COURTESY HEAD PICKLEBALL T To CertifyPickleballCoaches PTR Partners WithUSAPA TEACHING PROFESSIONALS all healthofboth sports.” and employers, and toimprove theover jobs better, tobetter serve theirstudents with allthetoolstheyneedto do their it’s importanttoprovide members PTR professional membershiporganization, says CEODanSantorum.“As PTR a leball instruction andprogramming,” are strongly considering,addingpick Association (USAPA). tification Partner oftheUSAPickleball become theOfficialEducationandCer www.tennisindustrymag.com Pilot certification workshopsbegan “Many membershave PTR begun,or Industry multi-year agreementto or PPR—andhassigneda sional PickleballRegistry, subsidiary—the Profes- hasformedanew he PTR Information tohelpyou runyour business - - - tion, visitpprpickleball.org. • related activities. For moreinforma- tant andleadclinicianforpickleball- will serve asPPR’s educationalconsul- member SarahAnsboury(above), who Pickleball ChampionandPTR/USAPA National Champion,two-timeUSOpen are beingdesignedby five-time USAPA tive DirectorJustin Maloof. opment process,” says USAPA Execu- with USAPA intheplanninganddevel- desire andwillingnesstoworkdirectly model,butithasdemonstrated a pickleball programafteritssuccessful beginning onSept. 1. workshops forprosandambassadors in mid-July, withPPRcertification PPR’s curriculumandcertification “Not onlyhasPPRpatterned its

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Humber ofClarksdale,Miss. Becker ofNewOrleans,andRivers are Pat MaloneofJonesboro, Ark.,Kerri good thingshappenintheirareas.” positive attitudes andare already making liaisons have impressive credentials, for tennis.Eachofournewlocalleader “These individualswillbeambassadors LLL Task Force Co-ChairRandyJackson. areas,” says USTA VicePresident and tennis participationinspecifictarget little ornoexperience inthesport. will reach outtoresidents orgroups with or repair ofmunicipaltenniscourts,and They willalsoadvocate forconstruction groups toincrease tennisparticipation. USTA organizations andlocaltennis (LLL) willserve asconduitstovarious to fillthesepositionsintheirareas. section alsocontracted withthree people to helpgrow tennisatthelocallevel. The a pilotprogram for“localleaderliaisons” 25 classroom andon-courteducational World Conference. and USPTA, andalsowillserveastheUSPTA’s the event,whichispresented bytheUSTA and industryleadersare expectedtoattend City. More than1,000tennisprofessionals Aug. 24-27 attheGrand Hyatt inNewYork Tennis Teachers Conference, whichwillbe Local Leader LiaisonPilot USTA SouthernCreates Tennis Teachers Conference Don’t Miss the2018NYC TheUSTA SouthernSectionhascreated

There isstilltimetoregister forthe44th The first three localleaderliaisons “The purposeofthepilotistoincrease USTA Southern'slocalleaderliaisons The conference willfeature more than

August 2018 TennisIndustry

7 IndustryNews

sessions. The on-court sessions will take place at SportTime Randall’s Island Tennis Club on Saturday, Aug. 25, with bus trans- portation and a lunch voucher provided. The cost for the four days of the TTC is $399. Day passes are available at $200 each, and TTC registrants are qualifi ed for the special rate of $249 per night at the Grand Hyatt. For more information and to register, go to 2018ttc.com

Har-Tru Launches Online Windscreen Design Center Har-Tru LLC has launched a new online Windscreen Design Center, which will be housed on the company’s website, hartru.com. The design center uses technology to simplify the process of windscreen customization and ordering. PRO TENNIS “The biggest challenge with wind- screen is that every order is 100 percent Head Extends Contracts custom to the facility,” says Har-Tru President Pat Hanssen. “With the Windscreen Design Center, we’ve made With Djokovic, Zverev it easier for the consumer to design and ead recently signed new long-term contracts with order screens that help them create a and Alexander Zverev, extending its relationships with two of its better place to play.” signature athletes. The Windscreen Design Center offers “Novak and Alexander work extremely hard to reach their ambi- complete instructions for measuring, tious H goals, and so do we to provide the tools for them to reach those goals,” says installing and maintaining wind- Head CEO Johan Eliasch (above, center). “They give us invaluable input when we screens. It also provides users with a develop new products, and their professionalism on and o the court makes them step-by-step process for choosing their perfect role models for the next generation of young tennis players.” preferred material and entering their Both players endorse the Speed series of performance tennis racquets.  dimensions and logo requirements.

Letters • Higher skilled players welcomed lower Note to tennis, my lifelong passion: skilled players into the fold. Everybody Pay Attention! played with everybody. Bobby Walker, USPTA Elite Professional PICKLEBALL POSITIVES • Games lasted 15 to 20 minutes. Executive Director, Middle Georgia Tennis I played pickleball recently, and here are a • There was not a pickleball teaching profes- few things I noticed: sional anywhere. • We had more pickleball players show • Nobody threw their pickleball paddle or PLATFORM TENNIS MISCUE up than could fi t on the pickleball courts, made bad line calls. I love reading your magazine every month, so players volunteered to take their turn for • I did not have to join a pickleball associa- and I really enjoyed the article about the courts. tion to participate. platform tennis in the June issue (“Two • I jumped in at 8:30 a.m. and stopped an • There is a major tournament coming up for One”). However, the cover of the issue hour later to continue my workday. When I and everyone from this group is traveling shows POP Tennis paddles and balls instead began and when I fi nished play was at my 75 miles to participate in it. They will play of platform tennis. Too bad that some convenience. singles on Friday, doubles on Saturday and people get confused. • It only cost me $2 to play. mixed doubles on Sunday. The cost is $40 Patricio A. Misitrano • The pickleball players asked me to come for the entire weekend and all divisions are Co-Founder, Tennis Pro Search back for another match. non-elimination. Wilton, Conn. COURTESY HEAD; VULCAN SPORTING GOODS SPORTING HEAD; VULCAN COURTESY

8 TennisIndustry August 2018 www.tennisindustrymag.com IndustryNews

The oldest African-American sports Today, the ATA National Champion- organization in the country, the ATA was ships has 50 competitive categories, founded in Washington, D.C., in 1916, with competitors ranging from 10 to 80 with a mission to promote black tennis in years of age. It is expected that the ATA America. The ATA founders established National Championships will be hosted at the fi rst ATA National Championships a the USTA National Campus every three to year later, held in Baltimore. four years.

Vulcan Introduces New Splatter Collection Vulcan Sporting Goods has introduced the new Splatter Collection of art- inspired racquet overgrips. There are six different Splatter color combinations, available in both the Vulcan Max Trend style for a light-tack, light-cushion feel, and in the Vulcan Max Cool style for a dry, absorbent feel. “With the Splatter Collection, we are inviting players to express their inner Van Gogh,” says Sara Ericson, Vulcan’s vice president of sales. “The Vulcan grip technology is all there, but this time our design team made sure the engineering is equally matched with whimsy and fun. “They threw a lot of paint around, and let’s just say they spent a lot of time cleaning up, too.” Retail prices for the Splatter Collection are $7.99 for overgrip three-packs, or $2.99 for bulk single overgrips. Dealers can create their own assortment of bulk single overgrips and receive free counter display jars for merchandising. For more information, visit vulcansportinggoods. com or call 800-826-6373.

USTA National Campus To Host ATA Championships The USTA will partner with the American Tennis Association (ATA) to host the 101st ATA National Champi- onships at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Fla., July 28-Aug 4. The annual week-long event will see more than 2,500 participants and visitors.

www.tennisindustrymag.com August 2018 TennisIndustry 9 IndustryNews

Convert-a-Net Lowers People Net for Pickleball Play Watch

Brian Boland has left the USTA to Nithya Kanagasegar of Case Western become the director of tennis and head Reserve University is the inaugural win- men’s tennis coach for Baylor University ner of the ITA’s Ann Lebedeff Leadership in Waco, Texas. Boland had been head Award, endowed by . She of men’s tennis for USTA Player Develop- will receive a scholarship and will be ment since May 2017. honored in August in New York City, and Tennis nets can be lowered for pickle- the ITA will donate $1,000 to the Case ball play in minutes with the temporary Kimberly Pettit is the new marketing Western Reserve tennis program. Convert-a-Net. A special center strap manager for Dunlop, overseeing all pulls down the center of the net from 36 aspects of U.S. marketing, including Match Point Tennis Accessories owner inches to 34 inches. Two other vertical brand development, product launches, Jack Hill has a tennis scholarship named straps attach to a strap that runs from and advertising campaigns. She has in his honor. The Jack Hill Award will go netpost to netpost to pull the sides of been with the company for seven years to the Milwaukee high school tennis the net down to 36 inches. as sales and marketing coordinator. coach who submits the most candidates Convert-a-Net is $49.99 plus ship- for the annual Milwaukee Tennis Schol- ping. Visit convertanet.com for more Australian legend Evonne Goolagong arship. More than $50,000 has already information, including a short video, and Cawley received the ITF’s highest acco- been awarded to high school tennis to order. lade, the Award. players and organizations. US Open to Use Instant Replay on All Courts The 2018 US Open will feature instant replay on all courts, making it the first Grand Slam tournament to do so, and only the second tournament with mul- tiple courts to offer it for every match. The four main show courts will con- tinue to have replay officials in booths, but for the other 12 courts, replay control will be centralized in a remote broadcast trailer complex housing more than five dozen technicians and replay officials. “We’ve known for a number of years that if we wanted to provide a level playing field we needed to provide the same services to all players, if at all possible,” US Open Tournament Director Dave Brewer told Sports Business Journal. “Until this year, that simply wasn’t feasible from a logistics point of view. It is now.”

Deloitte to Sponsor Annual NJTL Essay Contest The USTA Foundation has announced a three-year relationship with professional services organization Deloitte, which will serve as the presenting sponsor of the National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) essay contest. This year’s contest winners

will be recognized at the 20th annual CONVERT-A-NET COURTESY

10 TennisIndustry August 2018 www.tennisindustrymag.com IndustryNews

Short Sets

For a second year, Mizuno was the under Junior Davis and Fed Cup Finals, professor S. Mark Young, documents the offi cial tennis footwear partner for the Sept. 25-30 in Budapest, Hungary, and the most successful college tennis program, BB&T Atlanta Open in July. The partner- 14-and-under World Junior Tennis Finals, dating from 1899 through the end of ship featured the Wave Exceed Tour 3 and Aug. 6-11, in Prostejov, Czech Republic. the 2016-17 season. Published by New Mizuno gear on all BB&T Atlanta Open Chapter Press, it is available where books staff, volunteers and ball boys and girls. In a three-year deal, Caribbean Sol will are sold, including Amazon.com. be the offi cial sunscreen of the USPTA. Tennis is now using UTR The city of Orlando, Fla., has been as its offi cial tennis rating system and CourtReserve, an online platform for chosen to host the Special Olympics USA community platform. tennis court reservations, events, tourna- Summer Games in 2022. Tennis events ments and players, joined the Tennis will take place at the USTA National In competition in Mexico City in April, Industry Association as a Technology Campus at Lake Nona. Held every four the U.S. advanced to the Junior Davis and Business Partner. years, the 2018 USA Summer Games will Fed Cup and World Junior Tennis Finals, be in Seattle. going undefeated across all four competi- Trojan Tennis: A History of the Storied tions in the North/Central American and Men's Tennis Program at the University of The USTA has a three-year agreement Caribbean qualifying rounds. The U.S. Southern California, by USC men’s tennis with Cheeses of Europe to become an boys and girls will compete in the 16-and- historian and Marshall School of Business offi cial sponsor of the US Open Series.

USTA Foundation NJTL Essay Contest Luncheon in New York City on Aug. 26. The USTA Foundation NJTL Essay Contest is a widely acclaimed educa- LOVE LOVE tional tool. As part of the contest, which Club members and students will LOVE facing attracts 2,500 entries annually, NJTL off against the phenom. You will LOVE participants are asked to write essays answering a thought-provoking question offering the added advantage. requiring research and analysis. Ten

national winners (one boy and one girl ® from fi ve age groups) receive all-expense paid trips to New York City to attend follow lobstersports on play more. win more®. Kids Day and the luncheon. For more information, please call 888.380.9460 or visit www.lobstersports.com Les Petits As Tournament Adopts UTR Rating System The Les Petits As junior tournament will adopt UTR as its offi cial rating and the metric by which the tournament will evaluate players and establish draws. Les Petits As will also use UTR's tournament and event management platform to organize and run all tennis events, including the Les Petits As– Le Mondial Lacoste in January 2019. The partnership gives under-14 players worldwide the chance to qualify for the elite Les Petits As–Le Mondial Lacoste through a Regional Qualifying expansion. By adopting

www.tennisindustrymag.com August 2018 TennisIndustry 11 IndustryNews

the UTR system, Les Petits As tournament a partner at Skyline Asset Management in organizers are now able to compare and Chicago; Harold Edwards, the president and track players with a single, unifi ed rating. CEO of Limoneira Co.; Molly Fletcher, found- er and CEO of The Molly Fletcher Company; ITA Expands Board of Directors Neel Grover, the founder and CEO of Indi. The Intercollegiate Tennis Association, com; Dr. Mark Kovacs, a performance physi- the not-for profi t governing body of college ologist, researcher, sports executive, pro- tennis, has expanded its board of directors fessor, author, speaker and coach; retired to 19 members. The restructured board will college coach Betsy Kuhle; entrepreneur now utilize staggered terms, with elections Sean Mayo; and William McGugin, president for new members occurring annually. and CEO of Iroquois Capital Group and REIT The new ITA Board includes Chairman Investment Group. Jon Vegosen of Chicago and ITA CEO Dr. Timothy Russell of Arizona. Seven board PTR Awards Masters of Tennis members are ITA Member Coaches: Steve MOT–Performance Bickham of Pomona & Pitzer Colleges; • Will Hill, Pottstown, Pa. Michael Center of the University of Texas; • Gary Tan, Singapore Grant Chen of SMU; Lauren Conching of • Johnny Beleleu, Norman, Okla. Hawai'i Pacifi c University; Geoff Macdonald MOT–Junior Development of Vanderbilt University; Alison Swain of • Ben Adam, Morganville, N.J. USC; and Vince Westbrook of the University Long Reach Tennis Club in Columbia, Md. of Tulsa. Six-Court Indoor Facility The other board members are: Ray Opens in Maryland house, pro shop, refreshment bar, locker Anderson, athletic director at Arizona State The new 49,000-square-foot Long Reach rooms and on-site racquet stringing. The University; longtime tennis volunteer Ste- Tennis Club recently opened in Columbia, club was designed to be an environmentally phen Butzlaff of Chicago; William Dutton, Md., with six indoor tennis courts, a club- sustainable facility complete with solar panels, LED court lights, electric car charg- ing stations, above-code insulation, high- effi ciency HVAC systems and on-site bio- retention facilities. The project was designed by GTM Architects of Bethesda, Md.

IMG Academy Selects Dunlop as Offi cial Partner Dunlop is now the offi cial tennis racquet, ball and accessory provider of the IMG Academy, located in Bradenton, Fla. RACQUETS As part of the agreement, all tennis coaches will use Dunlop racquets and balls for lessons and training, and acad- Wilson, Federer Debut New emy founder will play with the Dunlop CV3.0. Pro Staff RF97 Autograph IMG Academy also will become one of the primary locations for testing all ilson and Advisory Staff Member Roger Federer recently revealed current and future products, with Dunlop the new Pro Staff RF97 Autograph racquet, which introduces the collecting feedback from hundreds of concept of “performance-enhancing graphics,” says the company. academy junior players. The new frame features vibrant white accents at 3 and 9 o’clock. WWilson says the contrast of white on an all-black frame introduces a new level of USRSA Names New MRTs & CSs visual acuity to the racquet when it’s in motion. Master Racquet Technicians “This new racquet looks very iconic and classic, yet seems to jump off the court in • Zane Kohrs, Dallas a very recognizable way,” says Federer. “My last racquet featured a tuxedo-style look, • Peter Poggioli, Falls Church, Va. so now, with the addition of white, I can say my ‘tuxedo’ has its shirt. I love the way it • Erik Schillerstrom, Plainfi eld, Ill. looks and feels. I also like the way the racquet leaves a ‘line’ through the air to the eye.” • Sam Schuerger, Dallas The new Pro Staff line includes the RF97 Autograph ($249 suggested retail) and • Chris Sherer, Wilmington, N.C. three other models designed for a variety of attacking-style players, including the Certifi ed Stringers lighter weight 97L and the Pro Staff 26, which is designed for young players. Visit • Andreanna Christopoulou, Vero Beach, Fla.

Wilson.com. • Kevin Reynolds, Waynesboro, Pa. WILSON;OFFCOURT ONCOURT LONG REACH TENNIS CLUB; COURTESY

12 TennisIndustry August 2018 www.tennisindustrymag.com IndustryNews

TRAINING AIDS OnCourt OffCourt Adds Adapter for Rebounder

nCourt OffCourt is offering a free add-on to its Perfect Pitch Rebounder (right). When the Entry Level Adapter O is added to the top bar of the Rebounder, balls rebound downward and roll off the bottom of the tarp. It creates the least amount of rebound possible and gives the hitter more time to prepare, making it ideal for beginners. The Perfect Pitch Rebounder, which retails for $395, sets up in two min- utes with no tools needed, has locking wheels and can be used indoors and outdoors, on and off the court. Visit oncourtoffcourt.com. •

Two Students Chosen As Wilson/ITA Interns Kelsey Grambeau of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Eugenia Sanchez of the University of Texas of the Permian Basin are the winners of the 2018 Wilson ITA National Promoter of the Year Award. Grambeau and Sanchez will receive a paid summer internship to work at Wilson's global headquarters in Chicago in the Grassroots Marketing department. Grambeau and Sanchez will assist with day-to-day projects and will have an op- portunity to work in and experience all areas of Wilson, including balls, racquets, promotions/marketing, U.S. tour, indoor, accessories and apparel/footwear.

New Wilson, Luxilon String Wilson and Luxilon recently introduced two new high-performance string collec- tions: the Wilson/Luxilon Duo and the Lux- ilon Limited Edition ALU Power 125 Color. The Wilson/Luxilon Duo collection con- sists of three new hybrid strings: Duo Power, Duo Control and Duo Feel. The Luxilon Limited Edition Alu Power 125 String now comes in vibrant colors such as red, lime, green and blue. For more information and to order, visit Wilson.com.

www.tennisindustrymag.com August 2018 TennisIndustry 13