COURTESY USTA R Returns to New York inAugust Tennis Teachers Conference EDUCATION the specialrate of$249 pernightatthe and TTCregistrants arequalified for Day passesareavailable at $200each, Tennis Teachers Conferenceis $399. portation andalunchvoucher provided. on Aug. 25, withround-tripbustrans- SportTime Randall’s IslandTennis Club on-court sessionswilltake placeat and on-courteducationalsessions. The will featuremorethan25classroom restarted afterathree-year hiatus, USPTA’s World Conference. and USPTA, andalsowillserve asthe ence, whichispresentedby theUSTA are expectedtogatherfortheconfer professionals andindustry leaders New York City. More than1,000 tennis www.tennisindustrymag.com The cost forthefourdays ofthe The conference,whichisbeing Industry at theGrandHyatt in be heldonAug. 24-27 Conference, whichwill 44th Tennis Teachers egister now forthe Information tohelpyou runyour business

- Open experience at$125each.• able topurchaseguest passes forthisUS ter. Early-bird registrants alsowillbe Billie Jean KingNational Tennis Cen- transportation toandfromthe USTA day oftheUSOpen,afoodvoucher and Armstrong Stadiumforthefirst Mon- receive afreeticket tothenewLouis the early-bird Aug. 1deadlinewill to2018ttc.com.go tion andtoregister fortheconference, Lexington Avenue. For more informa- Grand Hyatt, locatedat42ndStreet and Those registering fortheTTCbefore

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and abackground screen application. Play conduct,policiesandguidelines, ment andacceptanceoftheUSTA Safe online training modules;acknowledge- make tennissafeforall,especiallykids.” We want todoeverything thatwe canto the nextgeneration oftennisplayers. behaviors thatcould bedetrimentalto bers willbemore consciousofexplicit “Through SafePlaytraining, ourmem- students,” says USPTA CEOJohn Embree. create asafeenvironment foralloftheir teaching professionals andcoaches the USPTA Executive Committee inApril. training. Themoves were approved by complete CoachYouth Tennis online professionals alsowillberequired to to the90-minuteSafePlaycourse, USPTA certified USPTA professional. Inaddition cation modulesbefore theycan becomea applicants tocompletetheSafePlayedu- matching 50mentors from the teaching For more onTennibot, visittennibot.com. Industry InnovationChallengecompetition. nis IndustryAssociation’s inaugural Tennis to helpthembringtheirideasmarket.” technology tosolveit.I’m pleasedwe’re able against theballmachine—andhasused especially duringlessons orwhenhitting pain pointinourindustry—pickingupballs, done anextraordinary jobofidentifyinga dent Pat Hanssen. “TheTennibot teamhas sales anddistribution. assist inthelaunch oftheproduct, aswell unit. Asaninvestmentpartner, Har-Tru will which manufactures arobotic ball-retriever For USPTA Certification Safe PlaytobeRequired Mentor Program PTR KicksOff New Maker ofRobotic BallRetriever Har-Tru Teams WithTennibot, StartingJan. 1,the USPTA willrequire all ThePTRhasdebutedaMentor Program, Har-Tru LLC haspartnered withTennibot, The USTA’s SafePlayprocess includes “It isimportantthatourtennis- In March 2017, Tennibot wontheTen- “We lovethisproduct,” saysHar-Tru Presi-

July 2018

TennisIndustry

7 IndustryNews

Ty McGuffin, playing organization’s top experts and with Selkirk's Amped International Master Professionals Series paddle, took home the men's pro with aspiring mentees. singles title in Naples. The mentors were chosen based on their expertise and knowledge in specific areas. Mentor training was conducted in April by David Benzel, founder of Growing Champions for Life. To find the 50 mentees, PTR sent an open application to all certified members in the U.S. “A lot went into the pairing process,” says Marc Stingley, PTR Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator and staff liaison for the program. “In addition to matching the specific goals and aspirations of the mentee with the PADDLE SPORTS expertise of the mentor, we also tried to ensure they were as close geograph- ically as possible.” Selkirk Has Strong Results The program honors the legacy of PTR Founder Dennis Van der Meer, At Pickleball US Open who recognized the need for industry leaders to help guide, shape and foster earnest professionals in the areas of elkirk Sport had a strong showing at the Minto US Open Pickleball community, business and athletic Championships, held in late April in Naples, Fla. Team Selkirk member development, as well as in facility Ty McGuffin, the top-ranked pickleball player in the world, captured the management. men’s pro singles title and took home third place in the men’s pro doubles division,S with teammate Matt Goebel. Cammy MacGregor, a former Top 100 pro Ashaway Develops New tennis player, captured the US Open Senior Women’s singles title and the 50+ Coating for Badminton Strings doubles and 50+ mixed doubles titles. MacGregor also was second in the Senior Pro Ashaway Racket Strings has developed women’s Doubles Championship. Visit selkirk.com for more info. a proprietary textured surface coating for Pro tennis player Kaitlyn Christian, a newcomer to pickleball who acted as its ZyMax line of badminton strings. New Emma Stone’s tennis double in the film “Battle of the Sexes,” took home third in coated strings will be dubbed "ZyMax open singles and open doubles. Team Selkirk players used Amped Series paddles. •

Short Sets

The U.S. Fed Cup team defeated France facility was built on property donated by The Intercollegiate Tennis Association in April's semifinal round and will travel Berry College. and Tennis Warehouse have continued to the Czech Republic for the final, to be their partnership in which TW is the held Nov. 10-11. In the new book Facing Nadal: Sym- Official Online Tennis Retailer of the ITA. posium of a Champion, author Scoop In addition, the ITA and Wilson have The Atlantic Coast Conference Men’s Malinowski explores what it's like to play continued their decades-long partner- and Women’s Tennis Championships will against Rafael Nadal through interviews ship, with Wilson serving as Official Ball, return to Rome, Ga., in 2020 and 2021. with more than 50 ATP pros. The book is Racquet and Accessory Brand of the ITA. The event will be held at the Rome Tennis available for $9.99 at amazon.com. Center at Berry College, which opened Malinowski’s previous tennis books The USPTA has signed an agreement in 2016 and is the nation's largest include Marcelo Rios: The Man We Barely with BookingCommunity.com, which will single-surface facility, with 60 hard Knew, Facing McEnroe, Facing Hewitt, offer discounts on travel and hotel rates courts across 30 acres. This city-owned Facing Federer and Facing Sampras. to USPTA members. COURTESY SELKIRK SPORT COURTESY

www.tennisindustrymag.com July 2018 TennisIndustry 9 IndustryNews

aserfibre recently TX," and provide a stiffer feel and add a announced the newest ad- measure of control, says the company. dition to its family of tennis Like its ZyMax Fire siblings, ZyMax TX strings with JB Tour 100. strings utilize Ashaway's proprietary BETA Developed L in collaboration with U.S. polymer fibers, which the company says tennis great James Blake, provide elasticity and dynamic stiffness Laserfibre says the tour-grade co-poly for maximum shuttle speed and explosive is designed to meet the demands of repulsion; optimum power and durabil- today’s most selective tennis player ity, including knot and loop strength; and by delivering great feel and control. exceptional tension holding ability for “Working together with James on consistent, reliable performance. the design of JB Tour 100 was a per- For more, visit ashawayusa.com. fect fit,” says Curt Dailey, principal of Laserfibre. “We were focused on Miringoff is New K-Swiss introducing a string that delivers VP Sales for Americas tour-level performance. James’ STRINGS knowledge and direct involvement in the development and testing process James Blake, was invaluable.” “I’m proud to work with Laserfibre Laserfibre to deliver a high-quality, American- made tennis string to the market,” Team Up for Blake says. “JB Tour 100 checks all the boxes for me in creating my signature New String brand.” Visit Laserfibre.com. •

Mike Miringoff K-Swiss has promoted Mike Miringoff to vice president of sales for the Ameri- cas region. In this new role, Miringoff will report to K-Swiss President Barney Waters and will be responsible for all of K-Swiss’ wholesale business in the U.S. market, along with managing distribu- tors in Canada, Central America and South America. Miringoff joined K-Swiss in October of 2016 as global director of tennis, tasked with revamping and reigniting the ten- nis business in the Americas. He grew the tennis business by 40 percent in his first full year, says K-Swiss, with similar growth forecasted for 2018. Prior to K-Swiss, Miringoff was the regional com- mercial manager for the APAC region for Wilson Sporting Goods Co., based in Shanghai, and also held U.S.-based roles for Wilson and Nike. K-Swiss’ growth in the tennis category over the past 18 months has led to the hiring to two new, tennis-dedicated staff members. K-Swiss tennis territory sales manager Steve Rothstein has been ap- pointed as U.S. national sales manager

for K-Swiss Tennis, reporting to Mirin- LASERFIBRE, K-SWISS COURTESY

10 TennisIndustry July 2018 www.tennisindustrymag.com IndustryNews

Letters

‘PLAY’ FROM THE START want to learn tennis get to play SHORT-COURT ALTERNATIVE In trying to educate myself better tennis right away. Instead, they In the north Bay Area, we play some- on pickleball, I went to a local “open are taken through an often wind- thing we call Spec Tennis, which we play” session—19 people rotating ing path of “stroke mechanics” and consider “the tennis player's com- around on one tennis court that had “technique.” petitive alternative to pickleball.” nets and lines for four pickleball I’ve been teaching tennis for 35 Spec Tennis is played on a courts. I observed the “coordinator” years, and over the past several years standard pickleball court with a take about 20 minutes to explain the have been thinking, it’s okay if a low-compression tennis ball and basic rules and a few related issues beginner doesn’t get a serve in the platform tennis paddles. Our view is to a group of four women. None had right service box, or doesn’t know how that Spec Tennis is faster-paced and ever played pickleball. to keep score, or foot faults, or plays more challenging than pickleball, After that brief introduction, they out balls. Can we as tennis coaches but it is easier to learn than tennis. proceeded to play pickleball for the fi nd better ways to have people start For more information on Spec next hour or so, having so much fun “playing” tennis before we begin Tennis, go to SpecTennis.com. they all declared they would return “teaching” them tennis? Nate Gross, USPTA for the next session! I will always remember how much Mill Valley, Calif Therein lies perhaps one of the fun those four women were having biggest challenges for tennis as it playing a sport for the fi rst time ever. We welcome your letters, comments relates to the growing popularity Dave Kensler and opinions. Please email them to of pickleball. Rarely do people who San Diego [email protected].

goff. Rothstein has 28 years of experi- ence and relationships in the tennis industry, with 22 years at K-Swiss. Also reporting to Miringoff will be LOVE LOVE Jackie Scarnici, in the new role of U.S. Club members and students will LOVE facing marketing manager for K-Swiss off against the phenom. You will LOVE Tennis. Scarnici has spent 16 years in the tennis industry, having worked at offering the added advantage. the USTA, as a sports agent for SFX,

and at Prince and Asics. ®

Nominate for TI’s follow lobstersports on play more. win more®. ‘Champions of Tennis’ For more information, please call 888.380.9460 or visit www.lobstersports.com Our January 2019 issue will mark the 18th year that Tennis Industry maga- zine will name its Champions of Tennis Awards, which recognize the unheralded heroes who go above and beyond in helping to make a difference in our sport and business. And we’d like your help in identifying them. To nominate for Tennis Industry’s 2018 Champions of Tennis, email [email protected], and put “Champions” in the subject line. In the email, include the category, the name of the person or organization you are nomi- nating, contact info (phone and email) for the nominee, and—briefl y—some information about the nominee, includ-

www.tennisindustrymag.com July 2018 TennisIndustry 11 IndustryNews

Rose, Embree and Drake (from ing a website address if appropriate. All left) go over details of the nominations will be confidential, but we’d USPTA-RacquetFit certification. also like your name and contact info, in case we have questions. The deadline for nominations is Sept. 1, 2018. Award categories include, but aren’t limited to: Person of the Year, Tennis Industry Service Award, Private/Com- mercial Facility, Sales Rep, Pro/Specialty Retailer, Builder/Contractor, Grassroots Tennis Champion, Municipal Tennis Facility, Stringer of the Year, CTA of the Year, Tennis Advocate, Wheelchair Ten- nis Champion, Junior Tennis Champion, Public Park of the Year, Park & Rec Agen- cy, High School Coach, NJTL of the Year, Innovative Tennis Event, Youth Tennis CONTINUING EDUCATION Provider, Adult Tennis Provider, Public Tennis Facility, PTR Member, USPTA Mem- ber and USTA Section of the Year. USPTA, RacquetFit Partner Thank you for your help in honoring For New Certification those helping to grow this industry. Jennifer Gregg Named To Lead USTA South Carolina he USPTA has partnered with RacquetFit to introduce a new certifica- tion for tennis-teaching professionals, fitness coaches and medical providers. The RacquetFit Certification is designed to give professionals the tools to screen the physical limitations of a player and provide the knowledge T of how to get them back to performing at a high level. “RacquetFit was developed by an advisory board of tennis-industry leading experts and led by the founder of TPI (Titleist Performance Institute), Dr. Greg Rose,” says USPTA CEO John Embree. “With TPI’s cutting-edge research and development, we wanted to partner with RacquetFit to produce the same cutting- edge education for the tennis industry.” Other tennis, fitness and medical experts and instructors include Dr. Sean Drake, Dr. Mark Kovacs and Jeff Salzenstein. Upcoming certification dates include: Jennifer Gregg • June 22-23, USPTA Headquarters, Orlando, Fla. • Aug. 10-11, Chicago Marriott Southwest at Burr Ridge USTA South Carolina has named • Sept. 28-29: The Westin Long Beach, Calif. Jennifer Gregg its new executive direc- • Nov. 16-17: Westin Peachtree Plaza, Atlanta tor. Gregg brings 22 years of USTA experience to the job, coupled with the Certified Association Executive (CAE) TENNIS AND FITNESS designation from the American Society of Association Executives. iTPA World Conference Gregg previously served as the USTA Maryland District executive July 21-22 in Atlanta director and the USTA Mid-Atlantic Section associate executive director. She facilitates continuing education he iTPA World Tennis Fitness Conference will courses and Community Tennis Devel- be held on July 21-22 in Atlanta, focused on opment workshops on the National, improving tennis-specific fitness training. Section and District levels, covering Dr. Mark Kovacs, executive director of the various topics related to volunteerism, iTPA, T is the conference chair. Other speakers will include personal and organizational growth, physical trainer Gil Reyes, Georgia Tech strength and con- leadership and team building. ditioning coach Dan Taylor, former pro Robby Ginepri and “As we move forward,” says Gregg, tennis analytics expert Warren Pretorius. The conference the focus will be on innovation, player Dr. Mark Kovacs offers continuing education credits. Visit itpa-tennis.org. • engagement, diversity and inclusion.” SOUTH DR. MARK KOVACS CAROLINA, USTA USPTA, COURTESY

12 TennisIndustry July 2018 www.tennisindustrymag.com IndustryNews

PTR Releases New App For Tennis Coaches People Watch

Dunlop has added tennis industry Chase Memorial Award, for lifetime sales veterans Jeff Lininger and Matt achievement. Helms to its team. Lininger, based out of North Myrtle Beach, S.C., will be the German tennis legend Boris Becker district sales manager for South Carolina has been appointed by the Central Af- (excluding Charleston), North Carolina rican Republic as its Attaché for Sports, and Georgia. Helms’s territory will Humanitarian and Cultural Affairs in the include Tennessee, Louisiana, European Union. Becker, who will work Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas and as a volunteer, will have an offi ce at the the Florida Panhandle. Central African Republic embassy in Brussels. USTA New England inducted Teryn Ashley Fitch of Ann Arbor, Mich., Jona- The USTA Eastern Section recently in- than H. Bates of Stamford, Conn., and ducted four people into its Hall of Fame: Heather Crowe Conner of West New- David Benjamin of Skillman, N.J., Lloyd bury, Mass., into its Hall of Fame in June. Emanuel of Rye, N.Y., Robert Kenas of In addition, Michael Mercier of Beverly, Marlboro, N.J., and Nadine Netter Levy Mass., received the 2018 Gardner Ward of Palm Beach, Fla.

PTR has launched its new Coach App, designed to provide coaches and ath- letes with a platform that can be used to help players improve their games. Built around video analysis, the PTR Coach App was developed by PTR Director of Education Brian Parkkonen and Oivind Sorvald, a PTR board member who is the director of High Performance and Coach Education for the Norwegian Tennis Association. The PTR Coach App allows coaches to easily capture technical video, then analyze and annotate the video with illustrator tools. Coaches can compare strokes, and have an easy reference to player stroke collections and technical parameters. They can then create video, image and voice reports to share with students, along with tracking goals.

USRSA Names New MRTs & CS Master Racquet Technicians • Zachary Leal, Corpus Christi, Texas • Peter Deering, Charlotte, N.C. • Bart Zuralski, Charlotte, N.C. • Dave Carroll, St. Charles, Ill. • Gregory Goodin, Dallas • Jose Villegas, Victoria, BC, Canada Certifi ed Stringer

• Aaron Cheung, Eugene, Ore. PTR COURTESY

14 TennisIndustry July 2018 www.tennisindustrymag.com