November/December 2005 Volume 33 Number 10 $5.00 2005 CHAMPIONS OF TENNIS Our annual awards honor those who continue to make this sport a winner Max Brownlee Q Racquet World Q Golfsmith Q Tennis Warehouse Q Bob Patterson Q Fast-Dry Companies Q Shirley Ruane Q Wayne St. Peter Q Kay Barney Q Karin Korb Q John Drew Smith Tennis Center Q Scalzi Park Q Brookhaven Country Club Q Baltimore Tennis Patrons Q USA Tennis Florida Q Lisa Duncan Q Bob Reed US Open Player Equipment Log “Tennis Service Reps” To Aid Grassroots Growth String Playtest

ContentsContents RSI NOV/DEC 2005

INDUSTRY NEWS

7 Tennis Service Reps hit the ground running 7 USTA recognizes 10 facilities for excellence SPECIAL SECTION: 7 RSI launches website for magazine 2005 Champions of Tennis Our special section honors the people and organizations that are making 8 USPTA honors leaders in a difference in the business of tennis. tennis profession

20 Person of the Year 30 Wheelchair Tennis Champion 8 In•Tenn online magazine offers Max Brownlee of the Year free subscription Karin Korb 22 Pro/Specialty Retailer of the Year 9 Wilson, Nickelodeon offer Racquet World 30 Municipal Facility of the Year SpongeBob racquets John Drew Smith Tennis Center 23 Chain Retailer/Mass Merchant 9 Loehr to headline ASBA meeting of the Year 32 Public Park of the Year in Tampa Golfsmith Scalzi Park 24 Online Retailer of the Year 32 Private Facility of the Year 10 Eight earn USPTA Master Pro Tennis Warehouse Brookhaven Country club designation 25 Stringer of the Year 33 Community Tennis Association 11 Wilson launches redesigned website Bob Patterson of the Year Baltimore Tennis Patrons 12 Van der Meer honored at 26 Builder/Contractor of the Year Teachers Conference Fast-Dry Companies 33 USTA Section of the Year USA Tennis Florida 12 Prince O3 technology wins 27 Grassroots Champion of the Year design award Shirley Ruane 34 PTR Member of the Year Lisa Duncan 12 Roddick dons new Babolat 28 Junior Development Champion of the Year 34 USPTA Member of the Year Team All Court shoe Wayne St. Peter Bob Reed 15 Völkl launches new Boris Becker 29 Sales Rep of the Year racquet series Kay Barney On the cover: Max Brownlee, Babolat North America Reprinted with permission of the Rocky Mountain News.

DEPARTMENTS 40 Tips and Techniques 4 Our Serve 42 Ask the Experts 36 US Open Player Equipment Log 43 RSI 2005 Industry Resource Guide 38 String Playtest: Gamma Zo Sweet 17 48 Your Serve, by Greg Moran

November/December 2005 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 3 Our Serve

(Incorporating Racquet Tech and Tennis Industry) The Champion’s Pursuit Publishers David Bone Jeff Williams hat does it take to be a champion? No matter Editor-in-Chief W Crawford Lindsey the field of endeavor, it takes drive, determi- Editorial Director nation, sacrifice, hard work, practice, knowledge, Peter Francesconi Associate Editor experience, and more. Man, that sounds like a Greg Raven

tough row to hoe. Is it really worth it? Design/Art Director But take even a quick look at any of this year’s winners of RSI’s Kristine Thom Champions of Tennis Awards, and you’ll know the answer. These Assistant to the Publisher people love what they do, and they are successful in proportion to Cari Feliciano that love. Contributing Editors But it is also more than a “labor” of love. It’s fun, too. Helping Cynthia Cantrell the game to grow, developing tennis programs for a local facility, Rod Cross Kristen Daley running a CTA, designing and building court facilities, running a Joe Dinoffer successful retail business—these folks simply enjoy what they’re Liza Horan doing. Andrew Lavallee James Martin Another commonality of this year’s champions is the belief that Mark Mason success is all about building relationships. Champions fulfill their Chris Nicholson dreams by helping others fulfill theirs. Each champion believes that Mitch Rustad what they are driven so naturally to do is of great value to others Drew Sunderlin

in their pursuit of what they do. In a sense, the relationship is the RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY goal, not the means, of the champion’s pursuit. That’s why so Corporate Offices many champions are so genuine, so nice, and so well-liked. Your 330 Main St., Vista, CA 92084 day is better off having them in it than not having them in it. Phone: 760-536-1177 Fax: 760-536-1171 Email: [email protected] So, to our 2005 Champions of Tennis, we say thank you for a Website: www.racquetTECH.com job well-done—and well-loved. Office Hours: Mon.-Fri.,8 a.m.-5 p.m. Pacific Time

Advertising Director John Hanna 770-650-1102, x.125 [email protected] Dave Bone JJeffeff WilliamsWilliams Co-Publisher Co-Publisher Apparel Advertising Cynthia Sherman 203-263-5243 [email protected] Racquet Sports Industry (USPS 347-8300. ISSN 0191- 5851) is published 10 times per year: monthly January through August and combined issues in Septem- PeterPeter FrancesconiFrancesconi CrawfordCrawford LindseyLindsey ber/October and November/December by Tennis Editorial Director Editor-in-Chief Industry and USRSA, 330 Main St., Vista, CA 92084. Periodicals postage paid at Hurley, NY 12443 and addi- tional mailing offices. November/December 2005, Vol- ume 33, Number 10 © 2005 by USRSA and Tennis Industry. All rights reserved. Racquet Sports Industry, RSI and logo are trademarks of USRSA. Printed in the U.S.A. Phone advertising: 770-650-1102 x 125. Phone circulation and editorial: 760-536-1177. Yearly sub- scriptions $25 in the U.S., $40 elsewhere. POSTMAS- TER: Send address changes to Racquet Sports Industry, 330 Main St., Vista, CA 92084.

4 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY November/December 2005 RSI is the “official magazine” of the USRSA, TIA, and ASBA

RSI NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2005 INDUSTRYNEWSINDUSTRYNEWS INFORMATIONTOHELPYOURUNYOURBUSINESS USTA Recognizes 10 McMahon to Head New Tennis Service Rep Program Facilities for Excellence new “national sales force for tennis” may soon pro- vide help to those who are in the field delivering ten- Ten public tennis centers have been hon- A nis programs at the recreational level. ored in the 24th annual USTA Facility Dozens of “Tennis Service Representatives” are being hired Awards Program, which recognizes by the USTA sections, with support from the USTA national excellence in the construction and/or office, to help “assess the tennis needs of communities and renovation of public tennis facilities in help people to do their jobs in the most efficient way possible,” the U.S. says Mark McMahon, the USTA’s new national manager for the TSRs. McMahon, who has been a teaching pro and tennis The names of the 10 will be inscribed on director for 25 years, joined the USTA in August to oversee the a large wall plaque displayed in the TSR program. lobby of the USTA National Tennis Cen- “The objective is to drill down directly to the operators—the ter, home of the US Open. Each of the people in the field who deliver the programs,” says McMahon. facilities will also receive a one-year “The TSRs become a conduit, a facilitator, in helping local ten- complimentary membership to the USTA, Bob Kenas nis programs find what they need to increase participation.” a certificate of recognition, and a wood- McMahon says there will be at least 47 TSRs, who will report to the USTA sections to which en wall plaque and large lexan sign to they’re assigned. The number of TSRs will vary depending on the needs of the sections—larg- display on the outside of their facility. er sections generally will have more TSRs. As of mid-October, about 30 TSRs had been hired. "We are pleased to recognize these The TSRs will be supported by a combination of national and sectional funding. Kurt Kam- facilities for their hard work and commit- perman, the USTA’s chief executive of Community Tennis, says the national office has com- ment to achieving higher standards … mitted $12 million over the next three years to the program. [and] in helping the USTA to promote Another aspect of McMahon’s responsibilities will deal with Tennis Welcome Centers. “The and develop the growth of tennis," says Tennis Welcome Centers should be a rallying point for the industry,” he says. “They should Kurt Kamperman, the USTA’s chief execu- be a point of differentiation and represent value for the player and the center operator. One tive of Community Tennis. The award of the goals of TSRs will be to help raise the standards at every tennis center.” winners are: McMahon, who grew up in Australia and learned tennis at a public park in Melbourne, came to the U.S. in 1979. He’s a PTR member and a USPTA Master Pro, and most recent- Public courts (2-9 courts): Ottawa Town- ly was the director of tennis at the Dunwoody Country Club in Atlanta. Prior to that, he was ship High School Tennis Courts, Ottawa, at clubs in Florida for many years, and has also served on various committees and boards. Ill. “My perspective is built on 25 years of being a teaching pro and club pro,” says McMa- Public courts (10+ courts): Barbara S. hon. “This is a real opportunity to put the service back in tennis.” Wynne Tennis Center, Indianapolis; Cen- tro De Tenis Honda, Bayamón, Puerto Racquet Sports Industry Launches Magazine Website Rico; Swim & Racquet Center, Boca Raton, Fla. ow, all the news and features you’ve read about in Racquet Sports Industry are available on the internet. In Septem- Collegiate tennis centers: Princeton Uni- N ber, we launched versity Tennis Center, Princeton, N.J. www.racquetsportsindustry.com. The new website features an issues Private facilities that support the USTA index, which lists every edition of RSI with and other growth of the game programs links to all the stories that have appeared in open to the public: Carmel Valley Athletic the magazine. And if you’re looking for a Club, Carmel, Calif.; Carmel Valley Ranch particular topic, we include a search feature. Resort, Carmel, Calif.; Chad Gamble Ten- We also have pages that deal with our nis Courts, Paducah, Ky.; I'on Club, advertising rates and page specifications. Mount Pleasant, S.C.; The Atlanta Athlet- And you can even subscri be to RSI, or have ic Club & Tennis Center, Duluth, Ga. your friends and colleagues subscribe, via our website.

November/December 2005 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 7 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2005 In•Tenn Online Magazine

NEWS USPTA Honors Leaders in the Tennis Profession Offers Free Subscription he USPTA honored its top teachers, coaches, players, volun- n•Tenn, the video/online tennis magazine, is offering a INDUSTRY teers and managers during an awards ceremony at the Ifree 15-month subscription for its new OnLine Edition for T RSI readers. USPTA World Conference on Tennis in September. The annu- al 10-day conference was at the Marco Island Marriott Resort, Golf To access the online magazine, visit www.intenn.com, Club & Spa in Marco Island, Fla. click on the “subscribe” button, enter the code rsi920 into Rick Macci of Deerfield Beach, Fla., received the association’s the appropriate slot, click enter, then register. You will need top annual member award, the Alex Gordon Award for the USPTA to remember your ID name and password to log in each Professional of the Year. Macci, founder of the Rick Macci Tennis time you visit the site. The free subscription to the OnLine Academy, is known for his success coaching some of the world’s Edition will end Dec. 31, 2006. top players. The USPTA Star, recognizing teaching pros who make an indelible mark on their communities through the sport of tennis, was awarded to John J. “Jack” Foster of Sugar Land, Texas, and Robert Reed of Lane County, Ore. Korb Wins PTR Wheelchair Honor Punam Kersten, director of the McFarlin Tennis Center in San Antonio, received the USPTA Industry Excellence Award. The arin Korb of Atlanta received the PTR Wheelchair Pro of award is sponsored by the Tennis Industry Association and sup- Kthe Year Award, presented during the PTR/ROHO ported by Tennis Tutor ball machines. $15,000 Wheelchair Tennis Championships, held Sept. The Facility Manager of the Year award was given to Brad 21 to 25 on Hilton Head Island, S.C. Korb, a new PTR mem- Ellinger, a nonmember in Burlington, N.C., and Mike Woody, a ber, works tirelessly to promote wheelchair tennis and sports USPTA member in Midland, Mich. Ellinger is general manager of (see page 30). the Alamance Country Club, and Woody is managing director of Korb (below, with, from left, Scott Crosswhite of Quickie, the Midland Community Tennis Center. Julie Jilly of the PTR, the tournament director; PTR Founder The USTA/USPTA Community Service Award was presented to Dennis Van der Meer; and Tom Oleksy of the ROHO Group) Ben Press of San Diego. Press is president of a nonprofit group is the program development manager for BLAZE, promoting that oversees the use of funds to refurbish and upgrade public ten- sports for the disabled. She’s ranked No. 2 in the U.S. and nis facilities. No. 15 internationally in wheelchair tennis. Martina Widjaja, president of the Indonesian Tennis Associa- The PTR’s Golden Eagle Award for service to the game of tion, was named a USPTA Honorary Member. wheelchair tennis was presented to Harlon Matthews of Other honorees are: Bob McKinley, New Braunfels, Texas, McDonough, Ga. Matthews, a PTR-certified instructor, coach- Touring Coach of the Year; Peter Burling, Granville, Ohio, College es many able-bodied players. In recognition of his honor, Coach of the Year; Dale Eshelbrenner, Kansas City, Mo., High Sports Tutor gave Matthews a Tennis Tutor ball-throwing School Coach of the Year; Tommy Wade, Tuscaloosa, Ala., George machine. The Sportsmanship Award went to Bryan Lankford Bacso Tester of the Year. of Macon, Ga. Division Player of the Year honors went to: Anders Eriksson, Open division winners of the PTR/ROHO Wheelchair Austin, Men’s Open; Kevin Pope, Fremont, Calif., Men’s 35-and- Championships are: Men’s Singles: David Hall, Australia; Over ; Jason Morton, Sun Lakes, Ariz., co-Men’s 45-and-Over; Val Men’s Doubles: Hall and Jayant Mistry, England; Women’s Wilder, Fort Worth, Texas, co-Men’s 45-and-Over; Julie Cass, Singles: Esther Vergeer, Netherlands; Women’s Doubles: Austin, Women’s Open; Robin Keener, Melbourne, Fla., Women’s Vergeer and Jiske Griffioen, Netherlands. 35-and-Over ; Kathy Vick, Lubbock, Texas, Women’s 45-and-Over. USPTA divisions receiving awards were: Texas, Division of the Year; Midwest, Newsletter of the Year; Southwest, Most Improved.

Corrections  The Handdri ad in the Sept/Oct issue of RSI had the wrong phone number. The correct phone number for Handdri is 1- 800-317-2663

 In the Sept/Oct issue of RSI, page 38, the chart of new strings for Fall 2005 had the website listed for Pacific incorrectly. The correct website for Pacific string is: www.garrisonsportsgroup.com/

8 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY November/December 2005 INDUSTRYNEWS Loehr to Headline Wilson, Nickelodeon Offer SpongeBob Racquets ASBA Technical ickelodeon's fun-loving, sea- Ndwelling sponge brings his enthu- siasm to the world of sporting Meeting in Tampa goods in a special line of tennis rac- im Loehr will be the keynote quets for kids. Through a partnership Jspeaker at the American Sports with Nickelodeon and Viacom Con- Builders Association’s Technical sumer Products, Wilson Racquet Sports Meeting and Trade Show, to be held created a line of SpongeBob Dec. 4 to 6 at the Grand Hyatt Tampa SquarePants tennis racquets that will Bay in Tampa, Fla. Loehr is chairman, hit stores in early 2006. CEO, and co-founder of LGE Perform- Wilson's SpongeBob SquarePants ance Systems, a training company for line is targeted to boys and girls ages 2 business executives, professional ath- to 11 and is availab le in 19-, 21- and letes, and others. 23-inch lengths. The Technical Meeting offers semi- "SpongeBob SquarePants is a cul- nars and presentations on court build- tural icon adored by kids," says ing and other topic s related to facility Sherice Torres, vice president for Nick- construction and maintenance. The elodeon and Viacom Consumer Prod- Trade Show will feature some of the ucts. "Partnering with Wilson is a newest products and services in the great opportunity to use his loveable industry. character to encourage fitness and get To register for the conference, visit kids excited about playing tennis." www.sportsbuilders.org. For more For more information, visit information, call 866-501-ASBA. www.wilson.com.

November/December 2005 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 9 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2005 P L E W Eight Tennis Teachers Earn O A T NEWS E C P • Steve Appleton, Micron Technol- H USPTA Master Professional ogy Inc.’s chairman, CEO, and president, won ight tennis pros recently earned recognition as the 2005 Intercollegiate Tennis Association Achievement INDUSTRYEUSPTA Master Professionals, the highest profes- Award, presented by Montblanc and Tennis Week Magazine. sional rating within the organization. Only about 1 Appleton attended Boise State University on a tennis scholarship percent of USPTA’s more than 13,000 members world- from 1978-82. wide have achieved the Master Pro designation. The • Brad Singer is the tennis national sales manager and business development eight were recognized during an awards presentation officer for Tail Inc., and Andrea Varat is the new customer fulfillment manager. at the 78th World Conference on Tennis in September. They are: • Tim Miles is the new regional sales manager for northern and southern Florida Q Fred Burdick, Dalton, Ga., owner/director of Moun- for Gamma Sports. Miles was Gamma’s regional sales manager for Mississippi, tain View Tennis Tennessee, Alabama, and the Florida panhandle since 2004. Q Jeff Hawes, Gibsonville, N.C., tennis director at Ala- mance Country Club • Andre Agassi, playing with a Head Flexpoint Radical OS, reached the final Q Will Hoag, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., director of tennis at of the US Open this year for the sixth time in his career. Agassi and Coral Ridge Country Club Head joined forces in the summer of 1993, and Agassi has won Q Dan O’Connell, Nadi, Fiji, South Pacific, Internation- seven of eight career Grand Slam titles playing with Head’s Radical al Tennis Federation development officer, Pacific tennis racquets. Oceania • Current No.2 –ranked racquetball player Jack Huczek (right) Q Albert “Allie” Ritzenberg, Bethesda, Md., will wear Ashaway’s new 500i line of racquetball shoes. Huczek, founder/director of St. Alban’s Tennis Club the 2004 world champion, consulted on the design of the shoes. Q Paul Roetert, Ph.D., Key Biscayne, Fla., managing director of USA Tennis High Performance • Jim Kohr, a member of Team Gamma/Fischer, won the Men’s Q Pat Whitworth, Stone Mountain, Ga., director of ten- 35 Doubles and Mixed Doubles at the 2005 USPTA Interna- nis at Hamilton Mill tional Championships. He plays with the Fischer Q David Zeutas-Broer, Worcester, Mass., director of Magnetic Speed racquet and Gamma’s Live high performance and junior competition for USA Wire Professional string. Tennis New England.

10 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY November/December 2005 INDUSTRYNEWS Wilson Launches Redesigned Website USTA Offers ilson Racquet Sports recently launched a new tennis website with flash fea- Wtures and enhanced product, player, and tour information available at “Tennis for Life” www.wilsontennis.com. The website features information on top-ranked players and the Wilson gear Bracelets they use including Roger Federer, the Bryan Brothers, Lindsay Davenport, and he USTA has reached an agree- Venus and Serena Williams. It also features a special flash section and information ment with Peter Burwash Inter- on the new W line of high per formance racquets for women that debuted prior to T national for the non-exclusive the start of the 2005 US Open. The W line is a series of frames engineered for women that combines Wilson’s right to use the “Tennis for Life” nCode technology with a new frame construction, added comfort features, and trademark on 80,000 bracelets to vibrant cosmetics and patterns. Wilson also plans to add an interactive section promote the lifetime health benefits where fans can download screensavers and other fun features along with back- of the game. “Tennis for Life,” the ground on Wilson. title of a book authored by Peter Bur- wash and the theme for many of the seminars he has given, is a registered trademark of PBI. “We owe a debt of thanks to Peter Burwash for allowing the USTA and our 17 section s to use the ‘Tennis for Life’ trademark,” says Kurt Kamper- man, the USTA’s chief executive of Community Tennis. “‘Tennis for Life’ succinctly positions tennis as a life- time sport with unparalleled health benefits.”

November/December 2005 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 11 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2005 Roddick Wears New Babolat Tennis Shoe

NEWS Prince O3 Technology abolat and Andy Roddick teamed up just before the US Open to Wins Design Award Bintroduce the new Babolat Team All Court tennis shoe to the U.S. market. Roddick, who signed an agreement to wear the shoe start- rince Sports has received the Red Dot Design

INDUSTRYing in 2006, actually began wearing them at the Cincinnati Masters Series Award in recognition of its design quality for O3 Tournament in August, and then at the 2005 Open. P Technology. The Red Dot Design Awards is one of “I wore them for the first time [in Cincinnati] and they performed the largest design competitions worldwide. In 2005, great," says Roddick, who will be working with Babolat on his own sig- there were 638 entries from 24 countries in the com- nature model that will be available in the petition. spring. Roddick, along with executives “This is the inaugural year for O3 Technology, and from Babolat and Michelin, introduced the it has been embraced by the tennis community,” shoe at a press conference in New York says Linda Glassel, v.p. of marketing communica- City just before the US Open. tions for Prince. “But it’s also ca using people outside Babolat and Michelin combined their the tennis world to do a double-take. It’s an honor to expertise and resources in developing receive such a distinguished design award, and we’re the first tennis shoe with a Michelin sole proud of the team inside our company who created for sale in the U.S. The Team All Court a racquet so unique that the world is taking notice.” ($99 suggested retail) is the first in what In other O3-related news, the Web Marketing will be a six-model line of durable, high-per- Association has recognized the Prince O3 micro web- formance tennis shoes sold in the U.S. site with the 2005 WebAward for Outstanding For more information, visit www.babolat.com or call 877-316-9435. Achievement in Website Development. It is the third USRSA MEMBER CLASSIFIEDS award that the micro site has won in 2005. For more information, visit www.princetennis.com. FOR SALE: Gamma 6500 Els NEAR NEW. Call Heidi at 310/573-1331 to make an offer $300 in EXTRAS incl. Retails for $1,700 + FOR SALE: Assorted tennis racquets. Demos shipping, but can be yours for $1,300 Van der Meer Honored at TTC and new frames, including shoes. Contact OBO. Buyer pays shipping, but machine Heidi for list and prices at 310/573-1331 or On Aug. 27, after devoting the day on court for Arthur can be packed in custom crate for safest email: [email protected] Ashe Kids’ Day, Dennis Van der Meer was presented ship. Seller located in Davis, CA. (Pickup with the inaugural USTA Faculty Emeritus Award by also available.) Contact Ed @ FOR SALE: Three (3) Head Prestige midsize USTA President Franklin Johnson at the USTA Tennis [email protected] or 530/400- frames, 4-3/8 grips, strung w/Intellistring Teacher's Conference in New York City. The award was 5203. Should go fast, don’t wait! Very good condition. Asking: $75. Contact: presented in recognition of Van der Meer's 35 consec- Fred Feldman, email: [email protected] FOR SALE: Tecnifibre TF5500 electronic utive years giving presentations to attendees at the stringing machine, excellent condition, FOR SALE: Over 300 sets of grommets avail- conference. Van der Meer (below right) is the founder with extra center clamps and cover; able for tennis, racquetball and squash. Will and president of the PTR. $3800 includes shipping within continen- make a deal on large quantities and would tal US. Contact Vince Chiarelli at like to sell them all. Make offer. I can send 727/595-7068 or email: stringa- an Excel spreadsheet of the exact items. [email protected] Contact: Larry at 303/422-4540 or email: [email protected] FOR SALE: Wilson H Rival, 4-1/2 grip, strung with Wilson Reaction at 63 lbs.; FOR SALE: Specialty Tennis Shop located in used once. Asking: $100. Contact: Don fastest growing county in SW Florida in Donati, [email protected] or major business district. Secured accounts. 860/669-6726 Established clientele & lessons. Will train new owner. Secured lease with shop FOR SALE: 7 Prince DNA Helix squash frontage at major intersection. Financing strings, 17 gauge; 3 Prince Duraflex bad- available for qualified buyer.Asking: $85,000 minton strings, 21 gauge; 1 Prince Exten- US (price dependent on inventory). Serious der squash string, 17 gauge. Call Heidi at inquiries only: 941/629-3398 310/573-1331 or email: HeidiWes- [email protected] for more info STRINGERS WANTED – We’re looking for a professional stringer with experience to work FOR SALE: Prince, Wilson, Volkl assort- in our new store. We’re the largest tennis ment of grommets for sale. Huge selec- store in Texas with a large daily volume of tion available! Call Heidi at racquets. Come join our Team. Send resume 310/573-1331 to make an offer to [email protected] or fax: 713/781- FOR SALE: Available spare and extra 1237 parts for a Prince NEOS 2000 stringer.

12 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY November/December 2005 INDUSTRYNEWS PTR Sets 2006 Symposium he 2006 PTR International Tennis TSymposium and $25,000 Champi- onships will be Feb. 18-24. For those registering before Dec. 1, the fee is $295. Registration includes more than 40 presentations, the Awards Banquet, Recognition Breakfast, three dinner par- ties, trade show, and more. For more information or to register, call 800-421- 6289 or visit www.ptrtennis.org.

June / July MRTs Randy Dugan Cincinnati, OH Nate Engler Grand Rapids, MI Sharon Hall Athens, GA Larry Niemeyer Desperes, MO Baris Sevinc Huntington, CT

August / September MRTs Adam Arriaga Kyle, TX Caleb Brooks San Luis Obispo, CA Jose Castaneda Kyle, TX Kelly Gunterman Stratton Mtn, VT Chris Kohl Lebanon, MO Jorge Mesarina Winter Park, FL Jesse McNamara San Luis Obispo, CA Layne Nielson San Luis Obispo, CA Chris Neutill San Luis Obispo, CA Darin Norton West Olive, MI Preston Payton Austin, TX Chris Patranella San Antonio, TX Mark Roberts San Luis Obispo, CA Robert Russett Ocala, FL Matthew Schrader Ft. Wayne, IN Steve Smith Cincinnati, OH Arun Srinivasan San Luis Obispo, CA Erin Stark San Luis Obispo, CA Angie Zguna Winter Park, FL Kim Zylker San Luis Obispo, CA

November/December 2005 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 13 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2005

NEWS SHORT SETS > The U.S. Davis Cup squad beat Belgium, 4-1, in September to > Tennis fans who wagered on www.BetonSports.com that Gilles remain in the World Group and be eligible to compete for the Cup in Muller and Ekaterina Bychkova would upset Andy Roddick and 2006. Seeded eighth in the 16-team field, the U.S. will play one of the Svetlana Kuznetsova, respectively, at this year’s US Open cashed in. INDUSTRY eight unseeded teams in the first round, Feb. 10-12, at a site to be A $100 bet on Muller returned $750, while the same bet on determined by the host nation. Bychokova earned $650, according to the website. > SlingHopper Inc. and Gamma Sports provided about 20 PTR teach- > USTA Magazine won an American Graphic Design Award for its ing pros with SlingHopper drill bags during the 2005 Arthur Ashe Kids’ May/June 2004 issue, which featured race car driver Jeff Gordon on Day of court games and activities. For more information visit the cover (“Rev Up Your Game!”), and contained a “Come Out www.slinghopper.com. Swinging” section promoting the Tennis Welcome Center program. > Martina Hingis led the New York Sportimes to its first World > The Lincoln Family Life Center of Los Angeles will honor former TeamTennis champions at the WTT Finals presented by Advanta, Wimbledon and U.S. champion Althea Gibson with a tribute via a defeating the defending champ Newport Beach Breakers 21-18, at All- Pro/Celebrity Golf & Tennis Invitational Dec. 2-3 at the Ojai Valley state Stadium in Citrus Heights, Calif., in September. Inn & Spa Resort in Ojai, Calif. A formal dinner will be held Dec. 3. > Fila announced that it will continue to sponsor US Open champ Kim For information, visit www.lincolnfamilylifecenter.org or call 323- Clijsters for the duration of her career. Clijsters has been with the Ital- 293-8535 ext.12 or 15. ian apparel brand for four years. > American standout James Blake and former world No. 1 Marti- > US Open SmashZone presented by AOL.com, an interactive tennis na Hingis will join other tennis greats at the 13th annual Advanta experience put on during the US Open, set a record attendance of World TeamTennis Smash Hits presented by the Hershey Company 145,000 during the two weeks of the tournament. on Nov. 7 at the GIANT Center in Hershey, Pa. For ticket informa- tion, call 717-534-3911 or visit www.ticketmaster.com. > Humanitarian and world-class tennis player Arthur Ashe was immortalized on a postage stamp when the U.S. Postal Service con- > The nominations for the 2006 International Tennis Hall of Fame ducted a first-day-of-issue stamp dedication ceremony under the shad- Induction Ballot are: Patrick Rafter, Gabriela Sabatini, Michael Stich, ows of the stadium bearing his name. The ceremony took place as part Sven Davidson, Christine Truman Janes, Gianni Clerici, and Eiichi of Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day activities kicking off the 2005 US Open. Kawatei. > Tennis Magazine’s Most Memorable Moments of the Past 40 Years, > The DecoTurf website, www.decoturf.com, has been redesigned a celebration of the magazine’s 40th anniversary, debuted on The Ten- with a fresh, new look, more technical data, court layouts, and a nis Channel in September. unique tennis court colorizer. Hot NYC Party Marks Debut of Wilson “W” Line

ilson Racquet Sports’ tennis stars, including Roger Federer, Venus and Serena Williams, and Justine Henin-Hardenne, took an Wevening off from their US Open preparations to join the company at its huge launch party for the new W line of racquets for women. Wilson says the W line is the first-ever comprehensive line of high performance racquets engineered and designed specifical- ly for women. The line combines Wilson’s nCode technology with a new construction and distinct cos- metics in a series of nine frames that hit retailers in October. “The W line represents a new concept for the industry by developing a line of racquets exclusively for women taking into account playability, performance, look, and feel,” says Brian Dillman, v.p. of Global Marketing for Wilson. “We are the first company to address the needs of the athlete first and then take individual style as a very important criteria in selecting a racquet.” Former No. 7-ranked player Barbara Schett, who emceed the New York launch party, is the spokesperson for the W line. Schett, 28, retired in 2005 after 12 years on the tour. The W line is categorized into three headsizes. Suggested retail prices range from $199.99 to $269.99. The line also features accessories that correspond to the racquet design including bags, visors, caps, and trucker hats. In association with Wilson’s Hope line, for every purchase from the W line, Wilson makes a donation to the Breast Can- cer Research Foundation. In other Wilson news, Federer, playing with the Wilson nSix-One Tour, successfully defended his US Open singles title this year. And in an all-Wilson doubles final, Bob and Mike Bryan defeated Jonas Bjorkman and Max Mirnyi. The Bryans play with the nPro Surge and Bjorkman and Mirnyi with the nSix-One 95. For more information, visit www.wilsontennis.com or call 800-272-6060.

14 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY November/December 2005 INDUSTRYNEWS Völkl Launches New Becker Racquet Series ölkl Sport America’s newest product line is a series of frames Vdesigned by, and played with by, former champion Boris Becker. The new Boris Becker (BB) line will consist of racquets for every type of player, along with a series of equipment bags and grips. Over the next year, a total of four BB frames will be launched: a game-improvement racquet, a “tweener” frame, an entry-level frame, and the BB10 performance racquet, for play- ers 3.5 and higher. Völkl Tennis Vice President Chris Pearson says the BB10 has been out on the international market since early summer and already is the company’s best seller. The BB10 is available now in the U.S. It has a 100-square- inch head size, a strung weight of 10.9 ounces, and a head-light balance. Suggested retail is $160 (with a minimum advertised price of $139). The line is the first racquet series to carry the Boris Becker name. “I have put all my personal tennis knowled ge and many years of expe- rience into the creation and development that you will find in this new racquet series,” says Becker, who is also a co-owner of Völkl Tennis GmbH. “From the recreational club player to the tournament-level play- er, every style will find a suitable racquet in this new range.” The BB series is designed to complement the Völkl DNX racquet series, says Sarah Maynard, director of marketing and promotions for Völkl Tennis. “DNX racquets are still a very la rge focus,” with minimum advertised prices (MAP) of $150 and higher, she says. “The BB line will have MAP prices between $100 and $150.” For more information, call 603-298-0314, email [email protected], or visit www.volkl.com.

November/December 2005 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 15

INDUSTRYNEWS

Tennis Industry Association UPDATE CARDIO TENNIS The official consumer launch of Cardio Tennis (www.CardioTennis.com) took place dur- ing the US Open, with fitness guru Denise Austin, Mary Joe Fernandez, Wayne Bryan and his sons, Bob and Mike, the Cleveland Clinic, plus many media representatives. Arti- cles and ads are set to appear in many consumer publications. To date, 3,000 DVDs have been requested and distributed to teaching pros and facilities across the country and more than 800 facilities have gone through the approval process to become an official Cardio Tennis site. A partner’s website was designed for the industry to use— www.Partners.CardioTennis.com—which includes a tools section with web banners, logos and marketing material; curriculum section with animated drills and video, plus a Health Beat section with a health & fitness guide. CARDIO TENNIS WORKSHOPS TIA Staff and Cardio Tennis Speakers Teams have presented 25 workshops to nearly 700 tennis teachers. The four-hour training sessions include seminars and on-court demonstrations and approaches. More workshops are scheduled for the remainder of 2005, including Michigan in November and Fort Lauderdale in December. TENNIS WELCOME CENTERS With great exposure of www.TennisWelcomeCenter.com during the US Open and US Open Series, in addition to the continuing industry support on racquet hangtags, tennis ball cans, shoe box inserts, etc., the Tennis Welcome Center website saw a record num- ber of hits during 2005 and facilities reported an increase in consumer interest. A toll- free nationwide customer service line was added and improved website enhancements, giving TWCs an opportunity to provide program information and receive feedback. An email postcard feature allowed TWCs to receive a record 8,000 direct contacts from the consumer.The renewal process for 2006 begins in December with a new marketing campaign under way and lesson plan: Learn to Play Tennis Fast. GROWING TENNIS 50/50 More than 100 entrepreneurs took advantage of the extra marketing dollars available from the USTA/TIA Co-op program to help promote tennis to new adult and junior play- ers. Approved facilities can receive $500 to $5,000 in matching advertising/promotional dollars to reach new players. Visit www.GrowingTennis.com. TENNISCONNECT.ORG In one seven-week period alone, more than 100,000 online court bookings took place, and the testimonials continue to roll-in on how the player-match engine, court sched- uler, program calendar and online registration system have been successful additions for both members and facility operators. Visit www.TennisConnect.org. TENNISWIRE.ORG Featuring industry news from TIA members and affiliates, www.TennisWire.org has expanded its frequency and is electronically distributed to more than 12,000 industry contacts in addition to tennis writers and publications. RESEARCH The most comprehensive single-sport participation study—the U.S. Tennis Participation Study—is under way for the fourth consecutive year.With 25,500 telephone interviews starting and follow-up interviews with 1,500 players, former players and non-players, Sports Marketing Surveys and The Taylor Research & Consulting Group have combined efforts to produce the largest report of its kind to measure tennis participation in the United States.

November/December 2005 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 17 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2005 Tennis Groups Rally

NEWS Community Tennis Development Workshop Set for California in February For Hurricane Victims any associations and companies he theme for the 2006 Community Tennis Development Workshop, “Heroes involved in tennis donated to INDUSTRY Among Us,” is designed to honor those who have shaped community tennis. And, T Mrelief efforts for Hurricane Katrina if the last few years are any guide, the upcoming CTDW will continue the tradition victims. The USTA announced that it will of shaping tennis in communities around the country. donate $500,000 from the US Open pro- By many accounts, the CTDW, which will be Feb. 3-5 at the Renaissance Holly- ceeds to the Red Cross effort. In addi- wood Hotel in Hollywood, Calif., is one of the mo st impactful in terms of educating, tion, donations were taken on-site from informing, and inspiring those who actually deliver tennis programs at the grassroots fans. Other relief efforts include: level. For the last few years, the event has been growing in popularity and atten- Tecnifibre has donated racquets, dance. Last year, the CTDW, held in Destin, Fla., brought in nearly 700 people from string, grips, bags, and tennis balls to around the country. Now, officials at the USTA are realizing how important this con- the Tulane University men’s and ference is—and can be—to growing the game, so they’re planning on ramping up the women’s tennis teams, which have promotion of the event. relocated to Texas A&M University. T he 2006 CTDW will feature a full lineup of educa- “Our teams got out of New Orleans tional sessions, designed for anyone who is involved with essentially with overnight bags and the Community Tennis Associations, tennis facilities, public clothes on their backs,” says David parks, teaching and coaching tennis, and more. Negotia- Schumacher, Tulane’s head women’s tions are pending at press time for keynote speaker Jim coach. “Tecnifibre has generously MacLaren (who also spoke at the USA Tennis Teachers offered what we need to get back in the Conference in August in New York), a motivational and game.” inspirational speaker who appeared on the Oprah Win- Prince Sports has donated nearly frey Show in September (right). $50,000 worth of apparel to hurricane Regist ration details were still being worked out at victims, and the manufacturer also has press time, but visit www.usta.com for more information. USTA launched a program through its dealers called "Demo For Relief,” in which par- ticipating dealers who require racquet demo fees have been asked to donate the money. "We encourage all tennis enthusiasts to demo a racquet and help make a difference in the lives of those affected," says Prince USA President Doug Fonte. USPTA is asking for donations to assist its member tennis-teaching pro- fessionals and their families. Many not only lost their jobs, but they also lost their homes. Donations may be made at the www.uspta.com. Donations of cash or assistance with temporary or permanent jobs will be accepted by the USPTA World Headquarters and distrib- uted by the USPTA's Southern and Florida divisions and districts. Employ- ers with job openings should contact Fred Burdick in the USPTA Southern Division, at [email protected]. The USTA Southern Section is donating at least $100,000 to help with tennis-related relief and recovery efforts, including the rebuilding and repairing of damaged facilities, assis- tance to displaced tennis pros and the re-establishment of adult and junior USTA programs at temporary sites.

18 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY November/December 2005

TALK TO TENNIS RETAILERS and others in this business about Babolat North AmericaBs general manager Max Brownlee and the same phrases keep popping up: @professionalA @honestA @high standardsA @great productsA @man of his wordA @industry leaderA Brownlee is not a flashy character. He seems to like letting others receive the credit. But as the driving force behind Babolat in North America in terms of sales, marketing, and distribution, Brownlee has overseen, even choreographed, what many industry-watchers say is a “phenomenon.” The French company Babolat was the first to make strings for tennis racquets, back in 1875, and the brand has been well-known in the U.S. and globally for its popular VS Gut. Racquets were ad ded much later, first in Europe, then in the U.S. market, and that’s where Brownlee’s genius comes in. The Babolat Pure Drive frame was introduced in the U.S. five years ago, and from having no market share in rac- which is headquartered in Boulder, Colo., in 2000. quets in 2000, Babolat “is closing in on 19 percent” market Brownlee is typically modest when recalling that launch, share today, says Brownlee, the fastest growth ever in the attributing the racquet’s success to two words: “Andy U.S. market. By any measure, that is a phenomenon. Just Roddick.” before this year’s US Open, Babolat introduced its first ten- “We were very fortunate when we introduced the rac- nis shoe to the U.S., partnering with another longtime quet, because Roddick started his phenomenon at the same French company, Michelin. time,” says Brownlee. “People would say, ‘Andy’s doing But Babolat’s story in North well, and he’s playing with a racquet we’ve never heard of.’ Max Brownlee Bs America is about more than just It brought so much awareness that junior players started product that appears to jump off calling us.” TIPS FOR SUCCESS retailers’ shelves. As the compa- At that time, Babolat had about 150 dealers in the U.S, Q Build a solid foundation that ny’s front man in the U.S., Brown- says Brownlee. “We weren’t a racquet you could easily find stresses long-term growth and success. lee is well-respected for what he in the marketplace. At the beginning, the Pure Drive Q Support the people, and retailers, does within the industry, for pro- became known as a junior racquet. It took a couple of years that supported you early on. tecting his retailers, for controlling for the Pure Drive to become a real name out there,” he Q Do your homework before intro- product distribution. And for 2005, says. Gradually, more top players started using the Pure ducing new products, so as not Brownlee is RSI’s Person of the Drive. (Currently, Roddick, Rafael Nadal, Kim Clijsters, Mar- to overwhelm retailers. Year. iano Puerta, Ivan Ljubicic, Nadia Petrova, and Fernando Brownlee’s involvement in ten- Gonzalez, among others, play with Babolat frames.) nis began decades ago, as a USPTA teaching professional. The Pure Drive racquet, after its introduction in April He was with Wilson Racquet Sports for nine years, then 2000, spent nearly 2-1/2 years working its way to No. 1 in with Prince for 14 years. He joined Babolat North America, terms of dollars in pro/specialty stores in the U.S., accord-

20 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY November/December 2005 ing to data from Sports Marketing Surveys USA. It hit the Babolat now has more than 700 authorized racquet deal- top position in September 2002 and, over the next three ers in the U.S., says Brownlee. “We’re a very profitable years, has held a firm grip on No. 1 (with the exception brand for retailers,” he says. “We don’t change our racquet of two months: February 2003 and April 2005)—an line on a frequent basis, and that’s been very important for unprecedented 34 months as the top-selling racquet at retailers. [Company President] Eric Babolat and senior pro/specialty shops. management [in France] have entrusted in me when we Behind the scenes of the racquet launch was Brown- feel we need to bring racquets into the U.S. lee, controlling the distribution, “This summer, we working with marketing director didn’t introduce any rac- Marc Pinsard, and protecting both quets in the U.S., while all price and, at the time, his relatively the other brands did,” he small but loyal retailer following. continues. “Our philoso- Industry-watchers say the slow phy is that unless there’s buildup and sustained peak in sales, a reason to introduce a atypical for racquet introductions new racquet, we won’t. today, was due to a couple of factors. Dealers appreciate that.” First, Babolat was new to the racquet This “cleanness” of business in the U.S. and Brownlee product line is appealing was carefully building up his network to retailers. “Max goes of top-quality distributors. Second, against the norm of the and possibly more important, way the business has Brownlee kept his efforts—and that tended to operate,” says of his retailers—focused on the Pure Dale Queen of Your Serve Drive; he didn’t bring other racquet Tennis in Atlanta. “As far models to the U.S. market. as distribution and price, “Max truly understands how to they keep the product market his racquets in this country,” very clean, and they stay says Mark Mason of Mason’s Tennis with product longer, pick- Mart in New York City. “By opening ing and choosing dealers up only a few accounts the first cou- that will represent their ple of years, Babolat became so product favorably, as important to each account that we all opposed to just being felt the need to give it maximum sold on price. If other exposure. I love how he views Babo- companies had [the Pure lat as a specialty-only brand, and Drive] racquet, they’d how he understands the need to have gotten rid of it or have every account hold prices.” changed it somehow.” And when it comes to holding prices, Brownlee says the in particular a man- company is taking the ufacturer’s “mini- same controlled distribu- mum advertised tion approach to its new price,” or MAP, shoe line that it did for its

Brownlee is a cham- Babolat VS Pure Drive racquet pion among special- launch. “We now have a ty retailers. MAP little over 125 dealers in the U.S. for the Team policies allow local All Court shoe,” he says. “In 2006, we’ll intro- retail stores to main- duce a slightly larger line, and expand to about tain margins and 300 dealers. We’re taking it slow because we compete against want to make sure Babolat shoes are going to larger stores and be received well by the retailer and con- internet retailers. sumer.” Babolat recently Industry insiders say that under Brownlee, won a court case Michelin North America Babolat is forcing other manufacturers— against a California company that went against Babolat’s whether consciously or not—to take a hard look at how MAP policy, and Brownlee says they’re currently pursuing they’re doing business in the U.S., and how they relate to another U.S. company. “We have an advertising policy, and their retailers. we’re a strong believer that if you have one, you should “Max,” says Queen, “is certainly a leader in this busi- enforce it,” he says. ness, not a follower.” —Peter Francesconi

November/December 2005 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 21 a small business, con- quet World—whose website, www.tennisplaza.com, WHEN IT COMES TO OPERATING ventional wisdom says success is all about location. But you launched recently—also is the official stringer for the don’t have to convince specialty retailer Leon Echevarria of Orange Bowl Junior Tournament. And the store, in con- Racquet World in Miami. A decision to relocate his shop has junction with some of its vendors, supports 12 to 15 leagues turned an already successful business into one of South and local tournaments. Florida’s tennis retail meccas. “Leon runs an effective business and he really under- Racquet World’s growth has led it to become so well- stands customer service,” says Greg Mason, the director of respected and successful—its merchandising, customer ser- marketing and pro/specialty sales at Head/Penn. “He’s also vice, community outreach and promotions are top-notch—that it’s been named RSI’s Pro/Specialty Retail- er of the Year. Three years ago, however, the business was at a cross- roads. “In order to really take a step up and make a differ- ence in the business, we had to make some changes,” Echevarria says. He opted to shake things up and relocate his business from its old home in the fa r corner of a strip mall to a location about a mile away, just off of Highway US1, and its thousands of potential drive-by customers. “I thought to myself, I can either stay at this level my whole life or try to make a move to the big time,” says Echevarria (at right in inset), who owns the store with his brother, Felipe (left). “I am getting smarter as I go.” The new locale allowed him to up the size of the shop from 1,800 to 2,800 square feet and add about 30 percent more one of the nicest guys you’ll ever merchandise to the sales floor. meet.” But Echevarria didn’t stop there. Inside the shop, however, is where To further heighten Racquet World’s Echevarria truly shines. A knowledge- profile, he asked one of his cus- able, exemplary, full-time staff of tomers—who happened to be a marketing executive for the nine, a focus on customer service, and some unexpected Nasdaq-100 pro tennis tournament—about potential part- personal touches keep his customers coming back. nership ideas. Today, Racquet World is the official store of Racquet World makes keeping its customers happy—no- the Nasdaq-100 (Racquet World operates a 1,500-square- hassle returns, warranties, and even restringing for free are foot retail space at the tournament site), with an exclusive standard policies—a priority, right down to the snazzy, per- deal to sell racquets, strings, sonalized peel-off labels with the store’s logo that come bags, and accessories during the with every string job. “It looks very professional, and peo- Racquet WorldBs event. pl e are always impressed,” Echevarria says. TIPS FOR SUCCESS “This also brings a lot business “We take our stringing business seriously,” says Q Do everything within your to the store year-round, and it Echevarria. “It’s the foundation of our store. A happy string- power to please customers. gives us a lot of credibility,” says ing customer has to come into the store once to drop off the Q Partner with vendors to support Echevarria, who sponsors or racquet then again to pick it up, so you have two chances local leagues and tournaments. to interact with him.” Racquet World strings about 50 rac- The exposure you’ll gain could donates prizes to a bevy of small- be immeasurable. er tournaments and leagues quets a day, on three Babolat Sensor machines. Echevarria Q Great merchandise displays, throughout the year as well. “So himself is a Master Racquet Technician. and a clean store, will keep many people from all over the For one industry insider, though, the “how” of Echevar- customers coming back. world are in the area, we just had ria’s success is a no-brainer. “I’ve seen a lot of retailers to be a strong part of the event.” come and go,” says Ana April, sales rep for Prince in the For further branding, Echevarria gives away a free T-shirt Southeast, who’s worked with Echevarria from the day he with every purchase during the Nasdaq-100, which creates opened his doors in 1990. “He’s got one of the most suc- customer loyalty. cessful businesses I’ve ever seen in Florida, and he’s built it But Echevarria also goes beyond the big pro event. Rac- up from ground zero. He’s the best.” —Mitch Rustad

22 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY November/December 2005 SALT & PEPPER BEN & JERRY GOLF & TENNIS? Though often still linked by their country-club rep- utations, golf and tennis aren't exactly the yin and yang items they once were. More often, they seem at odds with one another these days, competing for their shares of America's recreational dollars, television rat- ings, and overall popularity. But don't tell the folks at Golfsmith—they won't hear a word of it. In 2003, the San Francisco-based golf retailer acquired six of the area's best-known chain stores, Don Sherwood's Golf and Tennis World, with an eye toward expanding their Bay- area business. Ironically, Golfsmith believed that its ideal doubles partner—or should we say twosome?—was tennis. Retailer/Mass Merchant of the Year Award. “Tennis is a natural complement to our Looking into 2006 and beyond , company officials national golf business,” says Jim Thompson are convinced they can bring a specialty retail (right), president and CEO of Golfsmith, a approach to a nationwide consumer base. portfolio company of Atlantic Equity Part- “We believe the tennis retail market is very simi- ners III, L.P., a fund operated by First lar to the golf retail market in that there is a strong Atlantic Capital, Ltd. base of dedicated players, a fragmented national And Thompson isn’t kidding. By fall retail market, and the absence of a true national spe- 2005, 32 Golfsmith stores across the coun- cialty brand,” says Thompson. “After serving tennis try were showcasing the finest tennis products on the mar- consumers for decades in the San Fran cisco Bay ket, part of a new store-within-a-store concept to Area, we are convinced that this is a viable national market adequately show off the sport. The ultimate goal? “To with real revenue-generating potential.” “Nobody does it all at a national level,” says Corey. “There are some great local retailers, but our real goal is to become the first multi-channel tennis specialty retailer in the U.S.” For now, Golfsmith has stores in 14 states. “We already cover a lot of metro areas,” says Corey, “but it’s not like we have a GolfsmithBs thousand stores across the coun- TIPS FOR SUCCESS try. We’ve got a lot of room for growth. Eventually, I’d love to Q Go beyond the business and support industry initiatives to retrofit tennis into 100 to 200 of help grow the game. our existing golf stores.” Q Customer-friendly features, such But perhaps more importantly as a demo program, certified for the sport of tennis, Golfsmith stringers, and 24-hour turn- is clearly interested in being a around for stringing, go a long good industry citizen. “I’ve been way to building customer super-pleased with Golfsmith and loyalty. the way they’ve been reaching out Q Get the best employees you to the tennis community,” says can. “We’re a specialty retail- er,” says Corey. You have to become the Home Depot of specialty tennis retailers,” says Kevin Ke mpin of Head/Penn. have the best people, so they Golfsmith’s recent participa- Matt Corey, the company's vice president of can really explain the game to tion in the Tennis Industry Associ- marketing. customers.” Golfsmith’s growth and commitment to tennis—along ation meetings during the US with its customer-friendly features such as certified racquet Open shows “they’re not just stringers, 24-hour stringing services, a demo racquet pro- coming into tennis with just a profit mentality,” says gram, Golfsmith Gift Cards, and special financing pro- Kempin. “They want to understand the sport and support grams—have earned the company RSI’s 2005 Chain our initiatives and help grow the game.” —Mitch Rustad

November/December 2005 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 23 about online And TW offers more than simply the ability to order rac- PASSIONS RUN HIGH WHEN TALKING retailing in the tennis business. Many traditional brick-and- quets, shoes, apparel, and other equipment online. For mortar store owners who are not also selling on the inter- instance, TW has a racquet demo program that consumers net obviously feel it cuts into their business, while those rave about. Customers can demo up to four frames for a successfully selling online see internet retailing as a logical week, paying just the two-day freight costs. “It offers con- extension. But there is no denying that online retailing can, venience and se lection that you can’t find anywhere else,” indeed, be big business in this industry. says Munster, who came up with the program. TW also does all its own racquet and shoe playtests and does its own measuring and specifications for racquets. The company uses string test data provided by the U.S. Racquet Stringers Association, and at any one time, there are more than 20 Master Racquet Technicians on staff, with new stringers coming up the ladder, their sights set on taking the MRT test. Consumer education is a big deal for TW, and the web- site’s “Learning Center,” created and constantly updated by TW’s president, Don Hightower, is packed with infor- mation, from how to customize a racquet, to proper footwear and apparel sizing, to understanding the latest racquet technologies, and more. “People come to Tennis Warehouse as an information source, as much as to pur- chase product,” says Hightower. Also important to Tennis Warehouse—and to its web- site visitors—is “Talk Tennis,” which the com- pany says is the most active tennis equipment message board in the world, with an average of 10,000 posts per Those successfully selling online are doing month and more than 30,000 page views more than just moving product, per day. “A big part of what we do though. They’re changing the is listen to our customers,” nature of retailing in the tennis says Hightower, adding that business. And no online retailer has that’s simply what suc- had a greater impact than Tennis Warehouse, which is why cessful brick-and-mortar shops do, too. the company based in San Luis Obispo, Calif., has been cho- But Tennis Warehouse, and other online retailers, are to sen as RSI’s Online Retailer of the Year, the first time we’ve some extent forcing change on the tennis retailing business. given an award in this category. “We react very quickly to changes in the market,” says Tennis Warehouse was started by Drew Munster in 1992 Munster. “I think we’ve simply increased the pace in which as a 500-square-foot specialty tennis shop in San Luis Obis- business is done. The whole point po, where TW still maintains a storefront. Prior to that, is to build a better mousetrap, Munster (above) had founded ComputerWare in Palo Alto, and that’s what we’ve tried to do. Tennis Calif., which became the largest Apple Macintosh-only deal- “It all comes down to execu- WarehouseBs er in the U.S. and earned the No. 5 spot on Inc. Magazine’s tion, at all levels,” he continues. TIPS FOR SUCCESS “We try to have the right prod- 1990 list of 500 fastest-growing companies in America, Q Actively interact with, and lis- with a five-year growth of 21,900 percent. ucts and do a good job with peo- ten to, your customers. “Tennis Warehouse really started more or less as a soft- ple’s orders. As unglamorous as it Q Be an information source for ware project for me,” says Munster, the owner and CEO, may be, it’s a simple execution your customers. Help them who wrote the software that continues to run TW. “The idea model at all levels: details, details, understand the new technolo- was to sell the software, rather than grow the business that details. We’re more interested in gies, the details about racquets ran it, but at a certain point I saw more of an opportunity in what our customers think of us and customization, etc. the [Tennis Warehouse] business than in selling the soft- than what our competitors think Q At all levels, pay attention to ware.” In 1995, www.tennis-warehouse.com was launched, of us. Ours is a story of momen- the execution of your business, and pay attention to the and full online ordering was made available in 1998. tum, rather than of overnight suc- details. Now, TW has up to 120 employees during high season. cess.” —Peter Francesconi

24 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY November/December 2005 stringing and one works for Players Choice and RacquetMaxx is either an TALK TO BOB PATTERSON ABOUT thing is immediately clear. “Everything we do is built on MRT or in training to be one.” (Patterson also administers consistency,” he says. That word—“consistency”—sneaks MRT tests in his area.) in everywhere. Patterson, of Birmingham, Ala., even has Helping the RacquetMaxx team, especially when it his customers using it. comes to matching racquets, are the USRSA’s Stringer’s “The consistency is wonderful,” says recreational player Digest and online tools available to USRSA members at Jim Perry of nearby Hoover, Ala., of Patterson’s stringing www.racquettech.com. “That website is pre tty much up on expertise. “You know that when you take your racquet in, our computer at all times,” Patterson says. it’s going to be exactly the same every time.” RacquettMaxx (www.racquetmaxx.com) not only has Patterson has been stringing racquets—consistently— tons of local business for three decades. And it’s his consistency in all aspects of (normal turnaround the business that has earned him RSI’s 2005 Stringer of the is 24 hours), but Year honors. players also send Patterson says he kind of fell into stringing. “My first job him frames from out of high school was overseeing the public tennis courts,” around the country, he says. “Players there wanted to get their racquets strung. even internationally I knew nothing about it, but I got some information, (generally, Patterson ordered a stringing machine, and started stringing.” says, the frames ship After graduating from the University of Alabama at out within 24 hours). Birmingham, he kept stringing because he couldn’t find Fees vary according anyone to string his own racquets. “I invested about $1,000 to string type, but in a machine and string, and I was overwhelmed with busi- labor, without string, ness,” Patterson says. “My plan was to recoup the costs in is $18, sometimes a year, but I recouped it in six weeks.” higher at tourna- In 1992, Patterson, at the urging of his wife, Pam, ments. “We never moved his growing business out of the house and opened a discount strings, and retail shop, Players Choice Tennis (which last year was we never discount named RSI’s Pro/Speciality Retailer of the Year). Later that racquet service,” year, to differentiate between the retail shop and the string- says Patterson. ing business, Patterson created a racquet customization “When I first business, RacquetMaxx, whic h shares space with the retail started, I decided that to be the best I could be, I was not operation. Currently, he has three Babolat stringing going to try to be competitive based on price—there’s machines in the shop and three more that he and his team always someone willing to do it cheaper,” he says. “That travel with. didn’t help things take off real rapidly, but over the years, Patterson estimates that RacquetMaxx does 7,000 to it’s paid dividends.” 8,000 frames a year. Patterson And, of course, “It’s all about consistency,” Patterson Bob PattersonBs himself will string 75 to 80 rac- says. “I have guys who want to join the team and tell me quets each week, and he’ll pull in how fast they can string, but I want to know if they can TIPS FOR SUCCESS personally trained racquet tech- repeat the results time and again. And that comes from Q To help service your customers, nicians when business is heavy, being methodical, even down to the most ridiculous keep a thorough database on or for stringing at pro events and nuance, which customers do notice.” your clients and their equip- Some of those nuances, says Patterson, include always ment. other tourna ments. Before Rac- Q For stringing and customization, quetMaxx technicians ever touch mounting the racquet with the butt cap facing up. “We also take full advantage of the tools a client’s frame, they’ll string put a sticker on the frame, in exactly the same place every offered by the USRSA. well over 500 racquets. “We have time. And we put the racquet in a plastic bag.” Patterson Q And, as if you need to ask, it’s a pretty extensive, 12-week train- uses a Babolat RDC machine extensively, including record- all about consistency. ing program,” Patterson says. ing the string-bed deflection on each freshly-strung frame. “Then we have the new techni- RacquetMaxx also keeps a database on clients and their cians stringing all the demo racquets. racquet and string specs. “During training, they hear the word ‘consistency’ so “Whether they’re a recreational player or a top touring much that they probably want to throw something at me,” pro, they want to get the most out of their equipment,” Pat- he adds. “The finale is to prepare to take the Master Rac- terson says. “And t hat’s where consistency really counts.” quet Technician (MRT) test from the USRSA. Everyone who —Peter Francesconi

November/December 2005 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 25 of Pompano Beach, Fla., in his l ast year at the University of Central Florida. FOR THE FASTDRY COMPANIES it's not just about family values, it's about valuing the fam- “The sons are very involved in the business,” says Randy ily. Steven Dettor started the business in 1981, and now, Futty, the director of sales for Lee Tennis. “They’re just a with three of his five sons involved in the company—and a great group of folks, and really quality-driven, too. good chance the other two may join soon—the business is “I’ve been with Lee Tennis for 12 years, and Fast-Dry booming. has consistently been one of the best builders, if not the “It's great to have my sons involved,” says Dettor. “It makes everything a heck of a lot easier.” But family involvement isn't the only thing that makes the Fast- Dry Companies a success. Fast-Dry's quality of work, customer service, and well-trained staff all add up to a business that many court construction firms should emulate. All those reasons, and more, have led RSI to pick the Fast- Dry Companies as our 2005 Builder/Contractor of the Year. As its name implies, Fast-Dry is actual- ly two companies. Dettor (right) started Fast-Dry Corp., a nationwide court supply company, in 1981. (Prior to that, he was the general manager of a paving company based in Fort Lauderdale, where he had started a tennis division.) “After I started Fast-Dry, I saw a tremendous need for construction,” says Dettor. “There just wasn't a lot of quality work going on at that time. So three or four years later, I got best builder, in the country,” heavily into construction.” And that’s when he started Fast- Futty adds. “They do great work, Dry Courts Inc. Now, the supply company employs about they have gr eat follow-up sup- 30 people, and the court-building side has about seven. port, and they have a really well- “Everything that I do has to trained, experienced staff.” do with people,” Dettor says. “I Dettor says that Fast-Dry does FastDryBs have four really great foremen, between 100 and 150 courts TIPS FOR SUCCESS all of whom have been with me a (including the courts at Woodfield Country Club, shown Q Success is all about attitude. long time. And I have a tremen- above), and about 80 percent of them are clay, with the rest “You need to like what you’re dous salesman in Frank hard courts. Currently, they’re working on the 15 clay doing,” says Dettor. Froehling, who’s been with us for courts at the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club in Florida. Stay with it through both the Q four years. “Fast-Dry is a perennial winner in our ASBA a wards pro- good and bad times, and you’ll “But also, I’m fortunate that I gram,” says Carol Hogan, executive vice president of the usually end up on top. have three of my sons in the American Sports Builders Association. “And the Dettors are Q Be upfront and honest with cus- tomers, and give them a realis- business right now,” he adds. well-respected by their peers. They say what they mean tic construction schedule. The oldest son, Steve, recently and do what they say.” Q Create a partnership with cus- received his MBA from the Whar- “We have great products,” says Dettor. “There’s no tomers. “We don’t want them ton School of Business and is question that we have a tremendous relationship with Lee as a one-timer,” says Dettor. considering coming into the fam- Tennis, NovaSports, and RLS Lighting, and that has helped “Over the long term, we want ily business. make us successful.” to sell them supplies and take The next oldest, Todd, is the But for the patriarch of the family, it all boils down to care of their courts.” company’s vice president of one thing: “We have what you would call ‘experience,’” sales for hard and soft courts. Dettor says. “We know what to expect and how to save the Trimmer is the vice president of the supply division, David customer money that others may not know about. That’s is a superintendent in the field, and the youngest, Daniel, is the No. 1 thing we’re really selling.” —Peter Francesconi

26 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY November/December 2005 in the South- Parks program. To each location, Ruane brought cases of IN PARTS OF THE NAVAJO RESERVATION western U.S., tennis is an esteemed sport to the area’s char- balls, racquets, nets, reading material, and videotapes. acteristically athletic population. Shirley Ruane, a Page, “What we bring stays there,” she says. “Tennis in the Parks Ariz., tennis teaching pro and coach who has worked with donated a lot of the equipment.” many Navajo youngsters, sees the future of tennis in the The outreach activities have left a mark on the commu- reservation’s youth. nities Ruane visited. Today, two of those towns, Kaibeto “They are so athletic, and so interested,” says Ruane. “If they have the opportunity to be trained, we’ll see them at the US Open.” For nearly a decade, Ruane has played a key role in bringing tennis opportunities to this expansive yet under- served population. For her dedication, Ruane has been named RSI’s 2005 Grassroots Champion of the Year. Ruane’s history with tennis began in earnest in 1996, when she and her sister, Barbara Campbell, responded to an advertisement inviting anyone interested in tennis o t attend a meeting. The sisters thought the meeting would be about tennis lessons, but it turned out to be an organiza- tional meeting for the Lake Powell Community Tennis Asso- ciation, of which Ruane is now president. To learn the game, Ruane and Campbell took private tennis lessons and attended clinics. Four years later, Ruane became a certified teaching professional with the PTR. Today, the LPCTA’s programs draw excited youngsters from Navajo reservation communities and other locations within a 50-mile radius of Page. Particularly popular is the free “Before-School Tennis” program held on Wednesdays (with the exception of rainy days), when up to 30 children can Shirley RuaneBs be found on the public courts TIPS FOR SUCCESS across the street from the Page Q Collaborate with community High School, where Ruane is also organizations that have connec- the coach of the boys’ and girls’ tions to your target audience, tennis teams. and Tuba City, are working toward constructing tennis such as schools and youth With such an enthusiastic fol- courts. And Ruane, with help from volunteers including groups. lowing, not even cold weather some of the high school students she coaches, strives to Q Seek support from your USTA and snow will stop morning play, keep a tennis tradition growing. “When we go out on the district or section—they can per request of the children. “I reservations, we focus also on the adults so that they can point you in the direction of remember one morning when teach the young people when we’re not there,” she says. grants, workshops, etc. to help the court was covered with ice, so Ruane received the 2004 USTA Eve F. Kraft Community advance your program. instead of playing tennis, we Service Award for her grassroots efforts. “The thing that Q For help with obtaining equip- ment for your program, contact skated on our shoes,” says impressed me is that she’s doing what she’s doing for all organizations with resources Ruane. “They just want to be the right reasons, and that makes me feel really good that allocated to support public there. They just love it.” Ruane we have people out there like Shirley,” says Kirk Anderson, parks tennis and tennis for brings coats, some donated and the USTA’s director of Recreational Coac hes and Programs. underserved populations. some she has purchased herself, And while Ruane’s efforts provide a sturdy foundation Q If you don’t have permanent to the court for children who for tennis development on the Navajo Reservation, she rec- courts to work with, create your arrive without one. ognizes that it will take even more to help the population own using portable nets. Ruane also has focused her leave their mark on the sport, including facilities and other energies on outreach to the youth trained individuals to work with them. “That’s what we are of Navajo communities not served in Page. This past sum- struggling to get out there,” she says. “It’s going to take mer, she presented tennis clinics in six communities on the interested outsiders that have money that can contribute to reservation, with support from the USTA’s Tennis in the the development of the sport.” —Kristen Daley

November/December 2005 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 27 there’s Another popular program is a tournament play camp, WHEN IT COMES TO JUNIOR TENNIS PLAYERS no doubt that Wayne St. Peter knows what he’s doing. Over designed for high school tennis players looking to break the past 11 years, he has worked with about 8,000 young into the upper echelon of their varsity team. “Coming up tennis players. And it’s due to his dedication to junior play- with creative ideas like that is what makes us successful,” ers, and his influence on the growth of the sport in south- says St. Peter. ern Maine, that RSI has chosen St. Peter as our 2005 Junior St. Peter says one of his greatest rewards has been Development Champion. St. Peter has been coaching tennis since 1986, when he volunteered as assistant coach of the Portland High School men’s team. “We took a 1-9 team and turned them around to a 9-1 team in one season,” says St. Peter. “At that point, I knew I wanted to get into coaching.” St. Peter is the founder of St. Peter’s Grand Slam Tennis Camp, which serves about 400 juniors and 250 adults each summer at 12 locations in southern Maine. “We not only have our own facility, but we also travel to outside areas because it’s important to be seen and be noticed,” says St. Peter, adding with a laugh, “It’s a traveling road show.” The week-long junior camps for players ages 8 to 18 run between three and six hours a day, five days a week, and offer lessons and match-play opportunities. The goal of the program, St. Peter says, is not only to teach children the game, but also to make them eager to keep playing. The program, he notes, has attracted players not only from Maine, but also from as far away as Florida and Kentucky. In the mornings, there is a focus on player development through drills, games and other techniques, before campers go Wayne St PeterBs to eat lunch with the pros. “In TIPS FOR SUCCESS the afternoon, we give them Q Volunteer your services in pub- organized play,” says St. Peter. lic, such as in schools and at “They naturally like that com- company wellness fairs. petitiv.”eness Q Be consistent with name One of the keys to St. Peter’s watching his own daughters, Amanda, 24, and Kristen, 22, recognition in marketing your success is persistence. “You create their own paths in tennis coaching. Amanda is head program. always have to find a way to coach of the Portland High School girls’ tennis team, and Q Get your name out in the com- Kristen oversees the Grand Slam Tennis Camp’s Pee Wee munity. Utilize free advertising improve what you do,” he says, outlets, such as public access adding that he allows his division for children ages 4 to 7. television channels and news- instructors to use their creativi- St. Peter is Maine’s only PTR Teaching Professi onal with paper bulletin boards. ty in the camps. “Once you a Pro4 rating. In addition to running his camps, he is a ten- Q Don’t be afraid to ask questions have a closed mind in this nis pro at the Portland Athletic Club in Falmouth, Maine, as of the experts, such as the TIA, sport, then you have a prob- well as the assistant men’s coach at the University of South- and take advantage of the lem.” ern Maine. As head coach of USM’s women’s tennis team resources they offer. “Wayne is an innovator,” for 11 years, he led his team to 23 singles and doubles titles Q Develop relationships in the says Dan Santorum, CEO of the at the Little East conference championships. In 2005, St. community with local business- PTR. “He likes to try new Peter was named the PTR Member of the Year for Maine es, recreation departments, etc., things.” In the junior camps, and received the TIA/PTR Commitment to the Industry which may be able to help you Award. with your program. “Tie-Break Wednesdays” are popular among participants. “Wayne has got a lot of passion for what he does,” says Pros do a tie-break exhibition Santorum. “He’s a hard worker, and he gets a lot of people for campers in the morning, and then teach them how to to participate in tennis that might not otherwise do that. play it in the afternoon. “It’s absolutely amazing what He’s well-known in the community, and that’s because he’s they’ll take and remember,” says St. Peter. so active in the community.” —Kristen Daley

28 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY November/December 2005 100 specialty retailers and keep them constantly updated and repeatedly posting a WITH A MIX OF MORE THAN seasonal accounts across Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, multi-step item on his revolving list of tasks until it is fully Head/Penn Racquet Sports district sales manager Kay Bar- resolved. ney says compulsive responsiveness is the key to staying “It’s not only my job to take an order, but also to make organized. my buyers’ businesses more profitable so they can grow,” Barney, of Littleton, Colo., returns phone calls promptly. Barney says. There is a social aspect to his sales calls, but He arrives at appointments on time with thoughtfully pre- Barney is more concerned with maximizing his clients’ pared presentations. He takes elaborate notes before, dur- ing, and after meetings in his day planner, which he carries with him everywhere. And he follows through on promises. A self-described “nothing fancy guy,” 45-year-old Barney takes pride in sticking to the basics. That is precisely why clients like Steve Vorhaus, owner of Rocky Mountain Racquet Specialists in Boulder, Colo., enjoy doing business with him. Barney’s reputation for fair- ness and industry excellence has also been acknowledged in the form of awards: 1993 Sales Rep of the Year for Prince; 2001 Sales Rep of the Year for Head/Penn Racquet Sports; and 2003 inductee into the Head/Penn Sports Sales Hall of Fame. And now he can add another accolade: Barney is RSI’s 2005 Sales Rep of the Year. “Kay is the paragon of what a professional sales rep should be,” says Vorhaus, who has worked with Barney for more than 15 years. “One of the reasons I do as much busi- ness with Head/Penn as I do is because of him. Kay under- stands the tenuous relationship between working for a manufacturer while keeping the customer happy, and he time with a clear meeting objective, customized new prod- represents both parties honestly. He’s really interested in uct presentation, and as much time for listening as his buy- the success of the industry.” ers desire. Greg Mason, director of sales “People don’t natur ally tend to be good listeners, but Kay BarneyBs and marketing for Head/Penn, that’s how you gain tons of information,” he says. “It’s agrees that Barney’s attention to important to key in to what their needs are, instead of TIPS FOR SUCCESS detail sets him apart. “Without deciding for yourself without knowing the full story.” Q Return phone calls the same question, he is the best indepen- Since time is a premium for all involved, Barney careful- day. dent sales rep I’ve ever worked ly evaluates a client’s needs and individual business cir- Q Do everything you say you’re going to do. with,” Mason says. “He never cumstances before arriving at a meeting armed with a Q Be honest, ethical, and sincere. drops the ball on anything he says pre-printed order form. Barney sa ys he gladly takes on this Q Keep a day planner, continually he can do.” extra step to speed and simplify the ordering process. His highlighting an item until it is A sales rep with Prince for clients also appreciate the option of either immediately resolved to prevent it from about 11 years prior to joining signing or being able to adjust the form on the spot, he falling through the cracks. Head/Penn in 1999, Barney has says. Q Approach sales meetings as a been calling on some accounts for Having earned the confidence of buyers like Vorhaus, two-way dialogue rather than his entire tenure in the tennis busi- who says he would “trust him with my life,” Barney is com- a sales pitch. You just may ness. Over that time, he says, he mitted to shouldering the resulting responsibility. After all, learn something that shapes has developed solid relation- he says, that’s one way in which so many business associ- your sales strategy—and suc- ates have become good friends over the years. cess—for years to come. ships—many of which have evolved into friendships that have “It’s not about one quick hit, loading up a client with endured long after the sale has products to make a quick commission, because I have to closed—with buyers by treating them as business partners walk in that door in a few weeks and a few weeks after rather than sources of commission, especially during the that,” Barney adds. “It’s important to really understand years when the industry has dipped. He also reacts quickly your buyers’ needs and make a plan for years to come. Fill to problems and concerns, copying clients on emails to that need, and you’ll be successful.” —Cynthia Cantrell

November/December 2005 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 29 until lar exercise. An able-bodied KARIN KORB DIDNBT PICK UP A TENNIS RACQUET Karin KorbBs friend introduced her to ten- she was 27 years old. Yet, a year later, she was among the TIPS FOR SUCCESS top four women wheel- nis. “My entire world Q Look at each day as a whole chair tennis players in changed,” she says. new adventure. the world and playing in “Karin brings a lot of profes- Q Constantly challenge and push the World Team Cup, the sionalism, a lot of enthusiasm, yourself, and make an effort to Fed Cup of wheelchair boundless energy and a big get out of your “comfort zone.” tennis. he art,” says Dan James, product Q Stay positive; forgive yourself When you see the manager of USA Tennis Wheel- your mistakes and move on. energy and determina- chair High Performance. “You tion that Korb, 37, radi- put those things together and you have someone who is ates, it’s not surprising going to move the meter in our sport.” that she made it happen. Korb has a graduate degree in sports management from “I’ve always just had a Georgia State, and she now serves as a program develop- passion for sport,” she ment manager with BlazeSports America, a comprehensive says. She was a gymnast sports and fitness program for individuals with physical dis- and aerobics instructor, abiliti es. And while Korb is modest about her accomplish- among other things, ments, those who know and work with her are quick to sing before a fall while vault- her praises. “You’re not going to find a player with a work David Kenas ing left her paralyzed at ethic like Karin’s,” says her coach, Kari Yerg. age 17. Ten years after the accident, Korb found herself Adds James, “I truly believe Karin doesn’t recognize how looking for a sport to provide a new outlet for cardiovascu- amazing she is.” —Kristen Daley

was tor at JDS, IN   THE JOHN DREW SMITH TENNIS CENTER dedicated in honor of a legendary Macon, Ga., instructor which is home who had recently passed away and had been instrumental to the Macon in the development of the 24-court facility. Smith would be Tennis Associ- proud to know how far the tennis ation. For John Drew Smith center that bears his name has instance, come. Hodge and Tennis CenterBs The facility is a haven for all Program TIPS FOR SUCCESS sorts of programming for juniors Coordinator Q Be as creative and innovative as and adults, and it is renowned for Sarah Wither- you can be. hosting local, state, and national spoon run an Q Let quality, not quantity, be events. The activity is so extensive, after-school your motivation. and the atmosphere is so conducive program with Q Be persistent and stay the to tennis, that RSI has named the a homework component, along with a course. John Drew Smith Tennis Center our Player Development Program. They’ve 2005 Municipal Facility of the Year. also partnered with schools, organized “They do a great job of programming,” says Kirk Ander- Rally Ball, and even run a church program son, the USTA’s director of Recreational Coaches and Pro- that brought 120 people to USA Tennis grams. “And the whole place is all about tennis. It’s a real 1-2-3. friendly place to be.” “I started to look at organizations and ask, why can’t we “For a city our size [population 97,000], we have a huge market to them?” says Hodge. For Hodge and the JDS, the number of programs,” says Carl Hodge (right), tennis direc- answer always seems to be, “We can.” —Mark Winters

30 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY November/December 2005

Tennis Champi- WITH THE NATIONAL PUBLIC PARKS onships coming into town in July 2005, the Greater Stam- ford Tennis Association in Stamford, Conn., wanted to put its best foot forward for the tournament and the host city. And in doing so, the GSTA made huge strides in revamping a popular public tennis facility, with a $400,000 renovation of 12 courts, lighting, and fencing that took less than a year Nicholson Chris to complete. committed to getting it done as we were,” says GSTA Pres- Scalzi Park is the hub of public park tennis in Connecti- ident Tim Curry. For both the unique process that allowed cut’s lower Fairfield Count y, but it was looking a bit run this to happen, and to a first-class result, Scalzi Park has down. Through a contract with won RSI’s inaugural Public Park of the Year Award. The city pitched in more than $100,000, and various Scalzi ParkBs the City of Stamford, the GSTA was made a general contractor of departments helped oversee the improvements. An addi- TIPS FOR SUCCESS the renovation project, allowing tional $84,000 came from the USTA’s Public Facility Fund- Q When it comes to renovations, them to put it out to bid. Stamford ing program, and funds came from USA Tennis New explore whether a pub- accepted the final renovation as a England and public and private donations. According to lic/private partnership will work. donation. “It was a little bit unique Curry, word-of-mouth was one of the most significant Q Convince the city that a healthy means of spreading the news of the renovation. park tennis program is good for in that sense, but a great example the community. of a public/private partnership,” To Marcia Bach, coordinator of Park & Recreation Ten- Q Spread the word about the ren- says Laurie Albano, Stamford’s nis for the USTA, the Scalzi Park renovation “was a template ovation project. superintendent of recreation. full of cooperation within a community structure.” “The city government was as —Kristen Daley

will be 50 years Brookhaven for 12 years, and he insists that he has one of IN   BROOKHAVEN COUNTRY CLUB old. In that time, the Dallas facility—the largest and oldest the most qualified staffs around. More than 15 pros take the in the ClubCorp time to get to know each of the 1,200 tennis members. “It’s organization (which all about building relationships, currently consists getting to know your members, BrookhavenBs of about 200 and enriching lives,” says Freer. clubs)—has certain- “When new members join, it’s our TIPS FOR SUCCESS ly learned how to job to quickly integrate them Q Provide an atmosphere of superior customer service and do things right, because it’s good for business.” attention to detail. says Ross Thorn- Brookhaven’s success is due in Q Build a qualified, knowledge- brugh, the club’s part to its “superior programs and able staff and superlative manager. match availability,” says John programs. Brookhaven’s Gilpin, vice president of Adult Pro- Q Impeccable court and facility 38 courts are grams for the Dallas Tennis Associ- maintenance is a must. impeccably main- ation. Q Keep a well-stocked, competi- tained, its tennis programs (for juniors and The club’s pro shop is one of tively priced pro shop. adults) are active and alive, the staff is the largest in north Texas. “We do well-tr ained and oriented to customer ser- about $500,000 worth of business a year and carry about vice, and the pro shop is one of the best in $120,000 to $130,000 worth of inventory,” Freer says. the country. All of which are reasons why Says Wilson rep David Blakely, “Their forward thinking, Brookhaven is RSI’s 2005 Private Facility of the Year. professionalism, and attention to customer service is what Director of Tennis Billy Freer (left) has been with every facility should strive for.” —Cynthia Sherman

32 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY November/December 2005 Baltimore Tennis for the Greater Baltimore Ten- played a huge role in the suc- AS DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS PatronsB cess of all TIA and USTA pro- nis Patrons Association Inc. (BTP), Lynn Morrell (below) says TIPS FOR SUCCESS the key to growing the game is twofold: making it affordable grams by introducing tennis to Before designing programs, and accessible for kids and adults. thousands of juniors and adults,” Q survey new and existing players says Chris Mireles, national coor- The BTP—based in Towson, Md., about which programs they and with former pro player Pam dinator for the Tennis Industry enjoy and which ones are Shriver as its honorary chairman— Association. “Hands down, Lynn missing. has succeeded in both missions. Morrell and the BTP staff run one Q Make classes and programs Since it was founded in 1973, the of the best organizations I’ve ever accessible in terms of length, BTP has served more than 100,000 worked with.” time of day, number of weeks, youth, adult, senior, and wheelchair In 2004, the BTP registered 60 etc. players in over 70 communities. neighborhood courts, schools, Q Embrace partnerships. Like the BTP, team with your local Committed to improving the and parks as Tennis Welcome park and rec to maximize Centers. This year, the BTP is quality of life for children and fami- participation. lies recreationally and educational- focusing on growing Cardio Ten- ly, the BTP uses tennis to teach life nis and continuing its commitment to underserved youth values including self-discipline, through homework support and free, year-round tennis class- physical fitness, sportsmanship, and es. Instructional programs, team tennis, competitive leagues, respect for diversity. And for its efforts, the and tournaments are also offered. Greater Baltimore Tennis Patrons is RSI’s “We pride ourselves on providing programs that fit the Community Tennis Association of the Year. needs of everyone who wants to live and breathe tennis,” “The Baltimore Tennis Patrons has Morre ll says. —Cynthia Cantrell

to stand out. about the tennis EACH OF THE  USTA SECTIONS STRIVES But being the best comes about through a combination of specific to their creativity, ingenuity, and originality, among other attributes. community.” The “With us, it’s been a building process,” says USA Tennis section runs a Florida Executive Director Doug Booth. “We don’t want to host of programs, be a good tennis association; we want to be a good non- leagues, and profit organization.” And USA more, and getting FloridaBs Tennis Florida has made novel the word out and revolutionary strides, which became a priority. TIPS FOR SUCCESS has led them to RSI’s 2005 USTA So last spring the Q Increase local support by hiring Section of the Year Award. section created community tennis coordinators. “We relocated in Daytona the new position Q Provide innovative grants to of communications coordinator. spur development of new pro- Beach a few years ago, forming a grams and reinforce old pro- partnership with the city that And in yet another innova- grams. resulted in a 24-court tennis com- tive move, “We reduced our 19 Q Have a board of directors that plex,” Booth says. “Our board of districts to eight regions to strives to be visionary and is directors had too many people to make things more manage- not afraid to try new things. make quick decisions, so they able,” says Section President Don Cleveland (above left, voted to go from 40 members to with Booth). “Also, we’ve made a concerted effort [to 22. We redu ced our by-laws from 15 to five pages.” enhance tennis in] public parks and schools.” Booth then traveled the state and discovered, “We don’t All of this is good news for tennis players, and potential do a good a good job of giving the newspapers information players, in Florida. —Mark Winters

November/December 2005 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 33 Lisa Duncan had decided all her efforts, Duncan, of AS EARLY AS KINDERGARTEN to follow in her mother’s footsteps and go into education. Lancaster, Pa., is RSI’s Then, at age 12, standing outside the tennis courts unable 2005 PTR Member of the to afford lessons, she added another goal: making tennis Year. easily available and affordable. It was the start of her love A sought-after clinician affair with the sport. and guest speaker for the “Lisa’s knowledge of teach- USTA, PTR, and other Lisa DuncanBs ing principles and of tennis is a groups, Duncan has written TIPS FOR SUCCESS powerful and effective combi- five “Teaching Tennis” cur- Q Take time to understand what nation,” says Dan Santorum, riculum books. In 1999 she students’ needs are. the CEO of the PTR. “When you received the International Q Have students actively engaged add in her passion, inspiration, Tennis Hall of Fame’s Edu- at least 90 percent of the time. and enthusiasm, you have cational Merit Award, and Q Establish a safe learning envi- in 2005 the USTA/PTR ronment so learners can take someone who is quite special.” risks and learning is actually Duncan’s philosophy is sim- Community Service Award. realized. ple. “For people to really learn Currently, Duncan works tennis, they have to be actively for the Twin Valley School engaged and moving and playing games,” she says. And District in Pennsylvania. they need to have fun, which is what Duncan has provided For Duncan, though, the thrill is in knowing that the peo- to thousands over the last 35 years. But she also teaches the ple she teaches will go out and affect the lives of thousands tea chers—as a USA Tennis National Trainer for Recreation- of children. “It’s all about the relationships,” she says. “Ten- al Coaches and a workshop developer for the PTR. And for nis is a vehicle to get to people.” —Barbara Long

was enjoying a comfortable school, runs a Saturday evening BOB REED OF EUGENE ORE career as tennis director of the Eugene Family YMCA about family lesson program, and Bob ReedBs a year and a half ago when he was inspired by the movie oversees low-fee tournaments TIPS FOR SUCCESS “The Pianist” to make changes in his lifestyle and profes- four times a year, proceeds from Q To stimulate participation in sional direction. The social which fund tennis program schol- parks programs, Reed slashed studies teacher considered arships and purchase equipment prices, lowered the minimum returning to the classroom, but for those who couldn’t otherwise age to 4, and offered multiple opted instead to refocus his afford to play. And for his selfless classes. energy on the hands-on work dedication to the sport, Reed is Q To teach pee-wee classes, that he believes is the founda- RSI’s USPTA Member of the Year. recruit high-schoolers in tion of community tennis pro- “Bob is the pied piper of com- exchange for free participation in the junior/adult class. gramming. munity tennis not only here in Q With the help of volunteers, Since that time, the 49- Eugene, but in the whole Pacific Reed provided eight weeks of Northwest,” says Tom Greider, a year-old Reed has worked as free parks summer tennis an independent contractor to fellow USPTA pro. Reed recently lessons. implement tennis programs at was honored with USPTA Star eight park sites in Lane Coun- award. ty, five of which he directs “I have a pretty conservative lifestyle so I can make it himself. He also helps run the work,” Reed says of his seven-day-a-week devotion to junior program at the Willow Creek Tennis & Sports Center empowering young people with self-esteem and life skills in Eugene, coaches the Springfield High School boys’ tennis through affordable—or free—tennis programs. “Every time team, offers free weekly clinics at an alternative high I reach a child, I succeed big time.” —Cynthia Cantrell

34 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY November/December 2005

PLAYEREQUIPMENTLOG

MEN Round Racquet Racquet String Rank Reached Player Name Country Brand Racquet Model Headsize Brand

1WRoger Federer SUI Wilson nSix-One Tour 90 Wilson/Luxilon 23Rafael Nadal ESP Babolat AeroPro Drive 100 Babolat 3 DNP Marat Safin RUS Head Liquidmetal Prestige Mid 93 Luxilon 41Andy Roddick USA Babolat Pure Drive Team + 100 Babolat 5 SF Lleyton Hewitt AUS Yonex RDX-500 90 Babolat/Luxilon 6FAndre Agassi USA Head Flexpoint Radical OS 107 Luxilon 72Nikolay Davydenko RUS Prince O3 Tour 100 Polystar 8QGuillermo Coria ARG Prince O3 Tour 100 Luxilon 9QDavid Nalbandian ARG Yonex RDX-500 MP 98 Luxilon 10 2 Mariano Puerta ARG Babolat AeroPro Drive 100 Luxilon 11 1 Gaston Gaudio ARG Wilson nSix-One 95 Kirschbaum 12 4 Richard Gasquet FRA Head Liquidmetal Instinct 100 Luxilon 13 3 David Ferrer ESP Prince Shark DB MP 100 Luxilon 14 3 Ivan Ljubicic CRO Babolat Pure Drive Team + 100 Luxilon/Babolat 15 2 Thomas Johansson SWE Dunlop M-Fil 2 Hundred 95 Luxilon/Babolat 16 2 Radek Stepanek CZE Volkl Tour 10 Mid V-Engine 93 Pacific 17 4 Tommy Robredo ESP Dunlop M-Fil 3 Hundred 98 Luxilon 18 3 Fernando Gonzalez CHI Babolat Pure Storm Plus 98 Luxilon 19 4 Dominik Hrbaty SVK Fischer Pro Extreme FT 95 Kirschbaum 20 2 Mario Ancic CRO Yonex Ultimum RD Ti-80 98 Luxilon/Babolat WOMEN Round Racquet Racquet String Rank Reached Player Name Country Brand Racquet Model Headsize Brand

1 SF Maria Sharapova RUS Prince Shark MP 100 Babolat 2QLindsay Davenport USA Wilson nTour 95 Wilson 3WKim Clijsters BEL Babolat Pure Drive Team 100 Babolat 4QAmelie Mauresmo FRA Dunlop M-Fil 3 Hundred 98 Babolat 54Justine Henin-Hardenne BEL Wilson nTour 95 BDE 6FMary Pierce FRA Yonex Ultimum RD Ti-80 98 Luxilon 7QVenus Williams USA Wilson n4 110 Wilson 8 SF Elena Dementieva RUS Yonex RDX-500 MP 98 Luxilon 94Serena Williams USA Wilson n3 110 Wilson 10 Q Nadia Petrova RUS Babolat Pure Storm MP Team 103 Luxilon 11 4 Patty Schnyder SUI Head Liq uidmetal Prestige MP 98 Kirschbaum 12 1 Svetlana Kuznetsova RUS Head Flexpoint Instinct 100 Luxilon 13 3 Anastasia Myskina RUS Head Flexpoint Instinct 100 Kirschbaum 14 1 Alicia Molik AUS Dunlop 300G 98 Luxilon 15 4 Nathalie Dechy FRA Head Liquidmetal Prestige MP 98 Babolat 16 4 Elena Likhovtseva RUS Wilson nSix-One 95 95 Wilson 17 3 Jelena Jankovic SCG Yonex Nano Speed RQ-5 105 Luxilon 18 2 Ana Ivanovic SCG Wilson nTour 95 Luxilon 19 3 Daniel Hantuchova SVK Yonex Nanospeed RQ-7 100 Luxilon/Babolat 20 DNP Vera Zvonareva RUS Fischer Pro No One FT 98 Kirschbaum

36 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY November/December 2005 What a tournament! The 2005 US Open provided some of the most exciting tennis ever. Despite the fact that Andy Roddick bombed out in the first round, the men’s draw got a big push from Americans Andre Agassi, Robby Ginepri, and James Blake. Of course, it was pretty exciting for champions Roger Federer and Kim Clijsters, too. Here’s what the top men and women players used at this year’s Open.

String String Footwear Clothing String Model Gauge Tension Brand Footwear Model Brand

Wilson Natural /BB Alu Power Rough 16L 55/50.5 Nike VAPOR S2 Nike Pro Hurricane 15L 53 Nike Air Max Breathe Free II Nike Alu Power Rough 16L - Adidas Barricade II Adidas Pro Hurricane +/ VS + Team 16 73 Babolat Team All Court Lacoste VS Team/Big Banger Alu Power 16L 56 Yonex SHT-304 Yonex Big Banger Alu Power 16L 66 Adidas ClimaCool Feather II Adidas Energy 16 55/53 Diadora - Diadora Big Banger Original 16 52 Adidas Barricade III Adidas Big Banger Original 16 64 Yonex SHT-304 Yonex Big Banger Original 16 59.5 Babolat Team Clay Babolat Super Smash 16 59.5 Diadora Protech DA2 Diadora Big Banger Alu Power 16L - Adidas Barricade III Adidas Big Banger Original 16 - Diadora Speedzone DA2 Diadora Big Banger TIMO / VS Team 18/16L 57 Diadora Speedzone DA2 Diadora Alu Power/VS Touch 16L//16 59.5 Adidas Barricade III Adidas Tough Gut 17 61.5/57 - -- 1 Big Banger Original 16 51 Sergio Tacchini - Sergio Tacchini Big Banger Alu Power 16L 55/59.4 Adidas Barricade III Adidas Touch Turbo 17 61.6/57.2 Lotto ATP Machine speed Lotto Alu Power/VS Touch 16L /17 57.2/55 Nike Air Max Breathe Free Nike

String String Footwear Clothing String Model Gauge Tension Brand Footwear Model Brand

VS Team 17 64 Nike VAPOR S2 Nik e Wilson Natural 15L 63/64 Nike Air Zoom Thrive Nike VS Touch 16 66 Fila X-Point Fila VS Touch 16 57.2 Reebok - Reebok --57.5 Adidas Barricade II W Adidas Big Ba nger TIMO 18 61.6 --LeJay Wilson Natural 16 65 Reebok VESW DMX Reebok Big Banger Alu Power 16L 51/48.5 Yonex SHT-304 Yonex Wilson Natural 16 67 Nike Nike Monotec Supersense 16L 61.5 Adidas Barricade II W Adidas Touch Turbo 17 55/53 Adidas ClimaCool Feather W Adidas Big Banger Alu Touch 16L 53/50.5 Fila X-Point Fila Super Smash Spiky 17 56/52 Nike Nike Big Banger Alu Power 16L 55 Adidas Barricade II W Adidas VS Touch Natural Gut 16 - Asics Gel Enqvist Lacoste NXT 16 50.5/48.5 Wilson CrossfireL S Wilson Big Banger Alu Power 16L 52.8/50.6 - -- 1 Big Banger Alu Power 16L 49.5/46.2 Nike Air Zoom Vapor Speed Nike BB Alu Power/VS Touch Nat. Gut 16 22.5/21 Nike Air Zoom Vapor Speed Nike Super Smash 16L 55/53 Adidas ClimaCool Feather W Adidas

November/December 2005 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 37 string PLAYTEST Gamma Zo Sweet 17

Gamma Zo Sweet is a 17-gauge hybrid immediately after stringing at 60 pounds in a Wilson Pro Staff 6.1 95 (16 x 18 pattern) that combines Gamma’s Zo Power coated on a constant-pull machine. monofilament polyester in the mains and After 24 hours (no playing), the string- its TNT2 nylon in the crosses. According to bed stiffness measured 70 RDC units, rep- Gamma, Zo Power is an ultra-playable resenting a 7 percent tension loss. Our control string, Prince Synthetic Gut Origi- polymer alloy, manufactured as a co- nal Gold 16, measured 78 RDC units imme- extrusion fiber with a wear-resistant sur- diately after stringing and 71 RDC units face surrounding the high-energy core. after 24 hours, representing a 9 percent playtested to date (in Durability, Spin Potential, and Tension Retention). Not sur- The TNT2 has an Elastalon center core and tension loss. Zo Sweet added 14 grams to the weight of our unstrung frame. prisingly, the overall score is also well outer wraps, with a “pearl” coating to The string was tested for five weeks by above average. enhance durability. Each of these strings is 34 USRSA playtesters, with NTRP ratings Four samples broke during play, one enhanced by Gamma’s TNT2 technology. from 3.5 to 6.0. These are blind tests, with each at four hours, six hours, 10 hours, Gamma claims that its proprietary TNT2 playtesters receiving unmarked strings in and 20.5 hours. process changes the highly-aligned chains unmarked packages. Playtesters were that normally occur in string material in such instructed to install the poly (white string) EASE OF STRINGING a way that millions of new intermolecular in the mains and the nylon (natural string) (compared to other strings) bonds are created among the long-chain in the crosses, and that the string was to be Number of testers who said it was: molecules, creating more cross-linking for a installed at normal tension. Average num- much easier 1 somewhat easier 6 stronger, tougher, and yet more flexible ber of hours playtested was 22.9. about as easy 21 material. Most of our playtesters told us that Zo not quite as easy 5 Gamma designed Zo Sweet for players Sweet is as easy to string as other strings, not nearly as easy 0 looking for a softer feel than that generally with the rest just about evenly split as to found in an all-polyester stringbed, but with whether they found it easier or more diffi- OVERALL PLAYABILITY more durability and stiffness than that gen- cult than normal. For some reason, the Zo (compared to string played most often) erally found in an all-nylon stringbed. This Power mains feel much thicker than the Number of testers who said it was: much better 3 target group are usually the intermediate to TNT2 crosses, even though it is thinner. somewhat better 6 advanced players with fast swing speeds. Being polyester, the Zo Power mains are about as playable 10 According to Gamma, the addition of the stiff, but not difficult to install, and it knots not quite as playable 10 2 2 TNT cross strings softens the stringbed so up nicely. Installing the TNT crosses is not nearly as playable 4 that, without sacrificing all control, a player wonderful. The string is soft and pliable, so will still be able to generate additional it weaves around the mains easily, and the OVERALL DURABILITY (compared to other strings power yet have a string that is easier on the ends don’t mush out, so blocked holes are of similar gauge) arm. no problem. It’s also convenient that the Number of testers who said it was: Zo Sweet is available only in 17 gauge in tension can be set the same for the Zo much better 9 2 white/natural. It is priced from $15.95. For Power and the TNT , as it’s one less thing somewhat better 10 more information or to order, contact to deal with. about as durable 12 Gamma at 800-333-0337, or visit One playtester broke his sample during not quite as durable 1 www.gammasports.com. Be sure to read stringing, four reported problems with coil not nearly as durable 0 the conclusion for more information about memory, two reported problems tying RATING AVERAGES getting a free set to try for yourself. knots, and none reported friction burn. From 1 to 5 (best) Playability 3.5 IN THE LAB ON THE COURT Durability 4.3 The coils measured 23 feet 7 inches (Zo According to our playtesters, Zo Sweet 17 Power 3.5 Power mains) and 21 feet 5 inches (TNT2 is a solid all-around performer, scoring well Control 3.6 crosses). The diameters measured 1.22 mm above average in Playability, Durability, Comfort 3.2 (Zo Power) and 1.26 mm (TNT2) prior to Power, Control, Spin Potential, Tension Touch/Feel 3.1 stringing, and 1.19 mm (Zo Power) and Holding, and Resistance to Movement. Spin Potential 3.5 Holding Tension 3.6 1.19 mm (TNT2) after stringing. We record- These scores include three top-ten finishes Resistance to Movement 3.7 ed a stringbed stiffness of 75 RDC units for Zo Sweet out of the 96 strings we’ve

38 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY November/December 2005 TESTERS TALK I played in a 4.5 tournament and loved the playability and feel of this Nice surprise! Not what I expected. Feel isn’t on par with my nor- “string. I would string it two pounds lighter. The string is still in the racquet, “mal hybrid, but this is rather good. I’d give it a second try. and still plays good after 40 hours. 5.0 male baseliner with moderate spin using Head Liquidmetal” Pres- 4.5 male baseliner with heavy spin” using Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.2 tige strung at 54 pounds CP (Luxilon/VS hybrid 17) strung at 62/59 pounds CP (Gamma 18) “ Great durability, not bad playability.” “ Really good string. Can’t wait to “For a hybrid, it 5.0 male all-court player using Prince O3 Red find out what it is!” strung at 68.5 pounds CP (Babolat Touch 16) 4.5 male all-court player using Head really surprised me. Radical Trisys 260 strung at 64 The string seems to be a 17-gauge, but is I love how much spin I can get and how pounds LO (Gamma Advantage 15L) “more durable than my normal 16 gauge. Even long it lasts. It isn’t hard on my elbow though it is thinner, it is not more lively, which Plays exceptionally well overall. I I like. It seems to have poly mains, and I think “am very impressed with the comfort like some other stiffer hybrids. I’d defi- it is easier to work with than other polys in and overall playability. The comfort nitely recommend it to tournament hybrid sets. and feel aren’t as good as my 5.5 male all-court” player using Dunlop 200G normal string, but not bad at all. If players. I’ll switch to it myself.” strung at 62 pounds CP (Wilson Sensation 16) I were looking for a durable and 5.5 male baseliner with heavy spin using good-playing hybrid, this would This string has quite a nice feel with no Prince AirStick OS strung at 56 pounds LO “ be it!” harshness. It is more powerful and springy 6.0 male all-court player using Wil- (Wilson Sensation NXT 16) than I would have suspected. The crosses han- son nTour strung at 58 pounds CP dled quite well and seemed to hold up quite (Wilson NXT 17) well. Only minor complaint is the string move- ment, but the racquet has a very wide pattern (14x18) so this is Great string for playing and teaching. This string is surprisingly almost expected. I would use this string if it is at a good price point “comfortable with good pop. The durability is incredible, especially with the and the durability keeps up. 18 x 20 pattern in my racquet, and it holds its tension very well for a 4.0 male all-court player using” Tecnifibre T Feel 290 XL strung at 60 polyester string. pounds CP (Klip Excellerator 17) 5.0 male all-court” player using Wilson nPS 95 strung at 61 pounds LO

(Wilson Reaction 17) For the rest of the tester comments, USRSA members can visit RacquetTECH.com. (Strings normally used by testers are indicated in parentheses.)

CONCLUSION FREE PLAYTEST STRING PROGRAM Clearly, not every member of our playtest team falls Gamma has generously offered to send a free set of Zo Sweet 17 into the category of “intermediate to advanced players to the first 500 USRSA members who request it. with fast swing speeds,” although you’d hardly know it To get your free set, just cut out (or copy) this coupon and mail it to: from the overall scores they awarded Gamma Zo USRSA, Attn: Gamma Zo Sweet 17 String Offer, Sweet. The scores probably have more to do with 330 Main Street, Vista, CA 92084 increasingly better string technology, which offers such or fax to 760-536-1171 a wide range of performance that even less advanced Offer expires November 15th, 2005 players can appreciate the characteristics. One set of free string per USRSA membership Hybrid strings do make it easier to experiment with Offer only available to USRSA members in the US differences in tension between the mains and crosses, FREE! Gamma Zo Sweet 17! but strictly from a stringing point of view, it’s nice that Offer expires November 15th 2005 a durable hybrid such as Zo Sweet allows you to use Name: the same tension throughout, even though the mains are polyester and the crosses are nylon. USRSA Member number: If you think that Gamma Zo Sweet might be for Phone: you, be among the first 500 to fill out and return the Email: coupon, and Gamma will send you a free set to try. If you print your email clearly, we will notify you when your sample will be sent. —Greg Raven Q

November/December 2005 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 39 tips and TECHNIQUES Readers’ Know-How in Action FINGER PROTECTION stencils that can be tossed around without then count how many crosses I have left If you string a lot with poly, your fingers worrying about breaking or tearing. I use to do. Then, I pull that number of lengths can really take a beating. Rather than the plastic covers from old three-ring of the remaining string across the middle using tape or bandages, I now use Nike binders. The material lies flat, and can be of the frame, plus two more for insur- Finger Sleeves. Developed for football cut with a razor knife. You can make two ance, and cut off the excess. linemen, the sleeves are lightweight yet stencils from one binder, but I prefer to 5 sets of Forten Dynamix 16 to: make two identical stencils, and attach Bob Tuttle, MRT, Freeport, NY them on either side of the string bed using Velcro strips, so I don’t have to move the BUMPERGUARD SAVERS stencil from one side to the other. For years I’ve recommended to my cus- 5 sets of Klip K-Boom 18 to: tomers that they use head tape on their Todd Volker, Ottawa, IL racquets, as it would save them a lot of bumperguard replacements. Typically, SPEED UP YOUR CROSSES however, they never get around to buying String sets these days are much longer the head tape, let alone putting it on their offer great protection. They are about 2 than they used to be, averaging 40 feet, racquets. inches long, come in different sizes, and and sometimes they’re even longer. This is Then I found a local sporting goods cost less than five bucks a pair. much more than you need for a normal store that sells hockey stick tape in a vari- 5 packs of Unique Tournagrip (packs racquet, which means you’re dragging a ety of colors, usually at about $1.75 per of 3 overgrips) to: lot of extra string against the mains when roll (each roll contains 30 yards or more Scott Warren, MRT, Seattle, WA you’re installing the crosses. of tape). After I finish re-stringing a rac- To eliminate this wear-and-tear on the quet, I apply the head tape for them as HEAVY-DUTY STENCILS mains and speed up the weaving of the part of the racquet tune-up. If you’re like me, you want heavy-duty crosses, I weave the first couple of crosses, My customers get the head tape they

40 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY November/December 2005 need, I haven’t had to repair or replace STARTING THE MAINS any bumperguards, and I haven’t had WHEN USING ADAPTERS MARKETING any complaints. In fact, they enjoy the FREE STRING SAMPLES After stringing a racquet, I normally have color the tape adds to their racquets. two or more feet of string left over. 5 sets of Ashaway Composite Instead of throwing the string away, I cut XT Pro to: the string into six-inch sections. I then Bob Langevin, Great Falls, MT place these samples into containers BIGGER BUILD-UPS labeled by string brand. WITH BEVELS When a customer asks about a certain string, I can go directly to that container Building up grips one full size is no I use the Prince load spreaders with the and let him see the sample of the string problem, as the grip maintains its shape, head and throat billiards on my stringing that interests him. Not only can the cus- and the player can still feel the edges machine. I found that if I thread the two tomer feel the differences in stiffness and between the flats and the bevels. But center mains first, then put the adapters in texture, but also he can feel the differ- sometimes I have to build up a grip two and tighten the billiards, I never have a ences among the available gauges. sizes. In these cases, I “cheat.” After problem finding the grommet holes, which By being able to touch the string, building up the grip one full size the can be masked by the adapters, making instead of being separated from it by normal way, I cut strips of Add-On threading those strings much easier. packaging, my customers feel as if they Grip’s (www.addongrip.com) self-adhe- 5 sets of Silent Partner Headspin to: are making more educated choices. sive sheets the same width as the flats, Gaines Hillix, MRT, Marietta, GA 5 sets of Wilson Reaction 16 to: and apply them to the handle only at David D. Rogers, Elizabethtown, NY the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions. EASIER CROSS STARTING Even though there isn’t a second layer Weave your first cross string before you tie —Greg Raven Q of build-up material on the bevels, you’ll off your main string(s). It’s easier to start still come out with a grip that’s two the crosses this way, because oftentimes Tips and Techniques submitted since 2000 by USRSA sizes larger, and it won’t be rounded the first cross string hole becomes blocked members, and appearing in this column, have all been off. as you tie off the mains. gathered into a single volume of the Stringer’s Digest— 5 sets of Tecnifibre X-One Racquet Service Techniques which is a benefit of USRSA 5 sets of HEAD FiberGEL Power 16 to: membership. Submit tips to: Greg Raven, USRSA, 330 Biphase 1.30 to: Bob Tuttle, MRT, Freeport, NY & Main St., Vista, CA 92804; or email John Hunter, Suitland, MD Paul Wong, Kihei, HI [email protected].

November/December 2005 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 41 ask the EXPERTS Your Equipment Hotline DOUBLE PULLING takes to keep the string from slipping as SQUASH TENSION LISTINGS WE STRING BOTH TENNIS and rac- you lift the weight. Now, slowly unwind I'VE BEEN GIVEN A PRINCE TT War- quetball frames in my shop. For ten- the loose end, and observe how you must rior Squash frame to string. The Q nis frames, we always pull each string increase the effort needed to prevent the Q frame specifies a tension range individually, and we never have a complaint. string from slipping around the dowel. between 20 and 35 lbs; the Stringer’s For racquetball frames, we sometimes have When tensioning two strings at a time, Digest has the following entry: to double-pull — pull two strings at once — the friction is enough to produce dramatic 20-28 (S) 28-35 (H) from the head. If we pull at the customer’s reductions in the tension on the string What do the (S) and (H) refer to? desired tension, he often feels that the rac- that is farther away from the tension quet is not strung properly, is “weak,” the head. The only tension that is “trans- THE “S” AND “H” REFER TO “soft” strings move and need to be adjusted after ferred” from the string closer to the ten- A and “hard,” respectively, and are each shot. I’ve found, however, that I get a sion head to the string farther from the designations of the type of ball used. His- much better string job if I set the reference tension head occurs when the friction of torically, squash was played with both tension 2 pounds higher than the customer the string going around the outside of the hard and soft balls, but around 1990 the requests. My machine is properly calibrated, frame is less than the internal friction U.S. Squash Racquets Association (USSRA) so why is there such a difference? (a.k.a stretch) of the string. That is, if it’s switched to soft balls for their main cham- easier for the string to stretch than it is to pionships, so soft-ball squash is now the ANY TIME YOU ATTEMPT to pull overcome the friction where it contacts more common ball type in the United A around an angle, you lose tension due the frame, the string will stretch and no States. We publish both specs because, to friction. You can demonstrate this with tension will be transferred to the other depending on your location, your cus- some string, a dowel, and a weight. Tie one string. tomers might be using either one. end of the string to the weight, and then Increasing the reference tension does- —Greg Raven Q wrap the loose end of string all the way n’t compensate for this tension loss, We welcome your questions. Please send them to Rac- around a dowel. While you hold the free although it may mask it enough that your quet Sports Industry, 330 Main St., Vista, CA, 92084; end of the string, observe how little effort it customers don’t complain. fax: 760-536-1171; email: [email protected].

42 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY November/December 2005 ADVERTISEMENT

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November/December 2005 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 45 ADVERTISEMENT

Other ATS Sports Douglas Sports Nets & Equipment Netting Fromuth Tennis Classic Turf Co., LLC. Edwards Div. of Collegiate Pacific 10-S Tennis Supply Prince Sports, Inc. Evergreen Tennis Services, Inc. Evergreen Tennis Services, Inc. Agile Courts Construction Co. Inc. Fast Dry Companies Fast Dry Companies ATS Sports Insoles Gamma Sports/Fischer Forten Corporation Douglas Sports Nets & Equipment ATS Sports Lee Tennis Fromuth Tennis Edwards Div. of Collegiate Pacific Fromuth Tennis NGI Sports (Novagrass) Gamma Sports/Fischer USA Evergreen Tennis Services, Inc. Nova Sports USA Lee Tennis Fast Dry Companies TENNISLIGHTING Putnam Tennis and Recreation Oncourt Offcourt Fromuth Tennis Outdoor Welch Tennis Courts, Inc. Unique Sports Products Gamma Sports/Fischer USA 10-S Tennis Supply Welch Tennis Courts, Inc. Lee Tennis Agile Courts Construction Co. Inc. Fencing NGI Sports (Novagrass) Classic Turf Co., LLC Agile Courts Construction Co. Inc. Water Cooler Stands Oncourt Offcourt Evergreen Tennis Services, Inc. Classic Turf Co., LLC 10-S Tennis Supply Welch Tennis Courts, Inc. Fast Dry Companies Evergreen Tennis Services, Inc. Agile Courts Construction Co. Inc. Putnam Tennis and Recreation Fast Dry Companies ATS Sports Ball Retrieval Equipment Welch Tennis Courts, Inc. Lee Tennis Douglas Sports Nets & Equipment 10-S Tennis Supply Putnam Tennis and Recreation Edwards Div. of Collegiate Pacific Agile Courts Construction Co. Inc. Indoor Welch Tennis Courts, Inc. Evergreen Tennis Services, Inc. ATS Sports 10-S Tennis Supply Fast Dry Companies Douglas Sports Nets & Equipment Classic Turf Co., LLC Tennis Nets Fromuth Tennis Evergreen Tennis Services, Inc. Welch Tennis Courts, Inc. 10-S Tennis Supply Gamma Sports/Fischer USA Fast Dry Companies Agile Courts Construction Co. Inc. Lee Tennis Fromuth Tennis Other Alpha Sports Oncourt Offcourt Gamma Sports/Fischer USA 10-S Tennis Supply ATS Sports Welch Tennis Courts, Inc. Lee Tennis Welch Tennis Courts, Inc. Douglas Sports Nets & Equipment Oncourt Offcourt Edwards Div. of Collegiate Pacific Windscreens Prince Sports, Inc. COURTEQUIPMENT Evergreen Tennis Services, Inc. 10-S Tennis Supply Unique Sports Products Court Surfaces Fast Dry Companies Agile Courts Construction Co. Inc. Welch Tennis Courts, Inc. 10-S Tennis Supply Forten Corporation Alpha Sports Agile Courts Construction Co. Inc. Fromuth Tennis ATS Sports Ball Machines ASBA (American Sports Builders Associ- Gamma Sports/Fischer USA Douglas Sports Nets & Equipment 10-S Tennis Supply ation) Lee Tennis Edwards Div. of Collegiate Pacific Agile Courts Construction Co. Inc. Classic Turf Co., LLC. NGI Sports (Novagrass) Evergreen Tennis Services, Inc. ATS Sports Evergreen Tennis Services, Inc. Nova Sports USA Fast Dry Companies Douglas Sports Nets & Equipment Fast Dry Companies Oncourt Offcourt Fromuth Tennis Evergreen Tennis Services, Inc. Lee Tennis Putnam Tennis and Recreation Gamma Sports/Fischer USA Fast Dry Companies NGI Sports (Novagrass) Welch Tennis Courts, Inc. Lee Tennis Fromuth Tennis Nova Sports USA NGI Sports (Novagrass) Gamma Sports/Fischer USA Putnam Tennis and Recreation Tennis Posts Oncourt Offcourt Lee Tennis Welch Tennis Courts, Inc. 10-S Tennis Supply Putnam Tennis and Recreation Oncourt Offcourt Agile Courts Construction Co. Inc. Welch Tennis Courts, Inc. Prince Sports, Inc. Maintenance Equipment ATS Sports Putnam Tennis and Recreation 10-S Tennis Supply Douglas Sports Nets & Equipment Backdrop Curtains Welch Tennis Courts, Inc. Agile Courts Construction Co. Inc. Edwards Div. of Collegiate Pacific 10-S Tennis Supply ATS Sports Evergreen Tennis Services, Inc. Agile Courts Construction Co. Inc. Backboards Edwards Div. of Collegiate Pacific Fast Dry Companies ATS Sports 10-S Tennis Supply Evergreen Tennis Services, Inc. Fromuth Tennis Douglas Sports Nets & Equipment Agile Courts Construction Co. Inc. Fast Dry Companies Gamma Sports/Fischer USA Evergreen Tennis Services, Inc. ATS Sports Gamma Sports/Fischer USA Lee Tennis Fast Dry Companies Douglas Sports Nets & Equipment Lee Tennis NGI Sports (Novagrass) Fromuth Tennis Evergreen Tennis Services, Inc. NGI Sports (Novagrass) Oncourt Offcourt Gamma Sports/Fischer USA Fast Dry Companies Putnam Tennis and Recreation Putnam Tennis and Recreation Lee Tennis Gamma Sports/Fischer USA Welch Tennis Courts, Inc. Welch Tennis Courts, Inc. NGI Sports (Novagrass) NGI Sports (Novagrass) Oncourt Offcourt Oncourt Offcourt Surface Repair Products Scorekeepers Putnam Tennis and Recreation Sportwall International 10-S Tennis Supply 10-S Tennis Supply Welch Tennis Courts, Inc. Putnam Tennis and Recreation Agile Courts Construction Co. Inc. Agile Courts Construction Co. Inc. Welch Tennis Courts, Inc. ASBA (American Sports Builders Association) ATS Sports

46 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY November/December 2005 ADVERTISEMENT Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation 1. Publication Title: Racquet Sports Industry 2. Publication Number: 347-830 3. Filing Date: 10/15/2005 4. Issue Frequency: Jan-Aug Monthly, Sep-Dec Bi-Monthly Teaching Aids Nutrition/Food 5. Number of Issues Published Annually: 10 10-S Tennis Supply Fromuth Tennis 6. Annual Subscription Price: $25 Agile Courts Construction Co. Inc. 7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: ATS Sports Sports Eyewear Tennis Industry Inc., P.O. Box 428, Hurley, NY 12443 Edwards Div. of Collegiate Pacific ATS Sports 8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Fast Dry Companies Fromuth Tennis Business Office of Publisher: Same as #7 9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Address of Publisher Fromuth Tennis HEAD/Penn Racquet Sports and Editor: Publisher: Jeff Williams, 79 Madison Ave, 8th Gamma Sports/Fischer USA Prince Sports, Inc. Floor, New York, NY 10016. Publisher: David Bone, 330 Oncourt Offcourt Unique Sports Products Main Street, Vista, CA 92084. Editor: Peter Franscesconi, Prince Sports, Inc. 937 Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06824. Editor-in-Chief: Sportwall International Sports Watches Crawford Lindsey, 330 Main Street, Vista, CA 92084 Unique Sports Products Fromuth Tennis 10. Owner: Tennis Industry Inc., P.O. Box 428, Hurley, NY 12443. USRSA, 330 Main Street, Vista, CA 92084 Welch Tennis Courts, Inc. 11. Known Bondholders, Mortgages and Other Security Sun Protection Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Water Removal Equipment Fast Dry Companies Amount of bonds, Mortgages or Other Securities: None. 10-S Tennis Supply 12. Tax Status: Has not changed during preceding 12 months. Agile Courts Construction Co. Inc. Sunglasses 13. Publication TItle: Racquet Sports Industry ATS Sports ATS Sports 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: Sep/Oct 2005 Douglas Sports Nets & Equipment Fromuth Tennis 15. Extent and Nature of Average No. No. Copies of Edwards Div. of Collegiate Pacific HEAD/Penn Racquet Sports Circulation Copies Each Single Issue Issue During Published Evergreen Tennis Services, Inc. Unique Sports Products Preceding 12 Nearest to Fast Dry Companies Months Filing Date Forten Corporation Tournament Prizes A. Total No. Copies 15,250 17,000 Fromuth Tennis Fromuth Tennis (net press run) Gamma Sports/Fischer USA Gamma Sports/Fischer USA B. Paid and/or Requested circulation Lee Tennis Unique Sports Products 1. Paid/Requested 13,724 14,509 Oncourt Offcourt Outside-County Mail Subscriptions Stated Welch Tennis Courts, Inc. Towels on Form 3541 Fromuth Tennis 2. Paid In-County 46 46 BUILDERS&DESIGNERS Subscriptions Stated Court Contractors Videotapes on form 3541 Agile Courts Construction Co. Inc. (South Florida, ATS Sports 3. Sales Through 00 Carribean) Fromuth Tennis Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, ASBA (American Sports Builders Oncourt Offcourt Counter Sales, and other Association) (All of U.S.) Non-USPS Paid Distribution Classic Turf Co., LLC. (All of U.S.) Water Bottles 4. Other Classes 00 Evergreen Tennis Services, Inc. (Eastern US) ATS Sports Mailed Through USPS Fast Dry Companies (USA, Carribean, Fromuth Tennis C. Total Paid and/or 13,770 14,555 Bahamas) Gamma Sports/Fischer USA Requested Circulation Putnam Tennis and Recreation D. Free Distribution by Mail (Samples, complimentary and other free) Welch Tennis Courts, Inc. (All of USA) Associations/Certifications 1. Outside-County as 613 613 ASBA (American Sports Builders Association) Stated on form 3541 Facility Planners/Designers ATS Sports 2. In-County as 00 Agile Courts Construction Co. Inc. Fast Dry Companies Stated on Form 3541 Classic Turf Co., LLC. PTR (Professional Tennis Registry) 3. Other Classes 00 Evergreen Tennis Services, Inc. USPTA (US Professional Tennis Association) Mailed Through the USPS Fast Dry Companies USRSA (US Racquet Stringers Association) E. Free Distribution 80 580 Outside the Mail USTA (US Tennis Association) (carriers or other means) MISCELLANEOUS Welch Tennis Courts, Inc. F. Total Free Distribution 693 1193 Books G. Total Distribution 14,463 15,748 ATS Sports Educational Workshops H. Copies Not Distributed 787 1252 Oncourt Offcourt Fast Dry Companies I. Total 15,250 17,000 Computer Software Welch Tennis Courts, Inc. J. Percent Paid and/or 95.2% 92.4% Oncourt Offcourt Requested Circulation 16. Publication of Statement of Ownership Printed in the Gifts/Trinkets November/December 2005 issue of this publication. 17. Signed, Jeff Williams, Publisher, 10/15/2005 ATS Sports I certify that all information furnished on this form is true. Fromuth Tennis and complete. Unique Sports Products

November/December 2005 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 47 Your Serve Getting Things In Shape! A longtime tennis director says Cardio Tennis will revolutionize the sport, and your business. BYGREGMORAN

’m a fitness fanatic. I work out several times a exercise. They want to get in, work out, can’t help but improve. Participants hit all week, keep an eye on what I eat (most of the and get on to their next activity, so they the shots and make all of the movements Itime), and am forever looking for new ways to tend to use the easily available cardio they would during singles or doubles, but get that workout high. Over the years I’ve tried equipment at their gym, take aerobics the focus is on getting a great workout, everything: running, stair-climbing, elliptical, classes or lift weights. They generally not beating an opponent. And the pro- yoga, Pilates, weights—you name it. If there’s a don’t think about tennis as a great fit- gram allows players of all levels to work way to break a sweat, I own a book about it, ness opportunity. But Cardio Tennis can out together. have bought the equipment for it, and have change that. Both Baugh and Krause feel that the given it a shot. Cardio Tennis classes are conducted program can be a boon for the tennis Of all the forms of exercise I’ve tried, industry. Existing players who may do sup- though, nothing—and I mean nothing—has “I walked off the court plemental training at their gyms can now satisfied the workout-aholic inside of me as get a full-body workout by taking Cardio much as running and hitting tennis balls. convinced that Cardio Tennis. Non-players who work out will see That’s why I’m such a proponent of Cardio the program as a viable fitness option and Tennis, which I predict will revolutionize Tennis is here to stay.” give tennis a try. both the tennis and fitness industries. The hope is that Cardio will bring peo- Cardio Tennis is the brainchild of Jim on a tennis court by certified tennis pro- ple who have quit tennis back to the Baugh. The president of the Tennis Industry fessionals. Each class includes a short, sport. Studies have shown that players Association, Baugh has dedicated his career dynamic warm-up, a cardio workout who have tried and stopped playing tennis to encouraging people of all ages to play that includes a combination of drill- and did so for two main reasons: They could- tennis and adopt a more active lifestyle. play-based exercises (where the pro n’t find the time to devote to the game And that’s becoming more and more impor- feeds balls to players based on their abil- and they had difficulty finding a playing tant every day. Look at some of the statistics ity and fitness level), and a cool-down partner. Both issues are answered with I came across recently: phase. Simply put, Cardio Tennis is ten- Cardio Tennis. Q The percentage of Americans that are nis’s entry into the fitness industry. And Cardio Tennis was launched to con- either overweight or obese has grown it easily can—and should—be an impor- sumers at the 2005 US Open, with fitness from 47 to 65 percent in the last 20 years. tant program that you need to offer to guru Denise Austin leading the charge. If Q The number of extremely obese American your players. your facility is not a Cardio Tennis site, adults—those who are at least 100 I attended a Cardio Tennis workshop you need to visit pounds overweight—has quadrupled since at the USTA National Tennis Center www.partners.CardioTennis.com to the 1980s to about 4 million. That’s about hosted by Baugh and Michele Krause, become one. It’s the future of your busi- one in every 50 adults. the program’s national manager, and ness, and it’s the future of our sport. Q Q In December 2001, U.S. Surgeon General couldn’t have come away more David Satcher blamed obesity for causing impressed. After a brief classroom ses- some 300,000 deaths annually in the U.S., sion, we strapped on heart-rate moni- Award-winning teaching warning that obesity may soon overtake tors (recommended so participants can professional Greg Moran is tobacco as the leading cause of pre- monitor their heart rates during exercise) the director of tennis at the Four Seasons Racquet Club ventable deaths. and took to the courts. By the end of in Wilton, Conn. He is certi- Q 60 percent of American adults don't get the hour, I’d hit hundreds of tennis fied by the PTR and USPTA the recommended amount of physical balls, gotten a tremendous workout and has written for a variety activity, and over 25 percent of adults are and, above all, had one hell of a good of tennis publications and not active at all. When polled, the No. 1 time. I walked off the court convinced appeared on television. He is the author of two books, with his latest scheduled to be released in reason people gave for not exercising is that Cardio Tennis is here to stay. January. that they “don’t have enough time.” Not only does Cardio Tennis provide Today, thankfully, fitness is beginning to a complete workout in a short period of We welcome your opinions. Please email creep into more peoples’ lives, but they’re time, but also it offers players an enjoy- comments to [email protected] or fax only willing to set aside so much time for able social experience. And your tennis them to 760-536-1171.

48 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY November/December 2005