201108 racquet sports industry

August 2011Volume 39 Number 8 $5.00www.racquetsportsindustry.com

Courting the‘New’ Older MarketGuide to Stringing MachinesFabric Technology

Guide to Stringing MachinesFabric Technology

Courting the‘New’ Older Market

DEPARTMENTS

R S I A U G 2 0 1 1

INDUSTRY NEWS

7 Industry veteranEmbree joins Donnay

7 USTA says 10U technicalrequests increase

7 Wimbledon leavingNBC for ESPN

8 PTR to host club & facilitymanager’s conference

8 Wilson introducesFederer Signature bag

8 USPTA Conference atSaddlebrook in September

9 New Prince website focuseson ‘next generation’

9 Ashaway unveilsnew website

10 Peoplewatch

11 Fromuth, USTA offer USOpen ‘Shop in a Box’

12 Hall of Fame opensnew Har-Tru court

12 Dunlop offers newBiomimetic squash frames

14 Lendl opens junioracademy on Hilton Head

4 Our Serve

7 Industry News

10 Letters

17 TIA News

18 Retailing Tip

36 Tips & Techniques

38 String Playtest: Genesis Black Magic 17

40 Your Serve, by Lucy Garvin

2 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY August 2011 www.racquetsportsindustry.com

Cover photo credit: USTA

20 The ‘New’ Older MarketA huge demographic shift is underway that can dramatically affect yourbusiness. Are you prepared for theBaby Boom generation?

24 Relief for the FeetStocking the right socks can give yourcustomers a leg up in their game.

30 Material WorldTennis clothing is at the forefront offabric technology, but it appears fash-ion is still the big attraction to con-sumers.

FEATURES

27 How to Pick the RightStringing MachineWhat should you consider when choos-ing a machine for your stringing busi-ness? Our expert gives you thelowdown.

29 2011 Stringing MachinesOur exclusive chart will help you com-pare all the features from machinescurrently on the market.

GUIDE TOSTRINGING MACHINES

ContentsContents

Our Serve(Incorporating Racquet Tech and Tennis Industry)

PublishersDavid Bone Jeff Williams

Editorial DirectorPeter Francesconi

Associate EditorGreg Raven

Design/Art DirectorKristine Thom

Technical EditorJonathan Wolfe

Contributing EditorsRobin BatemanCynthia CantrellJoe DinofferGreg MoranKent OswaldBob Patterson

Cynthia ShermanMary Helen Sprecher

RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRYCorporate Offices

330 Main St., Vista, CA 92084Phone: 760-536-1177 Fax: 760-536-1171

Email: [email protected]: www.racquetTECH.com

Office Hours: Mon.-Fri.,8 a.m.-5 p.m. Pacific Time

Advertising DirectorJohn Hanna

770-650-1102, [email protected]

Apparel AdvertisingCynthia Sherman203-263-5243

[email protected]

Racquet Sports Industry is published 10 times per

year: monthly January through August and com-

bined issues in September/October and Novem-

ber/December by Tennis Industry and USRSA, 330

Main St., Vista, CA 92084. Application to Mail at

Periodicals Postage Prices is Pending at Vista, CA and

additional mailing offices. August 2011, Volume 39,

Number 8 © 2011 by USRSA and Tennis Industry. All

rights reserved. Racquet Sports Industry, RSI and

logo are trademarks of USRSA. Printed in the U.S.A.

Phone advertising: 770-650-1102 x 125. Phone circu-

lation and editorial: 760-536-1177. Yearly subscrip-

tions $25 in the U.S., $40 elsewhere. POSTMASTER:

Send address changes to Racquet Sports Industry,

330 Main St., Vista, CA 92084.

RSI is the official magazine of the USRSA, TIA,and ASBA

www.racquetsportsindustry.com

The Local Connection

4 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY August 2011

All politics is local,” said former U.S. Speaker ofthe House Tip O’Neill. He coined that phrasebecause, when you get right down to it, politi-

cians need to appeal to the simple and everyday concernsand issues of their constituents.

In the often highly politicized tennis industry, I suppose it’s apt tosteal a phrase from politics and modify it for our own use: All tennisgrowth is local.

Think about it. For most of us, success in this industry stems fromselling more racquets and equipment, doing more restringing, givingmore lessons, filling more courts, having more members and players…all of these mean connecting with local, grassroots players.

We can have all the big programs, initiatives and national objectivesthat we want (and we have some excellent ones in this industry), butwhen we get right down to it, success in the tennis business depends onhow effective we are at reaching the grassroots. Will it play in Peoria?Will it play in the thousands of other towns and cities across thecountry?

Manufacturers spend millions developing new racquets and payinghigh-priced pro endorsements, but if they can’t effectively get theirproduct to local retailers, then into the hands of local players, everyoneloses out. Teaching pros have some wonderful resources and programsthey can access from various groups in this industry, but the money ismade when they connect with local players for lessons and clinics. Thesame for tennis facilities—it’s all about those local connections.

Even huge national initiatives, such as the USTA’s 10 and Under Ten-nis, will be judged not by how much money has been invested, but byhow many kids get into the game, and stay in the game—and that ofcourse is all about making local connections to this sport.

It’s great to be able to play up wonderful success stories or show thatfamous athletes and entertainers play tennis, but that alone is not goingto drive the participation increases in this sport that we all need. Whatwill create sustained growth will be this industry’s ability to go to localteaching pros and coaches, local retailers, local facilities, local media,local schools, and local park & recs to connect with local players.

Peter FrancesconiEditorial Director

p

Peter Francesconi

INDUSTRY NEWSINDUSTRY NEWSI N F O R M A T I O N T O H E L P Y O U R U N Y O U R B U S I N E S S

Wimbledon LeavingNBC, Heads to ESPNAfter 43 years,Wimbledon isleaving NBC and will be cov-ered by ESPN. ESPN’s new 12-year agreement with the AllEngland Club will include com-plete live coverage of theGrand Slam tourney from startto finish—more than 140hours.

In acquiring the U.S. televisionrights, ESPN will present thetournament across a variety ofplatforms—with all the cover-age shown live. ESPN on ABCwill broadcast a three-hourhighlights show on the middleSunday. Matches also will beavailable on ESPN3.com andtheWatch ESPN mobile app.There also will be some tapedcoverage on ABC on weekendafternoons.

In a statement, NBC said,“While we would have liked tohave continued our relation-ship, we were simply outbid.”

ESPN had owned the rights totelevise early rounds of Wim-bledon, with NBC picking upcoverage as the tournamentprogressed, culminating withthe "Breakfast at Wimbledon"broadcasts during the finalweekend.With the new deal,live Wimbledon coverage willbe on the cable network only.

ESPN’s current cable deal withthe All England Club had twoyears remaining. The TennisChannel’s share of Wimbledoncable rights have also expired,but it is looking to renew.

R S I A U G U S T 2 0 1 1

August 2011 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 7www.racquetsportsindustry.com

Tennis industry veteran John Embree has joined Donnay USA as a consultantto be its director of sales and lead marketing efforts in the U.S., the racquetbrand announced. Embree has served in a variety of capacities in his 30-plus

years in the industry as a brand executive, as well as compiling grassroots expe-rience as a tennis director, teaching pro and USTA administrator.

“John has a tennis industry pedigree and reputation for honorable leadershipthat is second to none,” said Bobby Choe, CEO of Donnay USA, which re-launchedthe brand last year.

Among his accomplishments, Embree launched the USTA Adult League tennisprogram in 1980 and became its first national league administrator. Following a four-year stint asgeneral manager and director of tennis at the New Orleans Hilton Rivercenter Tennis Club, hemoved to the brand side of tennis.

He spent 17-1/2 years at Wilson Sporting Goods where he held numerous roles, including vicepresident and general manager for the global Racquet Sports Division for over six years. In 2004,he became managing member and president of Balle de Match tennis apparel, and most recent-ly served as president of Prince Sports, the Americas.

For the past year, Embree has developed a consulting practice to help a variety of tennis enter-prises, including the USTA, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), Peter Burwash Internation-al, and OTG Technologies.

“I am excited to join a brand that has such a rich heritage with icons such as Rod Laver, BjornBorg and Andre Agassi as part of its illustrious past,” Embree says. “Now, with its current XeneCoreand with Dual Core technologies, Donnay is uniquely positioned to marry its legacy and its newtechnology to offer players racquets that are ‘new school’ and state of the art.”

The current Donnay line-up consists of the X-Series for players with long and fast swingslaunched in 2010, and the new X-P-Dual line for players with medium-to-long swings and the X-Pand X-P Lite models for players with short-to-medium swing styles. Visit donnayusa.com.

USTA Says 10U Technical Requests Increase

More than a thousand 10 and Under Tennis courts have been built or lined sofar, says the USTA’s Virgil Christian, who says the USTA’s goal is to hit 3,000by the end of this year. “We’re averaging four requests a day for facilities that

want to line or build courts and get our help with the technical and financial aspects,” hesays. “That’s really ramped up in the past three or four months, and it’s very exciting.”

Christian, the USTA’s director of community tennis development, says “something’s just clicked”recently as more and more facilities, schools, parks & recs, Community Tennis Associations, etc.,want information about 10 and Under Tennis, 36- and 60-foot courts, and blended lines. “We’reespecially making sure new contractors have all the right information they need to build the short-er courts and paint the lines,” he adds.

Not only is technical assistance available, but also funding assistance is, too. For painting 10 andUnder Tennis lines on courts, the USTA National office will pay 50 percent of the cost, and the USTAsection will pay another 25 percent. Financial assistance up to $4,000 also is available for con-verting courts to 10 and Under Tennis courts.

Information on 10 and Under Tennis court technical aspects and financial assistance is atusta.com/facilities, including a link to a short “facility assistance” form. At the website, you’ll alsofind a link to a photo gallery showing blended lines and how they might look at your facility.

Industry Veteran Embree Joins Donnay USA

Federer Signature Bag Introduced

Wilson introduced the exclusive limited edition racquet bag RogerFederer carried during the 2011 Wimbledon tournament.

Designed specifically forFederer and serious playersof every level, the super six-pack was produced in limit-ed quantities. It features thelatest Wilson technologyincluding Thermoguard andMoistureguard compart-ments to protect racquetsand gear from the elements.It also contains a large pock-et to hold shoes and appar-el as well as an accessorypocket for cell phone andkeys. There are backpackstraps with plush paddingand lined for added com-fort. The bag is sized to holdup to 12 racquets and is PVC free for lower environmental impact.Visit wilson.com/tennis.

A U G U S T 2 0 1 1IN

DU

ST

RY

NE

WS


NGI Goes Green withYellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park has 3.5 million visitorsevery year, many carrying around, and disposing

of, plastic bottles. Now, through a new partnership,the recyclable plastic bottles Yellowstone collectseach year are being purchased and converted into thenon-woven fleece material used to manufacture thebacking for NGI Sports surfaces such as theNova’ProBounce and Nova’ProAdvantage tennis courtsystems, as well as the NovaBocce surfacing system.

“This new partnership not only diverts plasticsfrom landfills, it dramatically decreases the fuel andother resources used to transport materials aroundthe planet,” says Jim Evanoff, a nationally recognizedspeaker on the Yellowstone eco-system, and an envi-ronmental protection specialist with YellowstoneNational Park.

All of NGI Sports surfacing system backings incor-porate Celceram, a highly refined material recoveredfrom coal combustion in electric utility power plants.These surfaces also assist in LEED certification. Formore info, contact Rick Burke, 1-423-499-5546 [email protected].

PTR to Host Tennis Owners Club &Facility Managers Conference

PTR will host its third Tennis Club and Facility Confer-ence Oct. 5-7 at PTR Headquarters on Hilton Head

Island, S.C. The three-day event has been designedspecifically for tennis club owners, club managers anddirectors of tennis.

Presentations and breakout sessions will include rel-evant topics such as Digital Marketing, Customer Serv-ice, Hiring, Training and Evaluating Employees,

Methods to Decrease Expenses, Tips toSurvive a Difficult Economy, Court &Facility Maintenance, Effective Program-ming to Increase Revenue, Solar Pan-

els—How & Why and many more.Club consultant Doug Cash will be the conference

facilitator. Other presenters include Kurt Kamperman,Lance Andersen, Colleen Cosgrove, Judy Vogt, MarkMcMahon and Tim “Dr. Dirt” Wilkison. Vendor contrib-utors include Michele Krause of Cardio Tennis, TomMagner of DecoTurf, Ed MonteCalvo of HarTru and Dori-an Adam of TRX.

The program starts at noon on Wednesday, Oct. 5.Cost is $395 before Sept. 1, then $445, and includes allsessions, workshops, vendor booths and social activitiesthrough Friday afternoon. Additional attendees from thesame club are $349 each.

For more information or registration, contact PTR at800-421-6289 or visit www.ptrtennis.org.

USPTA Conference, Buying Showat Saddlebrook in September

The USPTA’s Tennis Buying Show will beSept. 22 at Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel,

Fla. The buying show is part of the larger WorldConference on Tennis, which runs Sept. 19-24.More than 1,500 tennis-teaching pros, industry leaders and repre-sentatives, media and manufacturer representatives are expected toattend the conference.

Exhibitors at the Buying Show include tennis equipment, appareland footwear companies, marketers and wholesalers of hard and softgoods, video analysis, Web-based programs and software, teachingaids, court surfacing and lighting, awards, educational materials,nutrition bars and vitamins, and more.

In addition, the USPTA Silent Auction will be held during the Buy-ing Show. Attendees will have the opportunity to bid on a variety ofexciting items. Past items have included video-analysis systems,autographed racquets by current and former ATP and WTA tour play-ers, weekend getaways at resorts and more. The auction, a USPTALessons for Life event, benefits the USPTA Foundation. Anyone inter-ested in donating an item for the auction can visit usptaworldconfer-ence.com and click on silent auction under the special events menutab to obtain a donation form, or call John Dettor at 713-978-7782.

The speakers at this year’s World Conference on Tennis includeTracy Almeda-Singian, Dr. Martin Baroch, Lorenzo Beltrame, MartinBlackman, Jose Higueras, Page Love, Rick Macci, Patrick McEnroe,Luis Mediero, Emilio Sanchez Vicario and Kerri Whitehead. To see acomplete lineup of speakers, seminars and activities visit uspta-worldconference.com.

I N D U S T R Y N E W S


Ashaway Unveils New Website

Ashaway Racket Strings has unveiled a new corporate website at Ash-awayUSA.com. Totally redesigned and rebuilt to provide a better user feel

and experience, AshawayUSA.com presents a new look for Ashaway racquetstringing products. Site navi-gation has been simplifiedand enhanced, product infor-mation has been reorganizedand detail added, and moreinformation has been includ-ed on product selection anduse.

Ashaway's racquet string-ing products have been color-coded: Badminton in red;Racquetball in green; Squashin yellow; and Tennis in blue.A product overview page foreach sport includes product names and gauges available, numerical playabili-ty ratings, string core types and outer surface designs, colors available, andspecial features.

SGMA Says PEP Funding inJeopardy for 2012

The future of PEP—the Carol M. WhitePhysical Education Program—“has never

been in greater jeopardy,” says the SGMA.While funding for PEP for fiscal 2011 is inplace, many members of Congress want tocut PEP from the fiscal 2012 federal budget.

On May 25, the U.S. House Education &Workforce Committee approved legislationto eliminate 41 education programs fromthe Elementary and Secondary EducationAct (ESEA) for fiscal 2012. The list of pro-grams to be eliminated includes PEP—acompetitive grant program that gives schooldistricts and community based organiza-tions the resources to provide students withquality, innovative physical education.

The SGMA pointed to results of a recentstudy by the Centers for Disease Controlthat indicate that nearly 90 percent of U.S.high school students fail to meet the mini-mum exercise requirements for healthy liv-ing. It also noted that the $80 million targetfor PEP in fiscal 2012 is less than 2/10th of1 percent of the 2012 budget for theDepartment of Education.

Despite the recent setback in the House,SGMA will continue to work with PEP sup-porters in Congress and its PE partners topreserve future funding for PEP. "The feed-back from the CDC on the fitness levels ofour children is the reason why PEP is soimportant," said SGMA President Tom Cove."The PEP program is working well in thecommunities where the funding has beenreceived. The importance of PEP will con-tinue to be a priority of SGMA's day of advo-cacy next spring, National Health ThroughFitness Day."

New Prince Website Focuses on ‘Who's Next’

Prince has launched the website princewhosnext.com, which focuses on “thenext generation of elite junior players” who choose to play with Prince EXO3

racquets. “‘Who’s Next’ reinforces the company’s commitment to supportingaspiring junior players,” says Zach Perles, Prince’s V.P. of global communications,“and showcases a portion of Prince’s worldwide elite junior team with the tagline,‘The next generation of champions. Here right now.’”

More than 50 elite junior athletes from over 25 countries are featured on thewebsite with their own personal “cards,” complete with a customized “crown”the players designed themselves. Users can sort and click on a card and see statssuch as where the player is from, age, how they play, rankings, and racquet theyplay with, and in some cases watch a personal video made by the player. Linkstake the viewer to Prince equipment pages or allow users to share the athlete ontheir Facebook page.

Five featured athletes have longer “webisodes” that tell their stories: Frederi-co Silva (Portugal), Yifan Dang (China), Jordan Daigle (USA), Basil Khuma (India)

and Usue Arconada(Argentina).

“It is exciting toknow that more than80 No. 1-ranked jun-iors in their respec-tive age groups andcountries, includingthe 2010 year-endworld No. 1-rankedboy and girl—JuanSebastian Gomezand Daria Gavrilo-

va—choose to wield EXO3 racquet weaponry," Perles says. “These future cham-pions know that as the sport evolves and as athletes get stronger, faster and pusheach other out of position more often, they need an advanced technology engi-neered for tomorrow's game to give them every advantage.”

A U G U S T 2 0 1 1IN

DU

ST

RY

NE

WS


• Petra Kvitova won the Wimbledon women’s sin-gles crown with an ace on the final point. Sheplays with a Wilson Tour BLX racquet.

• Both men's and women's 2011 FrenchOpen champions—Rafael Nadal and Na Li—areBabolat players. Rafael Nadal plays with his Aero-pro Drive GT and RPM Blast strings and Na Li playswith the Pure Drive racquet and Pro Hurricane Tour & Xcel strings.

• Dunlop has signed ATP World Tour player Michael Russell, whoplays with the company’s Biomimetic 500 racquet.

• In a letter to the USPTA’s Executive Committee dated June 20,Mark Fairchilds announced his resignation from the USPTA Nation-al Board of Directors. His departure follows the USPTA board resig-nations in April of Jack Groppel and Jim Loehr.

• Maui Jim has added pro players Mardy Fish and Sabine Lisicki asits newest tennis “ambassadors” promoting the sunglasses brand.

• Todd Burkitt has joined the Dunlop sales team as the territorymanager for North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, SouthernVirginia and coastal Georgia. Burkitt, a USRSA-certified MasterRacquet Technician, has over 20 years of experience in the racquet

sports industry. Kim Eppelsheimer, Dunlop'spromotions manager, will continue her salesrole handling Charleston, S.C., area dealers,and also will have expanded promotionsand sales role including the Dunlop D-SquadJunior Team, Tennis Academies, Senior Playersas well as Team Sales for all racquet sports cate-gories.

• ATP Executive Chairman and President Adam Helfant will notcontinue his position with the Tour beyond the completion of histhree-year contract at the end of this year. Helfant joined the ATPin January 2009.

• Cameron I. Anderson, who helped develop the Foot Lockerchain while an executive with the Kinney Shoe Corp., died June11. He was 85. He spent 45 years with Kinney and was namedpresident in 1979.

• Reebok's top global marketer, Richard Prenderville, has left thesportswear business after five years in the job. Prenderville, headof global brand marketing, will be replaced by Viktoria Wallner,who previously headed Reebok's digital marketing. Wallner will beresponsible for global advertising, PR, digital, marketing, socialmedia and creative services.

P E O P L E W AT C H

LettersUSPTA Article ‘One-Sided’The article regarding a version of the USPTAquarrel in June’s issue of RSI is both inaccurateand one-sided. It includes paraphrasing anddirect quotes from only one person’s view—USPTA General Counsel Paul Waldman, anemployee of the association. It does not pro-vide the details of my application seeking atemporary restraining order, a temporaryinjunction and a permanent injunction, thatwere specifically intended to seek a thirdparty’s judgment on whether our bylaws hadbeen followed. In essence, the article providesonly one narrow view of a very complicatedissue.

Details and an accurate explanation of thevarious events are provided at:www.saveuspta.com. Any comments and ques-tions can be asked at this site as well. Thereare potentially five of the eight USPTA Nation-al Board positions that will be held by candi-dates from the Southern and Florida divisions.These large divisions already control the Exec-utive Committee through their “weighted”votes and now they will control the board.

Ultimately, there will be no winner in thisdispute and the USPTA will have lost in somany ways. I feel our membership shouldknow the truth.

Randy Mattingley, USPTA First Vice President

Support the Troops Through TennisWith so many military bases in Southern California, it’s not surprisingthat many tennis players and fans have connections to those who serveor have served our country. Perhaps the connection is through a familymember, neighbor, friend or tennis partner . . . or maybe it’s you. Even ifyou don’t have a direct association, you probably can appreciate thehardships experienced by service members during deployments.

Now there is a fast and simple way for you to combine your love oftennis with an opportunity to help these dedicated heroes while theyare away. It’s the USTA’s “Adopt-A-Unit” program.

This is an easy, win-win program that delivers needed personal sup-plies to the troops, as well as portable tennis equipment that they canuse for recreation and stress relief while they are deployed. The effortallows tennis communities to show support, and to introduce servicemembers to a recreational means for reintegrating with family, friendsand community upon their return.

Here’s how it works: Your tennis group (Community Tennis Associa-tion, club or facility, school team, league team, group of friends, juniorplayers, etc.) prepares a basic “care package” and mails it to a currentlydeployed unit. The USTA then sends the same unit portable tennisequipment (racquets, pop-up nets, transition balls, throw-down lines,etc.). The USTA makes it easy—they can identify eligible units, and theyhave a list of recommended items for the care package. The details areat usta.com/military.

So far, dozens of tennis groups in over 10 states have adopted aunit. Some of their stories are available on the USTA’s Military Outreachpage on Facebook (facebook.com/ustamilitaryoutreach).

So, serve up some tennis love and help make a difference in the livesof those who are protecting our freedoms by adopting a unit today!

Steve Kappes, Captain, U.S. Navy, Retired,San Diego District Tennis Association

USTA Community Tennis Association Committee Member


Fromuth, USTA OfferUS Open ‘Shop in a Box’

Looking to create a US Open branded areaof your retail shop? The USTA is offering

retailers a US Open “Shop in a Box” designedto display a variety of merchandise, from T’sand sweatshirts to hats, novelties and eventhe popular Jumbo Ball. Also available are aUS Open merchandising banner, a counterdisplay, and a sunglass display.

Fromuth Tennis is the official distributorof US Open merchandise and will be stock-ing a large inventory of US Open products.You can view the complete program at fro-muthtennis.com/usopen.

“This is an opportunity for specialtyretailers to create a cool atmosphere in theirshop during the Open and sell product athealthy margins,” says Pat Shields, owner ofFromuth Tennis. “The USTA is offering moreproducts and more ways to sell them everyyear around the US Open.”

USTA Names Finalists for‘Starfish’ Coach Award

The USTA has named nine nationalfinalists for the 2011 Starfish Award,

which honors exceptional high schoolcoaches who have a profound impact onyoung people’s lives through a “No-Cut”policy for their high school tennis team.

More than 2,850 coaches nationwidehave implemented the No-Cut initiative,with some high school programs havingmore than 100 team members. The twonational winners will be recognized atthe Community Tennis DevelopmentWorkshop held in New Orleans, La., inJanuary. (To register as a No-Cut coach orlearn more about the program, visitusta.com/no-cut.) The nine finalists are:


• Terri Cunninghamof Winter Park HighSchool in WinterPark, FL

• Kenneth Griffith ofHenry E. LackeyHigh School in Indi-an Head, MD

• Jim Neal of Niskayu-na High School inNiskayuna, NY

• Jim Solomon of HallHigh School in WestHartford, CT

• Donna Stauffer ofLafayette HighSchool in Wild-

wood, MO• Roger Sundermanof Hastings HighSchool in Hastings,NE

• Don Tellefsen ofOak Creek HighSchool in OakCreek, WI

• Marceil Whitney ofRedmond HighSchool in Redmond,WA

• Matt Wiemers ofMcCook HighSchool in McCook,NE


A U G U S T 2 0 1 1IN

DU

ST

RY

NE

WS Dunlop Offers Seven New

Biomimetic Squash Rackets

Dunlop has unveiled seven newsquash racquets incorporat-

ing its design process knownas Biomimetics. Biomimeticsmeans to “imitate life,” and inthis case, Dunlop has takenevolutionary design aspectsfrom the shark, bee andgecko to design and developits new line.

The new frames are: Bio-mimetic Ultimate (right), Bio-mimetic Evolution 130,Biomimetic Elite, Biomimetic Max,Biomimetic Pro GT-X 140, Biomimet-ic Evolution 120, and Biomimetic ProGT-X 130.

"Each of the new squash racquetsshowcases the performance benefitsBiomimetic design can provide,” saysSteve Hall, director of marketing forDunlop Racket Sports. “Not only do thetechnologies provide quantifiableimprovements, but you can feel the dif-ference on every shot."

Hall of Fame Opens New Har-Tru Clay Court

The International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, R.I., and Har-Tru Sportshave partnered to install a new Har-Tru HydroCourt Clay Court in the location

of the site’s former red clay court. The court will provide a new playing surface,in addition to the grass and indoor courts, for members and guests to enjoythroughout the outdoor season.

“The Har-Tru HydroCourt offers a top of the line clay-court experience, andwe are very pleased to partner with the Hall of Fame to bring this surface toone of the world’s premier tennis facilities,” says Pat Hanssen, director ofsales & marketing for Har-Tru Sports. “Additionally, we’re pleased to supportthe Hall of Fame’s mission to grow the game by including the 10 and UnderTennis lines so children may enjoy the court as well.”

August 2011 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 13



RacquetArt Offers Custom Butt Kit

Looking for a unique racquet customization product to offer your customers? How aboutadding personalized images to the butt of racquet handles. RacquetArt (racque-

tart.com) is offering “The Original Racquet Butt Kit” for $8.95, which includes everythingyou need to start adding custom images to racquet handles.

The kit includes a racquet butt cap, two special adhesive discs, two clear dome stickers, and templatesand design samples. “We include a few samples like a smiley face and a peace sign, but it’s as simple asprinting any image you want from your home inkjet printer,” says Racquet Art’s Michael Waroff. “We includea crystal dome sticker that is applied over the image on the cap that creates a perfect finished product.”

Once the cap is installed on the racquet, the image can be changed as often as the customer desires.Shops and tennis facilities also can use the Racquet Butt Kit to put the word “Demo” on the butt of theirdemo racquets, so the frames don’t walk away so easily.

19 Named to USTA-ITACollegiate Team

The USTA announced that 19 of thenation's top men's and women's colle-

giate tennis players have been named tothe 2011 USTA Collegiate Team, adminis-tered by the USTA and the IntercollegiateTennis Association. The team is an elitetraining program for the top American col-legiate players, designed to provide themwith exposure to the USTA Pro Circuit in ateam-oriented environment. The playersare:

Men• Sekou Bangoura,

Florida (SO,

Bradenton, Fla.)

• Chase Buchanan,

Ohio State (JR, New

Albany, Ohio)

• Alex Domijan, Vir-

ginia (FR, Wesley

Chapel, Fla.)

• Steve Johnson, USC

(JR, Orange, Calif.)

• Evan King, Michi-

gan (SO, Chicago)

• Bradley Klahn,

Stanford (JR,

Poway, Calif.)

• Austin Krajicek,

Texas A&M (SR,

Brandon, Fla.)

• Dennis Nevolo, Illi-

nois (JR, Gurnee,

Ill.)

• Eric Quigley, Ken-

tucky (JR, Pewee

Valley, Ky.)

• Tennys Sandgren,

Tennessee (SO, Gal-

latin, Tenn.)

• Ray Sarmiento,

USC (FR, Rancho

Cucamonga, Calif.)

• Michael Shabaz,

Virginia (SR, Fair-

fax, Va.)

• Rhyne Williams,

Tennessee (SO,

Knoxville, Tenn.)

Women• Kristie Ahn, Stan-

ford (FR, Upper

Saddle River, N.J.)

• Hilary Barte, Stan-

ford (SR,

Chatsworth, Calif.)

• Lauren Embree,

Florida (SO, Marco

Island, Fla.)

• Nicole Gibbs, Stan-

ford (FR, Manhat-

tan Beach, Calif.)

• Maria Sanchez,

Southern California

(SR, Modesto,

Calif.)

• Allie Will, Florida

(SO, Boca Raton,

Fla.)


> To honor the 100th anniversary of theFila brand, the company is releasing sever-al anniversary commemorative appareland accessory collections. Also featured isan interactive micro-site at fila.com. Aspart of the year-long celebration, a Filamuseum will open in the Province of Biel-la, Italy, the region where the Fila brandwas born in 1911. The museum will tellthe story of the brand and its involvementin the region's rich textile history.

> Luxilon strings were the string choicefor women’s Wimbledon champ Petra Kvi-tova (ALU Power 125), men’s doubleschamps Bob and Mike Bryan (Timo 110),and women’s doubles champ Katarina Sre-botnik (ALU Power). In the men’s singles,12 of the final 16 men in the tournamentused Luxilon strings.

> The PTR’s official magazine, TennisPro,received two 2011 APEX Awards for pub-lishing excellence, for the Septem-ber/October 2010 issue for Design &Illustration in the category Covers, and for

S H O R T S E T Sthe November/December 2010 issue forMagazine & Journals in the category of PrintOver 32 Pages. The magazine is under thedirection of PTR Director of Communica-tions and Editor Peggy Edwards.

> The Adidas Group announced plans toopen its biggest distribution center inNiedersachsenpark, Germany, in the firsthalf of 2013. The planned distribution cen-ter will consolidate all flows and servicesunder one roof for all three sales channels ofboth the Adidas and Reebok brands:Wholesale, Own Retail and e-commerce.

> BNP Paribas and its Turkish partner TürkEkonomi Bankasý (TEB) will become jointtitle sponsors of the year-end WTA Champi-onships. The TEB-BNP Paribas WTA Champi-onships will be held in Istanbul, Turkey, in2011, 2012 and 2013.

> Telvent has been selected by the ATP toprovide weather forecasts and patentedlightning alerting capabilities at all outdoorevents on the ATP World Tour. The ATP

A U G U S T 2 0 1 1IN

DU

ST

RY

NE

WS

chose Telvent’s MxVision WeatherSentryOnline global edition technology to provideonline displays of current and forecastedweather conditions. In addition, the ATP willhave the ability to access custom daily fore-casts for any of its events worldwide andaccess to a Telvent professional meteorologist24 hours a day.

> PTR has signed two new corporate mem-bers, Choose-Health and Generation UCAN.Choose-Health is a wellness education firmspecializing in medical evidence based nutri-tion, lifestyle and antioxidant supplementa-tion. The UCAN Company creates energyproducts for health conscious consumers.

> An effort to put the brakes on reforms thatwould save retailers as much as $1 billion ayear in debit card swipe fees fell short in theU.S. Senate in June, clearing the way for theFederal Reserve Board to implement theDurbin Amendment passed as part of lastyear’s financial service reform bill. Under itspreliminary rules for the Durbin Amendment,the Fed would cap interchange fees banks


Lendl Opens JuniorAcademy on HHI

Former No. 1 player Ivan Lendl isopening the Ivan Lendl International

Junior Tennis Academy on Hilton HeadIsland, S.C., to provide full-time tennistraining and academics for players.Lendl will be the director of the tennisprogram and says he plans to beinvolved in developing each player ingrades 5 to 12. “I wanted to be able toget out on the court with the kids andshow them how to hit certain shots asopposed to just explaining the theory,”he said. “Getting back on the court hasbeen a lot of fun and now I will be ableto play with all of the students, whichwill also be fun.”

Lendl, also an avid golfer, has part-nered with the Junior Golf Corporation,based on Hilton Head Island, for histennis academy. Students attend theHeritage Academy for their class work.For more information, including pro-grams beginning in the fall, call 888-983-6647 or 843-686-1529.


could charge retailers every time they swipea debit card at 7 to 12 cents per transaction,or 70 percent below current levels.

> NBC Sports' coverage of the 2011 FrenchOpen men’s final earned the best overnightrating for the event in 12 years, and was up63 percent from last year’s men’s final,according to data from The Nielsen Co.

> Nike spent $60,000 in the first quarter tolobby on trade, transportation, counterfeitissues and other business matters, accordingto a recent disclosure report. Besides Con-gress, Nike also lobbied the U.S. Trade Rep-resentative, the department of Health andHuman Services and others during the Janu-ary-through-March period.

> China has convicted three individuals fordistributing counterfeit Columbia brandproducts in Shanghai. In December, Chineseauthorities had seized nearly 7,000 counter-feit garments, including almost 2,000 coun-terfeit Columbia products, with a combinedstreet value of approximately $2.7 million.


Retailing 103


This is part of aseries of retail tipspresented by theTennis IndustryAssociation and

written by the Gluskin Townley Group(www.gluskintownleygroup.com).

POS Systems and KPIsWeekly reporting can actually be relative-ly easy to accomplish using the reportcapabilities of the Point of Sale systemsavailable today, and particularly if yourstore’s accounting system is either inte-grated or compatible with the POS system.

Weekly reporting allows reviewingperformance against plan with partners,co-owners and staff—and it also allowsre-planning while there is still time toreact effectively to changes in the localmarketplace, the economy or any num-ber of other factors that tend to pop upunexpectedly. Keep in mind, however,that weekly KPI reports do not replaceyour in-depth monthly financial reportsthat include a complete monthly andyear-to-date income statement and bal-ance sheet.

The specialty retail world is changingrapidly, and learning to manage theunexpected is becoming the new normalfor many, if not most, tennis pro shopsand specialty retail stores. The best toolsat your disposal are a well-thought-outannual business plan, integrated point-of-sale and accounting system, strategicallyselected KPIs and weekly reporting…soyou can manage the unexpected to thebenefit of your specialty retail business.

Coming Up:Attaining “operational excellence.” �

best performing, higher profit indepen-dent specialty stores receive weeklyreports covering KPIs such as:• Revenue against plan• Operating margin against plan• Operating expenses against plan• Inventory productivity against plan

� Gross margin return on inventory(GMROI)

• Net operating pre-tax profit againstplanSome of the high-profit specialty

retailers we talked to also included intheir weekly KPI reports revenue andoperating margin contribution by indi-vidual sales associate.

The best resource to get started withselection of your KPIs for reporting is theTIA Cost of Doing Business–TennisRetailers 2010 Report. Additional KPIsthat you should consider for weeklyreporting that can also be benchmarkedto the TIA CODB report are:• Gross margin by major product cate-

gory against plan� Racquets� Stringing� Tennis shoes� Women’s apparel� Men’s apparel� Tennis balls� Tennis accessories� Junior tennis equipment

n today’s economy, monthly finan-cial reporting just isn’t currentenough to manage the unexpected.

You need weekly reports coveringstrategically selected key performanceindicators—or KPIs—reporting actualperformance compared to your budgetobjectives and last year’s actual perfor-mance.

Two of the most important ques-tions we have learned to ask in ourBusiness Assessments of retailers are:1. As an owner of a small to mid-size

specialty retail business, are youusing KPIs (or some similar score-card metrics) to measure how yourbusiness actually is performing?

2. If so, how frequently do you receiveKPI reports?KPIs are also called “critical success

factors” and “scorecards,” and they arethe most important financial and opera-tional metrics used to measure the suc-cess of your business strategy andcurrent business plan. The problem is,only a small percentage of sportinggoods retailers use KPIs.

There don’t have to be many KPIsincluded in your weekly reports, butthey need to be carefully selected toprovide you and your staff with a cur-rent measure of the performance ofyour tennis retail business against yourbusiness strategy, your current budgetobjectives, including benchmarks, andlast year’s actual performance.

Gaining a WeeklyAdvantageWe’ve talked to and interviewed scoresof independent specialty retail store-owners about financial results and prof-itability. What we’ve found is that the

I For more information on TIA researchor to obtain a copy of the Cost ofDoing Business–Tennis Retailersreport to help you benchmark yourretail business against industry aver-ages and trends, [email protected].

Tennis Specialty Retail Tip: Manage the Unexpected WithWeekly KPI Reporting


PART IC I PAT ION

Is this a special year for you? Perhaps a noteworthy anniver-sary or an upcoming job change? Is this the year you’re goingto play more tournaments? Renovate your facility’s courts?While 2011 may or may not have special significance for

you, it could significantly affect your future business, incomeand job security. On New Year’s Day in January, the front-pageheadline of the Portland, Ore., Oregonian newspaper summa-rized it best: “Welcome, Baby Boomers, to Senior Status.”

You probably didn’t pay much attention to the upcomingdemographic shifts. You’re busy with your 10 and Under Tennisclasses, or your women’s 3.0 drill nights. Classes are busy, yourprivate-lesson appointment book is full. But in the words of BabyBoomer favorite Bob Dylan, “The times they are a’ changing.”

2011 marks the first of the Baby Boomer generation, bornbetween 1946 and 1964, to turn 65. When soldiers came backfrom World War II in 1945, they began families, bought housesand caused a demographic shift fueled by millions of babies.Guess what? Those babies are grown and ready to inundatesocial services and leisure activities. There are 79 million Baby-Boomers in the U.S. now and 10,000 people every day will turn65 for the next 19 years.

How have tennis organizations prepared for this potentialmarket? In a word, poorly.

In 2003, the USTA acknowledged the older adult tennis mar-ket by partnering with the American Association of Retired Per-sons (AARP). Titled “Welcome Back to Tennis,” the programtargeted older adult players who had left the game for several

years. The program wasn’t specifically aimed at the beginningplayer although the USTA executive director at the time, LeeHamilton, hinted “new” players would be included in the mix.

“Welcoming new and returning players fits in with our mis-sion to promote and develop and growth of tennis,” Hamiltonsaid in a May 2003 news release. “The USTA’s partnership withAARP is key for reaching the 50-plus demographic, and trulyunderscores the fact that people of all ages and abilities can havefun and stay fit playing our great game.” But the USTA/AARPpartnership didn’t lead to much. An on-court promotion in a fewcities with free T-shirts was the extent of the promotion, oftenwith as many USTA staff attending as participants. The Wel-come Back to Tennis promotion appeared to join many otherprograms in the USTA history file.

But the question remains—why didn’tWelcome Back to Ten-nis welcome hundreds of enthusiastic first-time participantswho would then continue on with tennis as a “lifetime sport”?That question ties into why tennis clubs, tennis pro associationsand tennis professionals are reluctant to tap into the enormousmarket potential of the Baby Boomer generation with beginningprograms.

From the latest USTA promotion called “10 and Under Ten-nis,” to the USPTA’s “Little Tennis,” to the PTR’s “Kids Tennis,”it appears every tennis organization has its own version ofbeginning programs for children. Neither the USTA nor theteaching associations have fully recognized the emerging olderdemographic market and dedicated adequate resources to that

A huge demographic shift is under way thatcan dramatically affect your business. Are you

prepared for the Baby Boom generation?

THE ‘NEW’OLDER

MARKET

THE ‘NEW’OLDER

MARKETB Y M I K E S T O N E


market. The USPTA has “specialty certifications,” but older adulttennis isn’t among them. A seminar or two may be offered atnational conventions, but the attendance is small, interest low.

Tennis pros in their 20s or 30s don’t have much interest in theolder beginning player. The International Council on Active Aging(ICAA), a Canadian-based organization, partnered with the USTAin 2004 but has done little to feature older adult tennis other thanan occasional article in its magazine, “Active Aging,” an excellentpublication in other areas.

Growing the GameBack in 2002, after the annual USTA/TIA Tennis Participation Sur-vey was published, the USTA said this: “The USTA will lead theeffort to develop new marketing incentives to attract, recover andretain players, specifically in targeting kids (through their parents),young single professionals, African Americans and Hispanics.”Notice anything missing? No mention of beginning older adultplayers, a significant demographic—as we’ll see—and one thatcould significantly affect the tennis market.

The most recent USTA/TIA Tennis Participation Survey, from2010, has these interesting results:� There are 27.8 million tennis players in the U.S. (9 percent of theoverall population). About 3.42 million of that total, or 12 per-cent, are 50+.

� Only 2 percent of all new players, or 101,000, are in the 50+category.

� Of total “lapsed” players, the 50+ segment makes up a whop-ping 53 percent, or 13.66 million. Clearly we haven’t been doinga good job of keeping these players playing.

� For the key “frequent player” category—this is the segment ofthe tennis-playing population that the TIA estimates accounts fornearly 70 percent of overall revenues for the tennis industry—22percent, or 1.07 million players, are 50 and over. This is the sec-ond highest in this category, behind the 35-49 segment at 25percent.Now, let’s add in some data from the most recent U.S. Census:

� Between 2000 and 2010, the population 45 to 64 years old grew31.5 percent to 81.5 million. The 45-64 segment is now 26.4percent of the total U.S. population of 308.7 million.

� The 65+ segment grew faster than most younger populationgroups at a rate of 15.1 percent, to 40.3 million, or 13 percent ofthe total population. (For comparison, of the more than 700,000USTAmembers, the organization says about 9 percent are 65+.)

� From 2000 to 2010, the under-18 segment of the total popula-tion grew 2.6 percent to 74.2 million. The 18-44 segment greweven slower, 0.6 percent, to 112.8 million.

� The median age in 2010 increased to 37.2 from 35.3 in 2000.What’s the bottom line here for tennis? There is a huge

untapped segment of the population looking to be active, and thathas money to spend and time to commit to tennis.

Tennis can take some lessons from the health club industry.Those clubs are riding the Age Wave while the tennis industry isstill looking for a surfboard to rent. Health clubs, usually picturedwith buff men and women, have quietly recognized the silver mar-ket. According to club industry data, memberships in the 55-plusmarket increased 411 percent between 1990 and 2007. Nearly 10million health club members in 2007 were 55 years old or older.

A 2007 study found that older adults accounted for 29 percent

of the membership segment in fitness centers, the largest mem-bership percentage. Health care plans often include older adultmemberships at health/fitness clubs for reduced or no fees.Research by the AARP indicates personal training of clientsbetween 45 and 64 accounts for nearly one-half of personal train-ers’ incomes. Although AARP research is centered on personaltraining, the following statistic could easily be applied to tennis:One study shows that 57 percent of adults surveyed (ages 50-59)expressed interest in getting instruction from a professional.

According to a health club national survey, the industry’s goalis to reach 100 million members by 2010. The final count isn’t inbut, as described in the industry publicity, the centerpiece ofreaching that goal is the Baby Boomers. How has tennis definedthe goal of reaching that group? I must have missed that memo.

Healthier and WealthierHere are some other stats to consider:� In 2000, less than 4 percent of adults were older than 65. By2030, that number will hit 51 million; by 2050, 86.7 million (21percent of the population).

� In 2007, there were about 84,000 people 100 years old or older.That number is projected to be 580,000-plus by 2040.Great, you’re thinking, I’m going to be working with geezers.

If your image of the silver market is still one of feeble, bingo-play-ing oldsters who have no hope of chasing down a lob, think again.It’s all changed. The market has undergone significant changesboth socially and demographically. Baby Boomers are healthierand wealthier. They are looking for new experiences.� 80 percent of all the funds in savings and loans are controlled bythe over-50 crowd

� $66 of every $100 in the stock market is invested by “silvers.”� From USA Today: “People 50 and older will inherit an estimated$14 trillion to $20 trillion during the next 20 years.”And here’s a stat that should make your eyebrows raise: Even

though many of the boomers are healthier (for now!), nearly two-thirds of the silvers don’t exercise regularly and 40 percent areoverweight, a statistic nearly doubled from previous years. Retire-ment can lead to inactivity for many, resulting in rapid physicaland mental health deterioration. It’s the snowball effect: less activ-ity, less desire for activity. It’s not restricted to older adults. Latestfigures show 64 percent of the total American population is obese.Obesity may overtake smoking as the No. 1 health risk.

In a somewhat contradictory statistic, according to the Hart-ford Financial Services, 76 percent of Americans plan on a moreactive lifestyle during retirement. Let’s give them tennis! And let’smake it easy for them to get it!

Get the picture? Your facility can offer a lifestyle change. Awhole new market is out there waiting for you to preach the ser-mon of physical exercise benefits, waiting for you to restructuretheir social contacts and create new friendships. But designingthose programs for older adults will require new skills and a sen-sitivity to the physical limitations of older players, especially thosetrying tennis for the first time. Running lines or 9-ball pickup won’tbe in your lesson plan! �

Mike Stone is director of tennis at the Portland Tennis Center in Portland,Ore. He is a ranked senior player in the Pacific Northwest in both singles anddoubles. Portland Tennis Center’s senior mixer programs run Monday throughFriday and attract between 70 and 80 players per week.


APPAREL

If you’re selling the hottest $125 tennis shoes, make sure youstock that other footwear essential—socks that are up to thetask of long, hot hours on court.Customers spend so much time seeking out the most com-

fortable, technically savvy shoes, but they often take for grantedwhat they wear inside the shoe. Socks provide comfort andcushioning, and should limit or prevent moisture and friction,which causes blisters.

Construction, fiber variation, design and fit qualities vary

from sport to sport. For tennis, fashion notwithstanding, manybelieve the crew sock design is the best to keep feet friction- andblister-free. Padding or double layers also are beneficial for courtmovement. Acrylic, lycra and some sort of moisture-wick-ing/moisture-prevention blend are what to look for.

While most of the major tennis brands also make socks wor-thy of long battles on the court, we tested models from thesesock-specific manufacturers. See what fits the bill for your pick-iest court warriors.

RELIEFFOR THEFEET

RELIEFFOR THEFEET B Y C Y N T H I A S H E R M A N

Balegabalegasports.com828-485-3318Balega is a high-quality, seam-free sock that is scor-ing high marks with runners for comfort, cushion-ing, breathability and durability. Balega’s HiddenComfort (a no-show) and Soft Tread are recent addi-tions and are particularly geared for tennis. The non-abrasion aspect and deep heel well keep the socksnug and in place and the ventilated top ensurescomfort and coolness.

The Hidden Comfort features cushioning withoutadding bulk. Balega claims the Soft Tread is revolu-tionary because its shock-dispersing fibers (whichthe company says is the same fiber NASA uses) helpat impact absorption. The socks also are left/rightspecific for a more precise fit. Balega’s hand-linkedtoe construction provides seam-free comfort andeliminates abrasion, and its proprietary technologywicks moisture from the foot.

Stocking the right socks cangive your customers a leg up intheir game.


Drymaxdrymaxsports.com, 800-465-0806What makes Drymax unique is the proprietary fiber. Drymax is made with Teflon-like dual-fiber where thepoly comprises the outer core and the Drymax makes up the inner fabric. Together they reduce friction andkeep feet dry and blister-free, says the company.

Drymax says its socks are not moisture-wicking, like other socks, but instead are “hydrophobic,”so moisture doesn’t bond to the sock in the first place. (According to Drymax, wicking socksspread moisture out more but still keep the skin wet.) Drymax says its tennis socks are uniquein this respect, plus the denser fabrication in the heel and forefoot pad the foot bed, whilekeeping a lighter weave on the upper half of the foot for breathability and coolness.

Feetures!feeturesbrand.com, 888-801-7227Feetures! offers the ‘Feetures! original light cushioned sock, along with an “Ultra Light”version. Sock characteristics focus on iWick fiber technology, Durasoft, which is a meri-no wool/rayon blend, and a “sock lock” support system, which supports the arch, and keepsthe foot and heel snug inside the shoe.

Lycra spandex gives Feetures! its fit properties and durability and the hand-linked toe seams ensurecomfort and a smooth feel. Feetures! socks have a lifetime guarantee.

Jox Soxjoxsox.com, 888-756-9769Jox Sox makes its socks in a cushioned and “super light” variety. They come in no-show, low-cut,quarter-length and crews. The dominant cotton fabrication allows for a natural feel but is fusedwith a lycra layer on top.

With these features, a padded bottom, non-slip Y-shaped heel and smooth toe seam, Jox Soxclaims a secure heel fit while also keeping feet dry. The company’s air-flow technology is designedto promote air circulation to keep feet cool.

Thorlothorlo.com, 888- 846-7567Thorlo was the first to make activity-specific socks, including those for tennis. The company says itssocks have been on the feet of more grand slam winners than any other sock on the market.

Thorlo socks protect the foot by keeping impact and shear (friction) down, which occurs with lat-eral and stop/start movements. The socks have an engineered padded design in the heel and ball ofthe foot, which protects the toe area. Knitted with a propriety blend of acrylic yarn, nylon and aspandex combo, the socks incorporate moisture-wicking and resilience, and they retain their shape.

Styles include crew, mini crew, no-shows, and quarter-length. Thorlo has introduced different trimcolors and has added solid black for men.

Vitalsoxvitalsox.com, 866-349-1268Billing itself as a specialty technical sock, Vitalsox, from Italy, says its socks have a compression fea-ture—from the toe to heel, they sport a tight fit that keeps the sock in place in the shoe so there’sno blister-causing friction. The compression feature also aids in blood circulation, says the com-pany.

Vitalsox are comprised of something called Polypropolene SilverDryStat, a fiber that the compa-ny says wicks moisture better than anything else and has a moisture-retention level of 0. Silver ions areinjected into the thread and act like a healing agent, which prevents bacteria from forming and eliminatesodor. The Vitalsox Court series, which comes in four styles, also has unique toe-to-heel looped padding forshock absorption, and which also prevents bunching and provides a channel for ventilation.


G U I D E T O S T R I N G I N G M A C H I N E S

The number of features available on stringing machinestoday is staggering—you could even call it an embar-rassment of riches. As you’ll see in our annual Guide to

Stringing Machines on the following pages—which lists dozensof models from 13 different manufacturers—any stringer canfind a machine to fit their needs.

But just how do you know what you need, or what is bestfor your particular stringing situation? Here are some basicguidelines that can help you navigate the bewildering varietyof choices.

� Price—While a great stringer can create professional stringjobs with any of the machines in our chart, we think you can-not go wrong buying as much machine as you can afford.Think of it as having a wider variety of tools with which tomatch your skills or develop your craft.

� Table Top or Standalone?—For stringers who want the con-venience of moving their machine from room to room ortransporting it in the car with greater ease, the table-topmodel—while not exactly lightweight—is a good solution. Allyou need is a table, desk, or solid surface, and you're readyto start producing high-quality string jobs. For those whowant a more advanced feature set or sturdier machine, theupright model is sure to light up any shop floor.

� Tension—There are three major tension systems: dropweight and electric (both constant-pull), and hand crank(lockout). A hand crank or lockout machine has a lever thatpulls the string until it reaches the desired tension, then aspring-loaded device locks the string, allowing it to stretchand loosen slightly. A constant-pull machine pulls the stringto the desired tension and then continues to pull as the stringstretches to maintain that tension until the string is clamped.Drop weights are less user friendly, but the lower price tagcan provide an attractive entry point for bargain hunters orneophytes looking to test the waters.

� Mounting Systems—Machines have 2-, 4-, 5- or 6-pointmounting systems, which are the number of points on themachine that contact the frame. The 2-point and 4-point

machines contact the frame only at the throat and head,which makes it convenient and quick, with fewer places forthe string to get tangled, and fewer blocked holes. If youwant a little more stability, 6-point mounting offers a securefit with slightly less frame distortion, especially on oversizedframes.

� Clamps—There are three major clamping systems: flyingclamps, fixed clamps that swivel, and fixed clamps that don'tswivel. Flying clamps are not attached to the machine anduse one string to hold tension on another. They provide lesstension consistency, but typically come at a lower pricepoint. Fixed clamps that do not swivel are commonlyattached to glide bars, which must be repositioned to switchfrom mains to crosses. They have an elegant simplicity andlimited range of motion (90 and 0 degrees). Fixed clampsthat swivel offer the greatest range of motion, which is espe-cially useful for fan patterns.There are other considerations when deciding to take the

plunge. For instance, your stringing machine may be (or youmay want it to be) the focal point of your shop, the shiningjewel to which eyes are naturally drawn. Having somethingthat represents your professionalism and dedication can veryoften separate you from the competition.

It is also worth considering how many racquets you andyour staff string. For high-volume shops, the deluxe machinesnot only offer time-saving conveniences, but they usuallycome with a wider range of customization.

Don’t forget customer support. Call the manufacturer anddistributor and ask what happens if something breaks. Get asense of the turnaround time and shipping costs. Make sureyou consider the length and nature of the warranty, andplease, read the manual from start to finish. You don't want topull out the soldering kit and start tinkering with the mother-board when there is a simple fix in the book.

A stringing machine is not only a major investment, but itcan make a very positive impact on your business. Hopefully,our guide will help you discover which machine will best fityour needs.�

HOW TO PICK ASTRINGINGMACHINEHOW TO PICK ASTRINGINGMACHINEB Y J O N A T H A N W O L F E , M A S T E R R A C Q U E T T E C H N I C I A N

Tenn

isRa

cque

tball

Squa

shBa

dminton

Stan

dInclud

edStan

dAv

ailable

TableTo

pStan

dard

TableTo

pOp

tiona

l

Height

Adjustab

le2-Po

int M

ounting

4-Po

int M

ounting

5-Po

int M

ounting

6-Po

int M

ounting

TurntableLock

360º

Rotation

TurntableSp

eedCo

ntrol

Drop

Weigh

tFu

llClutch-D

rop

Rachet

System

-Drop

Hand

Cran

k2-Side

dCran

kElectric

Multip

leSp

eedPu

llCo

nstant

Pull

LevelingPa

dson

TableTo

pLevelingPa

dson

Stan

d

Beep

sOn

/Off

Sports Height

Warranty(years)

Price(MSRP)ModelBrand

TensioningMounting

601F $219 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x602F $269 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x602S $379 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x603GB $549 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x60408S $589 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x603S $699 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x607 $799 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xPioneer DC Plus $429 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xRevo 4000 $649 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xAxis Pro $799 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $

Apex II-Cobra $1,099 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $

Odyssey $2,195 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $

Sensor $5,200 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xSensor Expert $8,500 5 t x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 1Star 5 $3,200 3 or 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

X-2 $159 Life x x x x $109 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $

Progression 200 $159 Life x x x x $109 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $

Progression 602 $339 5 x x x x $109 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $

X-6 $359 5 x x x x $109 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $

Progression 602 FC $469 5 x x x x $109 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $

X-6 FC $499 5 x x x x $109 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $

Progression ST II $679 5 x x x x $109 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $

X-ST $699 5 x x x x $109 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $

Progression Els $1,079 5 x x x x $109 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $

X-Els $1,099 5 x x x x $109 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $

5003 w/6pt $899 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $

5003 w/6pt SC System $999 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $

5003 w/2pt SC System $1,099 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $

6004 w/6pt SC System $1,299 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x6004 w/2pt SC System $1,299 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x5800 Els w/6pt $2,099 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x5800 Els w/6pt SC System$2,199 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x5800 Els w/2pt SC System$2,299 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x6900 Els w/6pt SC System$1,799 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x6900 Els w/2pt SC System$1,799 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x8800 Els w/6pt SC System$3,299 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x8800 Els w/2pt SC System$3,299 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xKlippermate $149 Life x x x x $115 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 2Klippermate Bad’ton $159 Life x $115 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 2280-CS $245 10 x x x x $115 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 2440-CS $445 10 x x x x $115 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 3

Digital DX8 $9,995 2 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $

Digital 700 $7,995 2 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $

Tronic DX6 $6,495 2 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $

Hercules 680 $339 5 x x x x $110 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xHercules 690 $389 5 x x x x $110 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xHercules 730 $339 5 x x x x $110 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xHercules 750 $389 5 x x x x $110 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xTitan 7700 $599 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xAtlas 8600 $829 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xAtlas 9600 $999 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

AGwww.gutermanintl.com800-343-6096

[email protected]

Klipper USAwww.klipperusa.com800-522-5547

Gammawww.gammasports.com800-333-0337



StringingMachines for 2011

Babolatwww.babolat.com877-316-9435

Pacific North America www.pacific.com941-795-1789

Mutual Powerwww.mutualpower.net832-878-8866

1. Magnetic auto clamp baserelease

2. Flying clamp starting pins

3. Single swivel fixed clamp fly-ing clamp starting pins

4 - Accessory drawer

5 - Electric Stand $850, CustomizableMachine Color $500, CustomizableStand Color $150

Foot

Peda

l Ten

sion

Activator

Automated

TensionRe

lease

Diab

lo/Nosecon

eRo

tationa

l Ten

sion

erPo

unds

&KilosTe

nsion

Man

ual C

alibrationAd

justab

leSe

lf-Ca

libratin

gDiam

ondCo

atTe

nsionHe

adGrip

Knob

/Dial T

ension

Setting

Plus/M

inus

TouchPa

dTe

nsionSe

tFu

llKe

ypad

TensionSe

tting

Flyin

gClam

psFixedClam

pson

GlideBa

rs

NoTo

olNe

eded

toAd

just

Clam

psTo

olTray

Reel

Rack

Cabine

t with

Draw

ers

Unde

r 50lbs

50-75lbs

Over

75lbs

Startin

gClam

pDiag

onal

Cutte

rsNe

edleno

sePliers

Self-ElevatingLine

arPu

ll

LED/LC

DTe

nsionDisplay

Knot

Tensioning

Removab

leElectricTe

nsione

r Unit

Dual

Swive

l Dou

bleAc

tionFixed

Dual

Swive

l SingleAc

tionFixed

360De

gree

Clam

pson

GlideBa

rsDiam

ondDu

stClam

psAu

tomated

Base

ReleaseClam

ps

Cover Include

d

Strin

gMeasurer

Built-in

Ruler

Racque

t Stand

Awl

Flyin

gClam

pAs

semblyInstructions/Video

Owne

rsMan

ual/V

ideo

GuidingAw

lBe

ntNo

sePliers

AssemblyTo

ols

Lockou

tPrestre

tch

Line

arPu

ll

Cover A

vailable

Othe

r -Misc.

(see

chart b

elow

)

Tensioning Clamping Weight Tools IncludedExtra Features

601F $219 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x602F $269 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x602S $379 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x603GB $549 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x60408S $589 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x603S $699 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x607 $799 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xPioneer DC Plus $429 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xRevo 4000 $649 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xAxis Pro $799 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $15 x x x x x x xApex II-Cobra $1,099 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $15 x x x x x x xOdyssey $2,195 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $15 x x x x x x x xSensor $5,200 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xSensor Expert $8,500 5 t x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 1Star 5 $3,200 3 or 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

X-2 $159 Life x x x x $109 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $25 x x x x x x x xProgression 200 $159 Life x x x x $109 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $25 x x x x x x x xProgression 602 $339 5 x x x x $109 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $25 x x x x x x x xX-6 $359 5 x x x x $109 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $25 x x x x x x x xProgression 602 FC $469 5 x x x x $109 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $25 x x x x x x xX-6 FC $499 5 x x x x $109 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $25 x x x x x x xProgression ST II $679 5 x x x x $109 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $25 x x x x x x x x xX-ST $699 5 x x x x $109 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $25 x x x x x x x x xProgression Els $1,079 5 x x x x $109 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $25 x x x x x x x x xX-Els $1,099 5 x x x x $109 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $25 x x x x x x x x x5003 w/6pt $899 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $25 x x x x x x x x x5003 w/6pt SC System $999 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $25 x x x x x x x x x5003 w/2pt SC System $1,099 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $25 x x x x x x x x x6004 w/6pt SC System $1,299 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x6004 w/2pt SC System $1,299 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x5800 Els w/6pt $2,099 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x5800 Els w/6pt SC System$2,199 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x5800 Els w/2pt SC System$2,299 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x6900 Els w/6pt SC System$1,799 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x6900 Els w/2pt SC System$1,799 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x8800 Els w/6pt SC System$3,299 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x8800 Els w/2pt SC System$3,299 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xKlippermate $149 Life x x x x $115 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 2Klippermate Bad’ton $159 Life x $115 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 2280-CS $245 10 x x x x $115 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 2440-CS $445 10 x x x x $115 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 3

Digital DX8 $9,995 2 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $895 x x x xDigital 700 $7,995 2 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $45 x x x $395 x x x xTronic DX6 $6,495 2 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $795 x x x x

Hercules 680 $339 5 x x x x $110 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xHercules 690 $389 5 x x x x $110 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xHercules 730 $339 5 x x x x $110 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xHercules 750 $389 5 x x x x $110 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xTitan 7700 $599 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xAtlas 8600 $829 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xAtlas 9600 $999 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x


Multilingu

altouchscreendisplay

6 - Pro Becomes Pro Select if one or more of the follow-ing upgrades are added (Dual Swivel Single Action FixedClamps $500, String Measurer $300, Multilingual Touch-screen Display $650, Electric Turntable Lock $500)

7 - Electric Turntable Lock - Upgrades Available(Electric Stand $850, Customizable Machine Color$500, Customizable Stand Color $150)


Tenn

isRa

cque

tball

Squa

shBa

dminton

Stan

dInclud

edStan

dAv

ailable

TableTo

pStan

dard

TableTo

pOp

tiona

l

Height

Adjustab

le2-Po

int M

ounting

4-Po

int M

ounting

5-Po

int M

ounting

6-Po

int M

ounting

TurntableLock

360º

Rotation

TurntableSp

eedCo

ntrol

Drop

Weigh

tFu

llClutch-D

rop

Rachet

System

-Drop

Hand

Cran

k2-Side

dCran

kElectric

Multip

leSp

eedPu

llCo

nstant

Pull

LevelingPa

dson

TableTo

pLevelingPa

dson

Stan

d

Beep

sOn

/Off

Sports Height

Warranty(years)

Price(MSRP)ModelBrand

TensioningMounting

Neos 1000 $1,099 3 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xNeos 1500 $1,299 3 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xPrince 5000 $3,499 3 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 4Prince 6000 $3,799 3 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 4M90 - O92 - TH $684 10 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xM90 - O92 - T98 $866 10 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xM100 - O92 - TH $731 10 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xM100 - O92 - T98 $921 10 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xM100 - O92 - T92 $1,041 10 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xML100con-O92-TH $847 10 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xML100con-O92-T98 $1,042 10 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xML100con-O92-T92 $1,165 10 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xML120con-O92-T98 $1,149 10 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xML120con-O92-T92 $1,309 10 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xMS 200con T98 $1,394 10 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xMS 200con T92 $1,518 10 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xTF-6000 $6,500 2 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xErgo Pro (Pro Select6) $7,500 3 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $650 x x $500 x x x x $300 x x x x 5,6

Ergo Touch $10,000 3 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 7

Baiardo $6,000 3 or 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 8

2086 $495 2 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xProfessional Electronic Tension Head

ES5 Pro Tech $6,499 3 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 9

Princewww.princetennis.com800-283-6647

Wilsonwww.wilson.com800-272-6060

Tecnifibrewww.tecnifibre.com888-838-3664


StringingMachines for 2011

Stringwaywww.alphatennis.com800-922-9024

Wise USAwww.tennishead.com888-836-7466

Yonexwww.yonexusa.com800-449-6639


8 - Multilingual touchscreen display, Dual roller ergonomic clamps, Automated motorized height adjustment, Adjustable turntable tilt, Motor-ized height adjustment for mounting/mains/crosses, Customizable with memory for up to six stringers, Angled stand for more leg room, Man-ager's security settings, Self guiding puller head, Logs string pulls by user, tension jaw plate limiting screw, Visual tension notification, Crosstension +/- by percentage, Ability to recalibrate to factory settings, Mobile phone well, Pop out plug for quick clamp base removal, modularconstruction, 3-D Turntable Rotation.

Tecnifibre

Wilson

Pacific

Yonex


Foot

Peda

l Ten

sion

Activator

Automated

TensionRe

lease

Diab

lo/Nosecon

eRo

tationa

l Ten

sion

erPo

unds

&KilosTe

nsion

Man

ual C

alibrationAd

justab

leSe

lf-Ca

libratin

gDiam

ondCo

atTe

nsionHe

adGrip

Knob

/Dial T

ension

Setting

Plus/M

inus

TouchPa

dTe

nsionSe

tFu

llKe

ypad

TensionSe

tting

Flyin

gClam

psFixedClam

pson

GlideBa

rs

NoTo

olNe

eded

toAd

just

Clam

psTo

olTray

Reel

Rack

Cabine

t with

Draw

ers

Unde

r 50lbs

50-75lbs

Over

75lbs

Startin

gClam

pDiag

onal

Cutte

rsNe

edleno

sePliers

Self-ElevatingLine

arPu

ll

LED/LC

DTe

nsionDisplay

Knot

Tensioning

Removab

leElectricTe

nsione

r Unit

Dual

Swive

l Dou

bleAc

tionFixed

Dual

Swive

l SingleAc

tionFixed

360De

gree

Clam

pson

GlideBa

rsDiam

ondDu

stClam

psAu

tomated

Base

ReleaseClam

ps

Cover Include

d

Strin

gMeasurer

Built-in

Ruler

Racque

t Stand

Awl

Flyin

gClam

pAs

semblyInstructions/Video

Owne

rsMan

ual/V

ideo

GuidingAw

lBe

ntNo

sePliers

AssemblyTo

ols

Lockou

tPrestre

tch

Line

arPu

ll

Cover A

vailable

Othe

r -Misc.

(see

chart b

elow

)

Tensioning Clamping Weight Tools IncludedExtra Features

Neos 1000 $1,099 3 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xNeos 1500 $1,299 3 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xPrince 5000 $3,499 3 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 4Prince 6000 $3,799 3 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 4M90 - O92 - TH $684 10 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xM90 - O92 - T98 $866 10 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xM100 - O92 - TH $731 10 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xM100 - O92 - T98 $921 10 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xM100 - O92 - T92 $1,041 10 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xML100con-O92-TH $847 10 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xML100con-O92-T98 $1,042 10 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xML100con-O92-T92 $1,165 10 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xML120con-O92-T98 $1,149 10 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xML120con-O92-T92 $1,309 10 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xMS 200con T98 $1,394 10 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xMS 200con T92 $1,518 10 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xTF-6000 $6,500 2 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xErgo Pro (Pro Select6) $7,500 3 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x $650 x x $500 x x x x $300 x x x x 5,6

Ergo Touch $10,000 3 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 7

Baiardo $6,000 3 or 5 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 8

2086 $495 2 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xProfessional Electronic Tension Head

ES5 Pro Tech $6,499 3 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 9

Multilingu

altouchscreendisplay


8 - Peripheral Acccessory Platform, Lighting, Mobility System with Wheel Lock, 3-D Turntable Rotation9 - Peripheral Accessory Platform, Lighting, Mobility System with Wheel Lock

YonexBabolat Prince

Gamma


APPAREL

Is there a “killer app” in the future of tennis couture? Or will theamazing science and technology in which today’s tennis togsare steeped continue to produce nothing more than shrugs of

indifference from tennis players?Those are the questions manufacturers and retailers ponder

while textile technology moves into the realm of science fiction,even as customers appear unmoved from the primary concern of“how do I look?”

Tennis clothes are at the forefront of a high-tech clothing rev-olution. Claire Ortiz, Wilson’s global business director of footwearand apparel, describes Wilson’s “smart design” approach asemploying nanotechnology for performance benefits as well as,“[utilizing] some of the most advanced laser cutting, heat/seamsealing and dye cut lamination techniques in critical movementareas of the body.”

“All of our apparel is designed with ‘made to move’ featuresspecific to the needs of a tennis player,” she adds. “Some of thespecial features included in all of our designs are: ball pocket solu-tions, abrasion-free seams, zoned cooling—focused on areas ofthe body where tennis players sweat most.”

Cotton is no longer king in tennis clothing. Also long gone isthe choice between a John Travolta/Saturday Night Fever whitepolyester that didn’t breathe and a comfortable, “natural” cottonthat absorbed sweat and, as the match went on, grew heavier andmore uncomfortable.

As exemplified by Bolle’s High Performance line of tennisclothes that are 92 percent polyester with an 8 percent spandexblend and feature a four-in-one fabric treatment, most of today’shigh-end skirts, shorts and tops are created from specially engi-neered performance fabrics or with polyester fibers that knittingmills have applied nanotechnology to in order to produce one ormore additional layers and new characteristics.

One standard tennis-clothing layer improves the “hand-feel”of the fabric, making it comfortable through at least 50 washings,while another offers a barrier against the sun’s harmful UVA andUVB rays. A third provides the ability to “wick” away body-pro-duced moisture, spreading it along the garment’s surface forready evaporation into the air. Most of the better tennis shirts anddresses also include a layer of anti-microbial polymers that bondwith the fabric to fight staining and odors as well as anti-static

attributes that make them less likely to cling. (Buyers, though, doneed to check care labels—some features may be negated if, forinstance, the clothing is put into a dryer with a dryer sheet, suchas Bounce.)

Fashion Still RulesBut while almost every one of these technological advances hasits own “wow” factor, no individual advance seems able to movethe needle in a category where fashion rules.

Explains Bruce Levine, general manager of the Courtside Rac-quet Club in Lebanon, N.J., “There’s a small percentage of con-sumers who are concerned with the technical features of thefabric, maybe 15 percent, and the majority of those are probablythe better and more frequent players. The other 85 percent aremore concerned with the style and fashion. Most say somethinglike, ‘I saw this on TV,’ or ‘This is a cool-looking shirt.’”

Clothing sales and marketing is very different from the rac-quet and footwear categories where the technological benefits arefront and center when selling to the consumer. With bettersportswear, as Tail CEO Jerry Edwards says, high-tech is often ho-hum. He describes his own company’s tennis line as cutting edgein offering the advantages of working with today’s better mills,but devoted to the woman who plays frequently and wants attrac-tive, functional apparel to complement her game. Someone usedto shopping at better department stores and boutiques for hereveryday clothes is going to expect the same quality and fashion-forward thinking in her sportswear.

“Nobody ignores [the technological advances],” saysEdwards, but “performance is a cost to entry.” In the end, thebuying decision will rest on how well the customer believes theclothes make them look.

If focusing on looks feels like one is only getting half the story,consider the future as seen through the researching eye of IngridJohnson, a professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology inNew York City and the co-author of industry standard “Fabric Sci-ence” (soon to appear in its 10th edition). She talks up theimprovements in the production of filaments and microfibers, theleaps that have been made beginning in the 1980s by fabric engi-neers who reverse-engineer solutions from problems. Soonenough, she believes, “The only thing that [won’t] be solved is

Tennis clothing is at the forefront of fabric technology, but itappears fashion is still the big attraction for consumers.

MATERIALWORLDMATERIALWORLD

B Y K E N T O S W A L D


what will improve your tennis game... at the end of the day you arestill working with a human.”

The Wonders of Today’s FabricWith textile solutions being applied to everything from repairs with-in the body to the exploration of space, it isn’t surprising that fabricscan be infused with details such as fragrance or moisture-manage-ment and expected to hold up to the demands of consumers whoaren’t always particularly careful about reading their washinginstructions. As for the game benefits, a bit of compression, strate-gically adding spandex or putting it in the right sequence, can sup-port muscles and keep them from tightening up under severeconditions. “We can make things that change our life tremendous-ly,” says Johnson about the current and future wonders of fabric sci-ence.

Unlike many in the industry, Ortiz believes players do notice andvalue the wonders. “I don’t think there is little appreciation fromplayers and retailers when buying and using our apparel,” she notes.“I believe products should be easy to understand, easy to wear, lookand feel great. A player will notice the difference between goodproduct and bad product once they put it on and play in it.”

But others stick to the line that in tennis apparel, science alonedoesn’t sell—it supports.

“For us, a well-designed, active product combines functionality,comfort, ease of care and high style,” explains Fila USA’s director ofapparel design, Freya Tamayo, when talking about the bold and col-orful Pier Luigi collection. “It is a balance. … A high importance isplaced on the ability for the wearer to perform at the best of his/herability and look fantastic doing so.”

The final words in a sales pitch are always about fashion. AsDave Malinowski, group category manager for tennis specialty atAdidas, explains after ticking off some of the company’s innovations

that bring a maximum amount of comfort to the court whether theday is roasting, soggy or chilly: “No matter what the trend, in theend, [our] best product is one that not only functions on an extreme-ly high level, but also offers durability and comfort to the athleteand, of course, looks great on court.”

Putting Function Above Fashion?Despite technology taking a back seat in the sale, the search for thekiller app goes on. In 2008, for example, Adidas purchased Tex-tronics. The company focuses on clothing that integrate sensingfibers into fabrics so athletes can measure heart rate and respiration,vital statistics or even how they are moving. Recently, that compa-ny’s NuMetrex division began selling a strapless heart-monitoringsystem built into a shirt, tank or sports bra.

Could clothes that monitor the heart presage the coming of thekiller app that puts function above fashion in the mind of the con-sumer? Unlikely, although the melding of player and clothing is cer-tainly something that excites people in the industry.

According to Michaela Nusser, tomorrow’s excitement will befound with wearable electronics and smart materials. “I think thechallenge,” says Nusser, a professor in the Department of SportsEquipment and Materials at the Technische Universität München, “isto produce textiles that work like a ‘second skin,’ in the [sense] ofcooling [me] when I sweat, warming [me] when I am freezing.”

Maybe no advance, even one that somehow fixes the errant balltoss or keeps the racquet head above the wrist on a snap volley atthe net, will mean more than fabrics that shape and drape to makethe player look Verdasco-esque or Ivanovic-like. Despite the contin-uing advances in textile technology, the key to sales and marketingmay always reside in appearance, the overriding maxim to tennisclothing sales being that if you look good, you will feel good—andplay well enough.�


stringing machine in a conspicuous loca-tion for customers tosee and ask questionsabout! A typical labelmight read as follows:5 sets of Gamma Syn-thetic Gut with WearGuard 16 to:Dr. Carl Love, Albany, OREditor’s note: If you are going to go to thismuch trouble to calibrate your calibrator,make certain that your reference weightsare accurate.

LEAD MODS IN PLACESometimes a client will be uncertain aboutthe extent of racquet modifications hewants, which can give rise to situationswhere you need to remove some of thepreviously-applied lead tape from the hoop.The easy way to do this is to cut the leadwith a razor blade while the tape is still onthe racquet, but the risk is that you can cutinto the frame itself.

Rather than cutting completely through

CALIBRATOR CALIBRATINGI have been helping some of our local stringtechnicians use a spring-loaded calibrator toverify reference tension. It just occurred to

me that checking calibra-tor accuracy by readingthe extension shaftleaves a lot of room forerror.

The average spring-loaded calibrator is usual-ly marked out in 5-pound

increments. Where do you read the markfrom the edge of the unit: 1/2 way out, 3/4way out, or full way out? Our shop makesuse of the similar calibrator, and we check itby measuring the extension shaft with a dialcaliper reading to 0.001 inches. We have aset of weights from 20 lbs. to 90 lbs. In 15seconds we verify the caliper reading forthat day at 5 pounds below and 5 poundsabove our reference tension. When we arethrough with the calibration, we make up abright yellow or orange label to attach to the

Tips & Techniques

the lead, cut only enough to leave a strongmark on the lead tape. Lead doesn’t havemuch structural strength, so even a partialcut will weaken it to the point that you canflex the tape at the cut a couple of times andit will separately cleanly.5 sets of Unique Big Hitter Blue 17 to:L. Hodges, Apple Valley, CA

STRINGING SUPER-LARGE RACQUETSThere is a significant number of racquets inuse today that require more than the stan-dard 40 feet of string that most packagescontain. This fact reduces stringing optionsfor players using super large-head racquets,making it more difficult for them to try newand innovative strings as they come on themarket. I employ a custom two-piece tech-nique that allows players using these superlarge-head racquets to try any/all strings thatare on the market today.

To do this, begin by installing the centermains using the string of interest following


Readers’ Know-How in ActionShop NameStringing MachineAccuracy @ 50.00 lbs.Date of Calibration

Tips and Techniques submitted since 1992 by USRSAmembers and appearing in this column, have all beengathered into a searchable database onwww.racquettech.com, the official member-only websiteof the USRSA. Submit tips to: Greg Raven, USRSA, 330Main St., Vista, CA 92084; or [email protected].

the traditional one-piecemethod, leaving off thetwo outer mains oneach side of the head.Tie off the short side.Then begin stringingthe crosses at the usualgrommet point. Be sureto honor the required

skipped grommet holes.Install all the cross strings

except for the last two andtie-off. At this point, the racquet

is strung except for the two out-side mains on each side, and twoadjacent crosses (which can beeither at the top or bottom of theracquet), as show in black in theillustration.

Then using approximately 12 to15 feet of relatively inexpensivestring (synthetic gut or poly, typi-cally, whichever you desire), tie offthe string as you would a typical

hybrid string, and install one crossstring in the last position (either heador throat). Make certain that youemploy the same over-under stringorder as the previously installed crossstring.

Continue on to complete the tworemaining main strings on one side,then install the remaining vacant crossstring (this will be a hard weave), cross-ing back over to the side of the racquetthat has the remaining two vacantmain strings.

Install the last two main strings, andtie off.

The outer mains and crosses (shownas red in the illustration) have lesseffect on racquet response, thereforethe fact that they are strung with a dif-ferent string should have little effect onplayability.5 sets of Wilson K-Gut Pro 16 to:Mathew Calendar, Greenacres, FLEditor’s note: You can minimize differ-ences in racquet response when usingthis method by choosing a nylon fill-instring to go with natural gut or premi-um nylons, and a poly to mate with pre-mium polys. —Greg Raven �



String Playtest

EASE OF STRINGING(compared to other strings)Number of testers who said it was:much easier 0somewhat easier 4about as easy 20not quite as easy 14not nearly as easy 0

OVERALL PLAYABILITY(compared to string played most often)Number of testers who said it was:much better 1somewhat better 12about as playable 9not quite as playable 14not nearly as playable 2

OVERALL DURABILITY(compared to other stringsof similar gauge)Number of testers who said it was:much better 9somewhat better 15about as durable 14not quite as durable 0not nearly as durable 0

RATING AVERAGESFrom 1 to 5 (best)Playability 3.5Durability (4th overall) 4.4Power 3.4Control (19th overall) 3.8Comfort 3.3Touch/Feel 3.1Spin Potential (4th overall) 3.9Holding Tension 3.6Resistance to Movement (9th overall) 4.1

Genesis Black Magic is a monofilamentpolyester string. Genesis tells us thatBlack Magic utilizes the latest innova-tion in co-polyester technology, withchemicals added during the heatingprocess to increase power, control, andspin. Tension maintenance is also oneof the highlights of Black Magic.

Genesis tells us that Black Magicoffers superb feel and power, making itthe best string for the competitive playerseeking the benefits of an all aroundstring. Black Magic is being used by 3-time defending NCAA D1 ChampionUSC, numerous ATP/WTA players, andITF World Champions Mario Tabares (#1M45) and Andy Lake (#1 M35). It isdesigned for the aggressive baseline play-er who seeks the ultimate combination inpower, control, and feel.

Black Magic is available in 16 (1.29mm) and 17 (1.23 mm) in black only. Itis priced from $7.90 for 40-foot sets,$84.90 for 660-foot reels. For more infor-mation or to order, contact Genesis at888-750-1011, or visit genesis-ten-nis.com. Be sure to read the conclusionfor more information about getting a freeset to try for yourself.

IN THE LABWe tested the 17-gauge (1.23 mm) BlackMagic. The coil measured 40 feet. Thediameter measured 1.24-1.26 mm beforestringing, and 1.21-1.23 mm after string-ing. We recorded a stringbed stiffness of75 RDC units immediately after stringingat 60 pounds in a Wilson Pro Staff 6.1 95(16 x 18 pattern) on a constant-pullmachine.

After 24 hours (no playing), stringbedstiffness measured 70 RDC units, repre-senting a 7 percent tension loss. Our con-trol string, Prince Synthetic Gut OriginalGold 16, measured 78 RDC units imme-diately after stringing and 71 RDC unitsafter 24 hours, representing a 9 percenttension loss. In lab testing, Prince Syn-thetic Gut Original has a stiffness of 217and a tension loss of 11.67 pounds,while Genesis Black Magic 17 has a stiff-

ness of 252 and a tension loss of 19.16pounds. Black Magic added 16 grams tothe weight of our unstrung frame.

The string was tested for five weeksby 38 USRSA playtesters, with NTRP rat-ings from 3.5 to 6.0. These are blindtests, with playtesters receivingunmarked strings in unmarked packages.Average number of hours playtested was33.5

Out of the package, Black Magic feelssmooth and dry. The crosses glide acrossthe mains, while the knots cinch downreally nicely, feeling locked-in whenyou’re done.

Genesis recommends reducing ten-


sion by 5-10 percent compared to a typi-cal nylon reference tension, and that’swhat we recommended to our playtestteam.

No playtester broke his sample dur-ing stringing, reported problems withcoil memory, reported problems tyingknots, or reported friction burn.

ON THE COURTOur playtest team rated Genesis BlackMagic 17’s Spin Potential highly, givingit the fourth highest rating of the 155strings we’ve playtested to date. Ourplaytest team loved Black Magic 17’sResistance to Movement, giving it theninth highest score to date, along withits Durability (tenth highest score todate), and Control (19th highest score todate). Our playtesters also scored BlackMagic 17 well above average in Playabil-ity, Power, and Tension Retention.Cumulatively, these scores make BlackMagic 17 the fifth best string overall todate. And just in case you missed it,we’re talking about a polyester string.

One player broke the sample duringthe playtest period at six hours, althoughhis comment on the string was “Durabil-ity is incredible.”

CONCLUSIONFour top-twenty scores (with three ofthose being in the top ten) are great forany string. That doesn’t mean there isn’troom for improvement, even in theDurability category where Black Magic17 came in only fourth overall. But ifyou need more durability, there’s BlackMagic 16.

With scores as good as these, BlackMagic hardly needs another selling fea-

Genesis Black Magic 17


FREE PLAYTEST STRING PROGRAM

Genesis will send a free set of Black

Magic 17 to USRSA members who cut

out (or copy) this coupon and send it to:

Offer expires 15 Aug 2011Offer 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.


USRSA, Attn: Genesis String Offer330 Main Street, Vista, CA 92084

or fax to 760-536-1171, or email the info below to

[email protected]

“ Big spin on serves and slice shots.Tons of power on groundstrokes.” 4.5male all-court player using Wilson BLXKhamsin Five FX strung at 62 poundsCP (Wilson Hollow Core Pro 17)

“ This is a poly without pain. It getsbetter with age. Spin is excellent, powersufficient. After twenty hours, it stillfeels good.” 5.0 male baseliner withmoderate spin using Head Youtek SpeedElite strung at pounds CP (Gosen OGSheep Micro 16)

“ Big hitters and string breakers willenjoy this comfortable polyester.” 5.5male baseliner with moderate spinusing Prince EXO3 Rebel Team strung at58 pounds CP (Polyester/Natural Gut17/17)

“ Impressive spin. Low elasticity. Thisstring rewards high head speed andcompliments the advanced topspingame.” 4.5 male all-court playerusing Wilson K Tour strung at 50pounds LO (Wilson NXT 16)

“ Good blend of power, control, com-fort, and feel. Holds tension well.”5.0 male all-court player using HeadMicroGEL Prestige Pro MP strung at 62pounds LO (Head Sonic Pro 16)

“ What this string lacks in pop, itmakes up for in spin and control.” 5.0male all-court player using Dunlop 4DAerogel 5 Hundred Tour strung at 54pounds CP (Dunlop Silk 17)

For the rest of the tester comments, visitwww.racquetsportsindustry.com.

“ This comfortable string addsbite and control to my serve andgroundstrokes.” 3.5 male touchplayer using Prince EXO3 IgniteTeam strung at 55 pounds CP (Lux-ilon Adrenaline 16L)

“ Control and comfort are aboveaverage. Feel and touch are littlelacking.” 4.0 female all-courtplayer using Prince EXO3 Bluestrung at 58 pounds CP (GammaTNT2 Touch 16)

“ Power, control, and touch areaverage. Tension maintenance is onthe low side. This string lacks the‘wow’ factor.” 4.5 male all-courtplayer using Wilson K Blade strungat 59 pounds CP (Tecnifibre BlackCode 16)

TESTERS TALK

ture, but even here it doesn’t disappoint.If your stringing customers are at allaware of what the pros are using, nodoubt some of them have dropped offracquets asking that you put in “some ofthat black string.” With Genesis BlackMagic, you have that base covered, too.

If you think that Genesis Black Magicmight be for you, fill out the coupon toget a free set to try.

—Greg Raven �

My many years as a U.S. TennisAssociation volunteer culmi-nated in 2009 when I became

President, Chairman of the Board andCEO of the USTA. I look back on thosetwo years and feel both gratified andextremely proud that I was able to servethis organization, and most importantly,our sport of tennis. I believe we accom-plished a great deal during my adminis-tration and I am very pleased with theprogress we made during those years.

I have been asked many times whatthe USTA could do to strengthen itsstructure and thereby improve tennis.Now that I have completed my tenure, Ifeel comfortable in expressing my per-sonal opinion regarding the terms of ourleadership.

I am convinced the USTA would bean even stronger organization if wechange to a three-year term. At theNational level, the USTA President, itsBoard of Directors and our volunteercommittees would better serve tennis byproviding the consistency, continuityand credibility that a three-year termwould accomplish.

The idea of increasing the term isnot new, it has frequently been debat-ed—and I have not always supportedmy current viewpoint. I realize this couldcause some short-term disruption andthat there are those who are concernedit would take "too long to move up” inthe organization. Hopefully that is notthe reason we serve and that there arenot too many volunteers who are con-cerned about this. We are all aware thatrecruiting volunteers is more of a chal-lenge in today’s environment and thiswould help to ease the constant turnoveron committees, etc. After serving atmany levels under the current system, I

believe it makes sense to increase thelength of the term for the USTA volunteerleadership.

Currently the new President hits theground running in January, and as pre-pared as one might think they may be afterspending two years as First Vice President,you simply cannot begin your duties untilyou actually take office as the President.Then, after spending the first year movinginitiatives forward, the President is quicklyon the downside of his or her term and youspend much of your second year preparingfor the transition to new leadership.

With a three-year term, the organiza-tion would provide continuity with pro-grams and initiatives, an area where bothvolunteers and staff have expressed con-cern. A longer term will give the USTAcredibility and stability with our businessrelationships and industry partners, as wellas our international alliances.

The USTA is an amazing organization.We are the envy of organizations through-out the world, not only in the tennis arenabut in all types of volunteer associations.

Lucy S. Garvin of Greenville,S.C., served as President,Chairman of the Board, andCEO of the USTA for the2009-2010 term. A long-time volunteer at all levels ofthe game, including Presi-

dent of the USTA Southern Section, shecurrently serves on the USTA Board asImmediate Past President and Chairman ofthe USTA Major Construction OversightCommittee. She is Vice President of theInternational Tennis Federation and is Chair-man of the ITF Junior Competitions Com-mittee. In 1975 she began a career in thetennis industry, managing a tennis facility inGreenville, S.C., then as a consultant in themanagement and marketing of tennis facili-ties throughout the South.


‘A longer term will givethe USTA credibilityand stability with ourbusiness relationshipsand industry partners,as well as our interna-tional alliances.’

The reason for this envy is our incrediblenetwork of volunteer leadership at theNational, Section, State\District and locallevels. We are indeed very fortunate.

We have become a progressive organi-zation and more receptive to change,although often moving too slowly. Wehave in fact accomplished change in manyareas and we are a stronger organizationfor doing so.

As the Immediate Past President of theUSTA and having lived the experience ofthe two-year term, I believe it is time totake that next step and change to a three-year term.

It is the right thing to do for the USTAas an organization and more importantlyfor the sport and business of tennis. �

We welcome your opinions. Please emailcomments to [email protected].

Your Serve


Terms of Office

B Y L U C Y S . G A R V I N

The USTA’s immediate past presidentbelieves it is time for a three-year termfor the organization’s leadership.

201108 racquet sports industry

Documents