COURTESY TIA T Conference SetforJanuary Major Racquet&Paddle Sports INDUSTRY EVENTS the racquet andpaddlesportsbusiness- facets ofthetennisindustry, including and organizations. of racquet, paddleandtennis vendors buying summitandanexhibit pavilion also willincludeacurated“One2One” Campus inLake Nona.Theconference ing welcomepartyattheUSTA National on productdemoexperienceandopen- will beastand-alone event. While co-locatedwiththePGAShow, it providers, retailers andmanufacturers. professionals, industry leaders, ence willbringtogetherracquet sports The Racquet &Paddle SportsConfer which hashelpedtogrow thePGAShow. Association andReedExhibitions, organized by theTennis Industry paddle sportsindustry event isbeing (TOM)Conference. Managers rate theTIA’s annualTennis Owners& in Orlando, Fla.Theevent willincorpo- CountyConvention the Orange Center www.tennisindustrymag.com “This conference will be targeted to all “This conferencewillbetargeted toall The conferencewillfeatureahands- The multifaceted tennis, racquet and Industry PGA Merchandise Show at and co-locatedwiththe will beheldonJan. 23-25, Paddle SportsConference he inauguralRacquet & Information tohelpyou runyour business

- to OrlandoinJanuary. Paddle Sportsevent, coming be apartofthenewRacquet& & Managers Conference will The sixthannualTennis Owners and racquet sports.” industry andgrow the businessoftennis opportunity toshowcase the tennis tions. Together, wehave a tremendous powerful face-to-facebusiness activa- their proven expertiseindeveloping with ReedExhibitionsandtappinginto de Boer. “We lookforward toworking es,” says TIAExecutive DirectorJolyn Visit RacquetPaddleSportsShow.com.

News

November/December 2018 be atwo-way partnership.” and industrytennisproviders. “Thiswill crowd ofapproximately 800volunteers what we needtodeliver,” Smithtoldthe pros,” hesaid. and create anewgeneration ofteaching tion program toincrease thestandards together toimplementanewcertifica- tation” undertheUSTA’s newprogram. had sofarreceived “provisional accredi- professional teachingorganization that forward with[theUSPTA] asapartner.” nounced thattheUSTA willbe“moving September, USTA CEOGordon Smithan- Semi-Annual MeetinginNewYork in sponsors, events andnon-profits intennis. available forallplayers,coaches, organizers, a comprehensive “CommunityPlatform” keting initiatives.Thisfall,UTRwilllaunch nered withUTRtoworkonavarietyofmar rating system. is thecompanybehindUTRglobaltennis initiatives across thesport.UniversalTennis to theIndianWells Tennis Garden.” additional eventsandplayingopportunities ate compellingnewtennisevents,andbring international participationinthesport,cre- democratize tennis,driveAmericanand host siteoftheBNPParibas Open. owner oftheIndianWells Tennis Garden, coaches, organizers andfans,” saysEllison, more accessible andenjoyableforplayers, innovative technologytomake thesport of tennisforthebetter usingsoftware and Universal Tennis. become aninvestorandpartnerwith and chieftechnologyofficer ofOracle, has Partnership WithUSPTA USTA’s SmithAnnounces with Universal Tennis Larry EllisonPartners Duringageneral session attheUSTA

Larry Ellison, the executive chairman Larry Ellison,theexecutivechairman The USPTA “willbehelpingusdeliver “Over thenextyear, we willbeworking Smith saidtheUSPTA was theonly In related news,HeadUSA hasalsopart- Ellison isastrong supporterofOracle’s “We canbringneededinnovationto “Universal Tennis canchange thegame TennisIndustry

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7 IndustryNews

COMMUNITY TENNIS Har-Tru Consulting Offers Court Analysis Survey Santorum Har-Tru Consulting will offer a range of services to teaching pros, general Receives managers, board members and court owners—including a “Court Analysis National Public Survey,” or CAS—to help improve tennis facilities. The company has consulted Parks Honor with more than 250 tennis facilities and has surveyed over 1,800 courts. The CAS includes documenting TR CEO Dan Santorum historical site data, geotechnical received the National Public information, computer-generated 3-D Parks Tennis Association topographical surface maps, surface (NPPTA) Jean and Hollis thickness and base stone measurements, Smith P Lifetime Achievement Award, analysis of irrigation systems, drainage, which was presented in New York in curbing, lighting, nets, net posts, fencing September. The annual award recognizes and court player amenities. an individual who has been an outstand- “Our goal is to create a roadmap that ing advocate, and who has promoted the will allow a court owner or facility to NPPTA across the country. offer the best tennis court experience,” “Dan has been a huge proponent of says Ed Montecalvo, who has been with educating and certifying tennis coaches Har-Tru for over 20 years. “The report we in the public parks,” said NPPTA Presi- create includes recommendations for dent Scott Hanover (at left in photo with short and long-term capital budgeting Santorum). for the entire court infrastructure.” For more on Har-Tru Consulting, call 877-4-HARTRU or visit hartru.com.

2018 US Open Sets THE EXPERTS IN Attendance Record STRINGING MACHINES

When the machines quit running, so do the clinics and matches that count on them. To get them fixed fast and forever — or if it’s time to get a new one — talk to these guys. Trusted around the country, Over the three weeks of the 2018 US JC and Dan bring nearly 30 combined years of experience to keep Open, including Fan Week and the two you up and running, regardless of make and model. weeks of the main draw, more than 800,000 We also accept many trade-ins and sell most top brands. people were on the grounds of the USTA National Tennis Center. The FEATURED ITEMS main draw attracted a record of 732,663 fans. When combined with the Fan Week

total of 96,135, a total of 828,798 fans expe- rienced the events and tournament. NEOS 1000 USTA PNW Opens 2 Facilities PRINCE 7000 $1,399 The USTA Pacifi c Northwest Section EXCLUSIVE $3,999 USA DISTRIBUTOR recently opened the Galbraith Tennis FOR ALL Center in Tacoma and reopened the PRINCE MACHINES Vancouver Tennis Center in Vancouver. “We believe these facilities will be the fi rst of many that we will revitalize or 1.800.572.1055 WWW.TENNISMACHINES.COM ST. LOUIS, MO build, and operate,” says Matthew

Warren, USTA PNW executive director. PTR, USTA COURTESY

8 TennisIndustry November/December 2018 www.tennisindustrymag.com IndustryNews

Short Sets

The USTA, the 17 USTA Sections and the through December 2020. 10-S Tennis defeated , posted a 2.5 USTA Foundation have pledged to donate Supply’s Six Star II Tennis Net remains the rating for the match itself and a 2.4 for $350,000 to restore tennis facilities and USPTA’s offi cial tennis net, while Aer-Flo’s the full three-hour telecast. It tied for the restart tennis programming throughout Tuffy Windscreen continues as the offi cial second-highest rating in ESPN’s entire Puerto Rico. windscreen. US Open history. The 2.4 overnight rating was up 32 percent from last year (1.9), Dunlop will be the offi cial ball partner of Har-Tru Sports is the exclusive U.S. and when the women’s fi nal featured two the in January 2019. In Canadian distributor for the Pickup Wall. American players, Sloane Stephens and the multi-year partnership, Dunlop will Created in 2013, the Pickup Wall shuttles Madison Keys. provide the offi cial ball for the Australian balls from the back of the court into a Open tournament and has the rights to ball machine, allowing players to hit Pickleball paddle and accessories brand sell Australian Open-branded tennis balls continuously without stopping to pick up Selkirk Sport has plans to expand distri- globally. Tennis legend Rod Laver will stray balls. A redesign in 2018 resulted bution to new global markets in , also return to the brand as an interna- in a quieter lifting mechanism, making Canada and Australia. tional ambassador. Laver used Dunlop the product more indoor friendly. Visit racquets throughout his career. hartru.com or pickupwall.com for more. In 2019, the lakeside city of Geneva, Switzerland, will host the third annual The USPTA has renewed its partnership ESPN’s telecast of the US Open Laver Cup. The Europe vs. World event with both 10-S Tennis Supply and Aer-Flo women’s fi nal, in which Naomi Osaka will be held Sept. 20-22.

LOVE LOVE Club members and students will LOVE facing off against the phenom. You will LOVE offering the added advantage.

TOURNAMENTS ®

Book follow lobstersports on play more. win more®. Celebrates For more information, please call 888.380.9460 or visit www.lobstersports.com 50 Years of US Open

• The commemorative book US Open: 50 Years of Championship Tennis celebrates the 50th anniver- sary of the US Open and is in book- stores and available on Amazon. The 272-page book provides a compre- hensive look at the tournament and its players and personalities. Author Richard S. Rennert is the USTA’s director of publishing.

www.tennisindustrymag.com November/December 2018 TennisIndustry 9 IndustryNews

TENNIS FACILITIES USTA Names Outstanding Facility Award Winners

he Case Tennis Center at LaFortune Park in Tulsa, Okla., is the “Featured Facil- ity” in the 2018 USTA Out- Tulsa's Case Tennis Center at standing Facility Awards. The facility LaFortune Park was the 2018 T "Featured Facility" winner. was honored at an awards ceremony in New York City during the US Open. Each year, the USTA recognizes • Large Facilities: Case Tennis Center • Private Facilities: Woodfield CC, facilities throughout the country to at LaFortune Park, Tulsa, Okla. (2018 Boca Raton, Fla.; James Creek TC, encourage increasingly high standards Featured Facility); Oak Lawn Racquet, Cumming, Ga.; White Bear Lake–Life for construction and/or renovation. Fitness, & Gymnastics Center, Oak Time, White Bear Lake, Minn.; Long Nominations are evaluated on the facil- Lawn, Ill.; A.C. Nielsen Tennis Cen- Reach TC–Columbia Association, ity and amenities, and also on tennis ter, Winnetka, Ill.; John Mott Tennis Columbia, Md.; Eagle TC, Eagle, Idaho; programming. Center, Utica, N.Y.; Mercer County Five Star Tennis Center, Plainfield, The honored facilities for 2018 are: Park Commission Tennis Facility, West Ill.; Twos Athletic Club, Toledo, Ohio; Windsor, N.J.; Palmetto Tennis Center, Greene Ridge Racquet & Fitness Club, • Small Facilities: Fort Boise Tennis Sumter, S.C.; Jekyll Island Tennis Cen- Snow Hill, N.C.; Southern Oaks Golf & Courts, Boise, Idaho; Kings County ter, Jekyll Island, Ga.; Southeast Tennis Tennis Club, Burleson, Texas; Chelsea Tennis League–Sumner Tennis Club, and Learning Center, Washington, D.C.; Piers, Stamford, Conn.; Paula G. Man- Brooklyn, N.Y.; Club de Tenis de Isla John R. McFarlin Tennis Center, San ship YMCA–Lamar TC, Baton Rouge, Verde, Carolina, Puerto Rico Antonio, Texas La.; Aspen Racquet Club, Wooster, Ohio

People Watch

Matt Simons is Dunlop’s new district the current USTA executive director and Ashaway has recently signed string sales manager for Washington state, CEO and former USTA Southern president. sponsorship agreements with three rising Oregon, Montana, Idaho and Alaska. He Professional Squash Association stars: has held senior sales positions in multiple US Open doubles semifi nalist Ashleigh Amanda Sobhy of the U.S., Leo Au of Hong industries and currently is the men’s and Barty was awarded the women’s 2018 US Kong and Yathreb Adel of Egypt. women’s assistant tennis coach at the Open Sportsmanship Award. University of Puget Sound. won the men's award. Frederick "Rick" Barton, alumnus of Harvard and Boston University, received The Southern Tennis Foundation and US Open champion Naomi Osaka is the 2018 ITA David A. Benjamin Achieve- USTA Southern will induct three members racking up endorsements. A week after ment Award during the US Open. into the Southern Tennis Hall of Fame: Julie her win over Serena Williams, the 20-year- Ditty of Louisville, Ky., a former pro player old Japanese star signed a $10 million Peggy Edwards, PTR’s director of and college standout; Mary Hatfi eld of annual deal with Adidas, the largest deal communications and editor of TennisPro McDonough, Ga., a longtime national, the company has ever offered to a female Magazine, received a 2018 APEX Award sectional, state and local volunteer; and tennis player. She also was named as a for publishing excellence of the publica- Gordon A. Smith of Atlanta and New York, brand ambassador for Nissan. tion’s November/December 2017 edition. COURTESY USTA MISSOURI VALLEY USTA COURTESY

10 TennisIndustry November/December 2018 www.tennisindustrymag.com IndustryNews

USTA Names Board Slate First Vice President, has been nomi- Top-Selling Racquets for 2019-2020 Term nated to be the next USTA President. at Specialty Stores He would replace , who January-June, 2018 vs. 2017 becomes Immediate Past President. Units 2018 262,105 Others nominated for USTA officer 2017 265,697 positions for the two-year term begin- % change vs. ’17 -1% ning in January are: Dollars 2018 $42,288,000 • Mike McNulty (USTA Southern) as First 2017 $41,205,000 Vice President % change vs. ’17 3% • Brian Hainline (USTA Midwest) as Vice Price 2018 $161.34 President 2017 $155.08 • Laura Canfield (USTA Middle States) as % change vs. ’17 4% Vice President • Thomas Ho (USTA Texas) as Secretary- Top-Selling Racquets Treasurer at Specialty Stores By year-to-date dollars, Jan.-June 2018 Nominated for USTA Director-at-Large • Best Sellers positions are: 1. Babolat Pure Drive 2018 (MP) Jeff Biall (Northern), Violet Clark 2. Babolat Pure Aero (100) 2016 (MP) Patrick Galbraith (Midwest), Chuck Gill (Florida), Eleni 3. Wilson Blade 98 (16x19) CV (MP) Rossides (Mid-Atlantic), Brian Vahaly 4. Wilson Pro Staff 97 CV Black 2017 (MP) The USTA Nominating Committee has (Mid-Atlantic), Kurt Zumwalt (Pacific 5. Wilson Ultra 100 CV 2017 (MP) put forth the slate for the 2019-2020 Northwest), (Eastern–Elite • “Hot New Racquets” term for the USTA Board of Directors. Athlete), Neha Uberoi (Eastern–Elite (introduced in the past 12 months) Patrick Galbraith of the USTA Pacific Athlete), Sam Warburg (Northern Cali- 1. Babolat Pure Drive 2018 (MP) Northwest Section, the current USTA fornia–Elite Athlete) 2. Wilson Pro Staff 97 CV Black 2017 (MP) 3. Wilson Ultra 100 CV 2017 (MP) 4. Babolat Pure Drive Lite 2018 (MP) 5. Babolat Pure Drive Team 2018 (MP)

Top-Selling Tennis Shoes at Specialty Stores By year-to-date dollars, Jan.-June 2018 1. K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2. Nike Zoom Vapor X 2018 3. Nike Zoom Cage 3 4. Asics Gel Resolution 7 5. Nike Z Vapor 9.5 Tour 2017

Top-Selling Strings at Specialty Stores By year-to-date units, Jan.-June 2018 1. Babolat RPM Blast 2. Wilson NXT 3. Wilson Sensation 4. Head Synthetic Gut PPS 5. Luxilon Alu Power

(Source: Tennis Industry Association)

Vulcan Offers Fade Collection Grips Vulcan Tennis Grips has announced its new- est line, the Fade Collection, in new colors and designs. Grips are available in both the Max Cool Overgrips and the Max Trend Over- grips material. Colors include Silver Surge, Oasis, Rose Burst and Black Splash. Visit

VulcanSportingGoods.com for more info. FROMUTH FAMILY USTA, COURTESY

12 TennisIndustry November/December 2018 www.tennisindustrymag.com IndustryNews

Industry Celebrates grip and youth equipment of PTR in the Head to Sponsor Professional Jim Fromuth Honor U.S. through December 2021. Pickleball Registry As part of the agreement, PTR will The Professional Pickleball Registry continue to promote Head Penn brands, (PPR) and Head Penn have agreed to a and Head will provide PTR members with three-year sponsorship in which Head will preferred pricing, as well as the opportu- be the official paddle and bag of the PPR. nity for equipment sponsorship through PPR members also receive preferred the Team Head program. pricing on Head Extreme and Radical

On Aug. 26, the night before the Tennis Industry Hall of Fame induc- tion ceremony, industry and retail executives gathered to toast 2018 inductee Jim Fromuth, the founder of equipment distributor Fromuth Ten- nis. Fromuth (second row from top, middle) was honored during the TIA Tennis Forum in New York, along with fellow inductee, the late Vic Braden.

Indian Wells To Host Pickleball Championships The 2018 USA Pickleball National Championships—expected to draw approximately 2,500 players of all ages and skill levels—will be held at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden Nov. 3-11, in part- nership with sports and entertainment management company Desert Champi- ons and the USA Pickleball Association. Lifestyle brand Margaritaville is the title sponsor of the USAPA-sanctioned event. The Indian Wells Tennis Garden, which hosts tennis’ BNP Paribas Open in March, will feature 44 pickleball courts as well as a Championship Court. Admis- sion to the grounds and to the 44 field courts is free. Tickets to the Champion- ship Court are available at USAPickleball- NationalChampionships.com.

PTR, Head Penn Extend History-Making Partnership The PTR recently signed a three-year contract with Head Penn, extend- ing its longstanding partnership to a history-making 38 years. Head will be the official racquet, bag, ball, string,

www.tennisindustrymag.com November/December 2018 TennisIndustry 13 IndustryNews

series paddles, Supercombi bags and backpacks, and other pickleball equip- to ensure fair play and equal competition. ment, including nets and eyewear. We need to fi nd a way to make tennis fun “It was Head USA’s president, Greg again, and make it more affordable so Mason, who opened my eyes to the people will want to play often. power of pickleball—the fastest grow- Daniel Schank ing sport in the U.S.,” says PPR CEO Owner, String Rx LLC Dan Santorum. “Pickleball is a boost for Chesapeake, Va. manufacturers, court builders, clubs and facilities and coaches.” As a marketer, USPTA-certifi ed tennis pro PPR is the offi cial education and cer- and lover of the sport, I am passionate tifi cation partner of the USA Pickleball about why, for decades, tennis has not Association. Visit pprpickleball.org. Letters seemed to move the needle as much as USRSA Names New MRTs & CS we all know it can to grow participation. TENNIS’ LEAKY BUCKET The TIA tells us about new tennis play- Master Racquet Technicians In the August Our Serve on “Tennis’ Leaky ers, but they’re not providing any insight Nolan Fitzgerald, Victoria, B.C., Bucket,” you mentioned that we added Canada as to where and why people are leaving 4.2 million new players but lost 4.6 the sport. I still can’t believe we are not Javier Ronchietto, Corona, Calif. million. I think tennis in general is losing Mark Kohlberger, Toronto talking more about things like how little players because it’s expensive to play— Andrew Cross, Toronto time tennis requires, what it can do for the cost of equipment and club member- Bjorn Andersson, Sweden your overall health, etc. Tennis is a sleep- ships are not for everyone. Also, many Johnson Chen, United Kingdom ing giant and we need to wake it up! clinics and local leagues are not always Certifi ed Stringer Steve Tebeau Laurent Roberge Charbonneau, fun and lack a competent rating system Cincinnati Montreal

14 TennisIndustry November/December 2018 www.tennisindustrymag.com