March 2020 Racquet Sports Industry Magazine

TEACHING PROS MANAGEMENT RACQUET TECHNICIANS EQUIPMENT
PTR receives USTA To sell this sport, Develop your own USRSA’s String
provisional convince customers best practices for Selector charts the
accreditation of tennis’ benefits stringing consistency newest strings, specs
PEAK
March 2020 / Volume 48 / Number 3 / $5.00
PERFORMANCE
Our annual Construction & Maintenance
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www.tennisindustrymag.com
Contents March 2020

DEPARTMENTS
5 Industry News
15 Racquet Tech
16 Grassroots Tennis
32 String Selector Guide 2020
36 Selling for Success
38 Ask the Experts
40 Your Serve, by Gretchen
Tuchscherer
INDUSTRY NEWS
5 PTR receives provisional
accreditation from USTA
5 Davis Cup to return to
Hawaii March 6-7
5 USTA Florida launches
'Volunteer Aces' program
6 Black Tennis Hall of Fame
names Class of 2020
6 ASBA announces new
officers and directors
6 Stars raise $3.3 million
for Aussie bushfire relief
8 Tail shows its colors with 2020
new Abby Road collection
8 HoF amends eligibility,
10
opens nominations
K-Swiss launches new
COURT CONSTRUCTION &
10
Hypercourt shoe models
ASBA names 2019
MAINTENANCE GUIDE
'Game Changer' awards
10 IBM, USTA partner to MAINTENANCE PLANNER FACILITY DESIGN COURT BUILDERS
develop 'Coach Advisor' Action Maintenance Trending Build It
11 Kirschbaum introduces Plan Chart Topics Right!
C OV E R P H O T O C O U RT E S Y A S B A / L O W E R B R O S. C O. I N C. / T H I S PA G E C O U RT E S Y A S B A
Xplosive Speed string
11 Nine coaches honored A regular schedule This maintenance Stay updated on Certified Tennis
with Wilson/ITA award for care and planner, from the facility design Court Builders
13 New Tourna 700-ES machine maintenance will ASBA and USTA, trends that are raising
features 'press down clamps' ensure your will help your facility are influencing construction
14 Babolat introduces new courts a long and stay at the top of and impacting and maintenance
'flag' colors for racquets useful life. its game. your players. standards.
P. 18 P. 22 P. 24 P. 28
PLUS
p.41 42 From the CEO
46 Vice President's Message
47 50 55 58 49 PTM Programs
PTM Prepared Travel With What Is the 2020 USPTA 53 USPTA Partnerships with
Aaron Kolz for Your Tennis Platform Tennis World Har-Tru, SportMaster
Life On and Off Members! Index? Conference in 59 Career Development
the Court New Orleans
60 Executive Committee
Directory
Read more articles online at www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com
2 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY March 2020 www.tennisindustrymag.com

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IndustryNews
IndustryNews Information to help you run your business
TEACHING PROS
PTR Receives Provisional

Accreditation from USTA
Davis Cup to Return to Hawaii
March 6-7 vs. Uzbekistan
Davis Cup will return to Hawaii for the first
time in 28 years, as the U.S. team will take on
Uzbekistan in a 2020 Davis Cup Qualifying
competition in Honolulu on March 6-7.
Davis Cup’s return to Hawaii in 2020
comes as part of a multi-year agreement
between the USTA and Hawaii Tourism
Authority to be the lead local sponsor of any
Davis Cup Qualifying ties hosted by the U.S.
between 2020 and 2022. Should the U.S.
host a Davis Cup Qualifier in February or
March of 2021 or 2022, that event will also
be played in Hawaii.
The qualifying competition is a best-
of-five match series (singles and doubles)
held over two days. Matches will be
played indoors at the Blaisdell Center on
a temporary hard court. The winner of this
I
matchup advances to the 2020 Davis Cup by
Rakuten Finals in November in Madrid.
Tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster.com.
n early January, the The PTR’s case for accreditation Visit usta.com/daviscup for more info.
Professional Tennis Registry was advanced by several innovations
received provisional in the PTR’s coach education in 2019, USTA Florida Launches
accreditation from the USTA. including: ‘Volunteer Aces’ Program
The USTA’s accreditation • The launch of Level 1 Certification, The USTA Florida Section has
program sets uniform standards for becoming the first organization to announced its new Volunteer Aces
the development of those new to the require six-plus days of education to program, which aims to utilize
profession, and will include ongoing become certified. technology tools and community
coaching education for all certified • The establishment of eight regional outreach opportunities to help mobilize
professionals who are members of education centers. and retain the organization’s volunteers.
accredited organizations. • More than 180 PTR certification The Volunteer Aces program is
The concept for this program came workshops conducted in the U.S. in 2019. designed to be a clearinghouse for all
about after the USTA conducted a • Revisions to the PTR Continuing tennis volunteer opportunities in the
worldwide review of standards for Education Recognition Program. state, not just USTA Florida programs.
tennis coaching and determined the “These accomplishments were The initiative is intended to improve the
U.S. needed to elevate its approach to made possible by the hard work and organization’s overall engagement with
certification and continuing education dedication of the entire PTR staff and volunteers by focusing on recruitment,
C O U RT E S Y P T R
in order to maintain a high standard of support of the PTR Board,” said PTR retention and recognition.
coaching in this country. Last spring, CEO Dan Santorum. “We look forward USTA Florida will work alongside
the U.S. Professional Tennis Association to working with the USTA to achieve full other organizations to post all tennis
received its full USTA accreditation. accreditation.” volunteer opportunities in a single online
www.tennisindustrymag.com March 2020 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 5

IndustryNews
PUBLISHER
location. Prospective volunteers Association's Jim and Gloria Smith Memorial JEFF WILLIAMS
only need to register once to be able Tennis Tournament, which is sanctioned by
EDITOR
to see opportunities in their area. both the USTA and ATA. PETER FRANCESCONI
Project leaders will then use the For tickets and more information,
MANAGING EDITOR
system to track, recognize and reward contact Black Tennis Hall of Fame Executive
SCOTT GRAMLING
volunteers. Training is offered to all Director Shelia Curry at SheliaCurry@
Volunteer Aces. Volunteers can sign BlackTennisHallofFame.com. CREATIVE DIRECTOR
IAN KNOWLES
up at ustaflorida.com/VolunteerAces.
ASBA Announces New SENIOR EDITOR
Black Tennis HoF Names Officers and Directors ED McGROGAN
Class of 2020 Inductees The American Sports Builders
ART DIRECTOR
The Black Tennis Hall of Fame Association (ASBA) has announced the CRHISTIAN RODRIGUEZ
(BlackTennisHallofFame.com) has election of its officers and directors for
announced inductees into its Class of the coming membership year. PRODUCTION EDITOR
ANDREA WOO
2020: Sportsmen’s Tennis & Enrichment Mark Heinlein, the director of technical
Center (in the Organization category), projects and research with the Motz SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR
Alice Marble and Tina McCall Waters Group in Cincinnati, is the new chairman BOB PATTERSON
(Contributor category), Irwin R. Holmes for the next two years, while Kristoff CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
(Pioneer category) and Dr. Robert Walter Eldridge will take the office of past chair. CYNTHIA CANTRELL, PEG CONNOR,
Johnson Jr. (both Contributor and Pioneer Fields Division president is Kirk Grego. DAVID LASOTA, JUDY LEAND, KENT OSWALD,
CYNTHIA SHERMAN, MARY HELEN SPRECHER
categories). William Chaffe has been elected to the
The induction ceremony will be held at position of secretary/treasurer. CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Sportsmen's Tennis & Enrichment Center Re-elected as Tennis Division president BOB KENAS, DAVID KENAS
in Dorchester, Mass., July 3-4 and will is Matt Strom and Supplier Division ASSOCIATE EDITOR
coincide with the New England Tennis president is David Moxley. TIM McARTHUR
EDITORIAL DIRECTION
10TEN MEDIA
RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY

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CYNTHIA SHERMAN
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Racquet Sports Industry is published 10 times per

PRO TENNIS year: monthly, January through August with combined
Stars Raise $3.3 Million

issues in September/October and November/
December, by Tennis Channel, Inc., 250 Park Avenue,
Suite 825, New York NY 10017. Periodical postage paid
for Aussie Bushfire Relief

in Duluth, GA and at additional mailing offices (USPS
#004-354). March 2020, Volume 48, Number 3 © 2020
S
by Tennis Channel, Inc. All rights reserved. Racquet
Sports Industry, RSI and logo are trademarks of Tennis
Channel, Inc. Printed in the U.S.A. Phone advertising:
hortly before the Australian Open, some of the biggest names in tennis 770-650-1102 x 125. Phone circulation and editorial:
came together in Melbourne to help raise funds for the Australian bushfire 646-381-8735. Yearly subscriptions $25 in the U.S.,
$40+ elsewhere. POSTMASTER: Send address changes
appeal. The fundraising night was spearheaded by Aussie star Nick to Racquet Sports Industry, 250 Park Avenue, Suite
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the official magazine of the USRSA, TIA and ASBA.
Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Caroline Wozniacki and other
Looking for back issues of Tennis Industry/Racquet
stars and legends of the game turned out to play in a packed Rod Laver Arena. Sports Industry? Visit the archives at our website
Kyrgios played Roger Federer in a one-set match, and after the match the Aussie at TennisIndustryMag.com for free digital versions.
AP PHOTOS
pledged to donate $200 AUD (about $140 USD) for every ace he hits this summer.
Also participating in the fundraiser were Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka, Alexander
Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Dominic Thiem and Petra Kvitova.

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IndustryNews
APPAREL HOF Amends Eligibility,
Tail Shows Its Opens Nominations for 2021

The International Tennis Hall of Fame
Colors with
has amended the Policies & Procedures
of Enshrinement, specifically for the
New Abby Road

Contributor Category. Starting with
the Class of 2021, the eligibility criteria
for the Contributor Category has been
Collection amended to be defined as “a true
pioneer, visionary leader, or individual/
T
group who has made a transcendent
ail has picked up on one of the impact on the sport.”
key fashion colors for 2020, Previously, the eligibility criteria only
yellow, in its Aspen Gold allowed for individuals to be considered.
Birdseye Jacquard Nadia top with a The amended criteria now provides for
twist back hem, in a longer 20-inch eligibility for groups of individuals who
front length. Part of Tail’s new Abby acted together to make tennis history.
Road collection that drops in April, the Nominations are now open for the Hall
top sports a poly-spandex blend and of Fame Class of 2021. That year will mark
retails for $69. The complementary the first time the Contributor Category
Jacqueline skort ($73) in a fun print will be eligible for induction since 2017,
has a front flounce in a 13.5-inch when the organization shifted to a cycle
length and comes in a UPF 50+ poly- of every four years for Contributor
spandex blend. For more information, inductions. Deadline for nominations for
visit tailactivewear.com or call 888- the Class of 2021 is April 1.
906-1341. Visit tennisfame.com/nominate.
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IndustryNews
Short
Sets
The USTA Northern Section will teaching professionals and sold on the To help young players and their families
move its office to the Eagan, Minn., premises. choose a college tennis program, RSI
campus where the NFL’s Minnesota magazine contributor Denny Schackter
Vikings are headquartered. Northern The Slinger Bag tennis ball launcher has added such service to his business,
has been located at Lifetime Athletic in recently received a Special Recognition Tennis Priorities. Visit tennispriorities.com
Bloomington. Section Executive Director Award from the UK Tennis Industry or contact dennyschackter@gmail.com.
Becky Cantellano says the growth of the Association’s Innovation Awards. Visit
staff from three to 15 necessitated the slingerbag.com for more information. New PTR Masters of Tennis–
move into the 3,000-square-foot office at Performance are Yannick Ostyn of Belgium
the Vikings' headquarters. USPTA Master Professional and past and Suresh Maurya of India. New Master
USPTA national president Tom Daglis has of Tennis–Adult Development is David Hsu
Dunlop has extended its long-running launched The Pelican Tennis Group, a Hung-Yuan of Taiwan.
partnership with Van Der Meer Tennis, new tennis management and consulting
the tennis teaching center and resort on company. Based in Gulfport, Miss., PTG San Diego native Angel Lopez recently
Hilton Head Island, S.C. With the new will offer tennis management services, celebrated his 40th anniversary with San
multi-year extension, Dunlop will be the tournament administration, facility Diego Tennis & Racquet Club. The 64-year-
center's official ball and official racquet, operations and marketing, and personnel old Lopez started at the club when it
used exclusively by all Van der Meer Tennis placement. Visit PelicanTennisGroup.com. opened in January 1980.
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IndustryNews
ASBA Names 2019

Game Changer Awards
The American Sports Builders
Association has announced the
winners of its annual Game Changer
Awards. The Game Changer Awards
enabled attendees at December's
ASBA Technical Meeting to learn about
nominated products and services
in the ASBA Exhibit Hall, and to vote
for those which they thought best
FOOTWEAR exemplified excellence and innovation
in the industry.
K-Swiss Launches New The winners were:
• Game Changer–Courts & Recreation
Hypercourt Shoe Models Division: Premier PPS-225Q Portable
Pickleball System (Douglas Sports
K
Equipment)
-Swiss has introduced the new high-performance Hypercourt Supreme, • Game Changer–Fields Division:
along with an update to the top-selling Hypercourt Express. Tension Netting System with
“This new shoe is an elevated product that is extremely comfortable, and Integrated Wall Pad Backstop
the responsiveness will give competitive players the extra speed they need to get to (Sportsfield Specialties, Inc.)
a ball and recover quickly,” says K-Swiss Vice President Mike Miringoff. • Game Changer–Tennis Division: Titan
He says the update to the Hypercourt Express will “make the shoe a little more Trax Shield (NGI Sports)
supportive and improve the cosmetic.” Visit KSwiss.com for more information. • Game Changer–Track Division:
Sand Pit Retractable Cover System
(Sportsfield Specialties, Inc.)
FanHub's 'Bracket Challenge'

Expands Relationship with ATP
FanHub, the largest provider of casual,
free to play sports-focused digital gaming
platforms in the world, has expanded its
relationship with the ATP, building and
launching the first-ever bracket challenge
game for the inaugural ATP Cup, which
was held in Brisbane, Perth and Sydney,
Australia in early January.
“Tennis has long been one of the sports
where fans have enjoyed competitive
gaming, and being able to work with the
ATP in building this bracket challenge
will be a great way to expose this unique,
first-time event to a global audience,” said
Andrew Cronyn, managing director of
FanHub. “The free to play game enables
the ATP to engage with fans throughout
the tournament.”
IBM, USTA Partner

to Develop ‘Coach Advisor’
Coach Advisor, a tech solution
developed through a partnership with
IBM and the USTA and introduced
at the 2019 US Open, puts artificial
intelligence and analytics into the hands
of USTA coaches, say the developers.

IndustryNews
Coach Advisor, which introduces Nine Coaches Honored With University), Women: Michael Cabana
first-of-a kind metrics that quantifies Wilson/ITA Coach of Year Award (Wingate University)
a player's physical exertion and Nine coaches were honored in December • Division III—Men: Ben Lamanna (Brandeis
endurance, makes correlations to at the ITA Coaches Convention, held in University), Women: Mike Fried (Wesleyan
match performance, and has the Naples, Fla. The 2019 Wilson/ITA Coach of University)
potential to revolutionize how USTA the Year honorees are: • NAIA—Men and Women: Chase Hodges
coaches train, condition and develop • Division I—Men: Bid Goswami (Columbia (Georgia Gwinnett College)
American professional and junior University), Women: Kevin Epley (University • Junior College—Men: Ross Duncan (Irvine
tennis players, IBM said in a press of South Carolina) Valley College), Women: Dash Connell (Tyler
release. Coach Advisor runs on Red • Division II—Men: Joshua Cobble (Cameron College)
Hat OpenShift provided by IBM's
public cloud.
“With Coach Advisor, we're
proud to now bring these advanced
technologies to USTA coaches directly
to tap into new data sources,” said
Noah Syken, IBM’s VP of sports and
entertainment partnerships.
Kirschbaum Introduces
Xplosive Speed String
Kirschbaum’s newest string is the

co-poly Xplosive Speed, in its Platinum
string line. The pentagonal shape is
designed for added spin potential,
and the company says tension
maintenance is enhanced due to a
unique pre-stretch process using
“thermofusion technology.”
Xplosive Speed is available in
1.20-, 1.25- and 1.30-mm gauges, in
40-foot sets or 660-foot reels. Visit
kirschbaumusa.com.
USRSA Names MRT, CSs

C O U RT E S Y K- S W I S S, K I R S C H B A U M
Master Racquet Technician

Kyle David Klinek, Apex, N.C.
Certified Stringers
Colby Crawford, Urbandale, Iowa
Cedric De Zutter, Memphis, Tenn.
Jack Ouyang, Edina, Minn.
Arnold Wehrenberg, Urbandale,
Iowa

IndustryNews
People
Watch
International Tennis Federation pickleball advisory staff. The three- hired Noa Geyne as its member services
President David Haggerty was recently time women’s British Open Champ and coordinator. She will be responsible
elected a member of the International four-time U.S. Solheim Cup winner will for supporting all aspects of PPR
Olympic Committee at the 135th IOC compete on the Professional Pickleball membership.
Session in Lausanne, Switzerland. Tour with Selkirk Sport’s Amped Epic
Haggerty will continue to serve on the IOC paddle and wearing Team Selkirk apparel. Dunlop has signed Nicolás Massú, a
Athletes Entourage Committee, to which former Top 10 player on the ATP Tour and
he was appointed in 2016. Australia’s Ashleigh Barty and Rafael current coach to Dominic Thiem.
Nadal of Spain were named 2019 ITF
K-Swiss has signed Australian pro tennis World Champions. Ashaway Racket Strings has renewed
player Ajla Tomljanovic and British player its long-standing sponsorship agreement
Cameron Norrie to multi-year apparel Tennis industry veteran Raul Valdes with British squash veteran Daryl Selby,
and footwear deals. Both will represent has joined Dunlop as Territory Sales and and signed a new agreement with squash
K-Swiss Tennis globally and will be brand Promotions Manager for Florida. Valdes touring pro Vikram Malhotra.
ambassadors. has held positions in sales, teaching and
junior recruitment. Rising tennis star Frances Tiafoe will
Selkirk Sports has signed former LPGA appear in a series of digital ads for Nestle
star Sherri Steinhauer to its professional Professional Pickleball Registry has NesQuick.
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New Tourna 700-ES Machine
Features ‘Press Down Clamps’
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machine features time-saving “press CALL FOR A CERTIED CONTRACTOR IN YOUR AREA!
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Releasing the clamp can be done three www.ritewaytennis.com
ways, including using the Gravity
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The machine offers advanced
microprocessor technology for true
constant-pull tensioning, a diablo
nose cone, linear gripper and an easy-
start tensioning system. A one-knob,
self-leveling six-point mount speeds
up the racquet mounting process,
and the ergonomic design of the base
maximizes the working space under
the racquet strings. The multi-function
control panel has six pull speeds, four
levels of pre-stretch, knot function,
timer and memory. The 88-pound base
can be removed from the stand and
used as a table top.
Visit UniqueSports.us for more info.
Armstrong Stadium Wins

International Design Award Watch
The US Open’s Louis Armstrong the Ball
Stadium has won a prestigious
C O U RT E S Y T O U R N A / U N I Q U E S P O RT S
international design award, the Prix

Versailles, Special Prize for Interior in the NEVER
Sports category, which was presented give up
in Paris last fall. The award recognizes
structures for the beauty of their design,
sustainability and commercial function.
The stadium was designed by Rossetti,
headquartered in Detroit.
The 14,069-seat stadium opened in
2018 and features an innovative design

IndustryNews
RACQUETS
Babolat Introduces New that encourages air flow through the

stadium while keeping rain off the court.
‘Flag’ Colors for Racquets

The design also features a striking façade
on the North and South sides of the
stadium using overlapping terra cotta
B
louvers that allow air flow through the
abolat’s new, limited edition upper part of the building while shading
“flag” range of tennis racquets spectators. The terra cotta material
enables players and fans relates to the traditional brick buildings
around the world to show support for on USTA National Tennis Center site.
their favorite countries and teams
with patriotic frames. Bryan Brothers 'Farewell Tour'
The exclusive collection features to Include WTT Season
designs inspired by the colors of The Bryan Brothers 2020 farewell
the flags of seven countries: United tour will include seven summer
States, Japan, France, Argentina, Italy, matches at the Orleans Arena
United Kingdom and Brazil. in Las Vegas, as well as stops at
Babolat’s flag range includes World TeamTennis sites in Orange
models to appeal to different levels of County, San Diego, Springfield,
players: three Pure models for expert Orlando, Philadelphia, New York and
players (Pure Drive, Pure Aero, and Washington D.C.
Pure Strike) and a model dedicated The Vegas Rollers recently
to recreational players (Boost). Each announced that 41-year-old twins
design has a coordinating backpack. Mike and Bob Bryan have been
Visit babolat.com for more info. contracted to play the entire 2020 WTT
season, which runs July 12-Aug. 1. In
addition, Las Vegas resident and U.S.
Davis Cup player Sam Querrey will also
play the full season for the Rollers.
The Bryans were recently named the
ATP Fans’ Favorite Doubles Team for
Built for the 14th time. Las Vegas is also home

to the Team Bryan Youth Program.
“We love Las Vegas and last year
tennis pros was by far the best World TeamTennis
season we have ever been a part of,”
Bob Bryan said.
Join the marketplace.
PTR and iTPA Sign
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Connect with thousands
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PTR has partnered with the Inter-
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the world access to iTPA’s comprehensive
tennis-specific fitness, education and
certification. iTPA’s Tennis Fitness
C O U RT E S Y B A B O L AT
Certification of Tennis Performance

Trainer (TPT) will be included as part of
1-888-556-8787 | www.kourts.com PTR’s new Level 1, which is required to
earn PTR Certification. Visit itpa-tennis.
org for more information.
14 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY March 2020

Racquet Tech
STRINGING TECHNIQUE
Best-Case Scenario Your best practice for

For consistency, develop your own best starting a string job may have
to change depending on the
practices for starting stringing jobs. frame, the string, or even the
By Bob Patterson machine you are using.
Executive Director, USRSA
the loop end and then moving to the
opposite end of the string, and clamp.
Sounds pretty straightforward. But
several things could interfere and
require a modification to the process.
For example, I prefer to use a starting
clamp as my initial clamp. I do this from
my years of stringing at tournaments—it
speeds things up and provides a stable
method. But my machine has a mounting
post at 12 and 6 o’clock, which gets in the
way of placing my starting clamp there,
so I choose to install the second string on
one side, and place my starting clamp on
that string. I then make my first tension
pull on the adjacent center string at the
center loop end.
This is a simple but necessary
modification, and for me it’s a best
practice. It works for virtually every
racquet I string. Of course, there are
exceptions. For instance, on frames
with soft rubber-type grommets at the
starting point, the starting clamp may
W
damage the grommets. Or, on Prince
O-Port frames that have no grommets,
hen it comes to Let’s start with the basics: the frame my method would make it difficult to
starting a racquet is mounted on the machine, the tension align the string in the proper placement
string job, you have is set, the string is measured and we’re to start. In both of these cases, I use the
plenty of options. ready to begin. Thread the string machine clamp instead of a starting
There are many into the two center grommets, top to clamp for my initial clamp. Although I
“correct” ways to begin stringing a bottom or vice versa, depending on am using the machine clamp, I still start
frame, and as you can imagine, there are the frame. Now you’re ready to apply with the clamp on the second string to
many not-so-correct ways, too. tension. This is where various options maintain consistency.
When there are multiple ways of can come into play. Developing your best practice for
doing something, we try to find a best First, make sure each string is starting requires some evaluation. First,
practice that provides for the most tensioned exactly like the others, do no harm to frame or string. Second,
accepted way, realizing there may need pulling one string at a time. The install the strings at the proper tension
to be variations. Your best practice for standard method would be to clamp with one pull at full tension that is
starting a string job may have to change one of the two center strings just inside consistent with the remaining strings.
depending on the frame, the string, or the frame on the end where your center Develop your own best practices for
even the machine you are using. loop is located, and then apply tension everything you do, and you will reap the
Above all, one foundation of stringing to the adjacent center string at the benefits. They allow you to maintain
frames is consistency, so finding a best opposite end and clamp that string. consistency in your work, and make
practice for consistently starting the Then tension the original string in the sure you’re providing the best service to
process is essential. same manner, dropping the clamp from your clients with every job. •

GrassrootsTennis
BUILDING COMMUNITY
Play It Forward!
Volunteers committed to tennis
are on the front lines when it comes to
growing our sport in communities.
INTERMOUNTAIN
Salt Lake City Tourney

Celebrates Life
I
n 2009, Utah tennis player
Ardene Bullard passed
away unexpectedly. She was
passionate about tennis and
caring for her granddaughter, Mykah,
who was diagnosed with Type 1
diabetes at age 18 months. Devastated
friends and family members put
together the “Of Love” tournament
in Ardene’s memory, donating the
proceeds to the Juvenile Diabetes
Research Foundation (JDRF).
“Last July, we celebrated the
10-year anniversary of ‘Of Love,’”
EASTERN says tournament director and USTA
Tennis Serving Vets Grows in Yonkers, N.Y. Utah Executive Director Laurie
T
Lambert. “We are now the third
largest recreational tournament in the
ennis Serving Vets uses “We’re looking to expand our program country, with over 900 entries in 2019. "
tennis as a vehicle for locations and add participants.” The week-long celebration includes C O U RT E S Y T E N N I S S E R V I N G V ET S, U S TA I N T E R M O U N TA I N
recovery from physical Goldman, a lifelong tennis player, is social events, team challenges,
and emotional trauma. not a veteran, but she has a personal auctions, celebrity players and more.
The program, started in March 2018, understanding of the insidious effects The Bullard family also distributes
currently serves a few hundred of trauma on the body and psyche. In more than 4,000 cups of frozen yogurt.
participants. Monthly clinics attract 2015, she fell gravely ill with E.coli In 2019, a “High Fit” on-court fitness
25 to 35 veterans (families can join bacteria and was put on a respirator class drew more than 200 participants,
as well), and are run by five to 10 for weeks. Later, her physical therapist most of which were not tennis players.
volunteers and coaches. Participants’ gave her a paddle and a balloon to hit. Celebrities including NBA player
ages run from the 20s through 80s. It was a pivotal moment in recovery, Gordon Hayward, tennis players
Yonkers Tennis Center currently as Goldman realized that tennis was James Blake, Mark Philippoussis, Ryan
donates court time, while a local Whole helping her heal—and saving her life. Harrison and Wayne Ferreira have all
Foods, Costco and Home Depot provide “No matter what your trauma participated in past years.
raffle prizes, food and gift cards. is, you’re welcome here,” she says. With a $130,000 donation to JDRF in
“Everybody involved is a volunteer,” “Adaptive tennis works for everyone.” 2019, it’s safe to say Ardene’s legacy is
says Ali Goldman, executive director. —Judy Leand stronger than ever. —Wendy Anderson

COURT
CONSTRUCTION
& MAINTENANCE
2020 GUIDE
Action
MAINTENANCE PLANNER For facilities to look and play
their best, managers must
ensure that maintenance is
performed at timely intervals.
Annual Maintenance Planner chart

that shows regular maintenance
intervals for all types of tennis courts,
Plan
and includes court accessories,
equipment structures and other
information. (The chart appears in
the Tennis Courts: Construction &
Maintenance Manual, published every
three years by the American Sports
Builders Association (ASBA) and the
USTA, and is reproduced here with
permission.)
A regular schedule for care and Detailed information about court
maintenance can be found in the
maintenance will ensure a long and Tennis Courts manual, which is
useful life for your courts. available from at the ASBA website,
www.sportsbuilders.org. Another
essential resource is a knowledgeable
By Mary Helen Sprecher court contractor who can help answer
questions and address any problems.
Every Day, Every Surface

The most important step in
maintaining all types of court
Ah, tennis court care and main- that goes on throughout the season surfaces is to keep them clean by
tenance. It’s not a sexy topic, but it is (including some tasks that are carried removing debris immediately and by
a necessary one. And at a time when out each day, as well as weekly spot-cleaning spills as soon as they
budgets are tight and court owners and monthly maintenance), and occur. You can practice preventive
want to squeeze as much play as seasonal maintenance that is done maintenance by prohibiting food and
possible out of courts, it is care and once a year. But whatever the type of beverages (except water, of course)
maintenance that does the heavy lifting maintenance, owners and managers on the court area and by prohibiting
when it comes to making courts last. should develop a maintenance plan, smoking on the court.
To maximize the useful life of any ensure that maintenance is performed Provide wastebaskets to encourage
type of court, owners and facility at timely intervals, and keep records players and spectators to keep the
managers should implement a regular of maintenance procedures and courts clean. And importantly, empty
schedule of maintenance. Regular conditions and of any problems. the wastebaskets and recycling
inspection of the court and repair of The schedule and scope of work containers regularly to encourage
minor irregularities is more cost- that is to be done will be dictated by their use—no one likes see or deal with
effective than allowing the court to the type of court surface you have, overflowing trash bins. Pick up stray
deteriorate to the point where the amount and type of use, player balls, ball cans and metal ball-can tops,
it requires major repair or conduct and weather conditions. which can damage the court surface,
reconstruction. But even with regular If you’re finding that excessive become a tripping hazard and make
maintenance, all courts will need maintenance is consistently needed, it the court area unsightly.
some kind repair over time. could indicate more serious problems.
Court maintenance falls into two What follows is a synopsis of basic Develop a Plan
categories: Regular maintenance maintenance practices, along with an Because personnel can change from

year to year, develop an appropriate • Tennis nets (including net fabric, the off-season. If new equipment is
maintenance plan that shows what headband and center strap) needed, the end of the season may be a
needs to be done and when—as well • Net posts (test the winding good time to shop for bargains.
as any problems reported, and actions mechanism)
taken. That plan should be kept on • Lighting Hard Court Maintenance
P H O T O O F W E S T O T TAWA FA C I L I T Y C O U RT E SY A S B A
file by the club manager, as well as the • Fencing (including rails) Hard courts include asphalt and
tennis pro, court manager and any • Divider curtains (fabric as well as concrete tennis courts, generally
grounds maintenance staff. sliding mechanism) covered with tennis-specific
Remember that a maintenance plan • Windscreen (fabric and ties) acrylic coatings. For pre-season
is only good if it is followed. Simply • Court benches/Furniture maintenance, clean the surface of all
developing one won’t guarantee • Drainage debris using a leaf blower or broom.
success, but investing the time in • Irrigation If stubborn stains remain, ask your
following it can pay dividends in the • Landscaping features court contractor to recommend a next
longevity of your facility. step, based on your surfacing product.
Check on all items regularly—at Getting professional advice is better
Keep Equipment in Good Condition least once a week—and address any than making a mistake that damages
The surface of the court isn’t the problems immediately. Don’t wait for or discolors the coating.
only thing that needs regular upkeep. players to notice them and complain. If asphalt courts have cracks, either
Any checklist for court maintenance At the end of the playing season, around the net posts or anywhere
should include inspection and inspect all court equipment and order else on the surface, consult your
repair (or replacement) of related any replacement parts so that the contractor. Cracks may be harmless,
equipment, including: equipment can be repaired during or they may be a symptom of a more

COURT
CONSTRUCTION
& MAINTENANCE
2020 GUIDE
serious problem. Do not purchase

a crack filler without professional
advice, since not all products are
suitable for court use.
Once the season is under way, keep
an eye on the surface. Keep it free
of debris and look for chips, cracks,
peeling or other imperfections. Hard
courts often show wear along the
baseline and, sometimes, at the net.
Since hard courts are, for the most
part, non-porous, it is advisable
to have equipment available to
help remove surface water after
cleaning or after rain. This includes
rubber squeegees, foam rollers or
water absorbent drums. Inspect all
equipment and make sure it is in
good repair since a damaged piece of
equipment can damage your surface.
Fast-Dry and Clay Court Maintenance

If your courts are made of soft,
granular material, either fast-dry or
Optimum playability of the courts throughout the season depends on
clay, maintenance is something that having a significant investment of time and effort early on; cutting
must take place not only throughout corners only results in problems that come back to haunt the facility.
the playing season, but to a certain
extent, throughout the day. Courts
need regular brooming, watering and
rolling to maintain playability. defined plan will include making sure in the surface. An experienced tennis
Spring maintenance for fast-dry a court is dry, as well as rolling, raking/ court contractor should be contacted
courts (in areas where courts have scarifying and the addition of new clay to address any issues. Keep courts
been closed for the winter season) (as well as any other material added clean throughout the season to avoid
includes patching, top-dressing and during this process), compaction and any issues with materials such as dirt,
COURTESY CAPE AND ISLAND TENNIS & TRACK/ASBA

compaction, as well as re-installing the application of new lines. seeds or other debris.
line tapes. A court contractor can The most important investment
provide guidance as to how much Grass and Synthetic Turf Courts you’ll make in your facility is the
material is needed for a facility, and Grass and synthetic turf courts also investment of time. By monitoring
how to address any problems that need care prior to, and throughout, court conditions and paying close
have occurred during the downtime. each playing season. Grass courts will attention to anything out of the
Optimum playability of the courts need to be rolled (to restore planarity ordinary, it is possible to catch
throughout the season depends on following any heaving that may have problems before they escalate. •
having a significant investment of occurred during the winter freeze/
time and effort early on; cutting thaw process), and later, will need to To order a copy of the latest Tennis
corners only results in problems that be fertilized, mowed and lined. A more Courts: Construction & Maintenance
come back to haunt the facility. detailed maintenance plan can be Manual, visit www.sportsbuilders.
Similarly, the difficulty, or ease, found in the Tennis Courts manual. org. The 272-page manual includes
of maintenance and the general Synthetic turf courts should be chapters on facility development, court
condition of clay courts throughout inspected for any problems, such as construction, design, surfacing systems,
the year largely depends on the quality standing water or issues in the turf fencing, drainage, lighting, accessories,
of pre-season maintenance. A well- itself, such as splitting or unevenness amenities, maintenance and more.

Now featuring Textreme X Twaron technology,
the new Phantom racquets pair improved
stability and power with the line‘s signature feel.
170
22 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY March 2020
Chapter 17: Care and Maintenance
M A I N T E N A N C E P L A N N E R C H A RT F R O M T E N N I S C O U RT S : C O N S T R U CT I O N & M A I N T E N A N C E M A N UA L . R E P R I I N T E D W I T H P E R M I S S I O N.
Chapter 17: Care and Maintenance 171 23
March 2020 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY
2020
FACILITY DESIGN
Trending
Topics
COURT
CONSTRUCTION
& MAINTENANCE
GUIDE
Keep updated on facility

C
design trends to
stay on top of your game.
By Mary Helen Sprecher
Players understand the surface Continuing Change in the Lighting Industry

beneath their feet, how well it’s lit “The conversion of lighting systems from metal halide to LED continues to
from overhead, and what kind of trend across the country,” LaSota notes. “LED lighting technology is constantly
amenities are around them when improving, making the conversion more attractive to facility owners.”
they play. They’re also conscious of LED lighting, in its infancy, was more expensive, but over time, the
the effect of all of those elements on technology has come down in price. Additionally, the energy savings of LED,
their games. when considered as part of a long-range plan, will help the new lights pay for
Here’s another common themselves over time. Plus, it’s possible to use existing light poles in converting
denominator: All of those factors to LED fixtures.
started out as the vision of a
designer who took into account
PHOTOS COURTESY ASBA, USTA, FRASURE REPS/LSI SPORTS LIGHTING

players’ needs and wishes, and
incorporated them into a plan for
the courts they are currently using.
As we move into a new decade,
tennis court and facility design
is moving forward, and club and
facility owners and managers
looking to stay on top of their game
in keeping courts updated will need
to know the current trends in court
design.
David LaSota, P.E., of D.W. LaSota
Engineering Inc., recently spent
some time with Racquet Sports
Industry, identifying and discussing More Post-Tensioned Concrete Courts
key design trends he has noted, and “I’m seeing more post-tensioned concrete courts being built throughout
the way they translate into courts the United States, in lieu of asphalt,” LaSota says. “There is currently a lot of
being built across the U.S. discussion in the tennis building industry regarding the quality of asphalt
pavement material and premature failures of pavements and acrylics. By
building properly designed post-tensioned concrete courts, the potential for
pavement and acrylic surface failures is reduced.”

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COURT
CONSTRUCTION
& MAINTENANCE
2020 GUIDE
Neglecting Safety Features Don’t Forget What You Can’t See

“My biggest concern regarding some facility designs is the lack of attention The invisible aspects of design are
being paid to overruns and court spacing,” LaSota says. “While the sport is important, although owners hesitate
played within the lines of a court, the player needs to be free to maneuver to invest in them. “For outdoor
around this court to properly approach and set up their returning shot.” tennis courts, many designers and
Having courts too close together, or not having enough space between builders are focused on the area
courts and obstacles such as furniture, divider curtains, fences and backstops, inside the fence,” LaSota says. “But
presents a danger to players, who need to keep their eyes on the ball and what is critically important is the
cannot be expected to look for hazards. grading and drainage around the
tennis court. If not done properly,
storm water can collect under the
court pavement within the sub-
base and sub-grade, which could
cause pavement cracking and
displacement, and acrylic surface
delamination, within a relatively
PHOTOS COURTESY USTA, ASBA/ZAINO TENNIS COURTS

short period of time.”
This is not a problem unique to
tennis courts. Across the spectrum
of sports facility construction,
designers and builders struggle
to get owners to understand the
importance of drainage. Often,
investments in grading and drainage
come in a distant also-ran when
owners are considering more visible
Keep an Eye Out for the Details amenities such as new furniture
Pay attention to what affects your players. “Details such as providing for spectators, improved Wi-Fi or
pedestrian access to individual courts and wheelchair tennis player access, as brighter court colors.
well as ensuring that light poles and other obstructions are located outside the
fence perimeter, are all important for a good tennis experience,” LaSota says.
The input of a facility design professional familiar with tennis courts is the first
step toward having courts that reflect the needs of players today.

COURT
CONSTRUCTION
& MAINTENANCE
2020 GUIDE
CERTIFIED BUILDERS ASBA Certified Tennis Court Builders

(As of Jan. 20, 2020)
Build It Right! Tom Benz

Oval Tennis Inc.
Somers, NY
Choosing a Certified Tennis Court Builder will help
Mark Brogan
ensure your courts and facility are designed, built Pro-Sport Construction Inc.
and maintained to exacting standards. Devon, PA
David Clapp
Baseline Sports Construction
Knoxville, TN
The Certified Tennis Court Builder articles for trade publications. Jonnie Deremo
(CTCB) Program was developed As of mid-January, there were General Acrylics Inc.
by the American Sports Builders 57 current CTCBs in North Phoenix, AZ
Association (ASBA) to help raise America. We’ve listed them here
Tom DeRosa
professional standards and to alphabetically by last name, but DeRosa Sports Construction
improve the practice of tennis court keep in mind that many court Mamaroneck, NY
construction and maintenance. builders travel and are not bound
To become a CTCB, a court by geographical or state lines. Barbara Dobbs
builder must pass a comprehensive To connect with any of these Dobbs Tennis Courts Inc.
Balch Springs, TX
exam on court construction and CTCBs, visit the ASBA website,
maintenance. He or she must also sportsbuilders.org. Colin Donovan
fulfill prescribed standards of If you are a sports builder, Renner Sports Surfaces
experience and have demonstrated consider becoming a CTCB and Denver, CO
a high level of expertise in tennis providing your customers, and
G. Marshall Dye
court construction. Builders potential customers, with that extra Court Makers Inc.
maintain their CTCB designation level of knowledge and experience. Marietta, GA
by showing documented proof of In some instances, bids for jobs
participation in industry-specific may require that a CTCB work on a Mike Edgerton
activities every three years in project. Sport-Tech Acrylics Corp.
Brewster, NY
order to prove they have remained Information is available at
up to date on construction and sportsbuilders.org regarding Tony Edwards
maintenance techniques, as well as taking the certification test, which Vintage Contractors Inc.
other issues affecting the industry. is offered throughout the year at San Francisco, CA
The ASBA offers a number of various locations and at related
John Eren
ways a CTCB can maintain their industry meetings. Classic Turf Company LLC
certification, such as attendance Woodbury, CT
at ASBA meetings (including its
Technical, Winter and Regional Tianna Flores
meetings), demonstrating Hellas Construction Inc.
Austin, TX
involvement in the industry
(including attending and speaking Derrick Gray
at meetings of both the ASBA as well Leslie Coatings Inc.
as other associations) and writing Indianapolis, IN

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COURT
CONSTRUCTION
& MAINTENANCE
2020 GUIDE
Matt Hale Greg Nichols Darrel Snyder

Halecon Inc. Premier Surface Solutions Inc. Mid American Courtworks
Bridgewater, NJ Tallahassee , FL Wichita, KS
Kevin Healion Jeffry Nichols John Sonner

Century Tennis Inc. American Tennis Courts Inc. Fast-Dry Courts
Deer Park, NY Mobile, AL Pompano Beach, FL
Mike Imbornone Herb Osburn George Stahlin

Signature Tennis Courts Inc. Tennis Courts Inc. Evergreen Tennis Courts
Woodstock, GA Aylett, VA Loveland, CO
Bryan Judd Barrett Park Scott Starman

Hellas Construction All Sport America Inc. Renner Sports Surfaces
Austin, TX Pacheco, CA Denver, CO
Michael Kingsbury Richard Phelan Matt Strom

Court Crafters Inc. Court Contractors Ltd. Leslie Coatings Inc.
Bracebridge, ON, Canada Mississauga, ON Canada Indianapolis, IN
Fred Kolkmann Gordy Pierce Jacin Sutch

Fred Kolkmann Tennis & Sport Surfaces Cape & Island Tennis & Track Sutch Concrete
Grafton, WI Pocasset , MA Spanish Fork, UT
Sean Larsen Mitch Pinkham George Todd Jr.

Parkin Construction Co. Multicon Inc. Welch Tennis Courts Inc.
Wood Cross, UT Wichita, KS Sun City, FL
Kevin Leach Michael Robinson Justan Vaughn

Altitude Athletic Surfaces Talbot Tennis McConnell & Associates Corp.
Highlands Ranch, CO Marietta, GA Kansas City, MO
Linn Lower JR Rockenfield Sal Vitale

Lower Bros. Co. Inc. McConnell & Associates Corp. Vee-Jay Cement Contracting
Birmingham, AL Kansas City, MO St. Louis, MO
Carla Magers Todd Rudolph Brian Wright

Gerald Perry Tennis Courts Elite Sports Builders Court One Inc.
Springfield, MO Phoenix, AZ Granite Quarry, NC
Bruce Mahler Troy Rudolph Steve Wright

Boston Tennis Court Construction Co. Inc. Elite Sports Builders Trans Texas Tennis Ltd.
Hanover, MA Phoenix, AZ Houston, TX
David Marsden Matt Savage Richard Zaino

Boston Tennis Court Construction Co. Inc. Vasco Sports Contractors Zaino Tennis Courts Inc.
Hanover, MA Massillon , OH Orange, CA
Michael McGrath Matt Schnitzler Gerry Wright

Talbot Tennis Hellas Construction Court One Inc.
Marietta, GA Austin, TX Youngsville, NC
Mike Mehaffey Bill Shaughnessy Jon Wright

McConnell & Associates Corp. Shaughnessy Sports Court One
Kansas City, MO Freehold , NJ Youngsville, NC
David Moore Pete Smith

Cape & Island Tennis & Track The CourtSMITHs
Pocasset , MA Toledo, OH

STRING
SELECTOR
2020 GUIDE
Whether you carry a hundred

different strings or just 10,
you want to be sure that your
string inventory has variety.
racquet stringers and technicians, it’s

hard to keep up with what is new, and
what old standards are still relevant.
But the USRSA’s online String Selector
Tool, available to USRSA members
at the RacquetTech.com website,
makes everything easier to sort out,
allowing you to compare all the strings
EQUIPMENT currently available, so you can provide
String Players
the best advice possible to your players.
Having access to the lab statistics
in our String Selector Tool will
help you sort through the myriad
choices and offer an apples to apples
With more than 1,000 strings comparison, so you can choose the
inventory that works best for your
in its database, the USRSA presents business. The goal is to provide your
customers with a solid variety of
the newest strings and specs. products that can meet their needs
and help them play their best.
The lab test numbers for each
By Bob Patterson string will give you and your
Chart compiled by David Bone customer a good indication of what a
new string has to offer, and will help
to eliminate having several strings
in your inventory that may be too
similar to each other. Whether you
We often use the analogy of the string itself is, of course, a vital carry a hundred different strings or
comparing a racquet to a car, with the component. just 10, you want to be sure that your
strings being the racquet’s “engine.” Today’s strings continue to evolve, string inventory has variety, so you
While there is a lot of technology as manufacturers tweak and innovate can meet the needs of a variety of
and ingenuity in racquet design, if it with new designs, materials and players and playing styles.
doesn’t have strings, it is useless. processes to provide an array of The chart on the following three
Going back almost 40 years, a strings to meet the varying needs of all pages nearly 200 strings that are
familiar USRSA motto still rings true: players. The sheer number of strings either new to the market or new to
SHUTTERSTOCK
A racquet will only play as well as it is can be overwhelming, even to the most our database. The complete database
strung. While many things contribute knowledgeable racquet technician. of more than 1,000 strings is available
to providing a well-strung racquet, We have more than 1,000 strings to USRSA members at RacquetTech.
such as expertise and equipment, in the current USRSA database. For com. We suggest reviewing both. •

2 0 2 0 S T R I N G S E L E C TO R : N E W E S T S T R I N G S I N T H E U S R S A DATA B A S E
Brand String Name / Gauge Material Nominal Diameter Stiffness (lbs.) Tension loss (lbs.)
1 - Alpha
MXT 15L Synthetic Gut Nylon 1.35 238 12.52
2 - Babolat
RPM Power 17 Polyester 1.25 268 14.44
3 - Clarke Distributing
Poly Power Pro 17 Polyester 1.25 277 16.23
Power Feel 16 Nylon & Polyamide 1.30 169 12.61
Synthetic Gut 16 Polyamide 1.30 212 12.21
4 - Diadem
Evolution 15L Polyamide 1.35 227 12.64
Evolution 17 Polyamide 1.25 204 13.16
Solstice Power 15L Polyester 1.35 323 15.92
Solstice Power 16L Polyester 1.25 283 13.56
5 - Dunlop
Comfort Pro 16 Nylon 1.34 164 10.30
Comfort Pro 17 Nylon 1.28 157 9.28
Explosive Red 16 Polyester 1.30 202 14.95
Explosive Red 17 Polyester 1.25 193 16.39
Explosive Spin 16 Polyester 1.30 315 11.25
Explosive Spin 17 Polyester 1.25 329 11.95
Silk Pro 16 Nylon 1.32 145 10.92
Silk Pro 17 Nylon 1.27 138 11.36
"Na" denotes that we did not receive the string in time for testing for publication; however, new strings are added to the usrsa database at racquettech.com as soon as we receive them.
Silk Spin 16 Nylon 1.34 187 11.11

Silk Spin 17 Nylon 1.28 197 12.06
6 - Forten
Competition Nylon 16 Nylon 1.30 269 12.64
7- Gamma
TNT2 Fat Core XL 16 Nylon 1.32 225 11.82
TNT2 Fat Core XL 17 Nylon 1.27 217 10.52
8 - Genesis
Hexonic Power 16L Polyester 1.27 313 15.77
Hexonic Power 17L Polyester 1.23 290 14.84
Hexonic Power 18 Polyester 1.18 278 14.95
Spyder Super 8 by H.H. 16 Polyester 1.30 283 17.01
White Magic 16 Polyester 1.30 278 15.37
White Magic 17 Polyester 1.25 277 14.84
Zero Gravity Synthetic Gut 16 Nylon 1.30 220 10.78
9 - Gosen
G Spin 3 17 Polyester 1.23 244 17.53
G Tour 3 16L Polyester 1.28 269 15.67
Polylon 18 Polyester 1.20 275 18.12
10 - Head
Hawk Touch 16 Polyester 1.30 301 14.16
Lynx Tour 16 Co-Polyester 1.30 314 14.62
Lynx Tour 17 Co-Polyester 1.25 299 15.08
11 - Kirschbaum
Xplosive Speed 1.20 18 Co-Polyester 1.20 175 17.79
12 - Klip
Legend 15 Natural Gut 1.40 131 8.03
Legend 15L Natural Gut 1.35 124 7.40
Legend 17 Uncoated Natural Gut 1.25 109 7.08
Legend 18 Natural Gut 1.20 107 7.05
Legend Tour 16 Natural Gut 1.30 128 7.54
Legend Tour 17 Natural Gut 1.25 115 7.80
13 - Laserfibre
Edge 16 Co-Polyester 1.29 174 20.71
JB Tour 16 Co-Polyester NA NA NA
JB Tour 17 Co-Polyester NA NA NA
Laser 1200 16 Thermoplastic Polyurethane 1.30 139 18.06
Laser Edge 17 Co-Polyester 1.24 180 19.82
Laser Rev 16 Co-Polyester NA NA NA
Laser Smooth 16 Co-Polyester 1.28 189 21.54
Laser Smooth 17 Co-Polyester NA NA NA
Native Tour 17 Co-Polyester 1.25 177 28.07
Supreme 2.0 17 Thermoplastic Polyurethane 1.25 142 15.97
14 - Luxilon
Element 130 Rough 16 Polyester NA NA NA
15 - Mayami
Big Spin 1.25 Polyester 1.25 247 17.18
Hepta Power 1.24 Polyester 1.24 268 14.53
Hit Pro 1.25 Polyester 1.25 257 21.90

2 0 2 0 S T R I N G S E L E C TO R : N E W E S T S T R I N G S I N T H E U S R S A DATA B A S E
Hit Pro 1.30 Polyester 1.30 269 23.50

Magic Twist 1.25 Polyester 1.25 259 16.92
Tour Hex 1.23 Polyester 1.23 290 14.93
16 - MSV
Co Ultra 16 Polyester 1.30 282 15.31
Co Ultra 16L Polyester 1.25 266 17.07
Co Ultra 17 Polyester 1.20 237 18.66
Multi Q10 16 Polyamide 1.30 181 12.00
PolyNyKing 16 Polyester & Polyamide 1.30 193 11.16
PolyNyKing 16L Polyester & Polyamide 1.25 186 11.14
Spin Plus 16 Polyamide 1.30 220 12.88
Tecnora 100 19 Aramid 1.10 408 14.18
Titanium 16 Polyamide 1.30 221 13.78
17 - Pacific
ChampTour 1.25 16L Polyester 1.25 295 16.01
Classic Gut 15L Natural Gut 1.35 170 8.95
FTX 1.28 16L Nylon & Polyamide 1.28 211 11.88
NXS Supreme 1.23 17 Thermoplastic Polyurethane 1.23 195 11.34
NXS Supreme 1.33 16 Thermoplastic Polyurethane 1.33 204 12.22
Powercraft 1.20 17 Kevlar-Aramid 1.20 426 12.41
Powercraft 1.30 16 Kevlar-Aramid 1.30 435 12.46
Prime Gut 15L Natural Gut 1.35 115 8.51
Spin 6 Power 1.32 16 Nylon 1.32 216 13.85
SPX 1.28 16L Thermoplastic Polyurethane 1.28 205 13.51
SPX 1.33 16 Thermoplastic Polyurethane 1.33 223 12.52
18- Polyfibre
Black Venom 1.15 Polyester 1.15 251 22.29
Black Venom 1.20 Polyester 1.20 246 22.54
Black Venom Rough 1.30 Polyester 1.30 247 24.63
Evolution 1.20 Polyester 1.20 278 23.09
Hexablade 1.20 Polyester 1.20 266 24.10
Hightec Premium 1.15 Polyester 1.15 248 21.32
Viper 1.15 Polyester 1.15 253 21.08
19 - Prince
Perfection 16 Nylon 1.30 152 18.50
Perfection 17 Nylon 1.25 147 17.59
Tour XR 16 Polyester 1.30 304 21.30
Tour XR 17 Polyester 1.25 293 19.34
Vortex 18 Polyester 1.20 270 19.07
Vortex Triad 16 Polyester 1.30 291 19.07
Vortex Triad 17 Polyester 1.25 302 16.00
20 - Robin Soderling
RS Lyon 120 17L Polyester 1.20 187 16.78
RS Lyon 125 17 Polyester 1.25 210 17.57
RS New York Multifilament 16 Nylon 1.30 152 12.24
RS Paris Octagon 17 Polyester 1.25 222 12.30
21 - Signum Pro
Fibercore 1.30 16 Polyurethane 1.30 182 12.55
Outbreak 1.30 16 Co-Polyester 1.30 252 18.46
Plasma Hextreme 1.20 18 Co-Polyester 1.20 260 16.27
Plasma Hextreme Pure 1.20 18 Co-Polyester 1.20 259 17.27
Plasma Mega Force 1.19 18 Co-Polyester 1.19 275 17.13
Tornado 1.29 16 Co-Polyester 1.29 270 18.22
Triton 1.18 18 Co-Polyester 1.18 223 22.56
X Perience 1.18 18 Co-Polyester 1.18 240 18.92
Yellow Jacket 1.22 17 Co-Polyester 1.22 270 16.73
22 - Snauwaert
Black Beam 15L Co-Polyester 1.35 272 16.67
23 - Solinco
X Natural 16 Nylon & Polyurethane 1.30 206 13.63
24 - Tecnifibre
HDMX 15L Thermoplastic Polyurethane 1.35 162 8.88
HDMX 16 Thermoplastic Polyurethane 1.30 150 9.26
HDMX 17 Thermoplastic Polyurethane 1.25 137 10.16
Ice Code 16 Polyester 1.30 225 19.23
Multi Feel 16 Thermoplastic Polyurethane 1.30 166 10.58
Multi Feel 17 Thermoplastic Polyurethane 1.25 155 10.21

25 - Tier One Sports

Ghost Wire 19 Co-Polyester 1.10 146 23.77
26 - Toalson
Acestar 1.20 17L/17L (Cross) Nylon 1.20 198 12.88
Acestar 1.20 17L/17L (Main) Nylon 1.20 170 14.62
Asterista 120 17L Nylon 1.20 197 14.24
Asterista 125 17 Nylon 1.25 195 12.19
Asterista 130 16 Nylon 1.30 206 12.44
Asterista Metal 125 17 Nylon 1.25 193 13.29
Asterista Metal 127 Rainbow Edition 16L Nylon 1.27 201 12.79
Asterista Metal 130 16 Nylon 1.30 203 12.96
HD Aster Poly 125 17 Co-Polyester 1.25 288 16.03
HD Aster Poly 130 16 Co-Polyester 1.30 307 14.97
Laser 125 17 Polyester 1.25 302 18.94
Laser 130 16 Polyester 1.30 306 19.55
Mugen 125 17 Nylon 1.25 198 12.92
Mugen 130 16 Nylon 1.30 202 14.58
Profocus 125 17 Co-Polyester 1.25 249 19.73
Profocus 130 16 Co-Polyester 1.30 270 18.50
Rencon Devil Spin 125 17 Polyester 1.25 263 17.13
Rencon Devil Spin 130 16 Polyester 1.30 294 14.62
Splagauge 125 17 Nylon 1.25 195 14.13
Splagauge 130 16 Nylon 1.30 202 16.51
T8 125 17 Nylon 1.25 178 18.96
T8 130 16 Nylon 1.30 192 14.11
27 - Tourna
Big Hitter Black 7 18 Co-Polyester 1.20 204 15.12
Big Hitter Blue 18 Co-Polyester 1.20 194 18.70
Big Hitter Blue Rough 18 Co-Polyester 1.20 165 20.31
Big Hitter Deuce 16 Co-Polyester 1.30 189 20.28
Big Hitter Deuce 17 Co-Polyester 1.25 181 21.34
Big Hitter Silver 18 Co-Polyester 1.20 192 15.02
Big Hitter Silver 7 Tour 16 Co-Polyester 1.30 216 12.63
Big Hitter Silver 7 Tour 17 Co-Polyester 1.25 198 13.41
Big Hitter Silver Rough 18 Co-Polyester 1.20 183 15.12
Big Red 18 Co-Polyester 1.20 183 13.69
Black Zone 18 Co-Polyester 1.20 198 15.94
Grit 16 Co-Polyester 1.30 287 15.39
Grit 18 Co-Polyester 1.20 136 22.95
28 - Volkl
Cyclone 15L Polyester 1.35 316 13.29
Power Fiber Pro 16 Polyamide with Co-polymer coating 1.30 142 11.56
V Square 16 Polyester 1.30 203 19.69
V Star 18 Polyester 1.20 251 20.44
V Torque Tour 16 Polyester 1.30 252 16.18
V Twist 16 Nylon 1.30 183 12.44
29 - Wilson
NXT Soft 16 Nylon NA NA NA
Revolve Twist 16 Crosslink Ester Polymer & UHMW NA NA NA
Revolve Twist 17 Crosslink Ester Polymer & UHMW NA NA NA
Sensation Plus 16 Nylon NA NA NA
Sensation Plus 17 Nylon NA NA NA
30 - Yonex
Dynawire 125 16L Nylon 1.25 151 14.37
Dynawire 130 16 Nylon 1.30 171 10.43
Polytour Air 125 16L Polyester 1.25 157 22.73
Polytour Fire 130 16 Polyester 1.30 181 21.06
PolyTour Pro 115 18 Polyester 1.15 213 24.25
Polytour Tough 125 16L Polyester 1.25 180 24.85
Rexis 125 16L Nylon 1.25 129 19.14
Rexis 130 16 Nylon 1.30 137 18.55
31 - Ytex
Hexagon X 1.25 16L Co-Polyester 1.25 303 13.12
Hexagon X 1.28 16 Co-Polyester 1.28 320 12.81
Pentapower 1.28 16L Co-Polyester 1.28 278 14.99
Polyspin 16L Polyester 1.27 284 18.99
Protour 1.18 17L Co-Polyester 1.18 272 16.15
Protour 1.28 16 Co-Polyester 1.28 287 17.53
Protour 1.30 16 Co-Polyester 1.30 302 15.61
Triangle Twisted 1.28 16L Co-Polyester 1.28 259 18.17

Selling for Success
prospective buyer, where money,
or something considered to have
monetary value, is exchanged for goods
or services. For tennis professionals, it’s
essential that they believe the service
they are providing is worth the fee
being charged.
Our product—the sport of tennis—is
one of the greatest products available
for active, healthy and engaged
lifestyles. Tennis professionals need to
be eager, comfortable and confident in
keeping their students involved.
I’ve worked with dozens of tennis
professionals for more than 30 years,
and in my experience, about a third
of tennis pros are confident in what
they are charging and are not afraid to
ask their customer to close the deal so
they can continue as players in their
programs or at their facility. However,
another one-third hesitate because
they are uncomfortable in this process,
and the final one-third simply will not
FACILITY MANAGEMENT ask players for the next lesson because
Product Placement they either do not know how to, or they

believe they may offend them.
In the first installment of our series on Why Play Tennis?

Why should a customer buy a product
‘selling’ tennis, we focus on customers’ or service, such as tennis? Some of the
reasons include:
awareness of this sport’s benefits.
• To become more healthy or fit
By Greg Lappin Numerous studies show tennis is the
best activity for physical health. It’s a
great cardiovascular workout and can
build muscle density as well as muscle
strength. It can increase flexibility.
E
Since a player moves in all planes,
tennis improves balance and can
very business must sell to players through good selling skills is decrease the risk of falls. The sport is
survive, if not thrive. critical. Most tennis professionals, mentally engaging and great for mental
During the tennis boom though, don’t feel comfortable selling acuity.
of the 1970s and ’80s, themselves or their programs. Many We do not do a good enough job
retaining a player wasn’t tennis desk staff are not trained on how of promoting the health benefits of
that crucial, since there were many to sell a membership or programs. tennis! This should be well understood
more waiting to take his or her place if In our “Selling for Success” series by every pro and mentioned often to
another player dropped out of the game. of articles, we will provide a clear and students. Every facility should display
But today, the marketplace is comprehensive selling program that the “Ten Reasons to Play Tennis” (see
much different. People wishing to be can be understood and implemented by playtennis.com/live/ and download
active have a tremendous variety of club and facility staff. Follow our tips “Health Benefits of Tennis.”)
fitness choices. Simultaneously, the and advice, and you’ll see higher profits
percentage of the population that is for your business. • Increase status and prestige
becoming inactive is increasing quickly. Everyone wants to gain admiration
Current tennis customers are Selling Our ‘Product’ from their friends, neighbors
searching for a quality experience. This may sound basic, but “selling” and family members. People love
Therefore, retaining all tennis is a transaction between a seller and compliments and being recognized

Keeping your courts filled
consistently depends on
how effective you and
your staff are at "selling"
tennis, both to current and
potential players.
Additional reasons people play the

sport include enjoying the competition;
losing weight; meeting friends and
making new friends; making business
contacts; creating family time by
playing with your children, siblings and
other relatives; and offering a new and
safe activity for children.
Ask questions of your players
and potential customers to gain an
understanding of which of these
benefits are important to them. Tennis
professionals need to understand the
The biggest make-or-break factor for successful selling unmet needs of their players, and then
is to understand that you are selling the benefits of tennis, be able to explain which of the many
benefits can fulfill, meet and supersede
not just tennis as a sport. their wishes. Create that match and you
have a successful and profitable tennis
program—along with repeat customers.
But also, for yourself, matching the
for the things they do. Tennis can help or running on a treadmill are isolating benefits of tennis to the player will
customers accomplish this. activities. Tennis is the perfect sport for create a positive and lasting experience.
reward and rejuvenation. As a tennis pro, realize that your players
• Personal growth & transformation are stepping on the court to affect a
Personal growth is showing your • Fun positive lifestyle experience. This is
customers how to become the No one ever said, “It is too much fun. I what makes being a tennis professional
player they want to be. Personal won’t do it again.” We don’t have to the a fun and meaningful career.
transformation is showing your reinvent the wheel to emphasize the
customers how to become something fun of tennis—games and drills abound. In future articles in this series, we’ll
bigger than they’ve ever thought Use what’s out there and what works provide a comprehensive selling
possible. Show your customers the for your clients. And when possible, put program for you and your staff to help
shortest path possible to becoming your signature on them and create a fun bring in and retain players.
the player they want to be, through and engaging environment!
professional training and good
programming, and it will be the easiest Changing Lifestyles Greg Lappin is a
sale you’ve ever closed. I can’t emphasize this enough for all highly respected tennis
tennis professionals: You are not in the and athletic club
• Prestige tennis business. You are in the positive developer, manager
Ask yourself: What are you doing to lifestyle change business. and owner. He has
make your players and prospects feel The biggest make-or-break factor for won many awards for
like they are at the best place by doing successful selling is to understand that tennis programming,
business with you? you are selling the benefits of tennis, club operations and
not just tennis as a sport. Players design. Greg has been a presenter at
• Socialization and camaraderie participate and stick with the sport for many IHRSA, USPTA, PTR, ATP, WTA,
We are social creatures. Pumping iron the benefits tennis can bring them. TIA and USTA conferences.

AskTheExperts
When mounting a racquet,
adjust the supports using
only two fingers.
Less Shock or
More Power?
Q: One of the questions on the USRSA
Certification Test says that a softer
string will generally generate less
shock. If all other things remain
equal, shouldn’t the answer be “more
power,” too? The reason I ask is in the
Racquet Professional Study Guide, it
says that natural gut, which is a soft
string, adds more power.
Racquet Breakage A: First, on the multiple-choice

questions in our certification exams we
During Stringing are looking for the most correct answer.
Sometimes one or more of the provided
Q: I’ve had several racquets break If you read most stringing machine answers are correct, but only one is the
at 12 o’clock, right in between the manuals, the instructions will say most correct. The answer we are looking
middle two mains. I was using an something like, “Adjust support for in this case is C: Less shock and more
older six-point machine and thought to touch the racquet, but don’t power.
it might be causing the problem, so overtighten.” Racquets are designed to Here’s our thinking: The reduction in
I used that as an excuse to get a new “breathe” during the stringing process. shock seen in softer strings is obvious.
Wilson Baiardo, but I am still having You have this hoop of composite Power is often increased with softer
the problem. Have you heard of other material that on appearance may strings, as well, because the “apparent
people having this issue? seem fragile, but is designed to hold an coefficient of restitution”—or ACOR—
enormous load from the accumulated of the string is higher than that of the
A: Since the problem has been tension of the string being installed. tennis ball; with the greater movement of
consistent and with two different However, if the machine vise restricts the softer string, the ACOR of the string
machines, it appears that the issue is the frame from adapting as designed comes more into play.
being caused by something you are, to the stringing load, stress occurs. Hence, where with a stiffer string the
or aren’t, doing during the stringing This is often evident when a frame that ball would compress more and the string
process. Generally, breaks at 12 o’clock is designed for the cross strings to be would stretch less, with a softer string,
are related to a mounting issue. This installed from the top down is strung the string stretches more and the ball
can occur from mounting the racquet bottom up. The load variation is not compresses less. This trade-off means
too tightly, especially if your machine something the frame is designed to you get more restitution of energy from
has an internal mount at 12 o’clock, as withstand, and it will fatigue, whether the strings and less from the ball. And
many modern machines do. But it can immediately or over a short time. because the strings have a higher ACOR
also occur if the racquet is mounted When you mount the frame, adjust than the ball, you get more power.
too loosely, and the racquet is not fully the supports using only two fingers. The You can’t ignore the reduction in
supported when tension is applied. supports should snug up to the frame shock, though, because the impact
Since you describe the damage as and support it, but should not stretch signature is different with a softer string,
occurring between the two center or deform it in any way. Please note as well. A similar combination happens
grommets, I suspect overtightening is that some frames with angled interior with lowering tension, for the same
SHUTTERSTOCK
the culprit. Machine vises, especially profiles need to have an H-shaped reason.
six-point mounts like the Baiardo, are adapter to spread the load at 12 o’clock
designed to fully support the frame to prevent this type of damage, even We welcome your questions. Email them
during the stringing process. under perfect conditions. to bob@racquettech.com.

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OFFICIAL YOUTH TENNIS OF THE USTA © 2019 USTA. All rights reserved.
YourServe
With UTR, each dual match
score is verified, and players
earn a rating without having
to leave their school district.
UTR, players get credit for their high
school performance. Having a UTR
measure means high school players,
their coaches and college coaches can
track individual and team progress, and
can even help in obtaining college tennis
scholarships and financial aid.
For example, Texas high school tennis
player Isaac Grantham didn’t play USTA
matches because he and his family
could not afford the time and financial
commitment required to travel. But his
INDUSTRY GROWTH high school matches counted for UTR, so
Isaac was noticed by college coaches and
School Connections received a full scholarship to play NAIA
Division tennis.
UTR can be a game-changer for high With UTR, each dual match score is
a verified match (like an ITF or USTA
school teams, students and families, match), and high school players earn
a rating without having to leave their
school district. Coaches can enter
as well as for this industry. their team challenge match scores
to help give new players a UTR. This
By Gretchen Tuchscherer new rating may inspire varsity and
JV players to play more, because all
I
college coaches can find them. The
opportunity to play for a college simply
by playing high school tennis may help
f we can make high school tennis why so many student-athletes choose retain young players.
more impactful, it might be the other sports instead of tennis. High school players also can inspire
spark we need to grow the game. But there is an opportunity that can students in middle and elementary
Competitive junior tennis bring players and families back to the school. More kids will want to take group
isn’t just a challenge for young game, and possibly make tennis more or private lessons year-round because
players, but it also can be a challenge affordable and accessible—UTR for High high school tennis is part of the bigger
for their families. Between the costs School players. UTR is a global rating tennis ecosystem. For tennis pros, this
of travel, tournament fees, food, system that measures players across age, will mean more business.
equipment, time off from work or school, gender and location on the same system, UTR for high school players helps
and many other expenses, raising a and is used by college tennis coaches for students, of course, but also their
competitive junior player can be a huge recruiting. Thousands of high school families, tennis programming and
financial burden. I know this struggle tennis teams have used UTR to get their pros. It can be a game-changer for this
firsthand, as the parent of a competitive school matches to count. industry. •
junior who has achieved his dream of UTR for high school teams was not
playing Division I college tennis and is available when my kids played. Had it Gretchen Tuchscherer is a tennis player and
now finishing up his senior year. been, it could have relieved a lot of the tennis parent and formerly worked with
Had my kids not come from an en- financial stress for me, and I’m certain the TIA and Universal Tennis, where she led
SHUTTERSTOCK
high school engagement. Visit MyUTR.com.

thusiastic tennis family who worked in my second son would have continued
this industry, we most likely would never playing tennis after high school and into
have made it as far as we did. With high college today. Email opinions and comments to
costs and demanding travel, I understand When a high school tennis team is on info@tennisindustrymag.com.

March 2020
Help is on the way

CEO John Embree P. 42
Aaron Kolz :
A PTM success story P. 47
PTM Programs
For a lifelong career in tennis P. 49
01132019_Addvantage_March.indd 41 1/27/2020 10:13:33 AM

USPTA From the CEO
Help Is On The Way

John R. Embree, USPTA CEO
A s I travel the country, I am often

asked what keeps me up at night.
Oh, there are plenty of complex
golf world cannot be denied.
Professional Tennis Management
programs tout similar success.
in tennis. If each coach identifies one
player from their team – just one –
that is passionate about tennis, wants
problems that we face as an Association, Nationwide, PTM programs have a to work with people and be a leader
but this is easy for me to answer. Tennis- nearly 100% job placement rate! These in their community, it would have a
teaching professionals are getting graduates enter the industry full of HUGE impact on the future of our
older, and we need young, exciting energy and expertise, and if they can sport. It doesn’t even have to be the
professionals to reinvigorate our sport. provide a positive experience, their best player on the team!
I sleep a little easier, though, knowing players will become “lifers.” Once they graduate from a PTM
that we are on the right path to tackling Such an outstanding job placement school, these young professionals are
these issues. rate is a testament to the success of better trained and more educated
It is no secret that the average age of the programs and their graduates and than the pros before them. They will
our members and of tennis-teaching of the demand for these graduates in be USPTA-certified and prepared
professionals in general is 50 years the marketplace. Credit the USTA-U, to take on the industry from the
old. Nor is it a secret that we have a under the direction of Scott Schultz, ground up. That’s when we can really
shortage of qualified tennis-teaching for encouraging more colleges and make a difference in their careers.
professionals that can deliver tennis universities to add PTM to their It will be up to us to give them the
in such a way that will keep people academic offerings. There are now 11 competencies and opportunities to
engaged and make tennis the “sport of PTM programs across the country, explore the various career paths our
their lifetime.” We get calls all the time with more on the horizon. Still, sport has to offer: a high school or
from club managers who cannot find PTM programs today only have 150 college coach, a director of tennis or a
teaching professionals with the skillset students enrolled. club general manager, running a parks
to fill the role of director of tennis. The key, then, is making sure these and recreation department, work for a
We also hear from directors that have classes are full of excited tennis manufacturer or even a USTA section
difficulty securing the services of staff students. To do this, I have embarked on or district office.
professionals that are eager to learn, a journey in the first quarter of 2020 to The possibilities are endless; we just
show good customer service and want to seven different state high school tennis need to give these future professionals
make teaching tennis their profession. coaches association conventions (many a nudge in the right direction.
To those managers and directors, of which are being held in conjunction To me, there is no more vital
rest assured, and keep your doors open. with USPTA division conferences) to mission than to create a pipeline of
Help is on the way. raise awareness of PTM programs and enthusiastic, polished professionals
We can take a lesson from the incredible career potential they that will leave their mark on our sport.
Professional Golf Management can provide. Join me on this mission. Recruit the
programs. Roughly 1,750 students are But this cannot be done alone. As best and the brightest to join our ranks
enrolled in 18 PGM programs across with nearly everything we do as an so I can sleep a bit better at night
the country, with almost 450 aspiring Association, we are relying on our knowing that our great game will be in
professionals joining the ranks as new members, particularly high school better hands in the years to come. If
graduates every year. The success of coaches, to raise awareness and you are interested in PTM, visit
these programs and their impact in the encourage players to consider a career www.uspta.com/ptm*
42 - ADDvantage Magazine — March 2020

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20-0146_US_ADDvantage_Magazine_March_Print_Ad_1625x10875_TE_FNL.indd 1
1/21/20 11:08 AM
USPTA Vice President’s Message
“Nearly all men can stand adversity,
but if you want to test a man’s character,
give him power.”
– Abraham Lincoln
“The greatest leader is not necessarily
the one who does the greatest things.
He is the one that gets people to do the
greatest things.”
Leadership: – Ronald Reagan
“If your actions inspire others to
The Time is Now dream more, learn more, do more, and
become more, you are a leader.”
Lane Evans, USPTA Vice President – John Quincy Adams
Not bad advice from some well-
A s I moved up the ladder of

leadership positions in the USPTA
in my 30-plus years as a member, I
tremendous responsibility to the tennis
world. It must navigate many issues
and make critical decisions regarding
known leaders.
I have always considered myself a
club members’ pro that will always
always dreamed of the day when I could the future of the organization. USTA work on their behalf, because it is not,
serve our organization at its highest accreditation is a prime example. This and will never be, about me. I’d like to
level, the USPTA Board of Directors. is a very complex process with many think I’m a USPTA members’ board
Shortly after learning of my moving parts and many people involved member, too. I want to know what you
appointment, CEO John Embree called – more than most would think. want from the USPTA because you are
to congratulate me and assure me that Throughout that process, the Board what matters. I get calls all the time
my leadership would be counted on as had to do what was best for all USPTA from USPTA members from across the
we move into a new year with many new members. Indeed, the Board must do country to voice their concerns. It has
challenges. His words brought to mind what is best for all of us in everything always been my pleasure to take these
the Peter Parker principle of the great it does. calls and address their concerns; now it
Stan Lee: “With great power comes great Understanding the magnitude of this is my solemn promise.
responsibility.” Those are strong words. appointment, I consulted a few experts Serving on the USPTA Board of
The USPTA Board of Directors is a on leadership that you may have heard Directors is a serious responsibility.
very powerful tennis entity that has of in my research for this article. Our industry is constantly changing,
and we must continue to keep pace with
USPTA
and affect how those changes impact

our members and our sport. It is up
to all of us to do this, but as a board
member, I feel a special duty to uphold.
We, as an Association, need to decide
what we want to be. There is leadership
greatness in all of us. Let’s find that
greatness and move forward together as
a team, paving the way forward for the
USPTA and the tennis industry as we
head into a new decade.
Finally, I want you to know you
always have ears at the board level that
will listen to your thoughts and ideas.
We will always support you. As a USPTA
Tester, this is one of the main ideas I
convey to new applicants at every test.
The USPTA Board of Directors ( left to right): Bill Mountford, Mark Faber, Rich We’re here for you. We’re glad you’re
Slivocka, Feisal Hassan, Gary Trost, Trish Faulkner, Jason Gilbert, Lane Evans here with us. *

USPTA
PTM Prepared Aaron Kolz for

Life On and Off the Court
Lucas Casás, USPTA Communications
W hen Aaron Kolz was in high
Gino Recchia
school, he had a decision to make.
He was weighing his career options
and saw two choices. The first was
inspired by his history teacher, a
Vietnam veteran who was “so warm-
hearted and wanting to be there
for his students.” The second was
to follow his father’s footsteps into
coaching tennis.
Both offered the opportunity to
work with kids and impact their lives.
A schoolteacher touches the lives
of more kids on a daily basis, but it’s
hard to relate to students that don’t
necessarily want to be there. On
the tennis court, though, “kids are
coming because they want to come.
They’re going to be more likely to
open up and communicate about how and how it affects the community, to Master Professional Jay Massart,
their day is,” he said. me as a third grader, that’s what made who was the director of tennis at the
Tennis had always been a part me think this is what I want to do.” Milwaukee Country Club.
of Kolz’s life. His father Mike, a “He was very professional,”
longtime high school coach and Learning to swim Massart said. “You could tell that he
parks & rec director just outside in the deep end had been taught through his father
Milwaukee, started taking him to the At Ferris, Kolz immersed himself and through the PTM program. He
courts for practice when he was about in the game. He was below a 4.0 was always there early, always had
4 or 5, and he grew up hitting on local rating as a player, so he was expected a lesson plan, he took our club’s
courts with his younger brothers. to be on-court between 10 and 15 students very seriously.”
So when it came time to make the hours a week to hone his skills. He Still, Kolz showed his youth.
decision, he chose the court over connected with some guys on the And at Milwaukee Country Club,
the classroom and enrolled in the Bulldogs men’s team and started “expectations are high,” Massart said.
Professional Tennis Management hitting with them at 6 o’clock in One day, he pulled Kolz aside for a
program at Ferris State University the morning. reality check.
in Michigan. “We would probably hit two or “You’re not an intern,” Kolz
In truth, his decision wasn’t all that three times a week, then I would remembered Massart telling him.
hard. In fact, in a way, he had already drill for three hours, then I would go “You’re working here, you’re on my
made it. He was in the third grade and play a match,” Kolz said. “I was on- staff, you’re going to do the things
it was Career Day. court five to six days a week.” that are expected of you. You’re in the
“Seeing what my dad did and how The PTM program at Ferris real world, so you can’t rely on school
much fun he had on the court, to me offered credit to students that for help.
that’s what I wanted to do,” Kolz said. completed an internship at a club, “With him, it was learning to swim
“Seeing a role of what your parents do so Kolz reached out to USPTA in the deep end,” Kolz said.
March 2020 — ADDvantage Magazine - 47

USPTA
Kolz worked for Massart for two
Gino Recchia
summers during his time at Ferris.
But he wasn’t progressing through
the curriculum on schedule and
started getting burned out from
school, so he took a year and a half off
and worked as an assistant coach at
Elite Sports Club in Milwaukee.
“I didn’t know how to ask questions
and go to professors,” he said. “It was
the learning of it’s okay to say you
need help. When I took that year and
a half off, I started practicing that.
I would ask my director, how can I
get better? What is the expectation?
That’s when I really started to grow as
a teaching pro.”
He took a U10 travel team to
a Midwest junior team tennis
tournament and placed in the top five. Kolz (middle) with two students at the Green Bay Tennis Center in Wisconsin.
“After seeing the interaction for
that weekend of the kids with myself, offer PTM – is that students become He took a job at River Place Club
I thought that was a true calling,” Kolz USPTA Professionals. in Austin, where he worked under
said. “This is what I’m meant to do.” “I didn’t feel prepared to just go Beverly Bowes, a USPTA Elite
Invigorated, he enrolled at Tyler take the USPTA exam by myself,” Professional and former WTA top-
Junior College in Texas to complete Kolz said. “I wanted to go through 100 player. Kolz said she taught him
his PTM degree. the PTM program because one of the to be more flexible and “how to be a
things all the schools do is they walk good country club pro.”
“That beats any paycheck” you through the entire exam and how Homesick, he then moved to
A graduation requirement of PTM to prepare yourself for it.” Oshkosh, Wis., where he was the head
programs across the country – 11 Kolz never lost sight of the value pro at the YMCA. A few years later,
colleges and universities currently of applying what he learned in the an old boss invited him to the Green
classroom on the court. So when he Bay Tennis Center to be a staff pro
Gino Recchia
arrived in Texas, he started working and the 10U director. He says he feels
at the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch valued as a coach, “and having that
in New Braunfels. Monday through beats any paycheck.”
Friday, he was a student. On Friday “The one thing PTM helped me out
afternoon, he would drive nearly 300 with the most is understanding that
miles to Newk’s, work the weekend, education is foremost in the sense of
and drive back Sunday night. once you’re done taking your exam,
“It’s one thing to teach your peers,” you’re only as good as the last thing
he said, “but to be able to put the you remember,” he said. “You need
practice into going off and actually to continue to find material to learn
teaching an eight-hour weekend for how to be a better pro because you
random guests at one of the most can always be replaced. [The value
well-known resorts for tennis, that’s of ] education was one of the biggest
a different animal. That’s making things Ferris and Tyler instilled
sure you’re on your A-game the in me. The other was the ability to
entire weekend.” network. The more you network, the
Kolz earned his associate’s degree more people you have that can help
in PTM from Tyler in May 2016. you progress in your career.”*

USPTA
Professional Tennis Management

Programs
Are you interested in a

career in tennis? Are you
a teaching professional
looking to advance your
career to the next level?
Countless clubs and facilities Berry College Bridgewater State University Ferris State University
Mount Berry, GA Bridgewater, MA Big Rapids, MI
nationwide have high
www.berry.edu www.bridgew.edu www.ferris.edu
demand for young, qualified
tennis professionals to fill
roles including director of
tennis and general manager,
and Professional Tennis
Management can help you
get there!
Eleven colleges and Hope College Manhattanville College Methodist University

universities currently Holland, MI Purchase, NY Fayetteville, NC
offer USTA-accredited www.hope.edu www.mville.edu www.methodist.edu
certificate, undergraduate
and graduate PTM programs.
These programs focus on
areas of hospitality, sports
management and exercise
science to provide students
with the expertise to be
well-rounded professionals
in the field. They also offer Ohio University San Diego State University Tyler Junior College
invaluable networking and Athens, OH San Diego, CA Tyler, TX
www.ohio.edu www.sdsu.edu www.tjc.edu
internship opportunities
that have resulted in a nearly
100% job placement rate.
If you’re interested in
studying Professional Tennis
Management, check out any
of these programs across the
country! * University of Central Florida Queens College – CUNY
Orlando, FL Queens, NY
www.ucf.edu www.qc.cuny.edu

USPTA From the CEO
Travel With Your Members!

Hans Römer, USPTA Master Professional
(Left to right) USPTA

Master Professional
Hans Römer with Elite
Professionals Kie Foreman
and Sam Garcia.
D on’t you love hearing this? “Please

stow your carry-on luggage
underneath the seat in front of you or in
stepping out of your comfort zone. Isn’t
that exactly what we teach our students/
members as well? By actually traveling
an overhead bin, and please fasten your with your members, you create the
seat belt for takeoff.” Some people do not ultimate win-win situation by talking the
like flying, but I do. Flying means arriving talk, and walking the walk!
somewhere else, which means exploring As a Director of Tennis for several years
new cultures, tasting different foods, at clubs in California, Florida and New
experiencing different environments England, I have been fortunate to serve
and meeting new people. Flying means memberships that have supported me
receiving the traditional small bag of tremendously in events, fundraisers and
peanuts! Basically, it comes down to trips. Or does my dedicated staff deserve
ADDvantage Magazine
50 - ADDvantage Magazine——March
March2020
2020 Hans Romer

Hans Romer
USPTA
USPTA members can enjoy so much more than just tennis on a trip with Tennis Ventures.
a little credit for promoting and there’s more to talk about than just members abroad to a Grand Slam.
executing all these initiatives... tennis, and that is exactly what creates Flying, dining, playing tennis and
Providing your membership with and strengthens your connection with watching the top players compete is
creative programming that includes your membership. the ultimate bonding experience. I
exciting events, tournaments, The next step would be taking a have been on three of these trips with
mixers, ladders and round robins group of juniors and/or adults, to a Tennis Ventures. Owners Chadwick
is a fundamental part of your job professional ATP or WTA tournament, and Camilla Byrd have been doing
description. And if you meet, and or Davis Cup/Fed Cup tie – assuming this successfully for 10 years and have
hopefully exceed, the expectations of that you are fortunate enough that your taken hundreds of people to Australia,
your membership and management, facility is within a reasonable distance England, France and Italy. These trips
you have established your own job to the venue. Many tournaments offer include watching Grand Slam tennis
security. Is that it? Or is there room for great packages for larger groups and matches with splendid five-star hotels,
a little more icing on the cake? even the USPTA now offers its members fine dining and instructional tennis
Yes, there is, by traveling with your free entry to early rounds of many of the clinics and play.
members! Allow me to categorize ATP and WTA US Open series! Make Going on three of these trips (Aussie
that into three levels. Of course, that it day! Include lunch, perhaps a clinic, twice, RG once), it really opened my
starts at the local level by attending the and arrange a meeting for one or more eyes that the trip in itself is awesome,
away games of your USTA teams and professionals, a short Q&A. One of the but the connections and relationships
watching your juniors and/or adults major basic needs of any human being is you create and strengthen with your
compete at tournaments. Another inclusion. These trips offer exactly that! members cannot happen, and will not
local or regional event could be setting The third level is truly going happen, just at the club. Aussie Aussie
up “interclubs” for men and women. above and beyond by taking your Aussie, Oi Oi Oi! *
Organizing and engaging at the local
level is the first sign that you care. One
Hans Römer is a USPTA Master Professional and is the seasonal Director of
benefit that stands out from a tennis
Tennis at Edgcomb Tennis Club in Kennebunk, Maine. In the winter months, he
development point of view is that you teaches tennis at Cedar Hammock Golf & Country Club in Naples, Fla. In addition
get to see how your students perform to Maine and Florida, Römer has taught in California, Amsterdam and England.
in real matches, away matches. During He has traveled with Tennis Ventures on three occasions, but also co-organizes his
these short trips, by sharing a cup of annual Pebble Beach East Coast-West Coast Tennis Camp in California. Römer
coffee, or even a ride, you realize that can be reached at hansromer@icloud.com.

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USPTA
USPTA Extends Multi-Year

Partnerships With Har-Tru,
SportMaster Sport Surfaces
T he USPTA has agreed to a three-

year partnership with Har-Tru,
the world’s premier manufacturer
of all equipment
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members to the USPTA
of tennis court surfaces, equipment, Supplemental Savings
Gustavo Reyes / USPTA

accessories and supplies. Har- Program. Additionally,
Tru will continue as the official Har-Tru will supply
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mowers and ball baskets of the Tru equipment and
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As part of the agreement with and SportMaster
Har-Tru, USPTA members will with marketing and
have access to discounted Har- other promotional
Tru products. Har-Tru will also benefits, including
contribute 3% of the net sales value in ADDvantage
Magazine, SportMaster Sport Surfaces at the Merchandise & Trade
Gustavo Reyes / USPTA
division and Show at the 2019 World Conference in Las Vegas.

national
e-newsletters and the World performance for both players and
Conference program. surfaces. SportMaster tennis court
SportMaster has been resurfacing products feature 100
supplying a percent Acrylic Resins
worldwide ensuring long-term
network of protection from
professionals all the elements,
with premium including supreme
quality sports resistance from the
surfaces and damaging effects of
repair products the sun. SportMaster
for more than products are available
45 years. Their at over 100 locations
dedication to throughout the
bringing science U.S., and additional
and advanced distributors and
technology to installers, worldwide.
Har-Tru brought products to demonstrate at sport surfaces Visit www.sportmaster.
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USPTA
What is the Platform Tennis Index?

New rating system adopted by the APTA for leagues
Amin Khadduri, APTA CEO
T he American Platform Tennis
APTA
Association has teamed up with
league website Paddlescores.com to
offer Platform Tennis Index (PTI), a new
feature for all APTA members who play
in APTA leagues. League administrators,
team captains, tournament directors,
and teaching pros will find the PTI to be
a valuable tool for the sport.
WHAT IS A PLATFORM TENNIS

INDEX (PTI), AND WHAT DOES
IT MEAN?
A player’s PTI is a number from 0 to 80.
It is similar to a golf handicap: better
players have a lower PTI.
3. Have a club platform tennis will have a PTI. For leagues that
• An 80 represents a player who has professional set it. do not require APTA membership,
never played paddle before and has APTA members will have a PTI.
little racquets experience. 4. Play in an APTA tournament Players who are not APTA members
that uses Live Scoring. won’t have a visible PTI (although it
• A 0 represents a highly skilled will be computed for them and ready
player who is competitive at the In most cases, Paddlescores can to access when they become APTA
national level. use your historical match data members.)
to generate PTI for an existing
• It is possible to have a negative league. The APTA and Paddlescores HOW DOES A PTI ADJUST?
rating. will help get a new league up and PTIs are dynamic and adjust after
running. match results are posted. The PTI
HOW DO PLAYERS GET algorithm uses the match outcome
AN INITIAL PTI? HOW DO I GET A PTI FOR (win/loss and games won) and the
There are four options to set PLAYERS AT MY CLUB/IN relative strength of the teams playing
a player’s initial rating: MY LEAGUE? to determine the adjustment.
To get a PTI, your league needs
1. Use match data from prior seasons. to use Paddlescores (powered by Example: Player A (a 20 PTI) and
Tenniscores). For leagues that Player B (28) have a match versus
2. Set an initial PTI based on a player’s require APTA membership to Player C (24) and Player D (30). Team
division/typical line number. participate, everyone in the league A/B has a rating of 48 versus Team C/D

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USPTA
BESIDES THE PTI, WHAT
APTA
OTHER FEATURES DOES

PADDLESCORES HAVE?
Flexible scoring system: Every league

runs differently and Paddlescores
customizes the site to work for any
structure or scoring system.
Payment system: Paddlescores gives

leagues the ability to collect dues,
tournament fees, etc., with funds going
directly into a league’s bank account.
Ease of use for Commissioners:

with 54. The team with a lower rating is tournaments for all different levels Commissioners have flexibility around
favored to win the match. If Team A/B of ability. With PTI thresholds what captains are able to enter and edit.
wins (the expected outcome), PTIs for determining eligibility, every
A and B will decline a small amount and player in the country would have Ease of use for Captains: Captains can
PTIs for C and D will increase by the an opportunity to compete at their request player availability, create line-
opposite amount. If Team C/D wins (an appropriate skill level ups, and communicate with teammates
upset), PTIs for C and D will decline by directly.
a more significant amount while PTIs WHAT LEAGUES ARE
for A and B increase. CURRENTLY USING Tournaments: Tournament directors
Large changes in PTIs are achieved THE PTI SYSTEM? can run, promote, collect fees, seed using
through upsets or lopsided victories PTI, and use Live Scoring.
between closely matched teams. A Leagues fully turned on
heavily favored team cannot improve (PTIs viewable to everyone): Ladders: Intra-club or league-wide
its PTI by feasting on weak opponents. ladders can be set up.
• Chicago (Men)
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF • Boston (Men) Casual Play score entry: For the truly
PLAYERS HAVING A PTI FOR • Philadelphia (Men) die-hard players, casual play matches can
LEAGUES AND CLUB PROS? • Pittsburgh (Men & Women) be scored and count for something.
1. PTIs are used to prevent lineup Leagues testing it out (viewable WHO DO I CONTACT IF I’M
“stacking” in league play. For only to captains): INTERESTED IN LEARNING
example, the top divisions in the MORE?
Boston Men’s League require that • Baltimore (Men)
teams order their lineups by PTI. • Fairfield County (Women) PADDLESCORES and PTI: Contact
Line 1 must have a lower PTI than Nancy Biggs at nancybiggs@tenniscores.com
line 2, which is lower than line 3, Several leagues are currently
etc. evaluating moving to PTI and LEAGUES: Contact Ann Sheedy at
Paddlescores site for next season. apta@platformtennis.org *
2. PTIs can be used by pros or team
captains as an objective measure
to help evaluate player placement
for club teams, often a delicate
process. Amin Khadurri is the CEO of the American Platform Tennis Association, the
governing body of platform tennis, and is the Chair of the Boston Men’s League. He
3. Tournaments: PTIs are now also is the captain of the Brae Burn Country Club A Team. His PTI is currently 14.7.
being used in Boston to create

Career Development USPTA
Career Development
USPTA Certification Testing Dates 2020 USPTA Division Conferences
March 6-7................................................Berry Creek Country Club Feb. 28-Mar. 1 Northern.......... Fred Wells Tennis & Education Center
Georgetown, TX . St. Paul, MN
March 7-8......................................................... Oaks at Boca Raton
March 7-8 San Diego....................... La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club
Boca Raton, FL
March 7-8......................................................Sea Cliff Country Club . La Jolla, CA
Huntington Beach, CA March 12-15 Mid-Atlantic..........................Country Club of Virginia
March 7-8................................................................... Andulka Park . Richmond, VA
Riverside, CA May 1-3 Eastern...................International Tennis Hall of Fame.
March 9-10...................................... La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club . Newport, RI
La Jolla, CA
May 1-3 New England.......... International Tennis Hall of Fame
March 13........................................Oklahoma Golf & Country Club
Oklahoma City, OK . Newport, RI
March 14-15...............................................Bayou Bluff Tennis Club May 14-16 Southern.................................... Atlanta Athletic Club
Gulfport, MS . Johns Creek, GA
March 15-16......................................................... ACAC Midlothian May 15-17 Southwest........................... Grand Canyon University
Midlothian, VA . Phoenix, AZ
March 17-18............................................................. Glenview Club
May 28-31 Florida...................... Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club
Golf, IL
March 21-22.......................................... Green Island Country Club . Naples, FL
Columbus, GA June 5-6 Pacific Northwest................................Linfield College
March 22-23.......................................................Park Crossing Club . McMinnville, OR
Charlotte, NC Sept. 21-25 USPTA World Conference...................Hilton Riverside
March 26................................... Reed Sweatt Family Tennis Center . New Orleans, LA
Minneapolis, MN
Divisions not listed have not yet set a date for their annual conference as of press time.
March 27...........................................................Nassau Tennis Club
Skillman, NJ
March 27-28.................................................... Ranch Country Club
Westminster, CO
April 3-4......................................................Bayou Bluff Tennis Club
Gulfport, MS
April 4.................................................... Mingus Union High School
Cottonwood, AZ
April 4-5........................................................... The Westwood Club
Richmond, VA
April 6-7.......................................................USTA National Campus
Orlando, FL
April 10..................................................................Life Time Fitness
West Harrison, NY
April 10-11.....................................................................BYU-Hawaii
Laie, HI
April 11-12...................................................... Atlanta Athletic Club
Johns Creek, GA
April 15-16........................................................ Tyler Junior College Visit www.uspta.com for a complete listing of certification and
Tyler, TX educational opportunities
April 17...................................................... Wee Burn Country Club
Darien, CT • Wheelchair • Pickleball
April 18-19................................................. Rush Copley Healthplex • Padel • RacquetFit
Aurora, IL • Platform
April 19-20................................................... Burbank Tennis Center
Burbank, CA
Exam reservations must be made by calling the USPTA World Visit TennisResources.com to find hundreds of exclusive
Headquarters at 407-634-3050 ext. 2 at least 21 days prior to educational and instructional videos, audio material, articles
the dates listed. Each date includes an exam and upgrade. PTCA and drill diagrams related to all levels and aspects of the game
I is included in the two-day exam. Exam cancellations must be of tennis. The user friendly video interface is great for watching
received no later than 14 days before the exam, or a cancellation on a desktop or mobile device and makes it easy to #GetYourSix
fee will be charged accordingly. wherever you are!

USPTA
Executive Committee Directory
National Board Hawaii Midwest Northern Southern
President President President President President
Feisal Hassan Cathleen Nicoloff Mike Graff Bruce Gullikson Kevin Theos
First Vice President Regional Vice President Regional Vice President Regional Vice President Regional Vice President
Richard Slivocka Matthew Davis Cristina Primo Carrau Todd Upchurch
Ikaika Jobe
Vice President
Lane Evans Head Tester Head Tester Head Tester Head Tester
David Porter, Ed.D. Mike Lange Roger Boyer Ron Gwyn
Vice President
Mark Faber Contact Executive Director Executive Director Executive Director
Hawaii-ED@uspta.org Carol Anderson Christin Thurston Pat Whitworth
Vice President Midwest-ED@uspta.org Northern-ED@uspta.org Southern-ED@uspta.org
Trish Faulkner
Vice President Intermountain Missouri Valley Pacific Northwest Southwest

Jason Gilbert President President President President
Andy Zodin Rod Zerni Matt Iwersen David Moyer
Vice President
Bill Mountford Regional Vice President Regional Vice President Regional Vice President Regional Vice President
Daniel Gray Tom Jennings Bill Fletcher Laurie Martin
Immediate Past President
Gary Trost Head Tester Head Tester Head Tester Head Tester
Legal Counsel Hassan Humayun Bunny Bruning Ted Sayrahder Gregory Prudhomme
George Parnell
Executive Director Executive Director Executive Director Executive Director
CEO Tom Van De Hey Angela Koumaris Don Patch Jack Michalko
John Embree Intermountain-ED@uspta.org MissouriValley-ED@uspta.org PacificNorthwest-ED@uspta.org Southwest-ED@uspta.org
Eastern Mid-Atlantic New England San Diego Texas

President President President President President
Jason Speirs Jason Grigg Patricio Misitrano Conan Lorenzo Matt Watson
Regional Vice President Regional Vice President Regional Vice President Regional Vice President Regional Vice President
Jacqueline Clark Rob Oakes Michael Kolendo Amanda Fink Craig Bell
Head Tester Head Tester Head Tester Head Tester Head Tester
Whitney Kraft Ted Meyer Wayne Turner Don Gomsi Tom Ingram
Executive Director Executive Director Executive Director Executive Director Executive Director
Paul Fontana Patrick Kearns Vacant Don Gomsi Charlotte Wylie
Eastern-ED@uspta.org Mid-Atlantic-ED@uspta.org NewEngland-ED@uspta.org SanDiego-ED@uspta.org Texas-ED@uspta.org
Florida Middle States Northern California Southern California

President President President President
Joseph D’Aleo, Jr. Tim Irwin John Evans Jeff Miller
Regional Vice President Vice President Regional Vice President Regional Vice President
Rich Walker Timothy Fitzgerald Carrie Zarraonandia Scott Burton
Head Tester Head Tester Head Tester Head Tester - Interim

Glen Howe Mark Centrella Rosie Bareis Sid Newcomb
Executive Director Executive Director Executive Director Executive Director

Patricia Anderson Anthony Santonastaso Andrea Barnes Sara Morse
Florida-ED@uspta.org MiddleStates-ED@uspta.org NorthernCalifornia-ED@uspta.org SouthernCalifornia-ED@uspta.org
NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS ADDVANTAGE MAGAZINE

President................................................................. Feisal Hassan Editor.................................................................................John Cornell ADDvantage is published monthly by the United States
Managing Editor.................................................................Lucas Casás Professional Tennis Association.
First Vice President.............................................Richard Slivocka
Layout/Design............................................................... Gustavo Reyes
The opinions expressed in ADDvantage are those of
Vice Presidents...............Lane Evans, Mark Faber, Trish Faulkner, Editorial Assistance ........................... Jacquelyn Dahre, Alegna Hollis, the authors and not necessarily those of ADDvantage
Ramona Husaru, Sid Newcomb, Fred Viancos, Ellen Weatherford or the United States Professional Tennis Association.
Jason Gilbert, Bill Mountford
Circulation.................................................................... Trevor Trudelle
Immediate Past President............................................ Gary Trost USPTA World Headquarters Copyright© United States Professional Tennis
11961 Performance Dr. Association, Inc. 2020. All rights reserved. Reproduction
CEO...........................................................................John Embree
Orlando, FL 32827 of any portion of the magazine is not permitted
Legal Counsel........................................................George Parnell 800-887-8248- www.uspta.com without written permission from the USPTA.

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March 2020 Racquet Sports Industry Magazine

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Contents March 2020

46 Vice President's Message

2 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY March 2020 www.tennisindustrymag.com

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PTR Receives Provisional

www.tennisindustrymag.com March 2020 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 5

RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY

Racquet Sports Industry is published 10 times per

Stars Raise $3.3 Million

for Aussie Bushfire Relief

6 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY March 2020 www.tennisindustrymag.com

APPAREL HOF Amends Eligibility,

Tail Shows Its Opens Nominations for 2021

New Abby Road

with domestic and

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ASBA Names 2019

FanHub's 'Bracket Challenge'

IBM, USTA Partner

10 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY March 2020 www.tennisindustrymag.com

Kirschbaum’s newest string is the

USRSA Names MRT, CSs

Master Racquet Technician

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iGENIE Ball Machine

HalfPage-InsideTennis.indd 1 11/17/19 2:19 PM

12 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY March 2020 www.tennisindustrymag.com

“COURTS WILL BE 100% TOURNAMENT PLAYABLE”

The new Tourna 700-ES stringing

Armstrong Stadium Wins

international design award, the Prix

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Babolat Introduces New that encourages air flow through the

‘Flag’ Colors for Racquets

Built for the 14th time. Las Vegas is also home

Free proﬁle on the Kourts

Certification of Tennis Performance

14 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY March 2020

Best-Case Scenario Your best practice for

www.tennisindustrymag.com March 2020 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 15

Salt Lake City Tourney

16 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY March 2020 www.tennisindustrymag.com

Annual Maintenance Planner chart

Every Day, Every Surface

18 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY March 2020 www.tennisindustrymag.com

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serious problem. Do not purchase

Fast-Dry and Clay Court Maintenance

COURTESY CAPE AND ISLAND TENNIS & TRACK/ASBA

20 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY March 2020 www.tennisindustrymag.com

Keep updated on facility

Players understand the surface Continuing Change in the Lighting Industry

PHOTOS COURTESY ASBA, USTA, FRASURE REPS/LSI SPORTS LIGHTING

24 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY March 2020 www.tennisindustrymag.com

A stronger, more ﬂexible