, the longest mains approach to your customers, it would string in the crosses, the most reasonable are 12.375 inches long, and the longest sound impressive. There are two draw- conclusion is that it comes down to per- cross is 9.125 inches long, a ratio of roughly backs, though. First, it’s going to be a lot sonal preference, rather than calculations. .73. of work finding pairs of strings with char- It seems to me that if the crosses were acteristics in the ratio you seek. Second, POWER PADS strung at the same tension as the mains the bottom line is the final stiffness of the I AM HAVING A HARD TIME finding with (in this case) Prince Synthetic Gut 17, stringbed, no matter how you achieve it. a tennis supplier that still carries That is, if you can achieve a certain stiff- Q leather power pads (preferably the which has a dynamic stiffness of 178 (242 times .73 equals about 177) and a tension ness using either one-piece stringing or round ones). loss of 16.88, you might get the best of two-piece stringing, the response of the both worlds without having to tinker with ball off the strings should be the same. TRY GRAND SLAM STRINGERS, on- the tension. The joker in the deck is that some strings A line at www.grandslamstringers This seems as though it might be a better do not have a linear response on impact .com. GSS sells strips of leather, which you approach than tinkering with the tension relative to the speed of the ball (everything can cut into whatever size and shape you because making tension adjustments to else being equal). The best way to get the desire.

44 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2008 Keep in mind that by adding tape to the stringbed you are also changing the sound of the ball impact, so your customers may be feeling a little drag but, because the sound of impact is muted, be thinking that there’s more drag than there actually is. —Greg Raven Q

drag on the racquet. Therefore, even a We welcome your questions. Please send them light racquet with a low swingweight to Racquet Sports Industry, 330 Main St., might be difficult to swing, depending on Vista, CA, 92084; fax: 760-536-1171; email: the amount of drag you are creating with your tape dampener. [email protected].

INCREASING SWINGWEIGHT? I HAVE BEEN USING HEAD TAPE at the throat of the racquet Q instead of a dampener. The tape is 1-1/2" wide, and I use one piece on each side of the stringbed, pressed together, covering the throat area. My customers like it. One said it slowed down his swing. By creating wind resistance in the face of the frame; am I increasing swing weight?

THE MASS OF THE TAPE IS proba- A bly fairly small, and by placing it low on the stringbed, you are getting minimal additional swingweight. Howev- er, by increasing the wind resistance, you are making it more difficult to swing the racquet, but in a slightly different way. As Doctor Porsche taught us many years ago, the more mass you have, the more difficult it is to accelerate (and deceler- ate) that mass. However, once you accelerate that mass, it doesn’t take much more effort to keep it in motion than if the mass were lower, unless you are fighting gravity. A light racquet with low swingweight is going to be easy to swing. Wind resistance (or drag, as it’s also known), on the other hand, grows pro- portionally with speed. It’s also affected by the angle of the racquet relative to the direction of swing. That is, if you were to swing the racquet edge-on and then suddenly turn it 90 degrees, you’d notice a big difference in the amount of

April 2008 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 45 tips and TECHNIQUES Readers’ Know-How in Action

STRINGING BY EAR I use a stethoscope to listen to frames while pulling tension. This is especially useful in diagnosing frames with integrity issues. If a crack is suspected, I can usually pass or fail the frame using the stethoscope. If I hear a with their stringing. I’ve found that my noise that sounds like radio static while favorite stringing tool after my awl is a pulling tension, I can be pretty sure that pair of Fiskars Ultimate Craft Scissors something is wrong and the frame is break- (#12-7927). These are phenomenal at ing down. If I just hear a “swoosh” sound, quickly cutting through string beds, tie- the string sliding into place, I can be rela- Editor’s note: Some combinations of off knots snip with ease, and coil ties tively certain that no issues are present. I lis- string and grommets can create a are easily dispatched. They’re super ten during several pulls, especially those real cacophony when pulling the comfortable in your hand, spring that are close to areas that I suspect. Some- center mains. Be careful not to mis- loaded for easy use, and well con- times a pull in the center of the frame will take this for the sound of a broken structed with a lifetime warranty. just “swoosh” while an outer pull, closer to frame. Also, check to see that the 5 sets of Gamma Synthetic Gut with a suspected crack, will provide a different sound picked up by the stethoscope WearGuard 16 to: noise indeed. (Hint: When listening to a is not so loud that it damages your Eric Jubin, Missouri City, TX frame with suspected issues, it is wise to hearing. wear safety goggles as your face is close to GREAT CART FOR TABLE- the possible weakened area.) FAVORITE CUTTERS TOP STRINGING MACHINES 5 sets of Head FXP 16 to: Seems like I keep reading about peo- After looking everywhere for a cart for John Youngblood, Suwanee, GA ple using diagonal cutters, or nippers my Alpha Revo 4000, I found a great

46 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2008 RESTRING BY … Recently a regular customer asked me when he would be due for another string job if he had not broken one by then. This gave me an idea for a great advertising tool. I had some business cards printed up with the date strung, type of string, tension, and the recom- mended date for the next restringing. 5 sets of Wilson Enduro Pro 18 to: This gets my customers coming in before Scott Brashier, Newport Beach, CA they break a string, and they are happier buy at Sam’s Club (item #135623) for because they keep playing at a higher —Greg Raven Q only $49.87+ tax. The cart is the Seville level. Heavy Duty Commercial Cart Model 5 sets of Ashaway Synthetic 99307 and is very sturdy. The cart is Gut 16 to: chrome plated, has 3 adjustable shelves Steve Moore, Knoxville TN Tips and Techniques submitted since with liners, lockable wheels, and is NSF 2000 by USRSA members, and appear- rated at 500 lbs. The cart is 33.75 in Editor’s note: You can also enter the ing in this column, have all been gath- long x 18 in wide x 32.25 in tall and is “string by” date on the racquet label, ered into a single volume of the very easy to assemble. It fits my stringer instead of the “strung” date, if you perfectly and the shelves help to keep don’t want to print up business cards. Stringer’s Digest—Racquet Service my stringing supplies organized. Techniques which is a benefit of USRSA Because it is on wheels, I can easily roll it NEVER TOO THIN membership. Submit tips to: Greg around as needed. A great cart for a When stinging with stiff polys, I thin out Raven, USRSA, 330 Main St., Vista, CA great price! the tip with emery cloth when stringing 92804; or email 5 sets of Prince Synthetic Gut Multi- the crosses. This makes the tip easier to [email protected]. filament 16 to: grip onto and also gives it a bit more Marshall Knight, Summerville, SC flex.

April 2008 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 47 Your Serve League Leader A longtime tennis director says WTT Rec Leagues are not only fun for all, but they also add to your bottom line.

BYSCOTTHANOVER

ast November, I had the tennis-playing thrill of a lifetime, competing at the World LTeamTennis Recreational League National fill up court time. After paying your site match. Plus there is the cross-marketing Finals. Holding the national champions banner license fee to WTT (which allows you permis- opportunities of the local and pro league and sharing the victory with my team is some- sion to host a WTT League and be eligible for together. thing I will never forget. all the benefits), all the revenue produced is 8. Customer Service: The national Being a part of this first-class national yours! And you have the option of online staff is always just a phone call away and event, with folks like WTT co-founder Billie payments through PayPal for your league. extremely helpful. Delaine Mast has been Jean King and WTT CEO/Commissioner 4. Opportunity to Advance: Like USTA WTT’s national director for the Rec llana Kloss leading the way, made the Leagues, teams winning local WTT Leagues Leagues for more than 20 years and memories that much more incredible. But I can qualify for one of six National Qualifiers knows all the ins and outs of WTT have had the thrill of participating in and around the country. Leagues. Jen Smith has coordinated the organizing World TeamTennis leagues for 5. Great Benefits: WTT has benefits for National Qualifiers and Nationals for sev- years, and from my vantage point as a directors and players (league rewards pro- eral years and is a great problem-solver. player, team organizer and facility manag- gram, toll-free assistance) plus many dis- And returnee Elaine Wingfield has plenty er, WTT may be just the right league for counts and incentives through Advanta, of experience as WTT League director, your club, park or CTA. Wilson, and Bälle de Mätch. and coordinates the collegiate competi- For those of you not familiar with WTT, 6. New Website and Web Tools: In the tion. it’s a coed recreational league with NTRP or past year, WTT has greatly enhanced its web- I have hundreds of local league players open skill levels. Players play five or six no- site, WTT.com, with online registration, who are sold on WTT. “It’s competitive, ad sets of men’s and women’s singles, online league scheduling, posting schedules fun and social—all at the same time,” doubles and mixed doubles, with every and scores, email notifications system and says Kathryn Johnson of Kansas City, Mo., game counting toward the winning score. more. who plays on a 3.5 team. “We meet lots There are many reasons you may want 7. Other WTT Programs and Services: of new players and earn the to consider starting a WTT league, both for A. X TeamTennis—An event for high opportunity to travel to To find out more you and your players. school-age players featuring singles and other cities for the National about WTT Leagues, 1. Format: Easily scheduled within a mixed doubles. A day-long local-level tourna- Qualifiers. And best of all, call Delaine Mast at two-hour time frame, a WTT match can be ment qualifies players for nationals. Schools we enjoy playing all 1-866-PLAY-WTT or played on two courts. It offers all of tennis’ may send multiple local co-ed teams. events—singles, doubles visit www.WTT.com. events, plus the excitement of playing lets, B. Corporate Leagues—These are taking and mixed—in one night, no-ad scoring, changing sides after four off around the country, and allow folks to with our friends.” games and substitutions. And with over- play with co-workers, raise company morale WTT Rec Leagues are fun for you and time, losing teams who win the last set and reduce health care costs at work. Offer- your players, and they generate revenue, have a chance to catch up. Players enjoy ing many of the same benefits as WTT too. What more could you ask for? Q the quick pace and trying something new! Leagues, corporate local winners qualify for 2. Averaging Levels: As long as the their own national championship. top two men and top two women on a C. WTT is the format for USTA Tennis on Scott Hanover is the general manager of the Plaza Tennis team average out to the league skill level Campus, bringing non-varsity players togeth- Center, a 14-court outdoor facili- (4.0 for example), you can have a 4.5 man, er on college club teams throughout the ty in Kansas City, Mo. As a vol- a 4.0 man, a 4.0 woman and a 3.5 woman country, again featuring Section and National unteer, he serves as the national on your team. It allows friends of different championships. chairperson of the USTA Commu- levels, and oftentimes spouses, to be on D. Pro Leagues—If you live near a pro nity Tennis Association Development committee. the same team together. league franchise, you have the added benefit 3. Revenue: Generate new business at of getting a free ticket for each of your rec We welcome your opinions. Please email comments to [email protected] or fax your facility, encourage team practices and league players to attend a professional them to 760-536-1171.

48 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2008