Customization Pioneer Youth Tennis STRING SELECTOR: The wit and Hit a winner Find the right string and warmth of with COACH for your customers VIC BRADEN YOUTH TENNIS JANUARY 2015 / VOLUME 43/ NUMBER 1 / $5.00 2014 Champions of Tennis CONGRATULATIONS TO: BAHRAM AKRADI ARMY NAVY COUNTRY CLUB Our annual awards honor DAVID YAMANE TRANS TEXAS TENNIS those who continue to make ALLAN IVERSON YOUR SERVE TENNIS this sport a winner. JOE & SHIMA GROVER ELLEN MILLER SIMON GALE INNERCITY TENNIS FOUNDATION INDIAN WELLS TENNIS GARDEN JACK NEWMAN MERCER COUNTY PARK T.C. LAURIE MARTIN WASH. DC DEPT. OF PARKS & REC PAUL WALKER SIGNATURE TENNIS THE TENNIS CONGRESS NIGEL PUGH RANDY MATTINGLEY USTA INTERMOUNTAIN pg. 45 Incorporating USPTA Te nnisIndustry www.tennisindustrymag.com JANUARY 2015 DEPARTMENTS 4 Our Serve 7 Industry News 15 TIA news 20 Youth Tennis: Coach Youth Tennis 22 Pioneers: Vic Braden 40 Ask the Experts 42 String Playtest: Babolat Origin 17 44 Your Serve, by Mark Rearden INDUSTRY NEWS 7 Asics debuts BZ100 Performance Racquet 7 World TeamTennis celebrates 40 years 7 Gerflor buys Connor Sport Court 8 MRT John Gugel honored by IART Symposium 8 NYJTL honored by Bronx Chamber of Commerce p.23 8 Tecnifibre partners with ProWorld Tennis FEATURES 8 Head introduces new Graphene XT Speed line 23 2014 Champions of Tennis 9 UST A’s Gordon Smith honored by University of Georgia Our annual awards honor the people, 9 UST A honors grassroots businesses and organizations that are making a tennis at Atlanta TDW 11 Mason promoted to president difference in the tennis industry. of Head Racquet Sports 13 “Pickup Wall” keeps 37 String Selector 2015 players hitting Use our exclusive guide to find the perfect 13 Racquet, string, shoes p.37 retail performance strings for you customers. PLUS 46 CEO’s Message p.45 48 Vice President’s Message 52 USPTA Mourns the Passing 59 Tips for Parents of Young 52 USPT A News of Vic Braden Athletes 60 Master Pro Corner 62 Career Development 54 2014 National Education Day 61 What is a USPTA Master 64 Member News Professional Worth? Read more articles online at www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com 2 TennisIndustry January 2015 www.tennisindustrymag.com www.tennisindustrymag.com Our Serve Publishers David Bone Jeff Williams Editorial Director Peter Francesconi [email protected] Associate Editor Greg Raven Design/Art Director Kristine Thom Special Projects Manager Our Guiding Lights Bob Patterson his is the 14th year we’ve picked struggles to stay with us. Contributing Editors our Champions of Tennis I know dealing with aging parents Robin Bateman award winners, and every year, is nothing new; it seems like everyone Cynthia Cantrell T Kent Oswald these awards become more and more I know is in some way facing these popular among those involved in this issues. It was difficult two years ago Cynthia Sherman Mary Helen Sprecher sport. It is exciting for us to recog- when, in this space, I mentioned my Tim Strawn nize individuals, organizations and father’s decline. Now, my mother, a companies that truly contribute to true guiding light for me, faces the Contributing Photographers the mission of growing this game and same challenges. While it breaks my Bob Kenas business, and that’s one of the reasons heart to see her going through this, David Kenas why our Champions of Tennis issue it’s also causing me to think more is one of the most fun for us to put and more about the influences in our TENNIS INDUSTRY together. lives that shape us, make us who we Corporate Offices What’s particularly pleasing for me are, and cause us to care and work to PO Box 3392, Duluth, GA 30096 is when I hear from an award winner make things better. Phone: 760-536-1177 Fax: 760-536-1171 that recognition in Tennis Industry My parents always encouraged us to Email: [email protected] somehow helped his or her organi- be active and play all sports, including Website: www.TennisIndustryMag.com zation or business in growing the tennis. Growing up in the 1920s and Office Hours: Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m. game. Many have said the national ’30s, they knew not only the impor- recognition provided by our awards tance of being “serious” about life and Advertising Director have helped in gaining funding and career, but also about how important John Hanna support for grassroots programs a well-rounded life is. They have been 770-650-1102, x.125 or facilities, or in pushing a project a most important and consistent part [email protected] through at the local level, or even in of my “team” throughout my life, and helping government officials or others by their examples, taught my sisters Apparel Advertising take their local tennis organization and me those subtle, selfless lessons Cynthia Sherman more seriously. about caring for others, caring for a 203-263-5243 In putting together the short cause, doing what’s right, forgiving [email protected] stories about our award winners, it’s and moving on, and not worrying Tennis Industry is published 10 times per year: always striking to note how many about grabbing credit. They’ve been monthly January through August and combined honorees genuinely try to deflect the the ultimate advocates for “team” play, issues in September/October and November/ credit from themselves and praise and in fact created an amazing family December by Tennis Industry and USRSA, PO Box the “team,” acknowledging those who “team.” 3392, Duluth, GA 30096. Periodcal postage paid at Duluth, GA and at additional mailing offices helped them. In a business that often Like our Champions of Tennis, we (USPS #004-354). January 2015, Volume 43, takes itself way too seriously, I find all have had people in our lives who Number 1 © 2015 by USRSA and Tennis Industry. this incredibly refreshing. have shaped us in both obvious and All rights reserved. Tennis Industry, TI and logo This tendency of our award winners subtle ways—the “guiding lights” for are trademarks of USRSA. Printed in the U.S.A. to spread the credit around and point our lives and careers. Whether you Phone advertising: 770-650-1102 x 125. Phone out those who helped along the way call them mentors, advisors, coun- circulation and editorial: 760-536-1177. Yearly subscriptions $25 in the U.S., $40 elsewhere. struck me in a particular, poignant selors, best friends, or even parents, POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Tennis way this year, as right now, one of I’d very much like to hear about your Industry, PO Box 3392, Duluth, GA 30096. TI is the my most important “team” members own personal “guiding lights.” official magazine of the USRSA, TIA,and ASBA. Looking for back issues of Tennis Industry/ Peter Francesconi, Editorial Director Racquet Sports Industry? Visit the archives at our [email protected] website at TennisIndustrymag.com for free digital versions back to 2004. 4 TennisIndustry January 2015 www.tennisindustrymag.com www.tennisindustrymag.com Industry News Information to help you run your business WTT Celebrates 40 Years Asics Debuts BZ 100 Mylan World TeamTennis com- memorates its 40th season with Performance Racquet a yearlong marketing and pro- motional program that includes sics America announced Dec. 9 the introduction of the BZ special events and fan engagement 100, the company’s first-ever performance tennis racquet initiatives. The 2015 WTT season designed to give competitive players controllable power. will run July 12-Aug. 2, with finals A"With the launch of the BZ 100, we are introducing to the mar- that will air live on ESPN2. ESPN ket racquet technology options that have never been available, 3 will also broadcast a number of and we strongly believe it will positively impact players’ perfor- matches throughout the summer. mance," says Kevin Wulff, president and CEO of Asics America “As we celebrate our 40th an- Corp. “The tennis category is a key focus for Asics globally as we niversary, Mylan World TeamTennis move into 2015. We've seen great success with our tennis footwear maintains its pioneering spirit and and expect this innovative racquet will follow in the same footsteps.” commitment to push the bound- The BZ 100 features Asics’ new patent-pending Bending Zone aries of our sport in the name of technology, which adjusts the flex distribution in the frame, giving play- fan entertainment,” says founder ers the ability to better control the ball without sacrificing power, says Billie Jean King. “Throughout our the company. Asics says it reduced the height of the throat by 30 percent rich history, Mylan WTT has been a compared to an average player racquet, resulting in a substantial reduc- showcase for world-class competi- tion in the stiffness of the frame and a larger “sweet spot.” The optimized tion as well as the fundamental flex, says the company, will also result in a reduction in vibrations and values of gender equity, access and less drag in the head. community.” The BZ 100 is 27 inches, 11.2 ounces strung with a more rounded 100-square-inch head shape. Suggested retail is $189. Visit AsicsAmerica. Gerflor Buys Connor com. • Sport Court Gerflor, a global leader in the design and manufacture of resilient flooring, K-Swiss Unveils New has acquired Connor Sport Court International. In a statement, Gerflor said the two companies’ combined Brand Identity resources will enhance their ability to -Swiss has introduced a new brand identity that celebrates its place as the only offer more innovative solutions and heritage American tennis brand. The new look brings the brand back to its improved services to customers, in- founding roots in 1966 and is characterized by a directional logo, classic 1966 cluding worldwide sport associations.