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SHUTTERSTOCK T unlike any other. of whatmakes theUSOpen experience because weknow part theyare alarge 2020, we missedhaving ourfanson-site, that wewereabletoholdtheevent in wewereproud Michael Dowse. “While the USOpenthisyear,” says USTA CEO to welcomeourincrediblefansback will beavailable. admissiongroundspasses— to general sessions—from reserved stadium seating and thatallticket forthe25 categories Fan CapacityforFullTourney US Opento Have 100percent PROFESSIONAL TENNIS “Indeed, the challenges presentedby “Indeed, thechallenges “We areextremely excited tobeable Industry two-week tournament, be at100percentforthe the 2021USOpenwill June thatfancapacityfor he USTA announcedin Information tohelpyou runyour business year’s USOpenpromisestobeanunfor inthetoughestsurged oftimes, andthis taking tothecourtlast year. Oursport 4 millionnewandreturning players Interest intennishasaccelerated,with headon. fore andtackledeachchallenge USOpen.org andTicketmaster.USOpen.org that areineffect. follow CDCCovid-related guidelines Sept. 12.TheUSOpenwill continueto Monday, Aug. 30, through Sunday, Center inFlushingMeadows, N.Y., from USTA BillieJean KingNationalTennis who play itandthosewhorevel init.” gettable celebrationofthegame,those our sportcametogetherlike never be the pandemicweretoughonusall,but Tickets canbepurchased by visiting The tournamentwillbeheldatthe News
- - dented broadcast coverage of pickleball. day, viaGeniusLive, offering unprece- eight courtsoflive streaming actionper partners. Each PPA event willfeature global network ofover 150sportsbook than 1,200PPA matchesperyear withits live dataandvideobroadcasts from more exclusive rightstocapture anddistribute history. betting onPPA events forthefirst timein ship willsetthestageforregulated sports sports, betting andmedia.Thepartner gy andcommercial partnerthat connects Genius Sports,theofficial data,technolo- announced along-termpartnership with of pickleballformenandwomen, has (PPA), theprofessional tourofthesport chair tennisevents, istoprovide junior unified structure ofnationaljuniorwheel- runs toDecemberinGeorgia. The seriesstartedinJuneVirginia and ments takingplaceacross thecountry. group ofeightnationallyranked tourna- Wheelchair Tennis Tournament Series,a ment team.” hands withanexceptionallystrong manage- be myfocus.IleaveHeadinverycapable potential, andmynewrole aspresident will challenge,” hesays.“ISFhastremendous the last25years,butnowitistimeforanew its segments. ment group withleadingmarket shares inall the brand toahighlyprofitable sportsequip- 1995, presiding overthetransformation of has heldtheCEOpositionatHEADsince the InternationalSkiFederation (ISF).Eliasch Head totake onthepositionofpresident of Data, VideoPartnership Deal Pro PickleballTour Signs Tournament SeriesDebuts Junior WheelchairTennis Steps Down asHeadCEO After 25Years, Eliasch
The Professional PickleballAssociation The USTA launched anewUSTA Junior Johan EliaschhassteppeddownasCEOof
Genius Sportshasbeengranted the The focusoftheseries,first-ever “It hasbeenaprivilegetoleadHeadfor August 2021 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY SPORTS RACQUET IndustryNews
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IndustryNews
wheelchair players with level-based play and to encourage providers to expand tournament offerings for junior wheel- chair athletes. The eight tournaments are open to all junior wheelchair tennis play- ers. Some tournaments provide fi nancial support to cover entry fees and other expenses. Remaining tournaments in the series for this year include: • Aug. 13-15: Cincinnati Wheelchair Junior Tennis Open (Level 4), Ohio • Sept. 16-19: USTA Wheelchair Champi- onships (Level 1), St. Louis • Oct. 8-10: Alabama Open (Level 2), Tuscaloosa • Nov. 11-14: America Championships (Level 1), Locust Grove, Ga. YOUTH TENNIS • Dec. 10-12: Clocktower Indoor Classic (Level 3), Rome, Ga. USTA and PHIT America RSI & USRSA Seek Your Expertise As the offi cial publication of the U.S. Rac- Team Up to Get Kids Active quet Stringers Association, RSI magazine is seeking your expertise. “To inform our he USTA has partnered with kids’ fitness and mental health,” says members, tennis providers and the general PHIT America, a national PHIT America founder Jim Baugh. playing public of the latest in racquet, paddle T charity focused on improving “To date, we’ve introduced over half a and stringing technology and techniques, the physical and mental health of chil- million kids to regular physical activ- we always welcome USRSA member and dren in the U.S. by providing increased ity in schools through [our] programs. reader input,” says Bob Patterson, executive physical-activity programs. As part of Together with the USTA, we are build- director of the USRSA. the partnership, the USTA will be the ing new opportunities for the tennis “We’d love to hear your suggestions or presenting sponsor of the new PHIT pathway and getting kids active.” receive submissions for RSI articles such as America “Play Tennis” program, de- For schools with PHIT America’s Racquet Tech, Ask the Experts, Tips & Tech- signed to provide free tennis curricu- AMPED incentivized running/walk- niques, Your Serve and Letters to the Editor, lum and equipment to after-school and ing program, the Play Tennis program including ideas for longer stories, commen- out-of-school programs. introduces kids to the basics of tennis tary and features.” “We are excited to partner with the in a fun, personalized way. Schools To reach us, email [email protected] USTA to help increase our efforts at can apply for these free programs at or [email protected]. PHIT America on the importance of Tennis.PHITAmerica.org.
Short Sets
After a Covid hiatus last year, the PTR tennis team, develop a gender equity plan at center court. AEW CEO Tony Khan says $8,000 Wheelchair Tennis Championships and come into full compliance with Title IX he’s planning to hold a Grand Slam show returns to Hilton Head Island, S.C., Sept. to avoid a sex discrimination class action every year after the US Open. 24-26. This year, it will be a USTA Level for depriving female student-athletes of 2 National event and will feature play in equal opportunities and treatment in its Tennis Channel’s coverage of the 2021 Open, A, B,C, D and Quad divisions. The intercollegiate athletics program. French Open led to the most-watched tournament will resume its ITF Level II sta- match in network history. The men’s tus in 2022. PTR also is offering an Instruct- All Elite Wrestling (AEW) is going on singles semifi nal between Novak Djokovic ing Wheelchair Tennis Workshop. Contact tour across the U.S., and its “Dynamite: and Rafael Nadal on Friday, June 11, gen- 843-785-7244 or visit ptrtennis.org. Grand Slam” live show will be at Arthur erated 511,000 viewers on the channel, Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King surpassing the 2019 Australian Open con- The University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, National Tennis Center in Queens, N.Y. on test between Roger Federer and Taylor Minn., has agreed to reinstate its women's Sept. 22. The wrestling ring will be placed Fritz, which led with 448,000 viewers. SHUTTERSTOCK
8 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY August 2021 www.tennisindustrymag.com www.tennisindustrymag.com
BAB_ap-JetMach3_TennisIndustry.indd 3 26/01/2021 14:38 www.tennisindustrymag.com www.tennisindustrymag.com
BAB_ap-JetMach3_TennisIndustry.indd 3 26/01/2021 14:38 IndustryNews
USTA Mid-Atlantic Teams With Topcourt for E-Learning The USTA Mid-Atlantic Section has named TopCourt its official e-learning platform and will offer 14-day free trials of TopCourt to the region’s fans, players and USTA members. TopCourt provides access to the lives, minds and training techniques of the world’s best tennis players and coaches. “USTA Mid-Atlantic prioritizes increasing access to tennis and helping players of all ages, abilities and back- grounds get into and stay in the sport,” says Beth Twomey, COO for the section. “With TopCourt, we can give people FACILITIES the opportunity to learn tennis skills or develop new ones from the very best experts that normally wouldn't be avail- Better Bubble Can Keep able to the average player. Its digital delivery makes it easily accessible and Play Going Year-Round convenient.” As part of the collaboration, TopCourt etter Bubble is a new existing court and then inflated to will donate one-year paid subscriptions state-of-the-art system provide column-free indoor space. to recipients of the USTA Mid-Atlantic Ju- that can be placed over The Better Bubble system comes nior Player Scholarship program, which any tennis or pickleball with the air-supported dome enclo- helps players at any level pay for tennis- court to keep play going sure, heating system, LED lighting, related expenses. Scholarship awardees year-round.B The system, available in doors and more. For more informa- can use TopCourt to help develop their different sizes to cover one or more tion, visit BetterBubble.com or email tennis skills and gain inspiration from courts, is anchored directly to the [email protected]. professionals and legendary coaches.
People Watch
John Callen, currently the longest serv- Americas general manager. Grange, chief executive in IHRSA’s 40-year history. ing USTA section executive director, an- who was most recently vice president of nounced he will retire, effective Jan. 31, sales at K-Swiss, replaces Barney Waters, Milena Stephens has been promoted 2022. In 1989, Callen was named USTA who had been the brand’s president to Director of Education and Diversity Southern Executive Director and now since 2016. Grange joined K-Swiss in for the PTR. In her new position, she’ll also serves as its Chief Operating Officer. October 2020, after roles including VP design, implement and manage PTR’s of footwear at Lacoste and VP of North education for Level One, Level Two and Bill Scanlon, former World No. 9 and a America for Keds. specialty courses, and work with PTR’s 1983 US Open semifinalist, passed away diversity programs. on June 2 at age 64, after a struggle with IHRSA, The Global Health & Fitness cancer. During his 13-year career, Scan- Association, has named Elizabeth Clark as Adam Dalton has been hired as USTA lon became the first man to complete a the association’s next president and CEO. Southern Manager for Junior Team Ten- “Golden Set,” winning all 24 points in Clark, a seasoned association executive, nis. Prior to joining USTA Southern, he the second set of a 6-2, 6-0 victory over previously led government relations and was managing director of the Macon Brazil’s Marcos Hocevar in 1983. advocacy at the National Confectioners (Ga.) Area Tennis Association. In addi- Association (NCA), the trade association tion, Francie Barragan of Cary, N.C., has Dave Grange has been named inter- for the $44 billion candy industry. Begin- been hired as the section's tennis service national K-Swiss brand president and ning August 16, she will be the first female representative for her home state. COURTESYBETTER BUBBLE; SHUTTERSTOCK COURTESYBETTER
10 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY August 2021 www.tennisindustrymag.com www.tennisindustrymag.com www.tennisindustrymag.com www.tennisindustrymag.com
COURTESYBETTER BUBBLE; SHUTTERSTOCK game's creation in2004. Eastern andUSTA Georgia sincethe sanctioned byUSTA Florida,USTA is acompetitive formatthathasbeen tournaments. One-On-OneDoubles rolling outtoclub,collegeandpro crosscourt singlescompetition,is regulations. ing, butnotlimitedto,theITFrulesand all issues ofconcerntoplayers—includ- ITF WheelchairTennis Committee on advice andrecommendations tothe tennis competitions,aswelloffering world regions involvedinITFwheelchair players across alldivisions,rankings and sent theinterests ofwheelchairtennis one coach(Harnett). mer player(Karin Korb oftheU.S.) and an activeITFranking, aswellonefor Taylor oftheU.S.), eachofwhomholds of sevencurrent players(includingNick two-year terminJanuary. Itiscomprised term. Council were re-elected forasecond while fivemembersofthecurrent Player Player DevelopmentJasonHarnett, and USTA’s HeadofWheelchairTennis pion SamSchroder oftheNetherlands world No.3andreigning USOpencham- feature fournewfaces,includingquad ings worldwide. three divisionsandalllevelsoftherank Council, withplayersrepresenting all of theITFWheelchairTennis Player (ITF) hasannouncedfournewmembers Tennis Player Council ITF AnnouncesWheelchair Tournament Licenses One-On-One DoublesOffers
One-On-One DoublesTennis, the TheInternationalTennis Federation The ninecouncilmemberswillrepre- The incomingPlayerCouncilbeganits The 2021-2022PlayerCouncilwill - - Tournaments attheirfacilities. rectors canalsorunOne-On-OneDoubles better.” the 3.0to4.0NTRPplayers becomeeven “The game'stournamentformatwillhelp college coachatHarvard andClemson. Ed Krass, thegame’s founderandformer and enjoyinitsround-robin format,” says now ready forclubplayers tocompete College Coachesandtournamentdi- “The gameofOne-On-OneDoublesis [email protected]. discount. Contact(813)478-3384 or sionals andcoachesreceive a25percent tournament; USPTA, PTRandITA profes - and agescanbelicensedfor$90per which canimprove players ofalllevels.” play andaddsanewformattoourgame, Coordinator AndyGladstone.“It’s funto Doubles,” says USTA FloridaAdult Play
August 2021 The tournamentsare opento all levels “I’ve always beenafanofOne-On-One RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY SPORTS RACQUET IndustryNews
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12 IndustryNews to playinfront offullcapacityat thesensa- Stadium 2. will take placeinthevenue’s 8,000-seat 13-28 campaignbetweenthefi ve teams in California.AllmatchesduringtheNov. season attheIndianWells Tennis Garden will hostfansatfullcapacityforthe2021 at IndianWells Tennis Garden WTT SetforFullCapacity World TeamTennis hasannounced it • • • • • "We are thrilled tohavetheopportunity RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY SPORTS RACQUET F Always lookingfor NEWcontractors! 24/7/365unlikePlay other systems. systemOnly that provides aTru-Bounce™ NO hollow sounds. NObubbles, NO deadspots, &quickestEasiest crackrepair or more infor mation, RITEWAYTENNIS.COM |[email protected] pleas L f Club August 2021 o CALL USTODAY: 1-877-5RITEWAY (748-3929) l cal l o w of OVE l 8. o mebrs b s aginst ofering t e r 380. s p o r t Bryan, JenniferBrady, Jessica Pegula, Jack WTT in2021includeBobBryan,Mike season." talented group ofplayersforthe upcoming not onlyourfans,butalsoanincreasingly March. "We look forward towelcoming took overfrom formerCEOCarlos Silvain Chairman andCEOEricDavidson,who 2021 World TeamTennis season," saysWTT tional IndianWells Tennis Garden forthe s 9460 o Players whohavecommitted toplay n the and the to install onthemarket. install to or phenom. ade studen vist L w w advntge. w Y .l wil ou OVE o p l b a st wil y LOVE e m r o s r p LOVE e o . r w t facing s i n . c ® m o m o r e ® . easily moved.” easy toinstallanddismantlecanbe the MITSenseableCityLab.“Thetower is Carlo Ratti, founderofCRAanddirector of horizontally,” says architect andengineer space, extendingvertically insteadof experiments withanewtype ofpublic a newiconforsportslovers, butitalso digital content. to broadcast sportsmatchesandother would alsoincorporate electronic facades developed withnoproposed location, prefabricated projects. ThePlayscraper, shell ofaspacecraft andhasbeenusedin ing thattakes inspiration from the outer developed byBroad SustainableBuild- stainless-steel sandwichstructure designed tobebuiltwithalightweight panies, the300-foot-tallTennis Tower is Europe’s leading sportandmediacom- playing space. courts foratotalof60,000 square feetof scraper thatstackstogethereighttennis for thePlayscraper, aJenga-like sky- Rota have unveiled conceptualdesigns Stacks EightTennis Courts ‘Jenga-Like’ Skyscraper Design sale atwtt.com. and SloaneStephens.Ticket packages are on Sock, KimClijsters, Taylor Fritz, JohnIsner Dylan Payne, Garold MarvinLarueIII, Jason Bazinet, Claudia Arango, Master RacquetTechnicians USRSA NamesNewMRTs CarloRatti Associati (CRA)andItalo “This project would notjustcreate Developed forRCSSport,oneof # Cypress, Texas Lisbon, Conn. Tallahassee, Fla. 1 www.tennisindustrymag.com www.tennisindustrymag.com Fort Worth, Texas
COURTESY CARLO RATTI ASSOCIATI MEDIA Tennis Channel Unveils Updated Website and New App
ennis Channel has a start-times function. The Live Scores the latest tennis news. redesigned website and page gives users the opportunity to “Everyone who likes or works in new app that offer more directly link to live coverage on the tennis is going to want to use this plat- tennis-based stats and network or its Tennis Channel Plus form,” says Andi Chu, vice president information in one streaming service. A link to on-de- and editor-in-chief of Tennis Chan- Tplace than ever before. Fans can ac- mand replays or highlights will exist nel. “There’s no more comprehensive cess the site, Tennis.com, or down- next to completed-match scores. source of all the tennis information load the new Tennis.com app on iOS Other features include a win- you’d want to know, whether you’re a or Android platforms. probability gauge, head-to-head die-hard or casual tennis fan, sports The site includes links to live player stats, tournament orders of fan, reporter, gamer, tennis player matches embedded in scoreboards, play, player rankings, visual stories or someone who just wants to know a comprehensive calendar, rankings, that showcase individual players when a match is going to start. personalization features, gaming and through video and still images, and “Everything is in one place on a first-of-its-kind estimated-match- live blogs that offer a cheat sheet on Tennis.com.”
Starting at $590 USD (Includes mainland USA shipping + 3 year warranty)
www.tennisindustrymag.com www.tennisindustrymag.com August 2021 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 13