August 2010 Volume 38 Number 8 $5.00 www.racquetsportsindustry.com

STATE OF THE INDUSTRY Professional Standards The changing landscape of pro tennis, and what it may mean New Stringing Machines for 2010 Community Tennis for Everyone

Contents Contents RSI A U G 2 0 1 0 INDUSTRY NEWS FEATURES 7 Donnay racquets are 20 Tour Stringing for Everyone back in U.S. market Whether you aspire to string for top pro players or enjoy servicing your local 7 Jerome Pin to head customers, you can learn from what tour Babolat USA stringers experience. 24 Guide to Stringing Machines 7 Champions to meet in For 2010, eight new machines have come Madison Square Garden onto the market. Use our exclusive guide to see how they compare. 9 John Embree resigns 30 Tennis, Everyone? from Prince Americas Why tennis is important to your community—and how you can acquire 9 USPTA World Conference funding to build new or renovate your set for California existing courts. 32 Visual Aids 9 Lee to host Har-Tru All that time in the sun can damage your seminar in NYC eyes. We take a look at 8 tennis-specific sunglasses that can keep you seeing 9 ALM Sports is U.S. clearly. distributor for Polyfibre 10 Short Sets SPECIAL REPORT: STATE OF THE INDUSTRY 10 ASBA Technical Meeting set for Florida 27 Professional Standards 10 PTR to host Midwest In this first of two articles on pro tennis Coaches Conference in the U.S., we look at the changing landscape of tournament tennis, 11 Vic Braden launches sponsorship challenges and more. ‘Junior Tennis Ambassadors’ 12 PeopleWatch 14 USTA Midwest unveils ‘Play It Forward’ campaign 14 USTA Serves Awards $300,000 Cover photo by Bob Kenas

DEPARTMENTS 17 TIA News 4 Our Serve 34 String Playtest: Luxilon Adrenaline 16L 7 Industry News 36 Tips and Techniques 11 Letters 38 Ask the Experts 15 Pioneers in Tennis: Peter Burwash 40 Your Serve, by Chris Oddo

2 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY August 2010 www.racquetsportsindustry.com

Our Serve Where’s Our Rallying Point? (Incorporating Racquet Tech and Tennis Industry)

Publishers think I missed something… or maybe I didn’t. David Bone Jeff Williams It’s hard to tell. What I think I missed is Nation- Editorial Director al Tennis Month. Peter Francesconi

Do you know what month is National Tennis Month? Do your cus- Associate Editor tomers and members? Do tennis players in your community? More Greg Raven importantly, do non-players, kids, or students in your schools? I Design/Art Director If you were wondering, the month of May has, for many years, Kristine Thom been designated National Tennis Month by the USTA. I’ve been in this Contributing Editors industry for a long time , and I have to say, this has been one of the Robin Bateman most consistently under-served and under-utilized initiatives. Talk Cynthia Cantrell about something custom-made for promoting this sport. Joe Dinoffer Think about it—we have a whole month, supposedly designed to Liza Horan Greg Moran promote the sport to everyone. (And did you know this actually coin- Bob Patterson cides with National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, which since Cynthia Sherman 1983 has also been the month of May?) We need to use National Ten- Mary Helen Sprecher nis Month to truly promote this sport and its ben efits to everyone in this country in a more cohesive manner. RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY Corporate Offices In putting together the May issue of RSI in late March/early April, 330 Main St., Vista, CA 92084 we contacted the USTA to see what was planned for NTM. They could- Phone: 760-536-1177 Fax: 760-536-1171 n’t tell us, mostly because plans, it seemed, hadn’t been finalized yet. Email: [email protected] And that’s the problem: Year after year, National Tennis Month seems Website: www.racquetTECH.com Office Hours: Mon.-Fri.,8 a.m.-5 p.m. Pacific Time to be simply an afterthought. Whether this is true or not, the percep- tion is there’s little pre-planning and virtually no promotion before Advertising Director May. John Hanna This is not just a USTA concern—this is something we all should 770-650-1102, x.125 address. We need to use National Tennis Month and the month of May [email protected] to really promote this sport—to all consumers, outside of the current Apparel Advertising tennis “family”—which means we need to plan the campaign and we Cynthia Sherman need to get the word out before May actually hits. 203-263-5243 NTM, for instance, is the perfect time to hammer home the health [email protected] message of tennis—something this industry as a whole has yet to get Racquet Sports Industry is published 10 times per its arms around successfully (altho ugh there are initiatives under way year: monthly January through August and com- bined issues in September/October and Novem- to help with the health messaging of tennis). And why not use NTM to ber/December by Tennis Industry and USRSA, 330 take advantage of the “Racket Up, America!” campaign and phrase Main St., Vista, CA 92084. Application to Mail at that the industry promoted a year ago? Periodicals Postage Prices is Pending at Vista, CA and Bottom line, if we’re going to have a National Tennis Month, we additional mailing offices. August 2010, Volume 38, Number 8 © 2010 by USRSA and Tennis Industry. All need to do it right. We all need to support each other and rally behind rights reserved. Racquet Sports Industry, RSI and a solid month of well-publicized programs and promotions designed logo are trademarks of USRSA. Printed in the U.S.A. to get the word out about TENNIS and get more people playing, and Phone advertising: 770-650-1102 x 125. Phone circu- playing more often. 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 August 2010 www.racquetsportsindustry.com

RSI A U G U S T 2 0 1 0 INDUSTRYNEWSINDUSTRYNEWS INFORMATIONTOHELPYOURUNYOURBUSINESS Sampras, Agassi, Donnay Comes Back Into U.S. With 9 New Racquets Mac, Lendl to Meet onnay is back in the U.S. market. The racquet manufac- in MSG Event turer, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, Two of the greatest rivalries in ten- Dannounced it is introducing a line of nine frames for the nis will resume at Madison Square U.S. called the X-Series. Garden when tennis legends Pete “We are excited for the Donnay brand to have a renewed Sampras, Andre Agassi, John McEn- presence in the U.S.,” says Neil Morton, a spokesman for Don- roe and Ivan Lendl take to the court nay International. “We are looking forward to the Donnay brand in the 2011 BNP Paribas Showdown being played once again at the highest level and used by the scheduled for Monday, Feb. 28, world’s top players.” 2011. Based on patented technology called “XeneCore,” the nine mod- els will be the X-Black 94, X-Black 99, X -Blue 94, X-Dark Red 94, X- Renewing classic rivalries of the Red 94, X-Red 99, X-Orange 99, X-Yellow 99, and X-White 99. 1980s and ‘90s, McEnroe and Lendl Distribution in the U.S. will be handled by Donnay USA Ltd., will compete in a one-set pro match based in New York. Initial distribution will be limited to the exclusive (first player to win eight games), fol- Donnay Centers, online at www.donnay.com, and through teaching lowed by a best-of-three-set match pros. A custom fitting process will be available on the website as well between Sampras and Agassi. The as a demonstration of the customization possibilities of each racquet. four all-time greats have won a “These racquets are geared toward established pla yers looking for the maximum combined 37 Grand Slam singles combination of power, control and technology,” says Roman Prokes, owner of RPNY Tennis titles and 295 ATP Tour events. and technical advisor to Donnay USA. “I have been going to Madison Donnay says the properties of XeneCore create a solid frame that results in the highest Square Garden since I was 8, and I strength to weight ratio in the industry, for better power, control and feel, and allowing for the have played some of my best tennis thinnest beam width on the market at 15mm. there,” McEnroe said. “I am very happy to have the chance to play Babolat Taps Jérôme Pin as Managing Director in U.S. Ivan Lendl again in The World’s abolat has selected Jérôme Pin as the new managing director of Babolat Most Famous Arena.” USA, overseeing the sales, marketing, logistics/supply chain and adminis- “To have the opportunity to play Btrative departments for the company’s operations based in Boulder, Colo. Pete at Madison Square Garden is “I am happy to be joining a strong, dynamic company,” says Pin. “Babolat thrilling,” added Agassi. “Playing in is fortunate to have a cohesive, motivated group of people in place—I will be front of the New York fans has adding my skills and energy to an already winning team.” always been exciting and I’m sure Before joining Babolat, Pin spent 13 years with the French lifestyle and Pete and I will give them something sportswear brand Lacoste, serving as director for Latin America in Brazil and to cheer about.” director for the Americas in Miami. Most recently he held the position of director of the Amer- Tickets go on sale Sept. 27, and VIP icas for Innothera, a French company in the pharmaceutical industry. packages are available. Visit “Babolat is a family-run French company, strong on the export market, with a history root- www.tennisshowdown.com. The ed in tennis,” Pin says. “Unlike public companies, a private business such as Babolat has a BNP Paribas Showdown, in partner- longterm vision, focused on leaving a legacy for the next generation. I like that strategy and ship with the USTA, will continue want to be a part of this success story.” efforts to grow youth participation Eric Babolat, president and CEO of Babolat, says, “The American market is very important in the sport through “Tennis Night for us. Since launching our products here 10 years ago, we have established a healthy distri- in America,” a national grassroots bution network with specialized tennis stores and developed lasting partnerships with our initiative. dealers. Jérôme’s expertise in the export business an d with brand development will help strengthen Babolat’s activities in the U.S.” www.racquetsportsindustry.com August 2010 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 7

INDUSTRYNEWS

Hinding Tennis, Ace Surfaces Complete NYC Embree Leaves Prince Americas Nike Grind Projects Tom Hinding of Hinding Tennis Courts of West Haven, Conn., recently teamed up John Embree resigned as president of Prince with Franz Fasold of Ace Surfaces of North America and, combined with a gener- Americas in June. With his departure, Prince ous donation from Nike, installed the Rebound Ace with Nike Grind System on six says it will consolidate North American sales new basketball and promotion under Gordon Boggis, who will courts in New York retain his title as president and COO of Prince City. Sports Inc. The $400,000 The company says the move will “streamline project was com- and flatten the organization” and create an inte- pleted in 25 days grated commercial function in the U.S. that will on courts in Man- facilitate and improve coordination and com- hattan, Harlem munication between sales, product develop- and the Bronx. For ment, marketing and promotion. information on As part of this change, Ken Daiss, executive Rebound Ace with v.p. and chief financial officer, will add infor- Nike Grind, con- mation technology, customer service and logis- tact Hinding Tennis tics to his responsibilities. In addition, Latin at 203-410-6090 America will be integrated under of Mike Rick- or Ace Surfaces at etts, president of Prince International. 321-689-4070.

Lee to Host Har-Tru USPTA World Conference Set for California Seminar in NYC SPTA’s 2010 World Conference on Tennis will be Sept. 27-Oct. 2 at Uthe La Quinta Resort & Club in La Quinta, Calif. ee Tennis Court Products, the The conference attracts nearly 1,500 tennis professionals, indus- Lmanufacturer of Har-Tru, will try leaders, manufacturers and others, and features more than 40 sem- host a Har-Tru Maintenance inars and courses. Also scheduled are nighttime parties, the country’s Certification Seminar Aug. 12- largest tennis-only buying show, a silent auction, the USPTA Interna- 13 at the John McEnroe Tennis tional Tennis Championships and more. Academy at Sportime at Ran- The speakers at this year’s conference include Dr. Martin Baroch, dall’s Island in New York City. Nick Bollettieri, Todd Ellenbecker, Allen Fox, Ph.D., Tom Gorman, Ron Holmberg, Mark The seminar is designed for Kovacs, Ph.D., Page Love, Rick Macci and John Yandell. For a complete lineup of speakers, anyone managing, maintaining seminars and activities, and for registration information, visit or considering installing clay www.usptaworldconference.com or call 800-877-8248. tennis courts, including club managers, teaching pros, court builders and maintenance pro- Genesis Releases 4 New Strings fessionals. enesis has recently launched four new strings. The Hexonic is a hexagonal shaped co- The seminar will bring Gpolyester that comes in a red color and is available in three diameters: 1.27mm, together leading experts on 1.18mm, and 1.09mm. Heptonic is a heptagon shaped co-polyester string available in indoor and outdoor clay courts white and in two diameters: 1.24mm, 1.14mm. to discuss construction and Genesis Xplosion is a premium multifilament available in natural color and in two maintenance techniques. In diameters: 1.30mm and 1.25mm. And Genesis offers a basic nylon string, which comes addition, the seminar will in various gauges and colors. For more information, visit www.genesis-tennis.com or include information on the email [email protected]. causes of indoor and bubbled court surface compaction and what techniques are being used ALM Sports Now Exclusive USA Distributor For Polyfibre to alleviate it. There will be pre- olyfibre is now distributed by ALM Sports Group, who also is the USA distributor for Gene- sentations, panel discussions Psis, Poly Star, Pro Supex, and co-distributor for Topspin. and on-court demonstrations. Since 1993, the company, based in Germany, has developed and sold over 30 different For more information, con- types of string in more than 40 countries. Polyfibre produces performance tennis strings tact Ed Montecalvo at 1-877- along with a full line of racquet sports products. 4HARTRU or emontecalvo@ Polyfibre strings have been used by former ATP top 10 player Magnus Larsson and is cur- leetennis.com. rently used by former world No. 6 Mario Ancic. For more info on Polyfibre, visit www.almsportsgroup.com or email [email protected]. www.racquetsportsindustry.com August 2010 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 9 A U G U S T 2 0 1 0

SHORTSETS ASBA Tech Meeting > Tecnifibre signed a multiyear agreement the John McEnroe Tennis Academy, with the No. 1-ranked U.S. junior player, which will open in mid-September at the Set for Florida NEWS new $19 million Sportime at Randall’s Denis Kudla, who was ranked as high as he American Sports Builders Asso- Island in New York City. For at least the No. 3 in the world in January. Kudla, age Tciation’s annual Technical Meeting next five years, Nike will be the official 17, recently started his ATP career, and is will be Dec. 5-7 at the Marriott Saw- athletic apparel and tennis shoe for the ranked No. 793. He uses the Tecnifibre T- grass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. The students and staff of the academy. Fight 325 VO2 Max racquet. For more ASBA is already accepting applications INDUSTRY information, call (888) 838-3664 or (888) > The USTA announced that 25 of the for its exhibit hall. Both preferred and TFTennis or email [email protected]. nation's top men's and women's colle- regular spaces are available. > The San Diego Sports Arena is the site giate tennis players have been named to This year’s meeting includes state- for the 2010 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Final the 2010 USTA Summer Collegiate of-the-art sessions on advanced tech- between the U.S. and Italy, Nov. 6-7. This Team, administered by the USTA and the nique in sports facility design, will mark the first time the Fed Cup Final Intercollegiate Tennis Association. The construction and materials, as well as has been played in the U.S. since 2000, USTA Summer Collegiate Team is an more rudimentary “how to” programs when the U.S. won a record 17th Fed Cup elite training program designed to pro- di rected at those who want a more title. Tickets are scheduled to go on sale vide college players with exposure to the hands-on approach. There also are beginning in August. Call 888-334-8782 USTA Pro Circuit in a team-oriented multiple social events to facilitate net- or visit www.usta.com/fedcup. environment during the summer working, golf and tennis tournaments, months. meetings of board and committees, Nike recently launched a 14-piece > presentations of industry awards, “Roger Federer Collection” of men’s ten- Beach Tennis USA recently > exams for those interested in the niswear. announced a strategic partnership with the International Tennis Federation to ASBA’s professional certification pro- The USTA is selling the U.S. Men’s Clay > expand the global development of the gram, and more. Court Championships, an ATP Tour event sport of beach tennis. Under the new For information, contact the ASBA that takes place in Houston in April, to the agreement, BTUSA may propose tourna- at 866-501-ASBA (2722) or 410-730- country club that hosts the event. The ments for sanction by the ITF as part of 9595, e-mail info@sportsbuilders. event, on the lowest tier of the ATP’s tour- the ITF Beach Tennis Tour. org, or visit www.sportsbuilders.org. ney schedule structure, rarely attracts a major star. The Clay Courts takes place at > Prince was again named stringing the River Oaks Country Club. machine supplier to the Wimbledon PTR to Host Midwest Championships this year. Coaches Conference > The PTR recently signed two more Cor- porate Members: MyTrainingDiary and Fit- > International Tennis USA (or iTUSA) he PTR will host a Midwest ness Anywhere Inc. recently signed an agreement wit the TCoaches Conference Royal Spanish Tennis Federation to sup- Beginning in July, USTA Members 10- on Aug. 20, 2010, at > port their players and coaches with and-under started receiving “Bounce,” a the Midtown Tennis iTUSA’s instructional and video technolo- new quarterly newsletter aimed at helping Club in Chicago. The event is open to all gy, a player development system and to introduce kids to tennis. The newsletter PTR and USPTA teaching pros, high approach. iTUSA, based at the Hyatt is designed to keep kids engaged in tennis, school and college coaches, as well as Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at with fun features, kid interviews, games, team captains and club players. Gainey Ranch, is run by former pro and exclusive peeks at the pros. Presentations include Training Jun- Rafael Font de Mora. iors to the Highest level, by Daniel Geico was named presenting sponsor > Venus Williams’ new book, “Come Spatz; Injury Prevention for Competi- of the 2010 World TeamTennis Pro League. > To Win: Business Leaders, Artists, Doc- tive Juniors, by Dr. Neeru Jayanthi; Since 2005, Geico has been the official tors, and Other Visionaries on How When to Move a Child to the Next auto insurance sponsor of the WTT Pro Sports Can Help You Top Your Profes- Stage, by Butch Staples; Dynamic Drills, League, and WTT co-founder Billie Jean sion” includes essays by nearly 50 busi- by Jorge Capestany; ball-feeding, by King has been featured in tennis-themed ness leaders, politicians, doctors and Oliver Stephens, the Secrets of Teach- Geico commercials. artist, all of whom played competitive ing Defense, by Spatz; and Capestany’s > USTA Serves, the National Charitable sports. Included in the book are essays Seven Habits of Highly Successful Ten- Foundation of the USTA, announced that it by Ken Chenault, Meg Whitman, Phil nis Pros. There also will be a fast-feed granted 70 high school students a variety Knight, Jack Welch, Condoleezza Rice, contest. of college scholarships totaling $398,000 Bill Bradley, Vera Wang, Marcus Cost for the entire day (8 a.m.-6 this spring. Samuelsson, and Bill Clinton. The book p.m.) is $40. For more information or Nike is an official corporate partner of is published by Amistad/HarperCollins. to register, call 800-421-6289 or visit > www.ptrtennis.org.

10 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY August 2010 www.racquetsportsindustry.com INDUSTRYNEWS

StringLetters Playtests Make Job Easier Braden Launches ‘Junior Tennis I’d like to tell you how the String Playtest has helped improve my customers’ game. The col- umn helps me to delineate to them data on the new strings and how they react from actual Ambassadors’ use. The “use” comes from the “on the court” and from me allowing them to use the racquet I strung with the sample. It has proven to them that it is either something they want or con- ic Braden is rolling out his Junior versely, something that does not work for them. VTennis Ambassadors program, In either case the data and actual use has helped them understand there are many materi- designed to provide an easy entry als, types of assembly, gauges and string tensions that can impact their game. point for millions of young students Thanks for the assistance in bringing this to me, the stringer, and to the customer, the actual user. Once they are more knowledgeable, it makes my job of stringing their racquets who would love to play tennis if it much easier. Keep up the good work. David Trucksis, The Racqueteer were accessible to them. The pro- gram teaches young elementary Supporting the Tennis Family and junior high students to coach any student in their school at no I read the “Our Serve” in the June issue (“Support From the Tennis Family”) about Jaime cost. Kaplan and was so moved by it that Kids Play For Good (KPFG) made a donation on her Car- The Junior Tennis Ambassador ingBridge web page. I don't know Jaime, but she has done remarkable things for tennis and program provides free instruction the tennis community at-large. for adult volunteers who will super- Lynn Morrell, Founder—Kids Play For Good (www.kidsplayforgood.org) vise young elementary and junior high school tennis coaches. The Seeking Tennis Writer Guides young tennis coaches also receive free instruction that qualifies them The U.S. Tennis Writers' Association is searching for old USTWA Membership Guides. These as permanent tennis coaches for small, white booklets were published annually from 1938 to 1978. If you have any or know where they may be obtained, please contact me at [email protected]. clas smates throughout the school Paul Fein, Chair, USTWA History Committee year. For more information, visit We welcome your letters and comments. Please limit letters to 300 words maximum. Email them to [email protected] www.juniortennisambassadors.com. or fax them to 760-536-1171. Corrections  Our April issue listed our long time members, and we left out 30+ year member Gerald Winder. MEMBERCLASSIFIEDS FOR SALE: Used Eagnas Hawk 800 String- ing Machine, Good condition. Please con- tact Bob at [email protected]. WANTED: RDC wanted - Call Gary @ Palm Springs 602-487-5432

Congratulations To the Following For Achieving MRT & CS Status

New MRTs Hassan Mirza Chicago, IL Daniel Breag, Saint Marys, GA

U • S • R • S • A CERTIFIED STRINGER New CSs Rowell Salvado Arlington, VA Max Liberty-point San Jose, CA

www.racquetsportsindustry.com August 2010 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 11 A U G U S T 2 0 1 0 PEOPLEWATCH • Philip Mintz has joined Dunlop Smith of Southern California as the top USTA Picks 20 in the newly created position of men's head coach and North Carolina's NEWS Students to Train Northern Regional Sales Man- Brian Kalbas as the top women’s coach. ager. He comes to Dunlop at Center with nearly three decades Peggy Edwards, the PTR’s director of • ourteen boys and six girls have experience in the sporting communications and the editor of Ten- Fbeen accepted into the 2010- goods business. After beginning nisPro Magazine, received two 2010 APEX 2011 class at the USTA Training INDUSTRYhis career at the legendary NYC- Awards for publishing excellence—one for Center Headquarters in Boca based sporting goods dealer Paragon, he Magazine & Journal Writing and one for Raton, Fla. The students will transitioned to Head/Penn, where he rose to “Education & Training Writing.” TennisPro is reside and train full-time at the the position of Director of Key Accounts. the official publication of PTR tennis teach- facility, where they will receive ers and coaches. coaching from the USTA National Travis Mettenbrink has joined • Coaching staff and will continue Prince/Ektelon as an Indoor Sales Represen- Bernard A. Chavis, president of The Black • their academic education through tative, dedicated to indoor court sales for Tennis Foundation of Philadelphia Inc., course work provided by Kaplan Ektelon racquetball and Prince squash. He recently received the Distinguished Service Virtual Education. will cover Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Award at the graduation commencement “I think we are bringing in a Iowa and Missouri. Mettenbrink joins Mike program of The Geneva College/Center for very dynamic group of kids of all Orr, who was named an Indoor rep earlier Urban Theological Studies. He was honored age gro ups from across the coun- this year for California, Nevada and Arizona. for his long and dedicated service in try,” says Patrick McEnroe, Gener- advancing the mission of the school. al Manager, USTA Player Dunlop has signed a long-term deal with • Development. “These kids have 22-year-old Egyptian squash star Ramy Georgia Tech's Irina Falconi and USC’s • demonstrated their commitment Ashour, the world No. 2 player. He joins Robert Farah are the 2010 Campbell/ITA to improvement on and off the Nick Matthew (No. 1), Amr Shabana (No. National College Players of the Year. Ten- court, and have consistently dis- 4), Greg Gaultier (No. 5), and Julian Illing- nessee's Natalie Pluskota and Caitlin Who- played a strong work ethic and worth (USA No. 1) on the Dunlop Tour riskey and Duke’s Reid Carleton and desire. Our hope is that they will Team. Ashour will play with the Dunlop Henrique Cunha are the ITA National Dou- continue to push each other to Aerogel 4D Max squash racquet. bles Teams of the Year. become the best players they can be.” USTA Southern has named Mark Suiter as Diego Moyano has been hired as a Clay- • • The following players will train a tennis service representative for Georgia. Court Specialist for USTA Player Develop- full-time at the USTA Training Suiter has been a teaching pro for 36 years, ment. He will facilitate coaching and Center Headquarters this school and most recently was the tennis director at training programs designed specifically for year: Berkeley Hills Country Club. He currently clay-court play while working with players in Boys serves on the executive board of the South- the USTA Player Development program at Jordan Belga, Elk Grove Village, Ill. ern USPTA as secretary/treasurer. He served the USTA Training Center Headquarters in Luca Corinteli, Alexandria, Va. as president of the Georgia Professional Boca Raton, Fla. Jake DeVine, Boca Raton, Fla. Tennis Association in 1994 and again in Joseph DiGiulio, Newport Beach, Fla. 2007. • The YWCA Greater Los Angeles honored Jeremy Efferding, Lake Worth, Fla. multiple Grand Slam tennis champion and Alexios Halebian, Glendale, Calif. • The Wilson/ITA National Coaches of the entrepreneur Venus Williams at its Phenom- Hunter Harrington, Spartanburg, S.C. Year for NCAA Division I tennis are Peter enal Woman Awards Luncheon in July. Daniel Kerznerman, Brooklyn, N.Y. Thai Kwiatkowski, Charlotte, N.C. Nikko Madregallego, Duarte, Calif. Four Honored With USOC National Coaching Awards Spencer Newman, Miami Reilly Opelka, Palm Coast, Fla. Four members of the tennis community were honored with national awards as part Spencer Papa, Edmond, Okla. of the USOC Coaching Recognition Program. Konrad Zieba, Glenview, Ill. Olympic gold medalist and U.S. Fed Cup Captain Mary Joe Fernandez was named Girls the 2009 USOC National Coach of the Year for Tennis. John Evert of Boca Raton, Fla., Bridget Forster, Boca Rato n, Fla. Director of the Evert Tennis Academy in Boca Raton, was named USOC Developmen- Mia King, Hendersonville, N.C. tal Coach of the Year for Tennis. Ally Miller-Krasilnikov, Boca Raton, Fla. Julie Jablonski of Port Townsend, Wash., was named USOC Volunteer Coach of the Grace Min, Duluth, Ga. Year for Tennis, and Butch Staples of Chicago was nominated for the “Doc” Counsil- Julia O’Loughlin, Boca Raton, Fla. Taylor Townsend, Stockbridge, Ga. man Science Award for Tennis for his contributions to the sport in the areas of growth and development.

12 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY August 2010 www.racquetsportsindustry.com INDUSTRYNEWS Babolat Again a GSS Symposium Sponsor ate Bickel, after-sales Nmanager of Babolat USA, says the company will once again be a sponsor of the GSS Racquet Stringers Symposium Oct. 9-13 in Orlando, Fla. Babolat has participated in every GSS Symposium since it’s incep- tion by providing stringing machines and diagnostic equipment for use in the seminars. “Babolat participates in the sympo- sium because we believe strongly in supporting the racquet stringers,” says Bickel. “The symposium gives me a great opportunity to meet the people who use our equipment.” For more details and to register for the symposium, go to www.grandslam- stringers.com. 4 Juniors Win Novo Nordisk Awards our junior tennis players recently Fwere honored with 2010 Novo Nordisk Donnelly Award Scholarships. Kelsey Aho, 18, of Marietta, Ga., and Melanie Nolt, 19, of Manheim, Pa., have been named the 2010 Novo Nordisk Donnelly Award national recipients. Aho and Nolt, who are both tennis standouts with Type I Diabetes, will each receive a $5,000 scholarship to be used for education, tennis devel- opment, and/or medical care. Garrett Jensen, 18, of Portland, Ore., and Lauren Stauffer, 16, of Lititz, Pa., will also receive regional finalist scholarship awards of $2,500. The Novo Nordisk Donnelly Awards annually distribute $15,000 in scholarships, including two one-time $5,000 scholarships given to two young people, ages 12-21, who have diabetes and play tennis competitive- ly in tournaments or on their school team. Billie Jean King, through WTT Charities, established the scholarship program in 1998 to encou rage chil- dren with diabetes to lead an active life and compete in tennis. For more information, visit www.WTT.com

www.racquetsportsindustry.com August 2010 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 13 INDUSTRY NEWS A U G U S T 2 0 1 0 USTA Serves Awards $300,000 to 26 Groups STA Serves, the philanthropic and char- Uitable entity of the USTA, has awarded 26 grants in its 2010 spring funding cycle, totaling $301,000. The bi-annual granting process was developed to provide disad- vantaged, at-risk children the opportunity to learn to play tennis and improve their academic skills in a structured format, and to help combat childhood obesity by promoting healthy lifestyles. To date, USTA Serves has disbursed $10 million to a variety of programs that share those aims. At funded program sites, children between the ages of 5 and 18 learn about healthy nutrition and lifestyles, responsi- ble citizenship, study skills, and computer literacy. The grants are awarded to pro- grams that successfully combine tennis and education and help children pursue their goals and highest dreams by leading healthier lives, succeeding in school and becoming healthier citizens.

USTA Midwest Unveils ‘Play It Forward’ Campaign he USTA Midwest Section launched an Timage campaign aimed at highlighting how USTA memberships impact local com- munities, and the goodwill created by sup- porting the Section through membership. The “Play It Forward” campaign will fea- ture a series of visual images with text focus- ing on how USTA membership positively affects people’s lives through USTA pro- grams and more. It will include ads, an email campaign, facility branding, postcards, social media, success stories and more. "The new image campaign will illustrate how USTA membership may positively impact the lives of countless groups of peo- ple in USTA programs, as well as make a dif- ference in an individual’s life," says Steve Butzlaff, USTA Midwest Section president. “It also reminds us how the USTA Midwest Sec- tion plays a critical role in helping to create this impact for individuals of all ages.” Visit www.midwest.usta.c om/playitforward. Currently, the section has more than 80,000 individual members and 1,200 member organizations and is the second largest of the USTA’s 17 sections.

14 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY August 2010 www.racquetsportsindustry.com PioneersPeter Burwash In Tennis Life lessons from tennis.

orget about the question of life currently in the industry, he imitating art, or art imitating says, are concentrating on life. Listen to Peter Burwash. passing along skills, but not He'll tell you that tennis is the great actual knowledge of the Fmetaphor for life. game. "Tennis teaches you all the "That's a real concern of important things, all the things you mine: 95 percent of the ten- need to know,” Burwash says. “It nis coaches in this country teaches you to stand on your own, to have never had a course on be patient, to know that there are how to teach,” he says. going to be losses, and to learn from “They do know how to play, those losses. From tennis, you learn but they don't know how to that you're not going to have a good teach. Another statistic that day every day. It also teaches you to worries me is that 98 percent change directions because life is not of people have never had a a straight path. It teaches you to ask course on the body mechan- yourself, 'What can I try next ics, kinesiology, any of that. enthusiastic, he or she also needs a good because this isn't working?'" What's being taught today is a perfect dose of humility. “In order to be a good Burwash himself changed direc- opportunity for kids to get injured. teacher, you have to know the students tions in life, not just once but several What's needed is a stronger educational are going to teach you as well,” Burwash times. Following a successful pro foundation for our coaches." says. career from 1967 to 1975, including The work of teaching tennis, he adds, He'd like to see the leadership of the 19 singles and doubles titles, he becomes something of a calling. "We're tennis industry rearranged to include a established Peter Burwash Interna- not just in the tennis business; we're in commissioner—someone who would tional, which manages tennis opera- the service profession. Whatever it take charge the same way the NBA or tions at clubs and resorts around the takes, we have to be of service. That's NHL does, who would oversee the game, world. He also became an author (he really become my guiding philosophy." act as its voice and conscience, and wrote the popular book “Tennis for As a motivational speaker, Burwash ensure its integrity. It wouldn't mean, he Life”) and motivational speaker. He addresses not only tennis topics, but notes, that the USTA, ITF, TIA and others publishes his own magazine, PBI, also leadership and health. So to go back would have to merge, but having one has coached leading players and pro- to his tennis-as-a-metaphor-for-life theo- individual calling the shots would keep vided television commentary. ry, what was the impetus for changing everyone on the same long-term trajec- The combination of roles has to that particular direction? tory for success. given him a unique perspective on "I think it was that I had a lot of good Despite fluctuations in the sport's for- the sport, as well as on the people in mentors myself growing up. It started tunes over the years, and even with all it. His company provides resorts and because I had good physical education the changes in equipment that have clubs with teaching pros who come teachers. I was good at sports, so I tend- impacted it, Burwash believes tennis has to their posts with intensive instruc- ed to gravitate toward P.E. teachers and retained a uniqueness, something that tion (450 hours worth to start, and my coaches. I started coaching pee-wee sets it apart from all other sports. And he they'll all go through 90 hours of football when I was 16, and then I start- still finds that the most fascinating retraining this year). PBI pros learn ed teaching tennis to make enough aspect of the game. not just teaching methods, but facili- money to go on the circuit." "If you watch someone on the court ty management, resort operations, From the experiences of learning, for five minutes, you'll get to know all financial management and more. coaching, teaching and playing, he says, about them. You'll get to see what their It's that depth of background, came the knowledge that, "We need to value structure is, you'll get to see their Burwash adds, that can make all the be constantly surrounded by mentors. character. In tennis, your true personali- difference between a worker at a Everyone's your teacher if you're willing ty can come through. You just can't say facility and a partner in the success to listen." And while a good coach or that about other sports.” of the operation. Too many of those teacher needs to be passionate and —Mary Helen Sprecher Q

"Pioneers in Tennis," an occasional column in RSI, draws attention to trailblazers in the sport. Have someone to suggest? E-mail [email protected].

www.racquetsportsindustry.com August 2010 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 15

A U G U S T 2 0 1 0

ROADMAP FOR A HEALTHY SPORT TIA Tennis Forum in New York City on Aug. 31 “Roadmap for a Healthy Sport” is the theme of the fourth annual TIA Tennis Forum, which will be held in New York City in conjunction with the 40th Annual USTA Tennis Teachers Conference. The Forum will be on Tuesday, Aug. 31. The Tennis Forum will present the latest news about the state of the industry— including participation growth, equipment sales data, grassroots initiatives and more. It will also outline pathways to increasing the number of frequent players in the U.S., ways to better define and boost the economic growth and impact While the TIA Tennis Forum is of the tennis industry, and effective ways to distribute free for all, please register at clear,consistent messaging of health, fitness and the rea- TennisIndustry.org/Forum, or email sons to play tennis. [email protected]. Stop by our Presented by Tennis Magazine, the Forum will be from booth at the USTA Tennis Teachers 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. in the Manhattan Ballroom of the Conference for a special offer. Grand Hyatt and is free and open to all in the industry. The USTA Tennis Teachers Conference runs from Aug. 28 to 31 and is a leading resource for teaching profession- als, organizers and coaches and includes presentations and seminars, an exhibitor area, and opportunities for tennis teachers to network. For more information about the TIA Tennis Forum, visit TennisIndustry.org/Forum.

Sign Up for the TIA Newsletter TIA Establishes Facility Keep up with all of the latest and Retailer Panels news and trends in the tennis The TIA has created a Facility Panel and a Retailer Panel, to help industry by subscribing to the identify current needs, issues and concerns of both the tennis facil- TIA Newsletter. Each month the ity and tennis retail businesses. “Both panels will help keep us bet- TIA brings to you the latest ter in touch with what facilities and retailers need to grow their developments in the industry businesses,” says TIA Executive Director Jolyn de Boer. with news ranging from The Facility Panel will be made up of tennis facility own- research to grow-the-game ers/operators or directors of tennis; the Retailer Panel will have owners/operators or managers of tennis retail businesses. Both are efforts. expected to advise on how best to keep facilities or retailers better To sign up, for the newsletter, engaged with industry initiatives and the resources offered through go to tennisindustrynews.org. the TIA. Also, both will help the TIA formulate effective messaging that reaches facility managers/directors and tennis retailers. INDUSTRY SNAPSHOT The TIA’s Retail Manager’s Tennis Welcome Centers: 2,753 Manual, a guide to Cardio Tennis: 1,729 running your retail QuickStart Tennis: 1,638 business, is now available Consumer Queries: 4 million monthly at GrowingTennis.com. Searchable Events (thru June): 70,000 Download your free copy. Online Court Reservations (thru June): 1.3 million Registered PlayTennis.com users: 216,000

Join the TIA . . . Increase Your Profits . . . Grow the Game . . . www.TennisIndustry.org August 2010 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 17

THE STRINGERʼS EDGE TOURSTRINGINGTOURSTRINGING

FOREVERYONEFOREVERYONEWhetherWhether you you aspire aspire to to string string for for top top propro players players or or enjoy enjoy servicing servicing your your locallocal customers, customers, you you can can learn learn from from whatwhat tour tour stringers stringers experience. experience.

BYGREGRAVEN recently had the opportunity to join the stringing team at one of the largest and most important tennis tournaments in the world. I knew going in thatI it would be a learning experience. I just didn’t realize how intense the learning experience would be. So, in the interest of promoting better tournament stringing at all levels of our sport, I’m passing along some of the nuggets I gleaned.

the stringing area sometime during qualifying—before the crush TOURNAMENT DIRECTORS of racquets arrives from main-draw players—to ensure that every- No matter how hardworking your staff is, it’s likely that the thing is as it should be. stringing team is going to be working harder, and for longer hours. This means that the work space for the stringing team has MANUFACTURERS to be roomy, comfortable and close to amenities such as Although the Grand Slam tourneys and some of the top-level restrooms, food services, parking and the players. The power has events are served by stringing teams provided by a manufactur- to be on 24/7, the climate control must be topnotch, cell phones er, there are still plenty of tournaments where smaller outfits do have to be able to connect, and there must be quick and easy the stringing. For these events, you need to have your player reps internet connectivity. and/or marketing people visit the stringing room, for three good If you have strict security, the average stringing credential reasons. must admit the holder to just about anywhere on the property First, the stringing crew may be sequestered off somewhere outside of the locker rooms, and at least one member of the out of sight. Visiting them to say hello makes them feel as if some- stringing team must have an all-access credential. Finally, visit one cares.

20 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY August 2010 www.racquetsportsindustry.com Second, the people who string at tournaments are likely to be previous night, if possible. Even if you want your racquets influential among the other tennis players and stringers they strung the next day, having the racquets physically there know. If you can create a connection with the stringing crew, it allows the stringer to schedule his work. The last thing you will pay dividends down the road. To create a really strong want to do is to get into a situation where you need a racquet impression, give away hats, shirts or string samples. Maybe buy restrung immediately during the first round of a tournament— a meal, drinks, or even snacks for the team; they might be work- the busiest time. Even if they can accommodate you, you’re ing 18-plus hours a day, so that just getting a bite to eat is diffi- not making any friends. cult. For what amounts to petty cash, you can easily endear yourself to the members of the stringing crew. If you really want Critical Information to make an impression, you could treat them to photo ops with After you establish whose racquets you’re dropping off, there your players, or even a mobile car wash. Anything you do to are several pieces of information you need to communicate make their lives easier will earn you big points. clearly during check-in: Third, you might learn something. Maybe your racquets are First, you need to establish how you are going to pay. If you difficult to string. Maybe your string is engendering white-hot are not paying cash or having the stringing fees taken out of hatred among the stringers who have to install it. Maybe your your winnings (where possible), you’ll often need to have your grommets aren’t up to snuff, or your players need additional credit card information on file. This guarantees that even if you replacement bumper-guard kits to keep their racquets tuned up. suffer a bad loss and leave immediately afterward, the This is a crucible, and what looks good at the typical retail level stringers still get paid. may turn out to be quite different under tournament stringing Second, you’ll need to provide the string(s) you use, and pressures. You won’t be just making life a little easier for the tour the tension(s) you want. Generally, this means handing over stringers, you’ll also be improving your relationship with your one or more reels of string and perhaps a package or two of players. string as well. Clearly and indelibly mark your name on your string reels, packages, stencils, and anything else you leave off PLAYERS at the stringing area. As for the tension, make certain that the Your choices for racquets and strings come as the result of a check-in person notes whether your tension is in pounds or complex decision matrix that includes what works for you, kilos. “Thirty-five” may seem perfect clear to you, but it’s very what’s available, and—in some cases—what you can afford. It’s low if in pounds and very high if in kilos, so be specific and see often not easy to work through all the factors to find a combina- to it that the check-in person notes it correctly. tion you like. Even so, you need to consider one additional aspect: How easy is it for a tour stringer to restring your racquet? Stringing Method Tennis is the only major sport where the player must con- If you use a “hybrid,” the crosses will almost certainly be stantly refresh his equipment before play. Restringing can play a installed from the tip of the racquet down to the throat. This huge role in your performance. Hence, the more highly ranked method is demanded by some manufacturers, is better for the players often travel with personal stringers. integrity of the racquet, and—some say—makes the racquet Until you get to that level, you’re at the tender mercies of play better. It will also result in a slightly stiffer stringbed. whomever is handling the stringing duties at the tournaments If you use one string for both the mains and crosses, even you enter. The easier you make it for them to prepare your rac- if you use different tensions, there’s a possibility that the cross- quets, the better it will be for everyone. es will be strung from the throat up to the tip, unless you specifically request otherwise. To determine if this might affect Checking In you, count the number of mains in your racquet and divide by Let’s start with the check-in desk. For goodness sake, have your two. You’ll wind up with either an even number (such as 8), or credential ready! No matter how famous you are (or think you an odd number (such as 9). Next, examine the two center are), the person working the check-in desk may be operating on mains of the racquet (the ones that run parallel to the handle). six hours of sleep or less, and simply blank out when he sees There will be a loop between the two mains, and it can be you. If someone else is dropping off your racquets, have them either at the throat or the head. clearly identify you at the check-in desk. At combination events If the loop is at the head and half your mains is an even with both ATP and WTA matches, tell the check-in person which number, or if the loop is at the throat and half the number of association you’re with, as male players may be in a separate mains is odd, you don’t have anything to worry about: Your book than female players. This becomes really important when- crosses will be strung from the tip to the throat no matter what. ever a male coach is dropping off racquets for his female player, If the loop is at the throat and half your mains is an even num- as there is built-in potential for confusion and delay. ber, or if the loop is at the head and half the mains is an odd Even check-in can be hectic, and you want to make certain number, you should tell the person at the check-in desk you that your information is clearly transmitted and received, want “four knots” for consistent string jobs from venue to because this is what the stringer is going to be given later. If the venue. check-in desk doesn’t correctly note who you are and what you You also need to tell the check-in desk what stencil(s) you want, you have roughly zero chance of getting the stringing job want (and what color ink), what time you need your racquets you want and need. back, and any other special instructions. (As a backup, you Drop off your racquets well before you need them back—the should travel with your own stencils and inks.) www.racquetsportsindustry.com August 2010 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 21 Keep track of how much string is available. You don’t want three main areas you need to work on: your equipment, your the stringer to run out at 11:30 at night when you’ve requested stringing chops and your physical stamina. an 8 a.m. pickup. You may be the greatest stringer in the world, but without a machine, you’re a spectator. Therefore, your equipment has to TOUR STRINGERS be up to the challenge of banging out racquets every 20 to 30 If you are running the stringing team, your preparation starts by minutes for days on end. If you’re going to be on a team where having forms and systems for everything. You want to leave as the equipment is supplied, you need to be familiar with the little to chance as possible. On the check-in side, your forms equipment well before the first player comes through the door. should make it easy for just about anyone to sit at the check-in Besides the machine, if you are accustomed to certain tools, desk and get player information quickly and accurately. The per- make certain that they’re up to the rigors of this level of use. son working the check-in desk is sometimes overworked and Among the talents you must have is that of measuring string under-appreciated, so you want your systems to be easily quickly from reels without looking up the recommended picked up by others who can provide temporary fill-in and/or lengths, getting out a measuring tape, or cutting way more than assistance. needed. This usually means using the length of the racquet as Your prices should be posted prominently, along with any your reference length, or knowing how much string you pull other information needed by the people dropping off racquets. from hand to outstretched hand across your chest. If possible, have a small printed flier available to hand out to Along with knowing the standard ways to restring a racquet players at first check-in that not only gives vital details but also correctly, you’ll need to know other methods for restringing a promotes any other services you offer. If there’s room on the racquet. Two knots or four? It should be all the same to you. flier, you could even do some self-promotion, which never hurts. Mains at one tension and the crosses at another? Tension At tournaments where players are paying cash, you must have changes should be automatic. Restring the crosses on a Head enough money on hand to make change. racquet from the bottom up? You bet. Do a one-piece around- On the stringing side, ideally, every member of the team will the-world? No problem. Do a 3 x 3 box pattern on a 93-square- be using a calibrated machine and the same stringing tech- inch head with string that’s like barbed wire? It still has to be niques, and each players’ racquets will always be strung on the done on time. same machine by the same stringer. It’s likely that you don’t normally string 20 to 40 racquets a Equipment preparation includes the normal items such as day, day in and day out, in your normal life, so it’s simply not making certain that every piece of equipment is clean, calibrat- possible to practice restringing racquets under extreme pressure ed and ready to perform, as well as other items such as surge while malnourished, dehydrated and sleep deprived. Even so, suppressors—preferably with battery back-up—for each string- you can approach each racquet you string during the year as ing machine or piece of electronic equipment (including com- part of your normal business as if it’s needed on center court in puters and diagnostic equipment), ink and stencils. Have tools, 30 minutes, and it has to be done and done correctly—no ifs, lubricants, tape, glue and extras of everything important, ands or buts. Try to imagine that a player you’ve admired on TV whether it’s a ball-point pen or a stringing machine or someone is standing next to you, shifting anxiously from foot to foot, to fill in should a medical, personal or family emergency take while you work. It won’t prepare you for the actual pressure away any of your main stringers. And don’t forget the anti- you’ll face, but it will get you into the proper mindset. fatigue floor mats! Another thing that’s difficult to gauge ahead of time is how Desk workers: You’ll be dealing with people from around the physically demanding it is to stand at your stringing machine for world with every accent and speech variation you can imagine. days on end installing stiff polyester strings into racquets with Communication issues notwithstanding, you have to record all 18 x 20 string beds. Some may be able to do it in flip-flops, the information correctly. Some players, coaches and family while others may need heavily cushioned soles with custom members will treat you as an almost intolerable imposition, orthotics. Will your knees give you problems with that much while others will be happy to stand and chat despite the line of standing? Will your back tolerate bending over a stringing other players waiting. As with other members of the team, machine? If your fingers wear out—or if you get a cut or other though, you must be as accurate and efficient as humanly pos- injury—can you continue to string with tape and/or bandages on sible, not only because everything subsequent hinges on what your hands or fingers? you do, but also because if a player catches you making an error it will make future dealings with that player more difficult. FINAL THOUGHTS Stringers: You can only string as fast as you can string. If you Considering its importance to the outcomes in high-level tennis, go faster, you will make mistakes and you will have to redo the tournament stringing does not always receive the attention it string job, which is much slower than doing it correctly the first deserves. Part of this is due to the wide variety of disparate enti- time. You also have to find a way to get the food and rest you ties who must work together to produce the exceptional service need to ensure that you’re still standing at the end of the tour- that pros can and should be enjoying. nament. However, if each part in the chain does its best to optimize its own performance while easing interactions with the other WOULD-BE TOUR STRINGERS entities involved, together we should be able to collaborate to If you think you would like to become a tour stringer, there are deliver stringing excellence. Q

22 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY August 2010 www.racquetsportsindustry.com

GUIDE TO STRINGING MACHINES NEWNEW STRINGINGSTRINGING MACHINESMACHINES FORFOR 20102010 nyone who's been thinking about buying a stringing machine will be excited to hear STRINGING MACHINE MANUFACTURERS that the USRSA has updated it Stringing AG—www.gutermanintl.com, 800-343-6096 AMachine Selection Guide for 2010. This is the only source that allows string machine buyers to compare Alpha—[email protected], 800-922-9024 the features from all the different brands in one easy ATS—www.atssports.com, 800-866-7071 guide. Eight new machines have been added to the Babolat—www.babolat.com, 877-316-9435 2010 guide—three from Gamma, two from Tec- Gamma—www.gammasports.com, 800-333-0337 nifibre and one each from Alpha, Pacific and Prince—and you'll see their chart entries below. Klipper USA—www.klipperusa.com, 800-522-5547 To see how they compare to all the other string- PACIFIC Entermark GmbH—www.pacific.com, 941-795-1789 ing machines available, log on to Mutual Power—www.mutualpower.net, 832-868-0168 www.racquetsportsindustry.com and click on the August 2010 issue of RSI magazine. The Prince—www.princet ennis.com, 800-283-6647 complete chart includes machines currently Silent Partner—www.sptennis.com, 800-662-1809 available from 15 brands. Remember, many machines offer options Stringway—[email protected], 800-922-9024 that can be adde d at the time of purchase. Our Tecnifibre—www.tecnifibre.com, 888-838-3664 chart lists all the features that come standard Wilson—www.wilson.com, 800-272-6060 with each machine, and we also list all the options available, along with the cost of adding Wise USA—www.tennishead.com, 888-836-7466 each. Yonex—www.yonexusa.com, 800-449-6639

Sports Height Mounting Tensioning

New Stringing Machines for 2010

Price Warranty Brand Model (MSRP) (years) Squash Stand Available Leveling PadsLeveling on Table Pads TopHeight on Stand Adjustable 2-Point Mounting 5-Point Mounting 360º Rotation Drop Weight 2-Sided Crank Tennis Racquetball Badminton Stand Included Table Top StandardTable Top Optional 4-Point Mounting 6-Point Mounting Turntable Lock Turntable Speed Control Full Clutch-Drop Rachet System-DropHand Crank Electric Beeps On/Off Multiple SpeedConstant Pull Pull Alpha Odyssey $2,199 5 xxxx x xx xxx x xx xx x xx xxx xx x x x x $

Gamma Progression 200 $159 Life xxxx x x x x x x x x x x x x x $ 6900 Els w/6pt SC Sys. $1,799 5 xxxx x xxxx xxx xxxx x xxxxxx xxx xx x x x xx x x x xxxx x xxxxx 6900 Els w/2pt SC Sys $1,799 5 xxxx x xxxx x xx xxxx x xxxxxx xxx xx x x x xx x x x xxxx x xxxxx

Pacific DX6 $6,495 2 xxxx $795 x x xxx x x x x xx x x xx x xx x x $

Prince Neos 1500 $1,299 3 xxxx x xx x xx xx x x xx x x x xx x xxx x x

Tecnifibre Ergo Pro (Pro Select2) $7,500 3 xxxx x x x x xx x xx xx x x x x x$ Ergo Touch $10,000 3 xxxx x x x xxx x xx xx x x xxxxx xx x xx x x xx x3

1 - Electric Stand $850, 2 - Pro Becomes Pro Select if one or more of the following upgrades are 24 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY August 2010 Customizable Machine Color added (Dual Swivel Single Action Fixed Clamps $500, String Mea- $500, Customizable Stand surer $300, Multilingual Touchscreen Display $650, Electric Color $150. Turntable Lock $500) Alpha Gamma Pacific Odyssey Progression 200 DX6 6900 Els w/6pt SC System (shown) 6900 Els w/2pt SC System

Prince Tecnifibre Neos 1500 Ergo Pro (Pro Select2) Ergo Touch

Tensioning Clamping Extra Features Weight Tools Included

liers

vailable

Over 75 lbs Lockout Rotational Tensioner Manual Calibration Adjustable Knob/Dial TensionPlus/Minus Setting TouchFull Pad Keypad Tension TensionLED/LCD Set Setting Tension Display Knot Tensioning Removable Electric Tensioner Unit 360 DegreeDiamond Clamps Dust onAutomated Glide Clamps Bars BaseNo Release Tool Clamps Needed to AdjustTool Tray Clamps Cover A String Measurer Built-in Ruler Reel Rack Racquet Stand Cabinet with Drawers Under 50 lbs50-75 lbs Diagonal Cutters Awl Assembly Instructions/Video Guiding Awl Bent NoseAssembly Pliers Tools Prestretch Linear Pull Self-Elevating LinearAutomated Pull TensionDiablo/Nosecone Release Foot Pedal TensionPounds &Activator Kilos Tension Self-Calibrating Diamond Coat Tension Head Grip Multilingual touchscreen display Flying Clamps Fixed ClampsDual on Glide Swivel Bars DoubleDual Swivel Action Single Fixed Action Fixed Cover Included Starting Clamp Needlenose P Flying Clamp Owners Manual/Video Other - Misc. (see chart below) Odyssey $2,199 5 xxxx x xx xxx x xx xx x xx xxx xx x x x x $15 x x xxx x xx x

Progression 200 $159 Life xxxx x x x x x x x x x x x x x $25 x xx x xxx x 6900 Els w/6pt SC Sys. $1,799 5 xxxx x xxxx xxx xxxx x xxxxxx xxx xx x x x xx x x x xxxx x xxxxx 6900 Els w/2pt SC Sys $1,799 5 xxxx x xxxx x xx xxxx x xxxxxx xxx xx x x x xx x x x xxxx x xxxxx

DX6 $6,495 2 xxxx $795 x x xxx x x x x xx x x xx x xx x x $795 x xx x4

Neos 1500 $1,299 3 xxxx x xx x xx xx x x xx x x x xx x xxx x x

Ergo Pro (Pro Select2) $7,500 3 xxxx x x x x xx x xx xx x x x x x$650 xx$500 x x xx $300 x xx x1,2 Ergo Touch $10,000 3 xxxx x x x xxx x xx xx x x xxxxx xx x xx x x xx x3

3 - Electric Turntable Lock - Upgrades 4 - The cabinet with drawers also www.racquetsportsindustry.com Available (Electric Stand $850, functions as a stand August 2010 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 25 Customizable Machine Color $500, Customizable Stand Color $150)

SPECIALREPORT:STATEOFTHEINDUSTRY

PROFESSIONALSTANDARDS?PROFESSIONALSTANDARDS?In this first of two articles on pro tennis in the U.S., we look at the changing landscape of tournament tennis, sponsorship

challenges and more. BYRICHARDPAGLIARO

he baseline at the two public courts looked more like a fault ern Section marketing director) Bill Oakes was not pressing the line—completely cracked, as crevices snaked around the rest panic button, in part because he believes there is strength in the of the courts like varicose veins cracking the surface of a stat- Southern Section’s numbers. Tue. The two scarred public courts in New Haven, Conn., are home “Being part of the largest USTA section has certainly helped to the youth tennis program associated with the Pilot Pen Tennis us,” Oakes says. “We’re regularly communicating with 185,000 event, the final stop of the 10-tournament Olympus US Open USTA members in the South, and being able to communicate Series of pro events. But while the cracks may suggest tennis com- with recreational players provides potential ticket buyers and ing apart at the seams, in reality it was a sign of tennis coming sponsors from that database. Both are complements to each together. other: We’re hoping the tournament will help grow our member- “We have such a tennis boom here in New Haven that last ship and increase player participation. The flip side is we’re hop- year we realized we had a half-mile of cracks in the two public ing as membership grows, the tournament grows.” parks where we play the majority of our tennis programs,” Pilot Clearly, community interaction is vital to the success of a pro Pen tournament director and former WTA Tour CEO Anne tournament, but it does not guarantee commercial success. In Worcester says. “Our juniors played their way through the courts, addition to helping support a year-round junior tennis program creating the cracks. In a terrible budget year, the city of New that Worcester says has fed 4,000 local kids into the New Haven Haven made a historic Parks and Recreation Department program, the Pilot Pen also has This is the fifth in a series of articles about decision to secure capital a variety of promotional events that helped the tournament draw the tennis industry's changing landscape, funds to repair those 78,480 fans last year, with national TV coverage on CBS and and this topic of professional tennis will be courts.” ESPN2. further explored in an upcoming issue. Future topics in the series will deal with par- What do repairs to a That’s the good news. ticipation, court construction and more. To pair of public courts view past “State of the Industry” stories, removed from the Pilot SPONSORSHIPWOES visit www.racquetsportsindustry.com. We'd Pen’s home on the cam- Despite having a vision that extends beyond the boundaries of like to hear your comments and concerns, pus of Yale University the court, the New Haven USOS stop may not be on such sound too. E-mail them to [email protected]. Please put “state of the industry” in the have to do with the state financial footing in a matter of months. Pilot Pen will not renew subject line. of professional tennis in its title sponsorship at the conclusion of the tournament this the U.S.? August and while Worcester is optimistic she’ll procure a new Fixing the fissure on court is a physical reminder of the grow- sponsor for 2011, so far there have not been serious negotiations ing fusion between pro tennis events and community tennis in with a potential replacement. the U.S. From New Haven to San Jose to Los Angeles to Atlanta to In a difficult economic climate, plugging a title sponsorship Delray Beach and Newport, pro tennis is increasingly interacting hole is not nearly as easy as patching cracks on a court. with local communities to not only benefit their bottom line, but “Unfortunately, a lot of tournaments’ title sponsor terms came also help grow the grassroots game. up right before the economy tanked. Never before have so many But is it working? Why is it important for American tourna- tournaments been looking for a title sponsor at the same time,” ments to succeed, and is there a direct correlation between tour- Worcester says. “It is a difficult time. What helps is that there is a nament tennis popularity and the growth of recreational play? new philosophy at the USTA that pro tennis is not the end, it is “On a grassroots level, it has always been our strategy to lever- the means and the best engine for growing the game and impact- age the power and excitement of professional tennis to build par- ing communities in a positive and healthy way.” ticipation and interest at the community level,” Worcester says. The USTA, which owns events in Cincinnati and New Haven Increasingly, pro tournaments are partnering with communi- and is selling its US Men’s Clay Court Championships in Houston ty tennis aiming to serve shared goals. to River Oaks Country Club, the event’s host site, recognizes the This past December, the USTA Southern Section finalized its sponsorship squeeze. purchase of the ATP tournament formerly staged in Indianapolis, “I think the challenge is in the sponsorship environment,” says another US Open Series event. The tourney, now called the Harlan Stone, USTA chief business and marketing officer. “Spon- Atlanta Tennis Championships, from July 19 to 25, did not have a sors in general are buying fewer events and doing more with title sponsor as of early July. But tournament director (and South- those events. So I would say it’s a mixed story. On the one hand

www.racquetsportsindustry.com August 2010 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 27 SPECIALREPORT:STATEOFTHEINDUSTRY when you get sponsors, they are really doing a lot with the events daytime and primetime coverage of the 2009 US Open was up 18 and helping tournaments market, and so those tournaments that percent from USA’s coverage in 2008, as more than 50 million have titles sponsors are doing pretty well. The challenge is that not people tuned in for at least a portion of the Open. many companies are adding to their sponsorship portfolio and so indeed it is not an easy time to be looking for a sponsor.” IMPACTOFTHEUSOS There are signs of sponsorships bouncing back. In recent How important is the US Open Series to its tournaments? months, both the ATP tournament in Los Angeles and the WTA “It's almost priceless,” says Bob Kramer, who has served as Los event in San Diego have signed title sponsors: LA is now the Farm- Angeles tournament director for 26 years. “It's hard to put a num- ers Classic and San Diego is the Mercury Insurance Open. ber on it. It is really television that is a driving force and having American tennis also has its own form of tournament insur- that TV package with ESPN really reinforces the US Open Series ance: the Olympus US Open Series itself. and its impact. Obviously, with each event having six to eight hours of live TV that most events did not have without the Series CHANGINGTHETOURNEYLANDSCAPE and an overall title sponsor in Olympus gives tournament tennis A fundamental challenge the USTA has faced throughout the years real traction in the U.S. We probably wouldn’t have been able to is how to connect the two distinct organizational arms—the Com- get a title sponsor without the US Open Series. It’s that simple.” munity Tennis and Professional Tennis sides—to create a cohesive For all the positives the US Open Series provides, there are unit capable of fulfilling the not-for-profit organization’s mission: potential potholes on what the USTA once billed as “the Greatest to promote and develop the growth of tennis. Road Trip In Sports.” Six years ago, Arlen Kantarian, then USTA chief executive of Kantarian hoped that offering bonus money would encourage Professional Tennis, created the US Open Series, which changed more of tennis’ top players to compete in Series events. That has the landscape of American professional tennis. Kantarian’s con- not always been the case as some European men, including Roger cept was ambitious: Link U.S. tournaments into a cohesive sum- Federer and Rafael Nadal, take a break after Wimbledon and only mer circuit to create buzz, with tournament finals televised live play the mandatory Masters 1000 events in Cincinnati and Cana- every weekend, and building up to the USTA’s crown jewel: the US da. Even with the expanded TV coverage and marketing muscle Open. the Series provides, it wasn’t enough to save tournaments like Essentially, Kantarian leveraged the immense financial and Indianapolis, which could not attract a title sponsor after RCA populist power of the US Open to benefit U.S. tournaments by dropped it, and the WTA’s tournament in Carson, Calif., which building the USOS, which in turn channels even more exposure was plagued by embarrassingly low attendance. and sponsorship dollars back to the Open. While it is believed increased TV exposure has played a part in The Series makes sense on several levels: With funding from the rise in recreational play—the USTA and Tennis Industry Asso- title sponsor Olympus, it provides marketing muscle for tourna- ciation report recreational participation topped 30 million for the ments with a national advertising campaign that individual events first time in 2009—the USTA has no research data to support any could not afford on their own; it ensures all USOS events can direct link between the Series and the increase in player partici- employ the Hawk-Eye electronic line-calling system; it offers finan- pation. Despite the growth of tennis’ TV audience, USTA mem- cial incentives for players to play more American events in the bership has not spiked dramatically since the creation of the form of bonus money; it gives fans the opportunity to view more Series. tennis on TV in standard time slots; and it enhances the already “We’ve never gone into that depth in the research, and obvi- omnipotent US Open, the world’s largest-attended annual sporting ously I would like to think it’s a component of the increase we’ve event. had in participation over the last five years,” says Stone. “But I The USTA reports the 2009 US Open Series events, including wouldn’t want to overstate it and suggest it’s a primary driver. I the Open, generated “a record 1.6 million attendees, 128 million think it’s a contributor to the increase and probably one of sever- TV viewers and over 28 million website hits.” al factors of it helping grow the game.” Television gives the US Open Series its sizzle, helps the USTA earn mega-bucks in advertising and sponsorship and keeps tennis STANDINGOUTINACROWDEDFIELD in the public eye, which is vital for a sport competing with major Some insiders are concerned that in an effort to cut costs, the team sports to attract elite American athletes. The best female ten- USTA may take its foot off the accelerator, sending the Series into nis player in the world plays the sport in part because her family cruise control that could create a setback in pro tennis’ drive to came across tennis on TV while flipping through the channels. gain ground in a crowded sports landscape. “One way to help tennis in America is to have more American “As anyone around the sport knows, tennis is a tougher and tournaments,” World No. 1 Serena Williams has said. “Growing tougher sell in a very competitive time, with so many sports com- up, I remember watching Monica Seles play on TV and thinking peting for attention, and we have to reach out more and more and how cool it looked. You’ve got to see it to be it.” figure out ways to make tennis more available and appealing,” Tournament tennis has never been more visible on TV than it says Hall of Famer John McEnroe. “Look at how brilliantly is now. The partnership of the USTA and ESPN in the US Open NASCAR has marketed itself. The US Open Series has helped, but Series led to the “Grand Slam Network” acquiring US Open cable what is tennis doing to compete with other sports?” rights. The Open made its debut on ESPN last summer after John Korff has played the marketing game from both sides of spending years with USA Network. ESPN reports its combined the net. For years, Korff ran the successful Mahwah, N.J., exhibi-

28 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY August 2010 www.racquetsportsindustry.com tion event, paying annual appearance fees to draw Steffi Graf, ATP as the global Premier Sponsor. Monica Seles, Jennifer Capriati and Anna Kournikova while gener- “As much as that helps, the players and Tours need to be sen- ating a buzz with fans and sponsors through creative promotions, sitized to the fact that this is not a business where there is a lot of including an international rum-tasting contest, a chili cook-off and money to be made,” Stenning adds. “In our case, last year we not concerts featuring the Village People and Beach Boys. He later only had the economic downturn, we had more box holders can- served on the USTA board of directors. And while Korff lauds the cel in 2009 than at any time in my 30-year career with the tour- USOS, he has concerns over the future of American tournaments. nament. And then you’re at the whims of the weather.” “I don’t mean this in a negative way, but pro tennis in the U.S. Unlike Wimbledon with its new retractable roof over Centre is going to run like if you’re driving down the street at 65 miles per Court, U.S. tournaments are at the mercy of the elements. Even a hour then take your foot off the gas pedal. You’ll go 65 miles per few days of rain can dry up daily revenue streams and send a tour- hour, for a little while—and then you’re going to go 60, then 55 nament into the red. and then continue to slow down,” Korff says. “It may take three or “We had three days where we had a significant amount of rain four years to slow down, but by the time anybody notices, it’s last year and what really makes or breaks our tournament is the going to take twice as long to turn it around.” revenue streams from concession sales to food to program sales to souvenir sales—all of those types of things—and throw in a day CHALLENGINGCLIMATE of rain and it can easily cost you $30,000 to $50,000 in lost rev- A combination of events—the national nosedive into recession, enue,” Stenning says. “You can never make that revenue up several tournaments losing title sponsorship simultaneously, the because you can never get that day back. You move matches to departure of Kantarian, the loss of Mercedes-Benz as an ATP spon- the next day but I don’t have any more seats to sell. It’s not like a sor and Sony Ericsson reducing its sponsorship commitment to Triple-A baseball team where I’ve got 80 games and I can make up the WTA as well as organizational cost-cutting measures—has cre- that cost average over the course of the summer. We have seven ated a challenging climate for tournaments. days to make or break it.” Traditionally, tennis’ top title sponsors have come from finan- For its part, the ATP is confident in how the men’s tour is cial institutions and the automotive industry, which were among weathering economic challenges. “We’re fortunate to be enjoying those hit the hardest during the recession, prompting many to one of the most exciting times in the history of men’s profession- eliminate or reduce tennis sponsorship. Organizations have also al tennis,” says Mark Young, ATP World Tour CEO of the Americ- had to restructure budgets and staffing in response to the econo- as. “Globally the ATP World Tour set a record with 4.4 million my and the USTA opted not to replace Kantarian and the reported spectators last year and we are on track to equal or better that $9 million in compensation he made in his final year, leaving a number this season. large burden on Stone’s shoulders. “In 2010, four of the first five ATP World Tour Masters 1000 “The USTA has one guy who’s one of the best in the world at tournaments in Indian Wells, Miami, Rome and Madrid all set what he does: Harlan Stone,” says Korff. “He’s a very capable guy attendance records. This year marks the first time both Indian and one of the busiest men in tennis, but it’s like they dumped Wells and Miami attracted over 300,000 fans in the same year. everything on him. It’s like what the hell: Do they think this guy is North American attendance has held steady over the past couple Audie Murphy who can go kill 8,000 guys by himself with his arm of years at nearly 1.5 million fans, which is a testament to the pop- wounded? You’ve got to give him help. ularity of the sport, especially in a difficult economy.” Young also “On the one hand you’ve got volunteer leadership of the USTA points to the recent purchase of the Indian Wells tourney by Ora- saying, ‘We’ve got to cut expenses.’ But the last place you cut cle CEO Larry Ellison as a “major boost for the sport and a great expenses is on the sales and promotion side, otherwise you’re vote of confidence for tennis in the U.S.” going to ruin your income stream. And once you’ve ruined your income stream, then all these wonderful things go away. I’m not MOREISSUES,MOREQUESTIONS involved in the USTA nationally anymore, but if it were me I’d be But what is the immediate future for American tournament tennis, supporting the pro tennis staff as much as I could, because that’s and how can it make a bigger footprint in a crowded sports land- where the money is going to come from.” scape? Is pro tennis in the U.S. doing all it can to remain vital The USTA has dug into its deep pockets to support American among not just tennis fans, but those who aren’t as devoted to the tournaments as well as its own Challenger circuit, but is it enough sport? to aid tournaments, who are feeling the pinch of sponsorship loss Should there be more combined men’s and women’s tourna- and corporate clients cutting back on buying box seats? ments in the U.S.? And an even bigger question, should the men’s and women’s tours merge? Are players receiving too much prize NOROOMTOMANEUVER money? Should some of that money go back into grassroots ten- Two-thirds of the ATP’s 62 tournaments are at the lowest rung, the nis programs? How important is the media in creating and pro- 250-level events, and for some, the economic margin for error moting pro tennis, and what does that mean to the tennis industry sometimes seems as narrow as the baseline. as a whole? How has the media itself been affected by recent eco- “The Tour has been sympathetic to the challenge of the tour- nomic challenges? naments and the addition of Corona’s sponsorship has helped out There are a myriad of questions, and potential answers, out a great deal this year,” says Newport tournament director Mark there, and we will explore them—and possible solutions—in the Stenning. Corona Extra recently signed a 5-1/2-year deal with the next issue. Q www.racquetsportsindustry.com August 2010 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 29 COMMUNITYTENNIS

TENNIS,EVERYONE?WhyWhy tennis tennis is is important important to to MONEY MATTERS TENNIS,EVERYONE?Today’s economy has many of us tightening our belts. The rising costs youryour community—and community—and how how you you of traveling find many looking for alternative ways to spend free time, avoiding expensive vacations and frivolous expenditures. Neighbor- hood courts or a town tennis facility allow community members to stay cancan acquire acquire funding funding to to build build close to home while remaining physically active in a fun, social envi- ronment. newnew or or renovate renovate your your existing existing • Economic impact. Players aren’t the only ones who gain. Com- munities with programmed courts—active courts with clinics, classes, courts.courts. drills, tournaments and league play—pump millions of dollars back into the economy. For instance, Larry Fortson, formerly with the Macon BYROBINBATEMAN (Ga.) Parks and Recreation Department, says, “With approximately 20 while ago, one of my tennis buddies e-mailed to casually tournaments held at our two tennis centers, the convention and visitors announce she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. bureau estimates 10,000 visitors and an economic impact of more than Because I’m a public park and recreation tennis facility $2.7 million annually.” Acoordinator, she thought I would be able to connect her with Players often extend their tennis time to after-match meals or drinks other players who had gone through the same experience she at nearby restaurants. Tournaments bring out-of-town players who was about to endure. book hotel rooms, purchase meals, and buy items at retail outlets, thus She wanted to keep playing, even through chemotherapy. helping out local businesses, as well as contributing to a city’s local Tennis might be just a game for some folks, but for her, the option sales tax. A $2.7 million gig rings loud in the ears of those who racquet and ball illuminated a bright light at the end of a scary need convincing before they sign away $700,000: the cost of renovat- tunnel. She looked to me for assistance. Did I know anyone ing the city’s 24 courts. she could hit with? • Cost efficient. Searching for the right spot, the town of Cary, N.C., More than 30 million people play the game of tennis, constructed its main facility near the local high school. Now, not only making it one of the fastest growing sports around. Over the are phys-ed tennis classes taught on real courts, the high school tennis past nine years, participation is up by 43 percent. team has bona fide “home” courts. In return, the tennis facility uses the Formats and programs exist to accommodate all types of high school’s parking lot during large events. Fitting the two needs players, from the very young to senior citizens, from recre- together enabled the town to tackle solutions in cost-effective ways. ational players to advanced competitive ones, from wheel- Furthermore, having one premier location allowed the town to chair to Special Olympics to patients enduring cancer streamline staff—for instance, maintenance crews and facility staffing. treatments. Tennis is a sport enjoyed by people from all “The locker rooms stay cleaned,” says Mary Henderson, director of Cary walks of life at every income level. And like my friend, its Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources. “Landscaping is immaculate. players want more from the game than scoring points or win- Best of all, Cary community tennis players have one central location to ning matches. meet and play. Before, we had a few sites scattered throughout the So, what do tennis players want? For starters, they’re town.” seeking more than a plain old hobby. They want physical exercise, social outlets, mental challenges and an opportuni- BUILD OR RENOVATE ty to compete. They want to lose weight, tone muscles or net- But what if your town doesn’t already have tennis courts? Or what if work for their businesses. Parents want a sport that builds your existing courts need major renovations in order to host tourna- character and underscores sportsmanship while addressing ments and provide programs? the individual needs of the entire family. And, players want You’ll want to start by defining clear and concise objectives. Include all of this on clean, safe courts, preferably with facilities positive effects the community will experience once the proposal is equipped with amenities: showers, lockers, racquet stringing, completed. Seeing a comprehensive plan from start to finish can prove and a pro shop. daunting. Losing focus—getting bogged down in red tape or caught in Because tennis is a mental game requiring physical exe- unforeseen wrinkles—can sometimes mean failure to complete the cution (formats for both individual and team play), tennis task. answers all of these wants—and then some. With nearly 70 Installing new courts and resurfacing old ones cost money. A six- percent of the game being played on public courts, the abili- digit outlay is certain to bolster intense discussions, especially if you ty for park and recreation professionals to fulfill these wants have to “sell” your idea to the city council or non-tennis-playing resi- is significant. dents. Knowing precisely the desired end results strengthens your focus

30 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY August 2010 www.racquetsportsindustry.com as well as gives you the ability to nudge those who have gone astray. office too—many offer additional assistance and grants. Research other cities that have realized similar goals. How did • Local Community Tennis Associations. CTAs, run by they accomplish their tasks? Did they run into bumps in the road? local tennis advocates, are your inside track to the tennis world What were their solutions? Learn from the “mistakes” of others when in your neighborhood. They shape the foundation of any thriv- designing your own pathways. ing tennis community. They know what your courts need, are Next, gather your stats. Your local convention and visitors bureau familiar with available grants, and can assist with program- is a great place to start. The CVB has likely developed formulas to ming when your mission is accomplished. determine the economic impact your programmed courts bring to One CTA in Virginia, the Staunton/Waynesboro/Augusta the area. Another resource worth looking into is your local Commu- Tennis Association, or SWAT, decided to financially support nity Tennis Association. CTAs keep records on participation. Use Waynesboro’s efforts to replace its five 40-year-old courts. these figures when assembling your data. Numbers add weight to SWAT and the city’s park and rec department hooked up to your presentations and can underscore the overall success of your secure $41,000 in NRPA-USTA and Virginia tennis grants. Ini- monetary requests. tial attempt to gain financial backing from the Waynesboro Then, investigate possible methods of achievement. While City Council, some five years earlier, had failed. But with the tedious, skipping this step may prove disastrous. Take the time to newly obtained resources, coupled with SWAT’s promise to examine city policies and procedures. Organize necessary initial pre- help program the courts, the project got the go-ahead. sentations and documentation with a conscious effort at adhering to • Universities and colleges. Merge efforts with neighbor- municipal guidelines. ing colleges. “The college connection is a cool hook,” says While you're at it, stop by your local park and recreation agency’s Larry Zerbe, director of tennis for the park and recreation administrative office to look over the master plan; every city has one. department in Reading, Pa. Zerbe needed new courts as well It's a complex, thorough overview containing the department's mis- as expansions for rundown facilities. Reading teamed up with sion, visions, goals and roles in the community. Included should be two colleges, both offering different resources. The Alvernia a map of available land and recommended uses for it, as well as a College tennis team needed home courts, and the city’s Angel- budget with suggested allocations. Your department might already ica Park tennis facilities needed upgrades and expansions. For have property or funding set aside for a new tennis facility. the use of the Angelica courts, Alvernia promised to take care “Some of the legwork may already be done for you. No sense of the upgrades. duplicating efforts,” says Robin Jones, who works closely with the A similar deal exists between Albright College and the city USTA on advocacy initiatives. Jones, who is also founding president of Reading. The courts on Albright’s campus needed nets, of the Cary Community Tennis Association, worked closely with the scorekeepers, and so forth. Reading needed a place to instruct Cary Parks and Recreation Department as it opened its 30-court pub- inner-city youngsters. Reading Parks and Recreation and lic facility. Albright College both walked away winners: The city pur- chased and maintains the campus courts in order to host pro- THE BUDDY SYSTEM grams for participants who might not otherwise pick up a Identify the benefactors, and record specific advantages each would racquet. reap, along with losses felt if your project was unable to make it to • Local businesses. Local businesses offer services and completion. Allied organizations will assist in a variety of ways, trade-outs, and want to distribute advertisements, banners, including lobbying for money or constituency support; preparing fliers, and coupons at your centers. In addition, they want to grants, reports and presentations; organizing fundraising events, or be able to say they are giving back to the community. making donations. • Local private tennis clubs. These establishments bene- Carl Hodge, Macon Parks and Recreation’s tennis director, says fit in the way of increased participation. A resident may pick it's important to recognize who gains. “Sure, tennis players will use up a racquet at a local USTA Block Party, but join a private club the courts,” says Hodge, “but what about the local businesses that offering clay courts or other benefits. Local clubs want the run- will profit when players frequent their establishments after matches? off traffic from public courts. What about the county and city itself?” Other organizations such as • Tennis advocates. Take advantage of your “personnel” local schools, the USTA and area private clubs also stand to gain, resources. No one better understands the gifts of tennis than especially in terms of increased participation. those standing front and center, with racquet in hand. Players When compiling your list of possible partners, don’t forget the will volunteer to organize fundraisers, lobby council and coun- following: ty commissioners for support, and donate money or services. • Governing agencies and nonprofit associations. Programs such as the Tennis In the Parks, from the National Recreation and GAME, SET, MATCH Park Association and partner USTA, are front-runners in the support Tennis is a unique lifelong sport accessible to almost everyone, of tennis advocacy. Both organizations offer an array of assistance, surpassing the boundaries of age, gender, and income level— tackling problems from many angles in their pursuits to grow the and even mental and physical impairments. game. The USTA is a huge resource for marketing support, technical There’s no question that building new courts and refur- assistance, access to funding and grants, and more. bishing old ones is a colossal undertaking filled with bumps A must-have on your list, the USTA offers grants such as the and frustrations. But, in the words of one agency director, “Our USTA Public Facility Funding grant and the Adopt-a-Court grant, as new courts are a blessing to the community, and, with the well as many resources online (visit usta.com and the- partnerships we’ve developed, I believe they will be a satisfy- bigserve.usta.com). And don’t forget to contact your USTA Section ing source for our community for years to come.” Q www.racquetsportsindustry.com August 2010 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 31 TENNISEYEWEAR very pro knows that long days outdoors can take a serious toll on your skin. But another major organ can also suffer: your eyes. EWind and sun can cause immediate discom- fort and cumulative damage, ruining a day on court. What’s more, according to the U.S. Envi- ronmental Protection Agency, prolonged exposure Teaching pros, and players, risk damaging to ultraviolet radiation from the sun can lead to VISUALAIDSVISUALAIDS cataracts later in life. To help the discerning pro, RSI lists eight new their eyes in the sun. Here are tennis- and highly regarded models of sunglasses from eyewear industry leaders. When choosing glasses, specific sunglasses that can keep you look for lenses that block UV rays and for frames that are sturdy, but light. Also consider using seeing clearly. BYCHRISNICHOLSON polarized lenses, which eliminate the glare of summer sun rising off hard courts. Q Adidas - The Shield - $110 Bolle - Kicker - $110 The Shield sunglasses are designed to last through many long days on Bolle’s CompetiVision lenses de-saturate every color except yellow, mak- court. The break-proof SPX frame, quick-release hinges and scratch-resis- ing tennis balls stand out against a subtly duller background—a great tant lenses make for equipment that can weather everyday abuse. Addi- defense against injury in a situation where dozens of balls are flying in tionally, the class-1 every direction. optical quality pro- vides 100-percent pro- tection from UVA, UVB and UVC rays.

Maui Jim Little Beach - $299 Nike - Skylon Ace - $99 Little Beach sunglasses- from Maui Jim feature a hingeless design, reduc- Nike’s Skylon Ace sunglasses are designed to stay securely on your head ing weight and making for a snug, “hugging” fit. The frames are made all day, with locking “cam-action” hinges, a ventilated nose bridge and a almost entirely from titanium, fur- tread pattern on the arms. ther reducing the load and Additionally, the wrap- increasing their resiliency. around frame helps pro- Available in a variety lenses tect your eyes from the for eliminating glare, boosting sun, wind and other harsh color or increasing contrast. weather elements.

Oakley - Enduring - $180 Ray-Ban - Tech - $199 Designed specifically for women, Oakley’s Enduring sunglasses provide a Ray-Ban’s Tech line of sunglasses are built for comfort and durability, secure fit. The trademarked lens coating repels water, dust and skin oils, featuring a construction of carbon fiber and resin composite that allows providing resistance to them to be simultaneously smudges and other light and strong. The arms visual impairments. are capped with non-slip Moreover, they’re light rubber temple tips for a and comfortable, and secure fit. they stay on. Photo credit: Chris Nicholson Photo credit: Chris Nicholson

Rudy Project - Noyz Golf/Tennis - $175 Tifosi - Tyrant - $60 Rudy Project designs sunglasses for precise visual clarity and eye protec- The shatterproof GT lenses on Tifosi’s Tyrant brighten and boost con- tion in the sports environment, as demonstrated by Noyz, one of its best- trast, making your vision feel almost super-human. Moreover, the selling models. The interchangeable lenses obstruction-free view of the open frame and the de-centered design of and the adjustable the lenses help temple tips and optimize your visu- nosepiece allow you al acuity on court. to custom-fit the frames to almost any head size and shape. (Prices are suggested retail.) 32 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY August 2010 www.racquetsportsindustry.com

StringLuxilon Playtest Adrenaline 16L

The Adrenaline line of strings uses of 19.4 pounds. Adrenaline added 14 Luxilon’s new Liquid Crystalline Poly- grams to the weight of our unstrung mer (LCP) technology. Luxilon does not frame. divulge much information about its The string was tested for five weeks proprietary technologies, but it has told by 37 USRSA playtesters, with NTRP rat- ings from 3.5 to 6.0. These are blind us that LCP is a unique combination of tests, with playtesters receiving raw materials and processing that give unmarked strings in unmarked packages. the string its unique feel. According to Average number of hours playtested was ing stringing, 12 reported problems Luxilon, Adrenaline strings provide 25.8. with coil memory, four reported prob- great spin, durability, and tension Luxilon recommends reducing the lems tying knots, and two reported fric- maintenance. reference tension by 10 percent com- tion burn. Adrenaline is aimed at younger pared to a typical nylon string when monofilament/polyester players who are installing Adrenaline, which is what we ON THE COURT looking for exceptional performance at advised for the members of our playtest Luxilon strings are renowned for their an exception value. These players would team. power, spin, durability, and resistance to include top juniors, high school players, No playtester broke his sample dur- movement, and Adrenaline continues and college players, as well as anyone with that tradition. Adrenaline came in else who is taking big swings and wants EASE OF STRINGING 13th best of the 145 strings we’ve his string to provide power, precision, (compared to other strings) playtested in the Power category, 18th and playability. Number of testers who said it was: best (tie) in Spin Potential, and 20th best much easier 0 Adrenaline is available in 1.20, 1.25, in Resistance to Movement. Our playtest somewhat easier 3 and 1.30 mm in platinum only. It is team also rated Adrenaline well above about as easy 19 average for Durability, with a score that priced from $9.00 for sets of 40 feet, and not quite as easy 12 $135 for 660-foot reels. For more infor- not nearly as easy 3 puts it in the top ten percent of strings mation or to order, contact Luxilon at we’ve tested. Adrenaline also received 800-272-6060, or visit luxilon.com. Be OVERALL PLAYABILITY well above average scores in Control and sure to read the conclusion for more (compared to string played most often) Tension Retention. Adrenaline’s great Number of testers who said it was: information about getting a free set to try showing in these six categories give it an much better 0 for yourself. overall average score that is well above somewhat better 8 average. about as playable 8 Two of our playtesters broke the IN THE LAB not quite as playable 17 We tested the 1.25 mm (16L) gauge not nearly as playable 3 sample during the playtest period, one at Adrenaline. The coil measured 40 feet. four hours and one at 22 hours. The diameter measured 1.24-1.23 mm OVERALL DURABILITY (compared to other strings before stringing, and 1.19-1.20 mm after of similar gauge) CONCLUSION stringing. We recorded a stringbed stiff- Number of testers who said it was: Luxilon’s dominance in the area of ness of 73 RDC units immediately after much better 6 “poly” tennis strings is easily established. stringing at 60 pounds in a Wilson Pro somewhat better 19 Whether you’re looking at strings the Staff 6.1 95 (16 x 18 pattern) on a con- about as durable 10 pros are using, or claims that strings by stant-pull machine. not quite as durable 1 putative competitors are “just like” Lux- After 24 hours (no playing), stringbed not nearly as durable 0 ilon, Luxilon has become the benchmark stiffness measured 67 RDC units, repre- RATING AVERAGES for this category of string. Adrenaline senting an 8 percent stiffness loss. Our From 1 to 5 (best) looks to extend Luxilon’s reach in the control string, Prince Synthetic Gut Origi- Playability 3.3 market, appealing to players looking for nal Gold 16, measured 78 RDC units Durability 4.2 that Luxilon cache but at a lower price immediately after stringing and 71 RDC Power (13th overall) 3.6 point. With the scores garnered by units after 24 hours, representing a 9 Control 3.7 Adrenaline, you have to wonder what percent tension loss. In lab testing, Comfort 3.1 will happen to sales of Luxilon’s higher- Prince Synthetic Gut Original has a stiff- Touch/Feel 2.9 priced offerings. ness of 217 and a tension loss of 11.67 Spin Potential (18th tie) 3.5 If you think that Luxilon Adrenaline Holding Tension 3.4 pounds, while Luxilon Adrenaline 1.25 might be for you, fill out the coupon to Resistance to Movement (20th overall) 3.9 has a stiffness of 261 and a tension loss get a free set to try. —Greg Raven Q

34 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY August 2010 www.racquetsportsindustry.com TALK TESTERS FREE PLAYTEST STRING PROGRAM Very easy to string for a poly. This is Luxilon will send a free set of Adrenaline to USRSA members who cut out (or copy) this coupon and send it to: “a powerful polyester with great control. 4.5 male all-court player USRSA, Attn: Luxilon String Offer, 330 Main Street, Vista, CA 92084 using Wilson” K Pro Team FX strung at 57 or fax to 760-536-1171, or email the info below to [email protected] pounds LO (nylon monofilament 17) Offer expires 15 August 2010 Offer only available to USRSA members in the US. “ The faster the swing, the better the Name: results. Big hitters will love the spin and USRSA Member number: control. 4.0 male all-court player Phone: using Wilson” nSix Two MP strung at 53 Email: pounds CP (Gosen Polylon SP 17) If you print your email clearly, we will notify you when your sample will be sent.

This is a good all around poly with “excellent control and durability. 6.0 male all-court player using Vantage” VT002 White strung at 58 pounds CP (natural gut 16)

This is an arm friendly polyester with “above average touch, feel, and control. Perhaps I should give polyester a second chance. 5.0 male all-court player using Prince” EXO3 White MP strung at 55 pounds CP (Prince Premier LT 16)

This string plays softer than a typical “poly. 4.0 male all-court player using Head” Prestige Classic strung at 58 pounds LO (Gamma Professional 18)

This poly has the power of a multifil- “ament nylon, but the feel is slightly lack- ing. 5.5 male all-court player using Wilson” K tour strung at 55 pounds CP (Wilson Extreme Synthetic Gut 16)

The power level is on the low side. “Durability is excellent. Given the stiff feel, this string would play better in a hybrid. 5.0 male all-court player using Babolat” Pure Storm strung at 55 pounds CP (Babolat Xcel 16)

This string feels too boardy. It lacks “sufficient comfort and feel. 4.0 male baseliner with heavy spin using” Dunlop 200G (Muscle Weave) strung at 58 pounds CP (Prince Synthetic Gut w/Duraflex 17)

For the rest of the tester comments, visit www.racquetsportsindustry.com.

www.racquetsportsindustry.com August 2010 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 35 TipsReaders’ & Techniques Know-How in Action

This method seems more secure STARTING CLAMP to me than using a starting clamp (I I’ve been using the Babolat-recommend trust my machine clamps more than method of starting the mains, which I trust my starting clamp), it’s a bit involves using a starting clamp on the faster because I don’t have to inside of the frame. However, in the remove the starting clamp, I just middle of doing a bunch of racquets, my move the machine clamp, and I no starting clamp became a slipping clamp. longer have to worry about damaging Because I didn’t have time to replace it, I the string by clamping too deeply Machine clamp as starting clamp needed to come up with an alternative, toward the hinge in the starting fast. That’s when I noticed that my clamp, where the jaws can damage machine clamps had enough reach so the string. that the clamp on one side of the 5 sets of Revenge 16 to: machine could clamp the first main on Alan Yoshida, Santa Monica, CA

THE CENT STRAIGHTENING AWL I bought a screwdriver from Walmart for 82 cents, cut the tip off, and then Clamps after second pull round the tip of the tool with a file the other side of the racquet. This allowed and sandpaper. It works great as a me to use my machine clamp as a starting straightening awl. clamp, and then “reach over” using the 5 sets of Head FXP Power 17 to: Normal use of a starting clamp other machine clamp after the first pull. Chuck Wright, Baton Rouge, LA

36 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY August 2010 www.racquetsportsindustry.com to where they need to be. CALIBRATE YOUR Of course, where you set the marks STRING CLAMPS is also dependent on the type of string and the tension, but you soon learn how to judge it and that’s one less thing to worry about. 5 sets of Gamma Synthetic Gut 16 w/ WearGuard to: Vince Chiarelli, MRT, Largo, FL

PEELOFF LABEL SOLUTION racquet, when necessary. I never liked the mess left behind by old You can use any size paper label I use string that ranges from 1.10 mm to stringing labels. Some clients have labels with this idea, and electrical plastic/vinyl 1.37 mm. Since I often have to switch stacked one atop another, making even tape is available in blue, yellow, white, between small and large, it takes time to a bigger mess. Oftentimes when trying green, and the classic black. get the string clamps right to hold the to peel off the old labels, the paper will I can stack several labels on top of string properly. rip, at which point you have to resort to one another, and when it’s time to To speed things up, I set them up so all kinds of scraping and/or chemicals to remove them, the labels and the electri- they will work on a 1.30 mm synthetic remove them. cal tape come right off. gut, and marked the center of the clamp What I've done to make it easier to 5 sets of Wilson Super Spin 16 to: (as shown) and marked the knurled sur- remove the labels with less mess is use Cristhian R. Peredo, Manassas, VA face of the adjustment wheel using a electrical plastic/vinyl tape between the —Greg Raven Q Sharpie. label and the racquet. This makes peel- Tips and Techniques submitted since 2000 by USRSA mem- Next, I set the clamps so they ing off the labels very easy. The plastic bers, and appearing in this column, have all been gathered accommodated a 1.20 mm string, and electrical tape does not rip easily and the into a single volume of the Stringer’s Digest—Racquet Ser- vice Techniques which is a benefit of USRSA membership. marked the knob as before. Now, when combination comes off together. Also Submit tips to: Greg Raven, USRSA, 330 Main St., Vista, CA I know what the diameter of the string the electrical tape adhesive is generally 92804; or email [email protected]. is, all I do is use the 2 marks to get close softer and easier to remove from the

www.racquetsportsindustry.com August 2010 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 37 ? AskYour the Equipment Experts Hotline

string that was over-lubricated, but if you is a no-brainer — five grams is five STRING RESIDUE ONE OF THE STRINGS MY cus- continue to get sets with this much lube grams. tomers like has a coating so thick on them, the manufacturer needs to And because of where the tape is that it clogs up the diamond dust- know about your experiences using its being placed, swingweight will go up, per- ed texturing on my clamps. Every time I product. haps significantly. But by how much? Qinstall this string, the clamps and tension- These five grams are essentially distrib- uted over the entire two feet of tape, er get this coating on them to the point RACQUET HEAD TAPE that the clamps actually start to slip. As WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF adding meaning that you can't arbitrarily recalcu- you might imagine, I need to do interme- racquet head protection tape to a late swingweight by assuming that all diate cleanings of the clamps and tension- racquet frame? I’m using a name- you've done is simply put the equivalent er jaws several times during each string brand tape that comes in a pre-measured of a five-gram, one-inch piece of lead job, and then a full cleaning afterwards, Qpack of five pieces of tape, each about tape at 12:00. which involves taking clamps apart. This two feet long and weighing approximately Is this all too esoteric, or are there is both frustrating and time consuming. five grams apiece. That length almost other nut jobs who think about these Is it permissible to wipe the string exactly covers the racquet frame from kinds of questions? with a solvent before stringing? 9:00 to 3:00. I know that applying this tape to the frame will increase racquet THE BEST WAY TO DETERMINE SOLVENT PROBABLY ISN’T A weight (mass) and change the balance this would be to measure what good idea, but you definitely point (making the racquet more head- you have, with the tape you're using, should wipe down the string before instal- heavy or less head-light than otherwise Awith the amount you use. There are sev- Alation. If this condition persists, contact would be the case). How much the bal- eral head tapes (each with a different your rep and tell him what’s going on. It ance would change depends, of course, mass per inch), and you can use various sounds as though you got a batch of on the starting balance. The added weight lengths, and depending on the shape of

38 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY August 2010 www.racquetsportsindustry.com the racquet head, you're looking at a grips, but have you heard from other mem- As for discoloration, there are two vari- number of variables. bers which overgrips tend to leave the least eties: One where some of the overgrip You can gain an approximation by amount of residue if they are tightly wound transfers to the leather grip, and the other doing some calculations, but if you are over the basic grip? where some of the color from the leather the type to go nuts over this, you need to grip comes off with the old overgrip. It’s measure it, which is easiest with a swing- TYPICALLY, THE ONLY ADHESIVE pretty easy to rub off the thin sections of weight tester such as the Babolat RDC or on an overgrip will be at the starting overgrip if you want, but once again, if Prince PTC machine. If you don’t have end, to help get the wrap going. We’ve you put on another overgrip, you’ll never access to such a tester, you can measure Anever seen an overgrip with adhesive along notice the overgrip transfer. You can the differences using the stopwatch its entire length. Some of the adhesive restore the color (and the original tacki- method, in conjunction with the on-line from the starting end can adhere to the ness of the grip, for that matter) by first do-it-yourself swingweight tool for USRSA leather grip after you remove the overgrip, cleaning the leather grip with denatured members at USRSA.com. but unlike a synthetic grip, removing the wood alcohol, and then replenishing it adhesive residue doesn’t tear the grip sur- with castor oil. In our experience, each of OVERGRIP RESIDUE face. Also, the residue is typically so thin these discolorations is cosmetic only: Nei- WHEN MEASURING GRIP SIZE that you will never know it’s there after ther has any effect on the feel or playabili- for someone, I follow the strategy you put on the new overgrip. If this small ty of the leather grip. that if the measurement lies amount of adhesive residue is a problem, Balancing out the possibilities that between the standard sizes, go with the use one of the overgrips that does not have there may be adhesive residue and/or dis- Qsmaller size and add an overgrip. But any adhesive at the starting end. coloration is the fact that using an overgrip what, if any, difficulties might arise if the preserves your leather grip indefinitely. underlying grip is leather? Would the If it’s important to you to keep your adhesive residue of an overgrip damage leather grips as pristine as possible, never or discolor a leather grip more so than a store the racquet for any length of time basic vinyl grip? Since leather replace- with an overgrip over the leather. ment grips are more expensive, I would —Greg Raven Q think that their periodic replacement We welcome your questions. Please send them to Racquet might be something to avoid. I know the Sports Industry, 330 Main St., Vista, CA, 92084; fax: 760-536-1171; email: [email protected]. USRSA typically doesn't playtest over-

www.racquetsportsindustry.com August 2010 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 39 Your Serve Ignoring Tennis’s Biggest Contributors When will tennis coaches be given their due by the International Tennis Hall of Fame?

BYCHRISODDO arlier this year, much was written thousands (and by extension, hundreds deserving contributors really have to about the fact that legendary of thousands) how to play tennis. He’s as come at the expense of our sport’s great- coach, innovator, and founder of welcome as Robert Lansdorp, who est coaches? one of the world's most renowned tennis coached Pete Sampras, Lindsay Daven- It took a half-century for the Hall to Eacademies, Nick Bollettieri, was passed port, and Tracy Austin. In other words, finally admit a coach as one of its over by voters for inclusion in the Interna- he'll be considered—but ultimately esteemed contributors. After Bollettieri’s tional Tennis Hall of Fame's class of 2010. denied entrance. denial this year, we are forced to wonder, When the news broke, tennis journalists Look at the 35 members who hold how long will it take for it to happen clamored—Pete Bodo of Tennis.com, the title of "contributor" in the Hall of again? Tom Perotta of ESPN, James Larossa of Fame—there is only one true coach Coaches are the engine that powers Tennis Channel, to name a few—that the among the group. The venerable Dr. tennis. Bollettieri, Van der Meer, Lans- leather-skinned, gravelly-voiced Floridi- Robert Johnson, coach and mentor to dorp, Harold Solomon, and many others an's exclusion was “ludicrous,” according Arthur Ashe, Althea Gibson, and so many give every ounce of their life force to to Perotta. others during a challenging period for growing the character of the game and “Ludicrous” may be harsh, but harsh African-American tennis players, was the ensuring its evolution. Tennis is the words may be the most effective method first and only coach to gain admittance to dynamic extreme sport that it is today of ensuring that proper attention is given the Hall, in 2009. because of them, and it’s time that the to a very serious matter. Is a Hall of Fame International Tennis Hall of Fame recog- that denies Bollettieri—a man whose ‘Tennis is the dynamic nizes them for what they are—legends of name has been synonymous with building the sport. tennis champions for the better part of sport that it is today Let’s hope that in July 2011, when the three decades—really living up to its because of coaches, and Hall of Fame inducts yet another fine class name? of deserving men and women, Bollettieri, Whether ludicrous or not, the Interna- it’s time the Hall of Fame or Van der Meer, or another coach, is tional Tennis Hall of Fame has never given among them. Not so much for Nick’s or coaches a proper place in the Hall. It’s recognizes them for what Dennis’s sake, but for all those coaches unjust, but at least the International Ten- they are—legends of who have gone before, and all those who nis Hall of Fame’s consistency proves that are certain to come after. Bollettieri’s snub isn't a personal affront the sport.’ Let’s open up those doors wide, and designed to keep just him away from their show the coaches the love and respect neatly manicured grounds and the coquet- Nine of the 35 contributors were writ- they deserve. Q tish Victorian architecture of the Newport ers. Others were presidents of the USTA Casino. Conspiracy theorists are barking or its British or French equivalents; Russ Chris Oddo is a freelance tennis up the wrong tree here. Adams was a photographer; Gustav was writer who graduated from the At the International Tennis Hall of the King of Sweden; Ted Tinling was best U.S. Naval Academy in 1992. When he is not writing about Fame, Bollettieri is as welcome—or appar- known as a tennis couturier, making tennis, he can usually be found ently, not as welcome—as any other wild- dresses for players such as King, Martina on the public courts of San Fran- ly successful and truly game-changing Navratilova and Maria Bueno. Very inter- cisco. To see a collection of his work, visit tennis coach. For instance, he’s as wel- esting people, all of them, and they've all www.thefanchild.blogspot.com. come as the great Dennis Van der Meer, done their part to color the sport and who formerly coached Billie Jean King and We welcome your opinions. Please email increase its profile across the globe. But comments to [email protected] or fax Margaret Court and has literally taught does the inclusion of this eclectic mix of them to 760-536-1171.

40 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY August 2010 www.racquetsportsindustry.com