Racquet Sports Industry

September/October 2005
Volume 33 Number 9 $5.00
GUIDE TO STRINGS
Our exclusive selector
will help you customize
the stringbed for every player
Wilson’s “W” line for
women leads the new
frame offerings
New shoes your customers
will be asking about
The latest tenniswear for
style and performance
The newest frames for
racquetball and squash
Telephone as Customer-Care Tool
Wimbledon Player Equipment Log
String Playtest
Ask the Experts
Tips and Techniques
Contents R S I S E P / O C T
INDUSTRY NEWS
2 0 0 5
7 Key racquet sales numbers are up

7 USTA debuts enhancements
to US Open, NTC
7 Wilson nCode wins
industrial design award
SPECIAL SECTION:
8 Head/Penn teams with Barbie
PRODUCT INTROS for new junior products
8 Color-coded teaching system
22 Introductory Courses introduced by Wilson
Racquets, shoes, string, apparel—we’ve got the
new stuff your customers want.
9 Vantage USA formed for
custom racquets
24 Gender Specific
Wilson’s new “W” line of frames is designed
specifically for women players.
9 Grand Slam Gut debuts
100% Natural Gut string
26 Frames for Fall 9 Prince introduces new
Line extensions and new technologies lead the
way in new racquets for recreational players. Shark DB frame
30 Foot Soldiers 10 Welch offers clay-court

From big-name endorsements to grassroots maintenance seminars
player appeal, tennis shoe manufacturers have
the kicks for your customers. 11 ATP, Penn, Sports Authority
distribute DVD
32 String Selector Map, 2005
Our exclusive guide of all strings available will 12 Sportwall unveils its
help you customize your stringbed for optimum
performance and feel.
“Next Generation”
13 North Carolina club chooses
40 Clothes Encounters Classic Turf surface
The latest lines from tenniswear companies
promise stylish performance for your customers.
16 “Fast Lane Tennis” series
44 Climbing the Walls on The Tennis Channel
For racquetball and squash, increases in
participation may be slow, but they appear 18 Florida club adds Premier
On the cover: Close-ups of string cross-sections. to be steady. Court to parking deck
DEPARTMENTS 50 String Playtest: Gosen Polylon SP

4 Our Serve 52 Ask the Experts
20 Customer Relations 54 Tips and Techniques
48 Wimbledon Player Equipment Log 56 Your Serve, by Paul Fein
September/October 2005 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 3

Our Serve
(Incorporating Racquet Tech and Tennis Industry)
Honoring Our Commitment Publishers

David Bone Jeff Williams
W
back.
ell, we did this a year ago, and we’re going to do it
again this year. We’re going to pat ourselves on the
Editor-in-Chief
Crawford Lindsey
Editorial Director
Peter Francesconi
We recently received word that Racquet Sports Industry magazine won a Associate Editor
2005 Apex Award for Publication Excellence. This is the second year in a row Greg Raven
that RSI has been honored with an Apex Award, and this year, it was especial-
Design/Art Director
ly nice to be recognized for overall excellence in the category “Magazines & Kristine Thom
Journals—Printed Four-Color.”
Assistant to the Publisher
There were nearly 5,000 entries in Cari Feliciano
109 different categories, covering
Contributing Editors
magazines, newspapers, special publi- Cynthia Cantrell
cations, video and electronic publica- Rod Cross
tions, annual reports, brochures, Kristen Daley
Joe Dinoffer
newsletters, and more. RSI was one of
Liza Horan
757 entries in the Magazine & Journals Andrew Lavallee
category. James Martin
The awards are given out based on Mark Mason
Chris Nicholson
excellence in graphic design, editorial
Mitch Rustad
content, and “the success of the Drew Sunderlin
entry—in the opinion of the judges—
in achieving overall communications effectiveness and excellence.” That’s par- RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY
Corporate Offices
ticularly gratifying to us because effective communication is everything in this
330 Main St., Vista, CA 92084
business. It’s what we need to do for you, and it’s what you need to do for your Phone: 760-536-1177 Fax: 760-536-1171
customers and players. Email: RSI@racquetTECH.com
Our goal is to continue to communicate what you need to effectively run Website: www.racquetTECH.com
Office Hours: Mon.-Fri.,8 a.m.-5 p.m. Pacific Time
your business, and to help you make a profit at it. And we’re committed to
communicating what it takes to make this sport grow at every level. Advertising Director
And while RSI now has another award to hang on the wall to indicate that John Hanna
we seem to be on the right path, we know there’s still a lot of work we need to 770-650-1102, x.125
john@racquettech.com
do. And, with your continued help and support, we look forward to doing it.
Apparel Advertising
Cynthia Sherman
203-263-5243
cstennisindustry@earthlink.net
Racquet Sports Industry (USPS 347-8300. ISSN 0191-
Dave Bone Jeff Williams
5851) is published 10 times per year: monthly January
Co-Publisher Co-Publisher through August and combined issues in Septem-
ber/October and November/December by Tennis
Industry and USRSA, 330 Main St., Vista, CA 92084.
Periodicals postage paid at Hurley, NY 12443 and addi-
tional mailing offices. September/October 2005, Vol-
ume 33, Number 9 © 2005 by USRSA and Tennis
Industry. All rights reserved. Racquet Sports Industry,
Peter Francesconi Crawford Lindsey RSI and logo are trademarks of USRSA. Printed in the
Editorial Director Editor-in-Chief U.S.A. Phone advertising: 770-650-1102 x.125. Phone
circulation and editorial: 760-536-1177. Yearly sub-
scriptions $25 in the U.S., $40 elsewhere. POSTMAS-
TER: Send address changes to Racquet Sports Industry,
330 Main St., Vista, CA 92084.
4 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2005

R S I S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 0 5
INDUSTRY NEWS
INFORMATION TO HELP YOU RUN YOUR BUSINESS
USTA Debuts Enhancements Sales Figures Strong for Second Straight Year
T
here’s good news for the tennis industry: For the second straight year, racquet
To US Open, Tennis Center sales for the 12 months through June 2005 are strong, up 29 percent in units and
The USTA continues to change and improve 18 percent in dollars, when compared to the same period that ended in June
the US Open and its Flushing Meadows, 2003. A year ago, in June 2004, sales had increased 16 percent in units and 8 percent
N.Y., site. Some the innovations, attractions, in dollars.
and enhancements that fans will notice at This two-year upswing is fueling speculation that a number of things are coming
this year’s Open, from Aug. 29 to Sept. 11, together for the sport, including recent new player programs, such as the Tennis Wel-
come Center initiative and the USTA’s Tennis in the Parks campaign, and positive con-
include:
sumer reaction to new technologies introduced by racquet companies.
Blue courts: As reported in the July issue of “Unit sales growth the past two years shows that some of our new player programs
RSI, the USTA came up with a new court are starting to work,” says Jim Baugh, the president of the Tennis Industry Association.
color for the US Open and the run-up US “Along with the USTA, we’ve promoted Tennis Welcome Centers for two straight years,
Open Series of tournaments. The new color and the USTA has greatly expanded its Tennis in the Parks campaign.
“The growth in dollar sales, especially this year, shows that consumers are buying
was designed to provide a “signature look”
more premium, high-performance racquets as well,” Baugh adds. “In fact, the largest
to the Open Series and provide an identifi-
growth category this year is the super-premium category, up over 35 percent.”
able link to the Open itself. Also, it was The TIA also says the increases tie in with what dealers expected for sales in 2005.
designed to enhance visibility of the ball for Based on a survey at the beginning of the year, 57 percent of dealers said they expected
players and spectators. consumer sales to increase, while 10 percent predicted a decrease.
Ball sales, after growing in units in 2004, are down slightly in 2005, but the TIA says
Bellagio-style fountain: The vast South
it’s been having some difficulty tracking sales because a number of top retailers are
Plaza at the National Tennis Center will fea-
importing balls directly under their own brands, and they don’t report sales figures to the
ture a new fountain created by WET Enter- TIA. “We’re hoping to get these retailers to submit their sales to ball shipment census
prises of California, the designers of the reports” in the future, says Baugh.
popular fountains at the Bellagio Hotel in But overall, Baugh’s happy with the direction things are taking. “We’re on the right
Las Vegas. Shooting water more than 20 track,” he says. “Industry sales are the most positive they’ve been in years, and the
feet high, the fountain’s animation controls efforts to grow the game at the grassroots level have intensified. And we’re launching
can create water shows, movement, and Cardio Tennis to consumers. We just need to keep our focus, work together, and keep
sound. pushing.”
Polo Ralph Lauren: The Wilson nCode Wins Industrial Design Excellence Award
apparel designer is step-
P
roduct design firm Design Concepts Inc. of Madison, Wis., and Wilson Sporting
ping up to tennis in a big
Goods have been recognized with a Bronze 2005 Industrial Design Excellence
way, signing a four-year Award (IDEA) for Wilson’s new nCode racquets.
partnership with the USTA Co-sponsored by the Industrial Designers Society of America and BusinessWeek, the
for the US Open sponsor- international design competition is “a celebration of the best and hottest product designs
ship. PRL will design the of the year” and is “dedicated to fostering business and the public’s understanding of the
official US Open shirt and will outfit all on- importance of industrial design excellence to the quality of life and the economy,”
court officials, line judges, and ballpersons. according to IDEA officials.
In addition, there will be a 3,500-sq.-ft. Polo A jury of 17 world-renowned designers and critics considered more than
store on-site. 1,380 entries from 40 countries before selecting 148 winners. Wilson’s frames
feature exclusive nano-technology nCode material combined with dramatic
Avenue of Aces: Fans can purchase per- visual appeal, superior shock and vibration reduction, more power, a
sonalized pavers to support the USTA Tennis more active string bed and a larger sweetspot, says the company.
& Education Foundation and have a perma- Serena Williams uses the n3 model on the pro tour and Tennis
nent link to the Open. The Avenue of Aces magazine named the n5 model an “Editor’s Choice.”
will be between the East Gate entrance and According to Brian Dillman, Wilson’s vice president of
Arthur Ashe Stadium. Global Marketing for Racket Sports, “The new nCode rac-
quets make all other racquets look obsolete. But in the end,
the racquets have to perform on the court.”

INDUSTRYNEWS S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 0 5
Head/Penn Teams With Barbie For New Wilson Introduces Color-Coded

Junior Girls’ Line of Tennis Products Teaching System for Beginners
W
ilson Racquet Sports has developed a new line
H
ead/Penn Racquet Sports and Mattel Inc. have developed a co-brand-
ed set of tennis products for young girls called the Head Barbie Jun- of tennis instructional equipment as part of its
ior Series. This new line combines Head’s racquet design expertise expanding commitment to tennis education
with the fashion and appeal of the Barbie brand, says Head officials. programs throughout the country. The EZ Tennis line,
Designed for girls ages 4 to 9 (or 40- to 55-inches-tall), the new Head Bar- designed for teaching pros running entry-level pro-
bie Junior Series will be in stores for the 2005 holiday season. grams, is a color-coded racquet system for beginners
“By aligning Head products with a brand as established and presti- that Wilson says will make the fundamentals of ten-
gious as Barbie, we will gain instant recognition and credibility among nis easier to comprehend.
young girls at retail and on the courts,” says Greg Mason, Wilson’s EZ Tennis racquets and grips are color-
director of sales and marketing for Head/Penn. “With coded red and yellow to simplify hand positioning
fun, colorful tennis equipment in their hands, young and indicate which side of the racquet should be
girls will be inclined to play longer and more often.” used during forehand and backhand strokes. EZ
The new series includes three junior racquets Tennis racquets are available in 17-, 19-, 21-, 23-
designed for a variety of heights and ages, a racquet and 25-inch lengths. The 17-inch frame, the first
sack, and a pro racquet bag that fits both racquets and Wilson racquet made in that length, is ideal for chil-
equipment. Also available is the Head Barbie Junior dren as young as ages 2 or 3, says the company.
Pack, which includes a 25-inch racquet, pink two-tone “EZ Tennis is a comprehensive training system
pressureless tennis balls, and a water bottle. that allows even the youngest beginners to grasp the
“Barbie knows what girls of all ages like and is liter- fundamentals of tennis in an engaging way,” says
ally everywhere a girl is—now on the tennis court as James Burda, Wilson’s manager of U.S. promotions.
well,” says Richard Dickson, senior v.p. of Mattel’s In addition to the racquets, the line also includes
Worldwide Consumer Products division. “It is a strate- Set-Up Targets, Dots, Court Lines, Multi-Use Cones,
gic priority for us to partner with authentic brands out- Tennis Nets, Foam Balls, and Transitional Play Balls.
side the traditional toy world.” For more information, call 800-272-6060 or contact
your local Wilson rep.

INDUSTRY NEWS
Vantage USA Formed for Custom Racquets
R
acquetMaxx of Birmingham, Ala., and Vantage Sport International of the United
Kingdom have formed a new company, Vantage USA, which will specialize in
building custom tennis racquets for the U.S. market.
The new partnership will use the Custom Racquet System that Vantage Interna-
tional developed to deliver fast and cost-effective service to players “looking for some-
thing more unique than mass-produced fames,” according to a press release. And for
Vantage USA customers, the wide range of services offered by RacquetMaxx will be
available on all Vantage racquet configurations. All orders can me made via the web-
site or by calling RacquetMaxx directly for any information and assistance in choos-
ing specifications and building a frame.
“Building racquets that perfectly suit the player is what we are all about” says Paul
Angell, founder and head of Vantage Sport International. “Having an office in the USA
will further increase our level of customer service, and with RacquetMaxx as a part-
ner, we are delighted to be able to offer even more choice of specifications.”
“Our company has been built on customizing mass-produced racquets to meet a
player’s specific needs,” says Bob Patterson, founder and head of RacquetMaxx.
“Vantage racquets are the ultimate customization, providing an avenue for the player
to work with a Master Racquet Technician to build their dream racquet.”
A Vantage USA website is under construction, but customers are still able to con-
figure their ideal racquet at www.vantagetennis.com or by calling RacquetMaxx
directly for further information and assistance at 800-824-4989.
Grand Slam Gut Debuts New

100% Natural Gut String
G
rand Slam Gut’s new 100 percent Natural Gut comes in a
variety of sizes and textures for tennis, squash, racquet-
ball, and badminton players. For tennis, the string is offered in 17, 16, and 15L
gauges, and it comes in coated and uncoated versions.
GSC says that its college and 5.0 playtesters consider the string to be one of
the liveliest available. The company says it’s one of the roughest natural guts avail-
able, which adds more spin to the ball, and that it is long on durability.
The company points to USRSA lab testing that measured GSG’s uncoated 17
gauge to be the second best natural gut string on the market in holding tension
and its coated 15L as one of the top five softest natural gut strings on the market.
Tests were done versus all the natural gut competitors.
The natural-color GSG is available in 40-foot (12.2 m) sets and half-sets of 21
feet (6.5 m). Recommended tension for Grand Slam Gut is 50 to 60 lbs. For ten-
nis, it is priced at $17 per set. For more information, contact 715-366-4333 or
email: tennis@wctc.net.
Prince Sports Introduces Shark DB Frame
P
rince Sports launched the newest racquet in the Shark family, the Shark DB, this
summer, designed for players looking for maximum com-
fort in a powerful frame, especially for players with
shorter, more compact strokes, says the company.
The Shark DB is the first ever power Double Bridge
(DB) racquet by Prince and is offered in an Oversize and
Midplus headsize. Prince says the racquet’s patented
Double Bridge technology provides frame and string vibra-
tion reduction.
Prices range from $190 to $200. For more information, con-
tact 800-283-6647 or visit www.princetennis.com.

INDUSTRYNEWS
Welch Offers Clay-Court

Maintenance Seminars
W
elch Tennis is again offering its
popular clay-court maintenance
seminars, designed for anyone
who is involved in the business of main-
taining clay (Har-Tru) tennis courts,
whether traditional overhead-irrigated
fast-drying courts or subsurface-irrigated
HydroGrid or HydroCourt.
The seminars give participants a
working knowledge of Har-Tru courts,
including an explanation and demon-
stration of the latest procedures in
court maintenance.
Participants receive a Certificate of
Completion, and USPTA members can
earn three credits for continuing educa-
tion for attending. Cost is $159 per per-
son ($125 for each additional person
from the same facility) and includes a
continental breakfast, lunch, refresh-
ments, and a happy hour. Upcoming
seminars are:
Q Oct. 7 at the Ocean Club in Daytona
Beach, Fla.
Q Oct. 14 at the Gulf Harbor Yacht and
Tennis Club in Fort Myers, Fla.
Call Deb Carlson at 800-282-4415.
Wilson Sales Veteran

Moves to Marketing Team
W
ilson Racquet Sports has promot-
ed Cory Springer to the new role
of marketing manager for the
U.S. Springer has been with Wilson for
nine years and has served as a territory
manager in southern Florida for the
past six years.
Springer will manage marketing
execution and sales programs in both
the accessory and footwear categories
for the U.S. market. He also will coor-
dinate with Wilson’s Global Marketing
Department for product development
and serve as a marketing liaison to Wil-
son’s U.S. sales team.
In other Wilson personnel news, the
company hired Evan Garfinkle as a ter-
ritory manager in the South Central
region of the U.S. Garfinkle, an accom-
plished stringer and certified Master
Racquet Technician, joins Wilson after
working most recently as a sales rep
for both Gamma/Fischer and Balle De
Match.

INDUSTRY NEWS
P L E W AT
E O CH
P • David Kjeldsen, CEO of Viking Athletics
in Lindenhurst, N.Y., announced that Brian Mills will
assume responsibility for all inside sales of Viking's platform ten-
nis line. Mills will work closely with Dave Ohlmuller at O2 Athletics of
Lake Bluff, Ill., which represents Viking in the Midwest.
• Longtime tennis coach Larry Easley has given much to the game of tennis over
the years, but now he needs help from it. Easley is suffering from ALS (Lou Gehrig’s
disease) and his friends are asking for help in providing support. A fund-raising golf
event was held Aug. 12 in Nevada, and there are plans to do more. For details, contact
Ron Drylie at 888-750-7587 or e-mail rond@a1s-nv.com.
• Wayne Bryan, coach of the Sacramento Capitals, has been named 2005 World
TeamTennis Coach of the Year. The charismatic Bryan earned his second consecutive
Coach of the Year award after leading Sacramento to a League best 11-3 record and a
Western Conference Championship. The WTT Finals weekend will be Sept. 16-17 at All-
state Stadium at Sunrise MarketPlace, Citrus Heights, Calif.
• In other WTT news, Elena Likhovtseva and Mark Knowles, both of the Sacramento Cap-
itals, were named 2005 Female and Male MVPs. Also, Katerina Bondarenko of the New-
port Beach Breakers has been named 2005 Female Rookie of the Year, while the
Springfield Lasers' Rik de Voest has earned Male Rookie of the Year honors.
• Eight college players and two coaches went to Izmire, Turkey, Aug. 11-21 to represent
the U.S. at the 2005 World University Games tennis competition. U.S. Men's Coach David
Roditi selected John Isner (University of Georgia), Ryler DeHeart (University of Illinois),
Scott Green (Ohio State), and Ross Wilson (Ohio State). U.S. Women's Coach Lori McNeil
selected Amber Liu (Stanford), Jennifer Magley (University of Florida), and Catrina and
Christian Thompson (Notre Dame).
• Longtime USTA marketing and communications specialist Randy Walker will

join Leverage Sports Agency after the 2005 US Open. Walker, who worked
with the US Open, Olympics, and U.S. Davis Cup team and served as the
USTA’s senior publicity manager, will work on publicity, sponsor-
ship, and new business development for the Charlotte/New
York-based agency and will focus on the tennis
industry.
ATP, Penn, Sports Authority Team Up to Distribute DVD
T
ennis Masters Cup Uncovered II: Facing Federer, the ATP’s behind-the-scenes docu-
mentary of the most recent Tennis Masters Cup, will be distributed to tennis fans
in coming months through a promotion between the ATP, Head/Penn Racquet
Sports, and Sports Authority.
Sports Authority stores nationwide will stock three-packs of Penn balls that also
contain a complimentary copy of the DVD. Priced at $7.99, the three-pack of Penn
ATP Tennis Balls will remain on sale through November. It is the first time that ATP
partner Penn has featured a three-pack promotion with its ATP ball. Additionally, hol-
iday packs—comprising an eight-pack of balls and complimentary copy of the DVD—
will be sold at Sports Authority stores beginning in October for $19.99.
“We’re certain recreational players using Penn balls also will enjoy getting an up-
close look at the best professional players in the game through this beautiful and fun
documentary,” says Kevin Kempin, vice president of Penn Racquet Sports Worldwide.
The DVD includes the one-hour documentary and bonus footage featuring Roger
Federer, Marat Safin, Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt, Tim Henman, Guillermo Coria,
Carlos Moya, and Gaston Gaudio. It continues to be sold online at ATPtennis.com via
ATP partner Tennis Warehouse.

NDUSTRYNEWS S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 0 5
Sportwall Unveils Its “Next Generation” L E T T E R S
I
nteractive tennis and fitness pioneer Sportwall International will unveil its Next Gen-
eration platform at the USPTA World Conference in Marco Island, Fla., the week of The Need for News Coverage
Sept. 18.
A leader in the emerging industry of “active interactive” products and programs Great “Your Serve” in the July
for sports, fitness, and education, 2005 issue of Racquet Sports
Industry by Mark Winters (“Some-
Sportwall uses computer-game tech-
thing to Write About”). He is right
nology to motivate and engage partic-
on the money! The declining cov-
ipation so that exercise and training erage tennis receives in local
become more fun, entertaining, and media is a big problem, and we
productive. Targets, scores, sounds, need to improve 1000 percent on
and time clocks stimulate the user’s it immediately.
eyes, ears, hands, feet, and balance We in the Florida section of the
systems to improve performance in a USTA are putting more personnel
live-training environment. Programs and resources behind this and are
having some luck and making
include the world’s first internet-based
some progress. The larger cities
tennis skills competition.
still have their challenges with
Sportwall’s Next Generation regard to their sportswriters and
upgrade includes MP3-quality three- tennis. But many smaller commu-
track sound, enhanced programs for nities are eager for stories and
group and cardio workouts, audio coverage with a local flavor if you
game instructions, interchangeable take the time to submit them.
curriculum using smart cards, wireless Bob Pfaender
headphone connection, pay for play Florida
option, and more. We welcome your letters and comments.
For info: visit www.sportwall.com Please email them to rsi@racquetTECH.com or
fax them to 760-536-1171.
or contact VP Sports Tom West at 800-
695-5056, ext 125.

INDUSTRY NEWS
Bald Head Island Club Chooses

Classic Turf Court Surface
T
he four courts at the Bald Head
Island Club (below) along the North
Carolina coast were recently resur-
faced by the Classic Turf Co. of Wood-
bury, Conn., using the company’s 6
millimeter Classic Cushion, a cushioned
sheet-goods product.
“The original asphalt composite
courts have many cracks in them,” says
Classic Turf President Tumer H. Eren.
“Since our product is breathable, it pro-
tects the subsurface from cracking,
which is especially important in an envi-
ronment where there is a lot of mois-
ture, such as Bald Head Island’s
ocean-side courts.”
Bald Head Island Club General Man-
ager Tom Golden says Classic Turf’s abil-
ity to allow moisture to evaporate
through the surface was a big reason
the club chose the product. The Classic
Cushion, he says, “has done everything
it’s purported to do. All in all, if you’re
trying to cover a hard court that’s in a
bad state of repair, it’s a very good
option. We’ve been happy with it.”
Contact 800-246-795 or 203-263-
0800, or visit www.classicturf.org.
Squash Star Signs

With Tourna-Grip
Former world No. 1
squash star Lee Beachill
has signed a three-year
deal with overgrip suppli-
er Tourna-Grip. The three-
time British champion,
and current world No. 2,
has used Tourna-Grip throughout his
career. “Lee Beachill, Pete Sampras and
many other top players in the world
have won, and continue to win, many
championships using only Tourna-Grip,”
says Mike Niksich of Unique Sports
Products Inc., owner and manufacturer
of Tourna-Grip. Contact 800-554-3707 or
visit www.uniquesports.us.

S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 0 5
SHORT SETS
INDUSTRYNEWS
>winning
Wilson athletes dominated Wimbledon this year, with Roger Federer > The USTA says the 2005 US Open purse will top $17.7 mil-
his third consecutive single’s title and Venus Williams defeating lion, and will potentially exceed $20.6 million—representing
Lindsay Davenport in a dramatic all-Wilson women’s single final. Federer, the highest annual purse in sports—as the top three men’s and
Williams and Davenport all use racquets from Wilson’s nCode line. women’s finishers in the US Open Series may earn up to an
additional $2.8 million in bonus prize money at the US Open.
>playAllwith
four boys in the singles semifinals of the Wimbledon Junior event
Head racquets and are members of Team Elite, as is Tamira Both the men’s and women’s US Open singles champions will
Paszek, playing with an FXP Instinct, who reached the girls’ singles final. earn $1.1 million with the ability to earn up to $2.2 million
For the boys, Jeremy Chardy, playing with a Liquid Metal Instinct, emerged based on their performances in the US Open Series.
with the title, defeating Head Team Elite members Robin Haase in the final
and Donald Young in the semis. Earlier, Haase beat Head player Tim Smy-
>netHead NV reports that for the six months ended on June 30,
revenues for 2005 were down 2.7 percent to $169.6 mil-
czek in the other semi. lion, compared to the same period in 2004. Racquet Sports rev-
enues for the first six months of 2005 decreased by $6.4
>hiredSouthern California-based apparel manufacturer Bälle de Mätch has
veteran sales professional Ginna Foster to manage brand sales in million, or 6.6 percent, to $90.0 million from $96.4 million in
Florida. She’s been a sales representative for Danskin in Florida for 13 years the comparable 2004 period. This decrease was mainly due to
and will continue to cover the entire state for the brand. A competitive lower sales volumes in tennis racquets and balls as well as a
tennis player since the age of 10, Foster still plays in leagues at her home change in product mix, the company says.
club of Lake Cane Tennis Center in Orlando. New or current accounts can
contact Foster directly at 407-909-9091 or foster1018@aol.com.
>Gallager
Tennis equipment distributor ATS Sports has picked Brian
of Stratham, N.H., as the winner of a trip for two to
the US Open. ATS carries a full line of tennis supplies. For more
>quetsPrincehavereports that pro players who have switched to the new O3 rac-
jumped in the rankings. Wimbledon doubles champ Liezel info, visit www.atssports.com or call 800-866-7071.
Huber switched to the O3 Tour at the beginning of the season and
improved her doubles ranking from No. 45 to No. 4. Paul Goldstein moved
> USTA Magazine, the magazine for USTA members, recently
won three 2005 Apex Awards for Publication Excellence—one
up from 147 to 96 after switching to the O3 Tour and Davide Sanguinetti for special purpose writing, one for design and layout, and one
moved from 103 to 57. for overall custom-published magazines.

S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 0 5
Wilson Joins Effort to Host “World’s Largest Tennis Lesson” “Fast Lane Tennis”
INDUSTRYNEWS
Series On The Tennis

I
n what was billed as the “Worlds’ Largest Tennis Lesson,” more than 300 kids showed
up on July 22 in Chicago to drill and learn the game in a free lesson. Chicago-based Wil- Channel
son Sporting Goods joined the effort, which was led by Chicago area teaching profes-
A
new 10-show series on The Ten-
sional Mark Miller and designed to promote tennis among youth.
nis Channel called “Fast Lane
“Wilson is committed to growing the game of tennis among youth and what better
Tennis,” produced by USPTA
way to expose them to the sport then through Mark’s efforts to provide a free lesson for
and PTR Master Professional Joe
hundreds of kids,” says James Burda, manager of U.S. promotions for Wilson. “This rein-
Dinoffer, chronicles the tennis devel-
forces the message that youth everywhere can embrace tennis as a fun sport that is both
opment of Dinoffer’s daughter Kalin-
physically and socially rewarding.” di as she learns the sport over an
Miller first dreamed up the idea of the world’s largest lesson when he hosted a similar 18-month period.
event years ago and has since developed instructional programs at local park districts and The series, which is the first video
day camps throughout Illinois. For more information, visit www.munchkinprogram.com. project that has tracked a beginning
junior through 18 months of learn-
ing tennis, also features footage with
pro tour star Meghann Shaugh-
nessey, as well as comic sequences
from Bijou the
tennis clown,
played by
teaching pro
Henri Elkins.
The instruc-
tional series
contains quick
tips, creative
progressions, drills, and solutions to
common problems that players of all
ages face. For airing times, visit
www.thetennischannel.com, and for
info on the DVD version, contact
Oncourt Offcourt at 88-TENNIS-11 or
visit www.oncourtoffcourt.com.
Prince Sports has come out with a lim-

ited-edition O3 Pink frame, the fifth
member of the O3-engineered family.
Prince says the O3 line provides larger
sweetspots (expanded by up to 54 per-
cent) in maneuverable
and aerodynamic
frames. The O3
Pink, part of
the Think Pink
line of prod-
ucts from
Prince, is
designed for players
looking for maximum power
who have shorter, slower
strokes. Five percent of the whole-
sale price will be donated to the
Susan G. Komen Foundation to aid in
the fight against breast cancer. For
more information, call 800-283-6647
or visit www.princetennis.com.

INDUSTRYNEWS S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 0 5
Boca Club Adds Premier Courts to Parking Deck Technical Tennis
W Dispels Time-
hen the Yacht and Racquet Club of Boca Raton, Fla., want-
ed to convert the roof of its parking garage into six tennis
courts—to complement the six ground-level, subsurface
irrigated clay courts it already had—it turned to Welch Tennis
Honored Myths
H
ave you ever wondered how
Courts Inc. of Sun City, Fla. Welch had built the original six two
much difference your equip-
years ago, but the six on the roof presented a challenge.
ment makes to your tennis
Club members insisted on playing on a soft surface, but the
game? Tennis physicist Rod Cross
weight-bearing capacity of
and technology expert (and RSI
the deck was not sufficient to
publisher and editor-in-chief) Craw-
support clay courts. Welch
ford Lindsey answer all your questions and explode time-
President George Todd Jr.
honored “truisms” in their new book, Technical Tennis:
suggested Premier Court,
Racquets, Strings, Balls, Courts, Spin, and Bounce.
which has a weight load of 2
The 152-page paperback is a reader-friendly follow-up to
pounds per square foot. The
their widely acclaimed The Physics and Technology of Tennis,
cushioned Premier Court
which they co-authored with Dr. Howard Brody (who wrote
also provides a maintenance-
the foreword to the new book). The four chapters cover Rac-
free surface, says Chris Rossi of Premier Concepts. The recently
quets, Strings, Balls and Bounce, and Spin and Trajectory,
completed garage deck courts are receiving high praise from
and answer equipment- and performance-related questions
Yacht and Racquet Club management and members.
that have perennially plagued hackers and experts alike,
“There are many facilities with similar situations,” says Todd.
allowing players to turn practice into a focused application of
“Premier Court could be the perfect solution because it is a cush-
principles affecting the impact, bounce, and flight of the ball.
ioned surface without the heavier weight loads.” Rossi says Pre-
Technical Tennis is available from Racquet Tech Publishing
mier offers warranties of up to 15 years. For more information,
for $12.95. To order visit:
contact Welch at 800-282-4415 (www.welchtennis.com) or Pre-
www.racquettech.com/store/books_TOC.html or call 760-
mier Concepts at 800-458-4675 (www.premiercourt.com).
536-1177.

3 customer RELATIONS
Make Your Telephone the Ultimate

Customer-Care Tool BY JILL FONTE
T
he telephone just might represent the felt if her call had gone more like this: ees to write
ultimate love/hate relationship. On one “Hello. This is Jeannie Anderson. May I the caller’s
hand, it’s the lifeline of our business; on speak with John please?” name as soon
the other, it’s the scourge of our busi- “I’m sorry Jeannie. John’s at lunch and as they hear it.
ness day. (Can you say “telemar- probably won’t be back for a half hour or Customers want
keter”?) Likewise as it so. This is Paul. May I take a message or to feel acknowledged and
relates to our customers, help you with something myself?” special. Using a customer’s
the telephone can “I’m calling to see if my racquet’s name is a great way to con-
cement the relation- ready. Can you help me with that?” nect with them and show them
ship or repel them “I don’t have your slip here at the they’re not just another anony-
forever. counter, which leads me to believe that it’s mous voice at the end of the line.
We communicate not finished yet. But, how about if I take
volumes to our cus- your number and ask John to call you as BITE YOUR TONGUE
tomers in how the soon as he returns?” BEFORE SAYING
phone is answered, how their “OK. That would be great. It’s 555- “YOU’LL HAVE
requests are handled, how their needs are 1212.” TO…”
met, and how their calls are ended. Consid- “OK, Jeannie. I’ll be sure John gets this No customer wants to be told
er the following: message. Is there anything else I can help what he or she has to do.
“Hello. This is Jeannie Anderson. May I you with today?” Instead, try using phrases like, “You
speak with John, please?” “No, I don’t think so.” might want to…” or “May I suggest that
“He’s not here.” “OK, then. Thanks for calling.” you….” They are gentler and much less
“Oh, when do you expect him in?” “Thank you, Paul. See you later.” directive.
“I have no idea.” Many managers never think to teach
“Well, I’m calling to see if my racquet’s proper telephone etiquette, but it can pay ASK PERMISSION
ready. Can you help me with that?” off handsomely in how a business is per- TO PUT PEOPLE ON HOLD
“Nope. You have to speak with him.” ceived. If you’ve not given it much thought You know how rude it feels to have your
“Would you please take my name and and wouldn’t know where to begin, here call slammed on hold. Let it be your cus-
ask him to call me?” are a few pointers that can make a big dif- tomer’s choice whether to be placed on
“Yup. What is it again?” ference in how your employees convey hold. “May I put you on hold while I trans-
“Jeannie Anderson.” customer care. fer you to John?” is more polite and less
“OK. Bye.” directive than just saying, “Hold on.”
“Wait! Would you also please give him SMILE BEFORE YOU ANSWER
my phone number?” It’s amazing what a smile does for tone of ASK IF THERE’S ANY
“Yup. What is it?” voice. People who work in call centers OTHER WAY IN WHICH
“555-1212” (and therefore make their living on the YOU MIGHT BE OF SERVICE
“OK. Bye.” telephone) often have signs or smiley face Make sure all of the customer’s needs are
It was the last straw. Jeannie never set icons on their desks or telephones remind- met before the call is ended. This simple
foot in that shop again. John was a good ing them to “Smile!” This isn’t just an atti- question can make your customer feel that
stringer, and he was a nice enough guy. But tudinal pick-me-up. It’s a reminder for you have all day for them and their con-
some of the shop employees were obviously them to smile before answering the cerns. Most often, they won’t need more
just marking time to collect their paychecks. phone. Try it yourself to see what a differ- of your time, but they’ll appreciate the
They were not concerned with how they ence a smile can make in your tone of offer.
came across on the phone, and despite voice.
Jeannie’s longstanding relationship as a cus- GIVE THE NAME OF THE PER-
tomer, she always felt that she was starting USE THE CALLER’S NAME SON TO WHOM YOU’RE
over with these people every time she called AT THE BEGINNING TRANSFERRING THE CALL
the shop. She didn’t feel acknowledged, let AND END OF THE CALL Make sure your customer knows where his
alone appreciated. Keep a pad of paper by all the phones in call is going and with whom he is about to
How much better might Jeannie have your facility and encourage your employ- speak. “Gee, I’m sorry. I can’t answer that

question. May I transfer you to Jim Smith,
our food and beverage manager?”
MAKE SURE A
TRANSFERRED CALL
GOES THROUGH
“If Jim doesn’t answer and you want to get
back to me, please press 0 and ask for
extension 107.” This way, your customer
doesn’t feel that his call has been dumped
into a black hole. We’re seeing more and
more voice mail, and we’ve all been frustrat-
ed by the voice-mail maze. We’ve all cried,
“Can’t I just speak with a live person?!” Pay
attention to how your customers are treated
if they enter the voice-mail fray at your club.
LET THE CALLER

END THE CALL
Customers do not want to feel rushed off
the phone. When you do get the occasional
chatterbox who wants to bend your ear
about string tension or ladies’ league or her
rivalry with so and so, politely say, “I’m
sorry. I’d love to talk more about this, but I
must let you go. I have customers in the
shop/I have another line ring-
ing/the UPS man is
here”….etc.
The telephone
can and should be
a customer-care
tool. Talk with
your staff
members
Kr
ist
ine
Th
about how
om
you want the
phones to be answered,
how you want calls transferred and how
you want the business portrayed over the
phone. Being proactive in training your staff
helps ensure that your customers will receive
consistently high service from your shop or
club, even on the phone.Q
Jill Fonte is a speaker and
trainer specializing in man-
agement and customer ser-
vice. She is a frequent
presenter at tennis conven-
tions and workshops
throughout the U.S. An avid,
frequent tennis player, she is the current
chair of the USTA's National Tennis Innova-
tion Committee. She has also recently
joined Dr. Jack Groppel and Dr. Jim Loehr
as a performance coach and keynote
speaker at the Human Performance Insti-
tute in Orlando, Fla.

Introductory
PRODUCT INTROS
Courses
Racquets, shoes, string, apparel—we’ve got the
new stuff your customers want.
R
emember when most major
product introductions seemed
to happen at the Super Show in
February, when manufacturers put
on lavish shows to sell their wares
to retailers, who in turn signed
purchase agreements for upcom-
ing shipments, and everyone went
home happy and excited?
Well, times certainly have
changed. Product introductions
essentially happen throughout the
year, and no time is more packed
with neat, new stuff than when
the US Open rolls around in late
August. From breakthrough rac-
quets and shoes, to string for all
types of players, to stylish new
apparel, and even racquetball and
squash frames, the following
pages have the new products that
your customers will be asking
about.

Gender Specific
RACQUETS
Wilson’s new “W” line of frames is designed for women players.

BY JAMES MARTIN
W hat do women want? Wilson

hopes it has the answer.
This fall, the company is
increase the length of the main strings for more
power. Other features include shock-absorbing
grommets and softer grips for comfort. And the
releasing a group of racquets, racquets are all fairly light and maneuverable.
called the W line, that are The W racquets will carry a premium price,
designed specifically for female ranging from $199.99 to $269.99 suggested
players. Of course, you may be retail. Will women pony up? It’ll be interesting to
asking yourself, how do you see. The W line, which will feature a new “W”
make frames for women without logo, is the first time a tennis manufacturer has
patronizing them? “Women expect marketed racquets with such an image-conscious
W2 Spicy Ruby to be respected as athletes first,” says Wil- strategy. In other industries, this type of market-
W2 Black Whisper son’s Jon Muir, “but they also appreciate style.” ing has worked wonders. Take Apple. It has suc-
W2 Blue Shadow Wilson will be putting the emphasis on the lat- cessfully branched off its iPod with mini iPods,
ter. The W line is, on a certain level, a vanity prod- where the main appeal is that they come in dif-
uct. It consists of three models (the 117 sq.-in. W2 ferent colors yet still deliver the solid performance
117, the 107-sq.-in. W4, and the 97-sq.-in. of the original.
W6) that are available in multiple col- Muir compares the W line to the Apple strate-
ors and patterns. The super-over- gy. The thinking is that female players will identi-
size comes in three colors, the fy with a particular W model as a way of
oversize in four, and the mid-plus expressing themselves on court.
in two, giving the consumer a total But you have to wonder whether the W line
of nine different cosmetics from will cannibalize Wilson’s nCode racquets. The
which to choose. They are rac- company’s top female players, Lindsay Daven-
quets as objets d’art. port, Justine Henin-Hardenne, and Venus and Ser-
But these aren’t the cliché col- ena Williams, endorse different nCode models.
ors of pink and powder blue, Will the women’s-only frames simply siphon sales
which racquet companies have away from nCode, or will they generate new cus-
used in the past to create the image tomers and expand the size of Wilson’s pie?
of a lady’s stick. Rather, Wilson And despite all the talk about technology and
paints these frames with vibrant and dis- performance, will serious tennis players be turned
W4 Savage Saphire tinctive colors and gives them names that off by racquets that put style ahead of substance?
W4 Savage Lime sound like shades of lipstick: Blue Shadow, While Wilson awaits the answers to these ques-
W4 Red Fury Spicy Ruby, Savage Sapphire, and Wild Crim- tions, it’s putting marketing muscle behind its
W4 Cobalt Storm son, for example. launch at this year’s US Open. The racquets will
“We did extensive research—five focus come with attractive head cards, with a picture of
groups around the world—and we learned that the line’s spokeswoman, ex-WTA touring pro Bar-
the cosmetics had to be bold and strong,” Muir bara Schett, on them, along with other point-of-
says. “There has to be a sense that the purchase materials. In addition to the frames, the
racquet’s cosmetic is an extension W line will include accessories such as bags, over-
of the player’s personality. That’s grips, visors, caps, and trucker hats that corre-
why we’re offering so many spond to the racquet cosmetics. And a portion of
selections.” the proceeds from the sale of W merchandise will
But to Muir’s other point, be donated to breast cancer research.
about respecting women as ath- Distribution will also play a key role in Wilson’s
letes first, W racquets aren’t just prospects. “We believe that the W line is not for
pretty frames. There’s substance every retailer,” Muir says. “This is a franchise
behind the style. They feature Wilson’s product. We want accounts who believe in what
W6 Wild Crimson nCode technology for stability and a solid feel. we’re doing and can carry at least three to four
W6 Blue Steel The heads of each frame are also unique—oval SKUs. You need that many to tell the story.”
instead of the traditional round shape, in order to 800-272-6060; www.wilson.com
Frames for Fall
RACQUETS
Line extensions and new technologies lead BY JAMES MARTIN
the way for recreational players.

Prince Fischer
This year Prince launched its O3 line, Fischer has the most
which includes the O3 Red, Silver, interesting new technol-
Blue, and Tour. The frames have ogy this fall—the Mag-
large, grommet-less string holes, netic Speed racquets.
called O Ports, that allow the strings They use the repelling
greater freedom of movement on power of equally aligned
impact. This, in turn, gives the stringbed magnets in the head to
a more forgiving, damp feel and a bigger help return the frame (which
sweetspot. deforms on impact) to its orig-
One success story of the O3 line that’s probably inal position quicker. This, in
gone unnoticed by most fans happened on the pro tour this turn, transfers more power into
spring. In the heart of the clay-court season, Russia’s Nikolay your shot, says the company. Fis-
Davydenko was in a bit of a slump and decided a change was cher will offer the M Pro No. One
in order. He ditched his old racquet for the O3 Tour, and then 98 and a more user-friendly ver-
went on a tear, winning St. Poelten and reaching the semifinals sion, the M Pro No. One 105, which
of Roland Garros. As of August, Davydenko was No. 6 in the has a bigger head, though both tip
world, and he credits a big part of his success to his new stick. the scales at over 11 ounces.
“It has been and it is a real great experience working with Niko- 800-333-0337
lay and noticing the huge improvement of his game with the new racquet,” www.fischertennisusa.com
says Prince’s tour manager, Fabrizio Caldarone.
Building on its own success, Prince has introduced
three O3 racquet bags (one that holds six, one that
holds three, and a backpack). And it gives a
subtle nod to the O3 line with the
Quiktrac GT shoe, where the
mesh vents are made to
Völkl
resemble the oval O Ports Völkl says it’s new tech-
and the upper color-coordi- nology, DNX, is about a
nates with the frames. “fourth dimension of car-
800-283-6647 bon” and “high-strength
www.princetennis.com micro-tube construction,”
but what’s it really mean?
It’s quite simple, really. The
new Völkl DNX V1 features
ultra-stiff carbon nanotubes in
Head
Head will continue to promote
the head, at the 3 and 9
o’clock positions for stability
its new Flexpoint racquets. New on off-center hits, and in the
to the family: the Flexpoint 4, which throat to keep the frame from
is a ’tweener frame that should have bending backward and there-
mass appeal for players rated NTRP 3.0 fore transfer more energy into
to 4.5, and the Flexpoint Instinct, an the ball. The DNX V1 comes in
advanced player’s frame that offers excel- 102- and 110-sq.-in. models,
lent stability on off-center hits. with a weight of 10.5 ounces
800-289-7366 strung.
www.head.com 800-264-4579
www.volkl.com

New Tennis Racquets for Summer/Fall 2005
Racquet Head size Length Weight Balance Balance Flex Swing Wt. Pattern Power Price
(Sq. Inches) (Inches) (Grams) (CMs) (Inches) (RDC) (RDC) (M x C) Level MSRP
AVERY
AVERY 800-758-9467 • www.tomavery.com
M3 (72 Holes) 95 26.875 346 31.00 12.20 62 307 16x20 1786 $179
BANCROFT
BANCROFT 800-779-0807 • www.bancroftsports.com
ACE Advantage 107 27.000 270 34.50 13.58 57 279 16x19 1702 $195
ACE Tour 98 27.000 307 33.50 13.19 67 304 16x18 1996 $195
ACE Tour + 98 27.000 323 33.75 13.29 70 319 16x18 2188 $195
FISCHER
FISCHER 800-333-0337 • www.fischertennisusa.com
M Pro No. One 105 105 27.000 335 32.00 12.60 58 318 16x19 1937 $190
M Pro No. One 98 98 16x20 0 $190
HEAD
HEAD 800-289-7366 • www.head.com
Flexpoint 10 121 27.500 259 38.00 14.96 69 316 16x19 2770 $275
Flexpoint 4 107 27.330 281 35.50 13.98 67 309 16x19 2288 $225
Flexpoint Instinct 100 27.000 308 33.00 12.99 65 308 18x19 2002 $180
PRINCE
PRINCE 800-283-6647 • www.princetennis.com
Air Vanquish Midplus 100 27.000 308 33.75 13.29 70 315 16x19 2205 $150
Air Vanquish Oversize 110 27.000 285 35.00 13.78 73 295 16x19 2369 $150
O3 Blue 110 27.500 281 34.25 13.48 65 295 16x19 2215 $280
Shark DB Midplus 100 27.000 301 34.50 13.58 68 308 16x19 2094 $200
Shark DB Oversize 110 27.500 290 34.50 13.58 71 299 16x19 2452 $200
PRO
PROKENNEX
KENNEX 760-804-8322 • www.prokennex.com
Ki (Kinetic Ionic) 10 100 27.000 311 33.50 13.19 68 305 16x19 2074 $180
Ki 10 PSE 100 27.000 323 33.00 12.99 62 311 16x19 1928 $180
Ki 15 105 27.500 280 35.25 13.88 70 312 16x19 2408 $190
Ki 15 PSE 105 27.250 325 32.75 12.89 71 317 16x19 2422 $190
Ki 20 110 27.500 271 35.75 14.07 69 309 16x19 2463 $210
Ki 30 117 27.375 270 35.00 13.78 73 299 16x19 2650 $250
Ki 5 100 27.000 324 32.25 12.70 63 309 16x20 1947 $180
Ki 5 PSE 100 27.125 370 32.00 12.60 67 335 16x20 2273 $180
Ki 5x 100 27.625 335 34.00 13.39 68 349 16x20 2522 $180
Kinetic Pro 15g Light 105 27.500 272 35.00 13.78 65 300 16x19 2150 $150
Type C 98 98 27.000 354 31.75 12.50 58 323 18x20 1836 $160
Type R 100 27.000 328 33.25 13.09 56 315 16x20 1764 $160
Type SX 100 27.500 336 33.50 13.19 68 326 16x19 2328 $160
VANTAGE
VANTAGE 800-824-4989 • www.vantagetennis.com
VT001 90 27.000 338 32.50 12.80 63 321 16x18 1820 $221
VT002 95 27.000 334 32.00 12.60 61 323 16x19 1872 $221
VT003 100 27.250 306 34.75 13.68 61 324 16x19 2026 $221
VOLKL
VOLKL 800-264-4579 • www.volkl.com
DNX V1 MP 102 27.000 302 33.50 13.19 69 301 16x19 2118 $220
DNX V1 OS 110 27.500 297 34.00 13.39 68 302 16x19 2372 $220
WILSON
WILSON 773-714-6400 • www.wilsonsports.com
W2 Black Whisper 117 27.500 273 37.75 14.86 66 326 16x18 2643 $270
W2 Blue Shadow 117 27.500 270 37.75 14.86 65 318 16x18 2539 $270
W2 Spicy Ruby 117 27.500 273 37.25 14.67 65 319 16x18 2547 $270
W4 Cobalt Storm 107 27.250 267 36.50 14.37 66 304 16x18 2201 $230
W4 Red Fury 107 27.250 272 36.25 14.27 67 307 16x18 2256 $230
W4 Savage Lime 107 27.250 271 36.75 14.47 67 311 16x18 2285 $230
W4 Savage Sapphire 107 27.250 272 36.25 14.27 67 305 16x18 2241 $230
W6 Blue Steel 97 27.000 299 35.25 13.88 59 327 16x20 1871 $200
W6 Wild Crimson 97 27.000 297 35.25 13.88 60 322 16x20 1874 $200
YONEX
YONEX 310-793-3800 • www.yonex.com
Nano Speed RQ 5 105 27.500 289 35.00 13.78 68 316 16x18 2369 $219
Nano Speed RQ 7 100 27.500 300 33.00 12.99 66 303 16x18 2100 $259
Nano Speed RQ 7 110 27.500 288 35.75 14.07 65 326 16x19 2447 $259
Nano Speed RQ 8 110 27.500 272 37.00 14.57 74 313 16x20 2675 $279

Foot Soldiers
FOOTWEAR
From big-name endorsements to grassroots player appeal,

tennis shoe manufacturers have the kicks for your customers.
BY JAMES MARTIN
Babolat
Babolat knows how to pick ’em. The company signed up Andy
Roddick to endorse the Pure Drive Team, which has become
the biggest success story in racquets in years. And it got Rafael
Nadal to endorse the Aeropro Drive, and the kid goes and wins
the French Open this year. Now Babolat is going back to Rod-
dick, hoping he can do for its shoes what he did for its signature stick.
This fall Babolat officially enters the U.S. footwear market with the
Team All Court, a stability-oriented shoe that comes with Miche-
lin soles. Roddick will start wearing these shoes in January.
877-316-9435
www.babolat.com
Adidas
The new ClimaCool Ultimate II, for men and
women, offers maximum ventilation for
your feet, says Adidas. To help get the most
out of its new shoes, the company also is
encouraging consumers to purchase sports-
specific socks to wick moisture away.
800-448-1796
www.adidas.com
Nike
Another shoe that has a big-name player
attached to it is the Nike Shox Glamour SW
II. As you can tell by its initials, the Shox is
endorsed by Serena Williams, and it’s
designed for aggressive, serious players like
her. It features highly resilient polyurethane
columns in the heel for shock absorption.
But unlike the Shox in Nike’s popular run-
ning shoes, these columns are much lower
to give players more side-to-side stability.
800-344-6453
www.nike.com

Wilson
Wilson puts its best foot forward with the Pro Staff Elite, which, like
its other Pro Staff models, delivers a winning combination of
comfort, support, and durability. It’s the kind of shoe that
should be quite popular with teaching pros and anyone else
who spends a lot of time on the court.
800-272-6060
www.wilson.com
KSwiss
A real “player’s” shoe, K-Swiss says its Defier RS, for
men and women, is engineered to stand up to even the
most intense on-court battles. The shoe features K-
Swiss’s Shock Spring cushioning in the heel and forefoot
and a TecTuff toe wrap for durability.
800-714-4477
www.kswiss.com
New Balance
New Balance has introduced the
CT/WCT 653, a lightweight,
comfortable shoe, with
width sizes for men
and women. The
shoe probably
will appeal most
to entry-level
players looking
for a comfortable
ride but who don’t
need maximum stability.
Diadora 800-343-1395
Are your competitive players looking for a stable, www.newbalance.com
durable, and responsive performance shoe? Diado-
ra says its new Attax DA 2, for both men and
women, is just the ticket to help players get to the
ball in style.
253-520-8868
www.diadoraamerica.com

The String Selector
STRINGS
Map 2005
Customize your stringbed for optimum performance and feel.
BY CRAWFORD LINDSEY
(Article adapted from the new book Technical Tennis: Racquets, Strings, Balls, Courts, Spin, and Bounce, by Rod Cross and Crawford Lindsey)
E very choice concerning properties or features of string

(except durability) comes down to how they will affect
stringbed stiffness. Material, construction, gauge, and tension
they will each feel stiffer than they did at the lower tension. The
one exception is gut, which is stiffer at lower tensions compared
to nylon, but the stiffness stays relatively constant at the ranges
all influence string stiffness, which in turn affects stringbed stiff- of higher tensions caused by ball impact, and it is less stiff than
ness, which affects power, control, and feel. The String Selector other strings at these tensions as a result.
Map helps you navigate the quagmire of over 400 strings to As the String Selector shows, there are only four different
choose what works and feels best for each player. string materials in common use. In order from softest to stiffest
they are: gut, nylon, polyester, and aramids, such as Kevlar.
String Stiffness These groups have very little, if any, overlap in measured stiff-
String stiffness is a combination of material, gauge (i.e., string ness values from one group to another. There is beginning to be
diameter and, thus, amount of material), length, and tension. a tiny bit of overlap between nylon and polyester (but only for
But it is not a single number that is the same all of the time such a very few strings), as new manufacturing processes have
that you can say, “This string allowed polyester to be soft-
has a stiffness of such and ened. Within each category,
Table 1
such.” The stiffness of the there is a range of variance,
string changes depending on Effect of Stringbed Features on Stringbed Stiffness but nothing as significant as
String Description Effect on Stringbed Stiffness

what the tension is before the leap between separate cat-
Long/short strings Softer/stiffer

you start stretching it. A egories.
Thin/thick gauge strings* Softer/stiffer

string at 50 pounds will
Tension Loss
Open/closed string pattern Softer/stiffer
stretch more for each pound
Loose/tight string tension Softer/stiffer

of impact force compared to The Selector Map also plots
Soft/stiff string material Softer/stiffer

a string at 70 pounds. In tension loss. This is a property
Big/small grommet/string holes (support system) Softer/stiffer

other words, the string is of the material and is related
stiffer at higher tensions, not to stiffness because it deter-
* About half of all thin strings are stiffer than thick versions of the same string. The reason is
just because of the tension, mines the consistency over
but also because of a change that the stress (tension per square inch) on the thin string is larger and that the stiffness of time of the stringbed stiffness.
in the material property itself. most strings increases quickly when the stress increases above a certain value. A thin string Every string loses tension
will generally stretch further than a thick string when it is strung at 60 pounds, but it often
stretches less than a thick string when the tension rises above 60 pounds during a shot.
This is a property of all com- from the second it is installed
mon string materials. A steel and with every hit of a tennis
string would not act that way. ball. The rate of tension loss
It would stretch lengthwise the same amount for each pound of determines how much and how quickly the stiffness of your
impact force whether it were strung at 40, 60, or 80 pounds, stringbed will change and, with it, the performance and feel.
and you could say that the steel string has a definite value for The tension loss was measured by pulling the string to 62
lengthwise stiffness. Fortunately, in the normal stringing range pounds, waiting 200 seconds, and then impacting the string five
of 50-70 pounds, different string times with a force comparable to
materials don’t change stiffness hitting a 120 mph serve. The ten-
radically compared to each other Table 2 sion loss is thus a combination of
as tension is altered. So, if one Effect of String Stiffness on Performance static time tension loss and dynam-
string is stiffer than another at 50 ic impact tension loss. Polyester
pounds, it is, for all practical pur- Stringbed Shock & Rebound loses the most tension and gut the
poses, safe to say that it is stiffer Property Power Control Vibration Spin Angle least.
by about the same proportion at The rate of loss slows to a mere
70 pounds. Each string will feel Soft More Less Less Same Higher creep after a couple of days and
about the same relative to the Stiff Less More More Same Lower remains “perceptually” about the
other at each tension. However, same for a few weeks. This means

different things to different players. If you are a typical recre- String stiffness and tension loss are just two vari-
ational player, the feel you are looking for is the stabilized feel that ables in overall stringbed stiffness. Table 1 summarizes
you experience after a couple of days and then for weeks after. If the effect of additional variables that affect that stiff-
you are a pro, you need your racquets to feel exactly the same ness, and Table 2 summarizes the resulting affect on
every day. That is why high level players restring so frequently. performance. Q
The Geography of “Feel”

Finding Your “Feel Good” Location
Q To find the string that goes with the dot, note the Q Stiffness (horizontal axis) is the MOST important Q All strings at different locations on
dot's coordinates and look them up in the table. factor in string “feel.” the same horizontal line will feel
Q Find your current string: Q The amount of tension loss affects the consistency different from each other.
of that feel. Q Stringbed power increases to the left.
Q Player supplied power increases to
• If you like it, dots in the neighborhood
(i.e., close vertical axes to right or left) will Q “Consistency” is relative and depends on player
sensitivity, string durability, and amount and style the right.
Q Stringbed control increases to the
likely play similar (perhaps with better
durability and cost). of play.
Q Hard hitters lose more tension than light hitters. right.
Q “Arm friendly” strings are to the left.
• If you don't like it, move out of the
Q Softer strings are to the left, stiffer strings to the right.
Q “Feedback” intensity (shock)
neighborhood (i.e., vertical axes farther
to right or left). Q Strings that lose more tension are at the top; those
that lose less are at the bottom. increases to right.
Q Feel consistency over time tends to
• If you like the feel but it doesn't last,
choose a string farther down on the same Q All strings on the same vertical line should feel about
axis. the same, no matter the tension. increase toward the bottom.
Hybrids: to look up a hybrid combination, you must look up each string separately. If it is a pre-packaged hybrid, most packaging indicates the name of each string.
Test Procedure. All strings were tensioned to 62 pounds and allowed to sit for 200 seconds. Then the string was hit five times with a
force equivalent to hitting a 120 mph serve. The tension loss represents the total amount of the relaxation over both time and impact. The stiffness
value is a calculation derived from the amount of force created at impact to stretch the string. Lower values represent softer strings and lower
impact forces. Higher values represent stiffer strings and higher impact forces.

Nylon, Zyex, & Polyolefin (Sorted by Stiffness)
Stiff- Tension Stiff- Tension
Company String Material Gauge ness Loss Company String Material Gauge ness Loss
(lb/in.) (lbs) (lb/in.) (lbs)
Head RIP Feel 17 Polyolefin 1.28 136 15.14 Alpha Element 16 Nylon 1.32 189 10.89
Pro Kennex IQ-Element Z 17 Zyex 1.21 137 14.38 Wilson Reaction 15L Nylon 1.35 189 10.94
Iso-Speed Platinum 16 Polyolefin 1.27 138 16.62 Pacific Futura TXT 16L Nylon 1.29 189 11.16
Head RIP Comfort 16 Polyolefin 1.31 140 15.77 Head FiberGel Power 16 Nylon 1.31 189 11.62
Pro Kennex IQ-Comfort 17 Polyolefin 1.27 142 14.75 Tecnifibre NRG2 17 Nylon/Polyurethane 1.24 190 9.55
Head RIP Feel 16 Polyolefin 1.33 143 14.77 Head Synthetic Gut PPS 17 Nylon 1.22 190 11.38
Pro Kennex IQ-Element 2 16 Zyex 1.30 145 13.12 Unique Tournafiber Irradiated 17 Nylon 1.27 190 11.62
Power Angle Duo-Color TNT Fat Core 17 Nylon 1.26 145 15.02 Klip Kicker 17 Nylon 1.24 190 11.68
Ashaway Dynamite 17 Zyex/nylon 1.24 147 13.72 Gamma Live Wire XP 16 Nylon/Zyex 1.32 190 12.04
Isospeed Professional 17 Polyolefin 1.27 152 15.06 Gamma Live Wire 16 Nylon/Zyex 1.31 190 12.87
Blue Star Stargut 17 Nylon 1.27 160 14.20 Ashaway Synthetic Gut 17 Nylon 1.26 190 14.93
Pro Kennex IQ-Element 2 15L Zyex 1.40 161 12.22 Gamma TNT2 Rx 17 Nylon 1.26 191 10.96
Head RIP Protect 16 Polyolefine/Nylon 1.32 163 11.57 Gamma Live Wire XP 17 Nylon/Zyex 1.25 191 12.35
Iso-Speed Platinum 16 Polyolefin/Nylon 1.32 165 12.46 Gamma TNT Fat Core 17 Nylon 1.27 191 13.36
Wilson Reaction 18 Nylon 1.20 165 12.81 Tecnifibre X-One Biphase 1.30 Nylon/Polyurethane 1.31 192 10.08
Ashaway Dynamite WB 16 Zyex/nylon 1.37 165 13.21 Tecnifibre X-One Biphase 1.24 Nylon/Polyurethane 1.28 192 10.12
Gamma Live Wire Professional 17 Nylon/Zyex 1.29 168 12.37 Prince Lightning XX w/ Powerfoil 17 Nylon/Polyester 1.24 192 10.94
Pro Kennex IQ-Comfort 16 Polyolefin 1.37 168 14.90 Gamma TNT2 Pro Plus 17L Nylon 1.25 192 12.74
Gamma Live Wire Professional Nylon/Zyex 1.33 174 13.28 Kirschbaum Touch Multi-Fibre Nylon 1.31 192 14.07
Gamma Prodigy 17 Nylon 1.25 175 11.16 Tecnifibre TRC 17 Nylon/Polyurethane 1.25 193 11.20
Prince Premier w/softflex 17 Nylon 1.25 175 11.97 Gosen OG-Sheep Micro Super 17 Nylon 1.24 193 11.51
Wilson Reaction 17 Nylon 1.27 175 12.00 Forten Omni Spin 15L Nylon 1.37 193 12.44
Volkl Fire Nylon 1.31 175 16.80 Wilson NXT 17 Nylon 1.24 193 12.99
Head Synthetic Gut PPS 18 Nylon 1.16 176 11.93 Babolat FiberTour 16 Nylon 1.32 194 10.45
Prince Premier w/Softflex 16 Nylon 1.31 176 11.97 Head FXP 17 Nylon/Polyester 1.25 194 10.59
Head RIP Tour 17 Nylon/Polyolefin 1.30 177 10.87 Prince LightningXX 16 Nylon 1.29 194 10.76
Head RIP Control 17 Nylon/Polyolefin 1.28 178 10.25 Volkl Power-Fiber II 16 Nylon 1.30 194 11.20
Head RIP Power 16L Nylon/Polyolefin 1.32 178 10.91 Prince Lightning Power w/ Powerfoil 17Nylon/Polyester 1.25 194 11.40
Pacific PowerTwist Nylon 1.35 179 11.78 Silent Partner Ultimatum 18 Nylon 1.19 194 12.04
Iso-Speed Energetic Plus 16 Nylon/Polyolefin 1.32 180 10.41 Forten Sweet 17 Nylon 1.27 194 12.62
Head Perfect Power 16 Nylon 1.35 180 11.84 Gamma TNT Fat Core 16 Nylon 1.31 194 12.77
Head FiberGel Power 17 Nylon 1.26 180 12.28 Ashaway Liberty 16 Nylon 1.33 194 12.90
Tecnifibre X-One Biphase 18 Nylon/Polyurethane 1.19 181 8.96 Alpha Claycourt Plus 16 Nylon 1.32 194 13.80
Tecnifibre NRG2 18 Nylon/Polyurethane 1.17 181 9.86 Tecnifibre Synthetic Gut 17 Nylon 1.27 194 13.96
Wilson Reaction 16 Nylon 1.30 181 11.00 Volkl Power-Fiber 18 Nylon 1.19 195 9.57
Head RIP Tour 16 Nylon/Polyolefin 1.37 181 11.51 Unique Tournafiber SpinPlus 16 Nylon 1.32 195 11.14
Gamma Prodigy 16 Nylon 1.30 181 11.67 Klip Excellerator 16 Nylon 1.30 195 11.44
Babolat Xcel Premium 17 Nylon 1.25 182 10.01 Klip Excellerator 17 Nylon 1.30 195 11.66
Pacific FiberTwist 17 Nylon 1.25 182 11.71 Gamma TNT2 Ruff 16 Nylon 1.52 195 11.95
Gamma ESP 17 Nylon 1.28 182 12.68 Gosen Super Tec AK Speed 17 Nylon 1.24 196 10.87
Tecnifibre 515 17 Nylon/Polyurethane 1.27 182 13.05 Gamma TNT2 Pro Plus 16 Nylon 1.32 196 11.16
Prince Sweet Perfection 17 Nylon 1.25 182 14.00 Head Synthetic Gut PPS 16 Nylon 1.31 196 11.69
Blue Star Laser 130 16 Nylon 1.31 183 10.94 Alpha Prodigy 16 Nylon 1.32 196 11.95
Head RIP Control 16 Nylon/Polyolefin 1.38 184 11.02 Prince Perfection 17 Nylon 1.25 196 12.42
Forten Tiegut 16 Nylon 1.32 184 12.08 Ashaway Liberty L15 Nylon 1.41 196 16.25
Alpha Firecable 16 Nylon/Polyester 1.31 184 14.73 Tecnifibre NRG2 16 Nylon/Polyurethane 1.31 197 8.05
Pacific Graphite Braid TX 17 Nylon/graphite 1.30 184 15.75 Babolat Syntronic Brio 16 Nylon 1.34 197 10.52
Head Perfect Control 16 Nylon 1.38 185 10.70 Forten Spin Gear 15 Nylon 1.43 197 11.22
Head RIP Ti.Fiber 16 Nylon 1.33 185 11.23 Gamma Revelation 16 Nylon/Zyex 1.32 197 11.88
Yonex Tough Brid 125 Nylon/Vectran 1.35 185 12.02 Wilson Sensation 17 Nylon 1.25 197 11.91
Babolat Attraction Power 17 Nylon 1.26 186 9.84 Wilson NXT 16 Nylon 1.30 198 10.69
Babolat Syntronic Brio 17 Nylon 1.25 186 10.41 Head FiberGel 16 Nylon 1.34 198 11.97
Blue Star Fibergut XL 15L Nylon 1.39 186 11.71 Ashaway Synthetic Gut 16 Nylon 1.34 198 12.12
Volkl Power-Fiber II 17 Nylon 1.25 186 12.20 Forten Dynamix 18 Nylon 1.21 198 13.01
Gamma ESP 16 Nylon 1.32 186 12.64 Blue Star Original 15L Nylon 1.43 198 13.92
Wilson Stamina Spin 16 Nylon 1.29 186 12.68 Wilson NXT OS 16L Nylon 1.32 199 10.43
Blue Star Stargut 16 Nylon 1.36 186 12.94 Tecnifibre 515 16 Nylon/Polyurethane 1.35 199 10.58
Gamma Revelation 17 Nylon 1.26 186 13.08 Pro Kennex CS-Elite 16 Nylon/Polyurethane 1.29 199 11.42
Babolat Xcel Premium 16 Nylon 1.31 187 10.12 Dunlop Max Comfort 17 Nylon 1.23 199 11.78
Alpha Gut 2000 Nylon 1.33 187 11.23 Yonex Tough Brid 130 Nylon/Vectran 1.40 199 11.90
Gamma Gut 2 Nylon 1.34 187 12.00 Gosen OG-Sheep Micro 17 Nylon 1.24 199 12.35
Prince Sweet Perfection 16 Nylon 1.31 187 13.05 Prince Tournament Nylon 15L Nylon 1.40 199 13.19
Babolat Pro Hurricane 18 Nylon 1.21 187 22.29 Wilson Stamina 18 Nylon 1.22 200 9.81
Prince Lightning XX w/ Powerfoil 16 Nylon/Polyester 1.32 188 10.96 Babolat Xcel Premium 15L Nylon 1.39 200 10.17
Silent Partner Filament Frenzy 16 Nylon 1.31 188 11.55 Dunlop Max Comfort 16 Nylon 1.32 200 11.07
Gamma Live Wire 17 Nylon/Zyex 1.24 188 13.74 Bow Brand Micro Tournament 17 Nylon 1.24 200 12.50
Volkl Power-Fiber II 18 Nylon 1.19 189 10.39 Blue Star Focus 130 16 Nylon 1.33 201 10.76
Head RIP Ti.Fiber 17 Nylon/Polyolefin 1.23 189 10.56 Bow Brand t2000 15L Nylon 1.37 201 11.38

Nylon, Zyex, & Polyolefin (Sorted by Stiffness) Cont.
Forten Dynamix 15L Nylon 1.33 201 11.82 Unique Tournafiber Synthetic Gut 16 Nylon 1.34 211 12.76
Wilson Staminia Spin 15L Nylon 1.38 201 12.15 Babolat Powergy 16 Nylon 1.34 211 13.10
Silent Partner Ultimatum 17 Nylon 1.28 201 12.66 Prince Synthetic Gut 17 w/Duraflex Nylon 1.26 212 10.69
Alpha Sensor Fibre 16 Nylon 1.35 202 11.02 Forten Sweet 16 Nylon 1.33 212 10.78
Gamma Challenger 17 Nylon 1.27 202 11.33 Gosen OG-Sheep Micro Super JC 16 Nylon 1.30 212 11.05
Klip Synthetic Gut 17 Nylon 1.25 202 12.87 Gosen Tecgut Super Tec Ak Pro 16 Nylon 1.34 212 11.64
Pro Kennex CS-Qualifier 16 Nylon 1.31 202 12.96 Alpha Viper 16 Nylon 1.29 212 12.35
Pacific PremiumPower X 16 Nylon 1.33 202 13.67 Prince Synthetic Gut 16 w/Duraflex Nylon 1.30 213 12.04
Gamma Synthetic Gut 17 w/Wearguard Nylon 1.26 203 9.15 Prince Synthetic Gut Original 17 Nylon 1.24 214 10.59
Gamma Synthetic Gut w/Weargurard 18 Nylon 1.21 203 9.68 Klip Synthetic Gut 16 Nylon 1.33 214 10.98
Gamma TNT2 Rx 16 Nylon 1.36 203 9.81 Gamma TNT2 18 Nylon 1.18 214 11.05
Prince Lightning Power w/ Powerfoil 16Nylon/Polyester 1.31 203 9.95 Klip Synthetic Gut 15L Nylon 1.37 214 13.76
Prince Synthetic Gut 18 w/Duraflex Nylon 1.20 203 11.51 Babolat Razor Spin 16 Nylon 1.30 214 13.76
Wilson NXT Tour 17 Nylon 1.27 203 12.46 Gamma Synthetic Gut 15L w/Weargurad Nylon 1.38 215 11.18
Klip Screamer Titanium Nylon/Titanium 1.30 203 12.54 Gamma Ruff 16 Nylon 1.48 215 11.33
Gosen OG-Sheep Micro 16 Nylon 1.29 203 12.96 Unique Tournafiber Nylon 16 Nylon 1.32 215 12.33
Prince Perfection 16 Nylon 1.31 203 14.24 Klip Twister 15L Nylon 1.43 215 12.53
Gamma Dura Spin 15L Nylon 1.37 204 9.63 Dunlop Synthetic Gut 16 Nylon 1.31 215 13.21
Gamma Synthetic Gut 16 w/Wearguard Nylon 1.31 204 10.03 Pacific Syntec 16 Nylon 1.37 216 12.15
Gosen OG Sheep Micro Super 16 Nylon 1.30 204 11.29 Alpha Sphere 16 Nylon 1.31 216 14.88
Unique Tournafiber Synthetic Gut 17 Nylon 1.22 204 11.31 Gamma Dura Spin w/ Wearguard 16 Nylon 1.37 217 8.95
Unique Tournafiber Irradiated 16 Nylon 1.33 204 11.44 Gosen Nanocubic 16 Nylon 1.32 217 10.81
Forten Sweet 15 Nylon 1.36 204 11.55 Gamma Challenger 16 Nylon 1.32 217 10.95
Pacific Syntec 16L Nylon 1.32 204 12.37 Prince Synthetic Gut Original 16 Nylon 1.30 217 11.67
Klip Excellerator 15L Nylon 1.34 204 12.68 Babolat Conquest 16 Nylon 1.33 217 14.99
Silent Partner Head Spin 15L Nylon 1.38 204 13.18 Gamma Synthetic Gut 16 Nylon 1.30 218 9.86
Silent Partner Titanium 16 Nylon 1.32 204 13.19 Wilson Ultra Synthetic Gut 16 Nylon 1.32 218 10.28
Gamma Zo Plus 16L Nylon 1.32 204 13.56 Gosen OG-Sheep Proform Tuff 15L Nylon 1.38 218 11.16
Wilson Extreme Synthetic Gut 16 Nylon 1.28 205 10.30 Bow Brand Super Pro 15L Nylon 1.43 218 11.42
Dunlop Tour Performance 16 Nylon 1.34 205 10.85 Bow Brand Calibre 15L Nylon 1.36 218 12.28
Wilson Supreme 17 Nylon 1.29 205 11.07 Babolat Conquest 17 Nylon 1.27 218 12.64
Forten Dynamix 17 Nylon 1.26 205 11.14 Babolat Conquest Ti 16 Nylon 1.33 218 16.23
Blue Star Serve and Volley 16 Nylon 1.31 205 11.20 Wilson NXT Tour 16 Nylon 1.31 219 8.98
Head Synthetic Gut 16 Nylon 1.29 205 11.27 Dunlop Synthetic Gut 17 Nylon 1.24 219 10.04
Pacific Power Spin 16 Nylon 1.38 205 12.48 Wilson Stamina 16 Nylon 1.32 219 10.10
Tecnifibre TRC 16 Nylon/Polyurethane 1.31 206 10.50 Gamma Marathon DPC 15L Nylon 1.44 219 10.80
Bow Brand Ballistic 15L Nylon 1.35 206 10.59 Gamma XL 16 Nylon 1.29 219 11.40
Silent Partner Ultimatum 16 Nylon 1.33 206 12.81 Head Master 15L Nylon 1.39 219 11.58
Klip Scorcher 17 Nylon 1.27 206 13.51 Head Master 16L Nylon 1.31 221 9.57
Prince Lightning XX 17 Nylon 1.26 207 9.68 Gamma Synthetic Gut 18 Nylon 1.22 221 10.14
Pacific Futura TXT 16 Nylon 1.39 207 11.51 Gosen Tecgut Power 16 Nylon 1.31 221 14.58
Silent Partner Original Syn 16 Nylon 1.33 207 13.89 Bow Brand Superspin Nylon 1.43 222 11.29
Wilson NXT Max 15L Nylon 1.35 208 9.88 Gamma Dura Spin 16 Nylon 1.39 223 8.93
Wilson Supreme 16 Nylon 1.32 208 10.34 Gamma Synthetic Gut 15L Nylon 1.37 224 11.42
Bow Brand Synthetic Gut XT 16 Nylon 1.33 208 10.85 Gamma Advantage 15L Nylon 1.39 227 9.90
Forten Dynamix 16 Nylon 1.34 208 10.95 Gamma Marathon DPC 17 Nylon 1.27 228 9.42
Babolat Superfine Play 17 Nylon 1.25 208 11.49 Gamma Dura Spin 15L Nylon 1.41 230 10.23
Klip Scorcher 16 Nylon 1.31 208 12.83
Wilson NXT Tour 18 Nylon 1.24 209 9.53
Wilson Stamina 17 Nylon 1.25 209 9.68
Gamma TNT2 17 Nylon 1.27 209 9.85
Prince Topspin Plus 16 Nylon 1.29 209 10.06
Head FXP 16 Nylon/Polyester 1.34 209 10.83
Prince Synthetic Gut 15L w/Duraflex Nylon 1.35 209 11.13
Gamma Synthetic Gut 17 Nylon 1.26 209 11.51
Wilson Sensation 16 Nylon 1.32 209 11.55
Prince Topspin 15L Nylon 1.30 209 11.92
Klip Kicker 16 Nylon 1.32 209 12.55
Gamma TNT2 16 Nylon 1.31 210 10.34
Wilson Extreme Synthetic Gut 17 Nylon 1.25 210 10.39
Head Extreme Synthetic Gut 17 Nylon 1.24 210 11.27
Bow Brand Tournament 16L Nylon 1.32 210 11.97
Tecnifibre Synthetic Gut 16 Nylon 1.34 210 12.70
Babolat Superfine Play 16 Nylon 1.32 210 12.76
Wilson NXT Max 16 Nylon 1.34 211 9.71
Gosen Tecgut Super Tec AK Speed 16 Nylon 1.32 211 10.45
Forten Competition Nylon 15L Nylon 1.41 211 10.89
Gamma Marathon DPC 16 Nylon 1.32 211 11.51

Polyester (Sorted by Stiffness)
Tecnifibre Promix 1.25 Polyester 1.27 199 13.72 Head UltraTour 17 Polyester 1.22 255 19.29
Tecnifibre Promix 1.30 Polyester 1.29 204 14.99 Forten Flexion 16 Polyester 1.28 256 16.76
Gosen Polylon SP 17 Polyester 1.25 215 20.70 Forten Intimidator 16 Polyester 1.30 256 17.91
Kirschbaum Competition 1.20 Polyester 1.19 219 19.09 Gosen Polylon Comfort 16 Polyester 1.30 256 19.65
Klip K-Boom 18 Polyester 1.19 223 18.88 Prince Tour 16 Polyester 1.28 256 21.57
Wilson Enduro Pro 18 Polyester 1.21 224 17.02 Kirschbaum Super Smash Spiky 1.25 Polyester 1.26 256 22.02
Gamma Zo True 18 Polyester 1.13 224 17.55 Kirschbaum P2 Polyester 1.25 257 15.48
Babolat Pro Hurricane Polyester 1.25 226 16.83 Kirschbaum Super Smash 1.25 Polyester 1.25 257 19.55
Toalson Thermaxe 123 Polyester 1.23 226 17.97 Babolat Ballistic Polymono 16 Polyester 1.30 257 20.31
Silent Partner Roly Poly 17 Polyester 1.27 229 19.62 Alpha Polycable 16 Polyester 1.33 257 23.44
Kirschbaum Turbo Touch 1.25 Polyester 1.25 229 21.41 Wilson Enduro Gold 16 Polyester 1.32 258 17.60
Unique Tourna Poly Big Hitter 17 Polyester 1.26 231 18.15 Klip Hardcore 16 Polyester 1.27 258 19.42
Pacific Poly Soft 16 Polyester 1.29 231 19.16 Volkl Fire Polyester 1.25 258 20.22
Luxilon Big Banger Ace 18 Polyester 1.16 232 17.05 Ashaway Monofire XL 17 Polyester 1.26 259 17.13
Yonex Tough Brid 1.25 Polyester 1.24 232 20.95 Luxilon Big Banger LTS 16 Polyester 1.30 259 18.57
Ashaway MonoGut 17 Polyester 1.22 233 20.20 Wilson Enduro Pro 16 Polyester 1.30 260 14.33
Klip K-Boom 17 Polyester 1.23 234 17.99 Luxilon Big Banger TiMO 17 Polyester 1.23 261 16.29
Volkl V-Rex 16L Polyester 1.24 234 18.32 Luxilon Poly-Blast 16 Polyester 1.29 261 18.08
Kirschbaum Competition 1.25 Polyester 1.28 235 19.07 Toalson Thermaxe 127 Polyester 1.27 261 18.99
Kirschbaum Super Smash 1.20 Polyester 1.21 235 19.98 Pacific Force 17 Polyester 1.25 262 13.47
Gosen Polylon SP 16 Polyester 1.29 235 21.06 Head UltraTour 16L Polyester 1.27 263 17.97
Wilson Enduro Tour 18 Polyester 1.20 236 21.89 Gamma Dura Blast 17 Polyester 1.26 264 16.82
Wilson Enduro Tour 17 Polyester 1.24 236 23.68 Pro Kennex CS-X 17 Polyester 1.23 265 18.43
Gamma Zo Plus Polyester 1.25 238 17.42 Luxilon Big Banger Original Rough 16 Polyester 1.28 266 19.21
Forten Pro Select 17 Polyester 1.20 238 18.92 Gamma Zo True 17 Polyester 1.24 267 14.58
Wilson Enduro Pro 17 Polyester 1.25 239 15.77 Unique Tourna Poly Premium 18 Polyester 1.21 271 15.39
Gamma Zo Power 16L Polyester 1.20 239 17.29 Ashaway Monofire XL 16 Polyester 1.29 278 16.14
Luxilon BB Alu Power Rough 16L Polyester 1.25 240 18.98 Luxilon Monotec Super Poly 16 Polyester 1.25 288 17.28
Luxilon Monotec Zolo Rough 16L Polyester 1.25 240 19.56 Luxilon Big Banger 5-Star 15L Polyester 1.37 290 17.94
Wilson Enduro Tour 16 Polyester 1.30 240 24.52 Pacific Poly Force 17 Polyester 1.24 294 13.41
Babolat Pro Hurricne 16 Polyester 1.31 241 13.61 Prince Let R’ Rip 16 Polyester 1.33 299 16.71
Luxilon Big Banger TiMO 18 Polyester 1.15 241 16.91 Gamma Dura Blast 16 Polyester 1.30 303 12.68
Unique Tourna Poly Big Hitter 16 Polyester 1.29 241 17.62 Pacific Poly Force 16L Polyester 1.30 320 17.84
Luxilon Monotec Zolo 18 Polyester 1.25 241 17.86
Forten Poly-Blast 17 Polyester 1.23 241 18.41
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 16L Polyester 1.23 242 17.13
Ashaway MonoGut 16L Polyester 1.27 242 19.40
Klip Hardcore 17 Polyester 1.24 243 17.05
Luxilon Monotec Zolo 16L Polyester 1.24 243 17.64
Luxilon Big Banger XP 16L Polyester 1.25 243 17.78
Babolat Ballistic Polymono 17 Polyester 1.25 244 20.89
Alpha Vengence 16L Polyester 1.29 244 22.05
Pacific PolySpin 16 Polyester 1.32 245 20.29
Prince Polygut 16 Polyester 1.31 246 20.09
Prince Polygut 17 Polyester 1.24 246 21.52
Yonex Tough Brid 130 Polyester 1.30 247 22.42
Luxilon Big Banger Original 16 Polyester 1.28 249 17.11
Tecnifibre Polyspin 1.275 Polyester 1.27 249 19.87
Prince Tour 17 Polyester 1.25 249 21.37
Luxilon Monotec Supersense 16L Polyester 1.26 250 19.21
Gamma Zo Life 16 Polyester 1.28 251 15.50
Forten Flexion 16L Polyester 1.24 254 15.53
Gosen Polylon 16 Polyester 1.30 254 21.23
Klip K-Boom 16 Polyester 1.31 255 16.96
Gut (Sorted by Stiffness)

Pacific Prime Gut Imperial 17 Natural Gut 1.17 90 9.85 Wilson Natural 15L Natural Gut 1.34 110 9.28
Pacific Classic Gut 17 Natural Gut 1.22 92 8.9 Pacific Prime Gut 17L Natural Gut 1.25 110 9.44
Pacific Classic Gut 17 Natural Gut 1.22 97 8.76 Bow Brand Championship 16 Natural Gut 1.3 111 7.36
Pro Kennex Heritage 16 Natural Gut 1.27 99 10.25 Klip Legend 1.30 Natural Gut 1.28 113 8.77
Grand Slam Gut Grand Slam Gut 15L (coated) Natural Gut 1.36 100 8.58 Grand Slam Gut Grand Slam Gut 16 (coated) Natural Gut 1.41 113 9.28
Wilson Natural 16 Natural Gut 1.31 102 8.43 Klip Legend 17 Natural Gut 1.27 113 9.31
Babolat VS Team 17 Natural Gut 1.26 102 8.45 Babolat Tonic+ Ball Feel Natural Gut 1.35 114 8.84
Wilson Natural 17 Natural Gut 1.26 103 8.13 Bow Brand Championship 15L Natural Gut 1.34 116 8.53
Pacific Tour Gut 17 Natural Gut 1.24 104 9.13 Babolat VS Touch 15L Natural Gut 1.35 118 8.68
Grand Slam Gut Grand Slam Gut 17 (uncoated) Natural Gut 1.28 105 7.87 Unique Tourna Gut 16 Natural Gut 1.3 119 9.06
Pacific Prime Gut 17 Natural Gut 1.22 105 8.45 Babolat Tonic+ Longevity Natural Gut 1.38 119 9.26
Pacific Classic Gut 16 Natural Gut 1.3 106 11.01 Grand Slam Gut Grand Slam Gut 15L (uncoated) Natural Gut 1.48 129 11.22
Babolat VS Touch 16 Natural Gut 1.3 107 8.31

Kevlar/Technora/Vectran (Sorted by Stiffness)
Ashaway Composite XL Pro 15 Kevlar 1.38 444 16.36 Pacific Gear 16 Kevlar 1.43 629 11.73
Ashaway Composite XT Pro Vectran 1.30 470 14.34 Forten Sweet Aramid 16L Kevlar 1.27 632 11.60
Forten New Age 18 Kevlar/Nylon 1.13 511 18.43 Gamma TNT2 Fusion Plus 19 Kevlar 1.23 640 17.33
Forten Aramid Composite 18 Kevlar/Nylon 1.11 516 15.04 Gamma Infinity 18 Kevlar 1.17 641 17.00
Prince Perfection Control 17 Nylon/Technora 1.24 530 11.71 Gamma Infinity 17 Kevlar 1.24 641 20.57
Prince Perfection Control 16 Nylon/Technora 1.28 530 13.72 Ashaway Crossfire 18 Kevlar 1.08 671 27.21
Forten Ultra Thin Blend 18 Kevlar 1.12 545 15.12 Gamma TNT2 Fusion Plus 16 Kevlar 1.28 674 16.36
Forten Thin Blend 18 Kevlar 1.15 557 14.33 Gosen Arammix Pro 18 Kevlar 1.09 697 17.03
Wilson Hyperlast Spin Technora 1.21 562 13.72 Wilson Hyperlast 15 Technora 1.41 709 13.15
Head RIP Blend 17 Kevlar 1.24 574 15.73 Prince Problend 17 Kevlar 1.24 720 16.39
Dunlop Max Touch 17 Kevlar 1.22 586 15.08 Gamma Infinity 16 Kevlar 1.30 736 17.90
Forten Aramid Composite 17 Kevlar/Nylon 1.17 597 11.27 Ashaway Crossfire 17 Kevlar 1.22 757 28.37
Forten Aramid Gear 16L Kevlar 1.42 610 10.43 Klip Atomic 16 Kevlar 1.29 758 28.36
Forten Aramid Composite 16 Kevlar/Nylon 1.28 619 9.55 Forten Sweet Aramid 15L Kevlar 1.36 761 13.01
Silent Partner Gutsy Aramid 17 Kevlar 1.15 623 11.38 Ashaway Crossfire II 16 Kevlar 1.29 764 26.68
Forten Aramid Gear 15 Kevlar 1.45 627 11.84 Prince Pro Blend 16 Kevlar 1.30 981 15.88
New Strings for Fall 2005

String Gauges Construction Materials Length (Feet) Color Cost
Babolat
BABOLAT 877-316-9435 • www.babolat.com
Attraction 16 Multifilament Polyamide & Polyurethane 40 Natural $9.00
Attraction Power 17 Multifilament Polyamide & Polyurethane 40 Natural $9.00
Conquest + 16,17 Solid Core single wrap Polyamide & Pearl 20 White & Black $2.50
FORTEN
FORTEN 800-722-5588 • www.forten.com
Flexion 16L, 16 Monofilament Polyester 44, 660 Natural $8.50
Intimidator 16 Monofilament Polyester 44, 660 Yellow $4.75
Pro Select 17 Monofilament Polyester 44, 660 Silver $8.50
GAMMA
GAMMA 800-333-0337 • www.gammasports.com
Zo Pro 16L/16 Hybrid Polyester/Nylon 22/20 Silver/Natural $18.50
GOSEN
GOSEN 800-538-0026 • www.gosenamerica.com
Nanocubic 16 Solid Core multi wrap Fulleren 40 Bronze $6.50
GRAND
GRAND SLAM
SLAM GUT GUT 715-366-4333
Grand Slam Gut 15L, 16, 17 Multifilament Natural Gut 40 Natural $16.00
HEAD
FXP 16,17 Solid Core multi wrap Polyamide, Polyester & Dupont 40 Natural $11.00
KLIP
KLIP 866-554-7872 • www.klipstrings.com
Detonator 18/17, 17/16 Hybrid Polyester/Nylon 22/22 Silver/Natural $10.50
Venom 16,17 Multifilament Nylon 40 Natl w/ Blk spiral $14.00
PACIFIC
PACIFIC 888-566-8966 • www.cpacsports.com
Force 16L, 17 Solid core double wrap Proprietary 41 Orange $16.00
TECNIFIBRE
TECNIFIBRE 877-332-0825 • www.tecnifibre.com
Multifeel 16 Multifilament Proprietary 40, 660 Natural $9/$12
WILSON
Enduro Pro 16,17,18 Monofilament Polyester 40, 660 Silver $8/$80
Natural Duo 17/16 Hybrid Polyester/Natural Gut 20/20 Silver/Natural $25.00
NXT Duo 17/16 Hybrid Polyester/Nylon & Polyurethane 20/20 Silver/Natural $9.00
Sensation Duo 17/16 Hybrid Polyester/Nylon 20/20 Silver/Natural $12.00
YONEX
YONEX 310-793-3800 • www.yonex.com
Tough Brid 125 16L/16 Hybrid Polyester/Nylon 24/20 Amber/White $15.00
Tough Brid 130 16/16L-15 Hybrid Polyester/Nylon & Vectran 24/20 Amber/White $15.00

Clothes
APPAREL
Encounters
The latest lines from tenniswear companies
promise stylish performance for your customers.
Bolle
888-977-7272
www.bolletenniswear.com

Polo
877-229-6341
Ellesse
561-491-9000
www.ellesse.com
Diadora
253-520-8868
www.diadoraamerica.com
LBH
800-421-4474
www.lbhgroup.com

Tail
800-678-8245
www.tailinc.com
Lejay
800-932-7535
www.lejay.com
K-Swiss
800-714-4477
www.kswiss.com
Climbing the Walls
RACQUETBALL & SQUASH
For racquetball and squash, increases in participation may

be slow, but they appear to be steady. BY MITCH RUSTAD
W
hile recreational participation for racquetball and squash But this unhappy trend has provided USAR with its current
isn’t monitored nearly as closely as it is for tennis, officials marketing strategy as well, according to Executive Director Jim
for both court sports say the number of players appears to Hiser. “Racquetball players are loyal and renew their member-
be rising, along with construction of new facilities. That’s cer- ships over and over,” says Hiser, “so that’s what we now sell to
tainly welcome news in the racquet sports business, where club owners. Racquetball isn’t just a fitness fad, and it’s also a
savvy retailers and stringers may be able to expand their offer- great cross-training sport.”
ings to include servicing racquetball and squash players. USAR is already taking this message to the masses, with
each local state association doing the majority of the legwork
Racquetball: A Bid to Recapture ’80s Glory and outreach to area clubs, high schools and colleges, says
Since the boom of the 1980s, racquetball has endured a steady Hiser. Their work appears to be paying off, as Hiser points to an
decline in participation, directly reflected by the membership 11 percent increase in membership in 2004, with about 4.5
rolls of USA Racquetball (going from its peak of more than million recreational (sporadic) players now in the U.S.
30,000 members in the ’80s to its current total of approxi- “We’re trying to infiltrate this recreational player base,” says
mately 17,000). Like tennis and squash, the sport has lost its Hiser, “because we have all these players but a relative few are
market share partly due to increased competition; myriad members of our association. They don’t play tournaments, they
health and fitness options flooded the country in the ’90s, just play at a club. We’re trying to get that group more involved
prompting many fitness facilities to convert racquetball courts to help convince the club owners to maintain the courts.”
into space for more popular fitness trends like aerobics and Hiser says that USAR is placing a special focus on forming
yoga. local youth clubs and teams in its promotional efforts.”
New Racquetball Racquets Fall 2005

Racquet Head size Length Weight Balance Balance Swing Wt. Pattern Price
(Sq. Inches) (Inches) (Grams) (CMs) (Inches) (RDC) (M x C) MSRP
E-Force
E-FORCE 800-4 E FORCE • www.e-force.com
Bedlam Super-Mains 150 107 22 186 28.25 11.12 124 14x16 $180
Super 30 DC 160 108 22 194 28.75 11.32 137 14x16 $250
Super 30 DC 170 107 22 197 28.75 11.32 140 14x16 $220
Super 30 DC 175 108 22 203 28.75 11.32 143 14x16 $220
Super 30 DC 190 107 22 208 28.50 11.22 147 14x16 $200
Ektelon
EKTELON 800-283-6647 • www.ektelon.com
O3 Red 106 22 186 28.75 11.32 129 16x19 $300
O3 Silver 106 22 213 26.25 10.33 130 16x19 $280
Wilson
n170 107 22 192 30.00 11.81 141 14x18 $250
n180 107 22 197 29.75 11.71 145 14x18 $225
n190 107 22 204 29.75 11.71 152 14x18 $180
nPro 107 22 181 32.00 12.60 145 14x18 $150
nTour 107 22 190 30.00 11.81 141 14x18 $100
Head
Liquidmetal IGS 165 106 22 179 30.25 11.91 132 16x16 $275
Pro KENNEX
PRO Kennex 760-804-8322 • www.prokennex.com
Core 1 Platinum 165 108 22 190 28.50 11.22 130 14x17 $225
Core 1 Platinum 175 108 22 197 28.50 11.22 136 14x17 $220

Though his focus is on the future, Hiser admits he’d like to also out in the U.S., says Klipstein. “This is a real growth market for
take a page from the past. “We’d like to be back where we were the pro game. We’ve shown we can sustain these pro events
in the ’80s, when racquetball was the ‘in’ sport to play,” says and gain sponsorships.”
Hiser. “It’s a very similar issue for tennis and the other racquet Recreationally, the sport is also enjoying a commercial club-
sports.” building boom, especially in Southampton and Westchester,
N.Y., Philadelphia, San Diego, and other major markets where
Squash: Pro Game, Inner City Programs fitness clubs incorporating squash courts are on the rise.
Though its bid to be included as an Olympic sport will have to “There’s definitely court building going on,” says Klipstein.
wait, squash is flourishing in the U.S. and worldwide, according In Philadelphia, some 20 courts were built in 2004, a “sig-
to Kevin Klipstein, CEO of the U.S. Squash Racquets Associa- nificant” number that also reflects the success of the urban
tion. youth enrichment programs being started across the country.
“Overall, I’m still excited, because it’s going to happen,” says “We’re using squash as a tool to advance these kids intellectu-
Klipstein of the sport’s inclusion in the Olympic Games, which he ally and athletically,” says Klipstein, “It combines squash
fully expects to happen in 2016. For the 2012 Games, squash and instruction with tutoring and mentoring.”
karate were officially selected (out of five new sports being con- Youth programs such as Squashbusters
sidered), but then failed to get the two-thirds majority to actually (www.squashbusters.org) built an eight-court facility specifical-
confirm the addition, says Klipstein. “We’re right on the cusp.” ly for that program in Boston. In New York City, Streetsquash
Though USSRA doesn’t keep formal participation numbers, and Citysquash programs are also building new facilities.
the health of squash in the U.S. can be indirectly measured by the With the health of the pro game, burgeoning youth pro-
growth of the men’s and women’s pro tours. Though there are a grams, and growth in the high school and college ranks, squash
whopping 125 member countries in the World Squash Federa- is looking towards a very bright future. “The sport is very
tion, currently 50 percent of all prize money in the world is paid healthy and showing real signs of growth,” says Klipstein. Q
New Squash Racquets Fall 2005

Racquet Head size Weight Balance Balance Flex Swing Wt. Pattern Price
(Sq. Inches) (Grams) (CMs) (Inches) (RDC) (RDC) (M x C) MSRP
ASHAWAY
Ashaway 800-556-7260 • www.ashawayusa.com
Destiny 490 76 164 36.00 14.17 55 190 14x19 $120
Hornet 495 77 161 35.75 14.07 57 185 14x19 $100
Liberty 495 77 161 36.00 14.17 44 189 14x19 $130
Rad 475 74 157 36.00 14.17 53 183 14x19 $150
Black KNIGHT
BLACK Knight 800-535-3300 • www.bksquash.com
C2C Heat (60 Holes) 78 149 36.00 14.17 31 173 12x18 $180
Harrow
HARROW 800-541-2905 • www.harrowsports.com
M-140 73 150 37.75 14.86 46 188 16x19 $195
Stealth 73 140 39.00 15.35 49 183 14x19 $205
Stealth The Prep 73 144 38.75 15.26 51 185 14x19 $205
Super Winner R Squared 82 152 38.25 15.06 46 194 16x19 $195
Super Winner True Blue 82 151 38.25 15.06 48 192 16x19 $195
Head
i.X140G Pro 75 153 38.50 15.16 54 194 14x16 $150
i.x160 75 167 35.00 13.78 63 188 12x17 $135
Liquidmetal 150 74 160 35.00 13.78 52 183 12x17 $190
Liquidmetal 160 73 172 34.75 13.68 56 195 14x18 $180
Prince
PRINCE 800-283-6647 • www.princetennis.com
M+ Pro 70 151 38.00 14.96 57 191 16x16 $240
O3 All Court not available at press time 12x17 $275
O3 Silver not available at press time 12x17 $275
PRO
Pro KENNEX
Kennex 760-804-8322 • www.prokennex.com
C 160 Tour 80 178 37.25 14.67 47 216 14x21 $150
P 120 Ki Sling 80 150 37.75 14.86 25 189 14x21 $180
P 140 Ki Sling 80 161 37.25 14.67 33 198 14x21 $165
Wilson
n120 76 153 39.25 15.45 57 203 12x18 $170
n130 77 168 39.25 15.45 25 211 12x18 $200
n140 77 171 38.75 15.26 30 212 12x18 $180
n145 76 160 38.50 15.16 58 205 12x18 $150
nRage 73 158 34.50 13.58 45 175 14x18 $130
nTour 73 152 36.75 14.47 26 180 14x18 $140
PLAYER EQUIPMENT LOG
B
C
on
MEN
Round Racquet Racquet String
1 W Roger Federer SUI Wilson nSix-One Tour 90 Luxilon/Wilson

Rank Reached Player Name Country Brand Racquet Model Headsize Brand
2 S Lleyton Hewitt AUS Yonex RDX-500 90 Babolat/Luxilon

3 2 Rafael Nadal ESP Babolat AeroPro Drive 100 Babolat
4 F Andy Roddick USA Babolat Pure Drive Team + 100 Babolat
5 3 Marat Safin RUS Head Liquidmetal Prestige Mid 93 Luxilon
6 DNP Andre Agassi USA DID NOT PLAY
7 2 Nikolay Davydendo RUS Prince O3 Tour 100 Polystar
8 DNP Guillermo Canas ARG DID NOT PLAY
9 S Thomas Johansson SWE Dunlop M-Fil 200 95 Luxilon/Babolat
10 Q David Nalbandian ARG Yonex RDX-500 MP 98 Luxilon
11 2 Tim Henman GBR Slazenger Pro X-1 95 Luxilon/Babolat
12 1 Mariano Puerta ARG Babolat AeroPro Drive 100 Luxilon
13 DNP Gaston Gaudio ARG DID NOT PLAY
14 3 Joachim Johansson SWE Yonex RDX-500 90 Luxilon/Babolat
15 4 Guillermo Coria ARG Prince O3 Tour 100 Luxilon
16 1 Tommy Robredo ESP Dunlop M-Fil 300 98 Luxilon
17 4 Richard Gasquet FRA Head Liquidmetal Instinct 100 Luxilon
18 2 Radek Stepanek CZE Volkl Tour 10 Mid V-Engine 93 Pacific
19 1 Ivan Ljubicic CRO Babolat Pure Drive Team + 100 Luxilon/Babolat
20 1 David Ferrer ESP Prince Shark DB MP 100 Luxilon
WOMEN
Round Racquet Racquet String
1 F Lindsay Davenport USA Wilson nTour 95 Wilson

Rank Reached Player Name Country Brand Racquet Model Headsize Brand
2 S Maria Sharapova RUS Prince Turbo Shark MP 100 Babolat

3 S Amelie Mauresmo FRA Dunlop 300G 98 Babolat
4 Q Svetlana KuznetsovaRUS Head Flexpoint Instinct 100 Luxilon
5 4 Elena Dementieva RUS Yonex RDX-500 MP 98 Luxilon
6 3 Serena Williams USA Wilson n3 110 Wilson
7 1 J Henin-Hardenne BEL Wilson nTour 95 Wilson
8 W Venus Williams USA Wilson n4 110 Wilson
9 Q Nadia Petrova RUS Babolat Pure Storm MP Team 103 Luxilon
10 Q Anastasia Myskina RUS Head Flexpoint Instinct 100 Kirschbaum
11 DNP Alicia Molik AUS DID NOT PLAY
12 1 Patty Schnyder SUI Head Liquidmetal Prestige MP 98 Kirschbaum
13 Q Mary Pierce FRA Yonex Ultimum RD Ti-80 98 Luxilon
14 4 Kim Clijsters BEL Babolat Pure Drive Team 100 Babolat
15 2 Vera Zvonareva RUS Fischer Pro No One FT 98 Kirschbaum
16 4 Elena Likhovtseva RUS Wilson nSix-One 95 95 Wilson
17 DNP Elena Bovina RUS DID NOT PLAY
18 4 Nathalie Dechy FRA Head Liquidmetal Prestige MP 98 Babolat
19 3 Jelena Jankovic SCG Yonex Nano Speed RQ-5 105 Luxilon
20 3 Ana Ivanovic SCG Wilson nTour 95 Luxilon

oth Roger Federer and Venus Williams played brilliant tennis in claiming their third titles at the All England
hampionships this year. Here’s a look at the equipment that these two champions, and their competitors, used
n the lawns of Wimbledon. Post these pages in your shop, so your customers can check out their favorites.
String String Footwear Clothing
BB Alu Power Rough/ Wilson Natural 16L 55/50.5 Nike VAPOR S2 Nike
String Model Gauge Tension Brand Footwear Model Brand
VS Team/Big Banger Alu Power 16L 56 Nike MAX Breathe FREE Nike
Tour Duralast 15L 53 Nike Air Max Breathe Free II Nike
Pro Hurricane / VS Team 16 73 Reebok - Lacoste
Alu Power Rough 16L - Adidas Barricade II Adidas
Energy 16 55/53 Diadora - Diadora
Alu Power/VS Touch 16L/16 59.5 Adidas Barricade III Adidas

Big Banger Original 16 64 Yonex SHT-304 Yonex
Big Banger TIMO / VS Team 18 51.6 Adidas Barricade II Adidas
Big Banger Original 16 59.5 Babolat Team Clay Babolat
Big Banger Alu Power/VS Team 16L Yonex SHT-304 Yonex

Big Banger Original 16 52 Adidas Barricade II Adidas
Big Banger Original 16 51 Sergio Tacchini - Sergio Tacchini
Big Banger Alu Power 16L - - - Lacoste
Tough Gut 17 61.5/57 - - -
Pro Hurricane / VS Team 16 57 Diadora Speedzone DA2 Diadora
Big Banger Original 16 Diadora Speedzone DA2 Diadora
String String Footwear Clothing
Wilson Natural 15L 63/64 Nike Air Zoom Thrive Nike

String Model Gauge Tension Brand Footwear Model Brand
VS Team 17 64 Nike VAPOR S2 Nike

VS Touch 16 57.2 Reebok - Reebok
Big Banger Alu Touch 16L 53/50.5 Fila X-Point Fila
Big Banger Alu Power 16L 51/48.5 Yonex SHT-304 Yonex
Wilson Natural 16 67 Nike - Nike
Wilson Natural 16 57.5 Adidas Barricade II W Adidas
Wilson Natural 16 65 Reebok VESW DMX Reebok
Monotec Supersense 16L 61.5 Adidas Barricade II W Adidas
Super Smash Spiky 17 56/52 Nike - Nike
Touch Turbo 17 55/53 Adidas ClimaCool Feather W Adidas

Big Banger TIMO 18 28 - - LeJay
VS Touch 16 66 Fila X-Point Fila
Super Smash 16L 55/53 Adidas ClimaCool Feather W Adidas
NXT 16 50.5/48.5 Wilson Crossfire SL Wilson
VS Touch Natural Gut 16 - ASICS Gel Enqvist Lacoste

Big Banger Alu Power 16L 24/23 - - -
Big Banger Alu Power 16L - Nike Air Zoom Vapor Speed Nike

string PLAYTEST
Gosen Polylon SP
Polylon SP (the SP stands for “supreme after stringing and 71 RDC units after
playability”) builds on the successes of 24 hours, representing a 9 percent ten-
sion loss.
Gosen’s Polylon and Polylon Comfort
The string was tested for five
strings. (See our playtest report of Poly- weeks by USRSA playtesters, with
lon Comfort in the June 2003 issue of NTRP ratings from 3.5 to 6.0. These
Racquet Tech magazine.) Unlike the are blind tests, with playtesters receiving
unmarked strings in unmarked packages. fluke, rating a second place overall
other two Polylon strings, however,
Playtesters were advised to increase ten- for Tension Holding, and sixth place for
Polylon SP is a monofilament of specially sion by 5 percent compared to normal for a Resistance to Movement. The difference
blended polyester. nylon string. Despite the seemingly minor between the two gauges is that Polylon
According to Gosen, Polylon SP is for difference in thickness between the two, SP 17 also scored well above average for
advanced players looking for more soft- the 17-gauge Polylon SP was much easier Playability, Power, Control, and Spin
ness and resilience in a polyester string, to work with than the 16-gauge, especially Potential. As a result, each gauge’s overall
who don’t want to give up power or when weaving the crosses. Polylon SP does score is well above average.
durability. not elongate much during tensioning, and
Polylon SP is available in 16 and 17 crosses are easy to pull, due to the smooth
EASE OF STRINGING 16 ga. 17 ga.
gauge (1.30 mm and 1.24 mm) in pearl string surface.
(compared to other strings)
white. It is priced from $4.50. For more Number of testers who said it was:
information or to order, contact Gosen at ON THE COURT much easier 0 2
800-538-0026, or visit Although our playtesters gave higher rat- somewhat easier 2 10
www.gosenamerica.com. Be sure to read ings to 17-gauge Polylon SP than to the 16- about as easy 10 16
the conclusion for more information gauge, each scored very well, especially in not quite as easy 11 6
about getting a free set to try for yourself. Durability, Tension Holding, and Resistance not nearly as easy 7 1
to Movement. Compared to other strings
OVERALL PLAYABILITY
IN THE LAB of similar gauge, Polylon SP’s durability
(compared to string played most often)
We tested both the 16- and 17-gauge placed very highly with our playtesters, and Number of testers who said it was:
Polylon SP. We recorded (see results when compared to all strings, each gauge much better 1 3
below) stringbed stiffness immediately scored well above average of the 95 strings somewhat better 6 3
after stringing at 60 pounds in a Wilson we’ve playtested to date in Durability. In about as playable 8 13
Pro Staff 6.1 95 (16 x 18 pattern) on a addition, 16-gauge Polylon SP gathered not quite as playable 10 13
constant-pull machine, and then retested first place in Tension Holding of all the not nearly as playable 4 3
after 24 hours (no playing). Our control strings we’ve tested thus far and second
OVERALL DURABILITY
string, Prince Synthetic Gut Original Gold place in Resistance to Movement. The 17- (compared to other strings
16, measured 78 RDC units immediately gauge Polylon SP’s scores show this was no of similar gauge)
Number of testers who said it was:
16 GAUGE 17 GAUGE much better 7 7
Coil measurements 42’ 5” 41’ 9” somewhat better 13 17
Diameter unstrung 1.25 mm 1.24 mm about as durable 9 9
Diameter strung 1.22 mm 1.21 mm not quite as durable 1 0
RDC stringbed stiffness new 73 71 not nearly as durable 0 1
RDC stringbed stiffness after 24 hrs. 68 66
Tension loss 5 lbs 5 lbs RATING AVERAGES
Tension loss % 6.85 7.04 From 1 to 5 (best)
String Weight 14.8 gms 13.95 gms Playability 3.1 3.5
Number of playtesters 30 35 Durability 4.2 4.2
Broke during stringing 0 0 Power 3.2 3.5
Excess coil memory 14 9 Control 3.4 3.6
Difficulty tying knots 4 1 Comfort 2.9 3.2
Friction burn 3 1 Touch/Feel 2.8 3.2
Average playtest duration 21.6 hrs. 28.81 hrs. Spin Potential 3.1 3.3
Broke during play 6 4 Holding Tension 3.9 3.8
Break hours 2, 8.5, 12, 12, 18, 37 2, 9, 12, 28 Resistance to Movement 4.1 4.0

TESTERS TALK
“ Great string. I would recommend this to players needing durability

without sacrificing feel. I was able to hit a harder ball with less effort, due
“ This seems like a great overall string. Very easy to work with
while stringing. Allows a nice “cinch” when tying knots. I was sur-
to the tightened rebound. I had great response to spin, too.
” prised by the fact that there was very little movement in the string
5.0 female baseliner with heavy spin using Head Liquidmetal 4 strung at
58 pounds LO (Wilson Stamina 17)
during play.
”
3.5 female all-court player using Prince Air Launch B925 strung at 64
pounds CP (Wilson NXT 17)
“ I think this poly plays very

“I used to play with
well. I feel it outperforms
most of the hybrids I have poly strings, but switched to a “ This is one of my favorite test strings. I
am impressed by its overall versatility. While
tried recently. I would recom- the string does not stand out as being excel-
mend this string highly to
multi for more feel on my strokes. This string lent in any given category, the product is
better players.
”
5.5 male all-court player
really surprised me. It was easy to install, and clearly above average in every category. As a
result, I feel that this is an overall great
using Wilson nSix-One strung although it did feel harsh to begin with, after string. I am most impressed by the power,
at 63 pounds CP (Wilson the first hour of play it settled in for me and comfort, and control. This string also offers a
Sensation 16)
now plays as well as any string I’ve used. I
nice, solid, crisp feel.
”
3.5 male all-court player using Wilson Hyper
“ An excellent soft synthet-

ic string. Very comfortable on
have excellent control, durability is outstand- Pro Staff 6.1 strung at 60 pounds LO (Wilson
Sensation 16)
ing, and the feel is above average. Get this
the arm. The ball seems to
hold on the strings a tad
longer due to their
string on the market soon: I need to buy
“ Strong coil memory during unwinding,
strong snap-back energy during stringing,
some.”
comfort.
”
4.5 male all-court player 4.0 male all-court player using Yonex RDX-500
but there was no kinking. Crosses were easy
to feed throughout except for the very last
using Völkl Catapult 3 Gen 2 crosses on an ATW pattern. The tips held up
strung at 55/53 pounds CP
MP strung at 66 pounds CP (Wilson Sensation 16)
during stringing and the knots were easy to
(BDE Performance 17) cinch up. According to my StringMeter, there
was little tension loss after 24 hours, and amazingly for such a soft-
“ This is a stiff string with very little stretch, which is great for the con-
trol/touch player. It maintains tension with very little string movement.
playing string, there was only about 5 percent tension loss after 17
hours of play and 15 hours of teaching. This sample showed no
Durable, with reliable and consistent stroke production.
”
4.5 male all-court player using Fischer Twin Tech 950 FT strung at 62
notching, and I experienced no movement during play.
”
4.5 male baseliner with heavy spin using Head Flexpoint Radical MP
pounds CP (Gamma Synthetic 17) strung at 63 pounds CP (Unique Tourna Poly Big Hitter 17)
(Strings normally used by testers are indicated in parentheses.) For the rest of the tester comments, USRSA members can visit RacquetTECH.com.
CONCLUSION FREE PLAYTEST STRING PROGRAM

Gosen’s Polylon SP is more proof—as if Gosen has generously offered to send a free set of Polylon SP 17 to
any is needed—that string manufacturers USRSA members who request it.
are making ever-better polyester strings. To get your free set, just cut out (or copy) this coupon and mail it to:
The thing to keep in mind is that multifil- USRSA, Attn: Gosen Polylon SP17 String Offer,
ament nylon strings are getting better, 330 Main Street, Vista, CA 92084
too, and yet here again we see average or fax to 760-536-1171 Offer expires October 15th, 2005
players appreciating what a well-designed One set of free string per USRSA membership
poly can do. Polylon SP also follows the Offer only available to USRSA members in the US
trend toward better and better playing FREE! Gosen Polylon SP 17!
polys at more and more affordable prices.
Offer expires October 15th 2005
This combination should make it easier
for stringers to keep the parents of hard-
Name:
hitting juniors happy. USRSA Member number:
If you think that Gosen Polylon SP 17 Phone:
might be for you, fill out the coupon to Email:
get a free set to try. —Greg Raven Q If you print your email clearly, we will notify you when your sample will be sent.

ask the EXPERTS
Your Equipment Hotline

PUBLISHED RACQUET ufacturer of that racquet is concerned. racquet manufacturers sort frames by
MEASUREMENTS Also, when measuring flex, it is not unusu- weight before attaching the grip “pallet,”
WHY DO PUBLISHED RACQUET mea- al for a racquet to have a different flex rat- assigning larger grip sizes to the heavier
Q surements vary from source to

source?
ing on one side of the racquet compared
to the other, although side-to-side differ-
ences are rarely more than one unit.
frames.
Fifth, the method used for measuring
racquet specs must be calibrated, so that
A THERE ARE SEVERAL ISSUES THAT

affect the measurements you com-
monly see attributed to tennis racquets.
Third, while manufacturers may not
change the mold of a given racquet
model, they can and do change the lay-up
measurements from different machines
can be directly compared.
Sixth, the machine used to measure
First, the racquet can be measured strung (an example of this is the Prince Graphite racquet specs must be operated correctly,
or unstrung. Obviously, stringing adds about Classic, which has gone through at least to ensure valid results, and the measure-
15 grams to the weight of the bare frame, four “generations,” each of which mea- ments must be accurately transcribed.
and dramatically increases the swingweight. sures slightly differently than others, even Thus, while published racquet mea-
Less obviously, a strung racquet will measure though the racquet has remained basically surements may be indicative of the specifi-
as being more flexible than an unstrung the same). Granted, most racquets don't cations of the typical retail version of that
frame because the pull of the mains aug- "live" long enough to go through these racquet, if you are serious about matching
ment the bending of the hoop that occurs kinds of changes, but it can and does hap- racquets, you should check the measure-
during the measuring procedure. pen, especially if the company switches ments for yourself, and play-test any rac-
Second, even though manufacturers manufacturing locations during the pro- quet before buying it, rather than relying
strive to have each racquet of a given model duction run of the racquet. on specifications alone.
be identical, there are "tolerances" for each Fourth, the racquets being measured
racquet characteristic, which means that two may not have had the same grip size. USRSA RACQUET
visually identical racquets can vary in weight, Then, in addition to whatever weight dif- MEASUREMENTS
ferences there are from having a larger HOW DOES USRSA MEASURE rac-
balance, swingweight, and even length, and
be considered "identical" as far as the man- grip as compared to a smaller one, some
Q quets?

A USRSA REQUESTS THAT manufac-
turers send one production sample
of each newly-introduced racquet. Typi-
vast majority is stored in boxes, for easy
reference should a question ever arise
about a measurement or stringing
cally, these arrive with a 4-3/8 inch grip instructions.
size. If the racquet is unstrung, we string
it on a constant-pull machine, using 16- NATURAL GUT TWIST
gauge string, to the middle of the ten- I READ THE TIP SUBMITTED BY T.
sion range before we take any
measurements.
When taking measurements, USRSA
Q Perry Widener about keeping gut
from unraveling, which appeared
in the June 2003 issue, but I don’t under-
uses calibrated instruments. Before stand why it makes a difference which
weighing the racquet, we check the scale way you make the loop when you’re
using a known 200-gram reference mass. weaving the crosses. wrap, which only appears as a loop when
For length we use a name-brand tape there is enough slack. The trick is to get
measure. For balance we use Alpha’s
Viper Balance Beam, which we have
checked to verify its accuracy. USRSA's
A ONE WAY OF VISUALIZING WHY
the loop makes the difference it
does is to get a tie wrap. You could also
this twist going in the same direction as
the lay of the gut. If the twist is counter-
clockwise, it will tend to unravel the gut,
Babolat RDC machine, which is used to use a leather belt, or anything else that is which is what is happening when the
measure flex and swingweight, is also flexible enough to loop, yet has side-to- strands separate. Even if the twist is clock-
calibrated: flex using Babolat-supplied side stiffness. wise, however, you don’t want to overdo
calibration springs (which also allow cali- Hold down one end of the tie wrap, it, because getting too much twist can
bration of the stringbed stiffness mea- and then loop the tie wrap and hold cause kinking.
surements), and swingweight with down the other end. You'll have some- USRSA members can refer to the origi-
specially-weighted calibration racquets. thing that looks like the loop of a roller nal tip at: http://www.racquettech.com/
Once properly set, the Babolat RDC does- coaster. members/tips/tt2003_6_1.html
n't normally lose calibration, but it can Now, still holding down the ends, —Greg Raven Q
and does happen, so we check ours ocas- slide the ends away from each other. We welcome your questions. Please send them
sionally. You'll see (because of the cross-section to Racquet Sports Industry, 330 Main St., Vista,
After testing, some racquets are and side-to-side stiffness of the tie wrap), CA, 92084; fax: 760-536-1171; email:
returned to the manufacturer, but the that there is actually a twist in the tie greg@racquettech.com.

tips and TECHNIQUES
Readers’ Know-How in Action

SHOEHORN FOR you begin to wrap the handle and won’t
SHRINK TUBES leave any residue.
Getting one of those grip-enlarging shrink 5 sets of Tecnifibre X-One Biphase 1.30 to:
tubes onto a racquet handle can be diffi- Terry Boyle, Columbine Valley, CO
cult, especially after it has shrunk a bit
due to age. I use a strong plastic shoe- NO FAN OF FLOATING CLAMPS
horn to pry the end of the tube open and
get it started over the butt cap.
Forten Tournament Bag to:
When you push on the clamp, however, there’s
Bill Hughes, CS, The Colony, TX
nothing holding it in place.
and 4H) looks normal but when held

together with floating clamps there is
actually nothing holding the clamp in
The floating clamp appears to be holding the two position except for the friction of the
mains properly. string going around the outside of the
frame. You can test this by pushing the
Some people think it's okay to string all fan- clamp toward the throat. It will freely
patterned racquets with floating clamps, but move even while gripping the strings.
it most definitely is not okay when there are 5 sets of Wilson Stamina Spin 15L to:
BYO STICK-EM shared holes in the throat (as there are on the Kane Fasolo, Perth, Western Australia
For those over-wraps that do not have Head i160 squash racquets, for example).
starter tape, use a touch of glue from a Apart from the large gap that has to be Editor’s note: This can also be a problem
glue stick. It will hold the grip in place as clamped at 1H and 3H, the next clamping (3H with any squash or racquetball frame that

uses what they call “bypass” stringing, remove them as I am threading the string
where adjacent mains are not sequentially through.
MARKETING
installed. If your stringing machine has 5 sets of Silent Partner Headspin 15L to:
MARKETING WITH
swivel clamps, you should never run into Kevin Murphy, Skokie, IL
FLYING COLORS
Each year before the start of the high
this problem, as it typically affects only
school tennis season, I make fliers promot-
stringers with glide-bar clamps, such as the STOPPING DROP-WEIGHT
ing one of my special racquet stringing ser-
Ektelon-type machines. Because the GUESSWORK
vices—hybrid strings featuring each local
clamps on these machines don’t swivel to I recently purchased a drop-weight machine,
high school’s school colors. With one color
allow easy clamping of the fanned mains, and became concerned regarding the sub-
for the mains and another for the crosses, I
it’s tempting to use floating clamps. As jectivity of when the weight rod was truly
can usually find passable string colors for
this tip illustrates, however, it is better horizontal (and thus, pulling tension most
just about any school. The big tip is to use
even on Ektelon-type machines to use the accurately). It occurred to me that a line level
string that has vivid and deep color, as
machine clamps, even though it means attached to the end of the weight rod would
some of the strings on the market do not
tweaking the string to get it through the remove all doubt. I picked up a cheap (and
show up well at all. Another tip is that
clamp. lightweight) plastic line level at the local
white looks great with any other color. I
hardware store and attached it using two
usually try not to use two dark colors,
GROMMET PULLOUT tie-wraps. I then leveled the base to be accu-
although blue and red contrast beautifully.
When stringing a new racquet or one rate and checked the system with a calibra-
I use half the coil for one job and store the
where the grommets and bumpers have tor: Same result every time.
other half until needed. This does require
been replaced, the outside mains have a 5 sets of Klip K-Boom 18 to:
some time to keep track and store half coils
tendency to pull the grommets out of the Josh Gelman, New York, NY
of string, but it’s well worth the trouble.
frame, especially near the throat. This
5 sets of Head FiberGEL Power 16 to:
often exposes the string to the frame and
Doug Hofer, CS, Visalia, CA
—Greg Raven Q
can cause damage to the frame as well as
possible string breakage. In extreme situa-
Tips and Techniques submitted since 2000 by USRSA mem-
tions, it can move the grommet so far that
bers, and appearing in this column, have all been gathered
it has to be reseated. As a reminder that into a single volume of the Stringer’s Digest—Racquet Ser-
this can happen, I always put a couple of vice Techniques which is a benefit of USRSA membership.
colored pieces of string in the problem Submit tips to: Greg Raven, USRSA, 330 Main St., Vista, CA
grommet holes at the throat, and only 92804; or email greg@racquettech.com.

Your Serve
A Big Doubles Fault
An award-winning tennis writer says the ATP’s pro doubles
“enhancements” are absurd, unethical, and unfair. BY PAUL FEIN
the top 20 that I’ve talked to have stressed How Flagrant Is the Discrimination
A
fter three decades of policy blunders, the
ATP stands on the brink of delivering the that they won’t play any more doubles Against Doubles Players?—In 2004 the ATP
coup de grace to the great event of events throughout the year, regardless of adopted an entry ranking system with accep-
doubles and its talented stars. To try to entice any of these proposed rules changes. The tance in doubles draws based on a player’s
leading singles players to enter doubles events, guys in the top 10 earn such huge ATP Entry Ranking either in singles or dou-
ATP tournaments plan to use no-ad scoring amounts of prize money and endorse- bles, whichever is higher. Beginning in 2008,
and sets played to five games (instead of six) ments that it’s not worth it for them to risk only a new combined doubles ranking will
with a tiebreaker when games reach 4-4. This injury and exhaustion to sacrifice their sin- be used to determine entries in doubles,
scoring system is not even approved by the gles preparation for a minimal amount of counting 50 percent of a player’s singles
International Tennis Federation, which governs prize money and prestige in doubles. Also, points and 50 percent of his doubles points.
the rules of tennis. some singles players aren’t very good in Also in 2008, only players in the main draw
These and other highly important rules doubles and others simply don’t enjoy singles will be allowed to enter doubles—
changes were made without consulting the ITF doubles.” with two exceptions. Tournaments can still
and only a few present and past singles and How Would Singles Players Fare in Dou- award wild cards, and in 2008 and 2009,
doubles standouts whose expertise, experi- bles?—Based on past results, they’d fare spots will be reserved for players with the
ence, and ethics the ATP sorely needs. The mediocre to poorly. The top 10 singles best combined ranking not playing in the
reforms will go into effect after the US Open players (none of whom serve and volley singles draw: two entries in a 16-team draw,
unless the ATP either accepts how misguided often) in the ATP Champions Race, as of four in a 24-team draw, and six for 24- and
and damaging they are, or the ATP is pres- June 12, 2005, compiled a dismal 180-196 32-team ATP Masters Series draws.
sured by the growing protest in the tennis doubles record with 10 titles and no Grand That the ATP fills doubles draws and
world to rescind them. Let’s examine these Slam titles during the previous 2-1/2 years. ranks and seeds doubles players and teams
radical changes from various angles. In stunning contrast, during the same peri- based in part or virtually completely on their
What Does the ATP Really Want?—Horst od, the top 10 doubles players, as of June singles results is stupid, absurd, unethical,
Klosterkemper, ATP President Europe and Play- 12, 2005, racked up a 1,224-488 record and unfair. The clear-cut discrimination—
er Relations, says, “Singles players said they with 97 titles and 14 Grand Slam titles. replacing doubles teams with legitimate,
would consider playing doubles on a more Thus, singles standouts would not only fail hard-earned and superior results with singles
consistent basis if changes were made.” But to revitalize doubles, but watching them players with inferior doubles results—may
that purported rationale isn’t the real reason. flounder often in doubles would prove also violate the Sherman Antitrust Act.
“The ATP’s doubles enhancements are not more of a letdown than a treat for their The top doubles players, along with some
enhancements at all, just the tournament diehard fans. singles stars and tourney directors, have
directors looking for cost savings,” rightly How About the New Scoring mobilized to preserve and improve doubles.
notes Bill Oakes, former director of the ATP’s System?—No-ad simply does not offer a “Doubles is too great a game to destroy,”
tournament in Atlanta and now an analyst for fair test of skill and will, a sine qua non of says Mike Bryan, who reached three Grand
the “MatchPoint America” show on The Ten- any athletic competition. Under the tradi- Slam finals this year with his twin brother
nis Channel. “They should just admit it. I have tional scoring system, the odds are clearly Bob. “With the help of the players, fans,
heard many tournament directors whine greater that the more skillful player and officials, media, sponsors, and the rest of the
about having to pay for doubles players’ hotel team will eventually win a given game. tennis world this summer, we’ll stop these
and food and even prize money.” Put differ- Unquestionably, the no-ad method unfairly rule changes. We’ll save doubles.”
ently, the badly-intentioned goal is to drive boosts the chances of the underdog who Doubles lovers of the world unite!Q
doubles standouts out and replace them in needs only one point to win a game from Paul Fein’s book, Tennis Confidential: Today’s
doubles draws with singles specialists. deuce, because at 3-all, the fluke shot, bad Greatest Players, Matches, and Controversies,
bounce, net cord or incorrect line call was listed No. 1 among tennis books by Ama-
What Do Top Singles Players Really
zon.com and BN.com. For information or to
Want?—Only two players ranked in the top assumes an undue significance. No-ad also order, visit www.tennisconfidential.com. His sec-
20—teenagers Rafael Nadal and Richard Gas- unfairly helps the Wild Slugger against the ond book, You Can Quote Me on That: Greatest
Skill Player. At 3-all, the inferior Wild Slug- Tennis Quips, Insights, and Zingers, was pub-
quet—favor the reforms and say they intend
lished by Potomac Books Inc. in February 2005.
to play doubles more often. Mark Knowles, ger knows that he needs only one point to Visit www.tennisquotes.com.
former world No. 1 in doubles and current win the game and thus one great shot.
Paradoxically, that can tighten up and pro- We welcome your opinions. Please email
vice president of the ATP Players Council, says, comments to rsi@racquetTECH.com or fax
“All of the 10 or so singles players ranked in long—rather than shorten—matches. them to 760-536-1171.

Racquet Sports Industry

Hochgeladen von

Dokumentinformationen

Originaltitel

Copyright

Verfügbare Formate

Dieses Dokument teilen

Dokument teilen oder einbetten

Freigabeoptionen

Stufen Sie dieses Dokument als nützlich ein?

Sind diese Inhalte unangemessen?

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

Racquet Sports Industry

Hochgeladen von

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

September/October 2005

Volume 33 Number 9 $5.00

7 Key racquet sales numbers are up

30 Foot Soldiers 10 Welch offers clay-court

DEPARTMENTS 50 String Playtest: Gosen Polylon SP

September/October 2005 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 3

Honoring Our Commitment Publishers

4 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2005

September/October 2005 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 7

Head/Penn Teams With Barbie For New Wilson Introduces Color-Coded

8 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2005

Vantage USA Formed for Custom Racquets

Grand Slam Gut Debuts New

Prince Sports Introduces Shark DB Frame

September/October 2005 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 9

Welch Offers Clay-Court

Wilson Sales Veteran

10 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2005

• Longtime USTA marketing and communications specialist Randy Walker will

ATP, Penn, Sports Authority Team Up to Distribute DVD

September/October 2005 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 11

Sportwall Unveils Its “Next Generation” L E T T E R S

12 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2005

Bald Head Island Club Chooses

Squash Star Signs

September/October 2005 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 13

14 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2005

Series On The Tennis

Prince Sports has come out with a lim-

16 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2005

Boca Club Adds Premier Courts to Parking Deck Technical Tennis

18 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2005

Make Your Telephone the Ultimate

20 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2005

LET THE CALLER

September/October 2005 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 21

22 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2005

Wilson’s new “W” line of frames is designed for women players.

W hat do women want? Wilson

Line extensions and new technologies lead BY JAMES MARTIN

the way for recreational players.

26 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2005

28 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2005

From big-name endorsements to grassroots player appeal,

30 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2005

September/October 2005 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 31

E very choice concerning properties or features of string

String Description Effect on Stringbed Stiffness

Long/short strings Softer/stiffer

Thin/thick gauge strings* Softer/stiffer

Loose/tight string tension Softer/stiffer

Soft/stiff string material Softer/stiffer

Big/small grommet/string holes (support system) Softer/stiffer

32 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2005

The Geography of “Feel”

September/October 2005 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 33

34 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2005

36 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2005

Gut (Sorted by Stiffness)

September/October 2005 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 37

New Strings for Fall 2005

38 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2005

40 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2005