IndustryNews Industry News Information to help you run your business Oracle ITA Summer Circuit EQUIPMENT Introduces Prize Money ‘Up Your Game’ Industry Campaign Enlists Top Stars Oracle and the Intercollegiate Tennis Association have partnered with 11 ITA- member institutions to offer prize money during the 2019 Oracle ITA Summer Circuit. At each of the 11 events, a total purse of $2,000 will be split evenly between genders. “While just a small first step, we are thrilled to now offer circuit participants the opportunity to compete for prize money during select events,” says Cory Brooks, ITA senior director of championships, rank- ings and memberships. “This new addition, coupled with our efforts to move to smaller, level-based draws based on Universal Tennis Rating, helps solidify the Oracle ITA Summer Circuit as the go-to for offseason competition new industry cam- Keys (Wilson), Christina McHale (Head), among collegians and high-level juniors.” paign designed to help Garbine Muguruza (Babolat), Nadal The new incentive builds upon the consumers get the most (Babolat), Denis Shapovalov (Yonex), $20,000 in total prize money that will be out of their equipment Williams (Wilson) and Caroline W awarded and split evenly between genders has enlisted the help ozniacki (Babolat). at the ITA National Summer Championships, of some of the game’s biggest stars, Tennis Channel sat down with the scheduled for Aug. 9-13 on the campus of includingA Roger Federer, Serena Wil- players this March in Indian Wells, Texas Christian University. liams and Rafael Nadal. The Grand Slam Calif. Not only did the pros take the champions offer their advice on videos time to share advice and insights, but Tennis Channel, USTA Form produced by and airing now on Tennis Tennis Channel also interviewed key 3-Year Deal for NCAA D1 Chps. Channel and its social media channels, equipment directors at Babolat, Dunlop, Tennis Channel and the USTA, in con- along with print ads in Tennis Magazine. Head, Wilson and Yonex. junction with the NCAA, have entered a The “Up Your Game” campaign shares “Getting the most out of your gear three-year partnership that makes the advice from a dozen top pros on their is vital to getting the most out of your network the exclusive television home of gear, new technology, the importance of game,” says Jeff Williams, president of the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s restringing and other areas to help recre- the TIA and director of publishing with Tennis National Championships. The ational players enjoy the game and Tennis Channel, Tennis Magazine and agreement began with this year’s event, play better. The pros interviewed, and Tennis Industry magazine. held in May at the USTA National Campus their racquet sponsors, are: Kevin The TIA worked with Tennis Chan- in Orlando, Fla. Anderson (Dunlop), Marin Cilic (Head), nel and racquet manufacturers to help With more than 50 hours of live match Federer (Wilson), Taylor Fritz (Head), coordinate the messaging. To view all coverage, Tennis Channel provided the COURTESY AP, USTA AP, COURTESY Angelique Kerber (Yonex), Madison the videos, go to playtennis.com/gear. most hours of NCAA Division I Men’s and www.tennisindustrymag.com July 2019 TennisIndustry 7 IndustryNews Women’s Tennis National Champion- a networking vehicle, the Intercollegiate Tennis Racquet Performance ships coverage in television history. Tennis Association has launched the College at Specialty Stores Held simultaneously, both the men’s Tennis Alumni Network. The purpose of the January-March, 2019 vs. 2018 and women’s events feature team and network is to help college tennis alumni con- Units 2019 99,675 individual tournaments. nect, support current players and alumni as 2018 104,135 The agreement expands the they transition into their chosen field of % change vs. ’18 -4% network’s coverage of college tennis interest, and build an advocate base for Dollars 2019 $16,929,000 at the USTA National Campus. Since college tennis. 2018 $16,811,000 2018, Tennis Channel has televised “We are extremely excited to launch % change vs. ’18 1% the USTA’s College MatchDay series of the Alumni Network and our expectation is Price 2019 $169.84 head-to-head competitions, featuring that it will be another tool that helps fulfill 2018 $161.43 some of the country’s top schools. The our mission of serving the college tennis % change vs. ’18 5% weekly battles marked the network’s community,” says ITA President and CEO first live coverage of college tennis. Timothy Russell. Top-Selling Racquets “We are incredibly excited that Ten- ITA Business and Development Manager at Specialty Stores nis Channel is committing to this level Corey Pregram will lead the initiative. The By year-to-date dollars,Jan.-March 2019 of coverage, showcasing college ten- online platform is free to join for any current • Best Sellers nis at its highest level and elevating and former college tennis players at the 1. Wilson Clash 100 2019 (MP) the sport like never before,” says Lew NCAA Division I, II, III, Junior College and 2. Babolat Pure Aero 2019 (MP) Sherr, USTA chief revenue officer. NAIA levels. 3. Babolat Pure Drive 2018 (MP) Benefits include a networking feed for 4. Wilson Clash 100 Tour (MP) ITA Launches College alumni to connect with each other in their 5. Wilson Blade 98 (16x19) CV (MP) Tennis Alumni Network area; alumni event calendar; job board; • “Hot New Racquets” In an effort to raise the profile of col- current college tennis news; and more. Visit (introduced in the past 12 months) lege tennis, engage alumni and provide collegetennisalumni.com for more info. 1. Wilson Clash 100 2019 (MP) 2. Babolat Pure Aero 2019 (MP) 3. Wilson Clash 100 Tour (MP) 4. Head Graphene 360 Speed MP 5. Babolat Pure Aero Team 2019 (MP) Top-Selling Tennis Shoes at Specialty Stores By year-to-date dollars, Jan.-March 2019 1. K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2. Nike Zoom Vapor X 2018 3. Nike Zoom Cage 3 4. Asics Gel Resolution 7 5. Asics Gel Resolution 7 2018 Top-Selling Strings at Specialty Stores By year-to-date units, Jan.-March 2019 1. Babolat RPM Blast 2. Wilson NXT 3. Wilson Sensation 4. Luxilon Alu Power 5. Head Synthetic Gut PPS (Source: Tennis Industry Association) 12th Annual TIA Forum Set for Aug. 26 in NYC The 12th Annual TIA Tennis Forum will be held on Monday, Aug. 26, at the Grand Hyatt New York, starting at 8:30 a.m. The Forum will include the latest news and research about the industry, busi- ness insights, updates on grow-the-game TOURNA, AP COURTESY 8 TennisIndustry July 2019 www.tennisindustrymag.com IndustryNews initiatives, and recognition of the 2019 ACCESSORIES Tennis Industry Hall of Fame inductees. Speakers will include Tom Cove, execu- Tourna tive director of the SFIA. This year’s Forum also will include an Partners with interactive “Discovery Challenge,” draw- ing out creative ideas to help address the Pickleball issues of engagement and retention in tennis. For more information and regis- tration, visit TennisIndustry.org/forum. Star Tyson Geico Named a Sponsor McGuffi n of World TeamTennis World TeamTennis has announced a ourna has partnered with the new multi-year agreement with Geico No. 1-ranked professional pick- as the league's offi cial auto insurance leball player, Tyson McGuffin. provider. Geico will be the presenting T Available this summer for paddles are sponsor of the WTT's one-hour fi nals a pickleball-specific Tourna Grip and encore and season highlight show, to Mega Tac. McGuffin has been using air on Aug. 10 at 1:30 p.m. ET on CBS. Tourna Grip since he was 12 years old. The 44th season of World TeamTen- He most recently took the gold medal nis will be July 14-31. The 2019 WTT at the 2019 Minto US Open Pickleball playoffs, in Las Vegas, will begin with Championships. Visit uniquesports. the semifi nals on Aug. 2, with the WTT com, contact [email protected], Final on Aug. 3. or call 770-442-1977 for more info. McGuffi n uses Tourna on his Selkirk paddle. People Watch Tennis Channel has appointed new US Open tournament referee, approved unanimously by the USTA Timothy Athans to director, strategic and Jake Garner has been selected to board of directors. partnerships. He’ll be based in the succeed him as US Open chief umpire. network's New York offi ce and report Friemel takes over for Brian Earley, Steve O’Connell of Fairfi eld, Conn., to Irv Schulman, senior vice president, who retired after 26 years as tourna- has been named USPTA New England national sales manager. Athans will ment referee in Flushing Meadows. 2019 Professional of the Year. focus on expanding the network's ad sales reach via untapped USTA New England recently The ITF has named Jamie Delgado as partnerships and non- inducted Lesley Sheehan of an ITF player relations consultant, an traditional integrations. Stoneham, Mass., Jeff Bearup of on-site representative communicating Duxbury, Mass., and George Ulrich with players, coaches, agents, tours David Brewer will step down of Waterford, Conn., into the and tournaments. He replaces Andre as US Open Tournament section’s 2019 Hall of Fame. Sa, who held the position since its Director and USTA creation in February 2018, and joins Chief Professional The USTA is supporting Rennae Stubbs and ITF board members Tennis Offi cer the candidacy of Mark Woodforde and Mary Pierce as following the 2019 Dave Haggerty for ITF ITF player representatives. US Open. Brewer president and will nomi- began his career nate him to continue in One of the pillars of Southern tennis at the USTA in the the four-year position, is retiring.