February 2009 Volume 37 Number 2 $5.00 www.racquetsportsindustry.com

ADVERTORIAL ContentsContents RSI FEBRUARY 2009

FEATURES INDUSTRY NEWS OUTLOOK 2009 7 Prince debuts EXO3 racquets 23 Manufacturers 7 USTA names Regional Gear Up Training Centers Despite economic worries, the makers of 8 PTR Symposium to racquets, shoes, apparel and strings offer h.s. coaches program are optimistic that their products will 8 Babolat names Tim McCool strike the right chord managing director with consumers. 8 USPTA announces 26 Style & 2009 Certification Exams Substance RSI and the ASBA 9 Bob Bigelow to speak at PTR Bring you the best in tennis court 9 Emilio Sanchez keynotes construction. USPTA conference 10 ATP unveils new “Feel It” ad campaign 10 USPTA adds new DVD titles 11 New multi-purpose indoor facility opens at NTC 12 Nominations sought for Tennis Indus try Hall of Fame 14 Derek Ameel to direct Ferris State PTM program 15 Martin Blackman named

Outdoor Tennis Facility-of-the-Year Award - Pine Canyon, Flagstaff, Ariz. to USTA post

On the Cover: Pasternack Residence in 15 Prince names Dustin Perry Orange, Calif., is the RSI/ASBA Residential rep of the year Facility-of-the-Year winner. DEPARTMENTS 4 Our Serve 28 String Playtest: Head ETS 16 7 Industry News 30 Ask the Experts 17 TIA News & Updates 32 Your Serve, by Kevin Theos 20 Grassroots Tennis

www.racquetsportsindustry.com 2 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2009

Our Serve (Incorporating Racquet Tech and Tennis Industry) Building On a Solid Foundation Publishers David Bone Jeff Williams n December, I made the annual trek to the Technical Meeting Editorial Director of the American Sports Builders Association, which was held in I Peter Francesconi New Orleans. I really love this group, and as I’ve said before in Associate Editor this column, these court builders are literally the foundation of Greg Raven our business. The fact that so many of them take time out from Design/Art Director their businesses to gather for educational seminars and presen- Kristine Thom tations, and participate in roundtables and problem-solving ses- Contributing Editors sions, really shows the depth of their commitment to this Robin Bateman industry. (Importantly, the ASBA also puts together construction Cynthia Cantrell guidelines that are the “bible” of this industry, along with testing Kristen Daley and designating Certified Tennis Court Builders.) Joe Dinoffer Liza Horan Part of the meeting included a presentation to a packed house by Virgil James Martin Christian of the USTA describing the QuickStart Tennis format for bringing kids Greg Moran into the game using, among other things, shorter, more kid-friendly courts. Chris Nicholson Already, many places have installed permanent QST courts. But if permanent Bob Patterson short courts are not an option, a regular court can be unobtrusively lined for Cynthia Sherman Mary Helen Sprecher QuickStart Tennis. (For more information, visit www.quickstarttennis.com.) Thousands of facilities and parks across the country are offering programs RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY for kids using the QST format, and many rely on the pros, parents and the kids Corporate Offices themselves to put down temporary lines on the courts. But permanent courts 330 Main St., Vista, CA 92084 and permanent lines mean that QST becomes ingrai ned in a community, and Phone: 760-536-1177 Fax: 760-536-1171 Email: [email protected] the QST format is what will bring more and more people into this game. Court Website: www.racquetTECH.com builders are an important touchstone to communities, schools, facilities, park Office Hours: Mon.-Fri.,8 a.m.-5 p.m. Pacific Time and recs, and Community Tennis Associations, and builders can greatly influ- ence the adoption of QST in their communities. Advertising Director One of the things I’ve been honored to do at the ASBA meeting is present John Hanna the facility-of-the-year awards, which we cover in RSI in articles throughout the 770-650-1102, x.125 [email protected] year. Also, I presen t RSI’s Court Builder of the Year Award, which for 2008 went to Boston Tennis Court Construction Co. and its owners Dave Marsden and Apparel Advertising Bruce Mahler. Cynthia Sherman The ASBA (www.sportsbuilders.org) also recognized longtime executive v.p. 203-263-5243 Carol Hogan with its highest honor, the Industry Merit Award. Carol recently [email protected] retired, after leading the group for 20 years and presiding over its impressive Racquet Sports Industry is published 10 times per growth. Making a seamless transition into the management of the ASBA is a year: monthly January through August and com- bined issues in September/October and Novem- team led by association management professional Fred Stringfellow, with assis- ber/December by Tennis Industry and USRSA, 330 tance from longtime ASBA staffer Cynthia Jordan. Main St., Vista, CA 92084. Application to Mail at Thanks to Carol’s leadership, a committed board of directors and member- Periodicals Postage Prices is Pending at Vista, CA and ship, and an exciting transition to Fred’s management, the ASBA—which long additional mailing offices. February 2009, Volume had been under the radar in this industry—is helping to move the dial as far as 37, Number 2 © 2009 by USRSA and Tennis Industry. tennis growth in this country, and the group is getting the attention it richly All rights reserved. Racquet Sports Industry, RSI and logo are trademarks of USRSA. Printed in the U.S.A. deserves. If you’re not a member, you should consider joining this very impor- Phone advertising: 770-650-1102 x 125. Phone circu- tantg group.p lation and editorial: 760-536-1177. Yearly subscrip- tions $25 in the U.S., $40 elsewhere. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Racquet Sports Industry, 330 Main St., Vista, CA 92084. Peter Francesconi Editorial Director

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

4 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2009 www.racquetsportsindustry.com

RSI FEBRUARY 2009 INDUSTRYNEWSINDUSTRYNEWS INFORMATIONTOHELPYOURUNYOURBUSINESS USTA Names Prince Launches New EXO3 Racquet Line Two Regional n early January, Prince Sports launched EXO3, its newest high-performance tennis racquet line. Training Centers The new line, which includes four models and six frames, is available now and features “Ener- Igy Bridge,” which suspends the string bed to provide a larger sweetspot and other playing ben- In its expanded efforts to develop efits, says Prince. future American tennis champions, John Embree, president of Prince Sports Americas, says the rev- the USTA has named the first two olutionary core technology “delivers benefits that will be appre ci- USTA Certified Regional Training ated by all levels of frequent players. We have carefully applied this Centers—The Junior Tennis Cham- technology to each model in the line in order to address all seg- pions Center in Washington, D.C., and The Racquet Club of the South ments of the market.” in Atlanta. The EXO3 Silver 118 and EXO3 Red 105, which both have the patented Energy Bridge and Energy Channel technologies, are for The Certified Regional Training players looking for comfort with power and feature a large sweetspot Centers will partner with acade- and up to 50 percent less frame vibration, says Prince. mies, clubs and tennis centers that The EXO3 Graphite (in 100 and 93) and EXO3 Rebel (in 95 and Team have a proven record of identify- ing and developing tennis players. 95) are des igned for more advanced-level players (the EXO3 Rebel is The USTA plans to name approxi- used by pro Gael Monfils). Prince says the frames use Energy Channel mately a dozen regional training and provide increased spin and precision for players with faster swing centers during the next five years. speeds. At the heart of EXO3 is the Energy Bridge, which suspends In addition to continuing their almost the entire string bed from the frame, so that 77 percent of existing programs, regional train- the strings never come into contact with the frame, according to ing centers will now also host USTA training camps for players in Prince, so they move more freely. Energy Channel is a sculpted their region ages 10 to 14. These groove within the frame t hat enhances the benefits of Energy players will be selected in conjunc- Bridge to provide stability, boost ball control and increase spin, tion with the USTA national coach- says Prince. ing staff and their respective USTA “We conducted long and extensive research and development tri- Section Coaches Commission. The als and elaborate playtest initiatives,” says Tyler Herring, Prince’s centers also will help identify tal- global business director for performance racquets. “Players repeatedly ent in players as young as 6 years said how much they were ‘feeling’ their shots with EXO3, and how this old, run QuickStart Tennis pro- helped increase their confidence and raise their game.” grams and host QuickStart tourna- “When a racquet and ball collide, energy gets diffused, causing play- ments. ers to lose some of the important attributes that make a great shot: The camps will be staffed by top power, precision, comfort and feel,” says Roberto Gazzara, v.p. of tech- coaches at regional training cen- nology at Prince. “EXO3 changes all that by capturing more energy—at ters with assistance from the USTA impact—before it is wasted, and channeling it back into the ball on every national coaching staff. Coaches at shot. The result activates a blend of power, spin and comfort with exception- the USTA training centers also will al feel.” serve as an extension of the USTA Prince says EXO3 delivers up to 26 percent more energy back into the Coaching Education program by ball, adds up to 83 percent more to the sweetspot, and provides up to 25 From top to bottom, left to right: working with and training the top EXO3 Graphite 93 coaches in their region and respec- percent more control and 26 percent more spin. EXO3 Graphite 100 Available now are the EXO3 Graphite 100 (suggested retail $200), EXO3 Rebel 95 tive USTA Section. Additionally, the EXO3 Rebel Team coaches will attend training ses- Graphite 93 ($200), Rebel 95 ($200) and Rebel Team 95 ($180). The EXO3 EXO3 Red sions at the USTA National Train- Silver 118 ($300) and Red 105 ($260) will be available Feb. 15. EXO3 prod- EXO3 Silver ing Center in Boca Raton, Fla. ucts also include string and grips. Prince has a website dedicated to the new line: www.princetennis.com/EXO3.

www.racquetsportsindustry.com February 2009 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 7 FEBRUARY 2009 PTR Symposium to Offer USPTA Announces High School Coaches Program 2009 Certification Exams

NEWS he PTR will offer a special program for high school tennis he USPTA is offering more than 110 certi- Tcoaches over President’s Weekend, Feb. 14 to 16, during its Tfication exams nationwide for teaching annual International Tennis Symposium and $25,000 Champi- professionals in 2009, and will most likely add other dates, onships, which will be held at PTR Headquarters on Hilton too. Visit www.uspta.com for the exam schedule. Head Island, S.C. The exam includes an on-court evaluation of tennis strokes The program will begin on Saturday, Feb. 14, with a PTR

INDUSTRY and playing skills, stroke and grip analysis, private and group Drill Exchange from 1-3 p.m., followed by a course by Pete lesson instruction, and other skills needed in the tennis-teach- Collins entitled Successful Doubles from 6:30-9: 30 p.m. A ing profession. It also includes a two-hour written test covering Coaches Breakfast Reception, sponsored by the USTA, will be teaching, playing and business management skills, rules, club held Sunday morning followed by a special presentation. activity programming and other topics. Applicants can now Additional courses, including Coaching Today’s Youth with opt to take the written exam and the grip exam online after Bob Bigelow, Partner Practice Drills and Games, completing the on-court portions. Pre-Season and Rainy Day Practice Activi- The exam process also offers a Certification Review Course ties, Effectively Coaching the Parents, So that covers test topics. The CRC can be taken at Regional Test- Your Student Wants to Play College Ten- ing Centers, which offer tests every other month on the same nis?, Team Building - Warm-up & Practice weekends, or it can be taken online. The course is also useful Ending Games to Bond Your Team and Teaching Your Students to curre nt USPTA members who wish to review specific exam How to Stre tch Properly, are included and will be conducted on areas before upgrading their certification ratings. CRC topics Sunday and Monday afternoons. Also included are Cardio Ten- include student psychology, developing student rapport, class nis and Yoga Stretch. organization, lesson progression and a review of teaching The registration price of $199 includes a PTR Scholastic techniques. Coach Membership. Existing PTR members pay $149. For To register for an upcoming exam (advanced registration complete information and registration, visit www.ptrtennis.org required) or for more information, call 800-877-8248 or e-mail and click Upcoming Events. The full Symposium runs from [email protected]. The fee for the exam and CRC appli- Feb. 14 to 20. cation is $175, plus prorated USPTA members hip dues. Babolat Taps McCool Hinding Tennis Completes Conn. Job fter a five-month intensive recruiting A inding Tennis of West Haven, Conn., recently completed ren- and interviewing process, Tim H McCool has been hired as the new ovation of three courts in Darien, Conn. The courts, at the managing director of Babolat USA, town’s Weed Beach property on Long Island Sound, originally overseeing the US sales and marketing were built in the 1980s. “We were repairing cracks every year, operations. without any success,” says Jim Coughlin, the town’s park and rec McCool has worked with many large director. brands in the sporting goods industry, Tom Hinding says his company overlayed the existing courts including Nike and Adidas. Most recently, he served as CEO with a cushioned mat system, Nova’ProXtreme, manufactured by for Le Coq Sportif NA, creating a US sales force and inte- NGI Sports of Chattanooga, Tenn. “I was very happy with the grated distribution and third-party channels focused in the results,” says Hinding. “The system is very user-friendly to install fashion and tenni s business. and the surface will allow players of all levels to enjoy the game. And the town won’t have to deal with the yearly cracking problem.” U.S. Juniors Win at Int’l. Event For more information, visit www.hindingtennis.com or call 203-285-3055. lex Domijan of Wesley Chapel, Fla., and Lauren Embree of AMarco Island, Fla., won the Boys’ and Girls’ 18-and-under singles titles at the Eddie Herr International Junior Champi- onships in early December, capping off a strong showing by American players. It was the first time since the event began in 1987 that the U.S. won both 18s titles. In addition, the U.S. won three of the six other singles titles. Raymond Sarmiento of Fontana, Calif., won the Boys’ 16s, Alexios Halebian of Glendale, Calif., won the Boys’ 14s and Simone Pratt of Deerfield Beach, Fla., won the Girls’ 12s.

8 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2009 www.racquetsportsindustry.com

8 INDUSTRYNEWS Outback Champions Series Bob Bigelow to Kick Off PTR Symposium Announces 2009 Schedule he PTR says one of the country’s foremost speakers on coach- Ting youth sports, Bob Bigelow, will kick off its International Ten- The 2009 Outback Champions Series will be comprised nis Symposium, which will be Feb. 15-19, 2009, on Hilton Head of eight tournaments, highlighted by two new events in Island, S.C. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The A former NBA first-round draft pick, Bigelow played four years series, now in it’s fourth full season, also announced new for the Kansas City Kings, Boston Celtics and San Diego Clippers. single-knockout tournament formats and increased prize He also played at the University of Pennsylvania for Hall of Fame money for tournament champions Coach Chuck Daly. The eight events each offer $150,000 in prize Bigelow advocates fully meeting the needs of children as the money—with six events as single-knockout, six-player top priority in youth sports programs, and provides new approach- events, while two events (Rio de Janeiro and Newport, es for positive change in youth sports. He has devoted several R.I.) will be eight-player, round-robin format events. Tour- thousand hours to researching and lecturing about organized youth nament champions will also receive first-prize paychecks sports and its impact on children—and adults—conducting more of $60,000 in each single-knockout event, while unde- than 700 talks since 1993. He was selected as one of the 100 Most feated tournament champions in the eight-player round- Influential Sports Educators by the Institute for International Sport robin events will continue to earn $54,000. at the University of Rhode Island. Bigelow also is the co-author of As in 2008, the player who finishes the year ranked “Just Let Kids Play.” No. 1 in the Stanford Champions Rankings will earn a For more information, go to www.ptrtennis.org. $100,000 bonus, courtesy of the Stanford Financial Group. The final Stanford Champions Rankings in 2009 will be comprised of each player’s best-of-five tournament Sanchez Keynotes USPTA Conference results. early 130 teaching pros attended the USPTA’s Competitive Play- The Outback Champions Series is a collection of glob- Ner Development Conference, which took place in Naples, Fla., in al tennis events featuring the greatest names in tennis December. The conference, which is traditionally held by the asso- over the age of 30, including former world No. 1 players ciation in Houston, was shifted to the Academia Sanchez-Casal so Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, Jim Courier and Stefan that attendees got the added benefit of learning about some of the Edberg. The 2009 schedule is: progressive coaching systems that have propelled Spain to its cur- Q Champions Cup Boston—Boston, Mass., Feb. 13-15 rent tennis prominence. Q Rio Champions Cup—Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, March 12- Emilio Sanchez-Vi cario was on hand as a featured speaker. 15 Sanchez-Vicario led the effort to capture the Davis Cup for Spain Q The Del Mar Development Champions Cup—Cabo San as the team’s captain just weeks before the conference. He was Lucas, Mexico, March 18-22 ranked No. 7 in the world in men’s singles and No. 1 in doubles Q The Residences at The Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman Leg- with Sergio Casal as his partner. Luis Mediero, a USPTA Master ends Championships—Grand Cayman, April 23-26 Professional and the president of Registro Profesional de Tenis Q International Tennis Hall of Fame Champions Cup— (RPT) in Madrid, was also on hand to assist with the conference. Newport, R.I., Aug. 19-23 Q The Citadel Group Championships at The Palisades— Charlotte, N.C., Sept. 25-27 Velasco Honored in Texas Q Cancer Treatment Centers of America Championships at Fernando Velasco (left) received the “CATA Senior Player of the Year” Surprise—Surprise, Ariz., Nov. 6-8 from Capital Area Tennis Association incoming president Ray Delk dur- Q Emirates NBD The Legends “Rock” Dubai—Dubai, ing the Annual Meeting and Awards Night of the CATA in December. U.A.E., Nov. 19-21 Velasco currently is co-ranked No. 1 in Texas and No. 20 in the Nation- al USTA 65 and Over Singles Division. Beach Tennis Schedules 2009 Events each Tennis USA announces its 2009 National Tour. In Baddition to the dates below, other events are expected to be added. Q March 21-22: Clearwater Beach, Fla. Q April 4-5, Key Biscayne, Fla. Q May 9-10, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Q May 23-24, Long Beach, N.Y. Q June 19-21, San Diego Q July 18-19, Long Beach, Calif. Q Aug. 8-9, Charleston, S.C. Q Sept. 5-6, Long Beach, N.Y. (National Championship) Q Sept. 11-13, Bermuda www.racquetsportsindustry.com February 2009 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 9 INDUSTRY NEWS FEBRUARY 2009 ATP Unveils “Feel It” Ad Campaign he ATP recently unveiled the latest evolution of its advertising campaign—“Feel It.” TNow in its second year, the multimillion-dollar campaign will again feature ATP World Tour stars including Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick, Andy Murray and James Blake, showcas- ing the sport’s core values as a one- on-one gladiatorial battle of world-class athletes. Created as a flexible and adapt- able central resource that can be utilized in any of the ATP’s 63 tour- nament markets, the campaign has been designed to include any player featured on the ATP World Tour and is part of a global market- ing initiative in 2009. The 2009 version of “Feel It” will focus on bringing to life the unique global aspect of the ATP World Tour. The evolution of the campaign will position ATP World Tour stars as titans of the sport. The new execution will bring to life many of the locations of the ATP World Tour and will focus on communicating the ultimate goal of the sea- son, to become the 2009 ATP World Tour Champion. USPTA Adds New DVD Titles he USPTA recently released several new DVD titles, including “On Court” shows and Tseveral seminars. The instructional DVDs are produced in-house by the USPTA’s mul- timedia department. The latest TV show titles released are “Think Shots, Not Strokes,” “Secrets’ of Today’s Serve” and “Ask the Professor” with Jack Groppel. Seminars released include Nick Bol- lettieri on the importance of develop ing a solid foundation, the Mach 4 Mental Training System, Todd Martin on all-court player training, Nick Saviano on developing world- class fundamentals for young players, and more. Visit usprotennisshop.com for specific pricing and special offers on DVDs and to view more than 100 other USPTA-produced DVD titles, or call 800-877-8248 for more information. “Are You Sure?” Offers Witty T’s hristelle Williams of Marietta, Ga., Cspent countless hours with her daugh- ters at junior tennis tournaments. “One day, I heard the phrase, ‘Are you sure?’ being echoed from court to court,” she says. “It occurred to me that ‘Are you sure?’ is one of the most commonly used phrases in tennis.” And an idea—and an apparel line—was born. Looking to put a humorous angle on the situation, Williams launched the sports- wear line this past fall, which f eatures spunky tees with the "are you sure?" logo and witty taglines on the back, such as “What part of the line is out?” and “Just because you couldn’t get it doesn’t mean it was out.” The shirts, available in T’s, hoodies and long-sleeved pullovers, are for men, women and children in a variety of colors. Prices range from $18 and up. For more information and to order, and to view the styles and taglines offered, visit www.areyousure.net, email [email protected] or call 770-273-8787.

10 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2009 www.racquetsportsindustry.com INDUSTRYNEWS New Multi-Purpose Indoor Facility Opens at USTA BJK NTC he USTA in December officially opened its new state-of-the-art indoor tennis facil- Tity. The $60 million, 245,000-square-foot facility, on the grounds of the USTA Bil- lie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, N.Y., features 12 indoor courts on two floors, along with a fitness center, classrooms, a year-round pro shop and more. Funded at no cost to taxpayers through USTA financing and tax-exempt bonds, the indoor facility will allow the USTA to expand its existing tennis programming at the NTC and provide an opportunity to add new programming for New York area tennis enthusiasts. And the world-class venue affords the USTA greater potential in its Player Development program. “This is a great investment in the sport of tennis,” said Jane Brown Grimes, USTA president and chairman of the board. “This new facility will provide the USTA flexibility to help grow the sport of tennis throughout the Northeast, provide much needed operational support for the US Open, and offer us greater potential to expand programming at all levels, including Player Development.” The new facility is a significant expansion and upgrade of the previous indoor facility located at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Three years in construction, the new facility now contains: • 12 tennis courts on two floors • Modern locker rooms • State-of-the-art fitness center to support jun- ior programs • Classrooms for after-school programs • A year-round pro shop • A new USTA Membership booth • New US Open retail space • A 15,000 square foot food commissary to support the US Open • Expanded US Open hospitality areas • A retail merchandise warehouse.

Nominations Sought for Top 50 TWC Honors Congratulations To the Following For Achieving MRT & CS Status he TIA, USTA and RSI are once again looking Tfor the “Top 50 Tennis Welcome Centers” in the U.S. These are the tennis facilities—public and private—that are leading the charge in the growth of the sport by providing well-rounded New MRTs Casey Reynolds Elsah, IL programs to new and current players of all ages Robin Doyle Denver, CO and abilities. As a Top 50 TWC, you can receive Ron Guse Austin, TX Elliott Evazkhani San Luis Obispo, CA industry recognition for your facility and for all Tiffani Yamamoto San Luis Obispo, CA your efforts to keep this sport growing. Paige Cameron San Luis Obispo, CA Erin Cabral San Luis Obispo, CA To nominate your facility fo r Top 50 TWC Michael Bowling San Luis Obispo, CA honors, visit GrowingTennis.com and take a Jarryd Guevara San Luis Obispo, CA few minutes to fill out a quick survey on or William Rosenblatt San Luis Obispo, CA Jackson Lee San Luis Obispo, CA before Feb. 15. Among the Top 50 winners, Soo Se Cho San Luis Obispo, CA special recognition will be given for the top- Aaron Sunderland San Luis Obispo, CA Sara Aston San Luis Obispo, CA ranked park and recreation tennis facility, pub- Mark Boone San Luis Obispo, CA lic facility, commercial facility, and private Jennifer Salter San Luis Obispo, CA facility. www.racquetsportsindustry.com February 2009 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 11 FEBRUARY 2009 PEOPLEWATCH • Ashaway Racket Strings has signed a new two- Mid-Atlantic and the Charlottesville Tennis Patrons Association. NEWS year sponsorship agreement with racquetball pro Jack Huczek, who will continue to use • Head has signed Egyptian squash pro and World No.1 Ashaway Superkill II string as well as his sig- Karim Darwish. In 2008, Darwish reached six major nature Jack Huczek/AMPS 311M racquetball World Tour finals. Since turning pro in 1999, the for- shoes. In addition, under the new agree- mer World Junior Champion has claimed 15 PSA

INDUSTRYment, Huczek will become more involved with World Tour titles. Ashaway product development and marketing efforts. • Todd Martin of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., (formerly of East Lansing, Mich.), Barbara Mueller of Oconomowoc, Wis., and Alan • Jason Thoerner and Chuck Bahn have joined Head/Penn Rac- Schwartz of Chicago were inducted into the 2008 USTA Midwest quet Sports as new sales reps. Thoerner, who will cover the Mid- Section Hall of Fame in December in Chicago. west territory, is currently ranked in the Top 10 in the world for racquetball. Bahn has over 22 years of experience in the • Head has signed a long-term agreement with sporting goods industry and has represented companies like Novak Djokovic of Serbia, who currently ranks third Louisville Slugger, Puma, Adidas/Reebok apparel and others. in the South African Airways ATP ranking. He will cover the Southwest territory. • Fila has signed an endorsement agreement • Boar’s Head Inn (Charlottesville, Va.) Tournament Director Ron with WTA Tour pro Anna Chakvetadze, who Manilla and his family have been awarded the Family of the Year ended 2008 ranked No. 18, which was her third Top Award from the USTA/Virginia Tennis. The award will be present- 20 year in a row. In late 2007, Chakvetadze achieved ed at the organization’s annual meeting in October. Manilla a career-high ranking of No. 5. She debuted Fila’s served as Boar's Head Sports Club's director of racquet sports and Baseline Apparel Collection and the Fila Alfa shoe at head professional for 15 years. He is a past president of the PTR- the Australian Open in Melbourne. Visit www.fila.com.

12 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2009 www.racquetsportsindustry.com INDUSTRYNEWS Reel Sticks Adds Singles Nominate for 2009 Tennis Industry Hall of Fame Sticks to Doubles Net he Tennis Industry Association is looking for nominations to the “Tennis Industry Hall ew players ever play on a true sin- Tof Fame,” which was started in 2008 to recognize those individuals who have had a Fgles court; most people in the U.S. significant impact on the sport of tennis. Last year, Dennis Van der Meer and Howard play singles on a doubles court. Now, Head were the inaugural nominees into the Tennis Industry Hall of Fame. the makers of a product called Reel Eligibility is open to anyone who has been or is currently in the tennis industry. Sticks hope that players will finally be TIA membership is not req uired for consideration. To nominate someone, go to playing singles on a court that meets www.tennisindustry.org/hof by Friday, May 29. Nominations, and those submitting the rules of tennis, which call for the nominations, will remain confidential. All nominations will be considered by the Hall net to be supported 3 feet outside of of Fame Nominating Committee, then submitted to the TIA Board of Directors. the singles sideline at 3.5 feet high. Inductees into the inaugural Tennis Industry Hall of Fame class will be announced (On a doubles court, the net is sup- in New York City in August, in conjunction with the TIA Tennis Forum and the US ported 3 feet outside of the doubles Open. sideline.) Reel Sticks provide a simple and foolproof way to add “singles sticks” to a doubles net. The Reel Sticks unit is permanently mounted onto the exist- ing net post, without the use of tools, and stainless-steel cable reels out to the exact distance of the singles stick. A net band cradles the net at the prop- er elevation, and a wide base prevents damage to the court surface and stabi- lizes the stick during use and when stored for doubles. In addition, the Reel Sticks housing can be a platform for advertising. Skip Scarpa of Tennis Ventures LLC invented and patented the product. “For over 100 years, the sport has all but ignored the first rules of tennis, and players have been playing singles on a doubles court,” says Scarpa, of Sullivans Island, S.C. “We aim to change this.” Scarpa says that if play- ers don’t practice with singles sticks, then when they are confronted with them during a tournament, they become a practical and psychological performance barrier. For information, visit www.reel sticks.com or contact Scarpa at 843- 883-3938 or [email protected].

www.racquetsportsindustry.com February 2009 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 13 FEBRUARY 2009

SHORTSETS Ameel to Direct > The 2009 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas quarterfinal Loehr and Dr. Jack Groppel, and will operate as a between the U.S. and Argentina will be Feb. 7-8 at separate Johnson & Johnson company. Ferris State PTM NEWS the Surprise Tennis & Racquet Complex in Surprise, > A new book, “Inside the US Open,” offers a Program Ariz. The event is being organized, staged and pro- glimpse of the Open that few people ever see or erris State University has moted by the USTA, which will construct a 4,000- experience. Author Richard Kent takes readers Fnamed Derek Ameel as seat temporary stadium at the complex for the inside the tournament, with stories from and the new director of the Pro- best-of-five-match quarterfinal. Ticket prices range about pros, media, ushers, ball persons and more. INDUSTRY fessional Tennis Manage- from $50 to $200 for two-day packages and can The paperback is available at Amazon.com for ment program and the be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or by call- $12.99. manager of the FSU Racquet ing 888-334-USTA (8782). > The World TeamTennis Pro League 2009 regular & Fitness Center. Ameel The USTA announced that the Birmingham-Jef- season will be from July 2 to 22 and will conclude comes to Ferris State from > Bainbridge, Ga., where he ferson Convention Complex Arena in Birmingham, with the WTT Championship Weekend, July 24- most recently served as Ala., has been selected as the site for the 2009 26. The League is expected to announce the line- director of tennis for the City Davis Cup by BNP Paribas first-round match up of marquee players in early February, with full of Bainbridge, overseeing the between the U.S. and Switzerland, March 6-8. The team rosters finalized at the WTT Player Draft on city’s tennis programs on 26 indoor arena is expected to seat more than March 31 in Miami. courts. 17,000. > The 2009 USTA Georgia Yearbook will be an Ameel is a USPTA P1 and > Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, Mats Wilander, online, interactive publication, available on the a PTR professional; a Certi- Jim Courier and Anna Kournikova will headline a home page of the USTA Georgia website to its fied Speed, Agility and new-look $150,000 Champions Cup Boston tennis 55,000 members in late January, nearly two Quickness Instructo r; and a championships Feb. 13-15 at Boston University's months earlier than previous years. The digital for- Professional Tennis Training Agganis Arena. Kournikova will compete in special mat is expected to save about 2 million sheets of Consultant. He also has received USTA High Perform- mixed doubles exhibition matches on Feb. 14 with paper, or 240 trees, and will provide direct access ance Certification as a spe- a to-be-announced female player as well as players from partner ads to their websites and email cialist in Competitive Player from the field of six men's competitors. Visit addresses. Development and has been www.ChampionsSeriesTennis.com. > Courtside Racquet Club of Lebanon, N.J., certified by USTA Level I and > The LGE Performance Systems, which is known recently was honored by USTA Middle States as the II Sport Science. as the Human Performance Institute, has been section’s Organization of the Year. Earlier, Court- Ameel received a bache- acquired by Johnson & Johnson to expand its Well- side R.C., whose general manager is Bruce Levine, lor of science degree in Busi- ness & Prevention platform. HPI will continue to be was honored by the section as the New Jersey Dis- ness/Professional Tennis managed by its current team, including Dr. Jim trict Club of the Year. Management from Ferris State in 1994.

www.racquetsportsindustry. com 14 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2009 INDUSTRYNEWS Perry Blackman Takes USTA Post; Named Ray Benton to Head JTCC artin Blackman has been hired as Senior Director Prince Mfor Talent Identification and Development for USTA Rep of Player Development. Blackman will be based at the USTA Training Facility in Boca Raton, Fla., and will Year report to Tom Jacobs, managing director of administra- tion and business affairs for USTA Player Development. ustin Perry, based in In this new position, Blackman will interact with the DKansas City, Mo., has USTA Player Development coaching and administrative been named Prince Sports st affs, as well as top coaches and tennis centers across Sales Representative of the the country to lead the USTA’s efforts in identifying and Year for 2008. Perry serv- developing American talent. ices players, coaches, Since 2004, Blackman has served as director of The academies and clubs in Junior Tennis Champions Center in College Park, Md., Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, one of the recently announced USTA Certified Regional Missouri and Southern Illi- Training Centers. As Blackman leaves the JTCC, indus- nois. He was honored at try veteran Ray Benton enters as the new CEO of the the Prince International JTCC and the Tennis Center at College Park, Md., which Sales Conference held in is the membership cl ub operated at the same site. Florida at the end of Benton was a teaching pro, college coach, and the November, which was first national executive director of the NJTL. In addi- attended by nearly 200 tion, he was president of the sports management firm Prince representatives, dis- ProServe, and founder and operator of the Nuveen tributors and employees Tour, a worldwide senior tennis circuit featuring Jimmy from around the world. Connors, John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg.

www.racquetsportsindustry.com February 2009 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 15

TIANEWS FEBRUARY 2009 NEWS&UPDATESNEWS&UPDATES

News You Can Use! Tennis Continues Strong Participation Growth

The good news is he latest USTA/TIA Tennis Participation Survey shows that 1.8 million players joined the game people continue to in 2008, which boosted total U.S. participation to nearly 26.9 million players, the highest level play tennis in a Tsince 1992. down economy; fre- Nearly 6 million new players tried tennis for quent play may the first time in 2008. And frequent players, those who play at least 21 times a year, increased Jolyn de Boer actually increase (see chart). With ten- by 7% to 5.62 million in 2008. The annual sur- nis relatively inexpensive to play vey was conducted for the TIA and USTA by the and offering great social, exercise Taylor Research Group. and health benefits, we have an The jump in total participation is a 7% rise opportunity to reach those who over the previous year’s 25.1 million players, and were lost to the “ever-growing list a 12% increase over the five-year period begin- of competing activities” for people’s ning in 2003 through year-end 2007, when total leisure time over the years. Not to participation was at 24 million. Related to the rise in tennis participation, data mention, the entire family can par- The TIA compared shipment and participation data vs. main ticipate at thousands of facilities, also shows that shipments of tennis racquets and economic indicators (2008 projected). Download chart at Ten- nisIndustry. org. parks and recs across the country. balls over that same five-year period have fol- The USTA will kick off the season lowed this same trend. Since 2003, adult racquet shipments were up 30%, and youth racquets with an exciting tie-in between increased a remarkable 80%. Tennis ball shipments were up 15% over that same time period. communities and professional ten- However, total 2008 shipments are projected to be down slightly from 2007. nis, on March 2 (see below), and There are many contributing factors for tennis’s growth, including: Q The combined efforts of the USTA, TIA and other groups bringing tennis together with our industry partners, Consumer queries to the we are dedicated to finding ways to to more and more kids through school programs and other curriculum, “postcards” on the Grow- help you increase your business helping to make possible the growth in youth racquet shipments. ingTennis System to find plus attract and retain players. With Q Our front-line of dedicated teaching professionals and facilities who local tennis programs dou- attra ct and keep players engaged in our sport. bled from second quarter tough economic times ahead, it’s 2008 to third quarter, from Q Positive role models with tennis’s professional players and increased more important than ever to do 13 million to 26 million. what we do best and work togeth- tournament attendance. And, the number of facili- er. Please keep in touch and Q The sport has developed, and continues to improve, a strong infrastruc- ties using the Grow- informed at TennisIndustry.org and ture that provides more places to play, programs to learn the game, and ingTennis System partners to play with. increased by a remarkable involved at GrowingTennis.com. 67% in that same period. Q Tennis is relatively inexpensive to play and promotes a healthy, active Tennis Night lifestyle with great social benefits. And an hour of competitive tennis burns more calories than In America most other sports. ign up your facility now TennisIndustryNews.org Share Your News and Views to host a Youth Regis- is your one-stop search on Growth at TennisIndustryNews.org Stration Night event on for tennis industry news March 2, which is part of and information. The site e want to hear from you! This industry has had great momen- Tennis Night in America. features the latest tum. In 2009, it will be more important than ever to contin- newfeeds from RSI, Youth Registration Night along with TIA member Wue our best practices and find supportive ways to keep the events put tennis center- news, plus an official ten- industry vital and strong. Please share any comments—your views and stage in local communities nis industry calendar, feedback are important to us. across the country and jump- GrowingTennis newslet- Q What do you feel are contributing factors for tennis’s growth? start youth tennis signups for ters and archives, quick- Q Please share any individual or business success stories, which we links to industry partners, your spring and summer industry newsletters, and hope to publish in future issues. programs. Go to Tennis- a tennis media and man- Q How can we make our industry stronger? Night.com to register. ufacturer search. Q How is this current economy affecting your business?

Join the TIA . . . Increase Your Profits . . . Grow the Game . . . www.TennisIndustry.org February 2009 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 17 TIANEWS Q&A with New TIA President Jon Muir

on Muir, the worldwide general manager of Wilson Racquet Sports, began a two-year term as president J of the TIA on Jan. 1. Muir grew up in Southern California and has been a lifetime USTA member since his junior tennis playing days and went on to play high school and college varsity tennis. Muir, who is a certified professional by both the USPTA and PTR, began his tennis career as a private tennis coach work- ing mainly with junior players. He joined Wilson over 11 years ago as a Territory Sales Manager and has had various positions in Wilson management, where he was promoted to his current position in 2006.

Q: What are your priorities as you begin your term? the future opportunities and growth of our industry. Lastly, I A: The TIA needs to continue to focus on the growth of ten- think we need to continually challenge ourselves to ensure nis from a business and economic perspective. Sustaining we are sta ying focused on what really will make the differ- our growth and continually improving our infrastructure are ence in our industry and in our sport longer term. vital. We must further define and communicate our initia- tives to ensure we continue to work closely with both the Q: Where do you see growth opportunities for the sport? USTA and all of our partners throughout the industry. It’s A: We need to improve awareness that tennis is relatively important to maintain the momentum we have collectively inexpensive to play and truly is a lifetime sport. If we look worked towards the past few years. at all sports, there are very few where the majority base of Another major area is in technology, especially in how it players can continue to play and excel even further after can address our 24/7 society today and improve our effi- high school or college. Our challenge is to help accelerate ciencies for capturing and retaining new players. The TIA the younger base of new and continuing players prior to along with the USTA are taking a lead role in this area, help- high school. ing potential tennis consumers easily find places to play and The QuickStart Tennis format is beginning to show early programs in their area. We will place a big emphasis towards success and get real traction at this key time. Expanding the online enrollment access for all facilities and programs with awareness of this approach and format for entry-level play- our focus on communicating and enhancing the tools that ers is a huge opportunity to not just get more kids in the 6 have already been developed. Integrating these tools and to 10 age range into our sport (and their families), but also technology can help retailers and facilities manage their an opportunity to increase revenue per court and revenue business more efficiently and profitably. overall coming into our industry. If we can get more kids started and staying in our sport, our core serious player base Q: What are some of the key issues facing the industry? will continue to grow in the years ahead. A: Given the current economic conditions, we need to ensure we are balancing the reality of our short-term chal- Q: What do you think is important in terms of keeping every- lenges with longer term opportunities for our sport and one—manufacturers, teaching pros, retailers, etc.—focused industry to expand to even higher levels in the years ahead. on growing the brand of tennis? As an association, we ne ed to work better in general with A: Having strong research that shows our joint efforts are our tennis retailers, including communication and continu- making a difference. No other sport pulls together both in ing to provide tools that can directly support their business our research and efforts like our industry. We need to main- day to day. tain open and direct communication with everyone to main- We also need to begin a concerted effort to develop a tain a clear focus on the growth of tennis and economic clearer career path in tennis in all areas (teaching profes- vitality of our sport. In working together, we will continue sionals, associations, manufacturers, etc.) that will support the success we have already experienced. Our Focus for 2009—And Beyond s we start this year, our goal is to take an increased focus on strengthening the industry—building stronger businesses, retailers and facilities—to further the economic vitality of tennis, and to work with our industry partners to aggressive- Aly promote the positive messaging for our sport. Q New Research Analytics—for greater insight and trend- your profits, and in 2009, TennisConnect Retailer adds an lines in the marketplace. online catalog, string center and racquet demo center to Q Business Advantages—to reduce your costs and expenses, make your website the ultimate in customer service. including TennisInsure, a comprehensive insurance pro- Q Online Registration—including TennisCollect, an online gram specifically for the tennis industry (does not include payment system to help streamline your business. personal liability insurance), shipping discounts, merchant Q Technology through the GrowingTennis System—Log in card processing discounts, travel and media discounts. to update your free facility listing and programs for con- Q TennisConnect—Powerful online software for any size sumers to find you, sign up for workshops, apply for fund- tennis business, designed to save yo u time and increase ing, and much more at GrowingTennis.com.

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

GrassrootsGrips Program Game Takes Hold A unique program uses grip colors to help push new players to higher levels.

BYCOLETTELEWIS

t's a scenario that has played out countless times at tennis facilities across the country. Riviera Tennis Club junior development director Craig ICignarelli was approached by the mother of a young player. She asked that her site, he or she can take the on-court ing, and receive 12 books with all the son be included in his class. Cignarelli exam. If successful at demonstrating the drills and tests included. The cost, $6 a said the boy lacked the skills for that skills pegged to that level, the player month or $60 a year, is generally paid level of play. receives a certificate of achievement, by the player, and is set intentionally But when the mother accused him of recognition on the website and, most low to encourage participation not just at being unfair, Cignarelli took action. importantly, the next grip color for their country clubs, but also at public parks "I told her, you're right. Let me write racquet. and in recreation programs. With nation- a skills test for him, and if he can pass, "It's a structured curriculum with al interest in the concept growing, Fox I'll put him in the class," Cignarelli recalls objective benchmarks which makes and Cignarelli are now hiring regional of that 2006 conversation. "Well, the kid administering a junior program easier commission-based representatives to aid failed the test. But six weeks later he for coaches," says Cignarelli, 38, who the expansion. came back and retook the test and has been teaching tennis for 13 years. Dale Miller, regional director for Club- passed. And his mom said to me, you "But mostly, it's effective at capturing Sport, a group of five fitness clubs in Cal- know, that really inspired my child. It's a new players and pushing them to higher ifornia, Oregon and Nevada, believes the great idea, and it was totally fair." levels, because it provides a path to skill Grips Program has brought additional Six months later Cignarelli and his development that rests in the hands of objectivity and focus to his juniors at colleague, Aaron Fox, also a teaching the player. They have a path to improve- ClubSport Valley Vista in Walnut Creek, professional at the Los Angeles-area club, ment independent of the coach." Calif. had developed 11 on-court skills tests, Clubs adopting the program, which "It was an easy decision for us, each more difficult than the previous now number more than 100, pay noth- because we have a very active junior one. program of about 80 kids," says Miller, Augmented by 11 off- who learned about court exams that incorpo- the Grips Program via rate history, the USPTA and has sportsmanship, rules, been using it for strategy and fitness, those nearly a year. tests marked the birth of "It helps you to the Grips Program see patterns on what (www.gripsprogram.com). the kids are doing Based on the belts well and what the associated with martial kids are struggling arts proficiency, the pro- with," Miller says. gram's 11 stages ascend "The great majority from beginner's white to of our kids and par- expert's black. Once a stu- ents see it as a really dent has taken and nice addition to our passed an online test for a program." specific level via the pro- It's a system that gram's interactive web- co-founder Fox

20 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2009 www.racquetsportsindustry.com believes fills two voids. "The informa- motivated to get her next tion and the structure that we're pro- grip and catch her brother." viding the kids is definitely something I "That's not going to wish I would have had," says Fox, 29, happen," chimes in the who was a nationally ranked junior in young Stanley, who has Pennsylvania and a standout at Drake earned a green grip, University in Des Moines. squarely in the middle of "And, in my mind, the play, the fun the spectrum. But he’s in the game, has sort of been lost to determined to keep pro- the opportunities that are there now. I gressing toward the black just took the gray grip (one level below grip. black) test myself, which I have now "Last time I heard, no not passed for the third time, and it is one had done it. But I hope just fun. When I was taking the test, to be the first one." Q the kids were on the sideline cheering and we were having fun." But aside from injecting some fun into tennis practice and drills, Cignarelli and Fox are also serious about provid- ing a connection between the world's top players and those aspiring to join them. "If we had stopped at the green grip, which is where most kids at the highest level at the club were, we wouldn't have put it in relationship to the best players in the world," says Fox. Lester Cook, ranked around 300 on the ATP tour, has yet to pass his black grip test in three tries, and for Cignarel- li, who has worked with Cook for over a dozen years, that typifies the pro- gram's ability to motivate. "He's still out on the practice courts, working to get better and get to that level," says Cignarelli, who also works with touring professionals Shane LaPorte, Maureen Diaz and Prakash Amritraj. "I think it inspires people at all levels." That's certainly true of 6-year-old Samantha Corrigan Morris and her brother, 8-year-old Stanley. Stanley was one of the first participants in the Grips Program, while Samantha has graduat- ed from the Little Grips, a program for young beginners, to a white grip. (Cignarelli and Fox are also developing an assessment for QuickStart Tennis participants). Their father, Stanley Morris, has seen the difference it has made in the children's attitude toward practice. "Anything you can do to motivate kids, especially to do something that is a lit- tle bit of drudgery, is good," says Mor- ris. "I know my daughter is very

www.racquetsportsindustry.com February 2009 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 21

OUTLOOK 2009 MANUFACTURERS

Despite worries about GEARthe economy, the UP makers of racquets, shoes, apparel and strings are optimistic that their products will strike the right chord with consumers.

hile tennis participation continues to be strong—and by the For Prince (www.princesports.com; 800-2-TEN- latest research, growing—clearly manufacturers of tennis NIS), the EXO3 line, which launched in the begin- products are worried about the economy, and concerned ning of January in the U.S., is the big story (see W that consumers will continue to cut back on their pur- page 7). The initial line includes the EXO3 Silver chases. But that hasn’t stopped manufacturers from 118, EXO3 Red 105, EXO3 Graphite 100 (shown coming out with new and innovative products. at right) and 93, and EXO3 Rebel 95 and Rebel Many are searching for that holy grail of Team 95. Tyler Herring, global business director marketing—tremendous value for the money for performance racquets, says Prince will intro- and a unique product that offers consumers a duce additional models to the EXO3 line “in the reason to spend. Here is a brief, and by no back half of the year, in a continued effort to tar- means complete, look at what you might get the growing players sector, while providing rac- expect in the new year. quets for all player types.” It’s all about control for Wilson (www.wil- RACQUETS son.com; 773-714-6400). “Power has been where it Head (www.head.com; 800-237-5497), which was at for many years,” says Marketing Manager Cory just signed world No. 3 Novak Djokovic, is opti- Springer, “but we took a closer look at control and it mistic about 2009, says Roger Petersman, senior became clear that the player who was more controlled, business manager of tennis racquets. The company which we took to mean fewer unforced errors, won their also has pro Andy Murray, and he’s been hot lately, matches a larger percent of the time.” Wilson set about playing with his popular MicroGel Radical MP (at left). enhancing control in its newest [K] Factor fames: the Planned for first quarter are new products, including K3 FX, the Cobra and Cobra Team FX, and the K Tour racquets, that Head says will provide retailers with Team FX (shown next page top left). All start shipping “great opportunities to motivate their consumers to in the first quarter. buy.” New frames from Babolat (www.babolat.com; www.racquetsportsindustry.com February 2009 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 23 877-316-9435) will hit retail in March, but Tim McCool, lasting and comfortable cushioning, says K-Swiss. The Light 1.0 managing director for North America, says the brand is insole for match days provides a springier feel and extra support, not flooding the market with new models. “It’s about among other features. K-Swiss is planning additional MiSoul Tech positioning and keeping our inventory under control insoles that help with added stability, for those who wear orthotics and managing our product lifecy- and more. cles,” he says. “It’s better for retail- Spring footwear for Prince includes ers because they can get the two new colorways in the men’s (fourth residuals from their investment with down) and women’s T22 shoe, says longer lifecycles, and it’s better for George Poulos, the global director of consumers, too.” McCool says the footwear. Also, the company launched the new new racquets will target new con- Cobra, a lightweight, low-silhouette shoe sumer groups, to bring participants in with lateral support, built on Prince’s NFS the game. last. And the updated NFS Viper V has mesh for breathability and lighter weight. FOOTWEAR Three new Prince shoes are slated for later this Adidas (www.adidasus.com; 800-448-1796) says it expects year: an addition to the T Series, an “aggressive” color to continue to be popular in men’s and women’s ten- update to the original M and O Series shoes nis shoes in 2009. Its black and dark-based Barricade V featuring second-generation Precision Tube that came out late last year has been very strong, cushioning system, and a women’s shoe says the company. Adidas also makes that combines a performance outsole with traditional a white-based version contemporary styling. (shown at right), too, to satisfy all play- For Wilson, new shoes for 2009 ers. New models for ’09 include the CC include the all-court Tour Spin (bottom), a Genius and Feather IV, which will contin- lightweight high-performance shoe that ue the color trend. emphasizes comfort. Babolat says it is bringing its years of R&D working with expert players to the APPAREL club-level player. This tennis-only compa- At Bolle (www.boll eten-niswear.com; 301- ny says that its shoe designs take into 362-0360), product manager Shawn account that 80 percent of movement in Chesney says players are looking for tennis is lateral and diagonal and that quality and a good value, with an edgy, players need effective “relaunch.” The fashion-forward look. “We’re trying to look company’s new Propulse shoe, worn out for the consumer,” Chesney says, “so by Andy Roddick, features “Footbelt” we’re not raising any prices, we’re keeping things technology for a secure fit and the same. And we want our clothes to look great on the court emphasizes “relaunch” and as well as in the gym. Chesney says pink has been a sta- durability. For women, the ple for Bolle. “Every season, we do pink, and people new Team Lady has a new love it,” she says. In addition to the Tennis design and improved com- line, the High-Performance line (facing fort, says Babolat, with an page) is geared toward a younger mar- exclusive last that is thinner ket, with silhouettes cut closer to the in the forefoot and shaped to body, skirts slightly shorter, and more fit a women’s foot, for perfor- vibrant, loud colors. mance, comfort and light weight. Lauren Mallon, the global marketing man- Greg Mason of Head says retail ager at Fila (previous page) (www.fila.com; 410-773-3000), price points at $100 and below will be says women are looking for performance and feminin- critical in today’s marketplace. “In product ity, with dresses continuing to be popular. “Lay- performance and value to shoppers, Head ering and mesh details incorporated into competes exceptionally well,” he says. the design make it look more feminine, New shoes for ’09 include the Prestige but performance is the most impor- Pro for men (shown at right, second tant,” she says. “Products are down) and women. designed with the player in mind.” For K-Swiss (www.kswiss.com; 800-714-4477) is hoping its men, color is a huge trend, she adds. And men are new shoe, the Defier MiSoul Tech (third down), which launched moving away from collared shirts—“most of our business is in in January, will be a runaway favorite among tennis players. It’s crewneck.” the first in a planned tennis line that allows players to customize Fila is building more products in its Eco category and intro- the shoe for practice days and match days, using switchable ducing them into the tennis category. “The trend toward eco and insoles. The Cushion 1.0 insole is for practice days, providing long- green is here to say,” Mallon says. “It’s important that products

24 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2009 www.racquetsportsindustry.com perform and are eco-friendly.” Fila has that in 2008, the company found players a large “basics” business—led by team were focusing on playing more tennis and and league wear purchases. regripping and restringing their old frames more often. “It seems that in ’09, STRING this trend is growing stronger,” he says. Steve Crandall of Ashaway And in his travels around the world, (www.ashawayusa.com; 800-556- Parry says it’s the stringing business 7260) says that possibly as a func- that is keeping the doors open at tion of the aging population, many tennis shops. Pacific, which “Recreational players are losing their offers popular models such as Hybrid infatuation with high-end poly- Power 16L, PolyForce and Xtrack, is the official ester—‘gut on steroids.’ They’re real- string of the ATP World Tour. izing that normal, everyday players Prince has a number of new strings out, some designed for just don’t get enough benefit from its new EXO3 line of racquets. “We’ve taken poly strings to a that type of string to warrant the new level with a co-extrusion technology that gives the player all cost.” Crandall says that instead, the benefits of poly with 50 percent less shock to the arm,” says “They’re turning to more traditional Dave Malinowski, global director of strings and accessories. In multi-filament and synthetic gut the multifilament segment, Prince’s Premier LT, which stands for strings, which offer a good combination “linear technology,” aligns the inner fibers and allows the string of performance, economy and durabili- to play more like natural gut, says Malinowski. Twisted is a new, ty, and they play softer.” Ashaway’s line fun two-toned performance string. Other new Prince string includes multifilaments such as Dyna- includes the Poly EXP and Recoil. mite WB and 17, and its classic Synthetic At Tecnifibre USA (877-336-1613), Paul Kid Gut 16 and 17, among many other models. expects players to be more cautious with their Gamma (www.gammasports .com; equipment purchases in the current eco- 800-333-0337) is finding that more players nomic climate and more inquisitive regard- want to use polyester strings, like their ing the features and benefits of products. favorite pros. “But most polys are too stiff “This is a great opportunity for retailers for the average club player,” says Gamma to better educate players about the per- Sport’s Chuck Vietmeier. “We’re intro- formance characteristics of prod- ducing softer, more forgiving polyesters ucts, especially strings,” that still offer good control but are much says Kid. “Our concern is easier on the arm.” Vietmeier says that players may look Gamma’s Twist Technology poly con- for more durable struction, where the string is twisted strings [opting to right after extrusion, creates a textured restring less often], poly for maximum ball bite. For 2009, but that might not two new strings will use this process, Zo be the best choice Twist and Zo Tour Rough. for that particular In March, Head will introduce its Per- player. Also, fect Match stringing system, which indoor though, a player court sports and accessories business may want to manager Ben Simons says is designed to hold off on some- help all players make their racquets play thing as important better. Simons says last year, the indus- as restringing by try saw string sales continue to increase. using a product past “I feel optimistic for the string business its prime perfor- in 2009,” he says, “even with the chal- mance, diminishing the lenges we all will be facing. For Head player’s on-court perfor- string and accessories, 2009 will be an mance.” Kid says that exciting year.” Tecnifibre’s NRG2 Luxilon (www.wilson.com; 773- string, introduced in 714-6400) is adding a new product 1999 and used by this year, M2, a multi-monofilament the Bryan Broth- that uses a unique manufacturing process to com- ers, is still the bine the best qualities of a monofilament and a multi, says company’s Wilson. most popular Tom Parry at Pacific (www. pacific.com; 941-795-1789) says string. Q

www.racquetsportsindustry.com February 2009 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 25 RSI/ASBAFACILITY-OF-THE-YEARAWARDS

RSIRSI and and the the ASBA ASBA bring bring you you the the best best in in tennis tennis court court construction.construction.

Distinguishing Honors In addition to the Pasternack Residence private court, the Pine Canyon facility, and the Larson Sports Center at Jamestown College, these 19 locations were chosen by the 2008 panel of judges for the ASBA as excellent examples of court construction, receiving Distin- ne of the striking things about the most recent crop of tennis facility winners in the guished Facility-of-the-Year Awards. RSI/American Sports Builders Association Facility-of-the-Year Awards is the number You’ll read more about them in upcoming O issues of Racquet Sports Industry. (The of facilities that have soft-court surfaces. Of the 22 total winners, 13 have soft sur- faces. That includes some predominantly hard-court facilities that also offer players a nominating company is in parentheses.) Q Brian Piccolo Park Tennis Center, Cooper City, Fla. few softer courts. (And there are additional winners that use a cushioned hard-court sur- (Fast-Dry Courts) face, too.) Q City of Auburn/Auburn Univ. Yarbrough Tennis Each year, based on entries submitted by an ASBA member—whether a contractor, Center, Auburn, Ala. (Welch Tennis Courts) designer or supplier—the association selects outstanding tennis facilities that meet the Q Constant at Diamond Mountain Vineyards, Calis- toga, Calif. (Vintage Contractors Inc.) standard of excellence determined by the judging committee. For 2008, the panel of Q Fertita Tennis Complex, Univ. of Nevada–Las judges deemed 22 courts or tennis facilities to be outstanding, or “distinguished,” as the Vegas (L.E.R. Inc./Renner Sports Surfaces) award reads. Q Greenville-Greene County Tennis Center, Three of those winners, however, were chosen for special “Facility-of-the-Year” hon- Greenville, Tenn. (Baseline Sports Construction) Q Homewood Middle School, Homewood, Ala. (Hol- ors: the Pasternack Residence in Orange County, Calif., received the Residential Ten- combe Norton Partners) nis Facility-of-the-Year Award; Pine Canyon in Flagstaff, Ariz., was honored with the Q Islandwalk at the West Villages, Northport, Fla. Outdoor Tennis Facility-of-the-Year Award; and the Larson Sports Center at Jamestown (Welch Tennis Courts) College in North Dakota received the Indoor Multi-Purpose Facility-of-the Year Award. Q Ortwein Residence, High Meadow Ranch, Magno- lia, Texas (Patriot Court Systems) The Pasternack Residence, new co nstruction by Zaino Tennis Courts of Orange, Q Palm Coast Tennis Center, Palm Coast, Fla. (Welch Calif., uses a post-tension concrete foundation and Plexicushion surface in the popular Tennis Courts) US Open blue color. Zaino also handled installation of a channel drain and the lighting Q Palmilla Tennis Club at Villas de Oro, Los Cabos, system, among many other tasks. Mexico (Global Sports & Tennis Design Group) Q Paseo-Fort Myers Facility, Fort Myers, Fla. (Welch Pine Canyon is an exquisite private community in Flagstaff, Ariz., known for it’s Tennis Courts) great golf and scenery. Now, it has two new hard courts at its “Camp Pine Canyon” com- Q Pilara Tenis Club Facility, Pilar, Argentina (Global plex, which also includes three swimming pools. Genera l Acrylics of Phoenix built the Sports & Tennis Design Group) post-tension concrete courts and supplied the surface, in a kind of “design as we go” sit- Q Private Residence, Boca Raton, Fla. (Fast-Dry Courts) uation, where they worked closely with the general contractor to meet the changing Q Private Residence, Las Vegas, Nev. (Fast-Dry ideas of the owner during construction. Courts) The award-winning Larson Sports Center at Jamestown College in North Dakota has Q Private Residence, Napa, Calif. (Vintage Contrac- a multi-purpose indoor facility offering three tennis courts, among other uses, on a pre- tors Inc.) Q Samford University Outdoor Tennis Facility, Home- fab rubber surface, put down by Kiefer Specialty Flooring. The installation included an wood, Ala. (Lower Bros. Co.) overlay of an existing sports floor and the installation of a new sports floor on a new Q Samford University Indoor Tennis Facility, Home- concrete slab, requiring contractors to resolve elevation differences between the two. wood, Ala. (Lower Bros. Co.) And the tight schedule also posed problems with the curing of the concrete. But, in true Q Southeast Park & Tennis Complex, Columbia, S.C. (Global Sports & Tennis Design Group) winning fashion, the project was brought in on schedule, and within budget. Q Turnberry Isle Tennis Facility, Aventura, Fla. (Fast- —Peter Francesconi Dry Courts)

26 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2008 www.racquetsportsindustry.com Residential Tennis Facility-of-the-Year Award Pasternack Residence Orange County, Calif. Specialty Contractor: Zaino Tennis Courts General Contractor: Hobson Construction Inc. Architect: Steven Phillips Surface: Plexipave Plexicushion Prestige Lights: Visionaire Lighting, Advantage Light Fixtures Net, Net Posts: Edwards

Outdoor Tennis Facility-of-the-Year Award Pine Canyon Flagstaff, Ariz. Specialty Contractor: General Acrylics Inc. Surface: Gameco Products by General Acrylics Nets, Straps, Posts, Windscreens: Douglas Industries

Indoor Multi-Purpose Facility-of-the-Year Award Larson Sports Center Jamestown College, Jamestown, N.D. Specialty Contractor: Kiefer Specialty Flooring Inc. Architect/Engineer: EAPC of Fargo, N.D. General Contractor: Hillerud Construction Surface: Mondo Rubber Sports Flooring

For details on the 2009 Distin- guished Facility-of-the-Year Awards, contact the ASBA at 866-501-ASBA or [email protected].

www.racquetsportsindustry.com February 2008 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 27 StringHead ETS Playtest 16

Head ETS is a wrapped multifilament nylon string. According to Head, the highly elastic multifilament core moves freely within its unique polypropylene outer wrap, providing optimal elasticity and energy transfer for unprecedented power, playability, and perfect sound. The outer wrap is abrasion resistant for excellent durability. Head ETS has been specially designed for oversized racquets and for string job. The texture referred to players looking to add more power to by our playtesters is not so much of a their game. roughness as it is a pronounced lumpi- ETS is available in 16 (1.31 mm) and ness. This texture isn’t the kind that 17 (1.24 mm) in white only. It is priced sounds as if it is sawing through the from $11.50 per 40’ set (no reels avail- grommets and across the mains. Finally, able). For more information or to order, EASE OF STRINGING because of the texture, knots feel oddly contact Head at 800-289-7366, or visit (compared to other strings) when you’re pulling them tight, but they www.head.com. Be sure to read the con- Number of testers who said it was: cinch up just fine. much easier 0 clusion for more information about get- No playtester broke his sample dur- somewhat easier 2 ting a free set to try for yourself. ing stringing, 14 reported problems with about as easy 23 not quite as easy 10 coil memory, none reported a problem IN THE LAB not nearly as easy 0 tying knots, and one reported friction The coil measured 40’. The diameter burn. measured 1.29-1.33 mm prior to string- OVERALL PLAYABILITY ing, and 1.24-1.26 mm after stringing. (compared to string played most often) Number of testers who said it was: ON THE COURT We recorded a stringbed stiffness of 74 Our playtest team scored ETS well much better 2 RDC units immediately after stringing at above average in Playability, Touch/Feel, somewhat better 7 60 pounds in a Wilson Pro Staff 6.1 95 about as playable 10 Spin Potential, and Resistance to Move- (16 x 18 pattern) on a constant-pull not quite as playable 14 ment. Additionally, many of our machine. not nearly as playable 2 playtesters commented on how comfort- After 24 hours (no playing), stringbed able ETS is in play. The score for power stiffness measured 64 RDC units, repre- OVERALL DURABILITY is about average, but this is appropriate (compared to other strings senting a 14 percent tension loss. Our of similar gauge) in this string, given its target market of control string, Prince Synthetic Gut Origi- Number of testers who said it was: players using oversize racquets. nal Gold 16, measured 78 RDC units much better 3 Three playtesters broke the sample immediately after stringing and 71 RDC somewhat better 10 during the playtest, one each at four, 17, units after 24 hours, representing a 9 about as durable 18 and 24 hours of play. percent tension loss. ETS added 15 not quite as durable 4 grams to the weight of our unstrung not nearly as durable 0 CONCLUSION frame. RATING AVERAGES It is sometimes difficult to find the right The string was tested for five weeks From 1 to 5 (best) string for customers with oversize rac- by 35 USRSA playtesters, with NTRP rat- Playability 3.5 quets, especially those with open string ings from 3.5 to 6.0. These are blind Durability 3.4 patterns, because they want a durable tests, with playtesters receiving Power 3.1 string that doesn’t move all over the unmarked strings in unmarked packages. Control 3.3 place, and has great feel and playability. Average number of hours playtested was Comfort 3.3 According to our playtest results, this 27.6. Touch/Feel 3.2 describes Head ETS 16. Out of the package, there is a tight Spin Potential 3.3 If you think that Head ETS might be Holding Tension 3.4 but not aggressive coil memory, so you for you, fill out the coupon to get a free Resistance to Movement 3.5 have to watch for kinks through the set to try. —Greg Raven Q

28 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2009 www.racquetsportsindustry.com TALK TESTThis Eis a Rcrisp,S predictable string. Spin there is refreshingly little tension loss. 5.0 “potential is very pronounced. It has high ten- male all-court player using Head MicroGEL” FREE PLAYTEST sion maintenance and low string movement. It Extreme strung at 60 pounds CP (Wilson Natural SHeadTRI NwillG send PR aO freeG RsetA ofM is easily one of the best strings I’ve tested. Gut 16) ETS 16 to the first 500 USRSA 4.5 male serve-and-volleyer using Wilson nSix-” members who cut out (or copy) One (68 Holes) strung at 58 pounds CP (Wilson This string plays surprisingly crisp. Control this coupon and mail it to: NXT 16) “and comfort are there from start to finish. Hard hitters and string breakers might have some USRSA This is the best string I’ve tested. Holds ten- durability issues. This string is a good option for Attn: Head String Offer, “sion extremely well. There is no string move- those who prefer the crisp and firm feel of poly- 330 Main Street, Vista, CA 92084 ment. It handles a wide range of shots with ester without the harsh response. 4.5 male or fax to 760-536-1171, remarkable ease, from drop volleys to heavy all-court player using Babolat Pure” Storm strung or email the info below to ground strokes. This string is as good as it at 65 pounds CP (Gamma Zo Tour 16) [email protected] gets.” 4.5 male all-court player using Prince OZone Pro Tour MP strung at 58 pounds LO This string has a soft feel without being (Prince Synthetic Gut w/Duraflex 16) mushy.“ There is some string movement. Spin Offer expires 15 February 2009 potential is excellent. 4.0 male all-court play- Offer only available to USRSA members in the US. This is a comfortable multifilament that er using Babolat Aeropro” Drive + (with Cortex) “ strung at 60 pounds CP (Luxilon Big Banger Alu reduces shock very effectively. 5.0 male all- Name: court player using Prince O3 White” MP strung Power 16L) at 55 pounds LO (Luxilon Big Banger Original USRSA Member number: 130 16L) Stringing gets easier after the initial coil Phone: memory“ recedes. Playability, resistance to move- Email: This string seems to make the sweetspot ment, control, and durability are all very If you print your email clearly, we will notify bigger.“ The entire string bed feels comfortable. good. 4.5 male all-court player using Prince you when your sample will be sent. Shots in the upper hoop are not punished with O3 Blue” strung at 57 pounds LO (Gamma Live anemic responses. Considering the string type, War Pro 17) For the rest of the tester comments, visit www.racquetsportsindustry.com.

www.racquetsportsindustry.com February 2009 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 29 AskYour the Equipment Experts Hotline

install the short side on the side opposite of mets for that “factory” look (or even EKTELON O the markings on the frame. just to help retain the bumpguard), WHITE PATTERNS THE 16X17 STRINGING PATTERN check out the Flare-It™ Grommet Wiz- you have listed for the Ektelon O3 ADDING LEAD TAPE ard, which is available at ATS Sports White racquetball racquet is the UNDER THE (www.atssports.com). optional pattern for this frame. The stock BUMPERGUARD Qstringing pattern (the one that comes pre- I JUST RECEIVED TWO BRAND NEW RACQUET SHORTENING strung) is 14x17. You might want to men- racquets today. However, after tak- HOW DO YOU SHORTEN A rac- tion this in the Digest for those who are ing grommet strips off to add weight quet by ¼ or even ½ inches? unfamiliar with this new racquetball under the bumper guard, I found it impossi- frame. Qble to put the grommets back through the THE TRICKY PART OF shorten- racquet holes because some of the grommet Q ing a racquet is usually getting WE CONTACTED SCOTT Winters ends are flared. Any suggestions? the butt cap back on securely. at Ektelon before we printed the On most racquets, you remove the new Digest. Ektelon recommends the MANY NEW RACQUETS COME with Areplacement grip (and overgrip, if fit- 16x17A pattern because it is less confusing grommets that are flared after the ted), remove the butt cap, measure how as it doesn’t leave any holes empty. Also, bumperguard and grommet strip have been much you want to cut off, do your cut it is a little easier to install. As you may Amounted on the racquet. Even if removing (making very certain to perform a be aware, there is also a 12x17 pattern these flared grommets didn’t destroy them, square cut), reattached the butt cap, option for this frame. We’ll provide the you’d still have to throw away the grommet and then rewrap the grip (and overgrip, instructions for each of the three patterns strip and replace it with a new one, for just if desired). in both the Digest and the Digest On-line. the reason you’ve discovered. The trick with reattaching the butt Finally, the 14x17 pattern used by the If, after adding your lead tape and cap is that most people don’t have a factory is the most complicated because it installing the replacement bumperguard and stapler that can penetrate the carbon involves empty holes, and you need to grommet kit, you want to re-flare the grom- fiber in the handle area. Sometimes,

30 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2009 www.racquetsportsindustry.com the carbon fiber is inside of a foam pallet, but sometimes not. Either way, your staples have to penetrate the carbon fiber to hold the butt cap securely. For extra Your Equipment Hotline hold on the butt cap, you can try Super Glue gel. The normal warnings apply for working with Super Glue.

GUESTIMATING TENSION RANGE I HAVE A SNAUWAERT Graphite Composite and a Wilson Butch Buchholz Signature racquet made for Sears Roebuck & Co. Any idea as to recom- mended stringing range on these?

Q USRSA MEMBERS CAN guesstimate the tension for any racquet with the on-line tool we have here: www.usrsa.com/members/tools/tension_guess.html AThe figures returned by this tool come from looking at hundreds of racquets with known head size and stringbed density. You simply plug in the head size, number of mains, and number of crosses from your racquet, and the tool will rec- ommend a normal tension range for a typical racquet with those characteristics.

TYING OFF NATURAL GUT I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INSTANCES OF THE MAIN STRING BREAKING AT the point where the cross string is tied off such as 7H. In two instances it happened in the bag, that is, not during play. I use a double granny knot. I Qdo tend to pull the knot fairly hard. Any suggestions? FIRST, USE A DOUBLE HALF HITCH. THE GRANNY KNOT IS NOT A good knot for any application. If you’re unclear on how to tie a double half hitch, refer to the section on “Forming Your Tie-Off Knot” in the Stringer’s Digest, Apage 59. Second, generally speaking you don’t need to pull knots as tight as you might think. In specific, you cannot pull hard on natural gut anchor strings, as you will damage the anchor string, causing it to break prematurely. Try gently pulling the loose end of the knot until the slack is just out of the string you’re tying off, and then stop. If the anchor string is breaking while the racquet is in the bag, you’re pulling too hard.

HYBRID WEIGHT DIFFERENCES I NOTICED IN YOUR PLAYTEST REPORT OF PACIFIC POWER HYBRID that the total racquet weight was different depending on which string was used in the mains. How is that possible?

QTHE REASON WE PUBLISH THE CHANGE IN RACQUET WEIGHT DUE TO stringing is that strings don’t all weigh the same, whether because of diam- eter, materials, construction, or all three. On a hybrid such as Pacific Power AHybrid, we noted a fairly significant difference in mass between the two strings (Poly Force and Power Line). When you use the heavier of the two strings in the longer mains, the total racquet weight is slightly higher than when you use the heavier of the two strings in the shorter crosses. —Greg Raven Q We welcome your questions. Please send them to Racquet Sports Industry, 330 Main St., Vista, CA, 92084; fax: 760-536-1171; email: [email protected].

www.racquetsportsindustry.com Your Serve New Lessons for Teaching Pros

An industry insider says it’s time the USPTA and PTR fully embrace modified tennis for youngsters by requiring knowledge of it for certification. BYKEVINTHEOS

onsumers expect “certified” tennis format in our programming and view it as or to traditional instruction in terms of teaching professionals to be knowl- critical to the growth of tennis. Adaptive meeting consumer demands. But they are edgeable about the latest advances equipment for youth has to be a major only offered as specialty courses. in tennis instruction. The use of adaptive player, and educating the professionals on In contrast, under Level 1 of ITF certifi- Cequipment and formats are modern the usage of such equipment is para- cation, one must undertake nine days of improvements to youth tennis, but neither mount.” training, the first two of which are entirely USPTA nor PTR pros need to know any- Manufacturers also indicate that the devoted to learning how to teach with thing about their use in order to become tennis market is different than it used to adaptive equipment on smaller tennis certified. It is time for that to change. be. "The market has changed tremendous- courts. No doubt, the success of former Adaptive play formats, equipment, and ly in recent years," says Dunlop Regional World No. 1 Justine Henin, who competed playing areas are nothing new to youth Sales Manager Hunter Hines of Georgia. on shorter tennis courts as a junior, has sports. Baseball, basketball and soccer are "Five years ago, there were few options hastened the acceptance of modified ten- just a few sports in which enthusiasts long for purchasing modified equipment for nis outside the U.S. But the PTR and ago recognized the value of adapting formats like QuickStart Tennis. Today, USPTA need not wait for a similar Ameri- sports to the modest strength and abilities Dunlop produces a wide variety of balls, can champion to emerge to accept the of young athletes. Beyond making intu- portable nets and other teaching aids tai- modern direction of youth tennis. itive sense, youth-based modifications are lored to helping young beginners learn Modified tennis for juniors is here to now time-tested, and it is hard to imagine tennis faster and easier, and other compa- stay. Manufacturers are selling more adap- any sports that have made such adjust- nies are doing the same. The rapidly tive equipment and producing a greater ments going back to their previous ways expanding market absolutely demands it.” variety all the time. Clubs are increasingly of operating. While slow to change, the It should come as no surprise that using modified equipment and formats in tennis market is now adopting the use of manufacturers, pros, and players are grav- their programs. More and more facilities different equipment, court sizes and for- itating toward modified tennis. Today, are installing permanent QST courts and mats for younger athletes. children in many communities have an lines. Short courts and modified teaching In 2008, over a thousand locations reg- almost endless array of recreational methods are observably and profoundly istered as QuickStart Tennis sites. More options. To sustain any kind of commit- superior to traditional instruction in terms importantly, experienced tennis pros are ment, children must be engaged while of player engagement and enjoyment, and now embracing the use of adaptive equip- feeling a considerable measure of success are sorely needed to compete with alterna- ment and formats. and enjoyment from the outset. Adaptive tive youth recreational activities. "I am completely blown away by the tennis provides children with the engage- It is time for the USPTA and the PTR to response to the QuickStart Tennis play for- ment and early success that they demand, require certification candidates to under- mat from certified tennis professionals,” while traditional tennis instruction involv- stand modified tennis in order to become says PTR and USPTA professional and ing the monotony of spending excessive certified. Q club owner Craig S. Jones of Martinez, Ga. time standing in line waiting to be fed ten- “I have done trainings and presentations nis balls does not. To their credit, while Kevin Theos is the USTA Southern to over a thousand teaching pros in Amer- they have not gone as far as the Interna- Section Tennis Service Representa- tive for Alabama. He is a USPTA tional Tennis Federation in evolving, the ica this past year. Everywhere I go, teach- member with more than 17 years ing pros comment on the substantial PTR and USPTA have moved in the right of teaching experience and is the former execu- increases in revenue they are experienc- direction. tive director of the Birmingham Area Tennis ing and incredible technical and tactical “LittleTennis” and “PTR Kids Tennis” Association. He may be reached at transformations in their young students." are youth instructional formats of the [email protected]. Former USPTA tester and current Lake USPTA and PTR, respectively. Both of Charles (La.) Racquet Club Tennis Director these teaching formats involve modified We welcome your opinions. Please email comments to [email protected] or fax Bobby Walker adds, “I use the QuickStart equipment and courts, and are far superi- them to 760-536-1171.

32 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2009 www.racquetsportsindustry.com