www.racquetsportsindustry.com Annual Racquet Selection Guide Two-Piece Stringing Or One-Piece? Soft-Court Award Winners Annual Racquet Selection Guide Two-Piece Stringing Or One-Piece? Soft-Court Award Winners - -- 11 WWW.FACEBOOK.COIWBABOLAT illRril BLAST c a / 1 ~ SPIN MASTER r 8PMDrnl .. ... \. .1/f I Y . ...::- ~ RAFAEL ''EL UNICO. NADAL (SPA) AEROPRO DRIVE RACQUET RPM BLAST STRING [ill{i1] DUAL call l1lJl. LONG LASTING SPIN [ill{i1] TEAM calL tniL EASY SPIN BABOLAT OfFICIAL BALL RACOUET mo STRING OF THE FRENCH OPEN 2 DEPARTMENTS R S I A P R I L 2 0 1 3 INDUSTRY NEWS 7 Study: Tennis has positive influence on students 7 PTR Symposium set for May on HHI 7 IART schedules Stringers Symposium 8 Five programs named USTA regional centers 9 Evans named Aer-Flo sales manager 10 Wilson partners with TGA Premier Youth Tennis 10 Peoplewatch 10 Indian Wells OKs Tennis Garden expansion 11 Roddick, Stephens top WTT player draft 12 Short Sets 12 Infographic shows increase in 10U statistics 13 US Open Series events coordinate ticket sales 4 Our Serve 7 Industry News 14 Tennis Coaching 15 Retail Sales 16 TIA News 18 Retailing Tip 32 Ask the Experts 34 String Playtest: Tecnifibre ATP Razor Code 16 36 Your Serve, by L. Jon Wertheim 2 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2013 www.racquetsportsindustry.com Cover photo by Bob Patterson FEATURES 20 Is Two Better Than One? A Master Racquet Technician considers the advantages of using two-piece stringing 22 Racquet Selection Map Our exclusive guide enables you to find the perfect frame for your customers quickly and easily. 28 Soft Landing These outdoor ASBA facility winners are excellent examples of soft-court construction. Contents Contents Our Serve (Incorporating Racquet Tech and Tennis Industry) Publishers David Bone Jeff Williams Editorial Director Peter Francesconi peter@racquettech.com Associate Editor Greg Raven Design/Art Director Kristine Thom Contributing Editors Robin Bateman Cynthia Cantrell Joe Dinoffer Kent Oswald Bob Patterson Cynthia Sherman Mary Helen Sprecher Tim Strawn RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY Corporate Offices PO Box 3392, Duluth, GA 30096 Phone: 760-536-1177 Fax: 760-536-1171 Email: RSI@racquetTECH.com Website: www.racquetTECH.com Office Hours: Mon.-Fri.,8 a.m.-5 p.m. Pacific Time Advertising Director John Hanna 770-650-1102, x.125 hanna@knowatlanta.com Apparel Advertising Cynthia Sherman 203-263-5243 cstennisindustry@earthlink.net Racquet Sports Industry is published 10 times per year: monthly January through August and combined issues in September/October and November/ December by Tennis Industry and USRSA, PO Box 3392, Duluth, GA 30096. Periodcal postage paid at Duluth, GA and at additional mailing offices (USPS #004-354). April 2013, Volume 41, Number 4 2013 by USRSA and Tennis Industry. All rights reserved. Racquet Sports Industry, RSI and logo are trademarks of USRSA. Printed in the U.S.A. Phone advertising: 770-650-1102 x 125. Phone circulation and editorial: 760-536-1177. Yearly subscriptions $25 in the U.S., $40 elsewhere. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Racquet Sports Industry, PO Box 3392, Duluth, GA 30096. RSI is the official magazine of the USRSA, TIA,and ASBA www.racquetsportsindustry.com Take A Second Look at 10U Tennis 4 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2013 I recently was talking with a very highly regarded teach- ing pro in the USTA Southern Section who was telling me about his first encounters with the 10 and Under Tennis initiative. In short, he was not a fan. He was skeptical of the rule change that mandated the use of lower compression balls and shorter racquets on shorter courts. He was getting complaints from parents of some of his talented 9- and 10-year-olds, upset that they would be forced to either play events with lower compres- sion balls, or play up to stay with the yellow ball. The pro had other reservations, too. The initial cost of having to buy baskets of red and orange balls, having to put down taped lines to create 36- and 60-foot courtsit all was a hassle. Then when the time came to put permanent lines on 78-foot courts, how would adult club members react? But then, it all just clicked. Suddenly, his junior programs were boom- ing. And importantly, his 10 and under players were playing amazing ten- nis, hitting strokes properly because the ball was no longer bouncing over their headsand having more fun than ever. Within a couple of weeks, adult players didnt even notice the lined courts. This pro did a complete 180hes now a huge proponent of 10U tennis because he can see the positive results. He admits that for some young players, and their parents, there was a rough transition, as they fell in that range where they either had to play with a ball they werent used to, or play with older kids to stay with the yellow ball. But he says it was something that had to happen, there had to be one group that would end up being more affected during the tran- sition, in order to reach the point where now, all the kids are playing with the racquets and balls that truly help them develop proper strokes and technique. Whats important is that this pro says mandating these changes, and working through the rough patch to get to the other side, was the right thing to doif it hadnt been required, then pros wouldnt do it. From my perspective, anything we can do to get more people playing this game is a good thing, and 10U tennis gets more people into the game. Kids have a lot of options when it comes to sports, and getting them involved in tennis earlier, and actually playing the game and enjoy- ing it, is a huge key in keeping them playing throughout their lives. It cre- ates players, frequent players, and tennis consumers. The bottom line about 10U tennis is the bottom line it simply makes good business sense. If youre a tennis provider and you havent yet got- ten involved in 10 and Under Tennis, you need to take a second look at how it can help your business. Peter Francesconi Editorial Director Simply, The World's Bast All-Weather Sports Surface Qualify for LEED Credits For more Information or to locate a certified installer in your area please contact us at 800-USA-NOVA or info@novasports.com fl.;; ft-i FOUw6i 1 oN www.novasports.com I NDUSTRY NEWS I NDUSTRY NEWS I N F O R M A T I O N T O H E L P Y O U R U N Y O U R B U S I N E S S PTR Symposium Set for May The 2013 PTR Interna- tional Tennis Symposium & Championships will be April 30 to May 6 at the newly renovated Sonesta Resort on Hilton Head Island, S.C. The Symposium attracts tennis teachers and coaches from more than 50 countries. Many of the industrys notable speakers, including Dr. Jim Loehr, Pat Etcheberry, Butch Staples, Leo Alonso, Lorenzo Beltrame, Doug Cash, Mike Barrell, Anne Davis, Michele Krause, Jorge Capestany and Dr. Mark Kovacs, will be among the more than 50 presenters who will con- duct classroom and on- court presentations. Subjects range from 10 and Under Tennis to ten- nis business to teaching tactics and techniques. There is also a special high school coaches track sponsored by the USTA that will be held over the weekend to accommodate scholastic schedules. The PTR International Championships, held in conjunction with the Symposium, will start on April 30. The Symposium also offers a Tennis Trade Show. Professional Devel- opment Courses will be held May 1, 6 and 7. Visit ptrtennis.org for information or to register. R S I A P R I L 2 0 1 3 USTA Study Shows Positive Influences of Tennis U STA Serves, the national charitable foundation of the USTA, recently released the results of the USTA Serves Special Report, More Than a Sport: Tennis, Education and Health. The study, con- ducted among high school students, is the first nationwide study to analyze the educational, behavioral and health benefits to adolescents who participate in tennis. Results from the study show that, when compared to non-athletes and participants in many other sports, young people who participate in tennis get better grades, devote more hours to studying, think more about their future, aspire to attend and graduate from college, and have lower suspension and expulsion rates. Key findings from the report include: w Tennis is a unique catalyst for educational advantage. Tennis players spent more time doing homework, and were more likely to report receiving A grades. A full 48% of students in the report have an A average and 81% say they will attend college. w Tennis players had significantly lower rates of suspension from school and other disciplinary measures than participants in other sports and non-athletes. w Educational advantages among tennis players occurred across all socioeconomic levels. w Adolescent tennis players are well-rounded. Participation rates within extracurricular activities and community involvement were higher among adolescent tennis players. In fact, 82% volunteer in their com- munities. w Tennis contributes to adolescent health. Tennis players reported lower rates of unhealthy behavior such as drinking and smoking, and are less likely to be overweight or become obese. w Adolescent participation in tennis varies by race/ethnicity and gender, as well as across geographic regions. Among all adolescent tennis players in the U.S., whites constituted 77%, Hispanics 14%, and African-Americans 9%. While most people may not be surprised to learn that the majority of adolescent tennis players score better than most other athletes (and all non-athletes) on education and social behavior, what is less known is that those benefits also cross all socioeconomics levels in varying degrees, said Deborah Slan- er Larkin, executive director of USTA Serves. Hopefully, this evidence-based research will encourage more educators, health policy makers and parents to promote tennis in physical education classes as well as in school and community-based sports programs. For the full executive summary and report, visit www.ustaserves.com. April 2013 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 7 www.racquetsportsindustry.com IART Schedules 2013 Stringers Symposium in Florida T he International Alliance of Racquet Technicians (formerly GSS) will hold its 2013 training sympo- sium Sept. 21-25, again at Saddlebrook Resort in Tampa, Fla. The event will offer a variety of semi- nars covering all aspects of racquet service, including a four-hour specialty course on customization. Other seminars include beginning, intermediate, and advanced stringing plus the Wilson speed-stringing contest. Supplemental courses on business planning, marketing strategies through social media, USRSA and ERSA certification testing, and 10 & Under Tennis are also planned. For information, contact IART founder Tim Strawn at tim@gssalliance.com or 540-632-1148. A P R I L 2 0 1 3 I N D U S T R Y N E W S 8 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2013 www.racquetsportsindustry.com RSIs 30 Under 30 Presented by CareersInTennis.com N ominate now for Racquet Sports Industrys 30 Under 30 honors, recognizing some of the young movers and shakers in the tennis industry. The 30 individuals we pick will be featured in an upcoming special section in the magazine. RSIs 30 Under 30 section is presented by CareersInTennis.com, the industrys largest database for connecting job seekers with tennis employers. The TIAs free Careers in Tennis initiative had over 40,000 website views in 2012 and has more than 1,000 tennis-specific job postings. Nearly 2,000 job seekers are registered on the site, which also has 200 registered employers posting jobsall for free. Anyone can nominate potential 30 Under 30 honorees (you can even nominate yourself), and nominees can come from any segment of this industry. Nominees can even be volunteers in tennis; they dont have to be employed in this industry. The only restriction is that the nominee cannot have turned age 30 before June 1, 2013. To nominate, send us a brief email by April 1 describing your choice for 30 Under 30 hon- ors. Also include the nominees birthday (month and year is fine) if you know it, and con- tact information for both you and the nominee. Put 30 Under 30 in the subject line and email rsi@racquettech.com. NY Knicks Chandler Praises Allen Foxs The Winners Mind N ew York Knicks center Tyson Chandler, in an article in the New York Times in February, said that Dr. Allen Foxs book, The Winners Mind: A Competitors Guide to Sports and Business Success, helps him collect his thoughts and perform at his best. I recently read The Winners Mind, by Allen Fox, Chan- dler was quoted as saying. It calmed me because it put me in a place where I had the satisfaction that Im working towards my goal. And then I could go on to the next day. The Winners Mind is published by Racquet Tech Publishing and available in the online store at racquettech.com. Top-Selling Tennis Strings at Specialty Stores By year-to-date units, Jan.-Dec. 2012 1. Prince Synthetic Gut Duraflex 2. Babolat RPM Blast 3. Wilson NXT 4. Wilson Sensation 5. Luxilon Alu Power Top-Selling Racquets at Specialty Stores By year-to-date dollars, Jan.-Dec. 2012 Best Sellers 1. Babolat Aero Pro Drive GT (MP) 2. Babolat Pure Drive GT 2012 (MP) 3. Wilson BLX Juice (MP) 4. Babolat Pure Drive Lite 2012 (MP) 5. Babolat Pure Drive GT (MP Hot New Racquets (introduced in the past 12 months) 1. Babolat Pure Drive GT 2012 (MP) 2. Wilson BLX Juice (MP) 3. Babolat Pure Drive Lite 2012 (MP) 4. Babolat Pure Drive 107 2012 (OS) 5. Wilson BLX Juice (OS) Tennis Racquet Performance Specialty Stores January - December, 2012 vs. 2011 UNITS 2012 731,346 2011 719,490 % change vs. '11 2% DOLLARS 2012 102,432,000 2011 101,748,000 % change vs. 11 1% PRICE 2012 $140.06 2011 $141.42 % change vs. 11 -1% Top-Selling Tennis Shoes at Specialty Stores By year-to-date dollars, Jan.-Dec. 2012 1. Prince T22 2. Adidas Adipower Barricade 7 3. Asics Gel Resolution 4 4. Babolat Propulse 3 5. Nike Zoom Breathe 2K11 (Source: TIA/Sports Marketing Surveys) Five Programs Named as USTA Certified Regional Centers U STA Player Development announced that five junior development programs have started new, three-year agreements to serve as USTA Certified Regional Training Centers (RTCs). The programs will train junior players in four USTA sections. Eagle Fustar Tennis Academy in Santa Clara, Calif. (USTA Northern California), Dar- ling Tennis Center in Las Vegas, Nev. (USTA Intermountain), and T Bar M Racquet Club in Dallas (USTA Texas) each are renewing their partnerships as USTA Certified Regional Training Centers, Five Seasons Sports Club in Northbrook, Ill. (USTA Midwest) and The Smiths, LLC., in Indianapolis, Ind. (USTA Midwest), are joining the USTA Certified Regional Training Center network, setting the total number of USTA Certified Regional Training Centers across America to 17. As USTA Certified RTCs, the programs will enhance the training and development of junior players in their respective areas of the country. USTA Player Development will use these partnerships as vehicles to educate and collaborate with junior tennis coach- es in these four USTA sections to work toward developing the next generation of world- class Americans. April 2013 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 9 www.racquetsportsindustry.com I N D U S T R Y N E W S USTA President Dave Haggerty Sends Chairmans Update I n late February, new USTA Chairman of the Board and President Dave Haggerty sent out his first Chair- mans Update to USTA volunteers and staff. Here is part of what he had to say: Since I assumed my new role in January, you know that one of the top priorities of my administration will be communication. It is vitally important to me that all of us within the USTA commit ourselves to keeping all lines of communication open among ourselves and among our constituents and part- ners in the sport. It is only through open dialogue that we can learn from each other and improve as an associa- tion, as a sport, and individually. To that end, I will be sending out these Chairmans Updates on a regular basis, so that all of you will be aware of our activities, priorities, and the vari- ous important developments in the sport that impact us as an association. In terms of priorities, I want to stress that we have one set of five pri- orities that are uniform and consistent across all areas of the USTA. This is the best and only way to maximize our efforts and ensure that all staff and vol- unteers are aligned with our mission. These five priorities will be structured upon the foundation of Leadership, Management and Partnership, and include: 1) Listening and communicating effec- tively. 2) Embracing and leading change. 3) Growing tennis participation. 4) Improving our financial perform- ance. 5) Focusing on fewer things and doing them better. These are the things that matter, because these are the things that will make our sport and the USTA stronger, more robust and more vital. Youll be hearing more from me on each of these areas, but this is an outline by which we must shape all that we do going for- ward. If we do, then we will have a bright future. Keith Evans Named Aer-Flo Sales Manager A er-Flo Inc., manufacturer of the Tuffy windscreen, has named Keith Evans as its national sales manager of its Tennis Division. A former NCAA All American at the University of Mississippi, Evans played on the ATP Tour for six years and won 17 pro satellite events. A USPTA-certified pro, Evans has served as tennis director at five private clubs over the last 14 years, most recently at the University Club of Memphis. Keith understands the many demands on club professionals and college coaches, which will be helpful as he manages Aer-Flos nationwide network of tennis equipment dealers, says Aer-Flo President Bill Henning. Aer-Flo is headquartered in Bradenton, Fla., with a second production plant in Anniston, Ala. 10 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2013 A P R I L 2 0 1 3 I N D U S T R Y N E W S www.racquetsportsindustry.com Dutch wheelchair tennis phenom Esther Vergeer, 31, has retired from the game. She leaves pro tennis with an active win streak in singles of 470 matches, her last loss coming in January 2003. She lost only 18 sets during that streak and won more than a third of her sets by a 6-0 score. After reaching a career-high ranking of No. 6 on the International Rac- quetball Tour in early February, Head Penns Tony Carson of Denver, along with his partner, won the 2013 Mens Doubles National Championship and captured his first USA Racquetball National Adult title. With the win, Carson earned a one-year appointment to the USA Racquetball National Team Pool. Frenchman Brice Leverdez, playing his first tournament with the new Wil- son Recon badminton racquet in February, won his sixth mens singles title in a row at the French National Badminton Championships. Head Penn racquetballer Paola Longoria of Mexico extended her match winning streak to 665 straight days with a win at the 2013 Winter Classic in Kansas in late February. She now has a record 17 straight titles on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour. Head Penn junior racquetball sensation Jordan Cooperrider of Florida won the Womens State Open title at the Florida State Racquetball Champi- onships recently. She plays with the Head Scorpion 170 frame. After their contracts with IMG expired at the end of last year, Rafael Nadal and his longtime manager, Carlos Costa, started a new company that will manage athletes, including tennis players, soccer players and golfers. Ashaway Racket Strings has announced the addition of New Zealand's rising squash star, Joelle King, to its roster of spon- sored players. King currently is ranked No. 7 on the Women's Squash Association World Tour. PEOPLEWATCH Wilson Partners With TGA Premier Youth Tennis W ilson Tennis has formed an exclusive partnership with TGA Premier Youth Tennis (TGA) in a deal that includes Wilson becoming the official equipment and apparel provider for TGA programs and providing funding to TGAs 501c3 Foundation. The deal includes Wilson providing 10 and Under Tennis equip- ment and apparel for TGAs programming. The partnership is a great fit for Wilson Racquet Sports and our shared vision to attract more youth participation, said Jon Muir, general manager of Wilson Racquet Sports. TGAs pathway programs have proven to be successful in providing youth an entry into sports and the tennis industry. The partnership will include Wilson con- tributing funds over the next three years to the 501c3 TGA Sports Foundation in an ongo- ing effort provide all youngsters access to the sport of tennis through school-based pro- grams and beyond. The goals of the TGA Foundation are to develop under-resourced and special needs youth by making tennis accessible in all communities while transi- tioning students and families to local tennis facilities and USTA programming. This is a partnership that will impact the long-term growth of the tennis industry, said Joshua Jacobs, co-founder and CEO of TGA Premier Youth Tennis. We are already working with Wilson to develop opportuni- ties for our franchises to grow tennis in the communities we serve. For more informa- tion on TGA, visit www.playtga.com. Stringlet Expands to Canada S tringlet Brand magnetic tennis string bracelets has expanded to Canada via its work with the Ontario Tennis Association and retail launch at Ontarios The Merchant of Tennis shops. The Stringlet (www.stringlet.net) is a durable and feather light magnetic tennis string bracelet constructed of colorful synthet- ic gut string and a powerful magnetic clasp and made for tennis players and fans. Stringlet comes in 27 varieties to represent team colors, player favorites, country colors or tournament colors. Custom options are also available for qual- ified partners. Contact info@stringlet.net. Indian Wells OKs Tennis Garden Expansion T he Indian Wells City Council has OKd a $70 million expansion of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, home of the BNP Paribas Open. The expansion is part of a five-year plan aimed at boosting attendance to 500,000 people. The 2012 event drew about 370,000 fans. The proposal includes an 8,000-seat stadium built 27 feet sunken into the ground; an additional 2,000 parking spaces; three restaurants; and more than 700 palm trees to keep the garden feel. BNP Paribas Open CEO Ray Moore said the project should be completed in about 10 months, in time for the 2014 tournament. Correction The phone number to order Tennis Courts: A Construction and Maintenance Manual listed on page 28 of the March issue should be 866-501-2722. The manual also can be downloaded as a pdf at www.sportsbuilders.org. April 2013 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 11 I N D U S T R Y N E W S www.racquetsportsindustry.com Roddick, Stephens Top WTT Player Draft F ormer world No. 1 Andy Roddick was the top pick recently in the Mylan World TeamTennis Marquee Draft. Rod- dick will play for the Springfield Lasers. Sloane Stephens, a young American who is currently ranked No. 17 on the WTA Tour, was selected by the Philadel- phia Freedoms with its first-round pick. The newest Mylan WTT franchise, Texas Wild, will bring the world's best doubles team to their new home court in Irving, Texas. The Wild, who relocated to Texas this year after 20 seasons in Kansas City, protected the rights to Bob and Mike Bryan who are back for their 11th season. Venus Williams, who led the Wash- ington Kastles to its second straight undefeated season and championship title in 2012, returns to the nation's cap- ital for her 10th Mylan WTT season. The three-time champion Kastles will be tak- ing a 32-match win streak into its 2013 season opener. Two of the top Americans on the ATP Tour will once again play for the Sacra- mento Capitals. The Caps protected their rights to Sam Querrey and Mardy Fish. The eight WTT teams will compete in two conferences during the regular sea- son, which concludes on Wednesday, July 24. The 2013 Mylan WTT Finals will be contested on the home court of the Eastern Conference Champions. For more information, visit www.WTT.com. New CSs Cameron Davitt San Diego, CA Cole O'Neill Argyle, TX Michael Vernon Sunnyvale, CA Congratulations To the Following For Achieving MRT Status New MRTs Matthew Bolin Concord, NC A P R I L 2 0 1 3 I N D U S T R Y N E W S 12 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2013 www.racquetsportsindustry.com > Unique Sports has announced multi-year Tourna Grip agreement with top-ranked ITF junior Taylor Townsend of Georgia. Townsend, who recently turned pro, joins fellow WTA Tour Tourna Grip endorsees Christina McHale, Yaroslava Shevedova, Genie Bouchard and Alexa Glatch, among others. > The U.S. Fed Cup team will host Sweden in the 2013 Fed Cup World Group Playoff April 20-21 in Delray Beach, Fla. Winning nations in the World Group Playoff qualify for the 2014 World Group to compete for a Fed Cup title. The U.S. fell to Italy, 3-2, in the 2013 World Group first round in Rimini Feb. 9-10. > The Sarasota Open, a USTA Pro Circuit event, will now be called The Nick Bollettieri Sarasota Womens Open. It will be April 13-21 at the Longboat Key Club. > For the second consecutive year, the Fam- ily Circle Cup has named Antigua Apparel as SHORT SETS its official apparel sponsor for the tournament. As part of the agreement, Antigua will outfit the offi- cials, staff, volunteers and ball kids in addition to having a retail presence on site. > The Middlebury (Conn.) Racquet Club hosted a fund-raising event, Serving Up for Sandy Hook, in late January, after the elementary school tragedy. "As a club that serves a number of sur- rounding communities, we have many members and several staff from Newtown," said Patricia Decker, owner of the Middlebury Racquet Club. "We are grateful that we have the opportunity to support the healing process in these communities by coming together through the sport of tennis." More than 450 people attended the event that raised more than $6,500. > Reports say that the sports management com- pany IMG is up for sale, possibly worth more than $2 billion. Among its tennis clients are Novak Djokovic and Maria Sharapova; the company recently lost management of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. IMG also runs tournament sand other events. > Rich Johns of Saratoga Springs, NY, RSIs 2009 High School Coach of the Year, has launched a new website, www.actwithrespectal- ways.com. The Act With Respect Always cam- paign he created has picked up the endorsement of Duke University basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski. > Volkl has launched its new website at volkl- tennis.com. > Emirates Airlines is extending its sponsorship of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, CA, until 2015. Emirates has been the Official Airline of the tournament since 2010. > Second-seeded Kenyon upset top-seed Emory on Feb. 24 to win the ITA Division III National Men's Team Indoor Championship, held at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota. Infographic Shows Increases in 10U Statistics I n the most recent USTA/TIA ten- nis participation study, the age demographic that saw the greatest percentage increase in 2012 was young players 6 to 11, which increased 13% from 2011. Clearly, messages about 10 and Under Ten- nis are reaching kids, their parents, and tennis providersand all of that is having a positive influence in other industry segments, too.. For instance, there are now more than 10,000 courts in the U.S. lined for youth tennis, includ- ing standalone 36- and 60-foot courts and blended lines on 78- foot courts. Sales of red, orange and green balls and graduated rac- quets continue to increase, as does the number of facilities offering 10 and Under Tennis programs and the number of kids in youth tennis competition. The USTA recently produced the infographic at left to showcase some of the latest stats to tennis providers. April 2013 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 13 www.racquetsportsindustry.com I N D U S T R Y N E W S US Open Series Events Coordinate Ticket Sales T ickets for all nine of the 2013 Emi- rates Airline US Open Series events went on sale in March at www.emi- ratesusopenseries.comthe first time that US Open Series events are coor- dinating their ticket sales. The USTA is running a national marketing cam- paign to push the Series, as well as a satellite media tour with American teenager Sloane Stephens, who is cur- rently ranked No. 17 on the WTA Tour. Now in its 10th season, the Series consists of: w July 22-28: Bank of the West Classic, Stanford, CA w July 22-28: BB&T Atlanta Open, Atlanta, GA w July 29-Aug. 4: Mercury Insurance Open, Carls- bad, CA w July 29-Aug. 4: Citi Open, Washington, DC w Aug. 5-11: Rogers Cup, Toronto, CAN w Aug. 5-11: Rogers Cup, Montreal, CAN w Aug. 11-18: Western & Southern Open, Cincin- nati, OH w Aug. 18-24: New Haven Open at Yale, New Haven, CT w Aug. 18-24: Winston-Salem Open, Winston- Salem, NC 14 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2013 Tennis Coaching players. Level C is intended for coaches working with junior and Futures-level players. GPTCA Courses In April, GPTCA courses will be conduct- ed in Morocco, Germany and Brazil, while Italy, Germany and France will host sessions in May. During the rest of 2013, the U.S., Russia, Spain, Serbia, Taiwan, Myanmar, Dubai, Colombia and Finland will have courses. The GPTCA recently finalized an agreement with Patrick Mouratoglou, Serena Williams coach, to hold courses at his famous tennis academy near Paris. The GPTCAs growing prestige in the tennis-teaching world was underscored when it and the Pro- fessional Tennis Registry signed an agreement to partner from 2013 through 2015. The PTR has approximately 14,000 members in 117 countries. PTR CEO Dan Santorum says, Its a good com- bination because theyre dealing with information about how to coach on the tour. And the perfor- mance education we provide is more detail- and technical-oriented. So we felt we could help them and they could help us. High-profile coaches Toni, Dirk, Rain- er, Alberto and others will be affiliated with PTR and also be speakers at our conventions. That raises the profile of the PTR, and we want our members to be as educated as possible. w The GPTCAs mission is to unify all world-class coaches in one association for the first time in history and to foster high- er standards of professionalism and ethics, says Castellani. The association is already represented in 40 countries by national presidents who are well-known and respected in the ten- nis coaching profession. A complete list of the presidents and members, plus other important information, appears on the GPTCA website (gptcatennis.org) and on their Facebook page. According to Schuettler, GPTCA coach- es are focusing on the three most impor- tant areas in professional tennis: technique, mental strength, and physical skills. In the next 10 years, every stroke will become better because everyone will work to make strokes even more sound and efficient, Schuettler predicts. The GPTCA accredits three levels of coaching proficiency. Level A certification is attained solely on the basis of achieve- ments, such as coaches of Grand Slam winners or runners-up, coaches who reached at least Grand Slam finals as ten- nis players, and all former Top 10 players. Levels B and C certification is gained through successful completion of courses. Level B is designated for coaches working with Grand Slam, ATP and Challenger-level ou may not have heard of the Global Professional Tennis Coach Association, but sooner or later this new organization will come to an acade- my, club or tournament near you. The GPTCA grew out of an idea that Alberto Castellani and Dirk Hordorff had bandied around for years. Why not assemble a group of world-class coaches to teach less experienced coaches the finer points and subtleties of the game? With their exper- tise, a corps of local coaches could improve aspiring pro players and help take world-class tennis to a high- er, even more exciting level. Their ideas came to fruition when the GPTCA was founded at a meeting of renowned tennis coaches during the US Open in 2011. The meeting exploded with ideas, proposals, and com- mitments, recalls Rainer Schuettler. The idea to go to the ATP and ask for their certifica- tion came straightaway, and that was one of the many brilliant ideas the meeting generated. Castellani, a 64-year-old Ital- ian, became GPTCAs first presi- dent. He has coached the Moroccan Davis Cup team, Janko Tipsarevic, Ivo Karlovic, and 1992 Olympic gold medal- ist Marc Rosset. Hordorff, Toni Nadal, and Schuettler were named to the GPTCAs board. Hor- dorff is No. 9-ranked Tipsarevics current coach and guided Schuettler for many years. Nadal is superstar Rafael Nadals uncle and only coach. Schuettler is the 2003 Australian Open finalist and former world No. 5. Supplementing that leadership nucle- us are knowledgeable and experienced coaches Jose Perlas, Marcos Gorriz, Jean- Philippe Fleurian, Claudio Pistolesi, Boris Sobkin, Alexander Waske, and Larri Pas- sos, who guided Gustavo Kuerten to three French Open titles. Y www.racquetsportsindustry.com How the GPTCA Is Changing Coaching and Pro Tennis BY PAUL F E I N Paul Fein has received more than 30 writ- ing awards and authored three books, Ten- nis Confidential: Todays Greatest Players, Matches, and Controversies; You Can Quote Me on That: Greatest Tennis Quips, Insights, and Zingers; and Tennis Confiden- tial II: More of Todays Greatest Players, Matches, and Controversies. Fein is also a USPTA-certified teaching pro and coach with a Pro-1 rating. At the Australian Open, Dirk Hordorff (from left), PTR board member Leo Alonso, Dan Santorum, and GPTCA's Giorgio Di Palermo agreed to a two-year partnership. April 2013 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 15 & Retail Sales w 25% say theyll delay the purchase of luxury items. w 46% indicate they will simply spend less overall. What does this mean for tennis retailers? Chances are, your business is likely to see some impact from the pay- roll tax-cut holiday expiration in one form or the other. But the key to reduc- ing its impact is to plan ahead. If you are planning to put products on sale prices in 2013, consider extend- ing how long those sales run. Also keep in mind that ultimately, your shoppers have less money to spend on discre- tionary purchases, so they will be more attentive to when sales are running. You can also capitalize on this height- ened attention to retail sales by effec- tively communicating your sales to your customers through various mar- keting channels and media. In addition, think about the compet- itive advantages you may have over other retailers. Keep in mind, a quarter of all shoppers will comparison shop more in 2013. You need to focus on your competitive advantages during these times and capitalize on them to ensure that consumers complete the sale at your store. Another key factor to consider are your inventory levels. Considering that 46% of consumers plan to spend less overall in 2013 to help offset the impact of the payroll tax-cut holiday expiration, appropriately monitoring your inventory levels will become extremely important. w ccording to a recent survey con- ducted by the National Retail Federation, over 70% of Ameri- cans are planning to adjust their spend- ing due to the recent expiration of the payroll tax-cut holiday. In fact, 46% of consumers indicated they will be spend- ing less overall in 2013 because of the bite out of their take home pay, while others say theyll delay purchases and watch for sales more often. This may clearly affect tennis retail, too. The tax-cut holiday expiration will impact consumers take-home pay by roughly 2%. For the average household income earning $50,000, that's a direct impact of $1,000 a year, and even more in households with higher annual incomes. A smaller paycheck due to the fis- cal cliff deal early last month, higher gas prices, low consumer confidence and ongoing uncertainty about our nations fiscal health is negatively impacting con- sumers and businesses across the coun- try, said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. We cannot grow the nations economy until consumers con- sume. Every day we hear about building the middle class. We can only do that if we tear down barriers that prevent con- sumers from investing their hard-earned money back into our nations economy. Its really that simple. (Visit nrf.com for more details.) Some key points from the NRF report relative to retailers include: w Of those who say they will spend less in 2013, 25% say theyll do so by "comparison shopping" more. w 36% say theyll watch for sales more often. w 24% say theyll delay major purchases. A www.racquetsportsindustry.com Expiration of Payroll Tax-Cut Holiday May Impact Your Business BY RYAN ME L T ON Ryan Melton is the Operations Manager for the Tennis Industry Association. Industry research, and interpreting the data, are among the areas he deals with at the TIA. TIA State of the Industry Due in Spring A spring release is planned for the third edition of the TIA's State of the Industry report. The 2013 edition will synthesize data from the past year that the TIA collects through its nearly 80 surveys and research studies into an easy-to-read report. The State of the Industry takes a top-level view of a variety of trends and segments in the industry to tell a comprehensive "story" of the tennis industry. The report will analyze the tennis industry via four segments: The Economy and Tennis- This section will include trends in the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Consumer Confidence Index and compare those to overall trends in the tennis economy with the TIA Economic Index. Demand-Among other areas, this section will highlight participation trends as well as playing habits of the industry's key revenue driver, frequent players. Supply- The report will highlight trends in wholesale shipments for manufacturers, trends affecting the retail market, tennis facility performance, business trends from court contractors, and the current state of the industry from the perspective of teaching professionals. Competitive Tennis-This section will highlight competitive tennis at the recreational, collegiate, and professional levels. The State of the Industry report is an annual release made available to TIA Industry Level members and above. For information on how to obtain a copy when it is released, contact the TIA at research@ tennisindustry.org or 866-686-3036. 16 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2013 Total Tennis Economy Grows 3.1% in 2012 to $5.57 Billion The total value of the U.S. tennis economy grew by just over 3% last year, up to $5.57 billion. The data stems from the Tennis Industry Association's annual "Economic Index," created to evaluate the total worth of the U.S. tennis industry to the overall economy. The 2012 index value measured 101, meaning the industry is in a slightly better position than it was in 2008 when the first Economic Index value was released. According to advanced estimates from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, real GDP in the U.S. grew 2.2% in 2012, indicating the growth in the tennis economy outpaced growth in the overall economy by nearly 1%. Helping drive growth in the 2012 Tennis Economic Index value over 2011 (which was $5.4 billion) was the 4% growth in total tennis participation, 10% growth in frequent players, and increases in lesson revenue from teaching professionals and in sponsor revenue and spectator spending at pro tournaments. The increase in spectator spending was a large contributor to the Economic Index's growth in 2012. "2012 was a good 'rebounding' year for the tennis industry," says TIA Executive Director Jolyn de Boer. "We saw growth in overall participation and an increase in frequent players, the industry's key revenue generators, which had been down or flat the previous few years." Player spending on equipment in 2012 was up about 5% over 2011 and wholesale dollars shipped into the market were up 7%. Although neither of these values have reached the pre-recessionary levels seen in 2008, they nonetheless helped contribute to the overall growth seen in the TIA Economic Index. "What we've seen in the overall economy is a normalization of consumer and commercial spending," says Keith Storey, Vice President of Sports Marketing Surveys USA. the TIA's research partner. "Consumers have learned to cope with lower discretionary income and businesses have adapted to become leaner and more efficient. These more sustainable growth rates of 2% to 3% that we are seeing in tennis and overall U.S. GDP are typical of what we have expected and are likely to continue into 2013." A complete overview of the TIA Economic Index will be included in the 2013 TIA State of the Industry, which is slated for release in early spring. For more information on TIA research, contact Ryan Melton, TIA Operations Manager, at (843) 473-4490 or via email at research@tennisindustry.org. TIA Cost of Doing Business Report Slated for Release Every two years the TIA releases its Cost of Doing Business Study for Tennis Retailers, providing key performance indicators and other industry averages. Retailers who utilize the report have the opportunity to see how they are performing against the rest of the retail landscape, as well as identify areas in which they may be able to improve. This year's report should be released by spring and will be available to Associate TIA Members and above. To reserve a copy ofthis year's Cost of Doing Business Tennis Retailer report, contact TIA Retail Manager Marty Mohar at 843-473- 4505 or marty@tennisindustry.org. Join t he TIA ... Increase Your Profits .. . Grow the Game . .. www.Tennislndustry.org PlayTennis.com Relaunches With New Look and Feel Are you ready to move your business up a level? The relaunch of PlayTennis.com this spring offers a new look and feel, and will help to make it easy for consumers to get into the game and find playing opportunities, partners, equipment, lessons, courts and more. All the major tennis companies and organizations are supporting PlayTennis.com, which is a free, "brand neutral" site that focuses on increasing tennis play and business. Tennis providers-teaching pros, retailers, facilities, court bui lders, etc.-need to make sure they' re a part of PlayTennis.com, and they can easily do so by updating or creating their free provider listing. "One of the unique aspects of this industry is our unified effort to promote this sport, which also helps to promote your business," says TIA Executive Director Jolyn de Boer. "One way the TIA does this is by maintaining the free GrowingTennis System, the industry's largest database of local tennis providers. The information in this database is available to consumers through search engines and t ennis websites, so when potential customers are looking for a place to play, buy equipment, take lessons, or more, they can easi ly find your business." To make sure your information in the GrowingTennis System is accurate and up to date, the TIA recent ly sent out a Facility and Retail Census to providers across the country, with easy to use links to update information. If you missed the emai l, you can quickly and easily update or create your free database listing by going to GrowingTennis.com. "We want people to play tennis- that's the simple message of PlayTennis.com," says TIA President Greg Mason. "It's a message that's the core of this industry and something we all should get behind." Retailers Consider romotions to Boost Business At meetings in New York City in early March, the TIA and a group of tennis retailers considered ways to help boost the retai l business in the U.S. "We want to help retailers bring more customers into their stores and generate more sales," says TIA Executive Director Jolyn de Boer. "The ideas we discussed in New York, and many more, can help us on that path. But we'd also like to hear from other retailers and tennis providers about what they think can help promote tennis retai l." Contact t he TIA at retailer@tennisindustry.org with your retail ideas. Among the ideas considered by the retailers at the meeting were: Restring campaign: "Retailers have told us getting players into their stores more often for a racquet tune-up can help their business," de Boer says. "We discussed a 'restring campaign' that would focus on changing the thinking of consumers, so that they'll restring more often to get the most out of their racquets and play their best." One possibility might be to promote a "personalized racquet tune-up" that would send consumers to PlayTennis. com to find a local retailer or stringer. Join the TIA ... Increase Your Profits ... Grow the Game ... www.Tennislndustry.org Try tennis for free: Also a topic among retailers was a possible "try tennis for free" promotion, which would be designed to bring people into stores and tennis faci I ities. "Tennis event": A national "tennis event" exclusively for pro/ specialty retailers also was discussed, which would involve presentations and educational seminars for retailers along with manufacturers displaying products and services. Tennis fashion show: Another consideration is a possible tennis fashion show, to highlight apparel designers and manufacturers, where it could attract mainstream media coverage and help drive customers to tennis retai lers across the country. Tennis fan promotion: The retail group also discussed a retai ler/tennis fan promotion that would help connect consumers to pro events, such as the Emirates Airline US Open Series. & 18 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2013 Retailing improvement in Ownership & Manage- ment, he should commit to work on and develop a passion for the retail business, and project this passion to employees. For instance, at store closing time there are two shoppers still in the store. The part-time employees have had a long day and grumble that they wish the shop- pers would leave so they can get to the court and play some tennis. The owner has a golden opportunity to tell them: Were in the specialty retail business first, and customers make it possible for us to enjoy our sport. Our job is to deliver an extraordinary retail shopping experi- ence each and every time by making sure they can enjoy the tennis lifestyle, too! In your annual store business plan, you need to spell out how you are going to correct your store operat- ing weaknesses, who is going to do it, what the expected results will be and when you are going to make the improvements and what the anticipated cost will be. How do you measure improvements to the assessment benchmarks you set? Simple: Set up another online Retail Busi- ness Assessment in six months or a year, after youve implemented recommenda- tions that can move up the weak and neutral areas. w After you have read the whole report, go back and review your stores weaknesses, which are the immediate threats to your retail business. This is where benchmark- ing comes in. Benchmarking simply means setting the standard for your retail store performance and operations by which you can measure or judge improvements. In the example below, Store Operations and Ownership & Management should be benchmarked against the four neutral areas, and improved to an assessment score between 40% and 64%. The bench- mark this owner should then establish in the stores business plan for the neutral areas is improvement to an assessment score of 65% or higher, into the strengths area. Drilling into the detail of benchmarking, in the assessment we are using as an exam- ple, lets say this store owner has several part-time employees, but his answers on the Retail Assessment indicate he does not have a store operating manual. An operat- ing manual would state how the owner expects the business to be run and makes sure there is consistency in the level of cus- tomer service delivered whether the owner is present in the store or not. In bench- marking an assessment score between 40% and 64% for Store Operations, this owner should commit to writing down how the store is be run and the level of cus- tomer service the owner expects part-time employees to consistently deliver. Also, in this example, the owner indicat- ed on the assessment that he has a passion for tennis, but not an equal passion for the retail business. In benchmarking an n January, we talked about the TIA Retail Business Assessment, which is a great way to get a check-up for your specialty retail business and receive valuable input for your business planning process. Taking the TIA Retail Assessment is easy; its all done online and takes only about 20 minutes. The assessment is kept confidentialits evaluated and scored by independent retail consultant Gluskin Townley Group, which does not share the results with anyone, including the TIA itself. (To find out more about the TIA Retail Assessment, contact Marty Mohar at marty@tennisindus- try.org or 866-686-3036 ext. 704.) The Retail Assessment investigates eight critical areas of your specialty ten- nis retail business, all of which are important ele- ments to your store opera- tions and annual business plan, including: Business Technology & Reporting, Financial Benchmarks, Store Operations, Staff Recruiting & Hiring, Ownership & Man- agement, Store Environment, Marketing & Promotions, and Customer Service. After you take the Retail Assess- ment, you will get back a complete strengths and weaknesses analysis. Youll also get recommendations for what aspects of your business to focus on during the year so that you can elim- inate the identified weaknesses that threaten your business, and move up the neutral operating areas. Your stores strengths and weak- nesses analysis will include a chart simi- lar to this example, which looks at each of the eight critical areas of a retail busi- ness. Strengths receive 65% or higher marks; neutral areas are 40% to 64%; and weaknesses in your business receive marks of 39% or below. I www.racquetsportsindustry.com This is part of a series of retail tips presented by the Tennis Industry Association and written by the Gluskin Townley Group (www.gluskintownleygroup.com). Whats Next? The April TIA Webinar is Merchan- dising Your Specialty Tennis Store for More Sales. Visit TennisIndus- try.org/webinars for details and to register. Using Benchmarks to Improve Your Specialty Retail Business Strengths & Weaknesses Strengths Neutral Areas Weaknesses (65% or higher) (40%-64%) (39% or lower) Staff Recruiting & Hiring Financial Benchmarks Store Operations Store Environment Business Technology Ownership & & Reporting Management Marketing & Promotions Customer Service -7GHTsERIES For the next generation of baseline players. Power and spin. RACQUET STRI NGI NG A Master Racquet Technician considers the advantages of using two-piece stringing. IS Two BeTTer Than one? IS Two BeTTer Than one? Y ou and your customer have chosen a frame, using our Racquet Selection Map (see page 22). Now, the frame needs to be strung. For years the debate has raged on among racquet technicians as to whether one-piece or two-piece stringing is better. This of course, is a personal decision that every technician is faced with from the moment they decide to take up the challenge of learning to string a racquet. They will, through personal expe- riences and encounters along the way, decide for themselves which method they prefer. However, one point needs to be emphasized before we pro- ceed: The technicians primary goal is to see that the racquet maintains its original shape after the stringing process is completed. We know that the racquet is going to breathe and the shape is going to change during the stringing process. But, if you were to take measurements of the racquet before and after stringing, you want those two measurements to be as close to the same as possible. Some technicians reading this probably are already saying that you cant just do one method over the other all of the time. For the record, theyre right. There are touring pros who prefer patterns that are rarely, if ever, used in a typical tennis shop, like a triple-box ATW (around the world) pattern. There are also some racquets that can benefit from bottom-up installation of the cross strings. Im making no attempt here to circumvent other available patterns. The purpose is to point out that in the majority of cases, two-piece stringing just makes good common sense. Lets take a closer look. We know that on many racquets the main strings end at the throat. If you were to use one piece of string and a standard stringing pattern (not a version of an ATW), you would end up stringing the cross strings from the bottom up to the top. Some manufacturers, Yonex for instance, recommend two-piece string- ing and their intent is to make sure that you install the cross strings from top to bottom. The reasoning behind this is that the yoke of the racquet (the Y-shaped piece just above the handle) is the strongest part of the frame. Each time you install a cross string the stress on the racquet builds in the direction youre weaving. The idea is to reduce the stress as much as possible, and pointing it in the direction of the strongest part of the racquet is a good place to start. Through the years there have been enough arguments pre- sented and some thoughtful insights from fellow technicians that I decided to do a little digging on the subject. Here are some of the things Ive uncovered. Tournament Stringing 1) No two tournament stringing teams do things the same way. Wimbledon does it one way and the US Open does it anoth- er way because they are two different teams. As a result, tourna- ment stringers often have to learn something new about how things are going to be done at each tournament they work at, and this usually involves the stringing pattern. My point here is simple: If two-piece stringing is the standard, this problem is eliminated. An industry-wide change to two-piece stringing would institute a new consistency from tournament to tournament. 2) Why is this good? Racquet technicians have enough to worry about in high-pressure situations such as a Grand Slam stringing room. With two-piece stringing, it simplifies things at the front desk and it simplifies things for the technician. Theres never any guesswork for the technician or worrying about 20 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2013 www.racquetsportsindustry.com BY T I M S T RAWN April 2013 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 21 www.racquetsportsindustry.com whether or not you read the label wrong. Its two-piece all the time. 3) In addition, tournament players are notorious for picking up a racquet and pulling on the two outside main strings to see if the tension is equal on both sides. With standard ATW patterns (and no adjustments) one of those outside mains is always going to be looser than the other because its a tie-off string. In the players mind thats just not acceptable. Yes we have ways to offset those outer main tension differences when we do a one-piece ATW pattern, but with two-piece stringing those work-arounds are not necessary. Both outside mains are tie-off strings and therefore, the tension is the same. 4) With the popularity of hybrid stringing on the tour (and elsewhere) this argument is almost a moot point. So many players are using hybrids that two- piece stringing is more the norm than the exception today. Its not a matter of aesthetics or whether two-piece stringing affects overall play of the racquet. Dont believe me? Roger Federer uses a hybrid. Try convincing him that the rac- quet plays poorly when its strung with four knots. 5) One last point with regard to tournament stringing and thats the elimina- tion of counting crosses. With most ATW patterns the technician has to be aware of how to start the weave on the cross strings because theres already one cross installed at the bottom. Should I go under or over the first main with that first cross at the top? In the heat of the moment, mistakes have been made and the technician is not going to realize it until they get closer to the bottom and it becomes obvious that they started the crosses wrong. With two-piece stringing that problem is eliminated. other advantages of Two-Piece Now that weve talked about tournament stringing lets talk about some other significant points to consider concerning two-piece stringing: w For any racquet technician, working with two shorter pieces of string is easier than working with one longer piece of string. w As mentioned above, the strongest point on a racquet is the yoke. Weaving cross strings toward the yoke ensures the stress is directed toward the stronger part of the frame. w ATW patterns leave the most used/worn string in the hitting area, so this is a concern, especially with natural gut. Think about that. The strings that are going to be used to install the crosses have just been pulled along behind as the main strings are installed. Theyve endured wear that can be completely avoided prior to ever being woven into their final resting place! w It is widely believed that two-piece stringing limits frame distortion. This, in and of itself, can be a major discussion on its own. w Certain racquets are more flexible than others and they benefit from top-down cross-string installation. w Higher tensions are more likely to cause frame distortion so top-down string- ing lends an additional security of frame protection since you are weaving toward the yoke. w Installing cross strings from top to bottom on a machine with a sub-par mounting system (yes, machines differ) is safer because theres less chance of damaging the racquet during the stringing process. So is two-piece stringing better than one-piece? Sure, in many situations. Does it warrant becoming the de facto process we all use? We may not quite be there yet, but we seem to be headed that way. w Contributing Editor Tim Strawn is a USRSA Master Racquet Technician and Certification Tester. He has worked for many years stringing for the pro tour (including at Wimbledon and the US Open). He is the Owner/Founder of the International Alliance of Racquet Technicians (IART) and hosts the annual IART training symposium (formerly the GSS sympo- sium). Strawn can be reached through his website at www.gssalliance.com or via email at crazydiamond23@cox.net. 22 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2013 1. Power/Control (columns). (formula = length index x headsize x flex x swingweight) 1000. Length index calculation: 27" = 1.0, 27.5" = 1.05; 28" = 1.1, etc. 2. Maneuverability (rows). RDC (Babolat Racquet Diagnostic Center) swingweight units. 3. Racquet ID. The number in the grid correlates to the accompanying racquet list. 4. Headsize. Midsize and midplus (104 sq. in.) have no indicator. Oversize (105-117 sq. in.) = . Superoversize ( 118 sq. in.) = :. 5. Length. x = extended length. Standard length (27") racquets have no indicator. 6. Flex (RDC). a = < 60; b = 60-64; c = 65-69; d = 70-74; e = > 74. The higher the number, the stiffer the racquet. 7. Company. Coded by number and color. See accompanying racquet list on the following pages. 8. Racquet Quadrants and the Center of the Racquet Universe. The center of the racquet universe is located at the intersection of the two red lines. Approximately half the racquets lie to the right and left, and half above and below these lines. The lines divide the racquet universe into four color-coded quadrants clockwise from top left: (1) quick power, (2) quick con- trol, (3) stable control, (4) stable power. These charac- terizations provide a general vocabulary for comparing racquets. 9. Racquet Finder List. The racquet list accompany- ing the map identifies all the new racquets and gives additional information. For a complete list of all current frames on the map, go to RacquetSportsIndustry.com. The map provides specific (very narrow ranges, anyway) swingweight, flex and power statistics, and general size and length characteristics. The racquet list specifies the length and size and further specifies weight, balance, and price. How To Use It 1. Ask questions. What are you looking for that your current racquet does not provide? What do you like most and least about your cur- rent racquet? What are the strengths and weak- nesses of your game? 2. Locate current racquet on map. If the racquet is not in the list, take measurements. 3. Locating potential racquets. Depending on the answers to the above questions, draw an imaginary arrow (a wide or skinny one) from your present racquet in the desired direction for power and maneuverability. 4. Narrowing the field. Shrink the choices using the length, headsize, and flex codes to match customer preferences. 5. Selecting racquet demos. Once the choic- es are narrowed, locate the racquets by number in the racquet list. RACQUET SELECTION MAP KEY Asics 1 109 109 27.25 292 10.30 35.00 13.78 74 308 2546 $189 2 116 116 27.25 277 9.77 35.50 13.98 72 293 2508 $189 3 125 125 27.50 276 9.74 36.25 14.27 73 307 2941 $189 Babolat 13 Drive Max 105 105 27.00 278 9.81 34.80 13.70 69 293 2123 $200 14 Drive Max 110 110 27.50 275 9.70 36.30 14.29 67 294 2275 $199 15 Drive Z Lite (Mostly Pink) 100 27.00 272 9.59 36.50 14.37 66 295 1947 $169 Bolt 29 B 100 Light 100 27.13 286 10.09 32.80 12.91 62 293 1839 $215 30 B 98 Light 98 27.00 317 11.18 33.20 13.07 63 332 2050 $215 New Racquets from March 2012 to February 2013 Racquet Headsize Length Weight Weight Balance Balance Flex Swingweight Power Retail (in 2 ) (in.) (gm) (oz) (cm) (in.) (RDC) kg x cm 2 Formula Price BABOLAT 877-316-9435 www.babolat.com O ur exclusive Racquet Selection Map enables you to help your customers choose the perfect racquet for them quickly and easily, with the features and per- formance they want. The map on the following page presents the entire perform- ance racquet universe on one grid that instantly locates each racquet compared to every other in terms of power, control, and maneuverability. Simply locate the specs of your cus- tomers current racquet on the map, then move outward in large or small increments in the direction of the customers pri- mary preferencerelatively more or less power, control or maneuverability. Once youve zoomed into an approximate location on the grid, you can narrow down the racquets feel attributes by choosing from length, size, and flex specs coded into the racquet number. Next, look up the racquet(s) by number in the accompany- ing table. Note, though, that the table on these pages lists every new performance racquet that came out in the last 12 months. If the racquet you find on the grid is not in one of these charts, youll find it online at www.racquetsportsindustry.com, where we have the complete list of every racquet that is currently on the market, both the newest and the older models. Your customer will now have a handful of choice-cus- tomized demos. And youll have a satisfied customer. raCQUeT SeLeCTIon MaP www.racquetsportsindustry.com raCQUeT SeLeCTIon MaP RACQUETS BOLT 877-430-2658 www.boltadvance.com ASICS 800-678-9435 www.asicsamerica.com April 2013 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 23 www.racquetsportsindustry.com 24 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2013 Racquet Headsize Length Weight Weight Balance Balance Flex Swingweight Power Retail (in 2 ) (in.) (gm) (oz) (cm) (in.) (RDC) kg x cm 2 Formula Price Donnay 35 Formula Lite 100 100 27.00 280 9.88 34.20 13.46 66 293 1934 $229 36 Formula OS EXT 110 27.25 279 9.84 36.00 14.17 71 313 2506 $249 37 Pro One 97 (16x19) 97 27.00 325 11.46 33.25 13.09 67 318 2067 $249 38 Pro One 97 (18x20) 97 27.00 328 11.57 32.60 12.83 67 323 2099 $249 39 Pro One OS EXT 105 27.50 296 10.44 34.00 13.39 64 317 2237 $249 45 X Dual Silver Lite (27.5 inch) 99 27.50 300 10.58 34.60 13.62 66 321 2202 $229 Dunlop 56 Biomimetic Black Widow 102 27.00 275 9.70 33.90 13.35 68 290 2011 $150 57 Biomimetic F 2.0 Tour 95 27.00 336 11.85 32.20 12.68 67 319 2030 $210 58 Biomimetic F 3.0 Tour 98 27.00 325 11.46 32.40 12.76 63 313 1932 $210 59 Biomimetic F 5.0 Tour 100 27.00 321 11.32 32.60 12.83 71 306 2173 $210 60 Biomimetic M 2.0 95 27.00 333 11.75 31.70 12.48 73 317 2198 $210 61 Biomimetic M 3.0 98 27.00 317 11.18 33.40 13.15 66 319 2063 $210 62 Biomimetic M 5.0 100 27.00 293 10.34 34.40 13.54 69 303 2091 $210 63 Biomimetic M 6.0 102 27.00 293 10.34 33.30 13.11 69 305 2147 $210 64 Biomimetic Max 200G 98 27.00 329 11.61 32.70 12.87 67 317 2081 $210 65 Biomimetic S 3.0 Lite 98 27.00 285 10.05 35.10 13.82 66 300 1940 $210 66 Biomimetic S 5.0 Lite 100 27.00 264 9.31 36.50 14.37 67 294 1970 $210 67 Biomimetic S 6.0 Lite 105 27.25 287 10.12 34.30 13.50 70 297 2238 $210 68 Biomimetic S 8.0 Lite 105 27.25 287 10.12 34.30 13.50 70 297 2238 $210 Fox 69 Evolution 2.2 100 27.00 327 11.53 31.00 12.20 60 302 1812 $150 70 Pro Class 1.9 110 27.00 347 12.24 32.00 12.60 60 323 2132 $140 71 SAR Plus 112 27.00 316 11.15 33.50 13.19 59 324 2141 $150 72 Target Plus 110 27.00 293 10.34 35.20 13.86 64 321 2260 $170 Gamma 75 RZR 105 105 27.25 295 10.41 35.00 13.78 66 305 2166 $205 77 RZR 95 95 27.00 321 11.32 31.70 12.48 64 290 1763 $185 80 RZR Bubba 137 29.00 297 10.48 38.90 15.31 64 405 4261 $220 81 Thunder Power XL 100 27.50 319 11.25 32.70 12.87 68 328 2342 $190 Head 82 Youtek Extreme MP (Clear Bumper & Grommets) 100 27.00 316 11.15 33.40 13.15 66 320 2112 $190 83 Youtek Extreme Pro (Clear Bumper & Grommets) 100 27.00 330 11.64 32.30 12.72 68 320 2176 $190 84 Youtek Extreme S 107 27.00 293 10.34 34.50 13.58 70 303 2269 $190 85 Youtek Graphene Instinct MP 100 27.00 309 10.90 33.30 13.11 69 306 2111 $200 86 Youtek Graphene Instinct PWR 115 27.70 241 8.50 38.80 15.28 70 301 2593 $190 87 Youtek Graphene Instinct Rev 100 27.00 256 9.03 36.20 14.25 59 291 1717 $190 88 Youtek Graphene Instinct S 102 27.00 284 10.02 35.50 13.98 71 298 2158 $190 89 Youtek Graphene Prestige PWR 107 27.30 275 9.70 35.30 13.90 70 303 2338 $225 90 Youtek Graphene Speed MP 100 27.00 311 10.97 33.30 13.11 65 318 2067 $225 91 Youtek Graphene Speed Pro 100 27.00 333 11.75 33.00 12.99 66 338 2231 $225 92 Youtek Graphene Speed PWR 115 27.40 267 9.42 36.50 14.37 67 314 2516 $210 93 Youtek Graphene Speed Rev 100 27.00 269 9.49 35.60 14.02 62 304 1885 $210 94 Youtek Graphene Speed S 100 27.00 292 10.30 34.80 13.70 68 314 2135 $210 Mantis 106 285 100 27.00 304 10.72 32.80 12.91 68 295 2006 $169 107 300 100 27.00 312 11.01 32.80 12.91 68 306 2081 $169 108 Pro 295 98 27.00 306 10.79 33.10 13.03 62 297 1805 $189 109 Tour 305 95 27.00 316 11.15 32.40 12.76 65 301 1859 $169 110 Tour 315 95 27.00 326 11.50 31.60 12.44 66 301 1887 $169 Prince 140 EXO3 Warrior DB Team 100 100 27.00 286 10.09 35.00 13.78 64 310 1984 $169 DUNLOP 800-768-4727 www.dunlopsport.com GAMMA 800-333-0337 www.gammasports.com HEAD 800-289-7366 www.head.com FOX 800-PLAYFOX www.playfox.com New Racquets from March 2012 to February 2013 (Cont.) DONNAY 800-264-0509 www.donnayusa.com www.racquetsportsindustry.com PRINCE 800-2TENNIS www.princetennis.com MANTIS www.mantis-sports.com Racquet Headsize Length Weight Weight Balance Balance Flex Swingweight Power Retail (in 2 ) (in.) (gm) (oz) (cm) (in.) (RDC) kg x cm 2 Formula Price Solinco 150 Tour 10 xtend 98 27.50 338 11.92 32.00 12.60 66 340 2309 $180 Tecnifibre 153 T Fight 255 (Synergy Link) 100 27.00 275 9.70 34.25 13.48 66 281 1855 $169 154 T Fight 295 (16M Tour Prepared) 95 27.00 310 10.93 33.50 13.19 68 305 1970 $189 155 T Fight 295 MP (Synergy Link) 100 27.00 307 10.83 33.50 13.19 69 298 2056 $189 156 T Fight 305 (18M Tour Prepared) 95 27.00 317 11.18 33.40 13.15 69 310 2032 $189 157 T Fight 315 Limited (16M) 98 27.00 328 11.57 32.15 12.66 60 297 1746 $199 158 T Fight 315 Limited (18M) 98 27.00 332 11.71 32.50 12.80 59 305 1764 $199 159 T Fight 320 (16M Tour Prepared) 95 27.00 336 11.85 32.25 12.70 67 317 2018 $199 160 T Fight 325 (18M Tour Prepared) 95 27.00 338 11.92 32.25 12.70 66 317 1988 $199 163 T Rebound 265 Feel 105 27.00 284 10.02 34.25 13.48 70 295 2168 $169 164 T Rebound 295 Pro (Synergy Link) 100 27.00 313 11.04 33.75 13.29 68 309 2101 $189 Volkl 168 Organix 1 115 27.80 271 9.56 36.40 14.33 72 304 2718 $300 171 Organix 10 Mid 93 27.00 334 11.78 32.50 12.80 59 318 1745 $240 172 Organix 2 115 27.60 293 10.34 36.00 14.17 70 324 2765 $260 173 Organix 3 110 27.80 286 10.09 36.00 14.17 69 322 2639 $250 175 Organix 5 100 27.13 274 9.67 34.50 13.58 68 291 2004 $190 177 Organix 7 (295g) 104 27.00 311 10.97 34.30 13.50 73 316 2399 $240 178 Organix 7 (310g) 104 27.25 316 11.15 34.00 13.39 72 318 2441 $240 181 Organix 9 98 27.00 324 11.43 32.50 12.80 66 309 1999 $230 182 Organix V1 MP 102 27.00 294 10.37 33.50 13.19 64 296 1932 $250 183 Organix V1 OS 110 27.50 302 10.65 34.00 13.39 67 317 2453 $250 Weed 195 Open 135 135 27.00 265 9.35 35.40 13.94 63 286 2432 $250 Wilson 198 Blade Ninety Eight 16x19 (98 BLX) 98 27.00 319 11.25 33.50 13.19 67 322 2114 $230 199 Blade Ninety Eight 18x20 (98 BLX) 98 27.00 317 11.18 33.50 13.19 64 314 1969 $230 200 Blade Ninety Three (93 BLX) 93 27.00 339 11.96 32.25 12.70 67 325 2025 $230 201 Blade One Hundred Four (104 BLX) 104 27.50 307 10.83 33.75 13.29 56 309 1890 $230 205 BLX Juice 100L 100 27.00 292 10.30 36.10 14.21 74 327 2420 $220 217 BLX Steam 105 S 105 27.33 300 10.58 33.70 13.27 70 310 2354 $220 218 BLX Steam 96 96 27.25 307 10.83 34.70 13.66 67 322 2123 $220 219 BLX Steam 99 99 27.00 320 11.29 33.70 13.27 68 327 2201 $220 220 BLX Steam 99 S 99 27.00 320 11.29 33.30 13.11 70 321 2225 $220 223 Four BLX 105 27.00 258 9.10 37.00 14.57 71 297 2214 $210 224 Three BLX 117 27.50 277 9.77 37.50 14.76 41 313 1577 $260 225 Two BLX 110 27.25 239 8.43 39.50 15.55 67 305 2304 $230 Yonex 231 V Core Tour 89 89 27.00 340 11.99 31.70 12.48 63 327 1833 $240 232 V Core Tour 97 97 27.00 351 12.38 32.00 12.60 66 336 2151 $240 233 V Core Xi 100 (280 Grams) 100 27.00 293 10.34 35.00 13.78 68 305 2074 $240 234 V Core Xi 100 (300 Grams) 100 27.00 312 11.01 32.90 12.95 70 297 2079 $240 235 V Core Xi 98 98 27.00 321 11.32 32.40 12.76 68 301 2006 $240 236 V Core Xi Team 98 26.88 287 10.12 34.10 13.43 65 289 1818 $190 237 V Core Xi Team + 98 27.38 295 10.41 33.90 13.35 65 305 2016 $190 TECNIFIBRE (888) TFTennis www.TFTennis.com VOLKL 866-554-7872 www.volkl-tennis.com WILSON 800-272-6060 www.wilson.com YONEX 800-44-YONEX www.yonexusa.com SOLINCO 310-922-7775 www.solincosports.com April 2013 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 26 www.racquetsportsindustry.com WEED 800-WEED RKT www.weedusa.com DI STI NGUI SHED FACI LI TY- OF- THE- YEAR AWARDS T here were nine outdoor tennis facilities that took honors in the Racquet Sports Industry/American Sports Builders Associa- tion Distinguished Facility-of-the-Year Awards for 2012, and four of those were classifying as soft- court projects. The lone non-Florida winner, in California, involved building both a new clay court and a new hard court. But were including it here to help offset the stranglehold Florida seems to have on building award-winning soft-court facilities. We certainly applaud the number of amazing clay-court facilities in the Sunshine State and the skill of the companies building them, but we have to believe there are award-winning soft-court projects in other states, too, which wed love to hear about (see box for details on the 2013 Facility-of-the-Year Awards). The Toscana Country Club in California is one such example. The contractor built a new fast-dry court and a new post-tensioned concrete court for the club. The project included site grading, utilities, walls, curbing, fencing, lighting, landscaping, stor- age areas, walkways and tennis pavilions, and the finished project provides players with all the ameni- ties, including seating at the courts, shaded areas and a spectator viewing area. The Doral Park Country Club in Florida added four new HydroGrid courts (in two two-court batter- ies) to its existing facility. The new courts are adja- cent to the existing courts, so fencing had to be modified to provide the appearance that the whole facility was constructed during a single build. The centerpiece of the Sports Club at Mediterra is the new, recessed coliseum court. The clubs director of tennis, Tim Bauer, designed the court, pergola and terraced viewing area, surrounded by a stone wall and lush landscaping. The project had to overcome a flood when severe weather struck the site during construction. The Timber Pines Community Association took out asphalt courts and installed six new clay courts. The facility was on two levels, with a retaining wall dividing the north three courts from the south courts, so there needed to be two points of access for construction. Peter Francesconi w These outdoor facility winners are excellent examples of soft-court construction. For details on the 2013 Outstand- ing Facility-of-the-Year Awards, contact the ASBA at 866-501- ASBA or info@sportsbuilders.org, or visit www.sportsbuilders.org. SOFT LANDING SOFT LANDING Timber Pines Community Association Inc. Spring Hill, Fla. (Nominated by Welch Tennis Courts Inc., Sun City, Fla.) Specialty Contractor: Welch Tennis Courts Inc. No. of Courts: 6 Surface: Har-Tru Sports Hydroblend Subsurface Irrigation: Welch Tennis HydroGrid Nets, Posts: Welch Tennis 28 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2013 www.racquetsportsindustry.com These outdoor facility winners are excellent examples of soft-court construction. April 2013 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 30 The Sports Club at Mediterra Naples, Fla. (Nominated by Welch Tennis Courts Inc., Sun City, Fla.) Architect/Engineer: Global Design Specialty Contractor: Welch Tennis Courts Inc. No. of Courts: 1 Surface: Har-Tru Sports Hydroblend Subsurface Irrigation: Welch Tennis HydroGrid Windscreens, Nets, Posts: Welch Tennis Courts Toscana Country Club Indian Wells, Calif. (Nominated by Zaino Tennis Courts Inc., Orange, Calif.) Specialty Contractor: Zaino Tennis Courts Inc. No. of Courts: 2 (1 soft, 1 hard) Surface: Har-Tru Sports, Plexipave Net Posts: Edwards Lights, Poles: Visionaire Fencing: Zaino Tennis Courts Inc. Court Accessories: Har-Tru Sports Doral Park Country Club Doral, Fla. (Nominated by Welch Tennis Courts Inc., Sun City, Fla.) Specialty Contractor: Welch Tennis Courts Inc. No. of Courts: 4 Surface: Har-Tru Sports Hydroblend Subsurface Irrigation: Welch Tennis HydroGrid Windscreens, Nets, Posts: Welch Tennis Courts www.racquetsportsindustry.com GET MORE KIDS ON YOUR COURT and showcase your programs by hosting a TENNIS FESTIVAL between MARCH 1sT -31sT Be one of the first 1 ,200 registered Tennis Festivals and receive an event pack including a YouthTennis.com banner and items for event attendees. Registered Tennis Festival hosts will receive: Publicity! Tennis Festivals will be promoted within the YouthTennis.com searchable database allowing parents to find local events Exclusive USTA Membership offer to increase program participation Downloadable, customizable flyers, posters and press release template to promote upcoming Tennis Festival For more information and to register youth events thr:oughout the year visit YouthTennis.com : : :> ~ Get Active .... . ~ .. . ." :' .. . ' ..... ? Ask the Experts STRINGING NATURAL GUT FOR CERTIFICATION WHAT TRAINING DOES A stringer need to go through to be proficient stringing natural gut, and be prop- erly prepared for CS certification? Any advice you can give us would be most appreciated. THERE'S NO SUBSTITUTE FOR actually stringing natural gut. Com- pared to other strings, you have to work more slowly and pay attention to what's going on. Before you start, you should review the information we provide in Rac- quet Service Techniques. This and other relevant materials for certification tests are sent to applicants, so you'll receive them when you apply. You can also check the article back issues at usrsa.com, searching for natural gut (in quotes), as well as Dont Bust a Gut, which appeared in the March 2006 issue of Racquet Sports Industry magazine. NATURAL GUT BREAKAGE DURING STRINGING I JUST HAD AN INCIDENT IN MY shop where a set of natural gut snapped while tensioning, halfway through the mains. Is that uncommon in your experience? What could have caused the breakage, and what could we have done to avoid such incidents? NATURAL GUT BREAKING halfway through the mains usually happens for one of two reasons. First, there is a sharp edge inside the grommet barrel that is damaging the gut. Depending on the condition of the grom- mets, you may be able to burnish any sharp edges using a large-diameter piece of synthetic string that has a thin coating of wax on it, running it through the grommet several times to smooth the edges. Second, there may be an issue with the tension jaws on your machine. If the ten- sion jaws are cutting too deeply into the string at a point where that section later hits the grommet, the string can break. PERFECT PING IF YOU HAVE A SUPER oversize frame with 16 mains and 14 crosses, and a midsize frame with 18 mains and 20 crosses, and they "ping" the same when you hit the strings, is the string bed stiffness the same on both racquets, regardless of head size and string density? WE ASKED STEN KAISER OF appmaker.se (the programmer behind racquetTune and other great ten- nis apps) for a technical explanation. No, they are not the same. Take one string with a certain ten- sion, and check the sound and stiffness. Then add a similar string in parallel. The sound will be the same but the stiffness will be twice as high. If you look at a racquet you can sim- plify the tension T and the stiffness S to: A is racquet area, is string density, f is the sound frequency, n is the number of strings, and C1, C2, and C3 are con- stants. The third equation comes from substituting the T from the top equation into the second equation and simplifying. This is assuming small deformations, and that all strings contribute equally to the stiffness (which they don't, in real life). As you can see from the bottom equation, two racquets with the same f (ping) can have different stiffness depending on n, , and A. The stiffness equation is very much a simplification and only valid for small deformations. For large deformations, e.g. when playing, it gets much more complicated. This doesn't alter the con- clusion that you can't judge the stiffness from the sound only, but rather it under- lines it. CHOOSING A RACQUET FOR A BETTER SERVE I WANT TO BUY A RACQUET that will improve my serve. What attributes should I look for? BEFORE YOU BUY A NEW rac- quet, you should schedule some time with a serving coach. If the biome- chanics of your serve are wrong, it does- n't really matter what racquet you use. Your grip, toss, rhythm, timing, shoulder turn, shoulder load, arm vector, contact point, and pronation are some of the key aspects that you must master first. Once your biomechanics are correct, selecting a racquet to optimize your serve is much like selecting a racquet in gener- al. You typically want to use the heaviest racquet you can without altering your stroke timing, and for comfort and maneuverability youll probably want it to be head light (that is, with the balance point of the racquet closer to the butt cap than to the head). Because the racquet rotates through 180 degrees in a split second between the scratch your back phase and impact, you will also have to pay atten- tion to the racquets swing weight, in addition to its overall weight. This is espe- cially true if you try an extended length racquet. You can easily alter the swing weight of your existing racquet through the application of temporary lead weights inside the hoop at the 12 oclock position. The more weight you add, the higher the swing weight. There is one racquet characteristic, though, that will show up in the serve before it shows up in your groundstrokes and volleys, and that is the twist weight of the racquet. Twist weight is the rac- quets resistance to rotation in the hand when a ball impacts away from the rac- quets centerline (that is, its stability). Twist weight is created by any mass that is not on the racquet centerline, times the square of the distance between the cen- terline and the mass. Because the mass is multiplied by the square of the distance, 32 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2013 www.racquetsportsindustry.com Q A Q A Q Your Equipment Hotline Q A A April 2013 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 33 www.racquetsportsindustry.com even fairly light racquets can be sta- ble (high twist weight) if they are wide. This is important on the serve because a biomechanically correct serve involves pronation, during which the racquet rotates around its axis. If the twist weight of your rac- quet is too high for you, either you wont pronate properly on your serve, or you will attempt to recruit your wrist muscles to force prona- tion (as opposed to allowing the rac- quet to pronate naturally while you keep your wrist loose). To experi- ment with different twist weights on your existing racquet, add your tem- porary lead weights to the inside of the hoop at the 3 oclock and 9 oclock positions. The more weight you add, the higher the twist weight. Building consistency often means ensuring you get enough height over the net to get the ball into the other court, with enough spin to bring it down in the service box. To this end, you can experi- ment with different string bed densi- ties. USRSA testing shows that string bed stiffness is one of the most important characteristics in generat- ing spin: The higher the stiffness (whether through a dense string pat- tern or stiff strings or high string tension), the more spin potential, generally speaking. However, your particular string and tension prefer- ences and stroke production may mean you find you are more confi- dent using a racquet with a less dense string bed. The more confi- dence you have in your equipment, the looser your arm will be during stroke production, and the more racquet speed youll generate, so youll get more spin. Greg Raven w We welcome your questions. Please send them to Racquet Sports Industry, PO Box 3392, Duluth, GA 30096; fax: 760-536-1171; email: greg@racquettech.com. 34 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2013 String Playtest EASE OF STRINGING (compared to other strings) Number of testers who said it was: much easier 0 somewhat easier 3 about as easy 20 not quite as easy 8 not nearly as easy 1 OVERALL PLAYABILITY (compared to string played most often) Number of testers who said it was: much better 2 somewhat better 8 about as playable 11 not quite as playable 8 not nearly as playable 3 OVERALL DURABILITY (compared to other strings of similar gauge) Number of testers who said it was: much better 9 somewhat better 10 about as durable 10 not quite as durable 2 not nearly as durable 1 RATING AVERAGES From 1 to 5 (best) Playability 3.4 Durability (15th overall) 4.4 Power (8th overal) 3.5 Control (4th overal) 3.9 Comfort 3.1 Touch/Feel 3.0 Spin Potential 3.5 Holding Tension (17th overall) 3.7 Resistance to Movement (2nd overall) 4.3
T ecnifibre ATP Razor Code is a co- extruded polyester string. The solid core utilitizes Thermocore technology, a Tecnifibre process to improve flexibility in polyester strings. The Thermocore process involves using temperature control during the manufac- turing process to soften the strings struc- ture for shock absorption and vibration reduction. Tecnifibres target for this string is the advanced tournament-level player, and as such is offered as one of its Perfor- mance Pro strings alongside Black Code (July 2009 RSI), Ruff Code (Apr. 2012 RSI), Pro Redcode (Sep. 2006 RSI), and Polycode. ATP Razor Code was, however, developed exclusively for the association between Tecnifibre and the ATP the first such string from Tecnifibre requir- ing three years of R&D. Tecnifibres ATP players such as Janko Tipsarevic are already switching to ATP Razor Code. ATP Razor Code is available in 16/1.30, 17/1.25 and 18/1.20 in carbon and blue. It is priced from $16 for 40- foot sets, $200 for 660-foot sets. For more information or to order, contact Tecnifibre at 888-TFTennis (888-838- 3664), or visit tftennis.com. Be sure to read the conclusion for more information about getting a free set to try for your- self. IN THE LAB We tested the 16-gauge ATP Razor Code. The coil measured 40 feet. The diameter measured 1.31-1.33 mm prior to string- ing, and 1.24-1.27 mm after stringing. We recorded a stringbed stiffness of 75 RDC units immediately after stringing at 60 pounds in a Wilson Pro Staff 6.1 95 (16 x 18 pattern) on a constant-pull machine. After 24 hours (no playing), stringbed stiffness measured 69 RDC units, repre- senting an 8 percent tension loss. Our control string, Prince Synthetic Gut Origi- nal Gold 16, measured 78 RDC units immediately after stringing and 71 RDC units after 24 hours, representing a 9 percent tension loss. ATP Razor Code added 16 grams to the weight of our unstrung frame. The string was tested for five weeks by 32 USRSA playtesters, with NTRP rat- ings from 3.5 to 5.5. These are blind tests, with playtesters receiving unmarked strings in unmarked packages. Average number of hours playtested was 22.7. ATP Razor Code installs much like other poly-based strings. We noted no difficulties or special considerations. Tec- nifibre recommends a 5-10% reduction from your typical nylon reference ten- sion, and we passed this along to the members of our playtest team. www.racquetsportsindustry.com One playtester broke the sample during stringing, six reported problems with coil memory, two report- ed problems tying knots, and none reported friction burn. ON THE COURT Our playtesters found a lot to like in ATP Razor Code, but most of all they liked the Resistance to Movement, rating it 2nd best in this category of the 170 strings weve playtest for publication. They also gave it high marks in the Con- trol category (rating it 4th highest), often mentioning the great spin afforded them by ATP Razor Code. The high-modulus polyester sheath no doubt had some- thing to do with ATP Razor Codes 15th- highest rating in the Durability category. Tecnifibre also performs a high-tempera- ture pre-stretch of ATP Razor Code dur- ing manufacture, which may have helped it garner a 17th-best rating in Tension Retention. In addition, our playtest team rated ATP Razor Code excellent in the Power category, and well above average for Spin Potential. As a result, Tecnifibre ATP Razor Code comes in as the 16th-highest-rated string weve playtested. Two playtesters broke the sample during the playtest period, one at nine hours and one at 18 hours. CONCLUSION With years of experience making poly- ester strings, on top of its decades of experience making other types of premi- Tecnifibre ATP Razor Code 16 April 2013 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 35 FREE PLAYTEST STRING PROGRAM Tecnifibre will send a free set of Razor Code to USRSA members who cut out (or copy) this coupon and send it to: Offer expires 15 April 2013 Offer only available to USRSA members in the US. Name: USRSA Member number: Phone: Email: If you print your email clearly, we will notify you when your sample will be sent. www.racquetsportsindustry.com USRSA, Attn: Tecnifibre String Offer PO Box 3392, Duluth, GA 30096 or fax to 760-536-1171, or email the info below to stringsample@racquettech.com (Strings normally used by testers are indicated in paren- theses.) For the rest of the tester comments, visit www.racquetsportsindustry.com. player using Head MicroGEL Prestige MP strung at 48/50 pounds CP (Tourna Big Hitter Blue 17)
This one not only has a crisp and pre-
dictable response, the feel is decidedly above average. Control and spin are top notch. One of the better polys Ive hit with.
4.0 male all-court player using Babolat AeroPro Drive + strung at 47 pounds CP (Tourna Big Hitter Blue 17)
I cannot detect anything special about this
string. It feels like a standard polyester.
5.0 male all-court player using Head Flexpoint Rad- ical MP strung at 40 pounds CP (Polyester 16)
Playability is lacking. Tension does not
drop much but the strings do seem to lose pop over time.
3.5 male all-court player using
Wilson K Blade strung at 52 pounds CP (Gamma TNT2 16)
This is the best all-around poly Ive hit
with! It is the ultimate topspin string, with the perfect combination of spin, control, and durability. It has incredible comfort for a durability string.
4.0 male baseliner with
heavy spin using Dunlop Aerogel 4D 1 Hun- dred strung at 40 pounds LO (Luxilon XP 16L)
Great option for string breakers. Recom-
mended to heavy hitters who want the con- trol benefits of a poly. Big swings come down inside the lines!
4.0 male baseliner
with heavy spin using Babolat Pure Drive Roddick strung at 60 pounds LO (Solinco Tour Bite 16) TESTERS TALK
For once a soft poly with exceptional
all-around playability. This control string does everything well, including touch!
4.0 male baseliner with moderate spin
using Babolat AeroPro Drive GT strung at 50 pounds CP (MSV Focus Hex 17L)
Very comparable to the soft co-poly I
use. Extremely playable for monofilament control string.
4.5 male all-court play- er using Wilson K Blade strung at 57 pounds LO (Wilson Enduro Pro 17)
A pleasing and juicy feel for a co-poly,
like the kind experienced with Luxilon Alu Power or Babolat RPM Blast. Very pleasur- able hit!
5.0 male all-court player using
Babolat Pure Drive Cortex strung at 60 pounds CP (Luxilon Alu Power 16L)
This string plays great after a short
break-in period. Comfort and power are high for a poly.
4.0 male all-court
player using Volkl V1 Classic strung at 50 pounds CP (Wilson Hyperlast Spin 17)
Much easier to string than most polys.
The somewhat slippery exterior decreases friction burn. This one has above average power for a poly. The spin is excellent.
5.0 male all-court player using Prince
EXO3 Red strung at 55 pounds LO (Wilson Reaction 16)
Very impressive feel and control at a
lower tension. Spin potential does not waiver over time. After eight hours the feels diminishes.
4.0 male all-court
Greg Raven um strings including its well-known polyurethane offerings, Tecnifibre has poly string manufacturing covered. And although Tecnifibre isnt afraid to think outside the box (as shown in strings such as Promix and X-Code), even a rel- atively traditional offering such as ATP Razor Code still incorporates plenty of innovative thinking, with impressive results. If you think that Tecnifibre ATP Razor Code might be for you, fill out the coupon to get a free set to try. T enniss Grand Slam champi- onships are the four tent poles of the sport, the highest peaks on the landscape. Though the four business models are slightly different, each Major operates as a non-profit. The proceeds from the events were told (and told and told) are reinvested in the game. At first blush, anyway, this model is principled. Noble, even. At the pinnacle of the sport there is an appreciation for the grassroots effort and underpinnings that make it all possible. This model is socially responsible. This model makes us more comfortable with the vast streams of revenue coursing briskly and conspicuously through Wimbledon and the Australian, French and US Opens. This model is also absurd. Today more than ever, the best play- ers are international celebrities, able to command vast sums of money for one- night-only exhibitions, chosen by corpo- rations to endorse products and serve as brand ambassadors. Theres little debate that players are paid less than market value at the Majors. But, we are quickly reminded, the Majors reinvest profits, so purse increases would come at the expense of the little people. Yet where else does this occur? Where do we distort the labor market and suppress wages in the name of phil- anthropy? The fees paid to Hollywood stars aren't stifled so that the movie prof- its can be reinvested in the local play- house. Authors book contracts arent kept artificially low, so that part of the savings can go to school literacy pro- grams. We don't ask NFL players to take less than fair market value in order to fund Pop Warner leagues and pay for the coaching of talented prospects. For decades, players accepted this what should we call it?quirk. Sure, the Majors devoted much less of their gross revenues to prize money than other tournaments; but even so the payout was much more. For the top players, their endorsements deals often con- tained bonuses based on their results at the Big Four; so that provided an eco- nomic incentive. Yes, the profits were going to the federations of only four countries; but those were also the coun- tries that furnished most of the top play- ers. So there was an element of noblesse oblige. But lately, players have been less willing to accept the status quo. One envisions, say, Rafael Nadal, taking stock of the US Open prize money and saying: So let me get this straight: youre paying less than market rate so you can resurface courts in Topeka or subsidize Sloane Stephens travel? None of it even goes to my federation? Huh? Or one imagines the 95 percent of the non-native players at the Australian Open scratching heads and wondering: The profits Im helping to generate are going toward racquets in Sydney and flights juniors take from Perth to Bris- bane? What? The players read about the terms of the Majors TV deals. They see the rev- enue generated by suites and hospitali- ty tents and merchandising. They catch wind of lavish salaries being paid to executives. Catalyzed by their tours, they have complained and even thrown around the dreaded B-word, boycott. They want a bigger slice of the pie, non- profit be damned. 36 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2013 When the Majors make concessions to the players and increase prize moneyas each did in 2013 and will like- ly continue to doit has consequences. Funding gets reduced. The federations may have to cut staff. Fat must be trimmed. Sure, there is something dis- tasteful about cutting funding so that mil- lionaire pro tennis players can make still more millions. But how much less dis- tasteful is it to ask athletes to take a pay cut so the host federationnot even the players own federation in most cases can fill its coffers? What happens now? Likely a cordial game of chicken. The players will contin- ue to gripe and threaten work stoppage. The tournaments will make incremental increases, hope to keep the barbarians at the gate, but operate on the assumption that as long as they still offer the highest purses on the circuit, players aren't likely to unify. One would like to thinkquixotically, perhapsthat theres a creative solution. Perhaps the proceeds can be distributed to federations in addition to those in Aus- tralia, France, the U.K. and the U.S. Maybe lavish federation salaries are reconsidered and capped. And maybe both sides devise a formula, so a certain percent of revenues are devoted to the purses and both sides have incentive to grow the pie. Whatever, the current arrangement is flawed. Ask the NCAA. You distort the market and you ask for trouble. w Your Serve www.racquetsportsindustry.com Follow the Money A veteran tennis journalist says while money from Grand Slam tournaments are reinvested in the game, the current prize money arrangement is flawed. BY L . J ON WE RT HE I M L. Jon Wertheim is a senior writer for Sports Illustrated We welcome your opinions. Please email comments to RSI@racquetTECH.com. ' . ' 02013 Wolson Sporting Goods Co. ' FEEL I1S IMPORTANT IF YOU LOVE HOW IT FEELS TO WIN. t-itm fgel after J 1 dupcnd:; oo 'lffial foal {luring match. Tha new W".son Blade's inno\l"tliva tl.mp! feoel k handle tec:nnology gi\res yoo a more enhanced fee . Becau:;e nothing feels as good as a win_