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TennisIndustry

Contents February 2019

DEPARTMENTS
4 Our Serve
7 Industry News
14 Racquet Tech
JANUARY 23-25, 2019 / ORLANDO FL / SEE PAGES 20-21
15 Retailing Tip
16 League Tennis
18 String Playtest: Signum Pro
Yellow Jacket 16
20 TIA News
34 Outstanding Tennis Facility
Awards
38 Ask the Experts
40 Your Serve, by Betsy
Heidenberger

INDUSTRY NEWS
7 Har-Tru launches acrylic
sports coatings line
7 PTR Symposium Feb. 12-15
on Hilton Head Island
7 Chinese-led group to buy
Wilson parent company

P H O T O S T H I S PA G E C O U RT E S Y D I A D E M , H E A D, B O L L E , B A B O L AT; C OV E R P H O T O S C O U RT E S Y F I L A , K- S W I S S, H E A D, D I A D E M
7 Racquet & Paddle Sports
Show hits Orlando
8 Nadal to join Federer
for 2019 Laver Cup
8 ITF launches new SHOES
RACQUETS STRINGS APPAREL
‘World Tennis Tour’
8 Ashaway introduces new Get Fit With Color Play Solid
squash string Your Racquet Schemes Time! Foundations
8 Canada plans 24-court venue
10 U.S. wins Master’U team event Manufacturers Bright colors Modern prints Footwear sales
10 People Watch continue to add are coming back mesh with at specialty
12 Love Serving Autism flexibility and in the string classic looks shops turned
holds Cardio Tennis event comfort features market, which in both soft upward last
13 ASBA announces new to their frames. continues to be hues and bright year, leading to
‘Game Changer’ awards
P. 22 driven by poly- colors for spring optimism
13 California Sports Surfaces, for 2019.
ITA extend partnership based offerings. tenniswear.
P. 26 P. 32 P. 28
13 Short Sets

PLUS
43 From the CEO
p.41
46 Vice President’s Message
48 Master Pro Corner

43 48 51 54 50 Member Feature
Why Continuing Fun, Effort Through the A Decade 52 Inside Coaching
Ed is Important and Self- Strings: How of Teaching 54 USPTA Eastern Highlight
to Your USPTA Confidence Tennis Fueled Experience 56 Endorsee News
Membership Roger Crawford 57 National Board/InsureStat
59 Member News
Read more articles online at [Link] 60 Career Development

2 TennisIndustry February 2019 [Link]

 O F F IC IA L
S U R FAC E
O F T H E U S P TA

id e in st al le rs .
ts , w it h ex pe ri en ce d na ti on w
& re pa ir pr od uc
m en t- qu al it y sp or t su rf ac in g
To ur na

[Link]
 OurServe TennisIndustry

PUBLISHER
EDITOR'S NOTE JEFF WILLIAMS

Growth Opportunities EDITOR

PETER FRANCESCONI

Tennis and pickleball can MANAGING EDITOR

SCOTT GRAMLING

not only co-exist—they can CREATIVE DIRECTOR

IAN KNOWLES

grow together. SENIOR EDITOR

ED McGROGAN

ART DIRECTOR
CRHISTIAN RODRIGUEZ

I 
PRODUCTION EDITOR
SAM CHASE

SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR
BOB PATTERSON

n early December, I went to When I hear about new racquet facili- CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Scottsdale, Ariz., for the AS- ties being built, these projects often CYNTHIA CANTRELL, PEG CONNOR,
BA’s annual Technical Meet- include both tennis courts and pickle- DAVID LASOTA, KENT OSWALD, NATE PAGEL
CYNTHIA SHERMAN, MARY HELEN SPRECHER
ing—one of the best industry ball courts. The USTA is apparently in-
meetings I attend each year. volved in building a facility right next to CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
The court builders and sup- its National Campus in Lake Nona that BOB KENAS, DAVID KENAS

pliers that participate are very engaged will not only have more indoor tennis ASSOCIATE EDITOR
in the industry, and the well-run event courts, but will have pickleball courts TIM McARTHUR
offers insightful speakers, presentations and other court sport venues.
and education. But maybe the most telling sign of EDITORIAL DIRECTION
10TEN MEDIA
Every year at the Technical Meeting, pickleball’s importance to the industry
there is a fun, and competitive, ten- is a longtime court builder I see every TENNIS INDUSTRY
nis tournament. This year, they added year at the ASBA Technical Meeting. 250 Park Avenue, Ste 825, NY NY 10017
a pickleball tournament—not only This gentleman was a top tennis player 646-381-8735
info@[Link]
because of the growing popularity of the in his younger days, a longtime certi-
sport, but because many of the attend- fied tennis teaching pro and a very avid ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
ees are doing a lot of business in pick- player into his 70s and beyond. He can’t JOHN HANNA
leball. In fact, for many court builders, maneuver on the tennis court like he 770-650-1102, x125
the work they do in pickleball is helping used to, but as he told me, he now keeps hanna@[Link]
keep their businesses in the black. active and in shape by playing pickleball
APPAREL ADVERTISING
often. I can’t imagine anyone thinking CYNTHIA SHERMAN
that is a bad thing. 203-558-5911
Tennis “purists” need to understand cstennisindustry@[Link]
As someone who is that pickleball is not going away. (At
pro-business for those in the Technical Meeting, there also were Tennis Industry is published 10 times per year:

this industry, it’s easy to educational sessions devoted to pickle- monthly, January through August with combined
issues in September/October and November/
ball.) Likewise, tennis is not going away,
see that pickleball represents either. I believe these two sports can
December, by Tennis Media Company, 250 Park
Avenue, Suite 825, New York NY 10017. Periodical
an opportunity for many easily co-exist and can help each other
postage paid in Duluth, GA and at additional mailing
offices (USPS #004-354). February 2019, Volume 47,
business segments. to grow. Number 2 © 2019 by Tennis Media Company. All rights
Perhaps most importantly, both
reserved. Tennis Industry, TI and logo are trademarks
of Tennis Media Company. Printed in the U.S.A. Phone
I hear and understand the different sports help keep people active and advertising: 770-650-1102 x 125. Phone circulation
sides of the tennis and pickleball debate. healthy at every stage of life, from the and editorial: 646-381-8735. Yearly subscriptions
$25 in the U.S., $40+ elsewhere. POSTMASTER: Send
As a longtime tennis player, yes, it can youngest ages to the oldest. address changes to Tennis Industry, 250 Park Avenue,
be disappointing to hear about tennis Suite 825, New York NY 10017. Tennis Industry is the
official magazine of the USRSA, TIA and ASBA.
courts disappearing or being converted Peter Francesconi
to pickleball courts. At the same time, as Editor
Looking for back issues of Tennis Industry/Racquet
Sports Industry? Visit the archives at our website
someone who is pro-business for those Peter@[Link] at [Link] for free digital versions.
in this industry, it’s easy to see that
pickleball represents an opportunity for
many business segments.

4 TennisIndustry February 2019 [Link]

[Link] 1 4/29/16 12:43 PM
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 IndustryNews Information to help you run your business

COURT CONSTRUCTION
Racquet & Paddle Show
Jan. 23-25 in Orlando
Har-Tru Launches The inaugural Racquet & Paddle Sports
Conference (RAPS) will be held Jan. 23-25

Acrylic Coatings Line at the Orange County Convention Center

in Orlando, Fla. The event also includes
the TIA’s annual Tennis Owners & Manag-
ers (TOM) Conference. The RAPS will
bring together racquet sports profession-
als, industry leaders, tennis providers,
retailers and manufacturers. While co-
located with the PGA Merchandise Show,
the RAPS will be a stand-alone event.
The conference will feature an exhibit
pavilion of racquet, paddle and tennis
vendors and organizations, and include
a product demo experience and open-
ing welcome party at the USTA National
Campus in Lake Nona. For details, visit
[Link] or
[Link].

PTR Symposium Set For

Feb. 12-15 on Hilton Head
The PTR International Tennis Symposium
will be held Feb. 12-15 on Hilton Head
Island, S.C. The PTR’s premier coach educa-
tion event will feature more than 40 industry
experts, with topics ranging from tennis

H
business and sport science to teaching
tactics and techniques.
On-court and classroom presenters will
ar-Tru, long known “I’m extremely excited and honored include Leo Alonso, Mike Barrell, Emma
for its clay surface, is to have this opportunity to lead Har-Tru Doyle, Gigi Fernandez, Frank Giampaolo,
launching an acrylic forward in the acrylic sports coatings Ann Grossman, Dr. Ben Kibler, Dr. Mark
sports coatings line of segment,” Harris says. “Har-Tru has a Kovacs, Dr. Jim Loehr, Judy Murray, Craig
products, the company great reputation in the tennis industry O’Shannessy, Emilio Sanchez and Sarah
announced, and has hired Paul Harris (in- of providing high-quality premium Stone. Professional development specialized
set above) as its sports coatings manager. products. The focus that they put on courses will also be conducted, and coaches
Harris has been with California development and creating innovative can compete at the PTR-UTR Champion-
Sports Surfaces since 2004, starting products is industry-leading.” ships. There is also a Trade Show with a day
as Mid-Atlantic territory manager and Harris has a degree in Ornamental of demo courts, and a pickleball court will be
expanding his responsibilities in 2016 to Horticulture and Landscape Design set up in the hotel lobby.
P H O T O S C O U RT E S Y H A R -T R U

include the Southeast territory. from the University of Tennessee and The Tennis Symposium will be followed by
“Paul has tremendous knowledge in oversaw the installation of the “Delta” a pickleball coach education event, the PPR
acrylic coatings,” says Har-Tru Sales garden at Opryland Hotel in Nashville Conference, Feb. 15-16. Visit [Link].
Director Tracy Lynch. “Combine that from 1993 to 1995. He operated the
with his gift of building meaningful Landscape Construction Co. in the Amer Board Recommends
relationships with architects, contrac- Nashville area until joining California Sale to Chinese-Led Group
tors and engineers, and this will only Sports Surfaces. He will be based at If all goes as planned, Amer Sports,
further help us support our mission.” Har-Tru’s HQ in Charlottesville, Va. which owns Wilson Sporting Goods, will

[Link] February 2019 TennisIndustry 7

IndustryNews

EQUIPMENT
be sold in the second quarter of 2019 to
a consortium led by China’s Anta Sports.
Amer Sports’ board of directors issued a New Ashaway Squash String
statement in mid-December endorsing
the deal, which values the Finnish com- Designed to 'Cut and Spin'
pany at $5.23 billion.
Amer’s board said it supported the
sale for a number of reasons, including
the major premium Amer’s shareholders
will earn at the offering price, plus a
“significant opportunity to accelerate
the expansion of its businesses in the
Chinese market.”
The consortium plans to operate Amer
Sports independently from Anta, with a
separate board of directors. Heikki Takala,
the president and CEO of Amer Sports,
and his key executives are expected to
continue leading the Amer businesses.
On Sept. 12, Anta made an all-cash
offer to acquire Amer Sports, the owner of
Wilson, Salomon, Arc’teryx, Peak Perfor-
mance, Atomic, Mavic, Suunto and Precor.
The investor consortium consists of Anta
Sports, FountainVest Partners, Anamered
Investments and Tencent. Anamered
Investments is owned by Canadian billion-

A
aire Chip Wilson, founder of yoga apparel
company Lululemon Athletica Inc.
shaway’s latest innovation is a squash string specifically designed for
Nadal to Join Federer players who like to cut and spin the ball. The new MultiNick 18 combines
For 2019 Laver Cup a high-tenacity multifilament nylon sheath with a specially formulated
polyurethane resin (PU) that bonds the string into a single matrix and
adds durability while providing superior feel and ball control. The smooth PU
surface of MultiNick 18 enhances grip, while the 18-gauge construction maximizes
players’ ability to cut and spin the ball, says Ashaway. Visit [Link].

of the top male tennis players from Europe, environment for Tennis Canada's national
captained by Borg, against six of their coun- junior training program and national
terparts from the rest of the world, led by wheelchair program.
John McEnroe.
Tickets for the 2019 event will go on sale ITF Launches 'World Tennis Tour'
to the general public in early February, with The ITF has launched the ITF World
Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal (above) a variety of premium hospitality packages Tennis Tour, to serve as a pathway between
will join Roger Federer for the third edition of available now. Visit [Link] for more. the junior game and elite levels of pro tennis.
the Laver Cup, to be held in Geneva, Switzer- The new tour is the culmination of a series
land, Sept. 20-22. Tennis Canada Plans of ITF reforms designed to support talented
“It doesn’t get much better for a captain 24-Court Facility in B.C. junior players in their progression to the se-
C O U RT E S Y L AV E R C U P ; A S H AWAY

than naming both Roger Federer and Rafael Plans are in the works for the develop- nior game, and target the prize money at pro
Nadal for the Laver Cup in Geneva,” said ment of the Western Canada Tennis Cen- tournaments to enable more players to make
Bjorn Borg, captain of Team Europe. Federer tre, located in the city of Burnaby, British a living. The tour will also increase the num-
and Nadal joined for the inaugural Laver Cup Columbia. The facility will be part of the ber of nations hosting ITF tourneys in 2019,
in Prague in 2017, winning a memorable Burnaby Lake Sports Complex and will providing opportunities for more players.
doubles match together. include 12 indoor and 12 outdoor courts. The tour is part of a new worldwide tour-
Since its inception two years ago the Laver The new facility will be developed by nament structure that has been agreed
Cup has established itself as a must-see ten- Tennis Canada in partnership with the city among the ITF, ATP and WTA in order to
nis event. The three-day tournament pits six of Burnaby. It will offer a daily training address the current challenges at entry level.

8 TennisIndustry February 2019 [Link]

IndustryNews

COLLEGE PLAYERS

U.S. Wins People

Master’U Watch
Team Legendary coach Nick Bollettieri and Centre—located in top vacation destina-

Competition former USTA Florida volunteer president

Bob Pfaender were inducted into the
tions. Visit [Link].

USTA Florida Hall of Fame in November. Allan Jensen of Johns Creek, Ga.,
has been named the USTA Southern
Bill Richards, the head men's tennis Hispanic Outreach & Net Generation
coach at Ball State University, has been Tennis Service Representative.
selected as the 2018 recipient of the ITA
Meritorious Service Award, presented Head Penn racquetball player Paola
by ConantLeadership. Richards was Longoria dominated the women’s
honored in December during the 2018 professional singles draw at the US Open
ITA Coaches Convention in Naples, Fla. Racquetball Championships, dropping
just one game on her way to her eighth
Tennis Channel has promoted US Open title.
Lawrence Randall to vice president,
content programming. He joined the Michael F. Goss, EVP and CFO of So-
network in 2015 as executive director theby's has been elected chairman of the
of programming, and will continue to Board of Governors of the International
report to John MacDonald, senior vice Tennis Hall of Fame. He succeeds John
president, content programming. Arnhold, who is concluding a three-eyar
term as chairman. Charlie Pasarell, a
Sanad Rashed of Los Angeles and Dea longtime tennis industry leader and

P
 
Sumantri of Seattle are the most recent 2013 ITHOF inductee, has been elected
graduates of PTR Master of Tennis–Junior vice chairman. Also, 11 individuals have
epperdine junior Ashley Development. been elected to the ITHOF Board of
Lahey of Hawthorne, Calif., Governors.
and Florida sophomore Oli- Eric Joseph is the new co-chairman of
ver Crawford of Spartanburg, the JTCC Advisory Board, alongside John Mat Cloer, a former collegiate
S.C., each won three singles matches Spirtos. Joseph replaces Graeme Bush, All-American, has been hired as USTA
over three days as the United States who served as chairman/co-chairman Player Development’s new Collegiate
defeated Great Britain, 4-1, in Decem- for 10 years and will remain on the board. National Coach, charged with facilitating
ber to win its eighth title in the last 10 the development of American men and
years at the Master’U by BNP Paribas Rafael Nadal has launched a new line women in the ATP World Tour and WTA
international collegiate team competi- of sports centers—the Rafa Nadal Tennis Top 100 through the collegiate pathway.
tion in Grenoble, France.
Lahey, Crawford and USC junior
Brandon Holt of Rolling Hills, Calif.,
won in singles against 2017 champions
Great Britain. Duke freshman Maria
Mateas of Chapel Hill, N.C., and UCLA
junior Jada Hart of Colton, Calif., then
clinched the title for the United States
P H O T O BY ET I E N N E J E A N N E R ET

with a victory in doubles.

Each team match consisted of two
men’s and two women’s singles match-
es, one women’s and one men’s doubles
match, and a mixed doubles match.
Boise State men’s coach Greg Patton
and University of California–Berkeley
women’s coach Amanda Augustus
traveled with and coached the team.

10 TennisIndustry February 2019 [Link]

IndustryNews

COMMUNITY TENNIS
The Love Serving Autism

Love Serving Cardio Tennis event

brought out 25 families at
The Oaks in Boca Raton.

Autism Holds
Cardio Event

T
he nonprofit Love Serving
Autism, which teaches a spe-
cialized therapeutic tennis
program, organized a Cardio
Tennis event for children and adults
with Autism Spectrum Disorders at The
Oaks at Boca Raton, Fla., in December.
USPTA-certified tennis profession-
als from The Oaks volunteered their
time for the event, which brought out music for a better sensory experience. Tennis with music is an incredibly
25 Love Serving Autism families, along “The children and adults with autism therapeutic tool for these individuals.”
with 20 student volunteers. loved the Cardio Tennis event,” says Love Serving Autism has provided
Cardio Tennis lesson plans were Lisa Pugliese, the founder and CEO of tennis instruction to 250 children and
adapted to fit the different needs of the Love Serving Autism and the winner of adults for both community-based
program participants. Volunteers used Tennis Industry’s inaugural Adaptive public tennis centers and charter
visuals such as colored dots and tar- Tennis Champion of the Year Award. schools, including the Els for Autism
gets, along with a lower volume for the “The repetition of movement in Cardio Foundation in Jupiter, Fla.

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12 TennisIndustry February 2019 [Link]

 IndustryNews

ASBA Announces New • Track Division Game Changer: PVSFS Pole

‘Game Changer’ Awards
The American Sports Builders Association,
Vault Standard Forming System–Sportsfield
Specialties, Inc. Short
the national organization for designers,
builders and suppliers of materials for California Sports Surfaces,
Sets
athletic facilities, announced the winners ITA Extend Partnership
of its inaugural Game Changer awards at its The Intercollegiate Tennis Associa- Sportscaster Mary Carillo was
Technical Meeting in Arizona. Nearly 700 tion and California Sports Surfaces have inducted into the Sports Broadcast-
industry members attended the trade show, extended their partnership, where CSS is ing Hall of Fame in December. She
which included more than 60 exhibitors. the Official Court Surfacing Provider of the began her television career at USA
Game Changer Awards allowed attendees ITA. In addition, CSS brands, which include Network in 1980. Since 1997, among
at the Technical Meeting to learn about DecoTurf, Plexipave, Rebound Ace and Pre- other responsibilities, she’s been a
nominated products and services in the mier Sports Coatings, will be distinguished correspondent for HBO’s Real Sports
ASBA Exhibit Hall, and to vote using the as the Official Tennis Surfaces of the ITA. with Bryant Gumbel, winning a Sports
Technical Meeting mobile app for those they ITA members interested in CSS installa-
Emmy Award.
thought best exemplified excellence and in- tion will be offered best available pricing
novation in the industry. The winners were: and, at no additional cost, ITA member
Croatia beat France, 3-1, in Novem-
• Tennis Division Game Changer: programs will be provided on-site technical
ber to win its second Davis Cup title.
Laykold Masters 5 and 8–Advanced Polymer assistance and technical resources prior to,
Technology or during, CSS surface installation.
• Courts & Recreation Division Game “We’ve been working with the ITA for Credit Suisse is a new partner of
Changer: Laykold Masters Gel–Advanced nearly 15 years and there are no bet- the Laver Cup, becoming global
Polymer Technology ter partners in the industry,” says Tom sponsor of the event for the next five
• Fields Division Game Changer: Magner, director of sales for CSS. “We look years. The 2019 Laver Cup will be in
WeatherScape Team Shelter with Mobility forward to working with them for years to Geneva, Switzerland, on Sept. 20-22.
Kit–Sportsfield Specialties Inc. come to help grow and support the game.”

[Link] February 2019 TennisIndustry 13

TennisIndustry

RacquetTech
CUSTOMER SERVICE

String Them Along

Expand your business by stringing for badminton,
squash and racquetball players.
By Bob Patterson
USRSA Executive Director

E
veryone wants more
business, right? Of course.
So it is always a surprise
when we hear of racquet
stringers turning down
business because they refuse to string
anything other than tennis racquets.
Tennis may be the dominant racquet
sport in the U.S., but your business is
missing out on important opportuni-
ties if you don’t consider servicing
badminton, squash and racquetball
players. It may take a small investment
in additional equipment and require a
bit of education and practice, but it’s an
opportunity you shouldn’t pass up

Tools & Equipment

Most modern stringing machines are
equipped to handle all racquet sports
frames, so you may not need additional
accessories. Some, though, may require
additional clamps to accommodate
the tight spacing and small gauge of
badminton stringing. You also may
want to purchase a smaller awl and
stock some replacement grommets or You may want to consider bumping up your labor charge
other equipment. The investment will to string badminton, racquetball or squash frames.
be minimal, though, and you should
see a great return. Other items such as
load spreaders and extenders are things associated with racquetball and some Stringer designations specifically for
every stringer should have on hand. squash racquets become a lot less those who deal predominantly with
intimidating once you’ve strung them badminton and squash racquets. For
Technique a couple of times. With a little practice, a stringer working in a badminton or
Stringing badminton, racquetball or you’ll be able to string them as quickly squash shop, it makes more sense to be
squash frames can take a bit longer and as you can string a tennis racquet. certified in their specific sport than to
be a bit more complicated than tennis be certified stringing a tennis racquet.
racquets. You may want to consider Certification We hope to have this program ready
SHUTTERSTOCK

bumping up your labor charge; clients Badminton and squash are popular in in the second quarter of 2019 and are
generally will pay more to have their certain areas of the world, and because considering adding racquetball down
frames strung correctly. the USRSA has been adding members the road. Stay up on all these develop-
Most of the complicated patterns worldwide, we’ll be offering Certified ments by visiting [Link]. •

14 TennisIndustry February 2019 [Link]

 TennisIndustry

RetailingTip
The experts predicting that
online would put brick-and-
mortar out of business didn’t
take into account what the
consumer wants.
Consumers’ path-to-purchase is no
longer dictated by, much less controlled
by, brands or retailers. The experts
predicting that online would put brick-
and-mortar out of business didn’t take
into account what the consumer wants.
Tennis retailers still must work to
drive traffic to their physical stores,
even if transactions eventually hap-
pen online. This means you still should
have a smartphone-compatible,
commerce-enabled website.
The demise of Toys-R-Us, the grand-
daddy of big-box stores, was in part
the result of the days of sprawling
TREND WATCH
100,000-square-foot retail locations
Staying Power being over. Going forward, physical
stores may get smaller, but they are
Specialty tennis shops may start definitely not going away.
Today, customers crave a unique
to look different and get smaller, but touch and experience, and many retail-
ers have dropped plans for cookie-
they’re definitely not going away. cutter stores in favor of individual store
locations with a unique flair. Just like
By Jay Townley no two stores today should be exactly
the same, neither are customers.
This also means tennis specialty

O
retailers should think about changing
what makes their stores unique, as cus-
ne of the oldest forms of want and need opportunities and con- tomer store traffic may begin to flatten
retailing is the physical nections in both the digital and physical out, or as managers and staff may lose
store, and despite predic- worlds of retail, which over the past some of their enthusiasm.
tions to the contrary, 20 years has led to omnichannel ser- In the physical retail world, specialty
brick-and-mortar spe- vices, the development of mobile apps tennis shops need to serve as a giant,
cialty tennis shops are here to stay. and the evolution of websites on the organized experiential playground for
According to retail studies by Forrest- part of existing retailers. tennis enthusiasts and novices alike,
er Research in 2017, a digital interaction Brick-and-mortar retail has evolved attributes that online-only retail sim-
was involved in just over half of online to embrace and include an online ply can’t provide. Store concepts need
sales and digital-influenced offline component as a part of the migration to to be focused on engaging every shop-
sales. In other words, a smartphone or omnichannel, and online retailing has per in a hyper-competitive space.
tablet was used to do research or to ask reached a point in its evolution where As we’ve said before, there is an
a friend about a product or service a it embraces and includes some form element of fun that goes into the shop-
consumer was about to purchase. of physical store. This melding is the ping and buying process—and that’s
The research showed that 65 percent result of consumers wanting to access still what brick-and-mortar specialty
of adults accessed the internet from a retailers 24-7, and to do their research stores provide. •
smartphone every day, and 28 percent and shopping with mobile devices—yet
of adults said they made monthly pur- still have the ability to visit a physical Jay Townley is a partner in the retail
chases using a smartphone. Significant- store to touch and even try a tennis consulting firm Gluskin Townley Group
ly, though, Forrester found customers product before making a purchase. ([Link]).

[Link] February 2019 TennisIndustry 15

TennisIndustry

Recreational Game
LEAGUE TENNIS

Team Spirit
The experience of attending a League Championship—
especially for the first time—can’t be understated.
By Andrew Feldman

I
bellowed as loudly After 15 years of working with the adult league program can and should be
as I could: “Wom- USTA, at both National and now with a significant part of our future, both for
en’s 4.5 combo, Ken- USTA Southern, I was attending and our industry and our association. USTA
tucky vs. Arkansas!” staffing my first-ever League Champi- Leagues operate in all 50 states, with all
I turned up onships. I wanted to work the event to types of players, ranging from former
the vocal volume experience firsthand what the USTA’s collegiate varsity players to the enthu-
because I needed to flagship tennis participation program— siastic, “I just started playing tennis last
be heard, without a over 300,000 adult league players year” novices and converts.
microphone, over nationwide—looks like up close. I was
the chatting, strat- not disappointed. Solid Foundation
egizing and general socializing of more I’ve been in this industry long enough At the USTA, we run adult tennis
than 1,500 adult league players waiting to hear and read about how tennis is leagues pretty well, and we have for
for their championship matches. struggling to stay relevant, to reach a few decades now. Yes, participation
I’d taken my lead from the best of the younger audiences, to engage new play- numbers are down and the average age
best, Cookie Guarini of Summerfield, ers. And we spend a lot of time getting of participants is up. We need to address
N.C., a longtime volunteer who has creative about youth tennis and the this. But from what I saw in Mobile,
been active with USTA North Carolina, USTA’s new Net Generation initiative, adult league tennis has a strong base
Southern and National. I was sending deservedly so. (I’m one of the Net Gen- from which to thrive.
the latest match on court at the USTA eration coordinators for my office.) Part of my role that weekend was to
Southern Sectional Combo Champion- But even in my years with the USTA, welcome league captains at registra-
ships, held in March in Mobile, Ala. it’s almost as if I’d overlooked how our tion and distribute player packets and

16 TennisIndustry February 2019 [Link]

 TennisIndustry

The USTA’s adult league program can and should be a significant part
of our future, both for our industry and our association. From what I saw
in Mobile, adult league tennis has a strong base from which to thrive.

T-shirts. It was illuminating—I met league players know her and value her. future of events like Mobile. Then we
players from all nine Southern Cookie knew names, she remembered need to deliver resources to help recruit
Section states, some of whom had faces, and she encouraged teams to have these volunteers.
traveled hundreds of miles to spend fun and play hard.
the weekend with their teams. Team Despite the hundreds of players at 3. Offer incentives and reward those
captains were of all ages, from seniors any one time, Cookie moved things with consistent involvement. We should
to those barely out of college, and all along smoothly and graciously, showing identify those individuals doing double
backgrounds—and this was just at our how and why adult leagues have always and triple duty as captains of multiple
Combo Championships. The represen- depended on volunteers to be success- teams, and give them ideas to find help
tation far and wide at this level of our ful. She made the experience one the and successors. We should also give
league structure shows we’re able to players would want to repeat. a “first year free” to new Tennis on
engage multiple demographics with Campus graduates to play USTA League
adult league tennis, something we all Moving Forward tennis. I’m sure we can find many other
have an interest in doing. So where do we go from here? How do ways to incentivize and reward players.
Players and captains throughout the we leverage this existing, valuable asset
weekend expressed their gratitude for to reach new players and keep the play- After so many years of knowing about
the work of the volunteers and staff ers we have already? A few thoughts: adult leagues but not knowing adult
hosting the championships. Competi- leagues, Mobile was an eye-opener. We
tors took it seriously, of course, but also 1. Showcase other USTA products to view the US Open as a premium asset
acknowledged the recreational spirit of current league players. Put flex leagues for tennis, which it is. But the USTA
the event. Prizes were not checks for $1 in front of them, build awareness for Adult League tennis program is equally
million, but luggage bag tags and brag- Net Generation, let league players know as valuable. •
ging rights. And still these 1,500-plus about Fast 4 formats, etc. This will
players, gave up weekends, paid their keep players engaged in the sport, even
way to get to Mobile and for multiple beyond league competition.
nights of lodging, and spent hours at the
50 courts of the Mobile Tennis Center. 2. Share information about being a The steady hand of Cookie
Guarini (below, right) helped
Having never worked a USTA League USTA League team captain or an event ensure that the more than
championship event, I was assigned to volunteer. We need to identify the 1,500 league players all had
a winning time at the USTA
work with Guarini. She showed me the future “Cookies” out there, play to their Southern Section Combo
ropes, and it was obvious how many interest in league tennis and ensure the Championships in Mobile.
C O U RT E S Y C O O K I E G UA R I N I A N D U S TA S O U T H E R N

[Link] February 2019 TennisIndustry 17

TennisIndustry

StringPlaytest
Playtester
Ratings:
Ease of Stringing
(compared to other strings)
Much easier: 2
Somewhat easier: 3
About as easy: 14
Not quite as easy: 4
Not nearly as easy: 1
Overall Playability
(compared to the string played most often)
Much better: 0
Somewhat better: 4
About as playable: 6
Not quite as playable: 8
Not nearly as playable: 6
Overall Durability
(compared to other strings of similar gauge)
Much better: 3
Somewhat better: 9
About as durable: 10
Not quite as durable: 2
Not nearly as durable: 0
EQUIPMENT Rating Averages
From 1 to 5 (best)

Signum Pro Playability: 3.4

Durability: 4.1

Yellow Jacket 16
Power: 3.4
Control: 3.7
Comfort: 3.1

By Greg Raven
Touch/Feel: 3.1
Spin Potential: 3.8

S
Holding Tension: 3.1
Resistance to Movement: 3.8

ignum Pro Yellow Jacket The coil measured 40 feet, 6 inches. tests, with playtesters receiving
is a high-tech geometric The diameter measured 1.31 mm prior unmarked strings in unmarked pack-
monofilament polyester to stringing, and 1.27 mm ages. The average number of hours
string. Signum Pro tells us after stringing. We recorded a string- playtested was 26.9.
Yellow Jacket uses new bed stiffness of 67 RDC units immedi- Installing Yellow Jacket at first seems
materials and state-of- ately after stringing at 60 pounds in a to be no different from many other
the-art manufacturing. It is available Wilson Pro Staff 6.1 95 (16 x 18 pattern) polyester strings, as the six-sided cross-
exclusively from Tennis Warehouse. on a constant-pull machine. section is not so aggressive that it is
Yellow Jacket is designed to give After 24 hours (no playing), string- immediately apparent. You might notice
attacking intermediate and advanced bed stiffness measured 63 RDC units, that your clamps grab the string differ-
players the control they need. In addi- representing a 6 percent tension loss. ently depending on the orientation of
tion to its low-powered and predictable Our control string, Prince Synthetic the string, and when weaving crosses you
response, this string has a hexagonal Gut Original Gold 16, measured 78 RDC can feel the edges on the main strings.
shape for maximum bite. The result is units immediately after stringing and No playtester broke the sample dur-
massive spin potential. Yellow Jacket is 71 RDC units after 24 hours, repre- ing stringing, five reported problems
available in 16 and 17L in optic yellow. It senting a 9 percent tension loss. In lab with coil memory, four reported prob-
is priced at $9.99 for sets of 40 feet. testing, Prince Synthetic Gut Original lems tying knots, one reported friction
For more information or to order, has a stiffness of 217 and a tension loss burn, and one reported other problems.
contact Tennis Warehouse at 800-883- of 11.67 pounds, while Signum Pro Yel-
6647, or visit [Link]. low Jacket 16 has a stiffness of 188 and
C O U RT E S Y S I G N U M P R O

On the Court
Be sure to read the conclusion for more a tension loss of 16.08 pounds. Yellow Playtester feedback indicates that
information about getting a free set to Jacket 16 added 18 grams to the weight Signum Pro Yellow Jacket’s character-
try for yourself. of our unstrung frame. istics are heavily biased toward durabil-
The string was tested for five weeks ity. In fact, that was its highest-scoring
In the Lab by 29 USRSA playtesters, with NTRP category: Yellow Jacket is the sixth
We tested the 16-gauge Yellow Jacket. ratings from 3.5 to 5.5. These are blind most durable string of the 200 strings

18 TennisIndustry February 2019 [Link]

 TennisIndustry

we have playtested for publication.

Yellow Jacket’s scores were excellent FREE PLAYTEST STRING PROGRAM
in Resistance to Movement and Spin Signum Pro will send a free set of Yellow Jacket 16 to the first 500 USRSA members who cut out (or copy) this coupon and
send it to: USRSA, Attn: Signum Pro String Offer, 310 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North, Suite 400, Birmingham, AL 35203 or
Potential, and well above average in fax to 760-536-1171, or email the info below to: stringsample@[Link]. Offer expires Feb. 15. Offer only available
Power. These high scores put Signum to USRSA members in the U.S.
Pro Yellow Jacket well above average in Name: _______________________________________
USRSA Member number: _________________________
overall scoring. Phone: ______________________________________
One playtester reported premature Email: _________________________________________
fraying or peeling, one reported buzzing, If you print your email clearly, we will notify you when your sample will be sent.

and five reported notching. None of the

playtesters broke the sample during play.

Conclusion
The Durability scores of Signum Pro
Yellow Jacket are impressive. Com-
bined with its scores for Spin Potential,
this is a string to consider for juniors
and heavy-hitters. When Yellow Jacket
becomes available in reels, as is antici-
pated, the string price should drop to
below $8 per restringing.
If you think Signum Pro Yellow
Jacket might be for you or your cus-
tomers, fill out and return the coupon
to get a free set to try.

Playtester Comments
“This was very nice to the feel and
touch as a serve-and-volleyer. I
would recommend this string to
others.” 4.0 male serve-and-volley
player using Wilson Ultra 105 strung at
45/48 pounds LO (Ytex Quadro Twist/
Ytex Sintex 16)

“Excellent strings; durable, impart

well-above-average spin, decent
power, touch is above average. I
recommend this string to 4.0 play-
ers.” 4.0 male all-court player using
Head MicroGel Radical MP strung at
56 pounds CP (Tourna Black 7/Tourna
Synthetic Gut Armor 17)

“I am not a poly player. This string

had good spin and durability. String-
ing was comparable to other edged
polys.” 4.5 male all-court player using
Yonex VCore Pro strung at 50 pounds
CP (Yonex Rexis 16)

“Good overall string. A little lacking

in power but good control and touch.
Playability was very good. My only
issue was that it lost tension early.”
5.0 male all-court player using Head
Instinct strung at 57 pounds LO (Head
Sonic Pro 16)

[Link] February 2019 TennisIndustry 19

 TOM Conference Schedule
(Subject to change; visit [Link] for the
latest schedule and speakers or call the TIA at 843-686-3036.)
Powered by the Tennis Industry Association

YOU’RE INVITED!
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 23
8:00 a.m. Welcome & TIA Industry Insights
8:30 a.m. Creating a “Disney Experience” at Your Business
9:30 a.m. How to Physically Transform, Modernize and
Reinvent Your Facility
There’s still time to attend the inaugural Racquet & Paddle Sports 10:30 a.m. Networking Break
Conference (RAPS), which will be Jan. 23-25 at the Orange County 11:00 a.m. TOM Talk #1 – Innovative Marketing Promotions
& Programming to Drive & Retain Business
Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando, Fla.
12:30 p.m. Networking – Visit RAPS Vendors
The RAPS will include the Tennis Industry Association’s sixth annual 1:15 p.m. Hiring & Staffing for Success
Tennis Owners & Managers (TOM) Conference, with an expanded 2:15 p.m. The New ‘Business’ of Tennis Development –
focus on facilities, innovation and technology, and showcasing top Connecting Corporate & Local Businesses
experts and consultants. The TOM includes the popular “TOM Talks” to the Sport
series, the fourth edition of the Innovation Challenge, Friday afternoon 3:00 p.m. Travel to USTA National Campus at Lake Nona
breakout sessions and multiple networking opportunities. There will 3:30-7:00 p.m. Innovation & Technology Demo Day +
be both a 60-foot universal court and a full-size padel court set up in Welcome Party at USTA National Campus
Lake Nona Experience XX19
the OCCC so attendees can play various court sports and try out new
equipment.
THURSDAY, JAN. 24
For the TOM, registration for all three days is $395 for TIA members
8:30 a.m. TIA Tennis Innovation Forum & Challenge
and $495 for non-members, but daily registration options are available (Winner Announced)
(visit [Link]). 9:30 a.m. The Changing World of Racquet & Paddle Sports
Admission is free to the RAPS demonstration, exhibition and – Meet the Leaders!
networking events at the OCCC and also at the Jan. 23 afternoon 10:30 a.m. Networking Break
Demo Day and Industry Welcome Party at the USTA National Campus. 11:00 a.m. TOM Talk #2 – Connecting & Cashing in on
RAPS registrants (visit [Link] ) also will have Pickleball and Other Short Court Sports
complimentary admission to the PGA Merchandise Show also taking 12:30 p.m. Networking – Visit RAPS Vendors
place at the OCCC, which annually attracts 40,000-plus attendees. 1:30 p.m. How to Keep Your Players Engaged and Your
Pros Employed
1:50 p.m. TOM Talk #3—Positioning Tennis as a Fitness/
Exhibitors at the 2019 Racquet & Paddle Sports Conference Wellness Sport–Become a Tennis Wellness Center
3:00 p.m. “Club Talk”—Model Clubs and Best Practices
(* = TIA member; + = Also will be exhibiting at Lake Nona Experience XX19)
4:30 p.m. Networking Break
10-S * Foundation Tennis * Pickleball Central
Action Floor Systems Franklin Sports + Playmate Tennis Machines FRIDAY, JAN. 25
AER-FLO Frasure Reps * by Metaltek * +
8:30 a.m. Implementing UTR Into Your Business
AfterShokz Fromuth * PT Bench +
Athletic DNA Sports GMB RacquetDesk * + 9:00 a.m. Your Guide to Online Tennis Facility
Apparel Inc. Gorilla Gold Rally 78 Management Software
Babolat USA * + Grand Slam Tennis San Soleil 10:00 a.m. Networking Break
Ballbutton HAR-TRU + Selkirk Sport LLC + 10:30 a.m. TOM Talk #4—Winning Digital Marketing
Best Lights Inc. * Head/Penn * + Sofibella Strategies
BloqUV/CoolSport Kourts * Tecnifibre * + 11:45 a.m. Where We Are Headed?—Open Forum
Clear Span Fabric Lija TennisSource * 12:30 p.m. Networking Break
Structures * Lucky in Love Unique Sports Products
1:30-3:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions (Perfect Leadership is as Easy
Cooler Tennis LLC Mantis + USA Shade
as Counting to 10; Pro Shop Strategies–Staying
Court Reserve * NGI Sports * Wilson Sporting Goods * + Relevant in an E-Commerce World; Learn How to
Dunlop Sports * + OnCourt OffCourt * + Yonex Corp. * + Create and Implement a Google Ads Campaign)
20 TennisIndustry February 2019 (As of 12/20/18)
For questions or more information, contact Elizabeth Reed at ereed@[Link] or 203-840-5699
or contact the Tennis Industry Association at info@[Link] or 843-686-3036.
OUTLOOK 2019: RACQUETS

Get Fit With the

Right Racquet
Manufacturers continue to
add flexibility and comfort
features to their frames.

 
T
By Nate Pagel

he new year brings us a wide range of

new racquets. Styles and preferences
ebb and flow, and lately we have seen
many racquet designs shift from flashy to
minimalist—including most of Wilson’s
racquets, the Dunlop CX line, and Head’s Speed, Extreme and
Instinct racquet lines.
We’ve also started to see racquets become more flexible
and softer on the arm; specifically, the success of the Prince
Phantom line, Babolat’s softening of its ever-popular Pure
Aero line, and the new Wilson Clash.
In addition to the standbys, it’s exciting to see some new
names in the racquet industry. Diadem, previously focused
mainly on strings, enters the marketplace; Snauwaert is an
old company making a new run. Both of these companies
released several racquets in 2018, with more to come.
At the U.S. Racquet Stringers Association, we emphasize
the need to “fit” players properly. With all the racquets on the
market, you should be able to help players find the right frame
for their game. Here are some of the latest offerings.

Babolat / [Link] /877-316-9435

The Pure Aero is the reference racquet for players who use Babolat's Pure Aero line
includes the Pure Aero,
spin to define their game. Babolat’s series of innovations Pure Aero Team, Pure
has further improved this frame: Aeromodular technology Aero Lite, Pure Aero
Tour and Pure Aero +.
improves aerodynamics, providing for faster racquet-head
speed; FSI Spin offers an open string pattern with oblong-
shaped grommets to generate additional spin; the Woofer
system optimizes the interaction between the ball and the
string. The 2019 Pure Aero provides excellent spin fine-
tuned with two new concepts, the results of bold technical
partnerships: Carbonplystabilizer powered by Chomarat for
stability, and Cortex Pure Feel powered by Smac for feel.

22 TennisIndustry February 2019 [Link]

 TennisIndustry

At the U.S. Racquet Stringers Association, we emphasize the need to

“fit” players properly. With all the racquets on the market, you should be able to
help players find the right frame for their game.
P H O T O S C O U RT E S Y B A B O L AT, D U N L O P, T E C N I F I B R E , VO L K L

Dunlop / [Link] Tecnifibre / [Link] Volkl / [Link]

888-215-1530 888-301-7878 866-554-7872

Dunlop has unveiled a super pre- Tecnifibre is getting ready to release Volkl is expanding its V-Feel line
mium CX Series racquet range, which its new line of [Link] Tempo 2 with the V1 Oversize, V1 Midplus, V1
the company says is its most techno- racquets with updated cosmetics, Pro, V-Feel 1 and V-Feel 5 racquets.
logically advanced line to date. The CX which have been designed specifically V-Feel technology combines the
Series, with Dunlop’s Srixon technol- for women with the help of Playlab. company's Eva, V-Cell and V-Tex
ogy, has been developed over the past The company says it examined the technologies to make Volkl racquets
18 months to provide players with physiological differences between more resilient, absorb shock better
increased power, comfort and control. male and female players and used this and increase strength.
With players hitting the ball with information to design frames with
more spin and at the top of the rac- ideal speed, power, spin and perfor-
quet, the CX Series is designed to have mance for women players. Tecnifibre
a 30 percent larger sweetspot, giving is planning to release these racquets to
players more confidence, particularly coincide with International Women’s
on off-center hits. Day on March 8.

[Link] February 2019 TennisIndustry 23

TennisIndustry

Diadem / [Link] Wilson / [Link] Solinco / [Link]

844-434-2336 773-714-6400 310-201-0166

The Elevate is designed for the Through thousands of elite and The Shadow utilizes a new per-
all-court player who likes to take amateur player interviews, focus formance material, Liquid Crystal
aggressive swings from anywhere on groups and feedback sessions over the Polymer, which Solinco says provides
the court. The frame provides preci- past several years, Wilson says it heard exceptional strength—five times
sion and control, while still offering three central needs from today’s ten- stronger than steel—vibration damp-
enough pop for penetrating shots. nis racquets: power, control and feel. ening characteristics and resistance
The 16x20 string pattern provides To create its new Clash, Wilson says it to abrasion. The Shadow’s knife-like
excellent spin. “broke apart” every element of tradi- profile and design also reduces wind
The Nova is designed for the player tional racquet design—throat, beam, resistance and drag on swings, to allow
looking to add explosive power. The strings, head—to look for novel ways for faster racquet acceleration, head
16x19 string pattern is spin friendly to deliver these critical attributes to speed and maneuverability.
and helps add power on groundstrokes players. The result, says the company,
and pop on the serve. And with its is a frame with a mix of high-perfor-
metallic accents, it looks great, too. mance playability and accuracy.

24 TennisIndustry February 2019 [Link]

 Styles and preferences ebb and flow, and lately we have seen many
racquet designs shift from flashy to minimalist. We’ve also started to see
racquets become more flexible and softer on the arm.

Head / [Link]
800-289-7366

The new Extreme Series, played by

ATP pro Richard Gasquet, offers maxi-
mum spin on each shot. With advanced
Graphene 360 Technology, unique spin
grommets and an open string pattern, the
Extreme Series does one thing to the max:
Spin the game your way. There are three
models in the series: Extreme Pro (10.9
oz.), Extreme MP (10.6 oz.) and Extreme
Lite (9.3 oz.). All have a 100-square-inch
head size and a 16x19 open string pattern,
which is great for spin.
Head also introduces the new Graphene
360 Instinct line, which it says provides
the right combination of effortless power
and easy playability, for players looking for
a high-level of comfort along with more
power. The Instinct’s specially designed
cross-section creates a bigger sweetspot,
says the company, while the Graphene
360 technology provides greater stability
and optimized energy transfer for more
power. There are four models: Instinct
MP (10.6 oz.), Instinct S (10.1 oz.), Instinct
Lite (9.5 oz.) and Instinct PWR (8.1 oz.).
The Instinct Series is endorsed by Maria
Sharapova and Tomas Berdych.

Yonex / [Link]
424-201-4800

Yonex released its new lineup of VCore

C O U RT E S Y D I A D E M , W I L S O N, S O L I N C O, H E A D, YO N E X

racquets this past fall, featuring its signa-

ture Isometric head shape the company
says provides greater control without the
loss of power. Now, along with the original
“Flame Red” color, Yonex has added a
“Galaxy Black” colorway to the mix.
There are six frames in the line: VCore
95, VCore 98, VCore 100 and VCore Game,
along with two junior racquets, VCore 25
and VCore 26. These racquets also take
advantage of Yonex’s new Aero Fin, Aero
Trench, Liner Tech and Namd technolo-
gies for a faster swing, greater maneuver-
ability, increased ball pocketing and “ball-
crushing” spin, according to the company.

[Link] February 2019 TennisIndustry 25

TennisIndustry

OUTLOOK 2019: STRINGS

Color Schemes
Bright colors are coming back in the string market, which
continues to be driven by poly-based offerings.
By Nate Pagel

Tecnifibre / [Link] Head / [Link]

888-301-7878 800-289-7366

X-One Biphase is Tecnifibre’s premium string, combining For players looking to marry power and control with extra
natural gut-like feel, playability and power with enhanced spin, the Lynx Edge might be the ticket. Its special heptagon
durability and control, says the company. For competitive shape adds bite to the ball, which makes it a good choice for
players, X-One combines H2C and Elastyl multifilament the versatile topspin player. Head says the new co-polymer
fibers, along with Tecnifibre’s exclusive PU400 Inside pro- mixture aids touch and control. The original round Lynx is
cess. The Biphase process extends string life by 20 percent, also now offered in anthracite, yellow, green and a new blue
Tecnifibre says, in addition to increasing spin and control. to match each of Head’s racquet lines.
The company’s MultiFeel is a soft, arm-friendly string
offering excellent ball pocketing, control and dynamic play-
ability, constructed on a monofilament core.

26 TennisIndustry February 2019 [Link]

 USRSA members can use tools on [Link] to help clients find
a current string that is similar to a discontinued string,
or to search for strings to compare stiffness ratings and tension loss.

B
 
right colors are starting to shine again in tennis harshness of polyester strings, and is designed to be strung at
strings. Solinco added more gauges to its bright lower tensions. Tecnifibre tries to encourage players to steer
green Hyper-G, introduced last year, along with clear of poly-based strings by releasing new, thicker gauges of
Luxilon’s variety of colors for its popular Alu Power. its popular synthetic Multi Feel and X-One Biphase.
And Head now offers the Lynx in a variety of colors to match USRSA members can use tools on [Link] to
with its Speed, Extreme and new Instinct racquets. help clients find a current string that is similar to a discontin-
In terms of construction, polyester-based strings continue ued string, or to search for strings to compare stiffness ratings
to be the backbone of the industry. But Luxilon’s soon-to- and tension loss. For more information, contact the USRSA at
be-released Smart string attempts to mitigate the inherent info@[Link].
C O U RT E S Y T E C N I F I B R E , H E A D, LU X I L O N, D I A D E M

Luxilon / [Link] Diadem / [Link]

800-800-9936 844-434-2336

Polyester string users have attempted to minimize the Flash has a round profile that offers long-lasting
harshness of their strings by stringing at lower tensions. playability and serious durability. Flash is a good choice of
However, with lower tensions comes a loss of control. frequent string breakers looking for a round co-poly that
Luxilon Smart is the first string specifically designed to be is comfortable, says Diadem, and is ideal for hybrid setups,
strung at lower tensions, with a range of 44 pounds, plus especially with the company’s Evolution or Impulse string.
or minus 4 pounds. The goal is to provide control on full
swings while enhancing the feel on easier, finessed shots. All
of this, says Luxilon, is done while retaining an arm-friendly
experience.

[Link] February 2019 TennisIndustry 27

OUTLOOK 2019: SHOES

Solid Foundations
Footwear sales at specialty
shops turned upward last year,
leading to optimism—and
many new offerings—in 2019.
By Kent Oswald

 
T his past year may not be considered a
“great” year for tennis footwear, but it
might go down as a “very good” year,
according to data from Sports Marketing
Surveys. And that may well offer a good
foundation for optimism about the 2019 court shoe market.
While final figures for year-end 2018 weren’t available at
press time, through the third quarter, unit sales for specialty
shops were up 3 percent (vs. down 6, 5 and 2 percent in years
2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively). If trends hold, dollar sales
will rise 9 percent, year over year, to an estimated total of
$95 million, helped by an average price rise to $100.28 a pair
(through the first three quarters), compared to average pric-
ing of $95.60 in 2017, $92.17 in 2016 and $90.05 in 2015.
Past performance, as they say, is no guarantee of future
results, but the trend from red ink to black ink is always good
to see. Ideally, these shoe offerings for 2019 will continue to
help spark sales. (Prices are suggested retail.)

Head / [Link] /800-289-7366

Complementing the Sprint Superfabric (men’s, $159.95)

introduced in late 2018, the Revolt and Sprint lines will have
new iterations, both with Jan. 16 releases. The low-profile
Revolt 3.0 (men’s/women’s, $119.95) offers increased comfort
and stability for side-to-side play, while the lightweight
Sprint 2.5 (men’s/women’s, $119.95) should add to the repu-
tation, in terms of wear and performance, of a shoe created
for quick movements throughout the court. For younger
players, the Revolt Pro 2.5 Junior ($79.95) and Sprint 2.5
Junior ($59.95) provide high-performance options at lower
price points.

28 TennisIndustry February 2019 [Link]

 TennisIndustry

Past performance, as they say, is no guarantee of future results,

but the trend from red ink to black ink is always good to see. Ideally, these
shoe offerings for 2019 will continue to help spark sales.

Fila / [Link] Wilson / [Link] K-Swiss / [Link]

800-845-FILA 773-714-6400 800-768-472

From the first ball Down Under For 2019, the premium Amplifeel 2.0 The brand unveils its lightest
through 2019, Fila athletes including (men’s, $159) will have the same mid- performance shoe ever, the low-riding
Marin Cilic, John Isner and Karolina cut profile and extra support through Aero Knit (men’s/women’s, $160),
C O U RT E S Y H E A D, F I L A , W I L S O N, K- S W I S S

Pliskova will be wearing the new col- the ankle, superior cushioning and featuring new Surge technology that
orways of little boy blue/black/white rebound, and available in a new, black/ provides both cushioning and energy
in the men’s version of the Axilus 2 ebony/green gecko version. The Rush return in the heel. Also new for 2019
Energized ($110) and crystal rose/ Pro 3.0 (men’s/women’s, $129) will is an improved Ultrashot 2 (men’s/
salmon rose/white in the women’s. also have updated colorways as well as women’s, $135).
The lightweight, flexible shoe was enhanced breathability, stability and Also of note, K-Swiss offers footwear
released in 2018 with a durable durability. Options for younger specific to pickleball. The Express
outsole, breathable sockliners, and players include the Kaos 2.0 Junior Light Pickleball shoe (men’s/women’s,
thematic touches that are part of Fila’s ($79), the Rush Pro QL Junior ($69) $95) is comfortable, lightweight and
tradition of making sure outfits work and the Kaos QL Junior ($69), each comes customized with a pickleball
together stylistically, from head to toe. dressed up in new color options. sock liner and heel logo callout.

[Link] February 2019 TennisIndustry 29

TennisIndustry

New Balance / [Link] Mizuno / [Link] Nike / [Link]

800-595-9138 800-966-1211 800-344-6453

The new Fresh Foam Lav (men’s, The Osaka-headquartered sporting Nike offers the latest versions of the
$149.95) combines superior cushion- goods manufacturer returns to the light, durable and cushioned Court
ing with high-performance lateral United States with a grassroots mar- Zoom Cage 3 (men’s/women’s, $130),
support and a heavy-duty outsole. keting plan that includes sponsoring with its extra comfort at the forefoot;
The shoes, built in part by studying a handful of juniors and high-ranking the Air Zoom Zero (men’s/women’s,
where Milos Raonic’s movement on adult amateurs. Shoes include the $130) with its surprising response, feel
court exerted the most pressure, are Wave Exceed Tour 3 AC (men’s/ and styling; and the premium Court
christened “Lav” in the Canadian’s women’s, $140) supporting stop-and- Air Zoom Vapor X (men’s/women’s,
honor (“lion” in Serbian) and will be start movement in all directions for $140), built to stand up to the tough-
available in an array of colorways. elite players, and the sleek, lightweight est hard-court conditions and deliver
The company will also be providing and comfortable Wave Impulse superior control.
new options for the ultralight 896v2 (men’s/women’s, $120), with a distinc-
(men’s/women’s, $109.99) and the tive silhouette for competitive adults
996v3 (men’s/women’s, $129.99). and high-performance juniors.

30 TennisIndustry February 2019 [Link]

 The average price for a pair of tennis shoes at pro/specialty shops
topped $100 through the first three quarters of 2018,
leading to an overall rise in dollar sales year over year.

Yonex / [Link]
424-201-4800

The latest reveal from the Japanese

sporting goods leader is the Fusion Rev 3
(men’s/women’s, $140), which has been
redesigned in all-court and clay-court
versions for extra shock absorption, and
features asymmetrical lacing for a more
natural feel. The new year will also see
new colorways and an improved fit for the
Eclipsion 2 (men’s/women’s, $140), shoe
choice of Stan Wawrinka, as well as new
colorways for the stable, flexible Sonicage
(men’s/women’s, $99). All shoes feature
enhanced cushioning, which the company
tested by dropping an egg 22 feet onto the
“power cushion” material inside. Not only
did the egg rebound whole, but it reached
13 feet off the bounce.

Babolat / [Link]
877-316-9435

Babolat is thoroughly updating its

footwear offerings. The top-of-the-line
Jet Mach II with one-piece Kevlar uppers,
enhanced lateral stability and stability-
optimizing Michelin outsoles will have
striking new colorways, ranging from dark
yellow/black for men to pink/black for
women in both the All Court and Clay
versions (men’s/women’s, $140).
The Jet Mach I All Court (men’s/
C O U RT E S Y N E W B A L A N C E , M I Z U N O, N I K E , YO N E X , B A B O L AT

women’s, $110) will also be dressing up

differently, including a “Wimbledon”
all-white version. The Jet All Court Junior
($70) also receives new colorways, rang-
ing from a dark blue/black version to
“Wimbledon.” There will also be new looks
for the Propulse Fury All Court (men’s/
women’s, $120), Blast All Court (men’s/
women’s, $105) and All Court Junior ($60).
New colorways will be offfered for the
Propulse Fury All Court (men’s/women’s,
$120), Propulse Blast All Court (men’s/
women’s, $105), Propulse All Court Junior
($60) and, in a March release, the Shadow
Spirit (men’s/women’s, $105). The lightest
of Babolat’s shoes, the Shadow features a
mesh upper and venting at the midsole.

[Link] February 2019 TennisIndustry 31

TennisIndustry

OUTLOOK 2019: APPAREL

Play Time!
Modern prints mesh with classic looks in both soft hues
and bright colors for fun spring tenniswear.
By Cynthia Sherman

Bluefish Sport / [Link] Sofibella / [Link] Lucky in Love / [Link]

305-381-5024 877-696-0424 305-638-5484

Expect to see more of Bluefish Sport Sofibella’s Freya collection, which Lucky in Love’s Bloomy Dimensions
as its fresh designs get more play on ships in April, features a royal blue line sports a Long In Bloom skirt ($78)
the court. The Body and Soul Blush strappy dress with a royal garden print in crimson print and an easy-care
long-sleeve top ($72) and Perfect and flirty white trim hemline ($88). performance jersey in an 88/12 poly-
Skort with compression shorts ($84) It comes with an internal bra and lycra combination. The sporty white
are made of Bluefish Sport silk fabric incorporates UPF 50 protection in a print and Bloomy Mesh Bomber
that is moisture-wicking and odor- moisture-wicking nylon-lycra blend. Jacket is a nylon/spandex blend ($88).
resistant, with a UPF 50 rating. Both
pieces feature a unique polka-dot
mesh detail.

32 TennisIndustry February 2019 [Link]

 From classic and timeless to trendy and chic, apparel makers
are bringing fresh looks to the court with new fabrications to help keep
players comfortable and performing their best.

4 5
C O U RT E S Y B LU E F I S H S P O RT, S O F I B E L L A , LU C KY I N L OV E , B O L L E , F I L A

Bolle / [Link] Fila / [Link]

301-362-0360 410-773-3000

Bolle’s Footloose collection comprises white, black and Fila’s Heritage Collection in Chinese red, navy and white
aqua solids and modern-art inspired prints in an easy-care harkens back to classic design mixed with modern styling.
88/12 poly-spandex jersey. The black and aqua tanks feature Poised for a May debut at the French Open, the drop-waist
inset illusion netting; the black tank has a curved hem and polo dress is featured in navy ($85) and offers SPF 50 sun
drops down lower on the back with a zinc alloy metal ring protection, stretch jersey and moisture-wicking fabric,
trim on the shoulders. The bright two-tiered asymmetrical designed to keep players cool and comfortable. Also hit-
aqua skirt adds a whimsical touch to the line. Tanks range ting Roland Garros, the men’s Legend collection highlights
from $65 to $68; skirts from $66 to $70. gray-on-lime-green shades in the striped polo ($68), paired
with the white Legend short ($50). The easy-wear material
features moisture-wicking and anti-odor properties.

[Link] February 2019 TennisIndustry 33

TennisIndustry

DOI S
U TT ISNTG
AUN IDSIHNEGD FFAACCI ILLI ITTY-
Y-OOFF- T- THHEE-Y
-YEEAARR AAWWAARRDDSS

COURT CONSTRUCTION

Honor Society
Tennis Industry and the ASBA
showcase the best in tennis and pickleball
court construction and design.

I
n 2018, there were 15 tennis winners were presented at the ASBA • Seven Hills School
and two pickleball project Technical Meeting held in early Cincinnati, Ohio
winners in the Tennis Indus- December in Scottsdale, Ariz. (Sportworks Field Design)
try/American Sports Builders For more information, visit www.
Association (ASBA) Facility [Link]. —Peter Francesconi • Stonegate Community Association
of the Year Awards program. Racquet Center
Eleven of the winning proj- Distinguished Outdoor Tennis Facilities Scottsdale, Ariz.
ects were multi-court outdoor tennis (Elite Sports Builders)
facilities, six of which were at schools or Silver Award
colleges. Three of the honored facilities • Aberdeen Golf & Country Club • Wheeling High School
were residential tennis courts, one was Boynton Beach, Fla. Wheeling, Ill.
an indoor tennis facility and two were (Welch Tennis Courts Inc.) (Fred Kolkmann Tennis & Sport Surfaces)
residential pickleball courts.
Each year, based on entries submitted Bronze Award Distinguished Residential Tennis Facilities
by an ASBA member who designed or • Roxbury Latin School
built the facility or court, the association West Roxbury, Mass. Silver Award
selects outstanding tennis and pickleball (Stantec’s Sport Group) • Rollings Residence
facilities that meet the standard of Radnor, Pa.

A S B A / G M B A R C H I T E CT U R E + E N G I N E E R I N G ; A S B A / L O W E R B R O S. C O. I N C.
excellence in design and construction • Apex Tennis Center (Pro-Sport Construction Inc.)
determined by the judging committee. Arvada, Colo.
While the panel of judges deemed 17 (Renner Sports Surfaces) • Fenner Residence
projects to be worthy of special recogni- Chester Springs, Pa.
tion, three of the tennis winners were • Cedarburg School District (Pro-Sport Construction Inc.)
chosen for Outstanding honors: Cedarburg, Wis.
(Fred Kolkmann Tennis & Sport Distinguished Residential
• University of Michigan– Surfaces LLC) Pickleball Facility
William Clay Ford Courts
in Ann Arbor, Mich. • East Kentwood High School • K. Cove Court
• The Watkins Residence Kentwood, Mich. Austin, Texas
in Birmingham, Ala. (GMB Architecture + Engineering) (Ace Surfaces North America Inc.)
• Apex Indoor Tennis Center
in Arvada, Colo. • Village of Greendale The deadline for the 2019 Outstanding
Greendale, Wis. Facility-of-the-Year Awards is June 1,
In addition, the new residential (Fred Kolkmann Tennis & Sport Surfaces) and awards will be presented at the
pickleball court at the Cunningham 2019 ASBA Technical Meeting, to be
Residence, also in Birmingham, took • Guilford Tennis Center held in Orlando, Fla., Dec. 5-10. For
Bronze Award honors. Rockford, Ill. details, contact the ASBA at 866-501-
Awards for the Outstanding winners (Fred Kolkmann Tennis & Sport Surfaces) ASBA, info@[Link], or visit
and recognition for the Distinguished [Link].

34 TennisIndustry February 2019 [Link]

 TennisIndustry

OUTSTANDING OUTDOOR TENNIS FACILITY OF THE YEAR

University of Michigan–William Clay Ford Courts / Ann Arbor, Mich.

With deteriorating asphalt competition courts, the Nominated By: GMB Architecture + Engineering
University of Michigan decided to move forward with a Architect/Engineer: GMB Architecture + Engineering
post-tension concrete solution for 12 courts, arranged in No. of Courts: 12
four batteries of three courts each. The courts are tiered in Surface: California Sports Surfaces
two different elevations, so new subsurface drainage was Nets, Fence Posts: Douglas Sports
installed. New fencing, walkway connectors, court equip- Windscreens: Putterman Athletics
ment and windscreens complete the award-winning project.

RESIDENTIAL PICKLEBALL BRONZE AWARD

Cunningham Residence / Birmingham, Ala.

This new cushioned pickleball court, with LED lighting, Nominated By: Lower Bros. Co. Inc.
replaced a swimming pool, which was filled in and compacted. Specialty Contractor: Lower Bros. Co. Inc.
For extra protection against possible settling, the post- Surface: California Sports Surfaces
tension concrete sub-base included additional reinforcement Lighting: LSI Industries
over the filled pool location. Access to the site was limited and Net, Posts: Putterman Athletics
required a temporary road around one side of the house, but
supplies still had to be brought in by small vehicle or hand.

[Link] February 2019 TennisIndustry 35

TennisIndustry

OUTSTANDING INDOOR TENNIS FACILITY OF THE YEAR

Apex Indoor Tennis Center / Arvada, Colo.

This new 36,000-square-foot, climate-controlled tennis Nominated By: Renner Sports Surfaces
center features four post-tension concrete courts, with LED Architect/Engineer: KWS Engineers
lighting, in two batteries separated by a central viewing area. Specialty Contractor: Renner Sports Surfaces
The main entry features a large control/check-in desk with No. of Courts: 4
an outdoor service window for exterior court player check- Surface: RSS Coatings–Renner Sports Surfaces
in, two staff offices, a lounge/social area and restrooms. Nets, Posts, Netting: Douglas Industries
There is also a large covered patio for social gatherings.

OUTSTANDING RESIDENTIAL TENNIS FACILITY OF THE YEAR

Watkins Residence / Birmingham, Ala.

C O U RT E S Y A S B A / R E N N E R S P O RT S S U R FA C E S ; A S B A / L O W E R B R O S. C O. I N C.

To accommodate the sports needs of an active family of Nominated By: Lower Bros. Co. Inc.
five, this new asphalt tennis court was cut into the side of a Specialty Contractor: Lower Bros. Co. Inc.
hill, with a retaining wall on three sides, so that there was Surface: California Sports Surfaces
enough room on the property to add a swimming pool. The Lighting: LSI Industries
owner chose an attractive wood frame fence with welded Nets, Posts: Putterman Athletics
wire fabric, and light pole locations were incorporated into
the 8-inch members of the fence system for a clean look.

36 TennisIndustry February 2019 [Link]

TennisIndustry

AskTheExperts

A: USRSA members can access the

Racquets Network to send requests
for discontinued racquets to other
members, then deal with them directly
to obtain the frames your customers
seek. Contact the Racquets Network at
racquets@[Link].
Or, take the specifications from your
customer’s racquet and use the Racquet
Selector tool at [Link] to
find current racquets that best match
the old frame. You may not find an
exact replacement, but often you can
find something close. Then use the Rac-
quet Customizer at [Link]
to match the new racquet to the old one.

Starting the Crosses

Q: When you start your cross strings,
does it make a difference if you start at
the throat or at the head?

Portable Stringing Second, different machines employ

different tensioning models. Without
Machine doing direct comparisons, there is no
way of knowing if an Alpha, Babolat,
Q: I need a constant-pull machine to Gamma, Pacific, Tecnifibre, Tourna or
match the quality of the stringing of the other machine produces results similar
four Wilson Baiardos we have at the to those of your Wilson machines. A: Yes, it makes a difference. Start-
shop—but it needs to be light enough Because it sounds as though you want ing the crosses at the head is much
to transport without having to disas- a machine that spends most of its time better for the racquet—which may be
semble it. I occasionally take racquets at the shop, you will want it to be as why some manufacturers say starting
home to string, and transporting one identical as possible to your existing the crosses at the throat voids their
of our Baiardos is impractical. Do you machines. Otherwise, you could simply warranty. (Note: There are one or two
have any suggestions? find a good deal on a stringing machine racquets for which it is impossible to
you like and leave it at home. start the crosses at the head.)
A: We should start by pointing out that This is easiest to achieve with two-
the USRSA does not recommend one piece stringing, of course, but you can
machine over another. The problem
This Old Racquet also use an around-the-world (ATW) or
you face, though, is actually more com- box-pattern technique to use one-piece
plex than it sounds. Q: A longtime customer has played stringing on frames where the mains
First, most quality machines are with all five of the newer generations of end at the throat. 
pretty heavy; gone are the days when his favorite racquet, but still prefers the
you could toss a Babolat Star 3 in the old version he’s been using for years. We welcome your questions. Email them
trunk and be ready for anything. Where does one go to find old racquets? to greg@[Link].

38 TennisIndustry February 2019 [Link]

TennisIndustry

YourServe
The most popular events are
when members have all the
organizing done for them,
and they can simply come out
and play a good singles
or doubles match.

tration form offers days and times play-

ers can select, and lists a detailed rating
scale. I make the league schedule based
on the forms—taking care to match play-
ing styles and personalities—and then
send it to all participants. They have all
their games arranged for the next six to
10 weeks, plus a substitute list. I include
a chart that lists, for each date, who is
assigned to play based on their avail-
MEMBER SATISFACTION ability, plus each player’s responsibility
for that match—i.e. supply balls, reserve
Organized Play the court, remind the other players, or
simply just show up. Once the schedule
To keep your facility’s courts filled is done, the pro’s work is over—these
leagues simply run themselves!
regularly, make everything other than the As we know, short-court forms of
tennis, such as pickleball and POP

game easy on your members­­ Tennis, are becoming more popular.

You can easily capture this business by
using temporary lines or nets, or adding
By Betsy Heidenberger these lines when resurfacing courts. At
the CCRA Swim & Tennis Club, we’re

A
fortunate to have two courts for pickle-
ball and two for POP Tennis. I can now
s a longtime teaching pro prompt with these times. Starting late offer events for these sports, too, and
and director of tennis, and going past the ending time is disre- we feel they will continue to bring out
nothing is more satisfy- spectful to your participants, who often more generations of racquet enthusi-
ing than looking out at have tight schedules and family and asts to your courts.
the courts and seeing social obligations. Try new events each season. It will
each one occupied with people enjoying Also, players want to be sure they’ll be fun and satisfying for you to know
this great sport. But how do you keep be evenly matched, in order to have a that you’ve put together exciting, active
players coming back, and more impor- fun experience. Advanced players are events for your members. And your
tantly, coming out to your courts? not keen to participate in club events members will appreciate those efforts.
I’ve found the most popular events if they think they’ll be matched with a
are when members have all the organiz- beginner. That said, mixed-level social
ing done for them, and they can simply tennis events can certainly be success- A USPTA pro since
come out and play a good singles or ful, as long as all players are aware of 1984, former WTA
doubles match. Today, recreational this when registering. tour player Betsy
Heidenberger is
players are hesitant to make a full day I’ve had great success by organizing
director of tennis
or full weekend commitment. Two- and an Interclub Doubles League. This is at CCRA (Chevy
three-day events are just not popular as non-competitive among the club
SHUTTERSTOCK

Chase Recreation
they once were, as players have other members, who simply show up at their Association) Swim
commitments and time constraints. assigned time to play a fun doubles and Tennis Club in
I conduct events with specific, stated match (men’s, women’s and mixed). Maryland.
start and stop times—and I aim to be The Interclub Doubles League regis-

40 TennisIndustry February 2019 [Link]

 February 2019

USPTA Elite Professionals

Larry and Susan Kline.

[Link] 41 12/26/2018 [Link] AM

 USPTA FROM THE CEO

5,920
were some who did not think that we the 2018 Innovative Tennis Event of the
would stick to our guns when faced with Year in the Tennis Industry Champions
the attrition that would likely come from of Tennis issue! That is a special tribute
those who did not think that continuing to Feisal Hassan, Sara Morse, Ajay Pant
education was important. The board of and Jose Pastrello who engineered the
directors said otherwise. entire workshop. The next scheduled
We are now five years into the Leadership Academy is set for April
mandate that every member be required 12-14 right here at our USPTA World
to get those six credits of continuing Headquarters.
education. It is now part of our daily Talk about innovative, our partnership
dialogue. Divisions are doing a fantastic with TPI and RacquetFit is another
job of serving up regional education example of cutting-edge education. Led
days, lunch and learns, workshops, etc., by Dr. Greg Rose and Dr. Sean Drake,
all to make it easier for our members to there were four Level One certifications
get the education that they need. Not conducted nationally in 2018 and
only is it education that they need, but there will be at least six locations for
John R. Embree
it is education that they want! In fact, RacquetFit certification workshops in
USPTA CEO there were 125+ educational events 2019: the second of which will also be
conducted in 2018 with 4,100+ USPTA right back in Lake Nona on March 29 -

A nyone got any idea what this

number means? And, why would I
title my message with it?
members participating.
Nationally, [Link]
is a terrific platform to pick up credits
30. As some of the participants have told
me, “RacquetFit will change the way
one teaches tennis forever!” That is high
As everyone knows, we require our and we continue to offer regular praise. You owe it to yourself to make
members to take 12 hours or six credits webinars. If you are unable to sit in on one of those certifications.
of education every three years. We one of the sessions, you can always go Education and certification are the
started this program back in 2014 with to [Link] and listen to primary drivers of our Association. It
the expressed purpose of elevating the course at no charge at whatever has been and always will be our primary
the standards of our tennis-teaching time is convenient for you. By the way, focus. Thus, you will be hearing a
professionals and coaches (our mission). [Link] has recently great deal about compliance of the 12
Having completed one three-year cycle undergone a makeover and should be hours and six credits over the coming
at the end of 2016, the next three-year easier to navigate on either your phone, months. And, you guessed it, there
cycle ends on Dec. 31, 2019. tablet or computer. are 5,920 current USPTA members in
You may or may not be aware that In addition, we launched the USPTA good standing who have until Dec. 31 to
when the first education cycle ended, 9 Leadership Academy in July of last year complete this obligation.
percent of our domestic membership did to rave reviews. In fact, if you read last Don’t wait until the last minute. Get
not comply and were therefore dropped month’s Tennis Industry Magazine, the started on the road now.
from our membership rosters. There USPTA Leadership Academy was voted Two other quick tidbits: 1) Anyone
wishing to interview for a position on the
National Board of Directors must submit
their application on or before Feb 15.,
2019. 2) The national awards deadline
for submission is Mar. 18, 2019. Those
awards will be announced and awarded
at the 2019 USPTA World Conference in
Las Vegas in September.
On so many different levels, 2019 is
going to be a year of unprecedented
change for tennis and the USPTA. What
Members can earn their CEU’s by attending workshops such as the USPTA does that mean? More to come…thanks
Leadership Academy, which was named 2018 Innovative Tennis Event of the Year by to you all for making yourselves better as
Tennis Industry Magazine. professionals. *

42 - USPTA ADDvantage Magazine — February 2019

[Link] 42 12/21/2018 [Link] PM

 Our Story
A passionate company with unique history

Led by founder Jim Fromuth and CEO Pat Shields, we are

a tennis wholesale distributor based in West Lawn, PA.
We first opened our doors nearly 50 years ago. The Fromuth Family
liked and played the game of tennis, so they bought a stringing
machine and had a few tennis frames to sell in the shop. In the late
1970s, tennis began to be televised and business took a different
direction. Fromuth Tennis was born. As the tennis industry grew, so did
our selection of racquets, strings and apparel. We began helping small
pro shops get the product they needed to boost their own business.
Then & Now Today, we have a 25,000 sq. ft. warehouse. On a busy day in
CEO Pat Shields and August, UPS trucks are lined up outside waiting to load more
Founder Jim Fromuth than 800 packages. Although bigger, we are still a family-owned
operation with more than 70 employees who share a passionate
drive for tennis and helping our customers.

Since 2006
USTA Fromuth is the Official Distributor of Nike Footwear
National
and Apparel to the USPTA
Campus
Pro Shop

We lead all operations including staffing, merchandising

and stringing services at the USTA National Campus Pro
Shop. This 2,800 sq. ft. store in the Welcome Center of USTA
National Campus features the newest product releases from
top tennis brands such as Nike, adidas, Babolat, HEAD and
Wilson, as well as unique National Campus memorabilia.

For more then 10 years we have provided Nike

product to USPTA members. We are proud of our
relationship with an exclusive community of
tennis-teaching professionals and coaches
promoting excellence in the tennis industry. USPTA
members receive a 30 percent discount off retail
prices when purchasing Nike goods through Fromuth.
The Official Distributor of Nike Footwear & Apparel to the USPTA.
[Link]

[Link] 43 12/21/2018 [Link] PM

 [Link] 44 12/21/2018 [Link] PM
18-2439_US_ADDvantage_February_TE_Ad.indd 1
[Link] 45 12/21/2018 [Link] PM
11/28/18 1:36 PM
 USPTA VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
not as stressful as the times they • When we stuck to our guns on the
are discussing who gets to pick the education component of tennis
restaurant the family will eat at. The professionals, not only did we stay
result is decided, and you move on as true to our mission statement, we
a family. The kids still watch out for also provided the best and most
each other, they still want to help each updated product to our extended
other, and they still play games with family members (our clients).
each other.
At this point, you might be asking • We listened to our family members
yourself, “How in the world this

WE ARE FAMILY
that have faced difficulties when it
even relates to the USPTA?” Well, comes to paying the full amount of
here it goes: dues or might be scared to spend
Over the last 12 – 18 months, money during that time of the year.
Mark S. Faber
there has been great discussion What we have done is create various
USPTA National Vice President on the USTA Accreditation and payment plan options for our current
education standards. There has been and future members.

O ne of the definitions of family

in the Merriam-Webster reads
like this: “A group of people united
discussion on the fees we charge to
be a member of our Association and
not to mention ways we can help our
I know this is just a simple snap
shot of a few items in which our family
by certain convictions or a common fellow brothers and sisters that have has not always agreed with each other
affiliation: FELLOWSHIP.” By this been greatly affected by wildfires and 100 percent. Let’s acknowledge the
definition, it is very simple to say hurricanes. Healthy discussion is difficulties that some of our members
that the members and divisional and certainly good and something that is might be facing and step up to help those
national staff are truly a family. Sure, needed to make sure that all angles in need. We are no different than other
we all have a passion for the sport of are considered. Let us break each one families: we disagree, love and in the end,
tennis. However, that is not where it of these items down. care for each other.
stops, and that is what I would like to As we continue to move forward
address in this article. • The USTA Accreditation is something in raising the standards of teaching
As with all families, you are not we have been working through in the industry, we look to you to
always going to agree on things. There weekly on behalf of the USPTA bring more people into “OUR” family.
are ranges of disagreements for sure. family. We believe in the end, based If you have friends that are part of
Heck, just this morning my kids on the feedback we have received other associations, we have made
were discussing if they were going throughout the process, this will their transition into our family
to watch the Great American Light make our family stronger and more easy and that can be found at [Link]/
Fight or Trolls. This was certainly relevant in the industry. PTREquivalency. If you have friends
that are not certified, invite them to
a family gathering (education event)
and let them experience the bond that
USPTA members share. As a reminder to
you, by bringing in new members, you as
the member, benefit through our newly
revamped AIM program. Follow this link:
IN
[Link]/USPTAAIM so you can assist in
growing our family and help yourself in
the process.
As I shared in my first vice president
message: “ This is OUR USPTA” and that
means that this is “OUR” family. I am
very proud of our family and what it has
Invite friends to a USPTA education event and let them experience the bond that all done and continues to do to make us the
USPTA members share. elite tennis family in the world. *

46 - USPTA ADDvantage Magazine — February 2019

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 MASTER PRO CORNER
Sports Psychology f
Fun, Effort and
Self-Confidence.
“Disclaimer: Sports Psychology for Kids; Fun, Effort and Self-Confidence is the second
article from the Sports Psychology for Kids; When Should it Begin article that appeared in
Ronald B. Woods, Ph.D the Nov-Dec issue of ADDvantage Magazine.”

T
USPTA Master Professional
he fundamentals, principles and develop competence in their skills which
skills of sports psychology should be builds and nurtures self-confidence.
Having been a USPTA member for the foundation of youth tennis from the The number one reason that kids
over 40 years including serving very beginning when kids start to play play sports is “fun” and similarly, if they
as president of USPTA Middle sports. We believe that means starting become sports dropouts, they typically
States, member of the Executive from ages 5-6 and building on those basic report that a sport is no longer “fun.” As
Committee and frequent speaker skills through ages 7-12. In our previous adults, we often think of “fun” for kids
at both national and division article in ADDvantage Magazine, the as laughing, fooling around with friends
conventions, he was honored as Nov-Dec 2018 issue, we outlined the and goofing off. Obviously, that type of
USPTA Coach of the Year in 1982 principle concepts along with a reasoned fun isn’t very compatible with the more
and as a Master Professional in
argument for introducing these concepts serious and achievement orientation
1984. Ron is the husband of Kathy
and skills at younger ages than most of most kids who play sports. Perhaps
Woods, who is now the director
of tennis at the USTA National coaches typically do. somewhat surprisingly even Olympic level
Campus in Lake Nona, Florida. Our goal is simply to introduce kids athletes rate “fun” equal with the pursuit
to tennis (or any sport they choose) of excellence as the primary incentives for
in a way that promotes their mental, them in their sport. (Snyder, 2014).
emotional and social development while Sports research often uses the term
acquiring physical sports skills. Coaches “enjoyment” rather than fun as it conveys
and parents have a responsibility to a broader, more robust understanding
help their children succeed by teaching of the pleasure we get from physical
and reinforcing attitudes and skills that activity and sports. When asked, young
volumes of research and experimentation athletes say they enjoy sports when they
show promote healthy development, are learning, improving, giving their best
enjoyment and satisfaction in exchange effort and getting along well with other
of the effort and energy invested in sports players. Some players crave competition
during their lifetime. against others while others shy away
E. Paul Roetert, Ph.D. Let’s look at three major foundational and would rather focus on cooperation
concepts that can help guide kids from with others to achieve a shared goal.
the first time they step onto a tennis Respect those differences and help players
He most recently served as the
CEO of the Society of Health court. We need to understand a more learn to embrace both competition and
and Physical Educators - SHAPE robust and nuanced idea of “fun” for cooperation in a healthy, productive way.
America. Prior to that, he was kids and how to produce it. At the same Recent research by Visek et al., 2017
the managing director of USTA time, young players need to approach revealed 81 different fun-factors by youth
Player Development. Roetert has the sport of tennis as a skilled game athletes which were then grouped into
published extensively in the fields activity by investing their full effort and 11 categories and ranked in importance
of coaching education and sport measuring their success by the energy from most to least important. The top four
science, including five books, more and enthusiasm they commit to the effort. categories of fun-factors were: trying hard,
than 25 book chapters, and well Within the context of exerting effort to positive team dynamics, positive coaching
over 100 articles. have fun, even novice players will begin to and learning and improving. In addition,

48 - USPTA ADDvantage Magazine — February 2019

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y for kids MASTER PRO CORNER

individual’s needs and talent. As players

build competence, their self-confidence
and self-concept rise as an athlete and
a competitor. We need to help young
players learn that self-confidence is
crucial to enjoying playing a sport
and accept that no amount of “mental
toughness training” can create
confidence alone.
In the end, whether kids choose
a high-performance track in tennis
or just want to play in a recreational
program with less intensity, the secret
to keeping them happy and having
Competence and self-confidence are the rewards for investing full effort and energy fun is the same. Make the experience
into learning and playing a sport.
enjoyable by catering to their need to
within the context of practices, athletes friend and partner who hopefully will achieve competence, self-confidence
report that they enjoy or have fun push you to perform beyond what you and satisfaction as a reward for the
when practices are well-organized, even imagined you might be capable energy expended. Help them set
feature a good variety of activities, of. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal realistic goals that emphasize process
including actually playing the game always bring out the absolute best over outcome, track improvement
and every player is involved all the performance from each other and they objectively and celebrate improvement
time with no waiting in line. During have acknowledged that neither would regularly and enthusiastically. *
actual match play, enjoyment comes have reached their highest level of play
from a challenging opponent where without that challenge. References
the outcome is in doubt, opponents are Competence and self-confidence 1. Visek, A.J., Mannix,H., Chgandran,
respectful and fair, and players can test are the rewards for investing full A., Achrati,S., Beckley,L., McDonell,K.,
their skills and strategies. effort and energy into learning and & DiPietro, L. 2015. The FUN MAPS
Investing full effort and energy in playing a sport. This becomes the pattern-matched across sex, age,
the pursuit of any activity or goal is a basis for the intrinsic motivation to and competition level: Gender and
key psychological, and life skill that keep playing and practicing and is Developmental assumptions debunked.
helps us develop our capabilities and a strong determinant for whether Presentation at the Association for
achieve the goals we set. The science a player thinks tennis is fun and Applied Sports Psychology Annual
of goal setting has been well studied enjoyable. Coaches need to use Conference, Indianapolis, IN.
and current theories within sports proven principles of how players
differentiate between three types learn motor skills rapidly and retain 2. Snyder, C. 2014. The path to
of goals: outcome, performance and those skills most efficiently. Involve excellence: A view on the athletic
process goals. Many sports participants players in the exploration of various development of U.S. Olympians who
get stuck focusing only on the outcome ways of executing shots that suit their competed from 2000-2012. Report of the
of their performance efforts and become personal style if they don’t deviate Talent Identification and Development
frustrated by results and losing. In fact, from inviolable biomechanical Questionnaire to U.S. Olympians.
researchers and personal testimony principles. Offer frequent challenges (S. Riewald, Ed.), USOC Sports
from champion athletes agree that to test their skill development Performance and Coaching Education
the primary focus should always be on objectively so they can rejoice at their Division.
“the process” which is the only thing progress and success.
we can control. Kids must realize that The somewhat magical path that 3. Vealey, R., Chase, M., and Cooley, R.,
competition is not about other athletes, a beginner follows to reach a higher 2018. Developing Self-Confidence in
but instead a contest to test your skill level of skill and competence must be Young Athletes. Chapter 9, pp. 94-105
and strategies by playing the game. In thoughtfully plotted, intentionally in Sport Psychology for Young Athletes,
a sense, your opponent is your best executed and tailored to each Routledge, New York.

February 2019 — USPTA ADDvantage Magazine - 49

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 THROUGH
USPTA
THE STRINGS:
HOW TENNIS FUELED ROGER CRAWFORD TO AIM HIGH
by DeVonte’ Martin, USPTA Public Relations Coordinator

F or 30-year USPTA Professional

Roger Crawford, the odds have
always seemed stacked against him.
Vista High School in Danville,
California and played all four
years at the NCAA Division I level
the fastest nor the strongest, but I
learned that if I could be consistent
hitting the ball over the net, I gave
Born with a physical challenge that at Loyola Marymount University myself a pretty good chance of being
affected all four of his limbs from the in Los Angeles, where he became successful.”
elbows and knees down, Crawford the first athlete with a physical After graduating from Loyola
could have let his disability limit challenge affecting all four limbs Marymount University, the Granite
him. But he found inspiration and to compete in an NCAA Division I Bay, California native became a
the drive to succeed through the sport. He also played as high as #3 in renowned motivational speaker
game of tennis. doubles, #6 in singles and posted a where he speaks at between 75 –
“People reading this may wonder, career record of 22-11. 100 meetings a year for a variety
wow, how did this guy get involved “By no means was I the best player of different industries. His clients
in tennis? I got involved in tennis on my team, but I did play Division I have included companies such
because first and foremost, it was a college tennis and people always ask as Amazon, Boeing, Coca-Cola,
sport that I could play by myself,” well how that happened,” Crawford Microsoft, Nike, Wilson, etc. and
Crawford said. “I learned how to play said. I focused on what I could do has been featured on national media
against a backboard. Tennis for me and what I could control. I wasn’t outlets such as CNBC, Good Morning
was much more than a game, it was
something that I could point to and
say, ‘I do that well’ and it made me
feel like I was like all the other kids.”
To participate in the game he loved,
he had to first learn how to hold a
tennis racquet. Crawford looked high
and low for a racquet that he could
hold on to and call his own until one
day he came across the “holy grail of
tennis racquets,” the Wilson T2000,
the game’s first stainless-steel frame.
From the look, the feel, and the grip,
Crawford knew the moment he laid
eyes on the Wilson T2000, that it was
meant just for him.
“The Wilson T2000 had two
parallel bars from the head of the
racquet to the grip,” Crawford said.
“My right finger fit perfectly in
between those two parallel bars. It
was a perfect fit and that was how I
learned how to hold a tennis racquet.”
As his game improved throughout
the years, Crawford set his sights on
playing competitively. He played on
Roger Crawford’s love for tennis started with a Wilson tennis racquet.
his high school tennis team at Monte

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 USPTA

While playing at Loyola Marymount University, Crawford became the first athlete with a physical challenge affecting all four
limbs to compete in a NCAA Division I sport.
America, Tennis Channel, Wall Street in New York. The ITA Achievement Obstacles into Opportunity,” and
Journal and many more. Through Award pays tribute each year to past “How High Can You Bounce? Turn
the motivational speeches he gives participants in the world of collegiate Your Setbacks into Comebacks.”
throughout the country, Crawford varsity tennis who have achieved Throughout all his achievements,
said he shares many of the lessons he excellence in their chosen careers. tennis has always been apart of
learned through the game of tennis. “The ITA Achievement Award Crawford’s life and the game, has
“I think there are some parallels was one of the most cherished opened doors for him that he never
that you can draw from success on the honors of my life,” Crawford said. thought would be possible.
tennis court to success in life,” said “To be recognized for achievements “When I walked out on the tennis
Crawford. “So, when I’m standing in and contributions off the court is court, I already felt like I won,” said
front of a group I’m not talking about something I will never forget.” Crawford. “Being out there and
myself, I want my motivational talks To go along with the ITA competing was such a tremendous
to be about them. I want to impart Achievement Award, he also earned blessing in my life and I wasn’t the
thoughts and ideas that can motivate more honors under his belt such best tennis player, but people would
and inspire my audiences to do more as being inducted into the Loyola say ‘gosh if you had normal hands
and be more.” Marymount Athletic Hall of Fame, and normal legs think of how good
Along with his motivational the National Hall of Fame for Persons you would have been’ and I would
speeches at Fortune 500 companies, with Disabilities, the National say ‘I’m not so sure.’ Because having
Crawford is also a frequent Speakers Association Hall of Fame hands and legs like mine, this is who
contributor on Tennis Channel and has been recognized by Sports I am. This is what I was given, and
with his weekly segment called Illustrated as “One of the most we all have a deck of cards we have
Motivational Monday’s with Roger accomplished physically challenged to play, and this was mine. But when
Crawford. But his achievements athletes in the world.” He is also I look back on my life, if I was given
came full circle in 2013 when he an accomplished author who has the opportunity to change my hands
was awarded the ITA Achievement written books such as “Think Again: and legs, I wouldn’t do it. Because
Award at the ITHF Board of Directors The Power of Possibility Thinking,” in everyone’s life challenges are
Meeting at the Grand Hyatt Hotel “Playing from the Heart: Turning inevitable but defeat is optional.”*

February 2019 — USPTA ADDvantage Magazine - 51

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 INSIDE COACHING
Create Your Path to
New Players by Michelle Brown, USPTA Elite Professional

I think every club has a program for

recruiting new adult tennis players.
How they find your tennis program may
doesn’t run into bus pickup time or an
early release day/time.
When you explain that you will
be organizing new groups to ensure
that everybody is similarly leveled,
be different everywhere. Make them feel comfortable before it helps people decide to give it a try.
Many tennis pros count on their they ever touch the tennis court: When trying something new, people
members to reach out to them. I used a simple sign up with questions don’t want to look silly, especially
Maybe you reach out through to level the playing field. Ask what their around other moms or friends. Doing
public programming via a parks experience with tennis has been. Keep this work on the front end shows a
and recreations program in your the responses light. potential tennis student that you care.
community. Both of those rely on a
person seeking out places to learn to Get staff in your club involved.
play. Everyone is a potential tennis Ask the staff at the club nursery or
player! the front desk if they will help you
How can we reach a person who find potential people for your new
doesn’t even know it’s an option to learn group. Offer them an incentive for
to play tennis? every person they bring you. It could
This question came to me as I was be as simple as a smoothie from the
trying to fill my daytime teaching hours club café or an Amazon gift card for
in order to maximize my on-court time. each person they refer and get signed
up. It takes a little bit of work, but it
Seek out clubs and online groups you is worth it!
may already belong to: Sharing my love for tennis makes
I reached out to a couple of the me positively happy. There are many
“mom” groups on Facebook and just ways to do outreach, this is one
asked…who is interested in learning that has worked well for me. How
to play tennis? I talked a little bit For example: have you been able to connect and
about me, the club and the day/time A. I’ve never seen a tennis ball before bring in fresh faces to your tennis
I was offering the group. I was able B. I’ve hit against a garage door programs? I would love to hear what
to give them a special rate (member/ C. I’ve played in high school, but haven’t has worked for you. More to come on
nonmember) and a short six-week touched my racquet since... this subject as it is always evolving.
program. They liked this short-term D. I played a lot in the past, but am For more information please visit
commitment. It’s just enough time looking to get the rust off my game [Link].*
to have fun and see some progress. I
provided racquets to those who wanted
to wait and see if they liked tennis.

Michelle has worked in the tennis industry since 2000 after getting involved
Advertise to current members,
with her daughter Jordan’s tennis lessons. She focuses on the red ball level
potential members and friends of and adult beginners. Prior to moving to the New England Division area, she
friends: worked for the USTA in Florida overseeing all junior tennis programs from red
These programs are a great way to ball to Tennis on Campus. She enjoys teaching and has just as much fun as
use slow court time. Just make sure it those learning to play tennis.

52 - USPTA ADDvantage Magazine — February 2019

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[Link] 53 12/21/2018 [Link] PM

 USPTA EASTERN HIGHLIGHT

A decade of teaching experience

at the age of 25
by Tommy Cardinal, USPTA Communications Intern

This is the first in a monthly member

(Photo courtesy of Rochester Athletic Communications.)

profile featuring members from
across the 17 USPTA divisions. Next
month will feature a member from
Florida Division.

W hen he started teaching tennis, it

was just for community service
hours during summer vacation. He loved
the sport, but teaching wasn’t something
that came easily for him in the beginning.
“To be honest, my first summer
doing this was pretty rough when I was
15,” Julian Danko said. “My boss was
always on me about talking more and
being more communicative with kids.
I honestly didn’t step out of my shell
until I realized that I was still a kid and Julian Danko playing for the University of Rochester in 2014. Danko went 9-1
during the fall season in singles for the Yellowjackets.
interacting with those kids was just
being myself.” Program Director at Empire Tennis in Health, Behavior and Society, Danko
Julian Danko started teaching group Academy in Rochester, NY. decided to teach tennis until he figured
lessons at the age of 15 at Mendon “I have a finger on the pulse of all out what he wanted to do for a career.
Racquet and Pool Club. He fell in love of our younger players at any given He’s been teaching since.
with tennis the same way many others moment,” Danko said. “I’m on court for “I did know that after college, I did
were attracted to the game: Agassi. pretty much all of our junior lessons so I want to take some time and teach and
“It must have been one of the US can really see the progress that our kids do something that really interests me
Open series tournaments on TV, and I are making and I kind of ensure that on a more personal level,” Danko said. “I
remember seeing Agassi just ripping a they’re going down the right pathway.” didn’t realize it could be a career path,
few groundstrokes, and I said, ‘that looks Danko is pretty young himself, 25 but just something I wanted to do.”
pretty cool’,” Danko said. years old, but he’s been teaching for a Danko said that when he started
After that, seven-year-old Danko decade. He’s a part of the USPTA Under teaching during high school, his father
found a “Kapow” racquet and an old 30 Initiative and said he wants to be would dog him to get certified, but he
tennis ball and started hitting against more involved in the coming years. put it off for a while until he came to
the garage. His neighbor across the “Right now with our program we’re Empire. Jason Speirs is the Tennis
street saw Danko and introduced him halfway into our third year, so we’re still Director at Empire and is highly involved
to her son who would become Danko’s kind of in the building phases and still with the USPTA as first vice president
first tennis teacher, Tennyson Saucedo. polishing our structure,” Danko said. of the USPTA Eastern Division. Speirs
15-year-old Saucedo and Danko would “But it is absolutely something I want to explained the advantages of a USPTA
walk to the public tennis courts down get more involved with.” certification to Danko when he was hired
the street for lessons. After graduating from the University at Empire.
Danko is now Head Pro and Junior of Rochester with a bachelor’s degree “Just like we ask our kids to get better,

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 USPTA
I ask my staff to get better,” Speirs said. her hitting partners out of nowhere Danko said. “They kind of kept me on
“It’s not quite as easy as we always think just because I was available at the time. her team of coaches. That was really big
it is for professional development, And then after doing a couple sessions for me, a real affirmation. Although I
but I push my staff to get certified and with me, they realized the value and the never considered myself a strong player,
understand that education is what keeps input I could provide her even when I always thought I had an eye for making
us current and separates us from a lot she was playing at such a high caliber,” other people better players.”*
of our competition. At the end of the
day, our customers are the ones who are
gonna benefit the most.”
One student who sticks out in Danko’s
mind is Raissa Lou, who now plays for Tommy Cardinal is a journalist in Orlando currently attending the University
Yale University. Lou was a five-star of Central Florida pursuing a journalism degree and is slated for a fall 2019
graduation. He has covered Orlando City Soccer Club and UCF sports for New
recruit on [Link] and
Day Review and is currently assistant editor of the Downtown Community Paper
helped Danko realize that he was a strong in Orlando. Tommy grew up in Sarasota, Fla. and spent a few years in Tallahassee
teacher when he was just 19. after graduating from Sarasota High School. You could say he was born into tennis
“She kind of picked me up as one of -- his mother and father met on the courts in Sarasota.

remembering Rosemary Luther DeHoog

R osemary Luther DeHoog, former president of USPTA
Eastern, passed away on October 25, 2018 after
a brave battle with cancer. Rosemary’s tennis career
into the Muskegon Area Sports Hall
of Fame. Earlier this year Syracuse
University and the tennis community
spanned over five decades as a player and as an instructor. of her adopted hometown of De Witt,
While at Kalamazoo College, she was a four-time Women’s NY renamed Court One at Drumlins
Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Singles Tennis Club in her honor. It is now
champion in the first singles position. Rosemary taught The Rosemary DeHoog Court.
tennis to generations of families and was a respected Rosemary was certified by the
member of the tennis community. In 1972 she started USPTA in 1972, becoming the first
as a tennis professional at Wolf Hollow Racquet Club in woman in New York outside of the
Syracuse, NY, which eventually became Drumlins Tennis Metropolitan area to do so. She was commissioned by the
Club. There she became Head Tennis Professional and USPTA Women’s Committee to write A History of the
an Adjunct Professor for Syracuse University. She owned National Women’s Committee (through 1992). She was
and operated a tennis shop at Drumlins for many years. instrumental in establishing a Women’s Liaison Network
Rosemary was a certified USPTA Master Professional, in the USPTA divisions in 1986. Rosemary was an ardent
becoming the first woman in the Eastern Division and 13th supporter of the Eastern Division. She served in several
nationally to achieve this distinction. She also coached the positions on the board, including treasurer and the second
Women’s tennis team at LeMoyne College and served as a woman to be Eastern’ s president. She was a tester and
tennis official. often hosted division events at Drumlins. Her son, Victor,
Rosemary was the deserving recipient of many awards continues the tradition as a USPTA member.
during her tennis career. Her favorites include Syracuse Rosemary’s legacy is that of the consummate tennis
Post Standard Woman of Achievement in Sports, being a professional who was kind, encouraging, and devoted
charter Inductee of the Kalamazoo College Athletic Hall of to her sport. Her achievements and her loyal friendship
Fame, and the USPTA Eastern Division honoring her with speak volumes about her. She was a genuine person who
the Tex Schwab Lifetime Achievement Award. She was participated fully in all her endeavors, on and off the
also inducted into the Eastern Hall of Fame. Most recently, court. The tennis community lost a dear friend, and we
her hometown in Michigan recognized her with induction will miss her.*

February 2019 — USPTA ADDvantage Magazine - 55

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 USPTA ENDORSEE NEWS

The Future of Subsurface Irrigation is Here

by Brandy Gentry , Har-Tru Marketing Specialist

D id you know that 3 of every 4 clay

courts that are built today are
constructed with sub-surface irrigation?
In the 1990’s, the concept of HydroCourt
transformed the clay court industry. It
was adapted early on in places like Florida
and Southern California, but now is being
utilized around the world in every climate
imaginable. In the late 1990’s the original
HydroCourt design was modified to make
it simpler to build. Twenty-four months
ago, Har-Tru’s product management team
decided it was time to modify it again,
this time with a focus on making it easier
to operate and maintain. After two years
of researching irrigation technologies,
testing and tweaking concepts, HyQ
is ready for launch, incorporating
concepts that save time and water while
simplifying operation and improving the
performance of the court. then out to the control center. The result using daily with the preinstalled water
The HyQ Court was built off the proven is a system that fills faster and responds meters on each cell.
principle of maintaining a water level to adjustments much more quickly. The future of this court is one that
with a self-regulating system that is fully The beauty of the control center is will appeal to the next generation of
adjustable. What makes HyQ different that it is completely digital. You will be tennis court maintenance personnel.
is that we’ve shifted the controls to the able to fine-tune controls with a digital The digital control panel will allow for
backend of the system. The water that touch pad and make more responsive further advancements such as Wi-Fi
enters each cell is under pressure and it adjustments within a 10th of an inch, connectivity that will enable control
circulates rapidly through the cell and increasing both speed and precision. of the system from an app that can be
This is a vast improvement over the accessed anywhere. Future upgrades will
water fill valves found in traditional also allow for reporting on optimal water
HydroCourts as they can be inconsistent usage, downtime, and more.
and manual adjustments are not easy to With HyQ, it’s easy to see and
measure. Once dialed in, there are four understand the entire sub-surface
presets that allow you to save preferred irrigation process at a glance, creating a
settings for Hot & Dry, Cool and Wet, better overall court experience for clubs
or any other conditions you regularly and court owners. HyQ is not something
encounter. This feature saves a lot of that can be retrofitted so it may be time
time adjusting every cell individually. to consider transitioning your courts,
The HyQ Court’s intelligent design HydroCourts or other, to HyQ. The
is highly augmentable and will allow new system will be available January
owners to optimize the amount of water 1st, 2019…the future is approaching
in their court which will ultimately save quickly, are you ready for it? For more
water usage and help achieve desired information, visit [Link].
playing conditions. In fact, you can even You can also call 877.442.7878 or email
monitor the gallons of water you are hartru@[Link].

56 - USPTA ADDvantage Magazine — February 2019

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 USPTA

2019 Election Information uspta 2019

T he USPTA Nominating
Committee will be seeking
candidates who are interested in
by June 1, and any challenges
to the slate must be submitted
by Aug. 1. All interested
awards program
serving on the USPTA National
Board of Directors for the 2020-
2021 term. Information and
members should submit their
application to Phil Parrish at
LFTennisDirector@[Link].
U SPTA Professionals are driven individuals who go
above and beyond their call of duty to inspire their
students to reach their highest level of performance
the application was emailed to If an election is needed, it on the tennis court and provide them with tools to be
eligible members in January. will be held in October so that successful off the court as well. The USPTA wants to
The application deadline is results can be announced by recognize members who are committed to excellence
February 15. Phone interviews November 1. as tennis teachers and as ambassadors using tennis to
will be conducted with qualified The election will be held impact people and communities.
nominees. Selected candidates online, with paper ballots USPTA is looking for deserving tennis professionals
will then be offered a live available upon request. who are growing the game of tennis as it accepts
interview during the Executive Please note that only nominations for the 2019 awards program. The 2019
Committee in April. members in good standing with Awards program recognizes accomplishments of
A nominating slate will be a certification level of Elite Pro USPTA members during 2018.
presented to the membership or higher are eligible to apply. Visit [Link]/awards.

2019 World Conference merchandise and trade Show National Awards period:

T
Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2018
he USPTA World Conference will be held at the Westgate Las
Vegas Resort & Casino in Las Vegas from September 23 - 27. The National Awards Nominations due:
2019 World Conference will feature the return of the USPTA Trade March 18, 2019
and Merchandise show on Monday, Sept. 23. For information on
National Awards Eligible members:
reserving booth space, please contact DeVonte’ Martin at devonte. Certified Professional-level members
martin@[Link] or call the national office at (800) 877-8248. in good standing*

uSPTA PARTNERS WITH INSURESTAT

O n behalf of its members, the
United States Professional Tennis
Association (USPTA) has entered into
USPTA CEO John Embree. “We are
proud to offer our members an income
protection insurance plan that allows
get back to work as a tennis-teaching
professional or begin a new career path.
“InsureSTAT is excited to partner
an agreement with InsureSTAT to them coverage in case of a calamitous with the USPTA to provide a program
provide long term disability insurance event that would prevent pros from for all member professionals to
on a discounted basis to USPTA being on-court and earning their living.” protect their hard-earned income,”
members. In the case of an unforeseen accident said InsureStat Income Protection &
“Most people don’t think about or illness, this affordable coverage Debt Relief Specialist Danny Mensh.
protecting themselves until after allows a steady stream of income for “Whether a turned ankle, bad back, or
the fact and then it’s too late,” said several years or until the insured can something more serious, a disability
insurance policy is the only way to
make sure your bills will be paid. We’ve
secured discounts from various carriers
™
to help lower the cost and make it as
easy to be insured as possible.”
For more information visit
[Link]/uspta

February 2019 — USPTA ADDvantage Magazine - 57

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[Link] 58 12/21/2018 [Link] PM
 MEMBER NEWS USPTA

Nick Bollettieri Billie Jean King Jonathan Raude Mike Quitko

Nick Bollettieri was inducted Billie Jean King was honored Jonathan Raude was named Mike Quitko, former
into the USTA Florida Tennis with the lifetime achievement Managing Director & Head of Quinnipiac University men’s
Hall of Fame. He has been award at the BBC’s Sports High Performance/U10 Tennis and women’s tennis head
one of the most influential Personality of the Year show. for NY Tennis at Great Neck. coach, was inducted into the
people in tennis. A year King, one of the greatest female Jonathan played for Boston USPTA New England Hall of
after becoming a USPTA tennis players of all time, won College, serving as a two-time Fame. Quitko, a Quinnipiac
member, he founded the 39 Grand Slam titles in singles captain and playing as high as Hall of Famer, coached for 23
Nick Bollettieri Tennis and doubles competitions. #1 singles and doubles. Along years and won 18 conference
Academy (now known as IMG In 1966, she won her first with his role for NY Tennis, championships. Quitko is the
Academy) in Florida in 1978, major singles title, again at Jonathan is the founder of first coach in Quinnipiac’s
which was the first full-time Wimbledon, and was crowned MatchPoint Entertainment, history to ever reach 500 wins,
tennis boarding school to world number one for the first a company that produces amassing a combined record of
combine intense training on time - a ranking she held for unique and memorable 526-320 (.621), going 238-171
court with custom-designed five further years (1967-1968, experiences through lifestyle, as the men’s coach and 296-
academic curriculum. 1971-1972 and 1974). music, and tennis. 149 with the women’s team.

On the Cover: USPTA Elite Professionals Larry and

Susan Kline, owners of Louisville Tennis Club. The Klines
have been married for 33 years, and during the month of
February, we celebrate USPTA couples and their love for To submit an article for
the game of tennis. publication or to submit
Share your couples photos and tag USPTA throughout member news, please visit
social media to be highlighted on our official channels. [Link]

NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS ADDVANTAGE MAGAZINE ADDvantage is published monthly by the USPTA
The opinions expressed in ADDvantage are
President...................................................................... Gary Trost Editor.............................................................................John Cornell those of the authors and not necessarily those
Managing Editor ................................................... DeVonte’ Martin of ADDvantage or the United States Professional
First Vice President................................................. Feisal Hassan Tennis Association.
Layout/Design........................................................... Gustavo Reyes
Vice Presidents..........................................Cari Buck, Mark Faber,
Editorial Assistance.......................... Tommy Cardinal, Risa Epstein, Copyright© United States Professional Tennis
Trish Faulkner, Bill Mountford, Richard Slivocka Ramona Husaru, Fred Viancos, Ashley Walker, Ellen Weatherford
Association, Inc. 2019. All rights reserved.
Circulation................................................................ Trevor Trudelle Reproduction of any portion of the magazine is not
Immediate Past President.............................................Chuck Gill
USPTA World Headquarters permitted without written permission from USPTA.
CEO...........................................................................John Embree
11961 Performance Dr.
..
Legal Counsel........................................................George Parnell Orlando, FL 32827 Cover Photo by Hans Romer

February 2019 — USPTA ADDvantage Magazine - 59

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 USPTA CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Exams, Upgrades & PTCA Wheelchair Certification 2019 USPTA Division
4 Credits for PTCA I Segment Exams,
Upgrades & PTCA
Feb. 27 – 28......................Salt Lake City, UT Conference Schedule
June. 20 – 21.............................. Salem, OR Division Conferences - 6 Credits
Feb. 2 – 3 ................. Hilton Head Island, SC Oct. 17 – 18............................. Lakeland, FL Feb. 16 – 17................ Intermountain Division
Feb. 9 – 10 ....................... Johns Creek, GA Nov. 7 – 8................................Lafayette, IN Lifetime Fitness; Centennial, CO
Feb. 11 – 12 ............................ Orlando, FL Feb. 21 – 23............... Missouri Valley Division
Feb. 13..........................North Merrick, NY
Feb. 14 – 15 .......................Centennial, CO
Platform Tennis
Feb. 21 ....................... Certification Course
Crestview Country Club; Wichita, KS
Feb. 21 – 24...............................Texas Division
Feb. 16 – 17 ............ Huntington Beach, CA Englewood, CO Horseshoe Bay Resort; Horseshoe Bay, TX
Feb. 17 ...................................Boston, MA Feb. 24 – 25 ................ Certification Course Feb. 28 – Mar. 3...........................Mid-Atlantic
Feb. 21.................................... Wichita, KS Garden City, NY Trump National; Potomac Falls, VA
Feb. 22 ................................ Mt. Kisco, NY Mar. 19 – 20 ................ Certification Course Mar. 1 – 3............................Northern Division
Golf, IL Fred Wells Tennis and Learning Center; St. Paul, MN
Feb. 23................................ Eau Claire, WI
Feb. 23 – 24 ................. Horseshoe Bay, TX Apr. 21 ........................ Certification Course Mar. 2 – 3...........................San Diego Division
Stamford, CT La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club; La Jolla, CA
Mar. 2 – 3 ................................. Rome, GA
Mar. 3 – 4 ..................... Potomac Falls, VA Apr. 27 – 28...........Southern California Division
SeaCliff Country Club; Huntington Beach, CA
Mar. 4.......................................La Jolla, CA
May 3 – 5............................................Eastern
Mar. 8 – 9 ................................ Austin, TX Mar. 29 – 30................ Certification Course Doral Arrowhead; Rye Brook, NY
Mar. 8 – 9 ............................. Lafayette, LA USPTA National Headquarters; Lake Nona, FL
May 3 – 5...................................New England
Mar. 9 – 10 ....................... Boca Raton, FL May 24 – 25 ................ Certification Course Foreside Fitness and Tennis Center; Falmouth, ME
Mar. 9 – 10 ............. Huntington Beach, CA Rutherford, NJ
May 16 – 18.........................Southern Division
Mar. 15 .......................... Minneapolis, MN North Hill Country Club; Raleigh, NC
Mar. 15 ........................... Nichols Hills, OK
Mar. 23 – 24 ......................... Charlotte, NC
Cardio Tennis May 17 – 19...................... Southwest Division
La Camarilla Racquet; Swim & Fitness Phoenix, AZ
Mar. 6......................Level 1 Training Course
Mar. 24 – 25 ...........................Burbank, CA The Lakes Country Club; Palm Desert, CA May 30 – June 2...................... Florida Division
Mar. 30 – 31 ....................... Columbus, GA PGA National; Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Mar. 22....................Level 1 Training Course
Crooked Creek Country Club; Atlanta, GA May 31 – June 1......Pacific Northwest Division
Exam reservations must be made at least 21 days Central Park Tennis Club; Kirkland , WA
prior to the dates listed. Each date includes an
Oct. 12....................Level 1 Training Course
Midtown Athletic Club; Palatine, IL Aug. 15 – 16........................ Midwest Division
exam, upgrade. PTCA I is included in the two day Western Southern Open; Cincinnati, OH
Nov. 9......................Level 1 Training Course
exam. Exam cancellations must be received no Methodist University; Fayetteville, NC Sept. 23 – 27 ...........USPTA World Conference
later than 14 days before the exam, or a cancella- Westgate Las Vegas; Las Vegas, NV
tion fee will be charged accordingly. Applicant: late
cancellation fee – $95; failure to cancel – appli-
pickleball Online education
cation fee is forfeited. Certified members: late Mar. 1......................................... Workshop
Midtown Palatine, IL
cancellation fee – $25; failure to cancel – $25 plus
the upgrade fee is forfeited. Registration for an-
May 19....................................... Workshop
Raleigh, NC
other exam will not be accepted until cancellation Watch webinars, seminars, On Court with USPTA
Jun. 2......................................... Workshop episodes, specialty courses and much more on
fees are paid. Palm Beach Gardens, FL [Link] to earn your education credits.

USPTA
skills, customer service, team building,
budgets and HR issues. This is a very
interactive course that will involve group
LEADERSHIP participation utilizing group projects and

ACADEMY
exercises within each training module.
All sessions will be held at USPTA World
Headquarters in Lake Nona, Florida.”
The USPTA Leadership Academy is laser
focused coaching on key tennis industry Information and Location:
leadership principles. Led by USPTA • Dates: April 12-14
members Feisal Hassan, Ajay Pant, Sara • Location: USPTA Headquarters, Orlando, FL
Morse and Jose Pastrello, the leadership • Cost: $499
academy will use case studies, self-
assessments and best practices and • Education credits: 6 credits + up to 9
behaviors. Additional topics to build credits for the education sessions.
a strong leadership base will include
time management, communication

60 - USPTA ADDvantage Magazine — February 2019

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