MERCHANDISING YOUTH TENNIS RACQUET TECH Display your racquets How to make junior Consistency by power level to set events fun for both is key for grip your store apart kids and parents installation February 2017 / Volume 45 / Number 2 / $5.00 Racquets Shoes Strings Apparel How franchises and For the fastest tennis The most important word Manufacturers are Your built-in customization can footwear, technology of 2017 isn't polyester, but merging fashion with help your bottom line never slows downt rather education t function this season Complete 24 26 28 32 Player An inside look at the latest trends in racquets, shoes, strings and apparel FINAL_02_TI_COVER_2.indd 1 12/31/16 4:52 PM monogut-zx-third-advert-image-update.pdf 1 06/07/2016 22:23 C M Y CM MY CY CMY K ads.indd 1 4/29/16 12:43 PM www.tennisindustrymag.com TennisIndustry Contents Feb .2017 DEPARTMENTS p. 28 p. 34 4 Our Serve 7 Industry News 14 TIA News 16 Junior Tournaments 18 Grassroots Tennis 20 Retailing Tip 22 Racquet Tech 38 Tips & Techniques 40 Your Serve, by Virgil Christian INDUSTRY NEWS OUTLOOK 2017 FEATURES 7 Tennis and sports experts to 24 Racquets: Frames in Mind 34 Two of a Kind present at TOM Conference 7 TOM to feature “Tennis Franchises and built-in frame customization Tennis Industry and Industry Innovation may help retailers move more racquets through the ASBA present the Challenge” their stores. best in tennis court 7 K-Swiss names Mike Miringoff global tennis director construction and 8 Peoplewatch 26 Shoes: Stepping Forward design. 8 Kathy Rinaldi tapped for U.S. Whether sales will be up or down this year, Fed Cup captain 8 Gordy Pierce honored with technology and styling in footwear continues 36 Merchandise ASBA’s Industry Merit Award to move ahead. With a Purpose! 9 Study: Racquet sports may Displaying your protect against early death 9 Har-Tru acquires Treadblaster 28 Strings: Educational Initiative racquets by power shoe cleaner Getting players to restring more frequently— level makes it easier 9 Davis Cup to return to Birmingham Feb. 3-5 with the right strings—is a matter of making for your customers to 9 Industry loses pioneer sure they know the facts. buy the right frame. Wade Herren 10 GoFundMe campaign aids California facility 32 Apparel: Mixed Company 10 Pickleball Championships Tenniswear continues its fashion appeal as slated for April in Florida more bright colors and trendy designs mix with 10 USPTA partners with U.S. Padel Association function on the court. 11 Short Sets p. 36 PLUS p.41 42 CEO’s Message 44 Vice President’s Message 42 49 52 56 46 USPTA News Update on Playing Tennis Five Key Principles 49 Beyond the Court Lake Nona Linked to Foundation of Operating 52 Inside Coaching Longer Life Blocks of a Profi table 56 Master Pro Corner Coaching Tennis Program 58 Career Development 60 Member News Read more articles online at www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com 2 TennisIndustry February 2017 www.tennisindustrymag.com FINAL_02_TI_FOB_TOC_SC_CR.indd 2 12/31/16 1:26 PM PREMIUM COURT SURFACING PRODUCTS Contact us for referrals to qualifed installers in your region. SportMaster Products are installed by sport surfacing professionals throughout the United States and around the world. sportmaster.net OFFICIAL PLAYING SURFACE OF THE CITI OPEN® TENNIS TOURNAMENT Citi Open is a registered service mark of Citigroup Inc. TennisIndustry PUBLISHER OurServe JEFF WILLIAMS EDITORIAL DIRECTOR EDITOR'S NOTE PETER FRANCESCONI MANAGING EDITOR Take Full Advantage SCOTT GRAMLING CREATIVE DIRECTOR It’s worth seeking out industry meetings IAN KNOWLES SENIOR EDITOR and conferences, which provide ED McGROGAN opportunites to learn and enlighten. ART DIRECTOR CRHISTIAN RODRIGUEZ PRODUCTION EDITOR SAM CHASE SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR BOB PATTERSON ne of the best things In early December, I had the honor about this industry is of presenting awards at the American CONTRIBUTING EDITORS ROBIN BATEMAN, CYNTHIA CANTRELL, PEG being able to interact Sports Builders Association’s annual CONNOR, KENT OSWALD, CYNTHIA SHERMAN, with tennis providers Technical Meeting in Amelia Island, MARY HELEN SPRECHER at various meetings and Fla. The meeting, with its informative CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS O conferences. For me, these educational and timely educational sessions, had BOB KENAS, DAVID KENAS events are not only sources of ideas, but the most attendees ever, more than also sources of inspiration. 600—double what it was a decade ago. WEBMASTER GREG RAVEN We all have a lot on our minds and on What’s great to see is how, over the our plates, but taking the time to attend last 15 years, court contractors have ASSOCIATE EDITOR these events helps me appreciate this increasingly been recognized as a key TIM McARTHUR sport and the great people involved in component to helping this game grow. EDITORIAL DIRECTION it, and to focus on what’s most impor- The knowledge, experience and passion 10TEN MEDIA tant—growing tennis at all levels. Two for doing the best job possible to serve such events I recently attended really this sport were clearly on display at this TENNIS INDUSTRY drove these points home. year’s ASBA meeting. 48 W 21st St., New York, NY 10010 The inaugural New England Ten- Continuing to learn, network and 646-783-1450 nis Weekend was held in November in be inspired at these gatherings are [email protected] Newport, R.I., and attracted more than important for this industry, and for ADVERTISING DIRECTOR 200 tennis providers. This workshop your careers. Check out what’s being JOHN HANNA included sessions led by USTA National of ered through your section, teaching 770-650-1102, x125 and New England staf , along with pro group, TIA, USTA and other organi- [email protected] other industry experts. zations. Then, sign up! The sessions I attended were ter- APPAREL ADVERTISING CYNTHIA SHERMAN rifi c. Featured speaker David Benzel of 203-558-5911 Growing Champions for Life Inc. dis- [email protected] cussed dealing with parents, customer service and using tennis to “win” at life. He pointed to a study which showed Tennis Industry is published 10 times per year: monthly, January through August with combined that 74 percent of kids have witnessed issues in September/October and November/ out-of-control adults at their competi- December, by Tennis Media Company, 48 W 21st St., New York, NY 10010. Periodical postage paid in tions. “Coaches need to get more skilled Duluth, GA and at additional mailing offi ces (USPS and comfortable dealing with parents,” We were thrilled to honor our Person of #004-354). Feb 2017, Volume 45, Number 2 © 2017 by Tennis Media Company. All rights reserved. Tennis Benzel said. “Parents are the most the Year, Don Tisdel, in our January Industry, TI and logo are trademarks of Tennis Media under-coached group in sports.” issue. We sincerely regret the mispelling Company. Printed in the U.S.A. Phone advertising: 770-650-1102 x 125. Phone circulation and editorial: In addition, the workshop included of his name in the story. I apologize for 646-783-1450. Yearly subscriptions $25 in the U.S., sessions on how to activate parents as the error and to Mr. Tisdel. $40+ elsewhere. POSTMASTER: Send address changes tennis program organizers, how to to Tennis Industry, 48 W 21st St., New York, NY 10010. Tennis Industry is the offi cial magazine of the USRSA, engage adults with innovative play- Peter Francesconi TIA and ASBA. ing formats, how to expand tennis to Editorial Director Looking for back issues of Tennis Industry/Racquet younger players and local marketing. [email protected] Sports Industry? Visit the archives at our website And just as important, coaches, teach- at TennisIndustryMag.com for free digital versions. ing pros and community leaders had a chance to network and share ideas. 4 TennisIndustry February 2017 www.tennisindustrymag.com FINAL2_02_TI_BOB_OurServe_SC.indd 7 12/31/16 11:33 AM TI MAG AD pg.indd 2 5/26/16 12:53 PM 1. 2. FREE. 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