www.racquetsportsindustry.com How to Sell More Racquets Successful retailers offer their tips for moving frames Emerging Trends in Sports Shoes Residential Court Winner State of the Industry Report How to Sell More Racquets Successful retailers offer their tips for moving frames Emerging Trends in Sports Shoes Residential Court Winner State of the Industry Report RPHBIJst It ..Ifill I 1 .. _ -- IJ WWW.FACEBOOK.GOMIBABOLAT C3RTIJ BLAST caJ1 m.Il. SPIN MASTER QW RAfAEL 'EL UNICO' NADAL (SPA) AEROPRO DRIVE RACQUET RPM BLAST STRING m:;:{IT] DUAL calL f1Ul. LONG LASTING SPIN 1 - - Elabt:1liJII' m:;:{IT] TEAM call mR.. EASY SPIN BABOLAT OffiCIAl BAll. RACQUET AND STRING Of THE FRENCH OPEN I 2 DEPARTMENTS R S I J U N E 2 0 1 3 INDUSTRY NEWS 7 State of the Industry: Tennis economy up 3% 7 Dennis Van der Meer into PTR Hall of Fame 8 Wilson sells direct to consumers 8 Babolat offers new French Open products 8 Supplemental health benefits offered by USPTA 10 Peoplewatch 10 Pro Sun Products launches tennis sunscreen 11 Apply for USTA Outstanding Facility honors 11 Sarasota residents rally to save school courts 12 Short Sets 12 NFTC announces regional playoff sites 13 USPTA Conference set for Orlando 14 PTR names 2013 award winners 4 Our Serve 7 Industry News 16 Letters 17 Retailing Tip 18 2013 State of the Industry 19 TIA News 20 Pioneers in Tennis 32 Tips and Techniques 34 String Playtest: Wilson Sensation Control 36 Your Serve, by Kevin Theos 2 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY June 2013 www.racquetsportsindustry.com Cover photo by Jimmy Johnston FEATURES 24 Stepping Into the Future New performance elements, introduced in categories such as running and bas- ketball, are likely to emerge in the ten- nis-shoe market, too. 26 Tip Sheet Tennis retailers from around the coun- try tell us their strategies for selling more racquets. 30 Singular Sensation A hard court along the water in Florida is a residential facility winner. Contents Contents Our Serve (Incorporating Racquet Tech and Tennis Industry) Publishers David Bone Jeff Williams Editorial Director Peter Francesconi peter@racquettech.com Associate Editor Greg Raven Design/Art Director Kristine Thom Contributing Editors Robin Bateman Cynthia Cantrell Kent Oswald Bob Patterson Cynthia Sherman Mary Helen Sprecher Tim Strawn Contributing Photographers Bob Kenas David Kenas RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY Corporate Offices PO Box 3392, Duluth, GA 30096 Phone: 760-536-1177 Fax: 760-536-1171 Email: RSI@racquetTECH.com Website: www.racquetTECH.com Office Hours: Mon.-Fri.,8 a.m.-5 p.m. Pacific Time Advertising Director John Hanna 770-650-1102, x.125 hanna@knowatlanta.com Apparel Advertising Cynthia Sherman 203-263-5243 cstennisindustry@earthlink.net Racquet Sports 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 offices (USPS #004-354). June 2013, Volume 41, Number 6 2013 by USRSA and Tennis Industry. All rights reserved. Racquet Sports Industry, RSI and logo are trademarks of USRSA. Printed in the U.S.A. Phone advertising: 770-650-1102 x 125. Phone circulation and editorial: 760-536-1177. Yearly subscriptions $25 in the U.S., $40 elsewhere. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Racquet Sports Industry, PO Box 3392, Duluth, GA 30096. RSI is the official magazine of the USRSA, TIA,and ASBA www.racquetsportsindustry.com A Tennis Balancing Act 4 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY June 2013 O ne by one, all four Grand Slam tournaments have now dug deep and managed to boost the prize money theyre offering pro players, appeasing the pro tours, which had been clamoring for more money. In some corners, that b wordboycotthad even been mentioned if prize money didnt increase at the Slams. If more money goes to early round losers and to doubles players, helping them to offset their costs to play on the tour, then Im all for it. Up-and-coming pros can definitely use help to play tournaments and get coaching. And doubles is too often given short shrift at the pro level, which means it doesnt have the exposure it should, and that affects the recreational leveldoubles play is hugely important to the growth of the recreational game. But Im not jazzed about offering even more bucks to the top players for win- ning a Grand Slam event. Last year, Roger Federer and Serena Williams each earned $1.75 million for their Wimbledon singles titles. This year, Wimbledon is boosting the top singles prizes to $2.4 million. As one who sees how tennis at the recreational level often struggles to get funds, is that sort of an increase for the top players truly helping to grow this game? Think of what could be done at the grassroots with that extra $1.3 million. For the 2013 US Open, the USTA is increasing total prize money by $8.1 mil- lion (32 percent over last year) to $33.6 million overall. In this endless loop, Wim- bledon, of course, needed to beat that, so its now offering $34.4 million overall for this years tournament (a 40 percent increase). And the US Open says it has committed to increasing prize money to at least $50 million by 2017, which is a 96 percent increase from 2012 to 2017. I get that the money the Grand Slams take in supports the recreational game in their respective countries. I completely understand that the US Open is the engine that drives community tennis in this country, and I applaud and support the USTA for that. But I worry this continuing escalation in prize money will affect how much we have to spend delivering tennis at the community level. I worry that, in efforts to make good on future commitments to paying even more money to pro players, community tennis budgets, programs and staff may be affected. Will the top pros stop playing the Grand Slams if they only win $2 million, vs. $2.5 million? Think what an extra million dollars could do if spread around at the community level. How many districts, CTAs, park and recs, school programs, youth development initiatives, and 10 and Under Tennis programs could use even a fraction of that money to help grow this sport, to help pay local teaching pros to deliver tennis, to help educate coaches and tennis teachers, to help build for the future? The USTAs mission to promote and develop the growth of tennis clearly includes making sure the US Open is the best it can be, as a premier showcase for this sport. But lets make sure this prize money boom for the pros doesnt lead to a bust for recreational tennis. Peter Francesconi, Editorial Director peter@racquettech.com Simply, The World's Best All-Weather Sports Surface Qualify for LEED Credits For more information or to locate a certified installer in your area please contact us at 800-USA-NOVA or info@novasports.com ..wwc.oH ... . . . . ' ~ ~ -- F ~ .. tl,,., '!.e ~ ~ J F D u- HoAftoN www.novasports.com I NDUSTRY NEWS I NDUSTRY NEWS I N F O R M A T I O N T O H E L P Y O U R U N Y O U R B U S I N E S S WTA Player Li Na Honored By Time Magazine Time magazine named WTA pro Li Na to the 2013 Time 100, the magazine's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world, in its April 29 issue. Li also was one of seven cover subjects for the issue. "I am so excited to be featured on the cover of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People In The World issue," Li said. "It's a great honor for me to be in the position of being able to help grow, promote and further build the sport of women's tennis around the world, especially in my native China. I couldn't be more honored to be on the list that includes some of the most talented people in the world, and to make an impact on women and women athletes. I am grate- ful to Time for giving women's tennis the recognition it deserves." The list, currently in its 10th year, recognizes the activism, innova- tion and achievement of the world's most influential individu- als. Chris Evert wrote the tribute to Li that appeared in the maga- zine. Li made several historic breakthroughs in 2011, becoming the first Asian player to reach a Grand Slam final at the Australian Open, subsequently becoming the first Chinese player to reach the Top 10, and a few months later becoming the first Asian player to win a Grand Slam title at the French Open. Earlier this year she made her third Grand Slam final, again at the Australian Open, and she is currently the No.5-ranked player on the WTA Tour. R S I J U N E 2 0 1 3 Tennis Economy Up 3%, Says New Report T ennis in the U.S. is a $5.57 billion business, according to the latest edition of the State of the Industry report, recently released by the Tennis Industry Association. That represents a 3% increase in the total tennis economy from 2011. The third edition of the TIA State of the Industry report compiles data from 2012 that the TIA collects through its more than 70 annual surveys and research studies. The report takes a top- level view of the industry to tell a comprehensive "story of the tennis industry," says TIA Execu- tive Director Jolyn de Boer. The report presents important TIA data, trends and analysis so that tennis businesses can benefit by seeing where this industry has been, where it is now, and where it's going. Important for the industry is the 10% growth in the number of "frequent" tennis players, those who play at least 21 times a year, to 5.31 million in 2012. Frequent players account for more than 70% of all expenditures in tennis. Other highlights from this year's report include: w A 4% increase in overall tennis participation, to 28 million players, and the highest participa- tion level since 2009. w Positive growth in youth tennis equipment wholesale in 2012, with 38% growth in red, orange, and green tennis ball shipments and 5% growth in youth racquet shipments. w An increase in the TIA's new "Tennis Equipment Index," which was up 3 points over the 2011 valuation. The index is derived from taking the wholesale dollar value of racquets, balls, and strings shipped into the U.S. tennis market. w 2% growth in racquet unit sales for pro/specialty tennis retailers. w Increased business for both teaching pros and court contractors in 2012. w 13% growth in total hours of tennis TV coverage and 14% growth in unique TV viewers of ten- nis in 2012, driven by viewership of the 2012 London Olympics. The tennis industry moved in a positive direction in 2012," says TIA President Greg Mason. "Like many other industries, we still have challenges, but the TIA, together with our industry part- ners and the USTA, is focused on strengthening this industry and the business of tennis. The extensive research that the TIA does is unique among sports, and it's an important part of our support of this industry." The 16-page State of the Industry report is an annual release made available to Industry Level members of the TIA and above. Contact the TIA at research@tennisindustry.org or 866-686-3036. June 2013 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 7 www.racquetsportsindustry.com Dennis Van der Meer Is Inaugural Inductee in PTR Hall of Fame P TR Founder and President Dennis Van der Meer became the inaugural inductee into the PTRs newly formed Hall of Fame, in a ceremony during the Parade of Nations at the PTR Symposium on Hilton Head Island May 2. The 80-year-old Van der Meer, who had suffered a stroke, was brought out onto Court 12 at Shipyard Racquet Club in a wheelchair, following a moving tribute by Dr. Jim Loehr. Luciano Botti presented Van der Meer with a plaque, and the tennis teaching legend acknowledged the cheers of the crowd, that included PTR members from around the world. J U N E 2 0 1 3 I N D U S T R Y N E W S 8 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY June 2013 www.racquetsportsindustry.com Wilson Web Redesign Includes Selling Direct W ilson announced in early April that it had redesigned its website and launched a new brand initiative that allows consumers to purchase directly from wilson.com. This plan supports our existing e-commerce strategy, joining our other sites such as atec.com, wilsoncustomgloves.com and wilsoncustomfoot- ball.com that have been operational for several years, Wilsons vice presi- dent of U.S. sales, Bill Kirchner, said in an email to dealers and reps. The Wilson website is our strongest consumer engagement tool and we are investing in driving greater traffic, Kirchner continued. We have posi- tioned our products at or above MAP pricing and will be charging sales tax and freight. This pricing strategy positions Wilson as a convenience oppor- tunity for those consumers that prefer to buy directly from Wilson while they are on our site. We have carefully considered this expanded e-com- merce approach and are confident it is the right approach to engage our consumers. On the redesigned website for Wilson racquets, for instance, underneath the product description are dropdown menus for grip size and quantity. When those fields are filled in, the site tells you whether the racquet is in stock and offers a button to add to cart. Under that link is one for finding a dealer by entering address or ZIP code. While Wilson officials have indicated selling direct to consumers may affect 1 percent of total sales, emails circulating by tennis retailers and spe- cialty dealers criticized the move to online retailing by one of the industrys largest manufacturers. We remain fully committed to growing our business with our dealer net- work, Kirchner said in his email. Our priorities are to provide you with innovative products, compelling consumer marketing and high quality cus- tomer service. Babolat Offers New French Open Products F or the third year in a row, Babolat has teamed up with the French Open as the official tennis ball and to pro- vide stringing services for all tournament players. In addition, the French company has unveiled its new range of French Open products. This year, the Pure Drive racquet gets a new look with French Open colors. This seventh generation Pure Drive features exclusive Cortex Active technology, for more control in every shot, says Babolat. The Pure Drive (suggested retail $199) is used by players such as 2011 French Open winner Li Na and 2012 French Open run- ner-up Sara Errani. The Pure Drive Lite French Open is $195, while the Pure Drive JR26 French Open for juniors is $104. Also, the lightweight Babolat Drive Z, designed for advanced players, especially women and young competitors, is $169. The company also offers the Team French Open bag. The Racquet Holder can fit up to 12 racquets and has an isotherm racquet compartment, which Babolat says protects the quality of the string tension. A more com- pact backpack version is also available for carrying one racquet, and there is a version that can hold six frames. K-Swiss Completes Merger With E.Land World Ltd. E .Land World Ltd. completed its acquisition of K- Swiss in a merger transaction on April 30, mak- ing K-Swiss an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of E.Land. On the heels of the merger, E.Land has named a new global executive team to oversee the newly formed K-Swiss Inc. entity. The team will be led by Truman Kim, chairman; Larry Remington, presi- dent and CEO; Barney Waters, CMO; and Wim Tuijl, managing director of Europe, Middle East and Africa. K-Swiss stockholders, who approved the merg- er on April 26, will receive $4.75 in cash, without interest, for each share of K-Swiss common stock that they owned immediately prior to the merger. As a result of the merger, the Class A common stock of K-Swiss will no longer be traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market. E.Land is a South Korean conglomerate that not only has stake in the fashion apparel business, but also is involved in retail malls, restaurants, theme parks, hotels and construction. E.Land also distributes products for New Balance and Ellesse under license. USPTA Partners with Rezilient Direct for Health Benefits T he USPTA has partnered with Rezilient Direct Corp. to give USPTA-certified members the opportunity to purchase additional health coverage. Rezilient Direct, which is based in Austin, Texas, is one the first companies to offer sup- plemental health benefits directly online to the consumer. At a time when our members are looking for tan- gible and quantifiable benefits, Rezilient Direct has come forward with a terrific program to help those professionals who seek a way to help bridge the gap between the medical insurance that they do have and a potential calamity that is not fully covered, said USPTA CEO John Embree. With health care being the No. 1 concern among our members, here is a program that should make a positive difference. Rezilient Directs extensive interactive platform allows customers to enroll and purchase supplemen- tal health insurance within minutes and get covered in as little as 24 hours. They also have a Call and Live Chat center to assist customers throughout the process. For more information, visit rezilientdirect.com. I N D U S T R Y N E W S June 2013 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 9 www.racquetsportsindustry.com 10 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY June 2013 J U N E 2 0 1 3 I N D U S T R Y N E W S www.racquetsportsindustry.com Former ATP Executive Chairman and President Brad Drewett, age 54, passed away May 2 at his home in Sydney, Australia, following a battle with Lou Gehrigs Disease. Drewett was a former Top 40 pro player, and became an insightful and vibrant leader in his short tenure directing the mens pro tour. Marcy Bruce of McMurray, Pa., is the recipient of the 2013 PTR/TIA Commitment to the Industry Award. Bruce is a PTR Clinician and Tester in both Adult Devel- opment and 10 & Under Tennis. She is also the TRX Cardio Tennis Director for the Upper Saint Clair Tennis Development Program. Bjorn Rheborg, based in Atlanta, has joined the Gamma Sports sales team as the regional sales manager for Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Southern Virginia.He can be reached at404-316-7772 orrheborgb@gammasports.com. Head Penns Doug Ganim captured the Classic Professional Racquetball Tour National Championship recently by upsetting the No. 1 ranked player on the tour in the quarterfinals and defeating the tournaments No. 2 seed in the final. Antigua Group apparel has announced a partnership with industry vet- eran and frequent tennis business presenter and trainer Doug Cash, owner of CashFlow Tennis. Cash will help promote the Antigua Tennis brand dur- ing his industry engagements. Head Penn player Paola Longoria won her 18th straight tournament on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour recently, without dropping a sin- gle game. Maria Sharapova has a three-year deal with Porsche AG and will be a brand ambassador for the carmaker. Last year, Sharapova won the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix and drove home a Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet. New Balance Canada announced the addition of Stephen Smith to the New Balance Canada leadership team as national sales manager. Smith comes to NB with a broad base of experience in his 25 years in the indus- try and has held leadership positions in buying, design, development, and sourcing prior to a senior leadership as the senior vice president - specialty brands at RMP Athletic Locker Ltd. Tony Larson of Blaine, Minn., defended his mens open title for the fourth year in a row at the $3,850 USPTA Indoor Championships in April, held at Life Time Fitness in Fridley, Minn. He later went on to win the mixed open doubles title by teaming up with Marina McCollom of West Des Moines, Iowa. McCollom was also crowned womens open champion by going undefeated in round robin play. PEOPLEWATCH Wilson to Give Away Baiardo At IART Stringers Symposium W ilson Sporting Goods will offer a Baiardo stringing machine to one lucky attendee of the 7th Annual IART Symposium, which runs from Sept. 21 to 25 at Saddlebrook Resort in Tampa, Fla. Were committed to doing our part for this event, says Wilson Senior Designer Ron Rocchi. This symposium showcases incredible talent within the industry, and the technical training is unmatched. If the technician has the proper train- ing, they will be better equipped to sell our products and in turn, contribute to the overall health of the game. The Wilson Baiardo that will be given away is one that was used at the 2013 Australian Open. Early registration will ensure more chances to win the machine: Those who register by July 1 will have three chances, registration by July 8 gives two chances, and registration by July 15, one chance. Wilson has always been extremely supportive of the IART Symposium, says Tim Strawn, owner and organizer of the event. Im proud to have them as a partner in the event. To register and for more information, visit www.grandslamstringers.com or call Strawn at 540- 632-1148. Pro Sun Products Launches Tennis Sunscreen P ro Sun Products of San Jose, Calif., has launched Pro Tennis Premi- um Sunscreen, designed for avid tennis players of all ages. Pro Ten- nis lotion is made with pure natural aloe and rich moisturizers that maintain the skins natural moisture balance while protecting against undesirable sun damage, says the manufacturer. With an SPF of 30, Pro Tennis provides broad-spectrum protection for both UVA and UVB rays. Pro Tennis will not sweat off or wash off easily in water and is fragrance-free. All of the ingredients used by Pro Tennis Premium Sunscreen are approved by FDA regulations and tested according to FDA standards. It comes in a 100ml size that fits easily in any tennis bag and is compliant with airline travel restrictions. Our goal is to provide tennis specialty retailers and pro shops with the highest quality sunscreen designed specifi- cally for tennis and available at an affordable price, says Robert Spurzem, president of Pro Sun Products. Tennis players deserve the highest quality in every tennis product they select, and sunscreen is no exception. Pro Tennis fills an important product gap in every tennis retail store. All tennis players require sun protection, says Anthony Paz, owner of The Tennis Station in Burlingame, Calif. Pro Tennis has quickly become a hit with my customers. I was initially attracted to Pro Tennis for its light texture and how it quickly absorbed into my skin, says Debb Roberts, owner of Debbs Tennis of Los Gatos, Calif. I cater to female tennis players so it was important that it worked well with womens make-up. For more information, visit www.prosunproducts.biz or contact info@prosunproducts.biz. June 2013 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 11 I N D U S T R Y N E W S www.racquetsportsindustry.com Is Your Facility Outstanding? S ubmit your application now for the USTAs annual Out- standing Facility Awards. The awards program is designed to encourage high standards for construction and/or renovation of tennis facilities. Application deadline is June 28. The USTA evaluates entries based on criteria that includes the facility itself and its tennis programs. There is no minimum or maximum number of facilities selected; the number of recipi- ents honored will depend on the quality of the applicants. Awards will be presented during the USTA Semiannual Meeting in New York City during the 2013 US Open. For more information on the USTA Outstanding Facility Awards and for the application/nomina- tion form, Visit USTA.com/About- USTA/USTA-Awards. Sarasota Residents Petition to Save High School Courts L ocal Sarasota, Fla., residents are peti- tioning to save the eight tennis courts at Sarasota High School after word got out that there was a plan to demolish them this summer to create a new bus loop. An online petition"Stop the demolition of the tennis courts at Sarasota High School. Keep the Courts"has been created with plans to eventually present to local govern- ment. These courts have been a valuable community resource for many years, pro- viding exercise and recreation for thou- sands of people, from the surrounding neighborhoods and throughout the area, reads the petition. Many Sarasota High School tennis teams have trained and played on them. This is the only set of eight public courts in the county. The dem- olition of these courts, which cost a lot to build and have only recently been resur- faced, is a waste of taxpayer money. Visit signon.org/sign/keep-the-tennis- courts. Ashaway Named Official String of World Squash Championships A shaway Racket Strings has been named the Official String Partner for the 2013 Men's World Squash Championships. The tournament will be held Oct. 26-Nov. 3 in Manchester, Eng- land, where 64 of the world's top professional squash players will compete for a $325,000 prize. Ashaway will also have stringing rights to the 2013 Allam British Open in Hull, England, May 20-26. Ashaway was the Official String Partner for the British Open last year and the British Grand Prix for the past three years. "Ashaway is always eager to support profes- sional and amateur squash whenever we can," says Ashaway Vice President Steve Crandall. "To be associated with prestigious events like the British Open, the World Championships, and the Grand Prix is an honor as well as a pleasure." Ashaway will be represented at these events by its longtime UK distributor Goode Sport. According to Goode partner Paul Smith, stringers for the events will be Liam Nolan of the UKRSA and Nick Down of Smart Racquet. They will use Ashaway Electronic SM7900 machines. J U N E 2 0 1 3 I N D U S T R Y N E W S 12 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY June 2013 www.racquetsportsindustry.com > September 2013 will mark the 40th anniversary of Billie Jean King's historic victory over Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes match. To honor the occasion, King will be present at a special screening of the match on the big screen at the Casino Theatre at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, R.I., on Sunday, July 14, at 8 p.m. King will introduce the broadcast footage and discuss her memories and the impact of the match. Tickets and more information are at tennis- fame.com, or by calling 401-849-6053. > Babolat, which is now the official tennis shoe brand of Wimbledon, has expanded its product range to include the new SFX Wimble- don. The white shoe model (suggested retail $109.95) features touches of green and pur- plea nod to the Wimbledon tournament col- ors. The outsole is developed in partnership with Michelin. > The U.S. Fed Cup team defeated Sweden, 3-2, in April in a World Group playoff match. The U.S. now will be back in the World Group for 2014 and eligible to compete for the Fed Cup championship. > The New York Post reported in mid-April that Al Jazeera Media Networks is eyeing the Tennis Channel as it looks to become a player in the U.S. sports market. Qatar-based Al Jazeera has an affiliate called BeIN Sport, a SHORT SETS global network of sports channels, and the Tennis Channel would add to Al Jazeeras growing collec- tion of niche cable channels. A group of private- equity firms, including Apollo, Bain, Battery Ventures, CCMP Capital and Columbia Capital, owns the Tennis Channel. > The latest addition to the TIA Facility Managers Manual is "Dont Add, Multiply," by industry expert Rod Heckelman, about capitalizing on the social aspects of tennis to gain players. Check out the entire manual at TennisIndustry.org, which is available for download as a pdf at the TIA Associ- ate Member level. > Wilson Collegiate Tennis Camps announced a partnership with Todd Martin Tennis for a camp session Aug. 4-8 at the University of North Florida. > Longtime tennis writers Matt Cronin, Doug Robson, Joel Drucker, Tom Tebbutt, Kamakshi Tan- don and Richard Osborn are among a group that has launched Tennis Journal, a new digital ten- nis magazine. A one-year, eight-issue subscription is $26, available at tennis-journal.com. > The City of Irvine is hosting its third annual Professional Growth Weekend for Teachers and Coaches of Tennis, which will feature leading coaches and teachers from the USPTA and PTR at the Bill Barber Community Park Tennis Center June 1 and 2. For information, including hotel info, visit irvinetennisdevelopment.tripod.com, or contact Steve Riggs at tennis@cityofirvine.org or 949- 724-6617. > The Ladies Division of the Hybrid Open 2013 will take place Oct. 25-27 in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Deadline to enter is Oct. 19. The event is held on a unique dual-surface tennis court where one side of the net is a clay court, the other side is a hard court. For information, visit hybridtennis.com or email info@hybridten- nis.com. > StubHub, owned by eBay, has signed a three-year partnership deal with Britains Lawn Tennis Association to handle events at Lon- dons Queens Club, Edgbaston and Eastbourne this summer. > Tournament Tough: A Guide to Playing Championship Tennis, the best-selling book by world-renowned tennis coach Carlos Goffi that offers a unique program for winning tennis matches, has been updated and re-released as an electronic Kindle e-book. Goffi is a former coach of John and Patrick McEnroe. The book is available for download for $9.99. > Badminton England plans to build a new $34.3 million National Badminton Arena in the town of Milton Keynes, about 45 miles from London. Badminton England also announced a partnership with Gullivers Sports Travel for the London Grand Prix event Oct. 1-6. Congratulations To the Following For Achieving MRT Status New MRTs Aaron Haak Farmington, NY Alex Meyers Big Rapids, MI Erik Seifert Howell, MI Kevin Wickham Big Rapids, MI 2013 NFTC Announces Four Super Regional Playoff Sites F our tennis facilities have been chosen to host the Super Regional Playoffs this summer in the 2013 National Family Ten- nis Championships. The four, along with the dates of the Playoffs, are: w Plaza Tennis Center in Kansas City, Mo., July 26-28 w Copeland-Cox Mobile Tennis Center in Mobile, Ala., Aug. 2-4 w Tennis Center at College Park in College Park, Md., Aug. 2-4 w El Dorado Park Tennis Center in Long Beach, Calif., Aug. 2-4. The top teams in each division of play at the four Super Regional Playoffs will earn a complimentary trip to New York City to play for a national title, from Aug. 22 to 26. Visit www.FamilyTennis.com. June 2013 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 13 www.racquetsportsindustry.com I N D U S T R Y N E W S Nominate By June 3 for ASBA Facility Awards T he deadline for ASBA's annual awards program, which honors outstanding design and construction in athletic facilities, is Monday, June 3. Applications are accepted electroni- cally on ASBA's website, www.sports- builders.org. To be eligible, a facility must have been designed by, or built by, an ASBA member company. Own- ers who want their facilities entered should contact their builder or design- er. Also, in order to be eligible, proj- ects submitted must have been completed within the current year or within the previous two calendar years (ending Dec. 31). Information is available at www.sportsbuilders.org. USPTA World Conference Heads to Orlando in September T his years USPTA World Conference, which will be Sept. 23-27 at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando, Fla., will have a new look to it. While still featuring numer- ous general sessions, seminars and specialty courses, each day will feature a theme focus- ing on a core competency, including 10 and Under Tennis, Club Operations/Business, Player Development and Teaching/Sport Science. This year will also include a new and improved awards luncheon featuring Pat Williams as the keynote speaker, sponsored by Rezilient Direct. Williams is the co-founder and sen- ior VP of the Orlando Magic and one of the nations top motivational speakers. The conference also includes a tennis-only buying show, International Tennis Champi- onships, networking opportunities, awards, industry meetings, parties and more. For details, including early-bird pricing and registration information, visit www.usptaworld- conference.com or call 800-877-8248. Not to Be Outdone, Wimbledon Hikes 2013 Prize Money A s the Grand Slam tournaments con- tinue to try to top each other with prize money increases and please the professional tours, Wimbledon said it will up its prize money this year by 40 percent, to 22.6 million pounds ($34.4 million). The All England Club called it the largest single increase ($9.9 million) and biggest total prize fund in the histo- ry of professional tennis. The increases follow similar announcements by the Australian, U.S., and French Opens. Men's and women's singles champi- ons will each receive 1.6 million pounds ($2.4 million). Roger Federer and Serena Williams each received 1.15 million pounds ($1.75 million) for last year's titles. The focus of the prize money increase will be for players who lose in the early rounds or in qualifying of the grass-court championships, which will be played from June 24 to July 7. Prize money will go up 60 percent for singles players who lose in the first three rounds. The purse for qualifying is going up by 41 percent. Doubles players will receive a 22 percent increase in prize money. In addition, Wimbledon said it intends to have a roof installed over Court No. 1 in time for the 2019 tourna- ment. A retractable roof has been in place on Centre Court since 2009. 14 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY June 2013 www.racquetsportsindustry.com I N D U S T R Y N E W S J U N E 2 0 1 3 PTR 2013 Awards Robert Carlbo Named PTR Professional of the Year R obert Carlbo of Palm Harbor, Fla., has been named PTR Professional of the Year during the annual awards cer- emony May 2 at the PTR International Tennis Symposium held at the Sonesta Resort on Hilton Head Island, S.C. The award is presented to the PTR pro who has displayed the highest standards of conduct and service to both tennis and PTR. Carlbo (shown with PTR CEO Dan Santorum at left and PTR Board President Jorge Andrew at right) vigorously pursues education and professional development. He is certified to teach wheelchair tennis and holds an Etcheberry Certification in Strength, Conditioning and Movement in Tennis. He is Steg 1 and 2 with the Swedish Tennis Association and USPTA P1. In addition, Carlbo is the first, and only person so far, to complete all four PTR certification pathways, earning Professional ratings in each. Carlbo, who is head coach of the East Lake High School boys tennis team, also is a PTR clinician and tester, and he runs a 10 and Under Tennis Program at the North Pinellas YmCA and surrounding elementary schools. Other 2013 PTR Awards include: Clinician of the Year: Luigi Bertino Tester of the Year: Phil Vivian Jim Verdieck College Coach of the Year: Chuck Willenborg Jim Verdieck High School Coach of the Year: Curtis Holland Wheelchair Professional of the Year: Harlon Matthews Public Facility of the Year: Cayce Tennis and Fitness Center Private Facility of the Year: Saint Marys Health Man- agement Newcomer of the Year: Don Hemingway Humanitarian of the Year: Richard Spurling, ACEing Autism PTR/USTA Community Service Award: Leah Friedman PTR/TIA Commitment to the Industry Award: Marcy Bruce Annual PAC Report Reveals 33% of Americans Active to a Healthy Level O ne-third of the American population age 6 and up is active to a healthy level, according to the latest study released by the Physical Activity Council (PAC), a consortium of six major sports, fitness, and leisure trade associations, including the TIA and USTA. The PAC study utilizes a new calorie burning com- ponent to define activities as low, medium, or high calorie-burning activities. The groundbreaking active to a healthy level statistic is defined by the number of Americans that take part in a high calorie-burning activ- ity three or more times a week. Using this definition, the PAC is able to determine that 94.8 million Americans age 6 and older, or 33%, are active to a healthy level. Having a third of the U.S. participate in activities to a level deemed healthy is encouraging, said PAC Chairman and SFIA Presi- dent & CEO Tom Cove. It also means that two-thirds of the country is not active to a healthy level and we as a society need to find ways to get America moving. The PAC study also shows that 80.4 million Americans age 6 and up, or 28%, are inactive. Inactivi- ty, for this study, is defined as those that participate in no sports/activities, includ- ing all those covered by the PAC. This is the first time, dating back to 2007, that the number of inactive Americans has reached over 80 million. The PAC's annual Participation Report measures overall levels of activity and identifies trends in 119 specific sports, fitness and recreation activities. The report also examines spending habits, the effect of physical education, and participation interests among non-participants. New to the report for 2013 is an analysis of Generation Z, or those born after 2000. The study, which now has significant num- bers in the 6-12 age group, reveals that participation levels are high for Generation Z, as over 50% take part in team sports or outdoor activities. The full version of the 2013 PAC Study can be found at PhysicalActivityCouncil.com. PAC: Cardio Tennis Grows; Overall Tennis Numbers Stable For tennis, the 2012 PAC study shows that Cardio Tennis participation grew and fre quent player play occasions were up nearly 2%, while overall tennis participation remained flat. According to the study, ten nis participation was just over 17 million people. Frequent players, those who play 21 or more times a year, were just over 5.2 million Americans in 2012, also similar to the previous year. "We're encouraged to see stability in the PAC tennis participation figures and a growth in frequent play occasions," says TIA Executive Director Jolyn de Boer. "2012 was a slightly better year for our industry as a whole than 2011 and efforts to drive play, especially in the youth market, began to take hold across our provider network." Cardio Tennis increased to more than 1.4 million participants in 2012, up nearly 12% versus 2011, according to the PAC study. Cardio Tennis, which was developed in 2005, is now delivered at over 2,000 U.S. facilities and 30 countries. "Cardio Tennis continues to bridge the gap between ten nis and fitness," says de Boer. "With more health and fitnessconscious consumers who demand social interaction in their workouts, Cardio Tennis is a perfect fit as a group fitness activity." June 2013 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 15 www.racquetsportsindustry.com I N D U S T R Y N E W S USTA SmashZone Mobile Launches Third National Tour T he USTA announced the return of its SmashZone Mobile Tour, which hits the road for a 22-city tour to introduce youth tennis to kids and parents across the country. SmashZone began as the premier fan interactive attraction at the US Open before being showcased across the country. Since its inception in 2011, SmashZone has attracted more than 2 million people to its tennis courts. This years tour kicked off at Dick's Sporting Goods at Robinson Centre in Pittsburgh on April 27. SmashZone Mobile Tour will stop at fairs, festivals, airshows, retail environ- ments and city centers. At SmashZone, children have the opportunity to play ten- nis games in a fun, festive atmosphere that allows participants to get active playing tennis from the start. The SmashZone Mobile Tour is a great platform to bring tennis to the masses through an interactive experience, said Kurt Kamperman, USTA Chief Executive, Community Tennis. It provides an opportunity for kids to try tennis for the first time, allowing them to experience the fun and excitement that comes with play- ing the game. SmashZone Mobile includes a 53-foot trailer, which anchors four kid-sized ten- nis courts. Courts will feature games such as Xerox Rally Court, racquet drills and activities, as well as a Target Challenge. The trailer itself, which is handicap acces- sible, will feature activities for visitors that will include a Tennis Magazine Green Screen Cover Shoot, Wii Tennis and Touch Screen Kiosks. SmashZone Mobile is a complement to the USTAs youth participation initia- tive, 10 and Under Tennis. Visit youthtennis.com to see the tour schedule. Memphis ATP/WTA Event Chooses Sport Court Latex-ite T his past spring, the U.S. National Indoor Championships converted its tourna- ment court surfaces to Latex-ite Recreational Coating. The event is played at the Racquet Club of Memphis (TN), the only private club in the world to host a com- bined ATP and WTA tourney. This years winners were the top-ranked Asian player in the world, Kei Nishikori, up-and-comer Marina Erakovic, and the world No. 1 doubles team of Bob and Mike Bryan. We were very pleased with the finished surface pace and trueness, says Tour- nament Director Peter Lebedevs. Working with Latex-ite was great. They were there to answer our questions promptly and offered great support through the resurfacing process. The partnership between Sport Court Tennis, Latex-ite International and the U.S. National Indoors worked extremely well together, says Randy Futty, director of tennis for Connor Sport Court International. Linn Lower, CTCB, a regional Sport Court Dealer for Alabama and expert tennis court builder, handled the surface installation on all of the 11 courts used over the week-long event. Our venue is pretty unique in that we convert five standard club courts into one large stadium court and then back to club courts after the tournament ends, adds Lebedevs. Linn Lower and his staff were terrific, and I was very happy with the job they did. 16 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY June 2013 www.racquetsportsindustry.com Giving Guidance Denny Schackters article on mentoring (Your Serve, May 2013 issue) was of great interest to me. In the 1990s, the USPTA Southern Division set up an extensive mentoring program. We had 25 or so professionals that were on call and willing to mentor in all aspects of the tennis profession, includ- ing the areas mentioned in the article. There were other areas too, like pro shop management, programing, teaching group and private lessons, stroke production, drills, clay court maintenance, contracts and personal invest- ments. The program was dropped as very few younger pros took advan- tage of these professionals who had volunteered their time. What we came to find out were two things: First, much mentoring was accomplished at state chapter and division conventions. Those profession- als who attended often would get problems solved over a beer and then stay in touch with each other. Second, the USPTA has officers in all 17 divi- sions who are built-in mentors. Id venture to say that all the division officers would be delighted to assist a member with a problem or give guidance. (Contact information can be found at USPTA.com.) I know in the USPTA Southern Division there is not one officer serving who would not be happy to answer a mentoring question or direct any constituent to someone who can answer the ques- tion if he or she was not versed in the subject. In the Southern Division, we also have four to six state officers who are available, too. Pat Whitworth, the current USPTA Southern Division Executive Director, has taken mentoring to the next step. At the Southern Division convention each year, we have private consultations that any attendee can schedule with senior members who volunteer to consult. I think that what we, the USPTA, have failed to do and perhaps we can correct is to make sure our members are aware that mentoring is available and show them where to find it. Fred Burdick Executive Director Emeritus USPTA Southern Division Letters I really enjoyed Denny Schackters article. I had Jim Doessell, Fernando Velasco, Rod Schroeder and Pat McKenna mentoring me (even though they didnt call it mentoring in those days). I believe one of the reasons that we have a smaller percentage of P1 USPTA and Professional-level PTR pros is the lack of mentoring. That would be one reason I would join if I were a new proit makes me more marketable! If the teaching organizations want to grow I think it will come from an initiative such as this, as well as encouraging the clubs to require certifica- tion, regardless of how good a player one is. Being a good player just means you know how to hit a good ball, it doesnt mean you can commu- nicate those skills to someone else. Mark Kaneko Head Penn Racquet Sports District Sales Manager (IL/NW Indiana) June 2013 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 17 & Retailing enhance the retail shopping experience in your store and engage shoppers to buy moreand to come back more often and even visit your website more fre- quently. Shoppers need to understand where they are and be comfortable with the journey through your storeeven if you have a relatively small shop. Being able to navigate your departments and your good, better, best POP displays through effective signage is important to the total shopping experience, and you should use both navigational signs to direct shoppers and informational signs on displays and merchandise to educate and inform con- sumers about the step-up features and value of the merchandise they will find. Time Factor Research shows that the amount of time a shopper spends in a store actually shopping is perhaps the single most important factor in determining how much he or she will buy. Your point-of- purchase displays play a huge role in pro- viding a pleasing and enjoyable experience and are all about keeping shoppers engaged and in your store as long as possible. (Note: The research we refer to here is from Paco Underhill and his book Why We Buy, which we strongly rec- ommend to every tennis retailer.) The brands you stock and the manu- facturer sales reps that call on you will have POP displays at no-charge or at spe- cial prices to help feature their merchan- dise in your store. You already know that your square footage is premium retail space, so only take and deploy POP from your brands if it (1) fits your overall store ncreasing the value of transactions is one way to actually grow your spe- cialty tennis retail business, and point-of-purchase displays can attract shoppers attention to merchandise. POP displays also serve as focal points for you and your sales associates to sug- gest add-ons to an initial sale and to assist in up-selling from good to better, or better to best. Every POP display in your store should have a specific purpose to improve the sales of the merchandise displayed and to support staff sugges- tions for add-ons and up-selling. Plan- ning and organization of your POP displays is therefore very important, and even more so if your store is small and every square inch of space is used. First, organize around logical depart- ments such as Mens, Womens, Youth and 10 & Under. Within departments, organize in categories, and consider organizing by good, better, best. Features, and of course price, deter- mine what merchandise fits into each category. If you have the space, you can further organize categories by brand and suggested or advertised prices in each level. If you dont have the space, mix brands in Good, Better, Best. The key, though, is making it easy and sim- ple to buy from youand for your part- time and full-time sales associates to sell for you, including suggesting logical up-selling. Signs Sell! Another way to grow your specialty retail business is to increase the number of transactions. Well-planned and orga- nized displays, with good signage, I www.racquetsportsindustry.com This is part of a series of retail tips presented by the Ten- nis Industry Associa- tion and written by the Gluskin Townley Group (www.gluskintownleygroup.com). For upcoming TIA retail webinars, and to view previous webinars, visit TennisIndustry.org/webinars. How to Use Point-of-Purchase Displays to Increase Sales merchandising plan, and (2) will meet your objectives for growing your retail business. Creating your own POP displays is a good way to keep the cost of displays affordable. Also, rotate your POP dis- plays, so your customers and shoppers experience something new and different each time they visit. You may be able to find good, used store fixtures and dis- plays including tables for clothing, man- nequins, sign holders, decorations and even lighting at second-hand and used furniture stores, or online. When it is time to freshen up, sell your old displays and invest the money in fresh-used POP. If your best customer visits your store every two weeks, you should try to change up your displays every two weeks. Research shows that after one or two visits, even your best customers wont see your displays or the mer- chandise featured anymore. This is basic human hardwiring, and you cant change it, but you can change your dis- plays to present something new and interesting every time your best cus- tomers visit. And that will increase your stores average transaction value and the number of transactions you have with your customers. w The Business of Tennis ... Powered by the TIA As this excerpt shows, the newly released 2013 Edition of the State of the Industry offers current research, data and trends for all segments of the tennis industry. The report is available to all T/A members (visit Tennislndustry.org). State of the Industry 2013 Edition Introduction This 201 3 Edition of the TIA State of the Industry represents the third year the Tennis Industry Association has assembled this report of key research to help "tell the story" of the tennis business. The goal of the State of the Industry is to present important data, trends, and analysis from the more than 70 TIA research reports so that tennis businesses of all types can benefit by seeing where this industry has been, where it is now, and where it is going. Total Tennis Economy: Overall, the U.S. tennis economy in 2012 was worth $5.57 billion, up 3% from the 2011 valuation of $5.4 billion. We expected the value of the industry to grow slightly in 2012, considering the U.S. Gross Domestic Product increased marginally at 2.2% and other key macroeconomic trends also increased. Participation: Key for the tennis economy are frequent players, who account for more than 70% of total expenditures in this sport. In 2012, frequent players grew by 1 0% to 5.31 mil lion. The industry's goal of 1 0 million frequent players by 2020 would have an estimated economic impact of $3.9 billion on the tennis industry. Overall tennis parti ci pation grew in 2012, too, up 4% from 2011 to 28.04 million players. There also was soli d growth in youth tennis participation, up 13% among 6- to 11-year-olds; this can be linked to the USTA's and industry's efforts to grow youth tennis through the 1 0 and Under Tennis initiative. In addition, PlayTennis.com launched in 2012 as the key Tennis Participation by Play Frequency 2007-2012 (Millions of Players) portal to get more people on the pathway to becoming tennis players and ultimately, frequent players. 35 30.13 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 2007 2008 2009 27.81 2010 2011 28.04 2012 Equipment: Tenni s retailers and manufacturers saw marginal increases in the sale and distribution of equipment. For specialty retailers, the dollar value of racquets sold increased 1% over 2011 and the number of units sold increased 2%. Manufacturers saw a 2.3% increase in wholesale ball shipments, a 1% increase in racquet shipments, and a 1% decrease in string shipments over 2011. Frequent Players (21+ times. age 6+) Regular Players (4-20 times. age 6+} Casual Players (1-3 times. age 6+) Youth tennis equipment, however, did show sol id growth for manufacturers. Red, orange, and green tennis balls continued to gain, up 38% in units, while youth racquet unit shipments were up 1 0%. Moving into 2013, youth equipment and participation data will be key indicators of the success of the 1 0 and Under Tennis initiative. The Industry at a Glance 2012 Total Tennis Economy $5.57 Billion Total Participation 28.04 Million Youth Tennis Participation (Ages 6- 11) 3.7 Million Frequent Tennis Players (21 + times a year) 5.3 1 Million Manufacturer Year-End Wholesale Shipment Units (Mil/tons) Tennis Racquets Tennis Balls Red, Orange, Green Balls 8 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY June 2013 3.43 126.5 4.55 Pro Events: Sponsorship revenue was up 4% for 2012 compared to 2011 , as the ATP, WTA, and WTI saw increases in the dollar value of sponsorship activation. In 2012, the WTA launched its "Strong is Beautiful" marketing campaign and in 2013 will celebrate 40 years of women's tennis. The ATP saw an increase in ticket revenue for 2012, and The Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London set a new attendance record, as well as attracted record audiences both on television and online. The US Open attracted more than 700,000 fans for the fifth time in the event's history in 201 2. Teaching Pros/Court Construction: Economic index projections estimate a 3% increase in tennis lesson revenue in 2012. Teaching professionals also reported an average revenue increase per private lesson of 7.5% in 201 2 vs. 2011. The court construction segment also showed positive movement- nearly two-thirds of court contractors indicated they saw increased business in 2012, compared to just over one-third who reported an increase in 2011 . Join the TIA ... Increase Your Profits .. . Grow the Game ... www.Tennisl ndustry.org 'Tennis Tune-Up' Campaign Gains Industry Support The TIA, together with industry partners including retailers, manufacturers and , the USRSA, is developing a "Tennis Tune-Up" campaign to help drive consumers and players to tennis retailers to make sure their equipment is r-' up to date and performing at its best. Tune up yourequlpment ... and your game One of the goals of the Tune-Up campaign is to educate consumers on the need to restring their racquets regularly, and also to promote the need to go to retai lers for service. The campaign also will be driven by the newly relaunched PlayTennis.com, which wil l list retailers, Certified Stringers (CS) and Master Racquet Technicians (MRT). "Consumers need knowledgeable retailers and racquet technicians to help them choose the frame and string t hat best sui ts their game and style of play, and who can help them determine when their racquet needs to be serviced," says TIA Executive Director Jolyn de Boer. "We're happy to be a part of the Tennis Tune-Up campaign with the TIA," says David Bone, executive director of the U.S. Racquet Stringers Association. " This wi ll help drive business t o the thousands of USRSA Certified Stringers and Master Racquet Technicians in the U.S." "An industry-wide campaign to have people restring more and tune up their equipment wi ll help all tennis retailers," adds Woody Schneider of NYC Racquet Sports. Retailers and tennis providers should make sure they're listed on the PlayTennis.com retai l locator, or t hat their listing is up to date, by visiting PlayTennis.com and then clicking "Find A Retailer." TIA to Offer Online Tennis Retail Certification Course The TIA is developing an online Tennis Specialty Retai ler Certification course that will cover key aspects of the tennis retai l business and, upon successful completion, allow retailers at tennis specialty stores and at tennis f aci lity pro shops to be recognized as a " TIA Certified Tennis Retai ler." The course is being developed with the assistance of retail consulting firm Gluskin Townley Group, along with input from the TIA's Retai l Panel, industry manufacturers and organizations, and USRSA. "We are focused on helping tennis retailers grow their business, and we feel the information and product knowledge that will be offered through our online certification course can help all levels of retailers and their employees serve their customers better," says TIA Executive Director Jolyn de Boer. The course wi ll consist of eight independent online "modules." Each module concludes with an online multiple-choice test that can also be taken independently of the module. The eight course modules cover Store Operations; Business Technology & Reporting; Financials; Marketing & Promotions; Cust omer Service; Store Environment; Management, including Recruiting & Hiring; and Product Knowledge, with three separate sections on Stri ngs & Racquets, Shoes & Apparel, and Youth Tennis Equipment. In addition to these eight modules, short online informational webinars from participating manufacturers about their current products are being considered. Additional details will be made available soon. Joi n the TIA ... Increase Your Profits . .. Grow the Game .. . www.Tennislndustry.org Visit Playlennis.com Now to List Your Provider Services PlayTennis.com recent ly relaunched in a "beta" format, giving consumers a si ngle platform to get in the game and stay in the game. While the site continues to be enhanced, players and consumers are able to fi nd places to play, programs, ret ailers, instr uction, gear, and more. All tennis providers should make sure their free listing on PlayTennis.com is up to date, so consumers can f ind you and your business. Go to the site, click on "Get Listed" and follow the simple instructions to list or update your business, programs, etc. - -- TIA Looks to Explore Global Tennis Markets The TIA is in t he process of exploring a tennis equipment wholesale shipment report that could include data from nations in Europe, North America, South America, Asia and Australia. The report will measure manufacturers' aistribution of racquets, balls and strings and wi ll aJiow the industry to track global marketpl ace performance, identify the i mpact ot industry supported initi atives on product demand, and provide t op- line market intell igenc to enhance tennis' mainstream appeal. June 2013 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 19 20 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY June 2013 Pioneers In Tennis www.racquetsportsindustry.com "Pioneers in Tennis," an occasional column in RSI, draws attention to trailblazers in the sport. Have someone to suggest? E-mail rsi@racquettech.com. Jerry Douglas, A True Leader contractor whose windscreen has blown down. He has the freedom to do or not do that kind of thing, but he does it. That's just Jerry." And the customers have never forgotten. "If you get a call, you always hear, 'Oh, how's Jerry?' and 'Say hi to Jerry,'" says Montgomery. "They remember him. He has taught me so much over the years about how to work with people." In addition to his hands-on role in the company, where he interact- ed with employees on a daily basis, and with his customers and vendors as often as possible, Douglas has also been a key figure in the indus- try. He served on the board of direc- tors of the American Sports Builders Association, eventually becoming the president of what later became the organization's Supplier Division. For years, he was a constant pres- ence at industry conventions and trade shows, meeting and greeting his customers, as well as his com- petitors and colleagues, on the show floor. "His personality is larger than life," says Rickerl. "He's almost leg- endary." These days, Jerry Douglas spends his time happily retired, relaxing and in his words, "just enjoying life." His son, John Douglas, is CEO. But still, say company personnel, Jerry leaves a lasting impres- sion on the industry and is all but a visi- ble presence. "Oh," laughs Kaufman, "it's like he's still here. Sometimes I'll be on the phone with someone, and I'll give them a priceand of course it's a fair price; Jerry wouldn't have it any other way but the person will say, 'What? Are you kidding me? I've known Jerry for 40 years and Jerry would never make me pay that.'" "He made a big impression on peo- ple," says Rickerl, "and he still does." Mary Helen Sprecher done with the company," says Mont- gomery. "He's a true leader. And when it comes to his customers, there has never been a 'no' answer. If we didn't have a part that someone ordered, he would call around until we found what was needed and then he would have it shipped to the customer directly. Or he would figure out how to cut something up and make what he needed. He always had a Plan A, and a Plan B, but there was also always a Plan C, D, E and F. He's just like that." In addition, says Chris Rickerl, Dou- glas' vice president of operations, until his retirement from the everyday aspect of the business several years ago, Dou- glas routinely made customer service not just a habit, but the next best thing to a religion. "We had a customer in Indiana who had a problem with some tennis posts, and Jerry got in the car and drove eight hours to go see them," says Rickerl. "He's gotten on a plane and gone down to Texas or Florida just to go support a t's no secret in tennis that an unex- pected bounce can turn out to be a game-changer. This particular bounce occurred in the early 1970s when a man named Joe Douglas was the owner of an Iowa company that made industrial fabrics, such as tarpaulins. Douglas Industries Inc., which had been in operation since 1967, one day got a call from a local business. "A fitness center was on the phone," says purchasing manager Kelly Montgomery, one of the company's longtime employees, and they said they needed cur- tains. The company said, 'Sure, we can do that. Soon, Douglas Industries was making backdrop curtains for the booming indoor tennis market, and finding it a lucrative endeavor. Joe Douglas' sons, Jerry, Dave and Joe Jr., began pursuing this avenue of growth. "We started making tennis nets and windscreens," says Jerry Douglas, "and we continued to add a lot of things to our prod- uct line." Douglas Industries expanded its reach into the sports market, adding more products and more sports. Eventually, it left behind the industrial fabric business. Today, the company manufactures and sells prod- ucts for baseball, basketball, golf, hock- ey, badminton, soccer, volleyball and more. Its tennis market, the genesis of all its sports endeavors, includes nets, posts, windscreen, backdrop curtains, divider netting and more. In general, much corporate growth has to do with being in the right place at the right time, and doing the right things. But Douglas Industries employ- ees are quick to note that Jerry Douglas, who took full control of the company in the 1990s, has been a key player in helping to establish the company's identity in the market and beyond. "He's amazed me with what he's I & 22 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY June 2013 Event Management included presentations of awards by past USTA President Franklin Johnson. This year, a coaching seminar included talks by world-renowned tennis coach Larry Stefanki, who has coached four No. 1 players (John McEnroe, Yevgeny Kafel- nikov, Marcelo Rios and Andy Roddick), and Peter Smith, one of the most success- ful college tennis coaches in recent history and coach of the USC Trojans mens team. Smith recently notched his 500th career coaching victory and was named 2012 ITA National Coach of the Year. A pair of juniors from Irvine, Calif., highlighted the week as UCLA-bound Gage Brymer won the Boys 18s ITF Grade 1 event, and 17-year-old Mayo Hibi took the Girls 18s, dropping just 14 games in her six matches. Hibi was coached all week by former WTA player Debbie Graham. In the Boys 16s final, top-seeded Sameer Kumar ornie Kuhle, the new tournament chairman of the Asics Easter Bowl Spring National Championships, knew he didnt have a lot of time to plan the event, but he knew he wanted to make some changes to the 46th edition of the iconic junior tennis tournament. For one, he welcomed aboard new title sponsor Asics, maker of footwear and apparel, and now racquets (and which counts among its stable of pro players Samantha Stosur, Gael Mon- fils, Irina Falconi, Steve Johnson and Coco Vandeweghe). The tournament, held in mid-April, also took place at a new venue, the Sunrise Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif., down the road from the old site at Rancho Las Palmas Resort. Asics has been wonderful to work with, Kuhle says. We look forward to a bright and growing future, partnering with Asics to bring the best of American junior tennis together here at the Asics Easter Bowl. It was an exciting week of great tennis, says Ryan Broccolo, tennis events manager at Asics, who was on-site for the week. We were very proud to support this next genera- tion of American talent at the tourna- ment while also showcasing Asics tennis apparel, accessories, footwear and new racquets. The entire Sunrise Country Club community came together to wel- come the Easter Bowl, says Jai Net- timi, head tennis professional at Sunrise. All the members showed their commitment to the event through their hospitality, support and enthusiasm. Were looking forward to next year's tournament. Another change this year were the six huge drawboards that Tournament Direc- tor Andres Borowiak and his associates, Nick Kuhle and Jeannie Riggs, had con- structed and continually updated through- out the tournament for each main draw singles event (boys and girls 18s, 16s and 14s), giving the tournament the feel of a professional event. Finals ceremonies L www.racquetsportsindustry.com Change Highlights 46th Easter Bowl of Carmel, Ind., won his second straight USTA Supernational, while Catherine Bel- lis of Atherton, Calif., claimed the Girls title. (Visit www.easterbowl.com.) Founded in 1968 by Seena Hamilton, the Easter Bowl was run up until this year by her son, Bryan Fineberg. One tradition that Hamilton began was an hour-long TV show. This year, Kuhle and Borowiak retained three-time Emmy- winning producer Harold Hecht to produce the show, which aired on the Tennis Channel in May. The shows commentators were USTA First Vice President Katrina Adams and former ATP touring professional Vince Spadea, both former Easter Bowl champions. Many American tennis greats have played the Easter Bowl over the years, including Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, Lind- say Davenport, Jennifer Capriati, Tracy Austin and Andy Roddick. Cur- rent Top 100 players whove played the Easter Bowl include John Isner, Sam Querrey, Ryan Harrison, Christi- na McHale and Sloane Stephens. This year, more than 650 top junior players from over 40 states par- ticipated. Coaches who attended the event included LSU womens coach Julia Scaringe Sell, Michigans mens coach Bruce Berque, USC womens coach West Nott, USC mens coach Peter Smith, and UC-Berkeley Cal womens coach Amanda Augustus. USTA Director of Coaching Jose Higueras also was there, as were for- mer Wimbledon quarterfinalist Kathy May Fritz, former NCAA womens sin- gles champion Beth Herr Bellamy and former ATP touring pros David Pate, Tim Mayotte and Eliot Teltscher. Once again, the Easter Bowl show- cased the future of U.S. tennis, says Kuhle, who also runs the Childhelp Desert Classic, a USTA $25,000 Womens Pro Circuit event in February. And if what we saw is any indication, there will be some very talented players competing at the collegiate and professional levels in the near future.w Vince Spadea and Katrina Adams provided TV commentary. Tournament Chairman Lornie Kuhle congratulates Boys 16s winner Sameer Kumar. P h o t o s
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K e n a s Build tennis in your community through the United States Tennis Association's Facility Assistance Program Better Courts are Better for Tennis Whether you're attempting to build a new tennis facility, renovate and upgrade an existing one or get your courts ready for 10 and Under Tennis, the USTA can provide the tools you need to make it happen- from guidance on advocacy efforts to technical and financial assistance. The USTA is committed to providing access to safe, appealing and functional tennis environments and is deeply invested in local communities across the country. For more information about the USTA Facility Assistance Program visit: usta.com/facilities or email facilities@usta.com 2013USTA. 10AND UNDER TEIOIIS usrA lind )'OIWMH In tile ...,. 24 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY June 2013 O ver the last three decades, there have been peaks and valleys in the development of performance features for athletic shoes, including those used in tennis. Current trends suggest much is under foot for this year, 2014 and beyond. Howev- er, tennis enthusi- asts should consider that todays major athletic brands are more likely to introduce and consumer-land their significant performance- enhancement features in larger athletic cate- gories such as running and bas- ketball before they are adapted for the smaller, specialized performance tennis-shoe market. Still, it wont be long before tennis players are likely to see the availability of lighter shoes made with new, breathable materials and simpler upper constructions that also better secure the foot and address high-stress areas during play. Developers are more cognizant about the need to deliver high-performance tennis models with highly durable uppers and reinforced areas. Nike, for example, introduced Flyknit for elite and everyday athletes in February 2012, but isnt yet prepared to say when, or if, the technology will debut in a tennis shoe. Flyknit, in develop- ment for many years, utilizes a manufacturing innovation that reduces weight and improves fit through a shoe that behaves like a sec- ond skin, adapting to the shape of the foot in motion. Additionally, a Fly- knit woven upper is said to reduce man- ufacturing waste by two-thirds in perfor- mance running shoes. Further down the shoe, new, lighter but stable cushioning materi- als are being introduced and developed for midsoles to ensure a better overall ride no matter the type of court surface. Adidas, for example, is preparing to expand its Boost cushioning foam, designed to maximize energy return for the runner, into addi- tional athletic shoe categories in the seasons ahead after its Feb- ruary global debut in a running shoe. The cushioning material was developed by the German companys exclusive partner, www.racquetsportsindustry.com FOOTWEAR TRENDS New performance elements, introduced in categories such as running and basketball, are likely to emerge in the tennis-shoe market, too. BY BOB MCGE E STEPPING INTO THE FUTURE STEPPING INTO THE FUTURE The Nike Air Max Cage was introduced in January at the 2013 Australian Open and features the new Drag-On Cage, which Nike says enhances the shoe's flexibility while maximizing support and durability. June 2013 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 25 chemical maker BASF, which liter- ally blew up a solid granular mater- ial called TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) and turned it into thousands of small energy capsules for use in the shoes midsole. Built to Order? Customization, via 3-D printing technology, is being explored by several brands in their respective quests to build outsoles to order, so to speak, by creating them around the digital model of an athletes foot. This technology will first be introduced in the performance run- ning-shoe segment sometime over the next five years, by New Balance for one, and could eventually be adapted for the tennis pro shop customer looking for that ultimate fit on a specific court surface. All of these developments dont even take into account how tech- nology might come into play in the tennis footwear of the future. Already, runners of all performance levels have the ability to measure their distance and speed with a Nike+ pod inserted beneath the midsole of certain shoe models and tracked on an iPhone. A year ago, the company also intro- duced a basketball and cross-training shoe with a sensor on the bottom that communicates data to an iPhone on how high the individual is jumping or how fast he or she is moving. This sensor tech- nology capability could eventually find itself in an intelligent tennis shoe. In March, Under Armour launched a digital performance monitoring system called Armour39 that the company says will provide a single score WILLpower mea- surement of 0.0 to 10.0 that reflects an individuals overall effort during a workout. Additionally, Armour39 monitoring will track heart rate, calories burned and intensity via a specialized watch or wearable module and strap. Of course, market analysts caution that most of this perfor- mance tech gadgetry, where the athlete can measure or track cer- tain metrics, isnt for everyone and is currently largely relegated to only top-notch athletes. But as these technologies are improved and manufacturer costs for them are reduced, they will get pushed into more mainstream products. Refocusing to Stay Relevant With an increasingly compet- itive landscape in the perfor- mance tennis-shoe market among the broader athletic brands such as Nike, Adidas, Asics and New Balance, spe- cialized court-shoe brands have been forced to regroup and refocus to stay relevant. Head, for example, got back into the tennis-shoe cat- egory through its own devel- opment efforts, not a licensing deal, four years ago. The Austrian company, under the direction of a sea- soned product development that came from another major brand, is promising a dramatically overhauled col- lection of tennis shoes for 2014 that will begin delivery in Janu- ary. Since the new line wont be introduced to Heads sales team until late August before the US Open, the company is hesitant to offer up details about the specific changes. Asics, the Japanese heritage athletic brand that cut its teeth in the performance running market, has staked a more significant claim in the tennis-shoe market over the last two years by adding a fashion-forwardness, via color, to its performance court shoes. The effort, says a competitor, has enabled Asics to lift the retail price range of its ten- nis-shoe offer- ings. Meanwhile, Prince is said to be working on a number of new developments after a long, successful run with its T22 shoe in the pro specialty channel. w Bob McGee is the editor of Sporting Goods Intelligence, a leading business/financial newsletter on the sporting goods industry. He first began covering developments in the ath- letic footwear industry in 1987 www.racquetsportsindustry.com The New Balance 996 is a high performance, lightweight shoe worn by ATP pro Milos Raonic. Two new shoes from Adidas, the Stella McCartney Barricade (above) and the Barricade 8.0 (below), feature a power band in the heel for stability. RACQUET SALES BY KE NT OS WAL D w Its not rocket science. Know which racquets are popular and understand what type fits a cer- tain type of player. All we ask is their type of play and swing style and then we do our best to fit their niche. w Recognize that there are big players with big budgets on the internet, so scale your focus and spending accordingly. We are so old school we don't have any lists or ads or cam- paigns. We are strictly word of mouth. We do have a Facebook page and a domain name (IrvineTennis.com), but don't post ads much on there. Being a smaller but strong business, going against online mega-stores isn't worth our time. w Be flexible in pricing, keeping in mind the larger picture of maximizing all sales and long-term relationships, not just getting the most for individual product. We classify ourselves as a new-age discount store. We don't advertise it but all of our clients know we discount racquets, and all our products for that matter. We stick to the same model all year round, which is be respectful and honest in guiding customers. w Be honest and true about product, and most importantly, treat the customer as a friend, not a customer. I live by this: Treat everyone as a friend until proven otherwise. w Customers come back to us because they trust us and rely on us to keep them updated and progressive in their game. We aren't trying anything new except reducing the wide variety of racquets. 26 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY June 2013 www.racquetsportsindustry.com Photos by Jimmy Johnston Tyler Jung Co-Owner of Orange County, Calif., institution Irvine Tennis and its smaller, sister store Corona Tennis TIP SHEET TIP SHEET Tennis retailers tell us their strategies for selling more racquets. June 2013 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 27 w Spend time qualifying what the customer wants. Interview cus- tomers to find out whether they want latest and greatest or their own tried and true. We listen and are happy to sell customers what they say they want, but do want to bring them our own expertise if they are interested. w With demo racquets, use a nicer quality synthetic and (unless it is a special customer who knows what string they want and whose purchas- ing past deserves a new string job on a demo) string all demos at that cal- iber at a medium tension so there is a benchmark. w Treat every customer respectfully. Word of mouth is always the best advertising ... or a slippery slope to driving people away. w So many people are searching for tennis merchandise on the internet that you should at least experiment so a [potential] customer knows about new racquets and offerings through social media. The prob- lem, as with all advertising, is to have customers let you know how you reached them so you can build on that success. w With pricing, make sure youre in the mix in the marketplace both versus local and internet competitionand go from there. www.racquetsportsindustry.com Steve Vorhaus Owner of Rocky Mountain Racquet Specialists, the Boulder, Colo., store with an incredibly loyal local following w Try the counterintuitive to get people thinking about their rac- quets. For example, even though Portland is not known as particularly ten- nis-friendly in the winter, the store ran a January string and grip replacement special. w Establish a working relationship with the areas key teaching pros. We try to help them with their personal equipment, and provide them with bags consisting of four to five demo models of their preferred brand. They, in return, send their clients to us. It works well, especially if you keep close tabs and dont let them get more than they give. w Target your advertising. For the last two years weve run a 30-second commercial in the Portland area during the US Open. w Let people know about new racquets before they get estab- lished in their routine, or search them out elsewhere. We send out an email blast once a year (around January) introducing the new prod- ucts, and announcing any sales or price drops on the previous years frames. w Train your staff. As part of training, make sure staff knows racquet spec- ifications, as well as the latest deals with manufacturers, including which racquets make the most money. They shouldnt be selling based on what brings in the most money since that could hurt long-term relationships with customers, but they should also make sure to include a profitable racquet in the demo mix when it wasnt asked about, but could be an appropriate choice. w With MAP pricing, a lot of the profit comes not with the sale but with the purchase price. The question to ask your rep is not what the racquet will sell for, but what is the stores real cost with the particular frame. Lance Holm Owner of Players Racquet Shop PDX, the Port- land, Ore., racquet specialist 28 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY June 2013 www.racquetsportsindustry.com w Work with your sales reps. You want to maximize manufacturer help with your advertising efforts and encourage manufacturers to pro- vide good quality demo strings to pair with their racquets in order to make the whole package as appealing as possible. w Keep posters and other point-of-purchase advertising mate- rials up-to-date and visible. Also, know your customerspassing along an extra poster or other piece of promotional merchandise to the right influencer can go a long way in spreading good word of mouth. w Make sure new racquets are conspicuously displayed and that you have a good selection. We carry eight different brands (and 350 different demos). Availability really helps us because when you come to our store, there is a very good chance you can hit immediately with the racquet you are interested in. w If at all possible, create a lane in the store where people can demo a racquet. w Consider a membership policy. The initial fee (modest as it may be) helps with buying inventory, and the special membership pricing it buys ties members even closer to the store when they think it might be time to upgrade to a new frame. w Provide a discount for people who bring in a racquet to be replaced that is still in good enough shape to be donated to a local school or community group promoting tennis. w Hire staff who are nice, knowledgeable and able to share their real experiences with the products. People come to our store for a number of reasons. The selection. The supply. And salespeo- ple can not only tell you stats about the products, but can also tell you their experience and that of others. Product. Price. Service and knowl- edge. Theres not much else you can ask for [when looking for a new racquet] other than free posters, which I also give them. Scott Halicki Racquets manager of The Tennis & Golf Company, the Royal Oak, Mich., independent sporting goods purveyor that recently celebrated its 35th anniversary w Make the most of your wall space. Get as many models as possible facing out, take advantage of racquet company point-of-purchase signage and on-racquet advertising materials. Consider a brushed aluminum or other background that can help racquets pop, as well as a row of spotlights set to highlight the products. w Educate your customers about pricing and value. Take every opportunity when talking with [potential] customers to educate them about MAP pricing and how a racquet bought in the store can work as a better deal, particularly when extras and service are considered. My hat is off to the internet companies for giving a false sense of savings to consumers. w Figure out what draws customers to your location. I like to get people into my store for stringing and gripping and then take advantage when they show interest in a racquet. I also pay someone six hours a day to stand outside in Herald Square and hold a giant tennis racquet [to direct tourists and office workers to the store]. w As manufacturers cut back on things like covers and dampeners, consider making up your own. For example, the store is creating a nylon sack (wholesale cost $2.50 to $3) with a drawstring to accompany new racquet purchases that will also be sold separately. It will serve as advertising and also eliminate any disappointment for a customer who spent a lot of money and expected the traditional accessories, even if they didnt use them. Woody Schneider Owner of Grand Central Racquet with its three Manhattan locations and one at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center w Show your stuff. Particularly if the physical space isnt prominent, make sure to be visible with new racquetsin the club, if applicable; in the community, whenever possible. w Create demo days that attract a large audience. Select racquets with an eye to what the manufacturers are already successfully promot- ing in print and on TV. Work with manufacturer reps. They sent good- ies, made it into a tennis carnival and we attracted a wide audience. w Provide teaching pros with demo models, keep talking with them and make sure to have an appropriate relationship with them about compensation when they send sales your way. Norm Martel Owner of the Twin Oaks Racquet Shop inside The Edge Sports & Fitness Center in South Burlington, Vt. DI STI NGUI SHED FACI LI TY- OF- THE- YEAR AWARDS I n 2012, two residential courts were honored with Rac- quet Sports Industry/American Sports Builders Associa- tion Facility-of-the-Year Awards. One, a red-clay court at a residence in Boca Raton, Fla., was honored in our February issue as an Outstanding award winner. Our second residential winner, a hard court next to the water in Delray Beach, Fla., shown here, is a Distinguished Facility of the Year winner. The asphalt court is new con- struction, painted in blue with green outside the linesa color combination that has been increasingly popular in the U.S. due to the color of the courts at the US Open. The fence around the court has angled corners, making it easier to retrieve balls. The contractor, who said they encountered no problems building the court, installed storm-water retention in the landscaped areas, and six light fixtures for night play. Peter Francesconi w This hard court in Florida is a residential facility winner. SINGULAR SENSATION SINGULAR SENSATION Bernstein Residence Delray Beach, Fla. (Nominated by Welch Tennis Courts Inc.) Specialty Contractor: Welch Tennis Courts Inc. Surface: Deco Color MP Nets, Posts: Welch Tennis Courts Inc. This hard court in Florida is a residential facility winner. For details on the 2013 Outstand- ing Facility-of-the-Year Awards, contact the ASBA at 866-501- ASBA or info@sportsbuilders.org, or visit www.sportsbuilders.org. 30 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY June 2013 www.racquetsportsindustry.com 31 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY May 2013 www.racquetsportsindustry.com 32 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY June 2013 bottle tended to wear. Then recently I ran out of nail polish (and the free supply had dried up anyway) so I had to buy what I needed, and it was quite expensive. So I thought why not use the ink that we use to paint logos on the string bed? I had a few empty tubes that still had a very small amount in them. I removed the tip with care and with a small paint brush was able to get quite sufficient ink to paint a knot. Provided you wipe the brush immediately after finishing using, it is usable again. FOOT PROTECTION Never string while barefoot or wearing sandals. I made this mistake just once. Of course, I was using an awl, and of course, I hastily returned it to my tool tray, only to have it drop right on my sandaled foot and embed itself about -inch. The injury itself wasnt horrific or life threat- ening, just completely avoidable if Id used a little common sense. 10 3-packs of Klip Python G1 Overgrip to: Ed Ramirez, North Halden, NJ AUTOGRAPH PLEASE I rather like to sign all my work so I can recognize it the next time I see it, and some players quite like the idea too. Some years ago I decided that painting the knot would be difficult to remove and not too conspicuous unless you were looking for it. Initially I was using nail pol- ish because the supply was easy and free. The only problem was the brush in the Tips & Techniques I again have a free source of ink for signing my work. All you need to do is ensure no else in your area is using the same idea. If so, make sure you use a dif- ferent color, or paint a different knot. 5 sets of Wilson K-Gut Pro 17 to: Stan Parry, Surrey, England Editors note: Here in the United States, big box stores such as Walmart sell cer- tain brands of nail polish for a dollar a bottle or less. There is a wide array of available colors, and you get a new brush with each bottle if you are tough on brushes. UNCOILING STRING SETS I devised my own technique to avoid tan- gles or ending with a big mess and hav- ing to call for help lest I end all wrapped up with the string. It is fairly simple with the advantage of not having to snip the plastic tie, leaving the string for the cross- www.racquetsportsindustry.com Readers Know-How in Action es bundled in it if you are going to per- form a two-piece job. With the string set in one hand at chest height, hold it from the plastic tie loosely with two fingers and begin to rotate the set through the tie with the other hand. One of the ends will come out, and you will find that it lies on the floor in a very loose and orderly man- ner. Continue doing this until all the string has passed through the tie, or leave enough string for the crosses, then take the loose end and measure the mains, and cut, leaving the amount for the held with the tie. This procedure is most helpful for me when handling strings with a lot of coil memory, especially the polyesters. 5 sets of Babolat Revenge 16 to: Luis de Santis, Valencia, Venezuela CUTTING KEVLAR Working with aramid (AKA Kevlar) strings can be an exercise in frustration, not only because it doesnt stretch and yet is so soft it often refuses to go through tie-off holes, but also because at some point you have to cut it, and your side-cutters have to have perfect jaws to sever it cleanly. Your best bet, then, when cutting aramid string, is to have one end fixed (if you just tied off, youre set on this account), and pull fairly strongly on the free end while applying the clippers. While the clippers alone often wont do it, keeping the string under tension while cutting gets the job done. 5 sets of Tourna Big Hitter Blue 17 to: Alan Yoshida, Ocean Park, CA HEAD YOUTEK GRAPHENE SPEED TIPS You mentioned the issue with the grom- met strip in the May 2013 Racquet Sports Industry magazine Tips and Tech- niques section, but there are a couple other gotchas if you are used to dealing with more conventional racquets. First, the shared holes at the top give you a great opportunity to create crossovers without even trying. When installing the mains, make certain to use either the upper sections or lower sec- tions of the double grommet for any given pair of mains. For a really primo job, use the upper holes on one side of the racquet, and the lower holes on the other side. On the side where you use the lower holes, weave the free end of the string over the first main you encounter: It not only looks better, it helps avoid any possibility of vibration between the main and cross. To go the extra mile, figure out the pattern of the crosses at the throat, and handle the upper/lower sections of the share holes the same way there, too. Second, watch where you tie off the mains! On a normal racquet, you are almost guaranteed to be able to use the first (AKA nearest) big grommet as a tie-off hole without running into problems farther along in the string job. On the Speed MP and Speed Pro, that first big grommet is a shared hole, and if you tie off there you wont be able to install the bottom cross. Tie off one grommet farther down at the designated tie-off hole and you will be fine. 10 3-packs of Head Xtremesoft Overgrip to: James Sly, Carpinteria, CA Greg Raven Tips and Techniques submitted since 1992 by USRSA members and appearing in this column, have all been gathered into a searchable database on www.racquettech.com, the official mem beronly website of the USRSA. Submit tips to: Greg Raven, USRSA, 330 Main St., Vista, CA 92084; or email greg@racquet tech.com. June 2013 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 33 www.racquetsportsindustry.com 34 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY June 2013 String Playtest EASE OF STRINGING (compared to other strings) Number of testers who said it was: much easier 3 somewhat easier 8 about as easy 19 not quite as easy 4 not nearly as easy 0 OVERALL PLAYABILITY (compared to string played most often) Number of testers who said it was: much better 0 somewhat better 10 about as playable 7 not quite as playable 15 not nearly as playable 1 OVERALL DURABILITY (compared to other strings of similar gauge) Number of testers who said it was: much better 3 somewhat better 5 about as durable 17 not quite as durable 6 not nearly as durable 2 RATING AVERAGES From 1 to 5 (best) Playability 3.6 Durability 3.6 Power 3.4 Control 3.7 Comfort (20th overall) 3.8 Touch/Feel 3.5 Spin Potential 3.3 Holding Tension 3.6 Resistance to Movement 3.3
S ensation Control is Wilsons origi- nal high-performance multifila- ment, with a twist. Specifically, its been updated with wraps of Liquid Crystalline Polymer (LCP) ribbons for added control. The wraps are woven around the nylon fiber bundles to reduce elasticity. This reduces the power generated by Sensation Control, providing more of a crisp poly feel and the control that accompanies it. The nylon bundles them- selves deliver playability and comfort. The string is targeted toward players at all levels who have been playing a polyester string, but strongly desire the comfort of a multifilament. According to Wilson, Sensation Control provides the arm-friendly comfort and feel and power of multifilament with a crisper feel. Sensation Control is available in 16 (1.30mm) in natural only. Contact your Wilson representative or Wilson cus- tomer service for pricing on sets and reels. For more information or to order, contact Wilson at 773-714-6400, or visit wilson.com. Be sure to read the conclu- sion for more information about getting a free set to try for yourself. IN THE LAB The coils measured 40 feet. The diame- ters measured 1.31-1.33 mm prior to stringing, and 1.25-1.26 mm after string- ing. We recorded a stringbed stiffness of 78 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 71 RDC units, repre- senting a 9 percent tension loss. Our control string, Prince Synthetic Gut Origi- nal Gold 16, measured 78 RDC units immediately after stringing and 71 RDC units after 24 hours, representing a 9 percent tension loss. In lab testing, Prince Synthetic Gut Original has a stiff- ness of 217 and a tension loss of 11.67 pounds, while Wilson Sensation Control 16 has a stiffness of 197 and a tension loss of 12.77 pounds. Sensation Control added 15 grams to the weight of our unstrung frame. The string was tested for five weeks by 34 USRSA playtesters, with NTRP rat- ings from 3.5 to 6.0. These are blind tests, with playtesters receiving unmarked strings in unmarked packages. Average number of hours playtested was 25. Installing Wilson Sensation Control is pretty typical for a multifilament nylon. The end mushes out, but we were able to complete a string job with four blocked holes without dressing the free end of the crosses. No playtester broke his sample during www.racquetsportsindustry.com stringing, three reported prob- lems with coil memory, two reported problems tying knots, and none report- ed friction burn. ON THE COURT Members of our playtest team liked Sen- sation Controls multifilament heritage, ranking it 20th best of the 172 strings weve playtested for publication in the Comfort category. Our playtesters noticed the addition of the LCD wraps, too, with Sensation Control receiving an excellent rating in the Control category. Sensation Control also received excellent ratings in Playability and Tension Reten- tion, and ranked well above average in Touch/Feel and Power. Wilson Sensation Controls overall score is well above average. Six testers broke the sample during the playtest period, one where the string broke while the racquet was in the bag (between stringing and playing), and one each at 6, 8, 9, 10, and 12 hours. Four testers reported premature fraying and/or peeling, one reported buzzing, and three reported notching. CONCLUSION If you are looking for a nylon string that says what it does and does what it says, check out Wilson Sensation Control. It promises the comfort of a nylon string, with control, and our playtest team agrees that it delivers. Throw in gener- ous helpings of playability, power, touch, and feel, and top it off with excellent tension maintenance, and youre looking at a heck of a package. If you think that Wilson Sensation Control might be for you, fill out the coupon to get a free set to try. Greg Raven Wilson Sensation Control June 2013 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 35 FREE PLAYTEST STRING PROGRAM Wilson will send a free set of Sensation Control to USRSA members who cut out (or copy) this coupon and send it to: Offer expires 15 June 2013 Offer only available to USRSA members in the US. Name: USRSA Member number: Phone: Email: If you print your email clearly, we will notify you when your sample will be sent. www.racquetsportsindustry.com USRSA, Attn: Wilson String Offer PO Box 3392, Duluth, GA 30096 or fax to 760-536-1171, or email the info below to stringsample@racquettech.com (Strings normally used by testers are indicated in paren- theses.) For the rest of the tester comments, visit www.racquetsportsindustry.com. TESTERS TALK
Plays and feels great right from the
start. No noticeable tension loss. I will be able to use this string longer than nor- mal.
4.5 male all-court player using Wilson
nTour strung at 58 pounds LO (Wilson NXT 17)
My entire game is better with this
string. Every stroke feels better. I espe- cially like the control I get with it.
stringer. This string is slightly less crisp than Wilson NXT, but very comfortable.
4.0 male all-court player
using Head Prestige Pro strung at 48 pounds LO (Gamma Professional 18)
Exceptional blend of playability, spin,
comfort, and control. Power is on the low side.
5.0 male all-court player using
Wilson BLX Six.One (18x20) strung at 55 pounds LO (Wilson Hollow Core 16)
Plays with a very nice balance of
power and control.
3.5 male all-court player using Pro Ken-
nex Composite Destiny strung at 40 pounds CP (Head FXP/Babolat VS Team 17/17)
This string has adequate comfort and
shock absorption. The feel is decent. Its crisper than your average multi.
5.0 male all-court player using Wilson BLX Six.One (16x18) strung at 60 pounds LO (Wilson NXT 17)
There was some buzzing in the
beginning, but it eventually stopped. Nice mix of control and playability.
5.0 male all-court player using Prince
EXO3 Red MP strung at 58 pounds CP (Prince Synthetic Gut w/Duraflex 17) S ince the arrival of 10 and Under Tennis, it has become common- place to compare tennis to other youth sports. Primarily, such compar- isons have been within the context of age-appropriate equipment, scoring, etc. To a lesser extent, team-based play has been a component of these compar- isons. As a parent of two kids who are under 10 years old and as someone who works in tennis, I believe the tennis industry would do well to look very closely at other common elements of youth sports that help make them so popular, and honestly evaluate the extent to which tennis does or could adopt these elements on teams, particu- larly for kids age 10 and under. Here are some thoughts. About a year ago, I took my children to their school playground. Adjacent to the playground is a small baseball field, and on this particular day children were playing a tee-ball game. Many parents, grandparents, siblings and others were there to watch. At one point, a boy hit the ball solidly off the tee. As he ran to first base the crowd erupted in applause and cheers. Now imagine that you are this boy. What a feeling! Similarly, in my daughters youth basketball league, an announcer intro- duces players over the loudspeaker before each game as the players run on the court, which prompts huge applause. At the end of every game, the coach recognizes each player for some- thing positive she did. In tennis, do we do all we can to recognize kids and make them feel like the center of attention? Usually when my daughter plays soc- cer or basketball, her team has more players at the game than can participate at one time. This means some players must wait for their turn to play. This is not a big deal because, in the case of my daughters basketball league, the peri- ods are only six minutes long and the clock runs the entire time. If a player sits out one period, that player will play dur- ing the next period. This is the beauty of allowing substitutions. Players can get into the game without having to sit out for long periods of time. Admittedly though, as short as six minutes is, when my daughter sits out I feel eager to see her play. If I had to wait a lot longer, my eagerness would turn to annoyance. World TeamTennis has successfully allowed substitutions for a long time. Could allowing substitutions improve the experience of young team tennis players and spectators? Because of substitutions and the presence of teammates on the field, teams in sports other than tennis are able to mitigate the effects of player mismatches. This stands in contrast to tennis where mismatches tend to be painfully obvious to both participants and spectators. Even in basketball, where mismatches are not as stark as tennis, there have been attempts to address the issue. Some basketball leagues give colored wristbands to play- ers based on how they perform on a skills test. During games, players always guard others with the same color wrist- band. 36 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY June 2013 No matter what the sport, young participants enjoy recognition. Your Serve www.racquetsportsindustry.com Taking the Best of Youth Sports An industry insider, and a parent, says for great 10 and Under Tennis experiences, we should acknowledge and emulate what other sports do well. BY KE VI N T HE OS Kevin Theos is the USTA South ern Tennis Service Rep for Alabama. He is a USPTA pro with more than 20 years teach ing experience and is the former executive director of the Birm ingham Area Tennis Association. We welcome your opinions. Please email comments to RSI@racquetTECH.com. Recently, my daughter lost a doubles match in team tennis 0 and 0. I thought I might tell her to not feel bad because her team could still win the match, but I stopped myself when I realized how hol- low those words would sound. Might young children enjoy their tennis experi- ence more if league organizers used skills tests or at the very least made a genuine effort to match up young kids of similar ability? Although many individuals have attributed the popularity of other sports to the fact that they have made age- appropriate adjustments in equipment, etc., that only tells part of the story. Numerous other factors, more than are described here, contribute to the success of other youth sports. Kids are kids, and no matter what the sport, young participants enjoy recogni- tion. They also like to spend most of their time participating and not waiting to play, and they prefer contests among similarly skilled players over significant mismatches. As an individual sport, ten- nis will always differ in fundamental ways from many other sports. But by acknowledging what other sports do well and attempting to at least partially emu- late these positive qualities with our 10 and Under Tennis players, we can give them and their parents the most positive tennis experience possible and keep them in the game. w FOIR A NEUTRAL NATION, SWITZERLAND SURE BUILDS ONE HELL OF A WEAPON. Arrned with a Wilson Pro Staff, Fedeier is dangerous on the covrt. Its uniq e braided oonstructicn and classic cross section give :rou I .!'Ia perf:t bland of control' and spin for prucision 0011'1 go to batlltl , .. ithoot it. m;