Retailing

WEBROOMING: How Your Store Can Benet

TOURNA Quasi-Gut Armor 16

String Playtest

Industry

CHANGING Our Game New name, new look for leading trade pub

CHAMPIONS OF TENNIS
2013

Person of the Year Virgil Christian

Our annual awards honor those who continue to make this sport a winner
Tennis Club of the Low Country Fred Kolkmann Tennis & Sport Surfaces Chuck Hakansson Richard Mennig Serious Tennis Robert Walsh Vesa Ponkka Carla OConnor Baseline Tennis Center Nick Taylor Lexington County Recreation Fast-Dry Courts BNA Bank Park Dallas Tennis Association Avis Murray Robert Carlbo Ken Griffith USTA Eastern

g tin a r o orp Inc

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JANUARY 2014

DEPARTMENTS
4 7 Our Serve Industry News

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17 TIA news 21 Retailing Tip 40 Ask the Experts 42 String Playtest: Tourna Quasi-Gut Armor 16 36 Your Serve by Kevin Theos

INDUSTRY NEWS
7  Babolat unveils new "connected" racquet USTA announces TDM web 7  enhancements PTR week set for February 8  on HHI 8 8 9 9 Murray introduces Head Graphene Radical Ashaway named ofcial string of PTR Dunlop adds three frames to 2014 lineup LSI supplies LED lights for private court
p.23

CHAMPIONS OF TENNIS
2013
Features

PRESENTS

23 Tennis Industrys

Champions of Tennis

10 Project Green Ball honored in Massachusetts  ardio Tennis schedules 11 C 2014 training courses  STA honors eight award 11 U winners 12 Head Hawk string features new technology Dunlop to distribute Diadora 14  footwear

As 2013 comes to a close, our annual awards honor the people, businesses and organizations that are making a difference in the tennis industry.

36 String Selector 2014

p.36

Use our exclusive guide to nd the perfect strings for your customers.

p.44

PLUS
47  Presidents Message 49 CEO's Message 51 Inside Coaching 53 Beyond the Court Career 55  Development 59 Industry Action

47 Committed to the Course

USPTA President Tim McGraw outlines the organizations goals for 2014.

53 Beyond the Court:

USPTA pros help teenager fund cancer research through Tennis Relay.

51 Inside Coaching
Understand your responsibilities as motivator, encourager and role model.

57 Keeping Players Healthy

Sports doctors and tennis teaching pros have very similar goals.

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Our Serve
Changing Our Game
Actually, our new name really isnt new; were going back to the name Tennis Industry. Racquet Sports Industry was created in 2003 when the former Tennis Industry magazine merged with Racquet Tech magazine, which was the publication for USRSA members. As the worlds largest tennis trade magazine, the change back to Tennis Industry reects the growing importance of tennis to this countrys recreational choices, and it re-emphasizes our key connection to the sport. (But please note, we still plan on offering coverage of all racquet sports within our pages and online. In fact, the name Racquet Sports Industry will continue to be used within Tennis Industry for an occasional section that will cover racquet sports other than tennis.)

Publishers

David Bone Jeff Williams

Editorial Director Peter Francesconi peter@racquettech.com Associate Editor Greg Raven Design/Art Director Kristine Thom Special Projects Manager Bob Patterson Contributing Editors Robin Bateman Cynthia Cantrell Kent Oswald Cynthia Sherman Mary Helen Sprecher Tim Strawn Contributing Photographers Bob Kenas David Kenas RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY Corporate Ofces PO Box 3392, Duluth, GA 30096 Phone: 760-536-1177 Fax: 760-536-1171 Email: RSI@racquetTECH.com Website: www.racquetTECH.com Ofce Hours: Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (PT) Advertising Director John Hanna 770-650-1102, x.125 hanna@knowatlanta.com Apparel Advertising Cynthia Sherman 203-263-5243 cstennisindustry@earthlink.net

When you picked up this magazine, we hope you noticed that we changed a few things. For one, we have a new name: Tennis Industry. For another, we have a new look.
Content-wise, youll still nd all the great things in this magazine that you've come to rely on. And, we have plans to continue to enhance our coverage. We also plan on continuing to develop and improve our online coverage of this industry (at tennisindustrymag.com). As always, our business is all about helping your business succeed. Another thing youll notice as you page through this issue is that Tennis Industry is now the vehicle to deliver ADDvantage, the USPTAs membership magazine. For USPTA members, this means theyll not only continue to receive their organizations publication, theyll now receive it inside every issue of Tennis Industry, so theyll see all the industry news, how-to articles and great features TI offers. For Tennis Industry, not only does our audience of key tennis providers now include every USPTA teaching pro, but also readers who arent USPTA members will be exposed to all the news and information that teaching pro organization has to offer. Its appropriate that all these changes take place at the beginning of a new year, in our January issueour annual Champions of Tennis issue in which we honor some of the true heroes of this industry. We hope you continue to enjoy and benet from each and every issue of Tennis Industry.

As always, our business is all about helping your business succeed.

Youll also notice weve changed our look. After 10 years, we felt it was time to freshen things up a bit. One of the things Ive always liked about RSI is how comfortable it has looked and how readable the magazine has been. While changing a magazine visually always takes some getting used to, we feel our new look will quickly become just as comfortable for readers.

Tennis Industry is published 10 times per year: monthly January through August and combined issues in September/October and November/ December by Tennis Industry and USRSA, PO Box 3392, Duluth, GA 30096. Periodcal postage paid at Duluth, GA and at additional mailing ofces (USPS #004-354). January 2014, Volume 42, Number 1 2014 by USRSA and Tennis Industry. All rights reserved. Tennis Industry, TI 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 subscriptions $25 in the U.S., $40 elsewhere. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Tennis Industry, PO Box 3392, Duluth, GA 30096. RSI is the ofcial magazine of the USRSA, TIA,and ASBA

Peter Francesconi, Editorial Director peter@racquettech.com

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Information to help you run your business
USTA Announces TDM Web Enhancements
In an effort to provide enhanced resources to tournament directors and referees, the USTA has made available Tournament Data Manager on the Web, a software application designed to make tournament management easier. Beginning in 2014, all sanctioned tournaments must use the new online version. The USTA says TDM on the Web provides enhanced technology with features users are familiar with, plus many enhancements to facilitate setting up an event, creating draws and scheduling matches. The software program is free for member organizations of the USTA. We are always looking at ways to enhance the experience for our tournament directors, referees and players, and TDM on the Web does just that, said Jeff Waters, USTA managing director for Adult Tennis. In 2014, all USTA tournaments will be run using this digital platform.

Babolat Unveils New Play Pure Drive Connected Racquet

he new Babolat Play Pure Drive10 years in the makingwas unveiled to leading retailers in November, with distribution in the U.S. started in December. The Babolat Play Pure Drive is a connected racquet, meaning it gathers data to quantify a players game and skills. In tennis, as in other sports and in our daily lives, sharing and comparing experiences through digital tools is becoming the new normal," said Eric Babolat, president and CEO. We're adding concrete information to the sensations players receive. I believe that in the near future, all tennis racquets will be connected. Sensors integrated into the handle of the Babolat Play racquet allow players to have access to information about their game. Babolat Play collects data like shot power and ball impact location (sweet spot) along with number of strokes (forehand, backhand, serve, smash), spin level, total and effective play time, endurance, technique, consistency, energy and rallies. When the player has nished playing, information is transmitted through a Bluetooth connection with a smartphone or from a USB to a computer, and is viewable on any type of device (including tablets). Players can share information with the Babolat Play community through a dedicated platform at Babolatplay.com and on a Babolat Play App. Babolat's challenge has been to integrate sensors in the handle of the racquet, without changing the specications. The Babolat Play Pure Drive has the same physical specications as a regular Babolat Pure Drive racquet. The racquet has a 100-square-inch head, weighs 10.6 ounces and has a suggested retail price of $399. Visit babolatplay.com.

Key benets to using TDM on the Web include:  ournament directors and referees can acT cess TDM on the Web from any computer, including Macs and iPads. M  ultiple users can work on the same tournament simultaneously from different locations. U  sers will no longer be required to download new versions of the software or upload tournament results. M  atch results will also be instantly available online for players and others. To learn more, visit usta.com/tdmweb.

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PTR Week Set for February on Hilton Head Island
The PTR will hold its annual PTR Week in February at Van der Meer Shipyard Tennis Center and the Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. PTR Week has several elements, including the PTR Championships, Feb. 17-19; the International Tennis Symposium, Feb. 2023; and Professional Development Courses conducted before and immediately following the Symposium. PTR Week attracts tennis teachers and coaches from around the world, including some of the industrys most notable speakers. Dr. Jim Loehr, Pat Etcheberry, Dennis Ralston, Anne Pankhurst, Leo Alonso, Lorenzo Beltrame, Doug Cash and Dr. Mark Kovacs will be among the 40 presenters who will conduct classroom and on-court presentations during the Symposium. Subjects will range from the tennis business to teaching tactics and techniques. PTR Week also includes an Awards Banquet, Cardio Tennis and Tennis Trade Show. Visit ptrtennis.org for information and to register.

Ashaway Named Ofcial String of PTR

Ashaway Racket Strings of Ashaway, R.I., has signed a three-year sponsorship agreement with PTR, making Ashaway the Ofcial String of PTR. PTR is excited to sign with Ashaway, says PTR CEO Dan Santorum. The company produces high-quality racquet strings. In keeping with PTRs emphasis on our family culture, it is apropos that we partner with a great family-owned and run company like Ashaway. Ashaway also produces braided twines for the textile industry, braided nylon cores for y shing lines, and many other custombraided lines for a variety of applications, including medical. A world leader in the

production of bulk medical threads used in a variety of medical devices, Ashaway uses the same stringent quality-control system that is required for medical thread production in all string production. Ashaway is delighted to partner with the Professional Tennis Registry and its 14,600 members worldwide, says company VP Steve Crandall. "Ashaway has been making tennis string since 1949, and is the only U.S. manufacturer of racquet string. As the Ofcial String, were happy to support the PTRs mission to educate, certify and service tennis teachers and coaches around the world, and to help grow the game.

Babolat Launches New Pure Strike Frames

Babolat says its new Pure Strike is designed for players who have an attackbased game and take the ball early. The racquet offers reactivity and precision, thanks to a hybrid frame construction (both square and elliptic) with specic technologies. The Pure Strike is designed for players Babolat calls rst strikers, who take the ball on the rise from primarily inside the baseline, using the speed of their opponents ball to help generate power. Thanks to a new hybrid frame construction (square and elliptic), the Babolat Pure Strike offers more reactivity at ball impact than any other racquet in this segment, says Gael Moureaux, Babolats racquets product manager. First Strikers will nd the perfect balance between reactivity and precision. The Babolat Pure Strike, in carbon gray with neon red, for sale to consumers in mid-January, will come in four versions: Pure Strike 18 x 20 (suggested retail $189) has a 98-square-inch head and is designed for players who use the entire court. Pure Strike 16 x 19 ($189, available in May), also 98 square inches, is designed for power and spin. Pure Strike Tour ($195), has an 18 x 20 string pattern, is 98 square inches and is slightly heavier, for competitive players

Murray Introduces New Head Graphene Radical

ndy Murray and Head recently announced the launch of the Graphene Radical. It gives me the power I need without compromising on my creativity on court, the 2013 Wimbledon champion says. Head says the new generation of the Radical racquet series now combines the best features of the Radical concept with the latest material innovation: Graphene. Graphene is extremely lightweight but with a breaking strength 200 times greater than steel, which allows for an optimal redistribution of weight for the best playability, according to the company. Weight is shifted to the grip and tip, providing easier handling while letting players swing with more power. The colorful design of the frame is inspired by street art. While the Graphene Radical Pro is the top model and most aggressive one, the Radical series also includes the MP, REV and the S models to match the different needs and levels of players. The introduction of the new racquet will be supported by a campaign featuring Andy Murray, to launch in January and mainly be driven through social media channels. For more information, visit head.com/tennis.
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in search of the top 100 technology innovations of the year. These products are considered breakthroughs that represent a signicant leap in their individual categories. The winners of each category are included in the December issue of Popular Science. The Graphene Speed Pro is among the 100 new products and technologies awarded in 2013.
S2.0 Lite S6.0 Lite S7.0 Lite

LSI Supplies LED Lights for Residential Court

LSI Industries of Cincinnati recently installed an LED lighting system for a residential court in Alton, Ill. (below). The company says the homeowner was looking for a more innovative option to light his home tennis court. Typical lighting for outdoor tennis courts required metal halide systems because of the high light levels required. The eight-pole, LSI solid-state LED xtures reduced the total connected electrical load more than 50 percent, vs. traditional 1000w metal halide xtures, the company says. The LED system provides vivid illumination with uniform lighting levels across the playing surface. The forward throw reector system of the LED xtures provides sharp cutoff behind the xtures, eliminating spill light to the area surrounding the court. LED systems provide years of maintenance-free operation with little lumen depreciation over the life of the system. Also, LED xtures operate at full brightness immediately when they are turned on, as opposed to the gradual warm-up time required for metal halide xtures. McConnell Sports of St. Louis installed the lighting system on the Alton court.

Dunlop Adds Three New Frames to 2014 Lineup

unlop recently introduced three racquets to its lineup for 2014: the S2.0 Lite, S7.0 Lite and S6.0 Lite in a pink version. The S2.0 Lite is designed for intermediate to advanced players looking for a maneuverable, midsized, head-light racquet. It has a 16x19 string pattern and features Dunlop's latest Biomimetic technologies: AeroskinCX, BioFibre and MoS2 grommets. The S7.0 Lite, with a 110-square-inch head, is slightly head-light and more exible and arm-friendly than most oversize racquets, plus more maneuverable at net, says Dunlop. In addition to AeroskinCX, BioFibre and MoS2 grommets, the S7.0 also adds the 3Dom grommet system to enhance power, along with Anatomic construction for stability. According to Dunlop, AeroskinCX, which resembles the skin of a shark, reduces drag by up to 36 percent and enhances swing speed. BioFibre are natural bers used in Dunlops dampening system throughout the throat and handle. The company says BioFibre dampens shock by 18 percent. MoS2 uses Molybdenite in a grommet system that enables easier movement between the strings and grommets, decreasing friction by 27 percent and adding more power to shots. The S2.0 Lite is perfect for players who have a big game, but are looking for a lighter weight, more user-friendly option, says Hunter Hines, director of marketing and product. The S7.0 Lite gives players who like oversize racquets a great alternative to the traditional stiff, head-heavy frames. And we're happy to bring back a pink version of the racquet Dominika Cibulkova plays, the S6.0 Lite.
who take the ball on the rise. Pure Strike 100 ($185), with a 16 x 19 pattern, is a lighter racquet for better maneuverability and a larger head (100 square inches). Visit babolat.com. descriptions, and the application form, visit www.usta.com/About-USTA/Organization/ Committees/ApplicationInstructions/.

Head Graphene Speed Pro Wins Best of Whats New Award

The editors of Popular Science magazine have named Heads Graphene Speed Pro racquet a 2013 recipient of the publications Best of Whats New Award in the recreation category. Head launched the Graphene Speed and Instinct lines in early 2013. Each year, the editors of Popular Science review thousands of new products
January 2014

USTA Board of Directors Application

Interested in serving on the USTA Board of Directors or USTA Nominating Committee? Applications for the 2015-2016 term are available on USTA .com. The application deadline is Feb. 1, 2014. For a complete listing of details, position

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IndustryNews
People Watch
Chris Kermode has been named the new ATP Executive Chairman & President, beginning a three-year term Jan. 1, based in the London ofce. Kermode has been involved in tennis for more than 30 years, rst as a player, and most recently as tournament director of the Aegon Championships at Queens Club, as well as managing director of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. Kevin Inn is the new president of the USTA Hawaii Pacic Section, and Saundra Gulley is the vice president. USTA Texas Executive Director Ken McAllister was inducted into the Texas Tennis Hall of Fame. Marty Maciaszek is the new director of communications for the National Sporting Goods Association. The 2013 USTA/ ITA Sportsmanship Award winners are Clay Thompson of UCLA, and Hayley Carter of North Carolina. Thompson recently won the mens singles title at the 2013 USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships, where freshman Jamie Loeb of North Carolina claimed the womens title. The U.S. mens doubles tennis team of Bob and Mike Bryan were named Team of the Year by the U.S. Olympic Committee. Head Penns Paola Longoria, the worlds No. 1 ranked female racquetball player, won her fourth UnitedHealthcare US Open Racquetball Championship recently. Rocky Carson reached the Championship Final in the Mens Professional Division. Wilson racquetball champion Kerri Wachtel has announced her ofcial retirement from the pro tour, after a 12-year career on the court. Dunlop player Nick Matthew defeated fellow Dunlop player Greg Gaultier on Nov. 3 to win the AJ Bell World Squash Championship, his third world squash title in four years. Matthew plays with the Biomimetic Evolution 130 racquet, and Gaultier the Biomimetic Elite. Ben Porter has been promoted to general manager of platform tennis brand Viking. Porter also continues as a Prince brand manager for the New York and New Jersey territory. As part of the transition, Scott Winters will now focus on growing and improving the Ektelon racquetball brand. Marco Carvajal of Oklahoma Baptist University and Fausthy Pietersz of Tyler Junior College were named the winners of the 2013 James O'Hara Sargent Sportsmanship Awards, presented by Rolex Watch, USA, at the USTA/ITA National Small College Chps. Longtime Serbian Davis Cup team member Nenad Zimonjic received the 2013 Davis Cup Award of Excellence during a ceremony at the 2013 Davis Cup World Group Final between Serbia and the Czech Republic in November.

Project Green Ball Honored in Massachusetts

On Nov. 5, Project Green Ball, started by a Massachusetts son and father to recycle dead tennis balls, was honored with the MassRecycle Institution Innovation Award at a ceremony in Worcester. The nonprot is on pace to collect 200,000 used tennis balls (about 14 tons of landll) that will be shredded for equestrian turf. Inspiration for Project Green Ball began with a simple question. We play a lot of tennis and have a lot of tennis balls around the house, remembers technology attorney Scott Soloway. We had a bucket of balls and were about to dump them out and my son Ben [a senior and varsity tennis player at The Rivers School in Weston, Mass.] said, Isnt there any way to recycle tennis balls? Ben researched the few ball-recycling programs around the world, but then noticed the mix in the turf where his sister did her riding. That led to a discussion with IGK Equestrian of Weedsport, N.Y., and a

deal to include the balls in a new turfthe rst one was recently installed at Dana Hall in Wellesley, Mass. As part of the agreement, for every 200,000 balls delivered, IGK will donate a free turf to a therapeutic riding center. Wilson recently donated 20,000 balls to Project Green Ball, and tens of thousands have come from clubs and teams primarily in the Northeast. The constant challenge of logistics, the need to keep the website (projectgreenball. org) and social media sites updated, elding

calls and emails from across the U.S., as well as inquiries from abroad about one project, would seem to be enough for two people who have to work around commitments to school and a profession. Yet there is no endgame in sight, even as college looms for Ben and the organization takes more of Scotts time. Their shared passion continues: There are millions of used balls from landlls, more green construction to encourage, and more who can benet. The answer to a simple question continues to evolve. Kent Oswald

Get America Moving Contest to Honor Local Programs

Do you have a program that increases sports and tness participation in your community? Submit your program for consideration and enter the new SGI Get America Moving Challenge contest. To show support for PHIT America, SGI Weekly Intelligence is launching the

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inaugural Get America Moving Challenge. For more information on this program and how to enter, contact SGI at 610-459-4040 or getamericamoving@sginews.com. Entries must be submitted by January 10. Entry forms are at sgiweekly.com. Our goal is to identify the top sports and tness programs produced by retailers, manufacturers, professional sports teams, coaches, community service organizations, and entrepreneurs in local communities, said SGI Weekly Intelligence publisher John Horan. The winners will be featured in the SGI Get America Moving series of articles to be published in April 2014, honored by PHIT America, and promoted on PHITAmerica.org. The CTTC is $150 and the TRX CTTC is $295. Register for both courses combined at CardioTennis.com for $350 (a $90 savings). New courses continue to be added, so check CardioTennis.com for updates. The current schedule includes the following locations and dates. (CT means Cardio Tennis Training Course; TRX CT is the TRX CT course.) Austin, TexasMay 18 (TRX CT) Birmingham, Ala.April 19 (CT) Clearwater, Fla.May 3 (CT) Columbus, OhioFeb. 27 (CT) Denver, Colo.May 16 (CT) & 17 (TRX CT) Fayetteville, N.C.Oct. 9 (CT) Hilton Head Island, S.C.Feb. 24 (CT) & 25 (TRX CT) Honolulu, HawaiiMarch 9 (CT) Kansas City, Mo.Feb. 20 (CT) Marina del Rey, Calif.Jan. 11 (CT) & 12 (TRX CT) New York, N.Y.June 14 (CT) New York, N.Y.Nov. 8 (CT) & 9 (TRX CT) Palm Desert, Calif.March TBD (CT & TRX CT) San Francisco, Calif.March 2 (CT ) & 3 (TRX CT) San Jose, CalifFeb. 7 (CT)

TIA Quarterly Report on the Tennis Retail Market

Tennis Racquet Performance Specialty Stores January-September, 2013 vs. 2012 Units 2013 534,492 2012 574,650 % change vs. 12 -7% Dollars 2013 $77,826,000 2012 $80,221,000 % change vs. 12 -3% Price 2013 $145.61 2012 $139.60 % change vs. 12 4%  op-Selling Racquets at T Specialty Stores By year-to-date dollars, Jan.-Sept. 2013 Best Sellers 1. Babolat Aero Pro Drive 2013 (MP) 2. Babolat Pure Drive GT 2012 (MP) 3. Wilson BLX Juice (MP) 4. Wilson Steam 99S (MP) 5. Babolat Aero Pro Team 2013 (MP) Hot New Racquets (introduced in the past 12 months) 1. Babolat Aero Pro Drive 2013 (MP) 2 . Wilson Steam 99S (MP) 3. Babolat Aero Pro Team 2013 (MP) 4. Wilson Steam 105S (OS) 5. Head Graphene Speed MP (MP) Top-Selling Tennis Shoes at Specialty Stores By year-to-date dollars, Jan.-Sept. 2013 1. Prince T22 2. Nike Zoom Vapor 9 Tour 3. Asics Gel Resolution 5 4. Nike Air Max Cage 2013 5. Adidas AdiPower Barricade 7  op-Selling Tennis Strings at T Specialty Stores By year-to-date units, Jan.-Sept. 2013 1. Prince Synthetic Gut Duraex 2. Babolat RPM Blast 3. Wilson NXT 4. Wilson Sensation 5. Luxilon Alu Power (Source: TIA/Sports Marketing Surveys)

Cardio Tennis Schedules 2014 Training Courses

The TIA continues to add to its 2014 schedule of Cardio Tennis and TRX Cardio Tennis training courses for tennis teaching and tness professionals. The 7-hour Cardio Tennis Training Course (CTTC) teaches the fundamentals of Cardio Tennis and how to make it a success. Participants learn how to create a healthy curriculum; the six components of Cardio Tennis; importance of heart-rate monitors and how to use them; proper warm-up activities, CT games and drills, cool-down activities and cardio blasts; drill-based vs. play-based exercises; how to market and make money with Cardio Tennis; and more. Upon completion, participants will receive complimentary CT Authorized Provider status for one year. For information or to register, visit CardioTennis.com or email brian@tennisindustry.org. The 8-hour TRX CT Training Course, which requires teaching pros to have taken the CTTC course within the last three years or within three months of TRX CT course completion, combines TRX Suspension Training bodyweight exercise and Cardio Tennis, for an on-court, cutting-edge program that improves strength, power, exibility and balance for overall tennis performance. With four lesson plans and more than 30 TRX exercises, the TRX CT course provides pros with everything they need to build their business. Upon completion, participants join the ofcial TRX directory of trainers and facilities. Visit trxtraining.com or call Dorian Adam at 925-788-2748.

USTA Honors 8 at TDW

The USTA honored eight award winners at the Tennis Development Workshop held in Denver in early November.  daptive Tennis National Community A Service Award: Omaha Tennis Buddies, Omaha, Neb.  ve F. Kraft Community Service Award: E Celia Rehm, Jacksonville, Fla. J  anet Louer USTA Jr. Team Tennis Organizer of the Year: Heidi Stryker, Irvine, Calif.  ational Community Tennis AssociaN tion of the Year: Savannah Area Tennis Association, Savannah, Ga. N  ational Junior Tennis & Learning Chapters of the Year: As & Aces ($500,000 and over), New Orleans; Prince Georges Tennis & Education Foundation ($50,000-$500,000), Prince George County, Md.; Olivencia Tennis (less than $50,000), San Sebastian, Puerto Rico  rainer of the Year: Bill Phillips, LafayT ette, La.

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Short Sets
Czech Republic successfully defended its Davis Cup crown with a 3-2 triumph over a Novak Djokovic-led Serbia in Belgrade in mid-November. Radek Stepanek became just the third player in history to win two Davis Cup Final live fth singles rubbers, and the rst man to do so on consecutive occasions. The 2014 Davis Cup rst round between the U.S. and Britain will be played in San Diegos Petco Park Jan. 31 to Feb. 2. A temporary grandstand will be built in left eld that can hold 8,000 spectators, and the match will be played on clay. The Public Auditorium in Cleveland has been selected as the site for the 2014 Fed Cup World Group First Round between the U.S. and reigning Fed Cup champion Italy, Feb. 8-9. The U.S. and Italy are among the eight nations eligible to win the 2014 title. For tickets, call 888-334-8782 or visit usta.com/fedcup. Italy won its fourth Fed Cup title after defeating Russia 4-0 in the Fed Cup World Group Final in Sardinia Nov. 2-3. Also, Italian captain Corrado Barazzutti was presented with the Fed Cup Award of Excellence by the ITF and International Tennis Hall of Fame, and Italys Sara Errani won the Fed Cup Heart Award. The American Sports Builders Association has released a four-minute video designed to showcase the importance of hiring a design professional experienced in sports facilities. It is intended for those who are planning to install or renovate a sports facility, or those who are considering doing so. The video is at sportsbuilders.org. Ashaway Racket Strings joined racquet maker Black Knight to sponsor the US Junior Open Squash Tournament, which was held in December at Yale University in New Haven, Conn. With about 900 players from 24 countries, its the world's largest individual squash tournament. Prince has announced a partnership with ILNA Inc. (Interloop North America) that will allow the Winston Salembased sock company to develop, produce, distribute and market socks bearing the Prince name in the U.S., Canada, Europe and parts of South Asia. The Junior Tennis Champions Center of College Park, Md., and Fila announced a multi-year agreement to promote Filas performance tennis apparel, footwear and accessories at the USTA Regional Training center. As part of the agreement, Fila will outt JTCC coaches and has developed a custom JTCC-Fila co-branded jacket for players and coaches to wear at junior tournaments. Fila also has opened a concept shop at JTCC. PTR and Tennis Canada have renewed their partnership between the PTR and Tennis Professionals Association for three more years. PTR provides subscriptions to TennisPro and TennisOne, plus access to special PTR educational events and symposia, and additional seminars to be held within Canada. PTR benets are available to Level 2 TPA members. TGA Premier Youth Tenniss newest tennis franchise, its 22nd, is in Union County, N.J., owned by Nick Meltzer, a former nancial services and investment executive. TGA franchises introduce tennis to youth in more than 1,000 schools through supporting the USTAs 10 and Under Tennis initiative. At its meeting in November, the ITF Board of Directors found that the Tunisian Tennis Federation was in breach of the ITF Constitution by interfering with international sporting practice and ordering Tunisian player Malek Jaziri not to compete against Israeli player Amir Weintraub at the 2013 Tashkent Challenger in October. The Board voted to suspend Tunisia from the 2014 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas competition. The USPTA has approved the National Family Tennis Championships as a sanctioned program for USPTA pros in an effort to support the growth of grassroots tennis participation. NFTC focuses on advancing family doubles tournaments and USPTA pros can register to host an event.

New Head Hawk String Features New Technology

Head has introduced Crystal Core technology, a newly developed string manufacturing process that the company says opens the door to a whole new era of co-polyester strings. The new technology, which the company says provides the ultimate combination of power and feel, is introduced in the new Head Hawk tour string, which was

developed together with some of Heads top pro players. The new, innovative manufacturing process is a complex multistep heat treatment, which controls the molecular crystal structure within a monolament string and allows for engineering different material properties into its outer and core regions. According to the company, a highly orientated molecular structure on the outside of the string gener-

ates more energy efciency, releasing more power on shots, while a more crystalline core adds dampening and touch to the string. As a result, says Head, the string offers a unique combination of energy efciency for explosive power with optimized control and touch in every shot.

New Pojie Designed to Increase Dwell

The Pojie compression core by String Advantage is a racquet accessory in-

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stalled outside the hoop in the throat of the racquet, elongating the main strings. The manufacturer says the resulting increased dwell time on the strings improves spin, stroke consistency, and power transfer and helps to dampen vibration. Stringers simply add the four Pojie units to the normal stringing process. The Pojie has a ber-reinforced high-strength nylon body, polyurethane and ABS engineered compression core. Each unit sits against the racquet frame, over the stock grommets, and are held in place by the main strings. Pojie is distributed by Fromuth. For more information, visit stringadvantage. com. complex has been building and were excited to offer a destination of this caliber to the community, highlighted by unmatched tennis courts, instruction and programming, says Terri Goldman, general manager at Life Time Athletic Centennial. tennis. The MSG event will feature Novak Djokovic playing Andy Murray, as well as Bob and Mike Bryan taking on John and Patrick McEnroe. World Tennis Day was staged for the rst time in 2013 with 55 nations hosting participation events. In addition, BNP Paribas Showdown events were held in New York and Hong Kong.

Second Annual World Tennis Day Set for March 3

The International Tennis Federation and StarGames announced that the second annual World Tennis Day will take place on Monday, March 3. World Tennis Day will center around a series of high-prole special events, produced by StarGames, featuring current and former professional players. In 2014, cities hosting the special events will include New York, London, Bangkok and Hong Kong. In New York, the 2014 BNP Paribas Showdown will once again take place at Madison Square Garden and be part of a USTA promotional push for recreational

USRSA Announces New MRTs and CSs

MRT's Brian Axelrod - Lakewood, FL Brian Bulla - Oshawa, ON CANADA Alvin Macasinag - Riverview, FL Patrick Martin - Athens, GA Cesar Morales - Naperville, IL Amir Rangnekar - Sunnyvale, CA Benjamin Simon - Hyattsville, MD CS's Savannah Johnson - Stillwater, MN

Life Time Opens Colorado Tennis Destination

Life Time has opened its newest tennis destination at Life Time Athletic Centennial in Colorado. The new tennis complex features 10 indoor climate-controlled courts and 10-lighted outdoor courts (six hard courts and four clay). The new complex marks a signicant addition to the existing, nearly 130,000-square-foot Life Time Athletic Centennial property, one of four Life Time destinations in Colorado. The Centennial tennis center also features

amenities such as video analysis rooms for coaching, a pro shop, locker rooms and indoor viewing lounge. Certied Life Time Athletic tennis pros will lead programming, including lessons and leagues for both adults and juniors at all levels. Members also can take advantage of USTA league play, private and group lessons, tournaments, weekly drills, tennis assessments, social programming including mixers and leagues, as well as a 10 and under junior program. The anticipation for our new world-class

January 2014

TennisIndustry 13

IndustryNews
million in regional economic impact, including almost 300 jobs and $1.1 million in state tax revenue. While economic impact most likely is substantially less now, the tournament still helps the local economy. The tournament also announced that it has received renewals from its top ve sponsors, Aetna, American Express, First Niagara, Yale-New Haven Hospital and Yale University.

USTA Names No-Cut Coach All-Star Team

Dunlop to Distribute Diadora Tennis Shoes in U.S.

iadora is re-launching its tennis shoe line in the U.S. and Dunlop Sports Group Americas will be the exclusive distributor of the Italian companys premium tennis footwear. Diadora's 2014 tennis line will consist of ve models of men's shoes and four of women's, all featuring Diadora's latest technologies and designed for players looking for performance, durability, and comfort, says the company. The Dunlop tennis sales team has been presenting the product range for pre-sale, with delivery scheduled for mid-January 2014. The Diadora brand is legendary in tennis, said Kai Nitsche, vice president and general manager of Dunlop Sports Group Americas. We are excited to bring the Diadora performance tennis line back to the U.S. market and look forward to players re-engaging with the brand. Adding Diadora footwear to our Dunlop equipment ranges and Antigua apparel line gives our customers a head-to-toe offering backed by industry-leading service they have come to rely on.

State of Connecticut Buys New Haven Open

The State of Connecticut will buy the rights to the womens New Haven Open for $618,000. The WTA event has been suffering from declining attendance and was in danger of leaving the state. Economic development for our urban environments, and the state as a whole, is a fundamental component of the state's agenda and we view the New Haven Open as another chapter in bolstering this effort," Gov. Dannel Malloy said. "We know that Connecticut is a great state for women's sports, and this is another fantastic way to ensure that continues to

be the case in 2014 and beyond. The USTA, which owns the tournament, had reached an agreement to sell it and move it to Winston Salem, N.C., where the ATP holds a mens event during the same week in August the women play in New Haven. But the ATP rejected plans for a combined tourney and Connecticut was given a chance to buy the WTA sanction and keep it at the Connecticut Tennis Center, which was built with state funds. "In this case, we're making a relatively modest investment, given the size of the economic development return that this brings to the community," said state budget director Ben Barnes. An economic impact study conducted in 2008, when the event combined both mens and womens tournaments, found that the tournament generated approximately $26

The USTA recently recognized 12 middle and high school coaches for the 2013 No-Cut Coach All-Star Team. The coaches implement a no-cut policy, which welcomes all interested students to be a part of their schools tennis team. Coaches are nominated by their USTA sections. These recipients embody what it means to be an advocate for our sport, says Jason Jamison, national manager for USTA Schools. We are proud to recognize their efforts to ensure players of all levels are part of a team. Since 2006, more than 4,000 tennis coaches nationwide have made a commitment to offering a no-cut policy, with some programs including more than 100 team members on a high school team. Visit usta.com/no-cut. The 2013 No-Cut Coach All-Star Team is: Joe Arias, Center Moriches High School in Center Moriches, N.Y.  John Cyrus, El Dorado High School in Placentia, Calif.  Laura Ecton, Poudre High School in Fort Collins, Colo.  Kenneth Grifth, Henry E. Lackey High School in Indian Head, Md.  Ryan Hoag, Washburn High School in Minneapolis, Minn.  Richard Johnson, La Cueva High School in Albuquerque, N.M.  Ryan Knarr, Conrad Weiser High School in Robesonia, Penn.  Kevin Knoch, Perry High School in Massillon, Ohio  Deanne Larsell, Benson High School in Portland, Ore.  David Riedmayer, Beaufort High School in Beaufort, S.C.  Troy Saulsbury, Kearney High School in Kearney, Neb.  Vonda Harris-Webb, Grand Prairie High School in Grand Prairie, Tex.

14 TennisIndustry

January 2014

IndustryNews
Showcase Your Programming at a USTA Tennis Play Event
In March, the USTA and the tennis industry will host USTA Tennis Play Events in celebration of World Tennis Day on March 3. Tennis Play Events are designed to introduce kids to tennis and provide a platform to register children for spring programs. Sports industry studies have shown that an early, positive experience in sports creates a lifelong commitment to an active lifestyle. World Tennis Day on March 3 is a celebration of tennis around the world that includes professional matches in New York City, Hong Kong and London. By hosting a Tennis Play Event in the month of March, tennis organizers can showcase their junior programs and attract new players to the sport. The events welcome kids and families of all skill levels and Tennis Play Event hosts receive a Celebration Pack that includes special giveaways for attendees. Organizers will have access to customizable marketing materials and be featured in the searchable database on YouthTennis. com, the one-stop destination to register all year-round junior events and programs and where millions of parents are searching for activities for their kids. To host an event, visit YouthTennis.com. 135 gauges, with a suggested retail price of $21.95

ITHOF Names New Directors

Nine individuals have been elected to the Board of Directors of the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum. The new board members are: USTA First Vice President Katrina M. Adams; Vijay Amritraj, a former world top-20 player; David Bell, Chairman Emeritus of the Interpublic Group; Laurie Erlandson, a CPA formerly with Arthur Andersen & Co; David B. Ford, president of DBF Associates and Senior Advisor to Gatemore Capital Management; David I. Goulden, president and COO of EMC Corporation; Hall of Famer Charlie Pasarell; Barbara van Beuren, manager director at Anbau Enterprises; and Stewart Wicht, president and CEO of Rolex Watch U.S.A., Inc. In addition, longtime tennis industry supporters and Hall of Fame board members Rosalind Walter, Peggy Woolard, and John Reese have been named Life Trustees of the organization.

Babolat Introduces Origin Monolament

Babolat, which invented the rst tennis racquet string in 1875, has introduced its latest innovation, the Babolat Origin, a synthetic string made with Pure Combo, a new material the company says provides an unrivaled level of power and comfort. Pure Combo is an organically-sourced polyamide, integrated into the monolament construction to provide Babolat Origin with an unmatched level of elasticity and exibility for a monolament string, Babolat says. Origin is available in 125, 130, and

January 2014

TennisIndustry 15

2013 year
in
JANUARY TIA releases the TIA Equipment  Index, a new research measure to trend historical growth of tennis equipment sales. The 2012 USTA/TIA Participation study is  released, showing a 4% growth in frequent players to 5.3 million players who play 21+ times a year or more, and a 13% growth in youth players between ages 6 and 11. Year-end numbers for 2012 show that  the TIAs job board, Careers In Tennis, received more than 40,000 job views.
Millions of Dollars Shipped

REVIEW
Industry Goal:
10 Million Frequent Players by 2020 = $3.9 Billion Impact

Throughout the past 12 months, the TIA has continued to take steps to move this industrys key focus areas forward, laying the groundwork along with the USTA and our partners for various efforts and initiatives that will help provide a sustainable infrastructure to carry our industry well into the future. We realize we still have many challenges, but thanks to the efforts of thousands in this industry, we will continue to take steps toward long-term growth for all stakeholders, and to further unite all of us under one brandTENNIS.

MARCH
10M 7.5M

4.8M

2010

2015

2020

7% growth per year needed to achieve goal

Greg Mason, VP of Sales & Marketing  for HEAD/Penn USA, begins his tenure as new TIA President. Year-end 2012 shipment data for Red,  Orange and Green tennis balls show 38% growth over 2011. Cardio Tennis continues to grow, with  more than 1.4 million players in the U.S. FEBRUARY The TIA Economic Index for 2012  shows a 3% growth in the tennis economy, to $5.57 billion. TIA Retail Tips Booklet  is released, containing a collection of business-related tips for specialty tennis retailers that were published in RSI Magazine. Careers In Tennis partners with RSI to  announce nominations for RSIs 30 Under 30. Tim Heckler, USPTA CEO and longtime  TIA Board Member, passes away.

ROG Ball Shipment Dollars (2008-2013)

Hang tags  begin appearing on Youth Tennis equipment at mass merchant and chain retailers, to increase consumer awareness about appropriately sized gear for kids, in an effort coordinated by the TIA, with the USTA and manufacturers.  At the USTA Annual Meeting in Weston, FL, TIA President Greg Mason and Executive Director Jolyn de Boer deliver a State of the Industry presentation. Also, the first of two annual TIA Board Meetings is held.

Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Full Year

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

The National Academy of Sports Medicine  accredits Cardio Tennis, one of the first tennis-oriented programs to receive continuing education accreditation by the NASM, a global leader in delivering evidenced-based certifications and advanced credentials to health and fitness professionals. TIA attends and helps promote Tennis  Night in America to its provider network of facilities and retailers. TIA meetings in New York City with manufacturers and retailers discuss stimulating growth at retail. Mike Ballardie, new CEO of Prince Global  Sports, joins the TIAs Board of Directors. TIA offers Using TIA Research to Help Grow  Your Business webinar for specialty tennis retailers. TIA joins in celebrating the USTAs 10,000th  court lined or built for Youth Tennis.

TIA releases the 2012 Dealer Trends  Study, highlighting trends in equipment, apparel, and the specialty retail market. The 2012 Cost of Doing Business Retailers report is released,  outlining macroeconomic trends among tennis retailers.
Join the TIA . . . Increase Your Prots . . . Grow the Game . . . www.TennisIndustry.org

January 2014

TennisIndustry 17

APRIL TIA releases its annual 16-page State of  the Industry, a synthesis of the 70+ annual reports conducted by the organization. The 2013 Physical Activity Councils Sports,  Fitness, and Recreation Participation report is released, showing stable numbers in tennis participation and a 2% growth in frequent player play occasions. TIA begins to develop a Tennis Tune  Up campaign, working with the USRSA and industry manufacturers to create consumer awareness about the importance of racquet restringing. The TIA Facility Managers Manual is released in a new  edition with updated content on best practices and case studies for tennis facility management. TRX Cardio Tennis is added to the menu of  professional education for TRX trainers. TIA offers retail webinar  Using Benchmarks to Improve your Retail Business. Q1 2013 TIA Census Reports  show a 2% decrease in string units shipped, a 1.5% increase in ball units shipped, and a 15% decrease in racquet units shipped over the same period in 2012. Red, Orange and Green ball shipments grew 3.2%. May  TIA re-launches an all-new PlayTennis. com, making it easier for players to connect with other players, find places to play, programs, teaching pros, and much more. With the ITF, the TIA  announces plans to develop a Global Tennis Marketplace report, measuring wholesale equipment and participation trends in over 20 countries. TIA attends the 2013 PTR International Tennis  Symposium on Hilton Head Island, SC., and offers Cardio Tennis and TRX Cardio Tennis morning workouts. Training courses are also held at Aurora, CO, and Acton, MA. TIA offers the retail webinar Creating an Extraordinary  Shopping Experience. USTA/ESPN announce deal for ESPNs exclusive  coverage of the US Open and Emirates Airline US Open Series beginning in 2015.

With unprecedented support from industry stakeholders, PlayTennis.com is THE place for consumers to get into the game, stay in the game, have fun on the court, and get t and healthy.

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June  TIA updates and revises the Retail Managers Manual, adding a new tips and resources section. TIA offers the retail webinar  How to Put Shoppers in the Comfort Zone. TIA and ITF agree on a plan to increase trade  awareness about the replacement cycle of Yellow, Red, Orange and Green tennis balls every 30 days for Yellow balls, every 90 days for ROG balls. TIA Cardio Tennis Manager Michele Krause  travels to Belgium to deliver an International Cardio Tennis training course to nearly 50 tennis professionals from Belgium and neighboring countries.

18 TennisIndustry

January 2014

Join the TIA . . . Increase Your Prots . . . Grow the Game . . . www.TennisIndustry.org

July  Q2 TIA Census data shows an increase of 9% in units shipped for the wholesale string market, an increase of 6% in units shipped for tennis balls, and an increase of 16% in wholesale unit shipments of Red, Orange, and Green balls.  Free marketing material is made available on PlayTennis.com for tennis providers to utilize in driving consumer awareness about the site and their businesses. USTA, PTR and USPTA announce a new  educational collaborationa series of courses and workshops that focus on the development of young players. August  TIA holds a Business of Tennis media luncheon at New York Citys Bar Americain. TIA develops a new SaaS partnership program to  provide tennis providers with information on software applications and solutions. USTA announces a half-billion-dollar transformation  of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, which includes a roof over Arthur Ashe Stadium, to be completed by 2018. The first annual TIA State of the Industry is held at  the Grand Hyatt New York with nearly 200 industry executives and leaders in attendance, followed by a TIA Board Meeting. During the US Open, the TIA  holds meetings in NYC with its Manufacturers Panel and Retail Division Get a Personalize Racquet Tune-U d members to p ASK THE EXPERT outline areas ! for growth and cooperation, onalized Get a Pers including -Up Tennis Tune the Tennis PERT! EX E TH K AS Tune-Up campaign.
Go to PlayTenn is.com
Tu n e u p y o ur equipme nt

 PlayTennis.com receives a boost in consumer awareness when VISA promoted the site on its social media platforms to its nearly 10 million fans and followers. TIA announces an agreement with  Preferred Card Services to offer exclusive pricing discounts to TIA Retail Division members on their credit-card processing fees and services. TIA data shows there are over  2,700 Tennis Welcome Centers, 1,800 Cardio Tennis sites, and more than 300,000 registered tennis players in TIA databases.

September  PlayTennis.com holds its first major activation day, with industry businesses and organizations messaging out to their consumers to visit and sign up. The consumer reach was projected at 75 million impressions. Players were also encouraged to sign up for a chance to win one of 100 monthly prizes to be given away through March 2014. TIA begins fielding for the  2013 TIA Consumer Reports, which added a new section this year to include information on tennis players usage trends for digital devices, social media and web. TIA attends the 2013 USPTA World Conference  and Expo in Orlando, FL, where Cardio Tennis is on the morning schedule. TIA once again partners with American Express  as an official partner of Small Business Saturday. TIA gives away a hundred prizes donated  by industry organizations in the month of September to registered PlayTennis.com users. Prizes included items such as autographed racquets, free subscriptions to Tennis magazine, performance racquets, bags, tennis shoes, apparel and more.  RSI features a special section in the September/ October issue outlining a history of the TIA.

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TIA helps promote  Nickelodeons World Wide Day of Play and USTA Youth Tennis event registration month.

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PlayTennis.com soft-launches a new player-match  system to help connect tennis players with each other.  The TIA and ITF create a Global Tennis Research Partnership to establish participation and market trends on a global basis. TIA offers the retail webinar The Impact Technology  Has on Your Current and Future Tennis Customers. Walter Montenegro, Sheldon Westervelt and Howard  Gill are inducted into the Tennis Industry Hall of Fame.

The Tennis Tune-Up campaign is designed to help drive consumers and players to tennis retailers.

Join the TIA . . . Increase Your Prots . . . Grow the Game . . . www.TennisIndustry.org

January 2014

TennisIndustry 19

October  TIA announces plans to hold a Future of Tennis Summit in Indian Wells, CA, in March to define pathways to reach the industrys goal of 10 million frequent players by 2020. TIA announces a  2014 Tennis Facility Owners and Managers Conference scheduled for Charleston, SC, in April, which will feature some of the industrys leading experts in tennis facility operations and management. The 2013 TIA Consumer Report on Digital Device,  Social Media, and Web Usage trends is released. The Tennis Tune-Up launches to  retailers, providing marketing collateral to use in support of the campaign to get players to restring more often and into retail stores for new equipment. November

PlayTennis.com enhancements  include the integration of Facebook Connect, allowing tennis players to easily sign-up and link their Facebook account with their PlayTennis.com account. Q3 2013 TIA Census reports  show a 22% increase in unit shipments of Red, Orange, and Green balls. TIA retail audit reports indicate  a 4% growth in racquet dollar sales in the month of August at specialty tennis retailers. TIA releases its annual Dealer  Trends study. CareersInTennis.com surpasses 30,000  job views for the third consecutive year. TIA presents a State of the Industry Update  at the PTRs inaugural Directors of Tennis Conference on Hilton Head Island, SC.

December  TIA announces plans for the 2014 Tennis Show, State of the Industry Meeting, and Tennis Industry Hall of Fame, to be held in conjunction with the Tennis Teachers Conference in New York City.  TIA develops an industry calendar, which is mailed to more than 4,000 tennis industry businesses and organizations, highlighting upcoming industry events for 2014. Representatives  from the TIA attend the ITA Coaches Convention in Naples, FL, and the American Sports Builders Association Technical Meeting in San Antonio, TX. The Late Season Court Activity Monitor  indicates positive net increases in all categories measured. TIA and USTA, with their research partners,  compile data for the annual participation survey, to be released in early 2014.

 RSIs November/December issue features its first-ever 30 Under 30, highlighting 30 young professionals who are positively impacting the tennis industry. TIA attends the 2013 USTA Tennis Development Workshop in  Denver, CO. TIA releases its annual Tennis Consumer Reports, highlighting  playing and purchase/consideration trends among frequent players in 2013. TIA encourages tennis retailers to take part in American  Expresss Small Business Saturday.  PlayTennis.com enhances the player search function and player dashboard features for a better overall user experience. TIA and Sports Marketing Surveys USA complete a Tennis  Destination Study for Hilton Head Island, SC, and present the results at a Tennis Summit held on HHI for local tennis industry leaders. Two new websites, FutureofTennis.com and  TheTOMConference.com, are launched by the TIA in support of its upcoming events in March and April.

The TIA continues to evolve and is more focused than ever on our key initiatives and platforms to support industry growth. We know we still have much work to do as we enter 2014. We look forward to your continued support, which will help put the TIA in an even stronger position to support your efforts as we move forward together. Get Involved Get Informed. Visit TennisIndustry.org and become a member of the TIA.
January 2014

20 TennisIndustry

Join the TIA . . . Increase Your Prots . . . Grow the Game . . . www.TennisIndustry.org

Retailing 126
Take Advantage of Webrooming
Brick-and-mortar retailers need to move quickly to integrate online and mobile, to provide a seamless shopping experience.
email, social media and mobile components. A significant finding is that 94 percent of consumers found in-store shopping easy. But they are less bullish about their experience with other shopping channels: 74 percent said online shopping is easy, but only 26 percent found the mobile phone shopping experience easy. The point is brickand-mortar stores have an edge over all other forms of retailing, and specialty tennis retailers have to move quickly to integrate online and mobile to provide as seamless a retail shopping experience as possible. vide a crowd indicator so they know how busy the store is. After purchasing, 81 percent said it is important for a retailer to enable them to pick up or arrange for delivery of their purchase regardless of how they paid for it. 25 percent of respondents said they would be willing to wait two weeks for free shipping. Other consumers are willing to pay for speed and convenience: 24 percent said it is important for retailers to offer same-day delivery, including 30 percent who are willing to pay $5 to $10 and 19 percent who are willing to pay $11 to $20 for same-day delivery. When respondents were asked what they would do if a retailer has a product they want but it was outside normal business hours, 39 percent said they would wait until the morning for the store to open, 36 percent would buy it online from that retailer, 22 percent would search for the best price and buy the product somewhere online. 49 percent surveyed are influenced by in-store offers (via promotional displays, salespeople, etc.), 56 percent are influenced by email coupons and offers and an equal amount of respondents say they are influenced by coupons mailed to their home. For upcoming TIA retail webinars, and to view previous webinars, visit TennisIndustry.org/webinars. This is part of a series of retail tips presented by the Tennis Industry Association and written by the Gluskin Townley Group (www.gluskintownleygroup.com).
January 2014

he latest retail buzzword is webrooming, which describes a fast-growing phenomenon that retailers should come to likewhen customers research a product online, then purchase it in a brick-and-mortar store. Its the opposite of showrooming, where consumers browse in a store, then buy online. As online shopping continues to grow, research shows a synergy, or mutually beneficial relationship, between stores and online channels. For example, in a survey by global management consultant Accenture, 73 percent of respondents indicated they browsed at least once in-store and then bought online, but 88 percent said they participated in webroomingbrowsing online first before buying in-store. According to Accenture, which coined the term webrooming, retailers that deliver on their customers expectations and provide them with a seamless shopping experience whether they are shopping in a store, online or through a mobile devicewill win their loyalty and gain a competitive advantage. About 49 percent of consumers believe the best thing retailers can do to improve the shopping experience is to better integrate in-store, online and mobile shopping channels, and 89 percent said it is important for retailers to let them shop for products in the way that is most convenient for them, no matter which sales channel they choose. What this means is specialty tennis retailers and pro shops need to embrace and implement multi-channel marketing and merchandising, including in-store, direct response, website,

Nearly 90 percent of consumers say it is important for retailers to let them shop for products in the way that is most convenient for them.
This certainly seems logical, and something we have been recommending. Here are some other research results that help support this:  3 percent of consumers surveyed 4 expect a retailer to offer the same product assortment online as they do in the store, and at the same prices.  hen asked what kind of informaW tion would be useful to have from their favorite retailers before going to a physical store, 82 percent of consumers said having access to current product availability is their top choice. However, the Accenture study also showed this is offered by only 21 percent of retailers. T  he survey also found that 30 percent of shoppers want retailers to pro-

TennisIndustry 21

CHAMPIONS OF TENNIS
2013
This issue marks the 13th year that weve named our Champions of Tennis winners, honoring the often-unsung heroes of this sport who go above and beyond in helping to make a difference in tennis, and in the business of tennis. We hope they inspire you, too, to continue to move this industry forward.
C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S TO :
VIRGIL CHRISTIAN TENNISCLUB OF THE LOW COUNTRY CHUCK HAKANSSON FRED KOLKMANN TENNIS & SPORT SURFACES RICHARD MENNIG SERIOUS TENNIS ROBERT WALSH CARLA OCONNOR VESA PONKKA BASELINE TENNIS CENTER LEXINGTON COUNTY NICK TAYLOR FAST-DRY COURTS INC. BNA BANK PARK DALLAS TENNIS ASSOCIATION ROBERT CARLBO AVIS MURRAY USTA EASTERN KEN GRIFFITH

PRESENTS

January 2014

TennisIndustry 23

CHAMPIONS OF TENNIS
2013

PRESENTS

PERSON OF THE YEAR

Virgil Christian

24 TennisIndustry

January 2014

P H O T O BY B O B K E N A S

CHAMPIONS OF TENNIS
2013

PRESENTS

f you look back through our Person of the Year winners for the last dozen years, you may notice most arent what youd typically call ashy. On the contrary, they tend to do their jobs or volunteer quietly, passionately, with great dedication to tennis, and to growing this game. Our Person of the Year for 2013, Virgil Christian, ts this mold to a T (for tennis, of course). Christian is the USTAs director of market development and collegiate tennis, but that doesnt begin to describe the inuence hes had, and continues to have, on the development of recreational tennis in this country since he joined the USTA national office in 2005. When we began to focus on 10 and Under Tennis in 2008, says Kurt Kamperman, the USTAs chief executive of Community Tennis, we recognized we needed to make the game easier for kids. So we went with modied equipment and smaller courts, but it was Virgil who really dug into the facility side. He said, If this is going to grow, we have to gure out how to innovate around the challenge of the courts. How do we make this work for existing facilities? Do we really think teaching pros will put down lines and create smaller courts? The whole concept of blended lines painted on courtsVirgil was the architect of that. Now, blended lines are on more than 15,000 courts. Basically, with Virgils guidance, weve re-created the modern-day tennis court with blended lines, says Kamperman (who also adds that the 15,000 courts are the ones we know about and helped there probably are thousands of others who have added the lines that we arent aware of). But Christians inuence goes beyond the push for blended lineshe oversees the whole facilities effort from USTA national, including providing technical and grant assistance. Weve helped design or renovate over 30,000 courts in the last six years, and about 5,000 facilities have reached out to us for help in some way, notes Kamperman. David Lasota, the owner of a tennis facility and design rm and a national technical consultant to USTA Community Tennis Facilities & Development, says Christians work has reshaped the court construction business. Originally, as a technical consultant, I got together with a group from the USTA a few times a year to look at funding

Id be hard-pressed to nd any other sport that has been as successful as tennis in kid-sizing, Christian says. And thats going to continue.
applications, Lasota says. But Virgil saw that a lot of our clients needed more than just money; they needed technical assistance, to best help grow the sport. His leadership really changed the direction of this group. Its put us at the cutting edge in the industry, and in the long run, it will provide so much more exposure for tennis. What Christian brings to tennis on a national scaleand what may frequently get overlooked in the leap to nd tennis industry game-changersis experience at the grassroots level. Ive been fortunate to be in some pretty unique spots in my career, he says. Christian grew up in Pittsburgh and went to Penn State, where he played on the tennis team and was captain for two years. He received a masters degree from Westminster Theological Seminary near Philadelphia. My background is on the court, and after grad school I was recruited to go to Peachtree City outside of Atlanta, he says. At the time, Peachtree City wanted to build a world-class tennis center. I worked with an economic development grouppeople who were the top of their industry. Christian helped design the facility, oversaw the construction of hard courts, then clay courts, then covered courts, then an office building with a restaurant. Being in Atlanta, It was a pretty dynamic tennis environment, he notes. We had no community courts, then suddenly ve years later we had 2,000 people playing. I was given basically a blank slate, and the trust to make it work. His experience also includes running a tennis retail store, running tournaments, and running a pro circuit event. He then moved to Cary, N.C., which also wanted to create one of the worlds nest tennis facilities. Its now one of the most active public facilities, he says, and its just beautiful. When Christian joined the USTA, the organization was mostly concentrating on CTAs and parks. Changing and expanding the focus, though, was a team effort, he says, crediting a great working relationship with veteran court construction

P H O T O BY U S TA / C H R I S T R O T M A N

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CHAMPIONS OF TENNIS
2013

PRESENTS

industry executive Peggy Beard, who was the longtime volunteer chairperson of the USTAs Technical Committee. She really helped lead the way, Christian says. Then, you hire one of the best guys in the country, David Lasota, and everyone looks good. Were giving people the best advice possible. While Christian continues to oversee the facility development side of thingsand continues to help elevate the court design and construction industryhes also taken on other responsibilities within the USTA, including overseeing collegiate tennis for the USTA. One of his projects is College MatchDay, a series of top mens and womens college tennis team matches that are televised and include organized activities and local events. There is so much great competition in college tennis, he says. Were able to spotlight some of the games nest teams, players and coaches with the College MatchDay format. Last year there were three College MatchDay events; in 2014 Christian is planning on 20. But promoting tennis on 36- and 60-foot courts in all ways, and helping to build, renovate and update tennis facilities of all sizes throughout the country, remain top priorities. Christian says the USTAs facilities department continues to receive three or four inquiries a day for help and assistance, from huge facilities to much smaller projects. Were now seeing more people starting to spend more on tennis and building venues where people can sit and watch the sport, he says. We go to city council meetings all the time, and we simply tell them where tennis is going. You do tennis right, and you recover revenue. People need places to play; we have to guide them to it. I dont think anyone could have imagined that wed look at the landscape of tennis in the U.S. and see blended lines on courts, and adults playing on these courts, he adds. Were only three or four years into this, and we have permanent courts all over the place, too. Id be hard-pressed to nd any

other sport that has been as successful as tennis in kid-sizing. And thats going to continue. How often can you literally change the playing eld? Peter Francesconi

The whole concept of blended lines painted on courts Virgil was the architect of that, notes Kamperman. With his guidance, weve re-created the modern-day tennis court.

Tips For Success

Be inspired by the people around you. Key leaders have the skills and abilities to inspire those they lead. Take the cue from the leaders you work with. Stay reality based. For Christian, hell often work with the staff at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center to make sure programming, tennis teaching pros, consumers, and facility developments all work together effectively. People need places to play, and we have to guide them, Christian says. We cant hope they magically come forward. Show municipalities and tennis facilities how the sport can return revenue.

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P H O T O BY B O B K E N A S

PRIVATE FACILITY OF THE YEAR

Tennisclub of the Low Country at Rose Hill

hat do you get when you combine two well-regarded tennis industry veterans, a dedicated staff of certied pros, and a well-maintained neighborhood club that offers tennis programs for all ages and abilities? If youre Butch Staples and Gavin Cox, you get Tennis Industrys Private Facility of the Yearthe Tennisclub of the Low Country at Rose Hill. The Bluffton, S.C., facility offers six clay courts (three lighted), four permanent 36-foot courts for youth tennis, a clubhouse with pro shop, stringing, showers and lockers, and social areas and a kitchen for member events. With a lower price point than other clubs, Staples says Rose Hills approach is to build from the bottom up. Cox notes that the logistics and layout of the club enable them to offer clinics, practices and matches concurrently.

Tips For Success

Make it family-friendly. Parents have no problem leaving their kids as they run errands, which builds relationships and is just good business. Partner with key organizations. Rose Hills afliation with the USTA has helped with programming and in securing funding. Get talented and dedicated staff. In addition to Staples and Cox, the highly competent and involved staff includes another co-owner, Mike ORegan, and Jo Cahi.

Staples and Cox say theyre proud to be partners with the USTA, which has helped with support for the youth tennis courts, and even lmed a 10-and-under tennis coaching course on-site. Rose Hill is a dream club designed by two of the best and most experienced tennis professionals in the country, says Kirk Anderson, director for coach education at the USTA. Butch and Gavin have built a fantastic family-oriented facility and created a warm and friendly atmosphere. The club is everything you could want for players of any age or ability level. Cynthia Sherman

STRINGER OF THE YEAR

Chuck Hakansson
huck Hakansson has been stringing and customizing racquets in the Atlanta area for many years. The Master Racquet Technician owns Racquet Sports Services, but he also takes care of all the racquet needs of the Georgia Tech mens and womens teams (and also of visiting teams who have come to respect his work). But thats not allhe has a successful business at the LifeTime Fitness pro shop working with many of the areas top juniors. Plus, he manages a team of technicians providing stringing to 16 Dicks Sporting Goods stores. In his spare time, he squeezes in a few pro events working for the Priority One team and running his own teams. In fact, Ron Yu of Priority One refers to Hakansson as the godfather of stringing because of his knowledge and experience. And it all makes Hakansson Tennis Industrys 2013 Stringer of the Year. Chuck has always stayed on the cutting edge of whats going on in the industry, says Tim Strawn, MRT and TIs 2007 Stringer of the Year. He has serviced racquets at all levels. His long dedication to his craft speaks for itself. Bob Patterson

Tips For Success

With a large staff, training is essential. Hakansson and his team all use the same knot and all start each string job the same way for consistency. No matter what venue or store Hakansson is in, he strives for total consistency. Regardless of the playing level, talk to the client to ascertain their needs and give them the best service possible.

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CHAMPIONS OF TENNIS
2013

PRESENTS

SALES REP OF THE YEAR

Richard Mennig

BUILDER/CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR

Fred Kolkmann Tennis & Sport Surfaces

ust because tennis courts are built according to a set of construction guidelines, it doesnt mean they are cookie-cutter projects. Nobody knows this better than Fred Kolkmann of Fred Kolkmann Tennis & Sport Surfaces of Grafton, Wis., TIs 2013 Builder of the Year. Kolkmann believes there is no such thing as a typical project or customer, and it is this philosophy that guides his work. Our strength is nding out what people want. You need to know whats right for them because when were done, they are the ones who will be playing on it and have to be happy with it. Kolkmann has been in the industry for over 45 years. He routinely travels a fourstate area to give educational presentations about tennis court design, construction, maintenance and repair. In addition, he is a Certied Tennis Court Builder and an active member of ASBA. Ill meet people who are thinking of getting into the industry, he says, and I always tell them they need to join the ASBA. Its helped me in so many ways. Sports facility construction is always evolving, he notes. A lot of places are asking for 10 and Under Tennis lines because they want the USTA funding. Im also seeing an uptick in people asking for pickleball courts. Its our job to keep them all happy. Mary Helen Sprecher

Tips For Success

Tips For Success

Evaluate each customers needs. You want to try to nd the right mix and match for them. No economic downturn is permanent. You learn to tighten your belt and make a plan to get through, Kolkmann says. Do educational, not promotional, sessions. We practice not to preach or talk about our projects; we do an educational type of seminar and people appreciate that.

ts one thing to serve the customer. But the philosophy of service moves to a whole new level when you look for opportunities to serve the customers customers. But thats what Richard Mennig, Babolats south Florida territory sales manager, does. And he is TIs 2013 Sales Rep of the Year. The six-year, Miami-based Babolat veterans territory is not just a key U.S. market, its a gateway for sales to inuential Latin American clientele, and never is Mennig tested more than during the Sony Open. For two weeks, he basically lives at the retail tent, says Babolat Regional Manager David Dwelle. He is the rst one there and the last one to leave during this busy time. Dwelle, who appreciated Mennigs 8 percent sales growth over this past, challenging year, remembers one time in the middle of a sales presentation to a retail store staff, the store became unexpectedly full of customers. Mennig didnt hesitate; he dove in to help the staff t and sell shoes. But its Mennigs clients who have the last word on his success. German Sanchez-Myles, owner of Westons Grass Court Sports, describes Mennig as honest, a true person and a pleasure to work with. When I rst opened the business, remembers Sanchez-Myles, he didnt rush or ignore me, but took the time to talk about the future of the store. He always goes the extra mile to help you, and is always ready to lend a hand. Kent Oswald

While you represent a company, make sure customers know you are working for them and to serve their interests. Dont be afraid to help a client in any way you can, even if it doesnt immediately lead to a sale. In the long run, relationships will be the key to account growth. When calling on an account, dont just present the line, but exchange information (that is, talk and listen).

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PRO/SPECIALTY RETAILER OF THE YEAR

Serious Tennis

Tips For Success

Hang onto great staff. Longstanding employees have lots of experience, and offer great customer service. Get excellent stringers; service is everything. Offer a wide variety of product lines. Make sure your shopping environment is user-friendly and inviting.

f youre in the Atlanta area and are a die-hard player or just starting out in tennis, you should seriously consider one of the six stores that share the Serious Tennis moniker. Lianna Jones opened the rst store in 1990, with the help of her mother. Later, when her husband Scott got involved, the number of stores grew. Scott deals with hard goods and shoes, big sales and any pro tournaments where Serious Tennis has a presence. He also works with teaching pros and academies. Serious Tennis also supplies 10 tennis club pro shops. They have a great pulse on the local tennis community and work closely with area pros, says Greg Mason, vice president of sales and marketing for Head/Penn. One indication of their involvement is that almost all of their employees play in the ALTA league. They do basics very well and take the time to make sure every customer has the right equipment. Most of their 50 employees have been with them for at least 10 years, and both Lianna and Scott play tennis and work with a lot of area teams and organizations. Between our variety

of products, knowledgeable staff, and stringers, were always trying to give our customers the best experience, Lianna says. And because they succeed spectacularly, Serious Tennis is TIs Pro/Specialty Retailer of the Year. One store, at Toco Hills, has a unique stringing bar, where customers can relax, visit and talk tennis. Often the stores will host events around Grand Slams, and with the big TVs, customers spend even more time in the stores. Serious Tennis services consumers so well, were proud to be a partner with them, says Babolats Mickey Maule. Cynthia Sherman

TENNIS ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR

Robert Walsh
A few highlights: Walsh has served on numerous USTA Northern California committees; served as a league coordinator for seniors for over 20 years; was a liaison to USTA adult league staff; and created league and tournament opportunities for men and women who wish to compete in their 70s and 80s. For 10-plus years he was president of the Napa Valley Tennis Association, a tenure that included providing nancial support to local juniors and working with the Parks & Rec and school district to create 11 new courts, then raising $125,000 to support them. At age 88, and still consulting for small businesses, he tries to play at least once a week, although a horseback riding accident has caught up with him. But, he admits, Theres something about the game. Its good for mental health and it keeps people much tter than if they just sit around. As if that was something he really had to worry about. Kent Oswald

f any individual can blow up the stereotype of the workaholic, that would be Robert Walsh, Tennis Industrys Tennis Advocate of the Year. Maybe advocate isnt a strong enough word? My wife says tennis is my rst love and shes the second. But its not true, Walsh insists. He confesses to being a voluntaholic after retirement in 1988 from corporate nance and computers, when he decided to play a little more tennis. There were some needs there, and I just fell in love with all the things I was doing, he says.

Tips For Success

Look around. Theres something that needs doing. Dont worry about the credit when you help others. Do what you enjoy, do it well and the credit will follow.

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CHAMPIONS OF TENNIS
2013

PRESENTS

JUNIOR TENNIS CHAMPION OF THE YEAR

Vesa Ponkka

GRASSROOTS CHAMPION OF THE YEAR

Carla OConnor

ew people are more adept at building tennis from the grassroots than Carla OConnor of Charlotte, N.C. For the past decade, OConnor has been the executive director of the Charlotte Tennis Association, but her contributions to growing the game have gone well beyond local borders. Shes served on numerous USTA committees at every level, and currently chairs Jr. Team Tennis committees for USTA North Carolina, USTA Southern and USTA National. Her honors and achievements also run from local to national, including receiving state league organizer and Junior Tennis Council awards, USTA North Carolina Family of the Year, and the USTA Janet Louer National Organizer of the Year Award. And now, she is Tennis Industrys 2013 Grassroots Champion of the Year.

I started as a volunteer in 1998. I became a JTT coordinator then community tennis coordinator, then in 2003, executive director of the CTA, OConnor says. The volunteer work I do has been invaluable. We bring back all kinds of ideas to help the game grow. The Charlotte Tennis Association serves all players, and under OConnors leadership it has been involved in virtually everything tenniswise in the region. The areas strong grassroots tennis also makes it ideal for piloting national USTA programs. And, Were doing all this with a signicant court shortage in the community, OConnor says. What motivates me is all the benets this sport has to offer children, she notes. My favorite is being on the court with the 8-and-unders. Its just so special. Peter Francesconi

Tips For Success

Dont try to catego-

Tips For Success

Be as resourceful as possible, and use all the contacts you have. Be a relationship person. Our successes are because weve been able to nd the right people to work with, OConnor says. Take a leap of faith. Most positions at the CTA are tied directly to revenue-generating programs, but OConnor says, We made a real investment in some things that will pay dividends in other ways.

ou can grow a love of rize what you think the tennis in children, says player should be doing. Vesa Ponkka, but its Kids move at their own not so much about the lessons speed. Work at the kids you impart as it is the approach pace. you take. The biggest mistake Every coach should be we make in teaching tennis, able to look in the mirror at every level and in every and say, Today I worked country, is always the same: We to establish belief in my ask the coaches and players to players. believe in our system, but what Always use common we need to do is believe in the sense; go out there on players rst, he says. the court every day and Ponkka, senior director of provide good resources. tennis at The Tennis Center at College Park in College Park, Md., has been working with juniors almost 30 years. One thing he says he has learned is that there is no one-size-ts-all approach. A lot of young coaches want to coach players the way they were coached when they were young. You have to look at the players and what they need. And while there may be complaints about tennis parents, says Ponkka, those moms and dads are spot-on in one respect. They dont have the knowledge base, but they have an absolutely unyielding belief in their children. When you think about it, the good teachers, the best teachers, are always the ones who believe in the kids and as a result, they inspire them. Vesa might be one of the nest role models in tennis, says Ajay Pant, general manager at The Tennis Center at College Park. He lives and breathes everything he teaches on the court. If my kids were still in juniors, I would want them with him not just because he would make them into great players but because he would make them into great people. Mary Helen Sprecher

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MUNICIPAL FACILITY OF THE YEAR

Baseline Tennis Center, Univ. of Minn.

uilt as home to the University of Minnesota Golden Gopher mens and womens teams in 2002, the Baseline Tennis Center has evolved into the premier public tennis center in the Twin Cities. For this reason, Baseline also is the rst collegiate facility to win TIs Municipal Facility of the Year Award. The center features 22 maroon and gold Plexipave courts12 outdoors and 10 indoors with 30-foot ceilings. Amenities include a full pro shop, stringing services, 120-footcandle lighting, state-of-the-art sound system, an electronic scoreboard, concession stands and bleachers with chair-back seating. In addition to hosting Big Ten, NCAA and ITA events and championships, Baseline has been the site of the 2012 London and 2008 Beijing Paralympic training center, 2011 National

Tips For Success

Keep your partners close. Baseline enjoys tremendous support from the university. Its event-driven (rather than membership-driven) model is rewarded through relationships with all constituents in the local tennis community. Remain open-minded. With no membership dues or base to fall back on, Baseline keeps courts full with creativity. Listen to your front line. Teaching pros, tournament ofcials and front desk staff have the best vantage point regarding how to do things more efciently.

Public Parks Tennis Championships, 2004 Transplant Games of America, Division III and junior college programs, high school tournaments, junior and senior events, and a variety of USTA tournaments and leagues, fundraisers, workshops, camps and youth programs. John Pratt, director of Baseline, said the facility grew its programming in every category in 2013. Tennis has given us a tremendous opportunity to let Baseline serve as a window to the University of Minnesota, both locally and nationally. Cindy Cantrell

PARK & REC AGENCY OF THE YEAR

Lexington County
eeding the tennis needs of everyone from the youngest to the oldestis a tradition in Lexington County, S.C. In fact, in 2004 the 21-court Lexington County Tennis Complex was our Municipal Facility of the Year. But that was before a second large facility was built in the county. The new Cayce Tennis and Fitness Center adds 30 more courts (and in 2013 was named the USTAs Featured Facility Award winner). Both of these facilities, expertly run and programmed by director of operations Jorge Andrew, would not have been possible without the support of the Lexington Country Recreation and Aging Commission (LCRAC), which for 2013 is Tennis Industrys Park & Rec Agency of the Year. The two facilities are about 15 minutes apart and together are home to about 70 adult league teams, along with junior programs that reach about 140 kids on a regular basis. They also host many regional and national events. Court rates are as low as $3 a person for two hours. Customer service is rule No. 1, says Andrew, but he says more can be done. We have to be a leader, not a follower. Kent Oswald

Tips For Success

A business may be perfect at one thing, but community service requires excellence at many things for diverse populations. Tie all offerings together by focusing topdown and bottom-up on customer service. Keep an eye out for what is going on outside the organization, whether it is local budget battles or changing demographics.

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TennisIndustry 31

CHAMPIONS OF TENNIS
2013

PRESENTS

10 AND UNDER TENNIS FACILITY DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR

Fast-Dry Courts Inc.

WHEELCHAIR TENNIS CHAMPION OF THE YEAR

Nick Taylor
n addition to his singles bronze and three doubles gold medals in the Paralympic Games, Nick Taylor has achieved a lengthy list of national and international highlights. But, hes also active locally, in his hometown of Wichita, Kan. Taylor is in his fourth season as a volunteer assistant coach for the Shocker mens tennis program at Wichita State University, where he earned his bachelors and masters degree in sports management. According to Dan James, the USTAs national manager of wheelchair tennis, able-bodied college players are fortunate to learn from one of the best tennis minds and match players in the sport. For his combination of tennis achievement and dedication to giving back, Taylor is TIs Wheelchair Tennis Champion of the Year. Despite severe limitations from a rare congenital disease, Taylors competitive drive spurred him to learn at age 13 to begin his service motion by tossing the ball with his foot. He made the high school tennis team, then set his aspirations higher. Taylor competes in the quad division and is consistently the most disabled player on court. As a result, he notes, I have to be smarter. It is this mentality that Taylor instills as a coach, in addition to his love of the game, drive to improve and intensely competitive nature. Cindy Cantrell

Tips For Success

Work with your cus-

Tips For Success

Learn however you can. At Wichita State in 1995, Taylor arranged his class schedule so he could study the mens tennis team practices. Practice with a purpose. Taylor still hits against the wall, but he does so with specic targets and goals. Never, never give up. In motivational speeches, Taylor describes his journey from hitting a tennis ball against a garage door 5 feet away, to winning three gold medals in the Paralympics. What is your garage door, he asks, and what is your gold medal?

ecognizing that chiltomers and make sure dren need to develop you understand them. a love of tennis is what Always make them part makes contractors enthusiastic of the decision-making about creating facilities for the process; you want to cre10 and under set. For Fast-Dry ate a relationship that is Courts Inc. of Pompano Beach, going to last. Fla., it all goes back to recogStay in touch, from nizing how essential it is to the initial call through instill that passion. the whole process to a My whole family grew survey afterward. up playing tennis, says Vice You dont want to focus President Todd Dettor, and its on money; focus instead the love of the game that gives on building something you a whole different perspecfor that owner they can tive. Fast-Dry, which won TIs be really proud of. Builder of the Year Award in At the end of the day, 2005, continues to endorse you need to have helped 36- and 60-foot tennis courts the consumer. Thats and to listen carefully to what the goal. its customers want. Only by doing that, says Dettor, do they continue to meet their customers needs. And one of those needs recently was a project in March at the Tamiami Tennis Center in Miami that resulted in the 10,000th lined youth-sized tennis court in the country. For Fast-Drys continued support of providing the infrastructure needed for youth tennis, it is Tennis Industrys 10 and Under Tennis Facility Developer of the Year. I think 10 and Under Tennis is a wonderful thing, Dettor says. Its always about the customer and it always should be. If you take yourself off the pedestal, you become a resource. You build a trust with the other person. Thats the way it should be. Mary Helen Sprecher

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January 2014

PUBLIC PARK OF THE YEAR

BNA Bank Park

Tips For Success
Hire a director of tennis. Its a full-time jobpromoting tennis, encouraging and instructing kids, providing programs and running events, says Cooke. The town understood this and hired Bo Bowman. Utilize the community. For instance, high school players hit the courts for free. But Bowman also will allow them to man tournament desks, do light custodial work, etc., to help them pay back tabs they may have for things like racquet stringing. Take advantage of social media. I post upcoming events, photos, etc., says Bowman, who uses Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Offer programs 24/7. Bowman wants anyone and everyone to play tennis. You must be exible. Everyone has a wild schedule.

ot every small town is lucky enough to have the support of local government and a group of dedicated volunteers to pull together a $5 million project that includes 10 new tennis courts. But then, New Albany, Miss., isnt just any small town. Together with the help of local businesses, USTA facility grants and donations from residents, the town now has the 40-acre BNA Bank Park, complete with a two-story tennis complex and blended lines on all 10 lighted tennis courts. In 2013, BNA Bank Park was named a USTA Outstanding Facility of the Year, and now, its received TIs Public Park of the Year Award. Prior to construction, the community had four dilapidated courts designated for high school use. But dedicated volunteers formed a committee and presented plans to the city council, and as a result, land was donated for a sportsplex. Initially, we wanted to refurbish four tennis courts, says Jolyn Cooke, vice chairman of the New Albany Tennis Association, the local CTA. But the idea blossomed. Now, through the tremendous efforts of countless volunteers, backed by the city council, the town has a beautiful tennis complex everyone can enjoy.

Parks employee Megan Kirk couldnt agree more. Before the courts, we didnt have much to do with tennis, she says. Now, the whole town can get involved. Robin Bateman

COMMUNITY TENNIS ASSOCIATION OF THE YEAR

Dallas Tennis Association

he Dallas Tennis Association has a lot to be proud of. For instance, it runs a number of USTA leagues; it holds sanctioned tournaments; its active in Jr. Team Tennis; its programs afford youngsters the opportunity to go to college. And now, the Dallas Tennis Association is Tennis Industrys 2013 Community Tennis Association of the Year. Executive Director Tina Anderson acknowledges all the work it takes to coordinate everything the association does, and credits the four full-time and two parttime staffers, plus the 200 or so dedicated volunteers. It reects our all hands on deck approach to pitching in and getting things done, she says. Any money the DTA takes in from tennis gets invested right back into the tennis community. Importantly, DTA programs help get youngsters to college; in fact 100 percent of seniors graduating from DTAs college-prep program have attended college, with many receiving scholarships. One of the main goals of DTA is to offer every child who is interested in learning tennis the opportunity to do so. Collectively, DTAs programs for juniors are called Invest in a Child. Cynthia Sherman

Tips For Success

Tennis for kids goes beyond the courts. The Slam Jammer program teaches kids life skills such as how to interact with each other, manners, and how to give back to the community, and kids need to maintain a C average in school, says Bert Cole, DTAs director of junior recreation. Encourage volunteers at every level and in every program.

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TennisIndustry 33

CHAMPIONS OF TENNIS
2013

PRESENTS

USPTA MEMBER OF THE YEAR

Avis Murray

PTR MEMBER OF THE YEAR

Robert Carlbo
obert Carlbo is a clear believer in educationat every level. His passion for learning about teaching tennis is clear in his rsum. In recent years, the Palm Harbor, Fla., teaching pro became certied to teach wheelchair tennis; received an Etcheberry Certication in strength, conditioning and movement in tennis; received two Swedish Tennis Association certications; and is a USPTA certied pro. With the PTR, Carlbo is the rst, and so far only, person to complete all four PTR certication pathways, earning Professional ratings in each. He also earned two PTR Masters of Tennis, in Junior Development and Performance. In presenting Carlbo with the PTR Professional of the Year award last May, the organization said that in the last year, No PTR member has pursued education and professional development more vigorously. Its this passion and dedication that also makes Carlbo Tennis Industrys 2013 PTR Member of the Year. Carlbo grew up in Liberia, West Africa, moved to Sweden to play competitive junior tennis, attended high school in the U.S., then went to Pepperdine then Eckerd College. He played on the pro tour for a year and a half, reaching No. 429 in the world. Now head coach of the East Lake High School boys tennis team, Carlbo also runs a Youth Tennis program at a local YMCA and in elementary schools, and teaches a variety of adult clinics. He also coaches some of the top juniors in Florida and is visited regularly by ATP and WTA pros. Peter Francesconi

Tips For Success

Never stop learning. Take advantage of all the educational opportunities that come your way. Do what you love. After his pro career, Carlbo took a sales job, but realized tennis was his rst love. Give back to the game, and to others. Carlbo coaches players of all ages, abilities and levels, and also adaptive tennis, wheelchair players and wounded veterans.

vis Murray has received Stay involved and help many honors for her others in the industry as work in tennis, includmuch as you can. ing most recently the USPTAs Share with others who top annual member awardthe are in the same or similar 2013 Alex Gordon Award for situations as youre in. Professional of the Year. And Do what you love now, she can add Tennis Indusevery day. trys 2013 USPTA Member of the Year honors. When I started teaching, the rst thing on my priority list was to join USPTA, says Murray, of Gloucester, Mass. I wanted so much to be a part of it. When they had a tournament in the area, Id go play. At that time, they didnt have a separate tourney for men and women, and it didnt matter; I played with the men. In 1971, Murray was hired by the Bass Rocks Golf Club as the head tennis professional and has been there ever since. She attended her rst USPTA World Conference in 1986, and has missed only two in the intervening years. My goal was to bring back everything I learned and share it with the staff. A Master Professional, Murray has served the USPTA in many roles, including on the National Awards Committee, USPTA New England Board and as chair of various committees. In addition, she has served on the USTA Hall of Fame Committee. She is also a top player, earning several No. 1 rankings in singles and doubles with the USPTA. Shes earned spots in the Gloucester High School Athletic Hall of Fame and the USTA New England Hall of Fame, had courts at two clubs named in her honor, received the New England Youth Tennis Foundation Ned Weld Award, and the AMVETS Sports Award. Additionally, the Gloucester Fishermans Athletic Association has named an award in her honor. Youre just doing what you love to do every day and giving as much as you can, Murray says. Peter Francesconi

Tips For Success

34 TennisIndustry

January 2014

USTA SECTION OF THE YEAR

USTA Eastern

Tips For Success

Dont let the exploration of new opportunities detract from existing efforts. While numbers of members is an important metric, membership alone shouldnt be the central focus. Getting more people playing is the key to growing the sport, whether theyre USTA members or not. Interactive communication with all stakeholders about strategy and successes is a key to progress.

USTA section is dened geographically, but its success is achieved with an attitude that encourages reaching out in all directions. For USTA Eastern, says longtime volunteer, player and coach Sunny Fishkind, The most important change in recent years is the section has broadened its denition of constituentswell help anyone with tennis in mind to get involved. In a formal statement, The members of the USTA Eastern Section Board of Directors unanimously agree that the simple and clear mission of the Section is, To Promote and Develop the Growth of Tennis. We take as axiomatic that an increase in USTA membership and in USTA program participation is a consequence of and not a cause of the growth of tennis. We believe it to be critical that we devote signicant Sectional nancial and human resources to the games growth, without regard to any direct or immediate impact on USTA membership and programs. This enlightened attitude and practical approach toward growing the game overall makes Eastern the perfect recipient of TIs 2013 USTA Section of the Year honors.

Executive Director Jill Fonte says assets have been redeployed toward programs and partnerships that produce new and frequent players. This emphasis on participation rather than membership has required a belief in the appeal of tennis and the courage to risk short-term nancial reward for the longer term benets of building the base of players. Our section is actively reaching out to club owners, teaching pros, school teachers, players, league captains, and retailers, Fishkind says. Everyone wants to see tennis grow. Kent Oswald

HIGH SCHOOL COACH OF THE YEAR

Ken Grifth
2013 High School Tennis Coach of the Year. It's his commitment to ensure his students excel in the classroom, on the tennis court and in life. My players are learning how to be members of a society," he says. "That is based on competition, and tennis is a venue for their journey. Griffith spends countless hours organizing and teaching for the local CTA, offering tennis programs for 10 and under kids, NJTL, JTT and even for adults. Ken has made a huge impact in the lives of many high school students, says Alicia von Lossberg, USTA Maryland's director of community tennis. He uses tennis as a way for students to attain college educations and achieve successful business careers. Robin Bateman

ost folks, after 20plus years on the job, tend to let up a little. Kenneth Griffith is not most folks. Not only has he kept up his enthusiastic approach to providing tennis to his community, he seems to put more into his workday as time goes by. Griffith is the boys and girls tennis coach at Henry E. Lackey High School in Indian Head, Md. The recognition hes received for all his work with kids is extensive. But thats not what makes Griffith our choice for TIs

Tips For Success

Get involved in community tennis. Whether it's your local CTA, JTT, Tennis on Campus, or even hosting your own tournament, connecting with local tennis strengthens your high school tennis programs. Cultivate strong relationships, which will help develop teenagers into adults. Concentrate on improvement. Its not about the wins. I want to see them improve.

January 2014

TennisIndustry 35

Guide to Strings

String Selector 2014

W
36 TennisIndustry

Use our exclusive guide to nd the perfect strings for your customers.
By David Bone
For advice on how to most efficiently use this information, make sure you read the section on Using the String Selector. For a better understanding of the string graph, read The Geography of Feel. Remember, though, that USRSA members have access to even more powerful toolsString Spec Search and String Selectoron the Members-Only section of the website, www.racquettech.com. String Spec Search allows the user to choose the brand and model of string they are considering and see the specs of that string without having to search through the whole list of 900 strings. The String Selector tool allows the user to enter the brand and model of string a player is currently playing with as well as the changes they would like to make in their string. The tool then goes through all the strings currently available and returns a list of string that meets the requested changes. Its been two years since we published our String Selector (technical difficulties prevented us from completing our testing last year), so you can imagine there are a lot of new strings that have been introduced since January 2012. In order to save some trees and to focus on whats new, weve decided in this printed edition of Tennis Industry to publish specs for just the new strings (the current strings that were not included in the 2012 guide). If youd like to see the specs for all the current strings on the market, visit our website, www.tennisindustrymag.com. To nd the whole list, just click on the latest issues cover, then choose the January 2014 option under the text-only versions.

hen it comes to tennis strings, the U.S. market appears to be going in two directions. Most of the major manufacturers seem to be slowing the introduction of new string models, and some are even reducing the size of their lines. So, you might think the number of strings out there is declining. But in the last several years, more new brands of string have entered the U.S. market than we can ever remember happening in such a short time frame. Its not that these are all new string companies. Many have been around for some time, but their products have only been available in markets outside the U.S. Now, though, many of these brands have found U.S. distributors and felt the time was right to move into the U.S. So, when you combine these brands entering the U.S. with the new brands popping up for the rst time, the result is a string market that continues to grow at an alarming rate. The USRSA now has lab-test results for nearly 900 models of string. We dont know anyone who can say theyve actually played with all the different models available, or who can say they know what every string on the market feels like. Thats why our String Selector tool is more important than ever. It offers an apples-to-apples comparison of all the different models on the market because all the strings were tested using the same exacting procedures. What does this mean for you? Stringers and retail shops can use the information in our String Selector to nd models that offer exactly what their customers are looking for.

January 2014

Newest Strings on the Market

Company String Material Gauge Stiffness (lbs.) Tension Loss (lbs.) Company String Material Gauge Stiffness (lbs.) Tension Loss (lbs.)

Babolat Babolat Babolat Ashaway Ashaway Ashaway Prince Yonex Prince Dunlop Victory Victory Volkl Gosen Prince Victory Prince Ytex Wilson Prince Gosen Dunlop Yonex Asics Boris Becker Prince Asics Prince Prince Head Gosen Tourna Victory Asics Prince Volkl Babolat Asics Victory Victory Tourna Tier One Sports Victory Golden Set Ytex Tourna Tourna Gamma Yonex Topspin Tourna Golden Set Wilson Volkl Ytex Prince Gamma Pacic Volkl Tier One Sports Gosen Volkl Topspin Tier One Sports Volkl Prince Gosen Ytex Prince Volkl Pro Supex Wilson Wilson Gamma Volkl Wilson Head Tier One Sports Prince

VS Team 17 (BT7) Tonic + Ball Feel (BT7) VS Touch 16 (BT7) MonoGut ZX Pro 17 MonoGut ZX Dynamite Natural 17 Premier Touch 16 Tour Super Solid X 125 Premier Touch 15L Pearl 17 Acelon Synthetic Gut TCF 17 Acelon Wildre 17 Classic Synthetic Gut 17 TecFlex 17 Premier Power 18 Acelon Wildre 16 Premier Control 15L MicroFiber-X 16 Optimus 16 Premier Power 17 Tecex 16 Pearl 16 Tour Super Solid X 130 Resolution 16 Pulse 17 Premier Power 16 Challenger 17 Premier Control 17 Premier Control 15 FXP Tour 16 Tecgut Remplir 17 Quasi Gut Armor 16 Acelon Supermax 17 Resolution 17 Premier Control 16 Classic Synthetic Gut 16 SG Spiraltek 16 Challenger 16 Acelon Supermax 16 Acelon Advanced 17 Big Hitter Silver 17 Triumph 130 Acelon Synthetic Gut TCF 16 Dura Match 16 (Crosses) Touch 16 Synthetic Gut Armor 17 Big Hitter Black 7 17 FTX 17 Poly Tour Pro 120 Max ROTation 1.31 Synthetic Gut Armor 16 Velvet 15L Synthetic Gut Power 16 Cyclone Tour 18 Sintex 16 Tour XT 18 FTX 16 DuraTech Flex 15L Cyclone Tour 17 T1 Firewire 120 AK Pro Spin 15L V Torque 18 Max ROTation 1.27 DuraFluxx 118 V Torque 16 Tour XP 15L AK Power 16 ProTour 1.20 Tour XS 1.25+ Cyclone Tour 16 Ultra Spin 1.23 Synthetic Gut Power 15 NXT Power 17 RZR Rx 17 V Torque 17 Synthetic Gut Control 16 Sonic Pro Edge 16 Tour Status 120 Tour XS 1.35+

Natural Gut 1.25 Natural Gut 1.29 Natural Gut 1.31 Zyex 1.3 Zyex 1.3 Nylon & Zyex 1.26 Nylon 1.32 Nylon 1.23 Nylon 1.34 Nylon 1.25 Nylon 1.24 Polyester 1.25 Nylon 1.25 Nylon & Polyurethane 1.23 Nylon 1.19 Polyester 1.31 Nylon 1.35 Nylon 1.29 Nylon 1.28 Nylon 1.22 Nylon 1.31 Nylon 1.28 Nylon 1.3 Nylon & Polyurethane 1.29 Nylon 1.25 Nylon 1.25 Nylon & Polyester 1.25 Nylon 1.25 Nylon 1.37 Nylon & Polyester 1.33 Nylon & Polyurethane 1.23 Nylon 1.29 Nylon & Polyurethane 1.25 Nylon & Polyurethane 1.25 Nylon 1.32 Nylon 1.29 Nylon 1.27 Nylon & Polyester 1.3 Nylon & Polyurethane 1.29 Polyester 1.23 Polyester 1.2 Nylon 1.32 Nylon 1.31 Nylon 1.29 Nylon 1.31 Nylon 1.24 Polyester 1.2 Nylon 1.24 Polyester 1.19 Polyester 1.27 Nylon 1.29 Nylon 1.34 Nylon 1.29 Polyester 1.19 Nylon 1.28 Polyester 1.22 Nylon 1.29 Nylon 1.32 Polyester 1.24 Polyester 1.19 Nylon 1.37 Polyester 1.18 Polyester 1.23 Polyester 1.21 Polyester 1.26 Polyester 1.38 Nylon 1.32 Nylon 1.19 Polyester 1.37 Polyester 1.32 Polyester 1.27 Nylon 1.37 Nylon 1.27 Thermoplastic Elastomer 1.28 Polyester 1.21 Nylon 1.28 Polyester 1.31 Polyester 1.2 Polyester 1.45

90 94 110 133 135 145 145 151 152 153 155 157 157 158 158 158 159 161 161 162 162 163 163 164 164 164 165 165 165 165 165 166 167 168 168 168 170 170 170 172 173 174 175 177 179 179 179 180 181 182 184 184 186 186 189 189 191 192 193 195 196 196 196 196 197 198 200 200 200 200 201 202 203 204 204 205 205 206 207

7.74 8.8 8.42 16.53 18.31 13.17 17.57 18.75 16.8 13.83 16.41 13.47 16.21 9.95 15.17 16.64 16.4 14.49 15.13 13.21 13.45 13.61 16.28 12.35 12.61 13.27 12.61 12.7 14.51 14.93 16.96 12.37 12.99 9.59 14 14.95 13.07 13.56 13.65 23.11 23.74 12.13 14.4 14 11.89 13.63 21.79 10.85 21.08 19.54 11.44 12.65 13.03 22.18 11.45 21.39 10.3 11.46 22.83 15.41 11.8 16.03 16.78 20.27 23.46 18.46 11.29 17.73 18.9 23.26 20.06 14.51 12.46 17.11 22.03 10.3 19.53 15.86 18.81

Golden Set Volkl Gosen Wilson Luxilon Signum Pro Gamma Wilson Gamma Prince Ytex Wilson Gosen Signum Pro Ytex Victory Pacic Prince Golden Set Tier One Sports Head Boris Becker Kirschbaum Victory Wilson Gamma Head Dunlop Dunlop Tier One Sports Kirschbaum Babolat Head Gamma Kirschbaum Ytex Genesis Prince Luxilon Gamma Boris Becker Ytex Wilson Gamma Tier One Sports Victory Prince Wilson Wilson Kirschbaum Yonex Wilson Tier One Sports Tier One Sports Yonex Ytex Kirschbaum Kirschbaum Prince Tecnibre Gamma Gamma Gamma Victory Tier One Sports Babolat Babolat Luxilon Luxilon Gamma Tecnibre Gamma Genesis Wilson Luxilon Ytex Tecnibre Luxilon Golden Set

Power Cord 17 Polyester 1.24 Cyclone 18 Polyester 1.2 Polylon ILD 16L Polyester 1.26 NXT Power 18 Nylon 1.24 ALU Power Feel 120 Polyester 1.2 Thunderstorm 1.30 Polyester 1.32 Poly-Z 17 Polyester 1.22 Synthetic Gut Control 17 Nylon 1.25 iO 18 Polyester 1.17 Tour XP 17 Polyester 1.28 Octo-Twist 1.28 Polyester 1.29 NXT Duramax 16 Nylon 1.34 Polylon ILD 16 Polyester 1.31 Firestorm 1.30 Polyester 1.3 Dynamic Black Power 1.18 Polyester 1.15 Acelon Seven 16L Polyester 1.26 Poly Power Pro Black Series 16 Polyester 1.3 Tour XP 16 Polyester 1.31 Power Cord 16 Polyester 1.29 Tour Status 125 Polyester 1.26 Hawk 17 Polyester 1.23 Bomber NYC 17 Polyester 1.25 Super Smash Orange 1.23/17 Polyester 1.23 Acelon Seven 17 Polyester 1.21 NXT Power 16 Nylon 1.31 RZR Rx 16 Thermoplastic Elastomer 1.3 Hawk 18 Polyester 1.22 ICE 17 Polyester 1.2 ICE 16 Polyester 1.29 T1 Firewire 125 Polyester 1.29 Black Shark 1.25/17 Polyester 1.23 RPM Team 17 Polyester 1.27 Hawk 16 Polyester 1.29 Poly-Z 16 Polyester 1.28 Pro Line X 1.25/17 Polyester 1.23 Trivolution Black 1.25 Polyester 1.24 Typhoon 16 Polyester 1.3 Tour XC 15 Polyester 1.4 4G Rough 125 Polyester 1.28 iO 17 Polyester 1.22 Bomber NYC 16 Polyester 1.25 ProTour 1.25 Nylon 1.25 Ripspin 17 Polyester 1.26 Moto 17 Polyester 1.24 DuraFluxx 123 Polyester 1.3 Acelon Advanced 16 Polyester 1.28 Tour XC 17L Polyester 1.2 Shock Shield Mono 17 Polyester 1.24 Ripspin 15 Polyester 1.34 Black Shark 1.30/16 Polyester 1.29 Poly Tour HS 130 16 Polyester 1.27 Ripspin 16 Polyester 1.28 T1 Firewire 130 Polyester 1.35 Tour Status 130 Polyester 1.27 Poly Tour Spin 125 16L Polyester 1.29 Dynamic Black Power 1.23 Polyester 1.23 Pro Line X 1.30/16 Polyester 1.32 Super Smash Orange 1.28/16L Polyester 1.28 Tour XC 16L Polyester 1.26 ATP Razor Code 18 Polyester 1.2 Moto 16 Polyester 1.29 Zo Dart 16 Polyester 1.29 iO 16 Polyester 1.27 Acelon Seven 16 Polyester 1.29 DuraFluxx 128 Polyester 1.27 RPM Dual 17 Polyester 1.26 RPM Dual 16 Polyester 1.29 ALU Power 138 Polyester 1.37 4G 125 Polyester 1.24 Zo Dart 17 Polyester 1.24 ATP Razor Code 17 Polyester 1.25 Zo Verve 16 Polyester 1.29 Black Magic 1.33 Polyester 1.37 Synthetic Gut Duramax 16L Polyester 1.27 4G 130 Polyester 1.29 Dynamic Black Power 1.28 Polyester 1.28 ATP Razor Code 16 Polyester 1.29 4G S 141 Polyester 1.46 Dura Match 16 (Kevlar Mains) Kevlar 1.27

207 208 208 209 209 209 209 210 210 210 210 211 211 213 214 215 215 216 216 217 217 218 218 218 219 220 220 220 220 221 222 224 224 224 225 225 225 226 227 228 228 230 230 231 231 232 232 232 232 233 235 235 236 236 236 236 236 237 238 239 240 242 242 243 244 245 245 247 249 250 252 256 266 267 269 270 278 287 336

23.31 15.94 16.51 9.53 18.35 20.04 22.91 10.39 16.78 19.25 21.35 9.71 17.35 21.21 19.18 17.31 23.51 16.21 22.38 16.49 17.61 15.15 16.76 19.47 8.98 15.92 16.78 18.28 22.44 13.85 19.49 16.54 18.46 23.44 15.61 19.18 21.94 22.36 17.57 15.41 15.61 15.92 18.39 15.35 15.67 16.19 18.85 20.66 21.69 20.22 17.2 20.18 14.18 14.66 15.79 16.83 16.92 17.86 19.09 16.14 13.83 15.1 15.51 16.09 16.87 14.37 16.03 19.94 13.3 15.06 16.43 14.53 18.7 19.16 13.74 15.85 18.59 15.65 10.81

January 2014

TennisIndustry 37

Guide to Strings

Using the String Selector

Start by nding the string your client currently uses in the appropriate list (weve broken the market down into four categories: Nylon, Polyester, Natural Gut and Kevlar).

Once youve found a dot that seems interesting, note the coordinates and look them up in the table.

The Geography of Feel Finding Your Feel Good Location

Softer strings are to the left, stiffer strings to the right. Strings that lose more tension

Tension Loss (total loss lbs for 200 seconds and 5 impacts)

Note the strings stiffness and tension loss numbers, go to the appropriate map and nd the dot located at these coordinates. If your client is completely satised with their current string and doesnt want anything different from their next string, dots in the neighborhood (very close to their current strings dot) will likely play similar. If your client is happy with how long their string plays well, but doesnt love the feel of their string, try something on the same vertical level, but farther to the right or left. Strings to the right should feel stiffer (or more crisp), while strings to the left should feel softer (or more comfortable). If your client is happy with how their string feels, but not with how long it feels that way, try something in the same column, but higher or lower. Strings higher on the chart should soften (or loosen) up more quickly, while lower strings should hold their initial feel longer.

are at the top; those that lose less are at the bottom. All strings on the same vertical line should feel about the same, no matter the tension. All strings at different locations on the same horizontal line will feel different from each other. Stringbed power increases to the left. Player supplied power increases to the right. Stringbed control increases to the right. Arm friendly strings are to the left. Feedback intensity (shock) increases to right.

Feel consistency over time tends to increase toward the bottom. Test Procedure. All strings were tensioned to 62 pounds and allowed to sit for 200 seconds. Then the string was hit ve times with a force equivalent to hitting a 120 mph serve. The tension loss represents the total amount of the relaxation over both time and impact. The stiffness value is a calculation derived from the amount of force created at impact to stretch the string. Lower values represent softer strings and lower impact forces. Higher

values represent stiffer strings and higher impact forces. Hybrids: To look up a hybrid combination, you must look up each string separately. If it is a pre-packaged hybrid, most packaging indicates the name of each string. There are a few hybrids using strings that arent sold on their own. Those strings are included in our lists. They will be listed as the name of the hybrid with (main) or (cross) after the name. For example, Head Protector 16 (main) is the string used for the mains in Heads Protector 16 string.

All New Strings Tension Loss vs. Stiffness

Stiffness (lbs/in)

38 TennisIndustry

January 2014

Ask the Experts

Your Equipment Hotline

Racquet rotation

I've run into an unusual problem with a natural gut string job, and I thought that you might be able to shed some light on it. I strung two new and unused racquets for a customer in March of this year, and my customer chose to play the one while leaving the other untouched in his racquet bag for eight months. A week or so ago he pulled this untouched (still had the plastic manufacturer wrap covering the grip) racquet from his bag and found it to have broken string in two places. I have strung hundreds of racquets with gut but have not yet seen this particular circumstance in gut breakage, and I want to avoid any future repeat of this problem. Breaks are in racquet head at #2M and #3M on one side and #6M and #7M on the other side. There were no knots in the areas

where the strings broke. The stringing machine used is a Babolat Star II. Do you have any idea what could have caused these broken strings? From your description of the problem, it does not sound as if stringer error was a factor. However, eight months is a lot of time for a racquet to be kicking around, even in a racquet bag. This is not to say that string can simply break for no apparent reason over a couple of months, but between March and November come the summer months. If your customer left his racquet in the trunk of the car in a warm climate, it might explain why the broken ends of the string appear so shriveled. To avoid having to comp string jobs in the future, advise customers who string

more than one racquet at a time to rotate the use of their racquets. Were not talking about switching racquets between points; playing with one racquet one day and the other racquet the next day will suffice. Rotating racquet use this way helps ensure that string tension and condition are more consistent from racquet to racquet. When the strings break in one racquet, its time to get both racquets restrung. It also reduces the disparity in playability between racquets. Last but not least, if there is a problem with the stringing, it will surface sooner rather than later so you are better able to troubleshoot the problem.

Racquet broke on the machine

A racquet I was stringing broke while I was installing the crosses. The location of the break is at the 10:30 posi-

40 TennisIndustry

January 2014

tion on the frame. It happened toward the end of the string job, with about four cross strings left, as I was weaving the next string. Any idea why this happened? Previously, you advised me that, if given a choice, I should do a two-piece job and string the crosses top to bottom, because it is better for the stress of the frame. This racquet was strung bottom up by the stringer before me, so I figured it was a "good" way to string the racquet. Am I right in thinking to never string bottom up again? Are their any racquets that have to be strung bottom up? Finally, how can I recognize that I will be stringing a one-piece string job bottom up? Ouch, that hurts. Sorry you had a problem stringing that racquet. As with many racquets, the racquet you were servicing allows stringing the crosses from the bottom up, so you could make the argument that you were stringing it as recommended by the manufacturer.

However, you are correct that it is also preferable to string the crosses from the top down, for the reason you just discovered: It's better for the racquet. The only racquet that comes to mind that you have to string with the crosses from bottom to top is the Prince Ring, as there is no other way to string this racquet. For all others, if dividing the number of mains by two results in an even number, and the mains start at the throat, the mains will end at the throat, so you will need to do two-piece to start the crosses at the head. If dividing the number of mains by two results in an odd number and the mains start at the head (as with this racquet), the mains will end at the throat, so you will need to do two-piece to start the crosses at the head.
Mains 16 8 Mains / 2 Mains start H Crosses start H 16 8 T T 18 9 H T 18 9 T H

I have a customer who wants to use Wilson NXT. Ive never installed a set of natural gut before. What do I need to know before I start? The first thing you need to know is that the natural designation on the outside of the package refers to the color of the string, not the composition. Wilson NXT is a nylon string, so you string it as you would just about any other nylon string. If you are ever faced with installing a set of natural gut, check out Dont Bust a Gut from the March 2006 issue of Racquet Sports Industry magazine (available online at tennisindustrymag. com). USRSA members can also check the Backissues section of RacquetTECH. com, searching for natural gut to see a great collection of tips and techniques for dealing with gut. Greg Raven We welcome your questions. Please send them to Tennis Industry, PO Box 3392, Duluth, GA 30096; fax: 760-5361171; email: greg@racquettech.com.

Doing what comes naturally

Alternatively, you could just plan on doing every racquet two-piece unless the situation or the player demands differently.

January 2014

TennisIndustry 41

String Playtest
By Greg Raven

In the Lab

We tested the 16-gauge Quasi-Gut Armor. The coil measured 41 feet, 7 inches. The diameter measured 1.30-1.32 mm prior to stringing, and 1.26-1.28 mm after stringing. We recorded a stringbed stiffness of 82 RDC units immediately after stringing at 60 pounds in a Wilson Pro Staff 6.1 95 (16 x 18 pattern) on a constant-pull machine. After 24 hours (no playing), stringbed stiffness measured 75 RDC units, representing a 9 percent tension loss. Our control string, Prince Synthetic Gut

Quasi-Gut Armor is designed for players looking for a durable and comfortable multilament.
Original Gold 16, measured 78 RDC units immediately after stringing and 71 RDC units after 24 hours, representing a 9 percent tension loss. Quasi-Gut Armor 16 added 14 grams to the weight of our unstrung frame. The string was tested for five weeks by 35 USRSA playtesters, with NTRP ratings from 3.5 to 6. These are blind tests, with playtesters receiving unmarked strings in unmarked packages. Average number of hours playtested was 26.7. During installation, Quasi-Gut Armor is wonderful to handle. You do have to

Playtester Ratings

Tourna Quasi-Gut Armor 16

Ease of Stringing
(compared to other strings) much easier somewhat easier about as easy not quite as easy not nearly as easy
6 10 13 6 0

Tourna Quasi-Gut Armor is a multifilament made from thousands of twisted nylon filaments impregnated and coated with polyurethane, making it an update to the original Tourna QuasiGut. Quasi-Gut Armor includes two additional strands of heattreated co-poly ribbons in the outer layer to increase durability. Tourna tells us that Quasi-Gut Armor is a powerful, naturalgut-like multifilament that is durable enough to hybrid with todays co-polys, but soft enough to provide relief from the stiffness a full bed of co-poly can deliver. Quasi-Gut Armor is designed for players looking for a durable and comfortable multifilament, for use either on its own or in a hybrid with poly. Quasi-Gut Armor is available in 16 and 17 gauges in natural with a blue spiral. It is priced from $8.95 for sets of 40 feet, or $99 for 660-foot reels. For more information or to order, contact Tourna at 800-554-3707, or visit uniquesports.com. See the conclusion for a special offer.
January 2014

Overall Playability
(compared to the string played most often) much better somewhat better about as playable not quite as playable not nearly as playable
1 12 10 10 2

Overall Playability
(compared to other strings of similar gauge) much better somewhat better about as durable not quite as durable not nearly as durable
0 7 18 7 3

Rating Avergages
From 1 to 5 (best) Playability (9th overall) Durability Power (10th overall) Control Comfort (2nd overall) Touch/Feel (3rd overall) Spin Potential Holding Tension Resistance to Movement
3.9 3.3 3.7 3.7 4.2 3.9 3.1 3.4 3.1

42 TennisIndustry

Playtester Comments

Lively, lively, lively. Excellent control and comfort, especially on nesse shots! I will add this to my inventory. Fantastic multilament. This has the kind 5.5 male serve-and-volof comfort, control and ley player using Babolat AeroPro Drive GT strung all-around perforat 52 pounds LO (Wilson mance that makes a NXT 17) top seller. This is not a niche 5.5 male baseliner string that excels with heavy spin using Mantis Pro 295 strung at in only one or two categories. It has 54 pounds CP (Spintex impressive all-around Exclusive HD 16)

playability. 3.5 male all-court player using Prince EXO3 Tour (16x18) strung at 55 pounds CP (Forten Competition 16) Easy to string and easy to play with. This is just a nice performing string. 4.5 male all-court player using Babolat AeroPro Drive GT strung at 60 pounds CP (Gamma Professional 17)

Very comfortable with some string movement in the beginning. 4.5 male serve-andvolley player using Babolat Pure Drive Roddick GT strung at 59 pounds CP (Wilson NXT 16) Some kinking during Installation. On court, this is a comfortable string that holds up well over multiple sessions.

3.5 male all-court player using Babolat Pure Storm GT strung at 54 pounds CP (Gamma TNT2 16) A very comfortable string with nice touch, control, and feel. The power is average. There is some notching with heavy spin. 4.5 male all-court player using Babolat AeroPro Drive + GT strung at 55 pounds CP (Babolat RPM Blast 16)

be a bit more persistent with blocked holes, but the blue spiral looks sharp, and is reminiscent of the old Victor Imperial natural gut. One playtester broke his sample during stringing, three reported problems with coil memory, three reported problems tying knots, one reported friction burn, and two reported other problems.

On the Court

Judging by the comments, some of the playtesters were grateful to take a nylon break from the typical poly we test. Still, the string has to perform on the court, and perform it did. Quasi-Gut Armor received the second highest rating for Comfort of the 175 strings weve playtested for publication to datemeaning the only string that bettered it in this category is a natural gut. Quasi-Gut Armor also placed third overall in Touch/Feel, ninth in Playability, and 10th in Power. Quasi-Gut Armor also rated well above average in Control. As a result, Tourna Quasi-Gut Armor rated well above average overall. One playtester reported premature fraying or peeling, none reported buzzing, and 13 reported notching. Three broke the string during the playtest periodone each at five, six and 12 hours.

Conclusion

Its impressive any time a string places highly overall in Comfort, but for QuasiGut Armora nylon string with a touch of polyto place second only to natural gut for Comfort is astonishing. Back that up with three additional top-10 rankings in other categories, and youre looking at a string that deserves serious consideration. If you think Tourna Quasi-Gut Armor might be for you, Unique is offering a 2-for-the-price-of-1 deal for USRSA members in the U.S., valid during all of January 2014
January 2014

TennisIndustry 43

A Champion's Season. Serena Williams

JUST DO IT
http://uspta.fromuthtennis.com

52 Beyond the Court:

USPTA Pros help teenager fund cancer research through Tennis Relay

by Christiana Johns, USPTA staff writer

Inside Coaching: Understand your role

by Todd Upchurch, USPTA Southern Division president Page 51
Departments 47 Presidents Message 49 CEOs Message 51 Inside Coaching
ADDvantage magazine editorial offices USPTA World Headquarters 3535 Briarpark Drive, Suite One Houston, TX 77042 Phone 713-978-7782 800-USPTA-4U Fax 713-358-7794 email magazine@uspta.org

54 Keeping your players healthy on court

by Dr. Stephan Esser, USPTA

Online:

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com
Are you ready to run a tournament? by David Minihan, USPTA Master Professional Gain perspective by starting at square one by Ryan Thompson, USPTA Understanding the singles game by Chris Roman, USPTA

52 Beyond the Court 57 Career Development 59 Industry Action

Managing editor Circulation Kimberly Forrester Kathy Buchanan

The opinions expressed in ADDvantage are those of the authors and not necessarily those of ADDvantage or the USPTA. Copyright United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. 2013. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any portion of the magazine is not permitted without written permission from USPTA.

Ofce hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Central time ADDvantage is published monthly by the United States Professional Tennis Association.

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

January 2014

ADDvantage 45

Presidents Message

Committed to the course:

Outlining USPTAs goals for 2014

by Tom McGraw
ADDvantage has merged with Tennew tangible and quantifiable benefits. nis Industry magazine, which will This is the first step in tackling the chalreach a wider audience and provide lenges of the third pillar of our strategic plan, membership growth. We have a members with additional tennis goal of 5 percent growth in membership industry information. The 2014 World Conference will be over the next three years. This will be a in New York as part of the Tennis focus as we move into 2014. Everyone Teachers Conference. Members that must take ownership of this project if we are to move the dial. All of the diviattend will get transportation and a ticket to the first day of the US Open. sion leaders, National Board and staff Save the dates: Aug. 22 25. will work together to address the issues USPTA is now helping its certified and formulate a nationwide strategy members find health insurance that will be implemented. We ask that through Woodruff you become engaged Sawyer, a full serin this effort. Be a Im committed to stay vice insurance bro- the course and grasp USPTA ambassador kerage firm. This the opportunity for us to and spread the word relationship will move forward and create about the positive provide members changes taking place. a new USPTA culture to with assistance in Contact the non-certihelp us continue to be navigating through relevant in the industry. fied pros in your area the maze of health and encourage them care information. to become members. USPTA will launch a retirement pro- Another focus for 2014 is to congram in the new year. Certified protinue to become more diverse and fessionals who own or have financial inclusive. It is critical that we are more responsibilities for their shops will proactive in the future in our desire to have vendor-supported opportunibe inclusive. If we want to be more genties for their retirement. Members der, age, and racially diverse, then we can also contribute to their own plan have to reach out to these communities and will have a variety of retirement and make the connection to encourage options. membership to the USPTA. It will truly benefit all of us and the association to All of these member benefits will welcome individuals from all walks of have a positive impact on the associalife into the USPTA family. Its an exciting time and as you can tion and the members. I commend see we have a full plate of projects. As John Embree and the staff, the Board, your President, I look forward to the and the Executive Committee for the remarkable work, but we are just in the upcoming challenges and the many beginning stages of where we are head- opportunities. Im optimistic and confident about the future of the USPTA. ed in the future. There is definitely I wish you and your family a wonmore to come in January. We will continue to strive to offer derful and safe holiday season! h

ts been an incredible and fastpaced three months since I began my role as the USPTA President. Its an honor and a privilege to serve as your President, and Im excited to continue along the path to implement our strategic plan. Im committed to stay the course and grasp the opportunity for us to move forward and create a new USPTA culture to help us continue to be relevant in the industry. There has been a tremendous amount of progress that has taken place in the last several months. The following list represents the highlights of recent member benefit announcements: The overhaul of the current membership structure. The new categories will include Master Professional, Elite Professional, Professional, Recreational Coach and Applicant. This structure will smooth out the testing procedure and ease the confusion related to our previous ratings. It will also make it easier to market the USPTA to consumers, facilities and our allied associations. We have introduced precertification as well as post-certification education requirements. After all, our mission statement is to elevate the standards of tennis-teaching professionals and coaches. We have a new relationship with the National Family Tennis Championships. Members can host an event and create revenue opportunities for themselves and their facilities. We also have a new partnership with TGA Premier Youth Tennis. Franchise opportunities are available to members for this proven school-based model.

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

January 2014

ADDvantage 47

Give Your Club A New Look For A

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CEOs Message

ADDvantage has changed... for the better!

here is an age-old business axiom that says: If it is not a core competency, outsource it. While ADDvantage magazine has served our association well for decades, the USPTA should not necessarily be in the magazine publishing business. Our singular and core focus ought to be on elevating the standards of tennis-teaching professionals and coaches through education and certification. While some might say that ADDvantage in its past format helps support this mission, we owed it to ourselves to question the current model to determine if there was an alternative to delivering educational information. As part of the evaluation process of our association that began early in 2013, we have examined every aspect of our business to see if there is a better way of doing things. Given the resources (both financial and administrative) that we were allocating to ADDvantage each year, I wondered if there was an opportunity to provide a better product for our membership while saving substantial money. After several conversations over the course of six to nine months with publishing expert and industry colleague Jeff Williams, it became clear that we could meet our objective. Not only is Jeff the group publisher for Tennis magazine and tennis.com, he is the owner of Racquet Sports Industry or RSI, a very creditable industry source for trade information. No one can question his tennis DNA or his expertise in the publishing arena. Thus, the premise was simple:

by John Embree
merge ADDvantage into Racquet Sports product that will be produced. Industry magazine as a regular insert Thanks to printing efficiencies, lower postage rates, and overall cost and rebrand the magazine as Tennis reductions, the USPTA will save apIndustry. In doing so, ADDvantage would be seen in printed form 10 times proximately $45,000 over our acper year (instead of the current six), tual expenses to publish ADDvantage magazine in 2013. It would seem like a increase the readership that would see no brainer right? Well, it only makes our USPTA messaging (including owners and managers of the facilities where sense if the product that we distribute is better than what we have published we are employed) while providing at for years. I think it will. I hope you like the same time a much wider range of the direction that we are taking. content (news, industry trends, busi I want to extend my sincerest ness articles, etc.), all at a much lower thanks to Jeff Williams, David Bone, cost. If done right, it could be a winJohn Hanna, Peter Francesconi and win situation that one seeks whenever the rest of the RSI team for their coma new concept is hatched like this. Thus, I am delighted mitment to take Our singular and core to introduce the new on this project ADDvantage as part of focus ought to be on with vim and vigor. Tennis Industry maga- elevating the standards This is the kind of of tennis-teaching zine in this inaugural partnership that I professionals and coaches envisioned when issue. Upon a quick through education and creating Pillar No. 4 examination, you will of our Strategic Plan notice a revamped but certification. energetic ADDvantage (being more stronglogo, an updated template that gives ly aligned with our allied organizations the magazine a fresh new look and a in the industry). I know not everyone is going to more substantial publication that offers a variety of features that ADDvanembrace this new approach. Change tage could never have had previously. is hard and often uncomfortable for While we will be limited to 16 pages of some. But, the rationale for coming content per month (except for our con- together with RSI to create Tennis ference issue in August), we will be able Industry magazine, with ADDvantage to augment each printed version with a playing such an integral role, was digital edition of ADDvantage that will overwhelmingly positive and thereincorporate articles and educational fore made the decision easy. Why wouldnt anyone want more content material online for anyones viewing more frequently at a lower cost? pleasure that we could not incorporate Welcome to the first issue of Tennis into our designated section. Plus, we Industry magazine with ADDvantage have the chance to expand our adverinside. Enjoy! h tising revenues owing to the improved

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

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ADDvantage 49

Understand your role

By Todd Upchurch, USPTA Southern Division president

Inside coaching

n our chosen careers as tennis professionals, we are often asked to wear various hats. Besides an instructor of tennis, we are meteorologists, psychiatrists, fitness trainers, maintenance workers, bartenders, politicians, accountants, fashion consultants, physical therapists and much more. With all this in mind, our most important role is the one of motivator, encourager and role model. Understanding your complete responsibility as your facilitys and students tennis professional is something few fully grasp. But the ones that do are successful beyond measure. Im not talking about monetary success, although that will surely come with a job well done. True success comes in the form of respect, admiration and loyalty from your students and their families. The impact on someones life, in which you have been cast as an authority figure, is enormous. Once you have built that bridge of trust, they respect your opinion and thoughts and seek your approval. Fill that student with your knowledge of the game you love, but also with positive thoughts and words about their unlimited potential. Tell them honestly that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to and work hard to help them achieve their goals and dreams. They are expecting your best and they deserve all you have to give. We, as tennis pros, have been thrust into a position of authority over so many lives. It is so important, especially with juniors, that they have your enthusiasm, encouragement and approval. You may not give much credence to this thought, that maybe your knowledge of the game and God-given skills will overcome negative words or actions on your part. There is one thing that is important to remember here, your students dont care how much you know until they know how much you care. We all know fellow tennis professionals who like to tell us and their

students how good they are or how great they used to be. Encourage them to stop telling their students about their own achievements or competence and start telling them how great their students can be. Your students future is bright and limitless and it might just start with you. You have no idea what your students are hearing at home or school and it might be that one word of encouragement that thrusts them to the next level. As an influential figure in your students lives, many items are under your control. With your positive encouragement, heartfelt concern and expert knowledge, you release good things into their lives. You release selfconfidence, success, sportsmanship, self-reliance, happiness, healthiness and much more. You are responsible for helping them become the best that they can be and shaping their future. If

you are unwilling or unable to perform this role, dont be surprised if that position of authority is taken away from you. Students will not stick around for very long if your best quality as a professional is hitting a forehand better than them. Constantly look for ways to improve your teaching abilities and your encouraging qualities to make yourself an asset in their lives. Never take for granted the position you are in and the influence you have over their lives. Show them with your actions the proper behavior to handle themselves on and off the court. Tell them with your words that nothing can impede their path to success. Famous distance runner Steve Prefontaine said it correctly when he stated, To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift. Ensure that you and your students never waste the opportunity to be the very best that they can be. h
The impact on someones life, in which you have been cast as an authority figure, is enormous.

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

January 2014

ADDvantage 51

Beyond the Court

USPTA Pros help teenager fund cancer research through Tennis Relay
By Christina Johns, USPTA staff writer

hile most teenagers spend their time worrying about college or getting their drivers license, Teah Flynn wants to fight cancer with tennis balls. Last year, the 16-year-old tennis player founded the Keep the Ball in Motion Rally and Give Back Tennis Relay, an all-day event held to raise money for cancer research. Flynn said 100 percent of the proceeds go straight to the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis genomic cancer research fund. With the help of several USPTA Professionals hosting courts,

the relay held on Feb. 9, 2013 raised $3,825, but Flynn has a more ambitious number in mind for the Feb. 8, 2014 event. If I can reach my goal, that would be 72,000 people participating with each one donating $10. That is $720,000, a lot of money that could really help genomic cancer research, Flynn said. The high school junior from Farmington, Ark., is no stranger to community service. She has helped care for service dogs for the disabled; raised $250 for her local humane society when she was in middle school; and

produced PSAs on texting and driving, using the FBIs Child ID smartphone app and establishing a national database for criminal DNA. But one day in July 2012 a segment on the CBS This Morning show struck a chord with her. The piece featured Dr. Lukas Wartman, an oncologist diagnosed with leukemia, the same cancer hed devoted his life to studying. His fellow doctors at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis began researching ways to help their colleague through whole genome sequencing, locating and treating a mal-

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good for the first year, but I believe we can do better each year to come. Flynn said hosting a relay over a tournament made more sense because more people could get involved. The format for the relay is simple: six playIf I can reach my goal, that ers rotate on and off the court every hour in 10-minute intervals, all while would be 72,000 people keeping the ball in motion. Some participating with each coaches mix it up, having an all-day one donating $10. That is drill and alternate coaches. $720,000, a lot of money Jonathan Zielke, USPTA Professional and Assistant Director of Tenthat could really help nis at Pinnacle Country Club, said genomic cancer research. the club blocked off one court all day, The reason I decided to be a part of having members fill the spots in 30 the relay is because it was something so minute blocks and make donations to different and out of the ordinary and for participate. great cause, Hall said. I thought Teahs Teah is a strong tennis player in our junior tennis program at Pinidea was fantastic. The results were nacle, but she is also a great role model for the Lauren Johnston and Teah Flynn younger kids, Zielke said. With this event, she also inspired many of our adults to come together for a great cause. For her efforts, the USTA Arkansas section awarded the Tennis Relay the 2013 Special Tennis Event of the Year award. However, not content with just one event at one club, Flynn recruited Hall to help her contact other USPTA Pros around the country to host relays, too.

functioning gene that could be accelerating the growth of cancer. With the help of a new drug, Wartman became the first person to take it for leukemia. Against all odds the disease has no known cure Wartman went into remission. Amazing, exciting, phenomenal are the three words that I thought of when I saw that show, Flynn said. I also thought that if they can do that for cancer, what about autism and Alzheimers and so much more? Inspired by the ongoing work at Washington University, Flynn wanted to help raise money to advance genomic cancer research. A previous conversation with her grandmother about world records and the record for keeping a tennis ball in motion made everything click. Thats when Flynn contacted J.D. Hall, USPTA Professional and Director of Tennis at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers, Ark., for help in organizing the fundraising relay.

Teah with Coach Larry Long (left), Retired Fayetteville High School Tennis Coach, and John Threet, Washington County (AR) Prosecuting Attorney after making a presentation to get support for the event.

Nate Griffin, USPTA Professional and Director of Tennis at River Strand Golf and Country Club in Bradenton, Fla., was impressed with the ambition of a high school student and decided to host the event at his club, too. It was simple to organize this event with a couple of emails and it basically ran itself from there, Griffin said. You only need one court and the format is simple and fun. We raised a few hundred dollars and we will probably double that total next year. USPTA Pro Matt Grayson also held a tennis relay at his club last February. The Second Vice President of the USPTA Southern Division, who was awarded the individual USPTA Lessons for Life Award at the 2013 USPTA World Conference, is no stranger to fundraisers. And having worked with Hall for more than nine years, he had no hesitation to get involved. Grayson said with the help of online registration, members at his Ansley Golf Club in Atlanta could book a time to sign up with partners or individuals for a $50 per hour fee, with the proceeds going to the research fund. This was a fun event for our members that I believe will pick up participation as we move forward since the players had such a fun time with this first-time event here at the club, G rayson said. The second annual Keep the Ball in Motion Rally and Give Back Tennis Relay will be held on Feb. 8, 2014. To learn more about the event visit tennisrelay.org. h

www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com

January 2014

ADDvantage 53

Sports doctors and teaching pros have very similar goals: to keep players healthy and active in the sport they love.

Keeping your players healthy on the court

by Dr. Stephan Esser, USPTA
Youve been there. One of your tennis clients is making gains, having fun on the court, booking lessons and then BAM they get injured and it all falls apart. Not only do they miss out on what they love and what you love sharing, but to be honest, your bottom line also suffers. Its a lose-lose situation. I feel your pain I know just how that feels. Before becoming a sports medicine physician I taught tennis for 10 years in South Florida, including private and group adult

lessons and as a director of a 75-member junior academy. Along the way I learned that many health care providers had no idea about the ins and outs of tennis. I also found out that communication between teaching pros and doctors was almost non-existent. The truth is that sports doctors and teaching pros have very similar goals: to keep players healthy and active in the sport they love. Based on my experience as a teaching pro and as a physician, I wanted to offer a few tips on how to maximize your relationship with your local sports doctors and keep your players healthy and on your court. Top tips for success 1: Get to know your local sports doctors Which doctors your players visit can make the difference between if and when they get back on the court. Ask around: ask friends, players, family members and other pros. Who is good? Who understands tennis? Who communicates effectively in a positive, personalized way? Are any of your players sports doctors? Also, who does not have a good reputation? Make a list and keep it handy. Some doctors just say stop playing tennis without realizing there is a lot we can do to prevent injury. Or they may allow modified

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4. Maximize your effect The scientific evidence on tennis injury is growing. One thing we are learning is that proper technique is a major preventer of injury. So maximize your teaching time on technique, even with your hit and giggle les2: You are a valuable resource Remember that you are a referral sons. I am talking about the basics, source for sports medicine doctors. like using your kinetic chain (legs and For example, I often see players Just like you, they core), early conThe scientific evidence on tact points, correct with shoulder pain felt only on serves need to put food on the table, and tennis injury is growing. One grip type, adequate and overheads. Dependent on my exam, I may be able to clear them to return having you refer thing we are learning is that warm up and cool to the court for rallying low-pace balls patients to them proper technique is a major down and good from midcourt along with footwork is extremely valucross training. You predictor of injury. drills and volleys during shoulder treatable. Be proud of and I know better ment. Sometimes, but not always, the your client relationships and confident technique early on allows players to question boils down to full play or no in your value. You see athletes every excel on the court sooner. As a doctor, play. You need to know what the limits week whom the sports doctor would I know good technique can reduce are so you can help keep the player aclove to see in their clinic. If you learn injury rates. If you need a refresher, tive but protect them from injury while which players could benefit from an check out the excellent USPTA and they are on your courts. Knowing the evaluation and you encourage them USTA resources available in print, online and on DVD. Stay on top of new answers can help you plan your schedto visit the right doctor, you help your concepts and dont be afraid to adapt ule, keep your players appropriately players stay active or return to the your style if needed. involved and hopefully reduce their court sooner after an injury. If you derisk of re-injury. Think creatively. How velop a good relationship with your local sport doctor, you may also be able to 5. Communication is KING of the court can you improve communication in In many athletic environments, your area? get your players on the doctors short list so they skip the long lines. You look coaches, players, trainers and doctors communicate seamlessly. This helps Take it to the courts good, the players appreciate it and you So now you have some basics. You the players get the most out of their get them back on the court sooner. As love tennis, I love tennis and your playsport while limiting the effects of inthey say, who you know counts. ers love tennis. Find a sports doctor in jury. Although most of our players are your community who loves or at least not in collegiate or professional set3. Know your limits Dont try to be a doctor, but do supunderstands the basics of tennis as tings where this flourishes, that is not well. Develop a relationship, communiport your players. Your skills are likely an excuse to allow inadequate commucate effectively, and recognize you are better on the court than diagnosing the nication to limit their success. top 10 causes of knee pain. Thats okay! In an effort to help improve things, an asset to both your players and the loYou dont need to know it all. If a player I have designed handouts for my local cal doctors. Together we can keep more develops mild pain in the knee, shoulpros to give to their injured players. people playing tennis longer, with few der or other joint and it persists despite (Email me if you want copies.) If you er injuries. h a week or so of PRICE (protection, rest, ice, compression, elevation) then Dr. Stephan Esser, USPTA, is a non-operative sports and spine physician encourage your player to get it checked who specializes in reducing pain, maximizing function and educating and out. If they have a more severe acute empowering patients. He is a former No. 1 in the U.S. in mens open USTA injury with significant pain, new swelldoubles. He practices sports medicine with Heekin Orthopedics in Jacking, weakness, numbness or tingling, sonville, Fla. He can be reached at dresser@heekinortho.com.

play while recovering. Consider giving your local sports doctors a call or swing by and meet them. Invite them to an evening mixer or grab a drink. Tell them about the types of injuries you see and ask them about their interests or experience with racquet sports. If they have an interest, consider inviting them to speak at an evening mixer or put together a special event on injury prevention with them. It can set you apart and further improve the value you bring to your players as a teaching professional.

then an evaluation should happen sooner than later. Dont harass your players or tell them what to do, but do offer a friendly nudge and a few words of encouragement. Showing that you care only strengthens your player-pro relationship and will help keep or get them healthy.

design your own, include segments on grip type, hours of play, NTRP rating, string tension and other variables you may know better than your more recreational players. Helping them fill out the form to take to their doctor increases your value as a professional and can help them get the best care. Also coach your players on what to ask the doctor. The two most important questions you need answered are: 1. Can (and how soon can) your player return to the court? 2. Any limitations on play? Can they hit volleys but not serves? Can they hit from midcourt but not full court?

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Career Development
Exams, Upgrades & PTCA I
(4 credits for PTCA I segment) Jan. 12 Clive, Iowa Jan. 17 Palo Alto, Calif. Jan. 17-18 Houston* Jan. 18-19 Boca Raton, Fla. Aurora, Ill. Jan 18-19 Hilton Head Island, S.C. Feb. 2 Feb. 7-8 Atlanta Port Washington, N.Y. Feb. 13-14 Feb. 15-16 Orlando Horseshoe Bay, Texas Feb. 15-16 Feb. 20 Kansas City, Kan. Feb. 21-22 Houston*
* This course is held at the USPTA World Headquarters. Exam reservations must be made at least 21 days prior to the dates listed. Each date includes an exam, upgrade and PTCA I unless noted. Exam cancellations must be received no later than 14 days before the exam, or a cancellation fee will be charged accordingly. Applicant: late cancellation fee $95; failure to cancel application fee is forfeited. Certied members: late cancellation fee $25; failure to cancel $25 plus the upgrade fee is forfeited. Registration for another exam will not be accepted until cancellation fees are paid.

Conventions
(Division conventions, 5 credits; World Conference 8 credits; dates subject to change) Jan. 17-18 Jan. 18-20 Jan. 24-26 Jan. 24-25 Jan. 25-26 Feb. 13-16 Feb. 21-22 Feb. 28-March 1 March 1-3 March 2 Northern Division Northern California Division Eastern Division Southwest Division California Division Texas Division Missouri Valley Division Mid-Atlantic Division Midwest Division San Diego Division Fridley, Minn. Stanford, Calif. White Plains, N.Y. Phoenix Los Angeles Horseshoe Bay, Texas Mission Hills, Kan. Fredericksburg, Va. Dublin, Ohio La Jolla, Calif.

TAUT workshop
March 1 Midwest Division Columbus, Ohio

Cardio Tennis
Jan 11 CT Marina Del Ray, Calif. Jan 12 TRX CT Marina Del Ray, Calif. Feb. 9 CT Honolulu Feb. 20 CT Kansas City, Mo. Feb. 24 CT Hilton Head Island, S.C. Feb. 25 TRX CT Hilton Head Island, S.C. Feb. 27 CT Columbus, Ohio March 2 CT San Francisco March 3 TRX CT San Francisco
Please visit www.cardiotennis.com to register online.

Webinars

USPTAPlayer.com Tournament Module Training

Specialty courses
March 1 Management: a learned skill Columbus, Ohio; A. Pant

(.5 APC credits) Jan. 16 Jan. 28 Feb. 6 Feb. 11 Feb. 18 Feb. 27 1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST 12 p.m. EST/9 a.m. PST 12 p.m. EST/9 a.m. PST 1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST 1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST 12 p.m. EST/9 a.m. PST

Accredited Professional Coach

Register your Accredited Professional Coach (APC) and specialty course credits earned with the USPTA SmartCode Education System. This uses your smartphone to instantly register your attendance to all seminars and specialty courses earning APC. To use the system at a seminar, general session or specialty course, you must scan two QR codes. One QR code is on your conference badge. The second QR code will be in your conference notebook and cannot be scanned until the end of the session or the beginning of the next session. If you do not have a smartphone, you may use someone elses. Forms are available upon request.

To register, email randy.jenks@uspta.org and indicate which session you would like. Training is open to the rst 24 to register. A conrmation email will be sent that provides the webinar instructions.

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Industry Action
Member News
Dick Johnson, USPTA, was selected as a recipient of the 2013 High School All-Star Coaching No-Cut Team. Johnson is a Southwest USTA Hall of Fame inductee and past president of the USPTA Southwest Division. He also recently co-hosted the Rally for the Cure Cancer Initiative at the 2013 Coleman Vision Womens Professional Tennis Tournament in Albuquerque, N.M. The event raised more than $8,000 for cancer research. USPTA Professional Eileen Kelly Berry journeyed to Bulima, Tanzania, in September to introduce tennis to AIDS orphans and children of poor African pastors and missionaries at the Lion of Judah Academy. From creating a make-shift court to designing tennis wear for the girls to King of the Court, it was a joy to work with these beautiful children, Berry said. They listened, helped out when needed and were looking for extra time on the court whenever they saw me. USTA New England provided a 10 and Under Tennis equipment package with racquets and balls. USPTA Professional Bill Phillips, regional vice president of the Southern Division, was named the USTA National Trainer of the Year. Phillips began teaching tennis while in the U.S. Air Force 40 years ago. Since that time he has served in a wide variety of roles as a teacher, leader and coach, including community coordinator and director of community development for USTA Louisiana, president of USPTA Louisiana, and president of the USPTA Southern Division. He also serves as chairman of USPTAs 10 and Under Tennis Committee. USPTA Pros Josh Basha, Glenn Delaney and Tony Thompson along with Forest Crest Athletic Club in Mountlake Terrace, Wash., held a Tennis Across America event offering free junior and adult training. The event, which included tennis 101, Cardio Tennis, and point play, was free and open to the public. Participants were asked to bring canned food items. With 67 participants, 476 pounds of food was donated to Hope Link, a local food bank and social services agency. Scott Irwin, USPTA, is the new general manager of the Diamondhead Country Club and Property Owners Association in Diamondhead, Miss. Irwin has held various positions managing operations at country clubs, resorts and racquet clubs across the U.S. and Canada. He is a member of the CMAA, the International Food Service Executives Association, and a life member of the USTA. In 2002, he was the recipient of the USPTA Club Manager of the Year for the nine southeastern U.S. states. He was awarded the Certied Club Manager designation by the CMAA, joining 1,300 other club managers who hold this hallmark designation. In 2004 he obtained the prestigious Master Certied Food Executive designation from the International Food Service Executives Association and the American Hotel and Lodging Association. USPTA Professional Jim Lopez was honored as part of the Class of 2013 for the Rutgers-Newark Athletic Hall of Fame in New Jersey. Lopez, who was a two-year team captain and three-year standout in singles and doubles play, remains the only RutgersNewark mens tennis player to advance through two rounds of the NAIA National Tournament. He posted unbeaten records in singles and doubles in NAIA District 31 competition as a junior to nish with an overall record of 79-12. He founded the Jim Lopez Tennis Academy in 1980 and still serves as its director. As a prep coach, he has been named the coach of the year 11 times for girls and boys teams by newspapers in Florida and Maryland. He is currently a classroom teacher in the Anne Arundel County Public Schools system. Bob Love, one of the original 18 USPTA Master Professionals, was recently named the 2013 Jr. Team Tennis Coordinator of the Year for USTA Kentucky. Love organized a summer JTT league with nine teams from eight counties, plus a ve-team USTA Fall Interscholastic League. Les Longshore, USPTA, passed away last September at the age of 88. A renowned tennis player, he won the SEC singles and doubles championships in 1946 while at Tulane University, and he competed in the U.S. National Championships (now known as the US Open) every year between 1952 and 1959, most notably reaching the round of 16 in 1958. He founded and served as president of the Southern Professional Tennis Association and served as national USPTA president in 1974. He went on to coach tennis at Mountain Brook Swim & Tennis Club, Highland Racquet Club and Clemson University among others. Longshore was inducted into the Southern Tennis Hall of Fame in 2003. After a championship career in tennis, Longshore took up running in his 50s and completed 37 marathons.

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Your Serve
2020 Vision
Reaching 10 million frequent players will be a boon to tennis. But how do we get there in seven years?
By Kevin Theos

10 million frequent players by 2020thats the stated goal of the Tennis Industry Association, and it would just about double the number of frequent players we now have. Increasing the number of frequent tennis players, who play at least 21 times a year, is wise. Frequent players engage in more play occasions and collectively spend far more on equipment, apparel, lessons, court fees and other tennis expenses than those who play less often. The question is, how do we increase frequent players? Here are some suggestions. We need PlayTennis.com to be successful. The centerpiece of the TIAs efforts to increase frequent players is PlayTennis.com, which links individuals with facilities, programs, partners and other providers in their areas. PlayTennis.com could bring lots of new players into tennis, and increase the number of frequent players, but its effectiveness depends on how aware the non-tennis playing public is of the website. The TIA, USTA and industry partners must initiate a full-scale promotion of PlayTennis.com.

they will be able to play. Both within and outside the USTA, countless programs depend on volunteer leaders. Actively educating people about volunteer opportunities and encouraging them to occupy those specific volunteer roles necessary for many programs to operate and grow is imperative if we are to make our programs as populous as they can be.

Getting players out to the courts is one thing; the bigger challenge is getting them to come back on a consistent basis.
We also need to realize that much tennis play occurs outside of programs, and that many communities have no organized programs. If every USTA member were both involved in a program and a frequent player, which is hardly the case, USTA members would still make up less than 15% of the frequent players in the U.S. So how do we inspire play outside of programs? It used to be far more common than it is now, but there are still courts where people show up after work or on the weekends to play tennis with others who happen to be there. It may seem nostalgic to think we could once again have many more courts where people simply come out to play unscheduled singles and doubles matches, or to just hit with others. But if community tennis associations would send greeters/players to public tennis courts and advertise just show up and play tennis days, we could resurrect some of the venues we have lost over the years.

We need to increase participation in programs. We also need to realize that much tennis play occurs outside of programs.
We need to increase participation in programs. Competitive and recreational programs facilitate frequent participation by providing players with consistent days and times when they know

Getting players out to the courts is one thing; the bigger challenge is getting them to come back on a consistent basis. Individuals have a vast array of recreational options and are more demanding than ever of instant gratification. To effectively compete with recreational alternatives, tennis needs to make it easier for beginners to rally. People who spend too much time picking up tennis balls and not enough time playing are unlikely to become avid players. Promoting the use of Red, Orange and Green balls is crucial. Low-compression balls enable players of modest skill, at any age, to quickly sustain rallies. This is where the fun is. This is where tennis either clicks for players and they decide to come back, or they decide tennis is not for them. The ball can make all the difference. Tennis must interest people swiftly if it is going to stand a chance at having them fall for the sport. Our ultimate success in attaining 10 million frequent players by 2020 depends both on introducing many more people to tennis and helping them to become infatuated with the sport quickly. We have seven years to reach our goallets make it happen.
Kevin Theos is the USTA Southern Tennis Service Representative for Alabama. He serves on the USPTA Southern Division executive committee and is the former executive director of the Birmingham Area Tennis Association. We welcome your opinions. Please email comments to RSI@racquetTECH.com.

60 TennisIndustry

January 2014