April 2015 / Volume 43 / Number 4

Transcription

Performance Apparel
New FABRICS
take your game
HIGH TECH
Team Spirit
JUNIOR TEAM
TENNIS is
on the rise
APRIL 2015 / VOLUME 43/ NUMBER 4 / $5.00
Hit The
Bull’s Eye!
Take aim at the
perfect frame
with our exclusive
Racquet Selection
Map
Racquet Service
Promote TENNIS
TUNE-UP packages
to your players
TennisIndustry
www.tennisindustrymag.com
APRIL 2015
DEPARTMENTS
4
Our Serve
7
Industry News
12 Letters
14 Racquet Tech
15 TIA News
18 Retailing Tip
p.22
20 Junior Team Tennis
36 Ask the Experts
FEATURES
38
String Playtest:
Tecnifibre XR3 17
22 T
ime for a Tune-Up
40
Your Serve
Enhance your equipment service, and keep
players playing their best, by promoting
tune-up packages.
INDUSTRY NEWS
7
James Blake named chair
of USTA Foundation
7
Sport Court, Prince form
marketing partnership
p.24
High-tech fabrics and garments, some with
sensors knitted in, are taking performance
to a higher level.
Jack Thompson honored
7
as PTR Pro of the Year
8
R
egister programs for
‘Try Tennis Free’
8
A
ccess Fixtures offer
triple-court LED kits
8
B
abolat debuts new M7 string
8
USTA Foundation awards
$2.3 million
9
26 Soft Goods
p.26
2
014 racquet, string, shoes
performance
12 S
hort Sets
2 TennisIndustry
April 2015
These outdoor facility winners are excellent
examples of soft-court construction.
30 Finding the Perfect Fit
Peoplewatch
10
TR inducts Ashe, names
10 P
2015 award winners
shaway adds new badminton
12 A
string
24 P
erformance Apparel
p.30
Our exclusive Racquet Selection Map will
help you select a diverse inventory so your
customers can choose their perfect frame.
Our Serve
Publishers
David Bone Jeff Williams
Editorial Director
Peter Francesconi
peter@tennisindustrymag.com
Associate Editor
Greg Raven
Design/Art Director
Kristine Thom
Special Projects Manager
Bob Patterson
Try It, You’ll Like It…
I
never thought I’d be reciting
in this magazine that old AlkaSeltzer commercial tagline that
was used, and overused, so much in
the early 1970s. (For those of you who
weren’t around back then, search for
“try it, you’ll like it” and watch that
classic TV commercial.)
But you know, the simple concept
expressed in that simple phrase applies well to tennis, and to getting
more people to play this sport. When
you create the right environment for
people to try the sport, there’s a very
good chance they’ll like tennis and
want to continue playing.
That’s the impetus behind the
industry-wide Try Tennis Free campaign, which will run throughout the
month of May, but of course doesn’t
have to be limited to just that month.
Any tennis facility or provider can
offer this at any time of year, or better
yet, offer it year-round.
The Try Tennis Free campaign
started in May 2014 then ran again in
September and is designed to bring in
new players and get returning players
back into the sport. The TIA, which is
coordinating this campaign, said tennis facilities and providers who offered
a Try Tennis Free program reported
that, on average, they saw 30 new and
returning players come to their courts
to try the sport.
Think of that—with just some local
promotion of their free tennis offer, 30
potential new members and customers simply came to their courts to play.
After that, of course, these facilities
Peter Francesconi, Editorial Director
peter@tennisindustrymag.com
4 TennisIndustry
April 2015
needed to close the deal with these
new and returning players, but the
hardest part—getting them through
the door to begin with—is pretty much
done for you.
But that’s not the only attraction.
Unlike other programs or campaigns
with strict rules and mandates, tennis
facilities and providers can offer any
kind of free program or programs they
want, whenever they want—it’s completely up to you. Do what you think
appeals to your community and potential clientele and what works best
for your facility or programming. Have
a lot of kids looking for something to
do after school? Offer a free session for
them. Want to attract adults looking
for healthy exercise? Publicize a free
Cardio Tennis clinic for new or returning players. You make the rules.
And you’ll have help to promote
your Try Tennis Free offer. The TIA
offers free advertising and promotional materials that you can customize. The only thing the TIA would like
to see is for providers and facilities to
register—for free—for the Try Tennis
Free campaign on PlayTennis.com.
It’s a simple sign-up that you can do
right now, and it will ensure that your
listing will pop up when consumers search for a free program, or any
tennis program. Go to PlayTennis.
com, then the “Try Tennis for Free”
dropdown, then “For Facilities and
Teaching Pros.”
So, the message to consumers in
your area? Try tennis (for free). You’ll
like tennis.
Contributing Editors
Robin Bateman
Cynthia Cantrell
Kent Oswald
Cynthia Sherman
Mary Helen Sprecher
Tim Strawn
Contributing Photographers
Bob Kenas
David Kenas
TENNIS INDUSTRY
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Advertising Director
John Hanna
770-650-1102, x.125
hanna@knowatlanta.com
Apparel Advertising
Cynthia Sherman
203-263-5243
cstennisindustry@gmail.com
Tennis Industry is published 10 times per year:
monthly January through August and combined
issues in September/October and November/
December by Tennis Industry and USRSA, PO
Box 3392, Duluth, GA 30096. Periodcal postage
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offices (USPS #004-354). Apr 2015, Volume 43,
Number 4 © 2015 by USRSA and Tennis Industry.
All rights reserved. Tennis Industry, TI and logo
are trademarks of USRSA. Printed in the U.S.A.
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IndustryNews
Information to help you run your business
James Blake Named Chair
of USTA Foundation
P H O T O BY M A R C A N D R E W D E L E Y
F
ormer World No. 4 pro player James Blake has been named chairman of the USTA
Foundation’s Board of Directors. The Foundation is the USTA’s national charitable
organization. In his new role, Blake will serve as the Foundation’s spokesperson
and ambassador to promote the mission and impact of its national
outreach efforts.
Blake will help promote the Foundation’s mission of providing
tennis and education opportunities to under-resourced youth and
individuals with disabilities. He succeeds former pro and longtime
tennis journalist and advocate Mary Carillo, who served as chairwoman from 2009 to 2014.
“I’m honored to have been selected. I admire the Foundation’s
pursuit to support the combination of tennis and education and the
impact it has on so many youth around the country,” said Blake. “I
grew up playing tennis at a young age and participated in a National
Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) program. It was there that I
learned the value and influence tennis can add to my life while being encouraged to stay academically focused.”
Blake’s professional career spanned 14 years, in which he won 10 ATP singles titles,
seven doubles titles and a Davis Cup Championship. He also reached the semifinals of the
Beijing Olympics in 2008 and climbed to a career-best No. 4 in the world, ranking as the
top American during that time. Blake turned pro in 1999, following his sophomore year at
Harvard.•
Jack Thompson Honored as
PTR Pro of the Year
J
ack Thompson of Salisbury, N.C., has been named the
PTR Professional of the Year at the 2015 PTR International Tennis Symposium, held on Hilton Head Island,
S.C., in February. The award is presented to the PTR Professional who has displayed the highest standards of conduct
and service to both tennis and PTR.
A PTR International Master Professional, Thompson has
been a PTR member since 1983. During his 36-year career,
he has been involved in virtually every aspect of tennis
teaching, including a director of tennis, head pro, and head
men’s and women’s tennis coach at Catawba College in
Salisbury, N.C. Currently, Thompson is head pro at Cabarrus
Country Club, and co-director of the Performance Tennis
Academy at the Sportscenter in Concord, N.C.
From 1998 to 2004, Thompson’s Catawba College teams compiled win records of 70
percent, logging the best records in school history. He has produced 17 Virginia junior
state champions and 11 North Carolina junior state champions. He also served as professional coach for Leigh Thompson in 1982-’83 when she ranked No. 26 in the world. With a
graduate background in Exercise Physiology and Motor Learning, Thompson is co-author
of “Power, Speed and Stamina for Tennis: A Complete Guide for the Player and Coach.”•
Sport Court, Prince Form
Marketing Partnership
Sport Court and Prince Global
Sports have announced a joint,
multi-year partnership designed
to enhance awareness of their respective brands and products. The
agreement will focus on marketing
strategies including co-branded
sponsorship of major tennis events
and grassroots promotion of the
sport using Sport Court modular
courts and Prince products.
“Sport Court is extremely
pleased to join the prestigious
Prince brand in the promotion
of our products centered on the
engineered safety of our surfaces
and the growth of the sport of tennis,” says Lee Sponaugle, director
of National Accounts and Tennis at
Connor Sport Court International.
As a centerpiece of the new alliance, Prince will use a unique Sport
Court/Prince branded 36-foot
PowerGame court as part of a variety of marketing and grassroots
initiatives and events.
“As an innovative tennis brand,
we are committed to finding new
and exciting ways to grow and
promote the game of tennis. Our
alliance with Sport Court moves
us firmly towards our goals,” adds
Paige Miller, Prince’s director of
brand marketing.
Tennis Channel to
Broadcast Squash
The Professional Squash Association
(PSA) and Tennis Channel announced
a multi-year agreement in which Tennis Channel will become the exclusive
North American broadcast partner of
the PSA and show close to 170 hours
of top-tier squash competition on the
network and its digital subscription
service, Tennis Channel Plus.
Ten PSA tournaments will appear
on Tennis Channel and Tennis Channel Plus throughout the year, among
them prestigious events like the British Open, US Open, PSA World Series
April 2015
TennisIndustry 7
IndustryNews
Finals and PSA World Championship. Tennis
Channel Plus will carry all matches live and
on-demand, with delayed telecasts of select
events to follow on the linear channel, including a weekly "Squash Sunday" program.
Triple-Court LED Kits
From Access Fixtures
Access Fixtures of Worcester, Mass., has
introduced triple-court LED tennis court
lighting packages, for three adjacent tennis courts.
“While Access Fixtures has been providing customized LED lighting solutions
for tennis clubs, country clubs, resorts
and schools, we created standard packages based
on repetitive
requests
for similar
LED lighting
solutions,"
says Access
Fixtures CEO
Steven Rothschild. "Our
new LED tennis court lighting packages
expand the offering from single and twin
LED tennis court lighting kits. Standardization adds value for our customers.”
Compared to HID sources like metal
halide, LED has instant-on/instant-off
capabilities, reduced energy use, reduced
maintenance, and max/min factors for
more even lighting levels, says Access
Fixtures (AccessFixtures.com or 506-6578600).
Prince Signs Sponsor Deal
with BB&T Atlanta Open
Prince Global Sports, which relocated to
Atlanta within the past year, has signed a
three-year agreement with the BB&T Atlanta
Open, an ATP World Tour event, in which
the equipment brand will be the presenting
sponsor of the tournament’s Family Zone.
As a centerpiece of the new Family Zone in
Atlantic Station’s Central Park, Prince will lay
down its new Prince Sport Court. Additionally, Prince will be the tournament’s official
racquet, string and grip and will provide the
official string service at the event. The tournament will be held July 25-Aug. 2.
BB&T Atlanta Tournament Director Eddie
Gonzalez (left) and Prince CEO Mike Ballardie
sign the new agreement.
Register Programs Now
For ‘Try Tennis Free’
D
on’t miss this chance to boost your business and bring more people into tennis with the industry-supported “Try Tennis Free” (TTF) campaign, which
will run throughout the month of May.
“Tennis providers who participated in the
inaugural TTF campaign last May reported that
on average, facilities saw 30 new and returning
players hitting their courts,” says TIA Executive
Director Jolyn de Boer.
The free sessions can vary depending on the location, as each facility or certified
tennis professional can choose the best introductory session or program they feel
will encourage new and returning players to step onto the court. Free offers can
include lessons, clinics, Cardio Tennis, Play Days, and more.
Providers can easily sign up at PlayTennis.com to participate in TTF and receive
free customizable marketing material to download to promote the campaign locally.•
8 TennisIndustry
April 2015
Babolat Offers New M7 String
Babolat’s newest tennis string is the
M7, a multifilament the company says offers competitive players a blend of power
and durability without compromising
comfort.
Developed in France, Babolat M7
combines a patented multifilament construction composed of seven monofilaments/100 percent polyamide—the first
of its kind. “The Babolat M7 is ideal for
a competitive junior or club-level player
looking for the soft feel and power of a
multifilament, but with more durability,”
says Babolat String Product Manager
Franck Fernier.
Babolat M7 is available in 17/1.25mm
and 16/1.30mm gauges. Suggested
retail price is $15.95.
WTA Sees Increase in TV,
Digital Audiences
The WTA announced 2014 year-end
global TV and digital audience figures that
are up 22.5 percent from 2013, according to
a report by SMG Insight, for the dedicated
broadcast of 22 WTA premier tournaments.
The most-watched tournament of the
year was BNP Paribas WTA Finals presented
by SC Global Singapore, attracting 26.9 million viewers across seven days of tennis. The
BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells provided
the season's most-watched day of broadcast
in 2014, with 4.6 million fans accessing the
semifinals. The event also generated the
largest growth in audience, a rise of 95.4%,
almost doubling from 11.76 million viewers
in 2013 to 22.98 million in 2014.
USTA Foundation Awards
$2.3 Million in 2014
USTA Foundation, the national charitable organization of the USTA, has
completed its 2014 funding cycle by
awarding $741,500 in grants—both
program grants and capacity building
grants—to 44 organizations nationwide.
Those organizations were recognized
for their efforts in providing tennis and
education to under-resourced youth and
individuals with disabilities, as well those
organizations with a need for program
infrastructure support.
Combined with previously awarded
grants and scholarships, this latest grant
IndustryNews
Tennis Racquet Performance
Specialty Stores
January-December, 2014 vs. 2013
2014 677,157
Units
2013 690,171
% change vs. ’13 -2%
Dollars 2014 $100,077,000
2013 $100,709,000
% change vs. ’13 -1%
2014 $147.79
Price
2013 $145.92
% change vs. ’13 1%
Top-Selling Racquets at
Specialty Stores
By year-to-date dollars
Jan.-Dec. 2014
1. Babolat Aero Pro Drive 2013 (MP)
2. Babolat Pure Drive GT 2012 (MP)
3. Babolat Pur Drive Lite 2012 (MP)
4. Babolat Aero Pro Team 2013 (MP)
5. Head Graphene Radical MP (MP)
“Hot New Racquets”
(introduced in the past 12 months)
1. Wilson Juice 100 S (MP)
2. Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 Auto (MP)
3. Babolat Pure Strike 100 (MP)
4. Wilson Juice 100 2014 (MP)
5. Wilson Juice 108 2014 (OS)
Top-Selling Tennis Shoes
at Specialty Stores
By year-to-date dollars, Jan.-Dec. 2014
1. Asics Gel Resolution 5
2. Prince T22
3. Nike Air Max Cage 2013
4. Nike Zoom Vapor 9.5 Tour
5. Babolat Propulse 4
Top-Selling Strings at
Specialty Stores
By year-to-date units, Jan.-Dec. 2014
1. Babolat RPM Blast
2. Prince Synthetic Gut Duraflex
3. Wilson NXT
4. Wilson Sensation
5. Luxilon 4G
(Source: TIA)
April 2015
TennisIndustry 9
IndustryNews
People
Watch
The USTA announced that
USTA Chairman of the Board,
CEO and President Katrina
Adams has been named to the
2015 list of “25
Influential
Black
Women in
Business”
by The
Network
Journal. She
was honored at
the 17th Annual 25 Influential
Black Women in Business
Awards Luncheon, presented
by Morgan Stanley, on March
26 at the New York Marriott
Marquis.
Godiva Chocolatier has
named Caroline Wozniacki
as its global celebrity ambassador, the first global celebrity
partnership for the brand.
“We are excited to welcome
Caroline into the Godiva
family, and feel she is the
ideal face for the brand—a
vibrant, world-class talent,
with appeal well beyond the
tennis court,” said Mohamed
Elsarky, Godiva CEO.
Eric Hadigian, age 15, of
Dallas is the inaugural winner
of the Jonathan Albrecht
Scholarship Award, given in
memory of the late Jonathan
Albrecht, who was a sales rep
for Babolat. The scholarship
was put together by Darren
Boyd, the general manager
of T Bar M, and presented to
Hadigian by Sandy Albrecht
at the T Bar M Dallas Pro
Challenger event in early
February.
Anthony Perkins, adult tennis director at Midtown Athletic Club in Overland Park,
was featured in the “Faces in
the Crowd” column in Sports
Illustrated on February 2.
Perkins was recognized for
his recent victory in a Toronto
tennis tournament, despite
his ongoing battle with multiple sclerosis.
international competitions
including the Pan American
Games this summer in
Toronto.
Paola Longoria, the world’s
top-ranked female racquetball player, took home gold
in both the Women’s Singles
and Women’s Doubles competitions at the Campeonato
Nacional Selectivo tournament in February. Serving
as the selection event for
the 2015 Mexican National
Team, winners will represent
their country in upcoming
World No. 1 Mohamed
Elshorbagy claimed his
fourth major PSA World
Series squash title with a
win over England Nick Matthews in January in the final
of the J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions in New
York City. Elshorbagy plays
with a Tecnifibre Carboflex
125 squash racquet and
305+ string.
Tennis Channel has
promoted longtime mediaadvertising executive
Allison Bodenmann to vice
president, head of advertising sales.
PTR Inducts Ashe, Names 2015 Award Winners
T
he late Arthur Ashe was inducted
into the PTR Hall of Fame at the
PTR Awards Banquet on Feb. 19.
The tennis legend and humanitarian,
who died in 1993, was inducted into the
International Tennis Hall of Fame in
1985 and posthumously received the
Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1993.
He joins Dennis Van der Meer, Jim
Verdieck and Dr. Jim Loehr in the PTR
Hall of Fame.
Others honored at the 2015 PTR International Tennis Symposium are:
• PTR Professional of the Year: Jack
Thompson
• Clinician of the Year: Seth Walrath
• PTR Tester of the Year: Sharon Cleland
• Jim Verdieck Touring Coach: Nick
Saviano
• Jim Verdieck College Coach: Lin
Loring
• Jim Verdieck High School Coach:
Bernie McGuire
• Wheelchair Professional of the Year:
Emmy Kaiser
10 TennisIndustry
April 2015
• Humanitarian of the Year: Sylvia
Swartz
• Volunteer of the Year: Fran Osei
• Public Facility of the Year: Auburn
• Private Facility of the Year: Weymouth
Club, Weymouth, Mass.
• PTR/USTA Community Service
Award: Frank Adams
• PTR/TIA Commitment to the Industry
Award: Jorge Capestany
• Male Player of the Year: Guillermo
Alcorta
• Female Player of the Year: Breaunna
Addison
• Newcomer of the Year: Nima Naderi
• PTR State Members of the Year:
AL: Jenny Robb; AK: Darla Brooks;
AZ: Bryan Barten; CA: Angel Lopez;
CT: Claudio Armandi; FL: Lorenzo
Beltrame; GA: Dave Dvorak; IA: Chad
Fenwick; IL: Cesar Morales; KY: Jason
Miller; MD: Alicia von Lossberg;
MI: Vanda Shadigian; MS: Milena
Araujo; MT: Michael Fehr; OH: Bruce
Stapleton; NC: Darryl Lewis; NH: Gus
Moral; NJ: Michelle Byrne; NY: Marcelo Reda; PA: Chris Leicht; SC: Toni
Young; TN: Andy Veal; TX: Jose Salas
VA: Mary Conaway; WV: Michael
Tompkins.•
IndustryNews
April 2015
TennisIndustry 11
IndustryNews
Short
Sets
The U.S. Fed Cup team
defeated Argentina, 4-1,
in the World Group II First
Round in Buenos Aires
in February, after Venus
Williams clinched the tie
in the fourth singles rubber. The U.S. advances to
World Group Playoff April
18-19 vs. Italy, competing for a spot in the 2016
World Group.
The USTA and Lavazza
announced a multi-year
agreement making
“Italy’s favorite coffee”
an official promotional
partner and the exclusive
coffee of the US Open.
Lavazza coffee drinks
will be available on-site
at the Open, including at the new Lavazza
Café. Lavazza will also
have rights to activate
a US Open-themed
promotion in New York
City prior to the tournament.
Sunglass brand Maui
Jim has a new threeyear global partnership
with the ATP, in which
the Hawaiian company
becomes the Official
Eyewear of the ATP
World Tour.
For the second
funding brings the total awarded by the
USTA Foundation in 2014 to more than
$2.3 million.
“The USTA Foundation is honored to
recognize such outstanding organizations around this country, which greatly
impact so many deserving students,
children in need and the communities in
which they live,” says Dan Faber, executive director of the USTA Foundation. To
straight year, the
USTA Foundation, the
national charitable
organization of the
USTA, has been selected
as the official charity of the BNP Paribas
Showdown, which was
held March 10 in New
York City.
For the fourth consecutive year, the Family
Circle Cup has named
Antigua as its official apparel sponsor. Antigua
will provide the apparel
worn by umpires, staff
and ball crew throughout the tournament
April 4-12. On April 7,
the tournament will
host Dunlop/Antigua
Night, dedicated to Low
Country Tennis Association league teams.
The No. 2 Oklahoma
Sooners beat No. 1 USC
to win the 2015 ITA Division I National Men's
Team Indoor Championship hosted by the
University of Illinois at
Midtown Athletic Club
in Chicago. It was the
Sooners first appearance in the final.
Trinity University of
Texas defeated Emory
University in February
to win its first 2015 ITA
Division III National
date, the foundation has awarded more
than $19.5 million in grants and scholarships to hundreds of programs.
New Ashaway Badminton Strings
Ashaway Racket Strings has added two new
22-gauge (0.66 mm) badminton strings. Both
ZyMax 66 Fire and ZyMax 66 Fire Power use
Ashaway's proprietary BETA polymer fibers,
and are constructed using the company's
Letters
Thankful for ROG
I was so happy to read Ellen Miller's article in the February issue about Red,
Orange, and Green balls (“ROG Balls and Shorter Courts Aren’t Just for
Kids!”). At my little tennis charity, Camp Esmeralda, they are definitely not
just for the kids.
One day a week I run a little tennis program in the shuffleboard room
(yes, the shuffleboard room) of a senior center in the middle of a Milwaukee
County park. In summer, we play outdoors. The ROG balls have enabled dozens of seniors (and some in their mid-80s), who had never so much as looked
at a racquet, to play tennis. We let the ball bounce twice if need be and even
play off the rather low ceiling.
We have seniors with hip problems, arthritis, you name it, but they love
playing and tell me that the 90 minutes of tennis is the highlight of their
week—and it’s mine, as well! I’ve seen their flexibility, reflexes and strength
improve by leaps and bounds. One of our players has lost over 100 pounds
and several are lighter by 20 or more.
Every once in a while we schedule a day for the seniors and the kids—the
kids adjusting their games to accommodate the seniors. ROG balls definitely
make tennis big fun!
Esme “Queen” Ehr, Director, Camp Esmeralda, Milwaukee
12 TennisIndustry
April 2015
Men's Team Indoor
Championship,
hosted by Gustavus
Adolphus College.
In addition, Trinity’s men’s team
was selected as the
inaugural recipient of
the Steve Wilkinson
Team Sportsmanship Award. On
the women’s side,
Johns Hopkins made
history, becoming
the first team to win
three consecutive ITA
Division III National
Women's Team Indoor Championships,
defeating Carnegie
Mellon at DePauw
University.
special ZyWeaVe string core technology. But
by varying the polymer formulation slightly,
ZyMax 66 Fire has been optimized for precision shot making, while ZyMax 66 Fire Power
maximizes power and repulsion.
USRSA Announces New MRTs
Alex Simon - Estero, FL
Thomas Sangyun Dwak - Korea
‘Green’ Solutions Can
Save You Money
• The Tennis Legacy Fund is a non-profit
committed to increasing the awareness of
sustainability within the tennis industry and
community. To help tennis providers operate
a more profitable and sustainable business,
TI magazine will run occasional tips by the
Tennis Legacy Fund in partnership with
Greenlight Solutions and a sustainability initiative by students at Arizona State
University
Shoes Take-Back Program: Tennis
facility members go through many pairs
of tennis shoes, and those used shoes can
make your facility some money. Do you
ever wonder where your members’ old
shoes go when they arrive with a new pair
to play? That’s where shoeboxrecycling.
com can help your business. Sign-up on
their website, receive prepaid boxes/
labels, send it back and make 50 cents for
every pound of shoes. —Devon Edwards
March 2015
TennisIndustry 13
Racquet Tech
Weave Your Way to Consistency
For many stringers, utilizing the “one-ahead” technique
can save stringing time and reduce friction on the string,
but it also has other benefits.
By Bob Patterson
W
eaving “one-ahead” is just as it
sounds. The procedure is accomplished by weaving one cross
string ahead of the cross string you’re about
to, but haven’t yet, tensioned.
Start by weaving the top two crosses using either a starting knot or starting clamp.
Leave enough of a loop between the first two
crosses outside of the frame to reach your
tension head. Now tension and clamp the
first string. Gently pull the loop through and
weave the third cross, again leaving a loop to
reach the tension head. Tension and clamp
the second cross. Continue this method as
you work down the racquet. You may have to
abandon the technique as you get near the
end because you won’t have enough string to
form the loop, but you will be able to use it for
most of the crosses.
So why use this method? First, it greatly
reduces the friction and makes weaving the
string much easier. Because every other cross
has the same weave, your last tensioned cross
string raises and lowers the appropriate main
strings, enabling you to more easily glide the
current cross through the string face. This
not only saves wear and tear on the string,
but also should speed up the process as the
strings will weave much easier with less friction. Adding a couple of other techniques to
this method can reap some added benefits.
Utilizing the additional techniques shown
in the photos, your strings should come out
much straighter, and it provides an easy
method to catch mis-weaves on the spot. Simply push the string about to be tensioned up
against the last tensioned string. It is easy to
see the alternating zigzag of a perfect weave.
Mis-weaves will stand out because they will
“flat line.” As tension is pulled on the string, it
will straighten out. If the string wants to bow,
it is easy to nudge it into a straight position
before clamping.
You’ll still have some straightening to do
when you’re done, but this will make the job
much easier and your tensions will be truer,
since your cross strings are pulled virtually
straight. •
14 TennisIndustry
April 2015
1. Leave a loop of string to adequately reach your tensioner..
2. Push the string about to be tensioned up against the last tensioned string. If
your weave is correct, you’ll see a pronounced zigzag.
3. Mis-weaves “flat line” and are easy to spot and correct.
4. As the string is tensioned, it straightens out. A nudge with your fingers will
keep it straight as you clamp.
3
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Join the Industry-Wide
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26
Cardio Tennis
®
Authorized Provider Benefits
VIDEOS & SOFTWARE
▪ A
ccess to the Cardio Tennis® TV Channel – Where all CT video education and activities
can be found.
▪ Cardio Tennis Interactive® ($1,000 value) Online tennis/fitness challenge software.
DRILLS & ACTIVITIES
▪ A
ccess to the Cardio Tennis® activity diagrams
and educational powerpoints.
▪ Access to the Cardio Tennis Triples® Tournament Playbook.
EQUIPMENT & PRODUCT
®
You’ll also get an Annual
Tennis Industry Association
“Industry Membership”
($100 value) You’ll have access to marketplace
and industry research such as
the State of the Tennis Industry,
a subscription to Tennis Industry
Magazine, an opportunity to get
business and health insurance
discounts through TennisInsure®,
PartnerShip® shipping discounts,
merchant card processing
discounts, and much more.
Visit tennisindustry.org/Membership
to learn more.
▪ Gold level pricing on Polar® heart rate
monitors and equipment.
▪ Discount on Ballmagnet™ specialized ball
capture net.
▪ Complimentary music and discounts on music
at powermusic.com. Two free downloads when
you renew.
MARKETING & PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
▪ A
n Official Cardio Tennis® Marketing Kit
($100 value). TRX Cardio Tennis is the ultimate
ball-striking, calorie-burning workout
incorporating power, muscular endurance,
flexibility and balance. TRX Cardio Tennis
class participants alternate between hitting
hundreds of balls and completing tennisspecific TRX Suspension Training System exercises.
▪ A listing on www.cardiotennis.com so consumers can find you.
TRX Cardio Tennis Training Course
ccess to the PRIVATE Cardio Tennis® Facebook page where
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you can share ideas with other Cardio Tennis® providers
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Cardio Tennis® artwork to fit your own club, event, or program.
Just select the artwork, add your own text, and have it printed and
shipped straight to your home or office. All from your desktop.
Pump up your Cardio Tennis® workout and bridge
the gap between the tennis and fitness consumer.
TRX Cardio Tennis will increase tennis participation,
Cardio Tennis® participation and create new TRX users.
▪ A
n opportunity to have a Cardio Tennis – Get Fit® Challenge or
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Visit CardioTennis.com for more information.
Retailing 136
Your Path to Profits
Top specialty shops place themselves in the consumers’
“path to purchase” by doing four consumer-centric
things well.
By Jay Townley
P
rior to the great recession,
brands, retail stores and sports
specialty shops controlled the
“path to purchase.” Consumers came
to specialty tennis retailers to find out
about tennis products and do their
research before making a purchase
decision. At that time, the internet was
just becoming a feature of consumer
research.
After the recession, control of the
path to purchase slipped out of the control of the brands and, accordingly, out
of the hands of retailers and specialty
shops.
Today, a typical consumer uses 16 or
more touch points when they research a
purchase, and they take an average of 10
days to reach a purchase decision—and
the number of days of research goes
up as the price of the product goes up.
Empowered by the internet, consumers
can get what they want when they want
it, 24/7, and have it delivered to their
homes or workplace in 24 hours. They
are less interested in things and much
more interested in why and how retailers sell the things they do.
To be relevant and regain a position
of prominence in the consumers’ path
to purchase, specialty tennis shops need
to focus on becoming consumer-centric
and doing four things extremely well.
• First, make it easy—and fun—to shop
your store. It should be clean, easy to
navigate and easy to understand store
layouts. It should have well-thoughtout signage and knowledgeable
staff that are all focused on making
shoppers welcome and above all,
“comfortable” in the shop environment. If your specialty shop builds
a reputation for being a fun and easy
place to shop, the positive buzz will
18 TennisIndustry
April 2015
spread through word-of-mouth and
social media.
• Second, top specialty sport shops
understand the art and science of being
“sticky”– meaning that their open and
easy-to-navigate store space is focused
on keeping shoppers in the shop longer. The longer shoppers stay, the more
they purchase.
• Third, top specialty sports shops work
hard at becoming their customers’
“third-place,” a term coined by retail
guru Paco Underhill and given high
visibility by Starbucks. As Underhill’s
research shows (in his updated and
revised edition of Why We Buy: The
Science of Shopping), there is work,
home and the third place that consumers would prefer to be when they are
not at the other two. This is all directly
related to making shoppers comfortable and satisfied and happy with their
shopping experiences.
• Fourth, top sports retail stores stop
the confusion that comes with the
“tyranny of choice” that many specialty
tennis shops have been talked into
believing is what consumers want. Our
research, going back before the great
recession, found that the new product
offerings, selection and merchandising
in many specialty sports shops were
confusing and overwhelming to
shoppers…and were responsible for
driving away “novices” who wanted
to get back into a sport like tennis. Too many price points for one
model family and too many model
families are not only confusing to
shoppers, but to your sales associates as well, and in particular parttime associates.
Top specialty retail shops understand the merchandising philosophy
of Good, Better, Best and taking a
good, hard look at their product offerings and simplifying the selection to
sell more. It means fewer SKUs and
increased inventory turns—and
profitability.
Complaining about the internet
is not a strategy or a solution, but
becoming a top specialty tennis retail
shop by executing these four consumer-centric things well to will place you
prominently in the consumers’ Path to
Purchase! •
This is part of a series of retail tips
presented by the Tennis Industry Association and written by the Gluskin
Townley Group (www.gluskintownleygroup.com).
Junior Play
Team Spirit
Recent changes to Junior Team Tennis are
helping more kids get into the game.
Flexibility is Key
But in recent years, Junior Team Tennis
has had its challenges, Jones says. One
of the biggest was that the program had
a rigidity that often made it difficult
to form and keep teams playing. But
also, says Jones, “It ended up not being
about local play, even though that was
the intent all along.” One of the unique
aspects of JTT—which was that kids
played to advance from districts up to
a national championship—also seemed
to be holding the program back from
growing overall.
So the USTA began surveying parents
and players to find out what can be
done to give the program a boost, and
then started to make those suggestions
happen. One of the biggest changes,
implemented this past January, was
C O U RT E S Y U S TA
G
et Craig Jones on the phone
talking about Junior Team
Tennis, and you can hear the
excitement in his voice. In fact, if he’s on
the phone while in his car, you begin to
get a little worried for drivers that may
be around him.
“We’ve listened to the feedback and
changed the rules for Junior Team Tennis, and now we’re making it easier on
both participants and providers,” says
Jones, the USTA’s director of Junior
Play. “And we’re unbelievably excited
about all of this.”
Every year, Junior Team Tennis,
which was established in 1991 and is for
players ages 5 to 18, brings thousands of
kids together in teams to play singles,
doubles and mixed doubles against
their peers. In 2014, there were 88,000
unique Junior Team Tennis participants, playing in nearly 800 programs
across the U.S. In addition to helping
youngsters grow as individuals, JTT
promotes social skills and fosters a
spirit of cooperation. Participants not
only learn tennis in a fun, team environment, but they also learn that succeeding is more about how they play the
game—win or lose.
instituting two different JTT pathways.
For competitive juniors there is “Championship Junior Team Tennis,” where
the competition works its way up and can
culminate in playing for a national title.
But for the vast majority of youngsters
(and their parents) who are looking for a
fun way to hang out with friends and play
some tennis, there’s “local” Junior Team
Tennis play, where USTA membership
is optional and tennis providers have
more flexibility to make their programs
successful.
There are other important changes,
too. JTT had a restrictive format that
required equal numbers of boys and girls
on a team, which often is hard to do. “We
realized half the programs simply weren’t
doing the format,” Jones says. “So we
redesigned it to give flexibility on team
composition. Basically for the younger
kids, we recommend a co-ed format. We
recommend four to six kids on a team,
but some communities might want to
have more kids.
“Everything is about having playing
time, and getting equal playing time for
every youngster,” Jones adds. “So we cut
the format back and doubled the playing
opportunities. Our recommendation is
to play a singles and doubles match for
each round, and do it for four rounds. But
again, if you have more kids you want
to have more matches. The bottom line
is, we want guaranteed matches for the
kids.”
Another change is for “level-based
play,” also called “cooperative lineups”—
when the two captains get together
before the match and agree on their
strongest and weakest players, so competition doesn’t become a blowout.
Impact Locally
For tennis providers, the changes
seem to be having an impact. “Since
the kids are playing more, their level of
confidence, understanding of the game
and skills have noticeably increased,”
says Vanessa A. Purom, a league
captain in Vincennes, Ind. In the MidAtlantic Section, league coordinator
Cathy Shields notes, “Our 18U group
got to play more, and matches were
completed more quickly,” and league
captain Mike Callow adds, “Our teams
are more evenly balanced.”
“So we’ve made it easier to form
teams, guaranteed match play, and
made it level-based,” Jones sums up.
“Everything else depends on the community and on what fits the needs of
the community. We have JTT programs in all 17 sections, but we know
we’re nowhere close to where we could
be with this program.”
The goal in the next year is to
increase by 25 percent the number of
Junior Team Tennis programs in the
U.S, he adds, then 50 percent growth
in two years. “We’re trying not to focus
on membership participation. Our
big goal is growth in the number of
programs.
“In my opinion, this is the biggest
change in competition for kids in my
30 years of coaching tennis,” Jones
notes. “I think we’re really going to
blow it out of the water. This is very
exciting stuff.” •
For more information about forming Junior Team Tennis programs, contact your USTA district or section.
20 TennisIndustry
April 2015
Racquet Service
It’s Time for A Tune-Up
Enhance your equipment service, and keep players playing
their best, by promoting racquet tune-up packages.
By Bob Patterson
S
tringing and other racquet service
items are the cornerstone of
successful tennis retailing. These
services are not only high profit centers
but also generate foot traffic in your
shop.
It is easy to let this part of the business run on auto-pilot but with a little
bit of promotion, you can give them a
boost and enhance your bottom line,
too.
Your goal is to promote your services
and get your customers to have their
racquets serviced more often.
Education is essential in getting the
22 TennisIndustry
April 2015
point across to consumers that it’s important to keep their equipment in shape.
Most players really don’t understand the
importance of restringing—even some
of the most avid and frequent players.
A good point to make to your play-
ers and customers is that you see most
of the top pros going to a fresh string
job on every ball change. While your
customers cannot be expected to go to
that extreme and take out a new, freshly
strung racquet every nine games, it is a
way to show them that strings do make
a difference in the performance of the
racquet.
Show ‘Em What They’ve Lost
Having a way to verify tension loss also
is a great way to show customers a measureable verification of what they are
experiencing on the court. I often hear
club and recreational players say, “I am
not good enough to tell the difference,”
but in fact, that isn’t true. Players of all
levels can tell if a racquet doesn’t seem
to be playing like it did a few weeks
earlier.
When their racquet’s performance
begins to decline, having a numerical
verification can show them that they
can feel the difference. For instance,
using the Babolat Racquet Diagnostic
Center, Gamma’s ERT Tennis Computer or a similar device to measure and
track the string-bed stiffness, and its
decline with time and use, will convince
them that a restring is needed.
When a player has a racquet freshly
strung, put it on the diagnostic machine
and get the initial tension, then make
a note of it in the player’s file, with the
date. Then, tell him or her to stop back
regularly to check the tension. As the
player sees the tension drop, he or she
will have to determine at what point
they should restring (and along the
way, they’ll be educated as to how their
racquet plays while their tension is
declining). While it’s tempting to say,
“You should restring when you lose
X percent of your original tension,” it
really is up to the player to figure out
what percentage tension loss they can
no longer tolerate.
Instead of discounting your services
to draw more sales, try doing a valueadded promotion, such as a bundle
price for a string job, new grip and
dampener. This ensures that you will
get bigger sales and the customer is still
getting a discount but won’t necessarily wait for you to have a “string sale”
before getting their racquet serviced
again.
An added benefit to bundling is making players aware of the importance of a
fresh grip. This is too often overlooked
and when they get their hand on a fresh
grip, the racquet feels brand new again,
especially if it also has a fresh string job.
Get the Word Out
The Tennis Industry Association is a
good resource for advertising materials
using the Tennis Tune-Up campaign.
If you go to PlayTennis.com, under
“Offers,” then “Tennis Tune-Up,” there’s
a “For Retailers and Stringers” dropdown that takes you to materials you can
download and use to reach out to tennis
players and consumers in your area about
the importance of and need for tuning up
your equipment. Some of the signs, banners and fliers are customizable so you
can add your store’s name, location and
contact information.
Use in-store signage, fliers and local
ads to present a concise and consistent
message about the importance of fresh
strings and grips.
Also important, though, is making sure
your business is listed on PlayTennis.com
so when consumers in your area search
for a place to bring their equipment, buy
new gear or seek advice, they find you. If
you go to PlayTennis.com, you can sign
up as a “Provider” under the “Get Listed”
tab. It’s all free and it will direct consumers to your business when they search.•
April 2015
TennisIndustry 23
Apparel Trends
High-Tech
Fabrics Take
Performance
to a Higher
Level
A
By Emily Walzer
t last summer’s US Open, several ball boys
and girls wore Polo Tech shirts made by
Ralph Lauren that featured sensors knitted into the garment to read biological and
physiological cues. Soon enough this type of
“smart” shirt will move off the sidelines and onto center court,
as wearable technology is emerging as one of the strongest
trends in textiles right now.
Smart materials have been in development for decades, but
according to fabric industry experts, the category is ready for
mainstream. The latest innovations are functionally sleek
fabrications that have incredibly thin yet effective sensors
integrated into normal-looking activewear garments.
“This is the beginning of an era of wearables,” says Davide
Vigano, CEO of Sensoria. Vigano, previously an executive
with Microsoft, is helping usher in advances in how electronic
sensors can be used into everyday products. His firm’s new
sock, for instance, integrates conductive threads and sensor
into knitted hosiery that is machine washable. Worn with the
compatible electronic anklet device that magnetically snaps
onto the cuff, the sock tracks not only how far and fast you go,
but provides feedback on foot strike, posture and cadence.
While self-monitoring features are fast becoming a priority,
textile execs agree that products still must look good to prove
popular. The Ralph Lauren Polo Tech hits the mark with a
stylish, snug compression fit. Fabric developers expect the
24 TennisIndustry
April 2015
next wave of innovation will include tech-wear that is even
more attractive without sacrificing any functionality.
Fabric Customization
In addition to embedded fitness monitoring, another important trend in today’s performance fabric sector is customization. Increasingly, textile suppliers are introducing fabrications personalized to individuals’ needs. For instance, textile
maker Schoeller has recently launched a refined application
for what are known as “phase change materials” in a line of
products called CoolIt, BalanceIt, WarmIt. (Phase change
materials are technically engineered to absorb and release
heat as necessary to enhance comfort by regulating body
temperature.)
What Schoeller has done is advance this concept by dialing
in a specific amount of these super high-tech phase change
material capsules and temperature settings, so the technology is customized to distinct needs. CoolIt could be used in a
lightweight jacket for summer that provides a cooling effect,
for example, while WarmIt could be used in a jacket in early
spring that provides a bit of warmth. “It could be used as a literal warm-up jacket for players,” says Schoeller spokesperson
Shannon Walton.
Regulating body temperature continues to dominate fabric
development, as this feature is key to athletic performance.
To do that, innovations in lightweight, functional fabrics that
move moisture, dry quickly and protect from the sun are
under constant review.
Recently, athletic companies have upped their game
with functional textiles focused
on tennis. New Balance, for
instance, signed Milos Raonic
(facing page) to a multi-year
contract and the Canadian star
will showcase the company’s
new Men’s Tournament Crew.
The shirt is made with a lightweight textured wicking fabric,
mesh inserts for supreme
ventilation, bonded back and
shoulder seams, and UV protection. “The Tournament Crew
was designed to perform,” is
how New Balance describes the
high-tech top.
Seasonal Transitions
What’s also trending in textile
technology is how traditional cold-weather fabrications
are being updated for warm-weather wear. Wool has been
edging into spring collections for a while, but now lightweight performance Merino wool is completely accepted
as a warm-weather option in everything from socks to
T-shirts. The latest wool products are soft, itch-free, easy
care, and offer a roster of functional benefits, such as wicking,
breathability and anti-odor properties. The emerging category
of techno-wool blends—fabrics
that combine Merino with a
synthetic fiber—bumps the performance factor even higher.
Like wool, insulations are
also making a seasonal transition. New synthetic products
such as Polartec Alpha and
PrimaLoft Active are lightweight insulations designed to
provide just the right amount
of protection on cool days, but
won’t feel bulky or clammy
when worn during an aerobic
workout thanks to a high degree of breathability built into
the insulation. Even insulations
made with down are now engineered for year-round wear.
According to one activewear designer, “A down vest is a perfect
garment for spring.”
While tennis has long been a sport about looking good while
performing well, today’s modern materials can help players
take their game up a notch. •
April 2015
TennisIndustry 25
Soft Goods
These outdoor facility winners
are excellent examples of softcourt construction.
26 TennisIndustry
April 2015
Distinguished Facility-of-the-Year Awards
T
Treviso Bay Fitness Center
Fort Myers, Fla
(Nominated by Welch Tennis Courts Inc.)
No. of Courts: 9
Specialty Contractor: Welch Tennis Courts Inc.
Surface: Har-Tru Sports/California Products
Subsurface Irrigation System: Welch Tennis
Courts HydroGrid
Nets, Posts, Windscreens, Nails: Welch Tennis
Courts
Lighting: LSI Industries Courtsider System
Line Tapes: Har-Tru Sports
here were 17 outdoor tennis facilities that took honors in
the Tennis Industry/American Sports Builders Association Distinguished Facility-of-the-Year Awards for 2014,
and eight of those are soft-court projects.
Five of these soft-court facility winners are located in Florida, with
other winners in North Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee. But seven of
these winning clay-court projects are the products of just two Floridabased specialty contractors.
At the Carmel Country Club Tennis Center in Charlotte, N.C.,
the entire tennis court area was demolished then reshaped to accommodate the construction of 10 new clay courts and two new hard
courts. Retaining walls were introduced, and some of the new sloped,
landscaped areas became casual seating areas for spectators. The new
drainage system uses trench drains and swales that result in courts drying much more quickly.
As part of a Miami Beach reconstruction project, the city redesigned
the Flamingo Park Tennis Center and built 17 subsurface-irrigated
courts and a new tennis center building. Incorporated into the concrete
curb design were new fencing and trench drains.
Existing asphalt courts were converted to eight new subsurface-irrigated courts at the Mission Bay Tennis Club in Boca Raton, Fla. The
original courts were installed below the surrounding ground, so a curb
was installed to raise the new court surface above the ground. Challenged by steady rain, each court had to be built separately.
The new courts at the Parkland Golf & Country Club in Parkland,
Fla., consist of two new subsurface-irrigated Har-Tru courts and a new
asphalt court, plus a basketball court. The project included fencing,
lighting, shade cabanas and court amenities.
The tennis facility at the Portage Country Club in Akron, Ohio, had
six overhead-irrigated clay courts, which were converted to subsurfaceirrigated courts. The look of the facility was updated with new vinylcoated fencing that included “cut” corners and “v’s”, and new shade
canopies. Drainage was improved with new polymer concrete drains on
the low-end of the court batteries.
Richland Country Club in Nashville, Tenn., also converted its two
courts from overhead irrigation to subsurface irrigation. Since the facility wasn’t all on one elevation, getting material to and from the court
posed a slight challenge, as did the frequent rain, which stopped the job
several times.
The new construction at the Treviso Bay Fitness Center in Fort
Myers, Fla., included eight subsurface-irrigated courts (in four twocourt batteries), one asphalt court, a concrete Playmate practice court,
two bocce ball courts and a half basketball court. The court contractor
installed a red brick curb, vinyl-coated fencing, bleachers, cabanas and
lighting. Because of scheduling challenges and rain that caused access
problems due to mud, multiple tennis crews needed to be working
seven days a week to help the general contractor meet his deadline.
The nine new courts (and one basketball court) at Valencia Reserve
in Boynton Beach, Fla., were put in in two phases, which required the
contractor to match the installation down to every subtle detail during
the second phase of construction. The court contractor also added fencing, curbing, lights, cabanas and court supplies. —Peter Francesconi •
April 2015
TennisIndustry 27
Distinguished Facility-of-the-Year Awards
Carmel Country Club Tennis Center
Charlotte, NC
(Nominated by Global Sports & Tennis Design Group)
No. of Courts: 12
Architect/Engineer: Global Sports & Tennis Design
Group
General/Specialty Contractor: Court One
Surface: Har-Tru Sports; Advanced Polymer Tech.
Lights: LSI Industries
Posts: Edwards
Nets, Windscreens: Putterman Athletics
Practice Walls: Rally Master
City of Miami Beach–Flamingo Park Tennis Center
Miami Beach, Fla.
(Nominated by Fast-Dry Courts Inc.)
No. of Courts: 17
Specialty Contractor: Fast-Dry Courts Inc.
Surface: Har-Tru Sports
Fencing: Fast-Dry Courts Inc.
Court Accessories: Fast-Dry & 10-S Tennis Supply
Windscreens: Aer-Flo
Mission Bay Tennis Club
Boca Raton, Fla.
No. of Courts: 8
Surface Material: Har-Tru
Subsurface Irrigation System: Welch Tennis Courts
HydroGrid
Nets, Posts, Nails: Welch Tennis Courts
Parkland Golf & Country Club
Parkland, Fla.
No. of Courts: 3
Surface: Har-Tru Sports/California Products
HydroGrid
Nets, Posts, Windscreens, Nails: Welch Tennis Courts
Portage Country Club
Akron, Ohio
No. of Courts: 6
HydroGrid
28 TennisIndustry
April 2015
Richland Country Club
Nashville, Tenn.
No. of Courts: 2
HydroGrid
Valencia Reserve
Boynton Beach, Fla.
(Nominated by Fast-Dry Courts Inc.)
No. of Courts: 9
Specialty Contractor: Fast-Dry Courts Inc.
Surface: Har-Tru Sports/Nova System (basketball
court)
Court Accessories: Fast-Dry & 10-S Tennis Supply
Lighting: LSI Industries
For details on the 2015 Outstanding Facility-of-the-Year Awards, contact the ASBA at 866-501-ASBA or
info@sportsbuilders.org, or visit www.sportsbuilders.org.
April 2015
TennisIndustry 29
Racquet Selection
Finding the
Perfect Fit
Our exclusive Racquet Selection Map will help you
select a diverse inventory so your customers can
choose their perfect frame.
A
By Bob Patterson
s manufacturers continue to introduce more
racquets, it can be difficult to choose what
frames to carry in inventory. Most shops cannot afford to carry everything, so you’ll need
to make sure your inventory is varied enough
to accommodate all player types—without going overboard. If
you have 20 different frames on your wall, you want to make
sure that you don’t have a lot of duplications from brand to
brand.
Our Racquet Selection Map can help you choose an inventory that covers all player types and reduces duplication.
First, take a close look at your clientele and make sure you
have something to offer everyone. Cover the gamut of power,
control and maneuverability. Use our Racquet Selection Map
to analyze your inventory offerings and fill in where needed.
30 TennisIndustry
April 2015
Knowing your customers will help tailor the inventory
mix to maximize sales. If the majority of your players fall
in one area of the Map, you’ll want to go a bit deeper in
these models and perhaps carry more subtle variations
such as length, head size and string pattern, if your budget
allows.
Second, use your knowledge to help your customers
hone in on the racquet that will suit them best. Find out
what they are currently using and what they would like to
change. Using the Racquet Selection Map, you can show
them frames to demo. Once they try the demos, listen to
their feedback to determine what to suggest next. Do they
need more power? More maneuverability?
The Map makes narrowing the selection easy and your
customers will appreciate your expertise.
Trends & Technologies
‘Smart’ frames, spin and customization are still some of the trends in racquets.
E
very year we see new technologies introduced as
racquet manufacturers strive to improve their
racquets. Their ultimate goal is to improve the
consumer’s game, so if their newest technology can improve a
player’s performance, there’s a good chance they will buy. And
after all, just like you, the manufacturers are in business to sell
racquets.
As a racquet retailer, it is up to you to not only make your
customers aware of the new technology, but you must also be
able to show your customer how that technology can elevate
their performance on the court.
Some technology is easier to explain than others. What is
generally referred to as “visible” technology is usually simple
to explain and show, while a new material or handle system
may be more difficult since the new racquet looks pretty much
the same as the previous model. The bottom line is that you
need to learn about new technologies as they are introduced
and be able to explain what the technology is and what it can
mean to a customer’s game.
Some of the trends we are seeing include data technology,
spin and customization.
• “Smart” Racquets: Babolat introduced the Play Pure Drive
model last year, and this year added the Play AeroPro Drive,
which Rafael Nadal started using at the Australian Open. The
racquets “talk” to your smartphone or computer, providing
stats about your performance during a match or training
session. Other products are being developed that track similar
information and attach to the strings of any racquet much
like a dampener. In fact, Sony unveiled a device last year that
attaches to the butt cap of a racquet, and Wilson and Yonex
have racquets that are set up to hook into the Sony system.
As this technology evolves, we’re sure to see more products
being developed.
• Spin Is In: Almost every company is touting spin in their
marketing these days, with manufacturers introducing
racquets with open patterns to produce more spin.
For Prince, frames with Extreme String Pattern (ESP)
have fewer mains and crosses and claim to provide up to
30 percent more spin. Prince offers ESP racquets across
the spectrum, from a game-improvement super oversize
to tour-level mid-plus models. Wilson’s Spin Effect
Technology features racquets with fewer cross strings (15 or
16 in most models). The company claims this enhances spin
with 3.3 times more string movement, 69 percent faster
string snapback and 10 percent more spin. Both Prince and
Wilson continue to add models to their ESP and Spin Effect
lines.
• Customized Options: More companies are offering
customized options in many models. For the most part this
means offering the same racquets with variations in length,
weight or string pattern. But Head has several racquets with
its new Adaptive String Pattern, where, by changing out the
side grommet strips, the string pattern can be changed from
16 x 19 to 16 x 16. •
Racquet Selection Map Key
1. Power/Control (columns). (formula =
length index x headsize x flex x swingweight) ÷ 1000. Length index calculation:
27" = 1.0, 27.5" = 1.05; 28" = 1.1, etc.
2. Maneuverability (rows). RDC (Babolat Racquet Diagnostic Center) swingweight units.
3. Racquet ID. The number in the grid
correlates to the accompanying racquet
list.
4. Headsize. Midsize and midplus (≤104
sq. in.) have no indicator.
Oversize (105-117 sq. in.) = •. Superoversize (≥ 118 sq. in.) = :.
5. Length. x = extended length. Standard
length (27") racquets have no indicator.
6. Flex (RDC). a = < 60; b = 60-64; c =
65-69; d = 70-74; e = > 74. The higher the
number, the stiffer the racquet.
7. Company. Coded by number and
color. See accompanying racquet list on
the following pages.
32 TennisIndustry
April 2015
8. Racquet Quadrants and the Center of the
Racquet Universe. The center of the racquet
universe is located at the intersection of the
two red lines. Approximately half the racquets
lie to the right and left, and half above and
below these lines. The lines divide the racquet
universe into four color-coded quadrants –
clockwise from top left: (1) quick power, (2)
quick control, (3) stable control, (4) stable
power. These characterizations provide a general vocabulary for comparing racquets.
9. Racquet Finder List. The racquet list
accompanying the map identifies all the new
racquets and gives additional information.
For a complete list of all current frames on the
map, go to TennisIndustryMag.com. The map
provides specific (very narrow ranges, anyway) swingweight, flex and power statistics,
and general size and length characteristics.
The racquet list specifies the length and size
and further specifies weight, balance, and
price.
How To Use It
1. Ask questions. What are you looking
for that your current racquet does not
provide? What do you like most and least
about your current racquet? What are the
strengths and weaknesses of your game?
2. Locate current racquet on map. If
the racquet is not in the list, take measurements.
3. Locating potential racquets. Depending on the answers to the above
questions, draw an imaginary arrow (a
wide or skinny one) from your present racquet in the desired direction for
power and maneuverability.
4. Narrowing the field. Shrink the
choices using the length, headsize, and
flex codes to match customer preferences.
5. Selecting racquet demos. Once the
choices are narrowed, locate the racquets by number in the racquet list.
34 TennisIndustry
April 2015
For a complete list of all current frames on
the map, go to TennisIndustryMag.com.
Newest Racquets on the Market
Racquet
Swing
Head
size Length Weight Weight Balance Balance Flex weight Power Retail
(gm)
(oz)
(in) (RDC) (kg x Formula Price
(cm)
(in2) (in)
cm2)
Babolat
Racquet
Swing
Head
size Length Weight Weight Balance Balance Flex weight Power Retail
(gm)
(oz)
(in) (RDC) (kg x Formula Price
(cm)
(in2) (in)
cm2)
Tecnifibre
11Drive 115
11527.602649.31 36.3014.2965298 2361$159
169 T Flash 285 ATP
100 27.00 296 10.44 32.80 12.91 68
280
1904 $179
12 Drive Lite
100 27.00 274
36.00
14.17
68
306
2081 $169
172 T Rebound 265 Feel
105 27.00 283 9.98
34.40 13.54 70
304
2234 $179
18 Pure Drive (FSI)
100 27.00 315 11.11 32.40
12.76
71
304
2158 $199
19 Pure Drive + (FSI)
100 27.50 313 11.04 32.90 12.95 70
304
2234 $199
173 T Rebound 295 Pro
100 27.00 315 11.11 33.50 13.19 70
318
2226 $189
20 Pure Drive 107 (FSI)
107 27.13 297 10.48 34.00 13.39 67
303
2199 $189
21 Pure Drive 110 (FSI)
110 27.50 277 9.77
13.78 63
300
2183 $199
Volkl
22 Pure Drive Lite (FSI)
100 27.00 287 10.12 34.30 13.50 67
295
1977 $189
180 Organix 1 Super G
115 27.75 263 9.28
36.40 14.33 72
302
2688 $300
67
306
2050 $195
98
27.00 312 11.01 33.90 13.35 64
316
1982 $240
100 27.00 327 11.53 32.50 12.80 70
316
2212 $195
295g
25 Pure Drive Tour + (FSI) 100 27.50 313 11.04 32.60 12.83 71
325
2308 $195
98
27.00 340 11.99 32.70
67
331
2173 $240
26 Pure Strike (16x19)
311
1981 $189
325g
115 27.60 290 10.23 35.70
14.06 70
326
2782 $265
100 27.00 276
13.74
70
296
2072 $195
104 27.00 315 11.11 33.50 13.19 72
312
2336 $240
9.67
35.00
23 Pure Drive Team (FSI) 100 27.00 304 10.72 33.20
24 Pure Drive Tour (FSI)
98
27.00 321 11.32 32.70
13.07
12.87 65
(White & Orange)
(White & Orange)
Donnay 184 Organix 2 Super G
38 Gold Lite 99
99
27.00 299 10.55 33.30
13.11 68
298
2006 $249
Dunlop 189 Organix 7 Super G
9.74
34.90
12.87
52 iDapt Force 100 (27 inch)100 27.00 322 11.36 33.70 13.27 70 321 2247 $200
295g
53 iDapt Force 100 (27.5 inch)100 27.50 331 11.68 34.50
13.58
71
344
2565 $200
194 Organix V1 Super G MP102 27.00 294 10.37 32.30
70
290
2071 $250
54 iDapt Force 100 S (27 inch)100 27.00 320 11.29
33.50
13.19
71
311
2208
195 Organix V1 Super G OS110 27.50 298 10.51 34.00 13.39 70
306
2474 $250
55 iDapt Force 100 S (27.5 inch)100 27.50 326 11.50 34.50
13.58
70
340
2499 $200
$200
12.72
Weed
56 iDapt Force 105 (27 inch)105 27.00 313 11.04 33.80 13.31 68 317 2263 $200
203125-EX
125 27.50 269 9.49 36.25 14.27 69 311 2816 $209
57 iDapt Force 105 (27.5 inch)105 27.50 317 11.18 34.50
204 EXT 125 Tour
125 28.50 265 9.35
13.58
68
335
2511 $200
36.00
14.17
64
331
3045 $250
58 iDapt Force 98 (27 inch)98 27.00315 11.11 33.20 13.07 66 304 1966 $200
Wilson
59 iDapt Force 98 (27.5 inch) 98 27.50321 11.32 34.50 13.58 64 335 2206 $200
209 Blade 98 16x19
Gamma 65 RZR 100 (2015)
100 27.00 304 10.72 31.80 12.52 70
281
1967 $200
210 Blade 98 18x20
71 RZR 98 (2015)
98
313
1902 $180
27.00 315 11.11 32.80 12.91 62
98 26.90 315 11.11 33.60 13.23 63
319
1950 $230
335
2048 $230
98 26.90 311 10.97 34.30 13.50 62
327
1967 $199
104 27.50 304 10.72 33.20
305
1932 $230
2354 $220
(Braided Graphite + Basalt)
98 26.90 325 11.46 33.40 13.15 63
(Braided Graphite + Basalt)
Head 211 Blade 98 S 13.70 60
304
1824 $190
77 Graphene Extreme MP 100 27.00 313 11.04 32.90 12.95 68
309
2101 $190
212 Blade 104
78 Graphene Extreme Pro 100 27.00 328 11.57 32.10 12.64 68
318
2162 $190
79 Graphene XT
323
2100 $200
213 BLX Steam 105 S
105 27.33 300 10.58 33.70
215 Burn 100 100 26.90 299 10.55 34.70
76 Graphene Extreme Lite100 27.00 281 9.91
100 27.00 323 11.39 32.50 12.80 65
Instinct MP
80 Graphene XT Instinct 100 26.80 247 8.71
(Black & Lime Green)
13.07
58
13.27
70
310
100 27.00 317 11.18 34.40 13.54 73
342
2497 $199
312
2162 $199
2457 $199
(Graphite Basalt Matrix)
35.20 13.86 60
299
1758 $200
216 Burn 100 LS
217 Burn 100 S
100 27.00 318 11.22 34.00 13.39 74
332
35.30 13.90 60
300
1764 $200
218 Burn 100 Team
100 27.00 281 9.91
34.00 13.39 59
286
1687
219 Burn 100 ULS
100 27.00 276
35.00
13.78 68
301
2047 $199
Rev Pro (16x16)
81 Graphene XT Instinct 100 26.80 247 8.71
34.80
Rev Pro (16x19)
9.74
13.66 70
$99
82 Graphene XT Instinct S 102 27.00 291 10.26 35.30 13.90 71
309
2238 $200
221 Five Lite BLX
105 27.25 266 9.38
37.00
14.57 26
305
853
83 Graphene XT Speed
100 27.00 318 11.22 32.90 12.95 68
319
2169 $225
222 Four BLX
105 27.00 264 9.31
35.90 14.13 71
291
2169 $220
228 Pro Staff 95 S
95
27.00 319 11.25 32.70
12.87 64
298
1812 $250
100 27.00 318 11.22 32.90 12.95 68
319
2169 $225
229 Pro Staff 97
97
27.00 324 11.43 32.90 12.95 65
319
2011 $230
85 Graphene XT Speed Pro100 27.00 325 11.46 31.80 12.52 66
311
2053 $225
230 Pro Staff 97 LS
97
27.00 302 10.65 33.60 13.23 65
313
1973 $230
97
27.00 352 12.42 31.80 12.52 69
330
2209 $250
MPA (16x16)
MPA (16x19)
(Black & Red)
98
27.40 267 9.42
34.50 13.58 58
306
1809 $225
231 Pro Staff RF 97
98
27.40 267 9.42
34.60 13.62 58
306
1809 $225
234 Three BLX (113)
Autograph
Rev Pro (16x16)
88 Graphene XT Speed S 100 27.00 325 11.46 31.80 12.52 66
311
2053 $225
9.67
100 27.35 302 10.65 33.50 13.19 64
304
2014
*
243 Vcore Si 100
PowerAngle 244 Vcore Si 100 Lite
98
27.00 345 12.17 32.90 12.95 65
313
1994 $199
17
322
649
39.00 15.35 74
37.00
14.57
323
2695 $230
$260
Yonex
Pacific 242 Ezone Ai Rally
121 Ace of Diamonds
113 27.50 274
235 Two BLX (White & Gray)110 27.25 255 8.99
Rev Pro (16x19)
112 X Fast LT
$230
245 Vcore Si 105
Prince 246 Vcore Si 98
107 27.00 288 10.16 34.25 13.48 62
297
1970
100 27.00 314 11.08 32.80 12.91 71
315
2237 $219
$99
100 27.00 294 10.37 33.60 13.23 69
300
2070 $219
105 27.00 285 10.05 34.80
13.70 68
306
2185
98
27.00 319 11.25 32.50 12.80 68
308
2053 $219
*
149 Warrior 107
107 27.00 314 11.08 32.00 12.60 67
303
2172
*
247 Vcore Si 98 Lite
98
27.00 302 10.65 33.50 13.19 68
307
2046 $219
150 Warrior 107 T
107 27.00 297 10.48 33.50 13.19 69
306
2259
*
248 Vcore Si Team 98
98
27.00 290 10.23 34.00 13.39 66
294
1902
152 Warrior Pro 100T ESP 100 27.00 295 10.41 33.90 13.35 64
315
2016 $199
252 Vcore Tour G 97 (310g) 97
27.00 331 11.68 31.80 12.52 63
319
1949 $219
253 Vcore Tour G 97 (330g) 97
27.00 350 12.35 31.80 12.52 63
343
2096 $219
*MSRP was not available at the time of print.
April 2015
TennisIndustry 35
*
Ask the Experts
Your Equipment Hotline
Q
Benefits of the 50/50
Pattern
A recent discussion raised
the question of why a stringer would
use the 50/50 technique. What are
the advantages? Are there any disadvantages?
I have to admit that even after the
number of years I have been stringing, I have never used the pattern and
apart from the fact that it does reduce
the length of the cross string being
pulled through the mains, I cannot
think of any other advantage. (Useful
years ago perhaps when the Natural
Gut was not as good as it is these
days.)
A
The 50/50 technique is a
method of installing the
crosses on a two-piece string
job that involves starting the crosses at
the midpoint of the hoop instead of the
top or bottom, akin to the way you start
the mains in the center of the racquet
with two equal-length pieces of string
on either side of the starting point.
Historically, the 50/50 technique
was employed to reduce wear and tear
on the string (both mains and crosses)
when installing natural gut. With the
modern manufacturing methods used
to make natural gut, the 50/50 method
is rarely needed these days, especially
considering how few players are using
75-square-inch racquets with an 18x20
string bed.
Still, the 50/50 technique does offer
one modern advantage, and that would
be when using a stringing machine
without a turntable brake, with Prince
racquets with O-Ports along the sides.
Because you are always working from
the center out with the 50/50 technique, the force vector on the racquet
when pulling tension is always in your
favor, making the turntable brake
unnecessary. Prince has approved the
use of the 50/50 technique with its
racquets. Theoretically, it could also
be used on racquets such as the Wilson Rollers series, although you would
be doing so at your own risk.
As for disadvantages, there are a few
big ones. First, when using the 50/50
pattern on a directional racquet (that
is, a racquet where the crosses must be
installed a certain way), you cannot be
off on your starting point because you
won’t be able to finish, let alone tie off.
Second, even on clearly marked
directional racquets (or directional
racquets designed in such a way that
you can’t make a mistake in starting
on the wrong side of the racquet), you
still have to determine the midpoint of
the side of the hoop if you’re hoping to
save string with this method.
Third, and perhaps most important,
We welcome your questions. Please send them to Tennis Industry, PO Box 3392, Duluth, GA 30096; fax: 760-536-1171; email: greg@racquettech.com.
36 TennisIndustry
April 2015
with all the mains in, the hoop of the
racquet is as compressed as it’s going
to be. When you start the crosses at the
head, which is the recommended best
practice, you are gradually easing the
hoop back to its final shape, working
from the weaker end of the racquet
toward the stronger. With the 50/50
method, you are overcoming the hoop
compression by applying force at the
midpoints of the hoop, which transfers
the stress in the hoop down toward the
shaft and up toward the shoulders. This
has the effect of squaring off the hoop,
focusing the stress in the vulnerable
shoulders of the hoop. We would expect
there to be a lot more frame failure
on racquets strung using the 50/50
method.
Q
on the machine. Most of the racquets
you’re going to run into that exhibit
this characteristic are the less-expensive aluminum frames. Apparently,
at the price point for these racquets,
which are widely available at big-box
stores, the manufacturer is assuming
that the original strings will last the
life of the racquet, so there is no provision for professional restringing.
Therefore, during your initial
inspection of the racquet, try to determine if you have an aluminum (as
opposed to the more modern carbon
fiber) racquet. It can be more difficult
to spot these racquets at a distance
given the newer manufacturing techniques and better graphics, but once
you know what you are looking for,
they are easy to spot. Used racquets
will sometimes have some of the paint
scraped off, revealing the silver color
of aluminum rather than the black
color of carbon fiber.
If the racquet turns out to be one of
the less-expensive models, check for
cracks as you normally would, and be
very careful about checking the condition of the bumper guard and grommet strip. Replacements for these will
not be available for these racquets, so
if either is in bad shape you can alert
the customer immediately that the
racquet is not suitable for restringing.
Alternately, you can point out that for
the price of a good string job, he can
replace the entire racquet with a new
one of similar quality.
If the racquet passes this muster,
check to see what tie-off holes are
available. If there are not enough for
two-piece stringing, you can either
identify the location of the tie-off hole
you will be needing, and open it up
with an awl before you start stringing,
or revert to one-piece stringing. Keep
in mind that opening up a grommet
hole with your awl might damage that
grommet hole beyond repair.
If one-piece stringing turns out to
be your best option, you don’t have
to settle for the conventional method
where you install the crosses from the
bottom up. There are several aroundthe-world and “box” patterns that
allow top-down installation of the
crosses when using one piece of string
on racquets where the mains end at
the throat.
—Greg Raven •
Too Few Holes
I read in the February 2015
issue of Tennis Industry
magazine the question from the reader who was restringing racquets that
seemed to have too many holes. I have
just the opposite problem: Racquets
with only two tie-off holes at the top,
and two tie-off holes at the bottom.
Obviously, you can string these
racquets using one piece of string, but
I prefer to use two pieces for speed,
convenience, and consistency.
What do you suggest I do when confronting one of these hole-challenged
racquets?
A
Racquets such as the ones you
describe are a problem because
for some reason they seem always to be configured so that the mains
end at the throat. You are able to tie off
the mains with no problem, and there is
a tie-off hole at the top where you start
the crosses, so you can miss the fact
that you are missing a tie-off hole at the
throat until you have installed all of the
mains and crosses.
Your best approach on these is to
start figuring out what you are going to
do before you even mount the frame
April 2015
TennisIndustry 37
String Playtest
By Greg Raven
Tecnifibre XR3 17
Tecnifibre XR3 is a multicore multifilament nylon string, made up
of 544 fine filaments in bundles surrounding the three larger PHP
Monocores, with everything held together by Tecnifibre’s polyurethane.
The Monocores and surrounding filaments provide a firm feel,
while the polyurethane is Tecnifibre’s exclusive formula, processed to give up to 400 percent elasticity for maximum comfort,
dynamic performance, and power, Tecnifibre says. XR3 is treated
with Tecnifibre’s Silicium Pyrogene Lubritec (SPL) anti-abrasion
coating, to increase durability.
Tecnifibre tells us that XR3 provides more power to players
using lighter (under 300 grams), lower-power frames, and at the
same time the polyurethane construction helps to eliminate the
vibration and shock to the arm that often accompany lighter racquets.
Tecnifibre XR3 is designed for players who want a comfortable,
powerful string that also offers a firm feel and control.
XR3 is available in 16 (1.30 mm) and 17 (1.25 mm) gauges in
Natural. It is priced from $14.95 for 40-foot sets and $229 for
200-meter reels. For more information or to order, contact Tecnifibre at 888-301-7878, or visit tecnifibre.com. Be sure to read the
conclusion for more information about getting a free set to try for
yourself.
38 TennisIndustry
April 2015
In the Lab
We tested the 17-gauge XR3. (We tested
a previous incarnation of XR3 16 in the
May 2008 issue of Racquet Sports Industry magazine.) The coil measured 40
feet, 1 inch. The diameter measured 1.23
mm prior to stringing, and 1.17 mm after
stringing. We recorded a string-bed
stiffness of 80 RDC units immediately
after stringing at 60 pounds in a Wilson
Pro Staff 6.1 95 (16 x 18 pattern) on a
constant-pull machine.
After 24 hours (no playing), stringbed stiffness measured 75 RDC units,
representing a 6 percent tension loss.
Our control string, Prince Synthetic
Gut Original Gold 16, measured 78 RDC
units immediately after stringing and 71
RDC units after 24 hours, representing
a 9 percent tension loss. In lab testing, Prince Synthetic Gut Original has
a stiffness of 217 and a tension loss of
11.67 pounds, while Tecnifibre XR3 17
has a stiffness of 177 and a tension loss
of 10.6 pounds. XR3 17 added 13.7 grams
to the weight of our unstrung frame.
The string was tested for five weeks
Playtester Ratings
Ease of Stringing
(compared to other strings)
much easier
somewhat easier
about as easy
not quite as easy
not nearly as easy
10
15
11
2
0
Overall Playability
(compared to the string played most often)
much better
somewhat better
about as playable
not quite as playable
not nearly as playable
3
13
10
10
2
Overall Durability
(compared to other strings of similar gauge)
much better
somewhat better
about as durable
not quite as durable
not nearly as durable
2
5
8
17
6
Rating Averages
From 1 to 5 (best)
Playability (7th overall)
Durability
Power (19th overall)
Control
Comfort (3rd overall)
Touch/Feel (6th overall)
Spin Potential
Holding Tension
Resistance to Movement
3.9
2.8
3.6
3.5
4.2
3.8
3.1
3.4
3.3
by 38 USRSA playtesters, with NTRP
ratings from 3.5 to 6.0. These are blind
tests, with playtesters receiving unmarked strings in unmarked packages.
Average number of hours playtested
was 18.9.
Tecnifibre XR3 is easy to install, a
point noted by several of our playtest
team members. The SPL lube is not so
heavy that it gets all over your hands,
but it makes installing the crosses and
negotiating blocked holes a breeze.
No playtester broke the sample during stringing, none reported problems
with coil memory, tying knots, or
friction burn, and one reported other
problems.
On the Court
Living up to its promise, PolyTour Spin
Tecnifibre promises comfort from XR3,
and our playtesters agreed it delivers,
ranking it second overall (tie) behind
only natural gut for Comfort—and
some members of the playtest team
use heavier racquets than XR3’s target
customer.
Our playtesters also ranked XR3 sixth
overall in the Touch/Feel category, as
well as seventh overall in the Playability
category, and 19th overall in the Power
category (meeting another of Tecnifibre’s design targets). XR3 also scored
well above average in the Control
category.
As a result, Tecnifibre XR3 scored
well above average overall of the 185
strings we’ve playtested to date for
publication.
Eight playtesters reported premature
fraying or peeling, one reported buzzing, and 11 reported notching. Twelve
playtesters broke the sample during the
playtest period, one each at 4, 6, 6.5, 9,
11, 12.5, 14, 18, 19, 20, 28, and 38 hours.
Playtester
Comments
“Good string! Super
easy to string. Would
recommend for anyone
wanting soft feel and
comfort. Good tension
maintenance, too.”
—6.0 male all-court player
using Wilson BLX Blade
16x19 strung at 50 pounds
CP (Wilson NXT 16)
“An excellent string for
playability and comfort.”
—4.5 male serve-and-volley
player using Babolat Pure
Drive strung at 59 pounds
CP (Wilson NXT 16)
“If you like a gummy
thin string, this string is
for you. Provided great
comfort with excellent
touch and feel.”
using Babolat Pure Strike
strung at 55 pounds LO
(Babolat RPM Blast 16)
“A great string for players looking for only playability and easy on the
arm. For touch and feel it
can’t be beat. This is not
for big-hitters.”
—4.5 male serve-and-volley
player using Head Radical
MP strung at 56 pounds CP
(Luxilon ALU Power 18)
“Nice soft feel string.
Good depth on ground
strokes.”
using Volkl Organix V1 MP
strung at 58 pounds CP
(Wilson Spin Cycle 16/17)
“A very nice, comfortable
string that provides some
nice power. This string
would be a great fit for
the 3.5-4.0 club player
looking to fill a lot of their
needs.”
—4.0 female all-court player
using Babolat Pure Drive
strung at 60 pounds CP (Natural Gut 16)
“String was OK but not as
aggressive as I’d like.”
using Babolat Aero Pro Drive
strung at 57 pounds CP
(Solinco Tour Bite 16)
(Strings normally used by
testers are indicated in parentheses. For the rest of the
tester comments, visit www.
tennisindustrymag.com.)
FREE PLAYTEST STRING PROGRAM
Tecnifibre will send a free set of XR3 17 to the first 300 USRSA members who cut
out (or copy) this coupon and send it to:USRSA, Attn: Tecnifibre String Offer
PO Box 3392, Duluth, GA 30096
or fax to 760-536-1171, or email the info below to stringsample@racquettech.com
Offer expires 15 April 2015 • Offer only available to USRSA members in the US.
Name: __________________________ USRSA Member number: _________________
Phone: __________________________ Email: _______________________________
If you print your email clearly, we will notify you when your sample will be sent.
Conclusion
According to Tecnifibre’s Playlab,
racquets that weigh less than 300 grams
generate 43 percent less power and 18
percent more shock, and XR3 mitigates
each of these issues. As mentioned
above, though, you still get XR3’s comfort, touch/feel, playability, and power
even in heavier racquets. Not only that,
but our lab test shows that XR3 17 is the
softest string offered by Tecnifibre.
If you think that Tecnifibre XR3 17
might be for you, fill out the coupon to
get a free set to try.•
April 2015
TennisIndustry 39
Your Serve
Respecting the Wisdom of a
Lesson Taught Years Ago
By Mark Rearden
Y
ears ago when I was young, I
decided I needed a tennis lesson.
To no one’s surprise, there was
no tennis professional to call upon in
Edgefield, S.C. At the time Augusta, Ga.,
was the largest city I had ever frequented, so I convinced my parents to let me
make a couple of long distance calls to
see if I could line up a lesson. I eventually got a lesson time and was able to
pay a friend gas money to take me to
Augusta.
I showed up at the Augusta Tennis
Center, a six-court rag of a facility by
today’s standards, and started looking around for my instructor. All of
the courts were taken by players who
seemed to be experts and who must be
about to go on tour or who had been on
tour at some point. “Boy, this is great,” I
thought. “This is where I want to be and
what I want to do.” And then my pro
spotted me.
“Are you Mark? I’m Mr. Charlie
Fortune.” My heart sunk. This guy had
to be at least 70 years old. All of these
major tennis studs spanking balls all
around me, and I’m going on court with
the tennis version of “The Old Man and
the Sea.” I was crestfallen. “Let’s go hit
some balls,” he said before I could make
up a fictitious name and get the heck
out of there.
On the walk to the back teaching
court (not one of the six with actual
lines), he began asking me questions
about where I was from and how I came
to travel from Edgefield for a tennis lesson. It took the entire walk to our court
to get my arms around the fact that I
40 TennisIndustry
April 2015
was going to be paying this guy with my
own money.
The entire lesson was somewhat of a
blur, and to my surprise the hour was up
before I knew it. At the end I did what
every good Southern boy learns to do—I
made eye contact and offered my hand,
not too hard and definitely not the dead
fish, the appropriate squeeze that lets
adults know you were raised right.
Before we parted, he offered one
question: “Mark, do you know what the
most important shot in tennis is?”
‘Now I listen to pundits
talk about how Rafa never
takes a point off, meaning
to him the next swing is
the most important shot
in tennis.’
“Well of course,” I answered. “It’s the
serve.”
“Nope,” he said, knowing I was not
going to get it. I guessed several times
before I gave up and asked him to
deliver the answer. “It is the next one,
Mark,” he said, with a gleam in his eyes.
I just stood there like a deer in the
headlights.
Recognizing he had caused me to
brain cramp, he went on to tell me what
he meant. “The next shot is the only one
you can do anything about.”
“Oh, it was a trick question,” I replied.
This is where our roles reversed. Mr.
Charlie Fortune is now disappointed
about Mark Rearden being his student.
He went on to tell me that tennis is
played one swing at a time, a concept
I was too immature to understand
at the time. He explained that until
I learned to deal with what is before
me, there is no way I will ever learn
how to construct an entire match. My
heart sunk again.
Now, 46 years later, I listen to tennis pundits talk about how Rafa never
takes a point off, meaning to him the
next swing is the most important shot
in tennis. And this is why he is considered the most difficult opponent to
put away.
Recently, I shared this story with
a student who is only a bit older than
I am. Unlike young Mark Rearden,
she absorbed the truth of what Mr.
Charlie Fortune told me years ago.
Not only did she mentally absorb it,
but she put it to use the same day and
discovered what I wish I had grasped
so long ago.
I may be a few decades late, but I
will never again sully the wisdom of
a man I should have respected when
I had the chance so many years ago.
And I’d like to share Mr. Charlie
Fortune’s wisdom with everyone: The
most important shot in tennis is the
next one! •
Mark Rearden is the Head Tennis Professional at Palmetto Tennis Center in Sumter, S.C. A career tennis professional, he
is a certified PTR pro and an Elite Pro with
the USPTA. He authors a weekly newspaper column titled “Mark My Words.”
We welcome your opinions. Please email
comments to TI@racquetTECH.com.

April 2015 / Volume 43 / Number 4

Transcription

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