March 2016 / Volume 44/ Number 3

Transcription

Footwear
Adult Tennis
Tennis Business
The NEWEST
Bring ’em back
Key INDUSTRY
SHOES have strong with Florida’s
CONFERENCES
stories to share
MASTERS TENNIS set for Miami
MARCH 2016 / VOLUME 44/ NUMBER 3 / $5.00
COURT
CONSTRUCTION
& MAINTENANCE
GUIDE
• ITF Court Recognition Program
• LED Lighting
• Annual Maintenance Planner
• Red Clay or Green Clay?
String Selector
Find the right string
for your customers
TennisIndustry
www.tennisindustrymag.com
MARCH 2016
DEPARTMENTS
COURT CONSTRUCTION & MAINTENANCE GUIDE
5
Industry News
9
Letters
28 P
ositive Recognition
ITF Recognition provides an independent
assessment of the quality of a court for builders,
suppliers and court owners.
16 TIA News
19 Retailing tip
20 Recreational Game
22 Executive Point: Pete Smith
24 Grassroots Tennis
p.30
44 Ask the Experts
32 LED on the Leading Edge
As the technology comes down in price,
expect more facilities to take advantage
of this eco-friendly alternative.
46 String Playtest:
Tecnifibre Multifeel 16
48
Your Serve, by Dr. Alex Kor
INDUSTRY NEWS
35 Annual Maintenance Planner
5
T.O.M. Conference slated for
March 23-25 in Miami
This yearly court maintenance schedule is from
the latest edition of the “Tennis Courts” manual
available from the ASBA.
5
State of the Industry
Forum in Miami
5
Tennis Channel sold to
Sinclair Broadcast Group
5
PTR celebrates 40th
anniversary in 2016
38 Red or Green?
5
PlaySight partners with
Tennis Media Co.
6
Williams is new president of TIA
6
Prepare your juniors
for college tennis
Green clay has been the predominant
clay-court color in the U.S. But what’s
driving color choices now?
Har-Tru introduces
6
CourtPac electric roller
8
P
eople Watch
9
A
shaway expands Superkill
r-ball string family
p.34
p.38
ark Stingley joins PTR
10 M
headquarters staff
41 String Selector 2016
laymate introduces iSmash
12 P
2 TennisIndustry
March 2016
26 Footwear: Success Stories?
With new marketing strategies and products,
shoe manufacturers have some strong
stories to share.
10 Short Sets
12 PowerShares Series
announces players, dates
FEATURES
p.28
Use our exclusive guide to find the perfect
strings for your customers.
IndustryNews
Information to help you run your business
T.O.M. Conference Slated
For March 23-25 in Miami
T
ennis club and facility owners and managers should reserve their spot for the Third
Annual Tennis Owners & Managers (T.O.M.) Conference, which will be March 2325 at the Hilton Miami Downtown during the Miami Open pro tennis tournament.
The conference will bring together leading experts in facility management, programming
and other key areas to provide vital information to grow tennis businesses.
The T.O.M. Conference also will feature a Tennis
Tech Fair & Resource Center, which will give owners
and managers an opportunity to learn more about and
try out the latest products that can engage members
and players and help them manage and run their
businesses more effectively. In addition, there will
be an “Idea Fair” workshop that will include expert
panelists, along with suggestions from the wealth of
Held in conjunction with the T.O.M.
knowledge among T.O.M. Conference attendees.
Conference will be the State of the
Key speakers to date include Dr. Jack Groppel, Cliff
Industry Forum, from 10 to 11:45
Drysdale, Gigi Fernandez, Emilio Sanchez, Jim Baugh
a.m. on Wednesday, March 23
and Dr. Gerald Faust, among other management
at the Hilton Miami Downtown.
and business consultants. Tennis industry speakers
The Forum is free to attend (but
include Craig Jones, Dan Santorum, John Embree,
space is limited, so register at
Randy Futty, Pat Hanssen, Lee Sponaugle, Virgil
TheTOMConference.com) and
Christian and Scott Schultz.
will present the latest news and
Among facility owners and managers sharing their
data about the state of the tennis
knowledge will be: Greg Lappin, Simon Gale, Mike
industry, including research, trends
Woody, Fernando Velasco, Jorge Capestany, Tom
and more.
Sweitzer and Doug Cash.
“The conference will be a very interactive, handson exchange of ideas, information and best practices that attendees will find very useful
for their businesses,” says TIA Executive Director Jolyn de Boer. To register, go to
TheTOMConference.com. •
State of Industry
Forum in Miami
PTR Celebrates 40th
Anniversary in 2016
PTR is celebrating its 40th anniversary
throughout 2016.
The organization was
founded in 1976 by
Dennis Van der Meer
with support from
colleagues, including 2016 PTR Hall of
Fame inductee Billie
Jean King. PTR has more than 15,000
members in 127 countries.
PTR has grown from one general certification in the early years to five distinct
education pathways today (10 & Under,
11 to 17, Performance, Adult Development and Senior Development). PTR
also offers Level 3 and Masters of Tennis
degree programs.
PlaySight Partners
With Tennis Media Co.
PlaysSight Interactive, with its allin-one video analytics SmartCourt
technology, has partnered with the
Tennis Media Co., owner of Tennis
magazine, Tennis.com and Tennis
Tuesday. PlaySight also has added new
investors, which now includes Novak
Djokovic, Billie Jean King, Chris Evert,
Pete Sampras, Paul Annacone, Mark
Ein, Gordon Uehling III, Dr. Jim Loehr
and others.
Tennis Channel Sold to Sinclair
I
n a $350 million deal, the Sinclair Broadcast Group of Baltimore has agreed to
purchase the Tennis Channel. In a statement on the acquisition, Sinclair says it has
already negotiated deals on Tennis Channel’s behalf that will increase distribution
from 30 million subscribers to 50 million.
Tennis Channel comes with a net operating loss of more than $200 million, which Sinclair says it will carry forward to reduce future tax payments. Because of the net operating
loss, Sinclair puts the current value of the Tennis Channel at approximately
$65 million.
But Tennis Channel’s CEO, Ken Solomon, says the channel has been profitable for
the last few years. Solomon says he’ll remain with Tennis Channel after the sale and the
channel will remain based in Santa Monica, Calif. Launched in 2003, Tennis Channel is
owned by five private equity firms. DirecTV and Dish Network also have small stakes in
the channel.
Sinclair is the nation's largest owner of local TV outlets with 164 stations and has been
seeking ways to control more of the content it broadcasts. “In Sinclair we’ve found the
perfect owner-partner to accelerate scaling the Tennis Channel brand and our sport’s
expanding fan-base to the next level,” Solomon says. •
In a statement, PlaySight and Tennis
Media Co. said its common vision is
threefold:
• To shift kids from video games to
tennis: PlaySight is focused on helping juniors transition from screens
to courts using their interactive
technology to enhance engagement, socialize the sport, and improve performance and enjoyment.
March 2016
TennisIndustry 5
IndustryNews
• To reduce cheating in the sport—particularly at the junior level—through
the PlaySight PlayFair initiative. These
tournaments offer a challenge system
utilizing video replay review, as well as
line calling, analytics, and live streaming capabilities.
• To build a coalition of tennis associations, private investors and corporate
sponsors to boost the profile of college
tennis along with Futures and Challengers tournaments.
TennisBookings.com
Books 10 Millionth Court
TennisBookings.com recently processed
its 10 millionth online tennis reservation on
behalf of its client facilities. The online system is designed to simplify and streamline
front-desk operations, improve customer
service, and save time and money for tennis facilities. With this recent landmark, the
system has now been used to reserve the
equivalent of over 1,400 years of court-time.
TennisBookings.com features online court
Prepare Your Juniors
For College Tennis
Williams is
New President
of Tennis Industry
Association
J
eff Williams, the managing partner of the
Tennis Media Company, became president of
the Tennis Industry Association Jan. 1, taking over from Greg Mason of Head USA Racquet
Sports, who was TIA president from 2013.
“I’m excited to lead the TIA as we continue to promote this sport and work to increase tennis growth for all segments of this industry,” Williams says. “Greg and the
TIA board, working with Executive Director Jolyn de Boer and the TIA staff, have
done an amazing job with the many areas the TIA is involved in, and I look forward
to continue their progress toward the goals of increasing the economic vitality of
this industry.”
Williams, who has been on the TIA Board of Directors since 1990, became
publisher of the Tennis Media Company (Tennis magazine, Tennis.com and Tennis Tuesday) in 2001, was promoted to group publisher in 2003, and was named
managing partner in 2014. He’s a former chair of the USTA’s Strategic and Creative Planning Committee and president and board member of the USTA Eastern
Section. In 1985, he took over as owner, publisher and editor of Tennis Industry
magazine, titles he still holds. He is also on the board of directors for the Arthur
Ashe Institute for Urban Health. He received the Industry Merit Award from the
American Sports Builders Association in 1999.
The complete TIA board is as follows:
• David Malinowski, Adidas
• Fred Stringfellow, ASBA
• Linda Clark, ATP World
Tour
• Eric Babolat, Babolat
• Kai Nitsche, Dunlop Sports
• John Suchenski, ESPN
• Greg Mason, Head/Penn
Racquet Sports
• Meredith Poppler, IHRSA
• Todd Martin, Int’l. Tennis
Hall of Fame
6 TennisIndustry
March 2016
• Kevin Callanan, IMG
• Dr. Stuart Miller, ITF
• Mike Ballardie, Prince
Global Sports
• Dan Santorum, PTR
• David Egdes, Tennis
Channel
• John Embree, USPTA
• David Bone, USRSA
• Kurt Kamperman, USTA
• Hans-Martin Reh, Wilson
Sporting Goods
and teaching pro scheduling, online payments, online bookings for court time, event
registrations, membership list management,
“club news” web pages, and more. The system is used by all types of venues, including
commercial clubs, universities, tennis associations, country clubs, resorts and community organizations. TennisBookings is highly
configurable to accommodate each facility’s
specific configurations and policies.
For more information, visit www.tennisbookings.com.
•
•
•
•
Tom Cove, SFIA
Ilana Kloss, WTT
Steve Simon, WTA Tour
TIA Retail Representative:
Jim Fromuth
• TIA Facility Representative:
Greg Lappin
• TIA Global Council: Eric
Babolat (chair), Ottmar
Barbian, Hans-Martin Reh,
Mike Ballardie,
Jeff Williams
Looking to prepare your high school
players for college tennis? Check out
Coach Ed Krass’s 28th Annual College
Tennis Exposure Camps.
Founded in 1989, the camps are
designed for players ages 15 to 18.
The camp staff consists of current head
men’s and women’s college tennis
coaches and is committed to helping
students make the transition from junior
tennis to college tennis. Instructional
drills and match-play competitions are
conducted in the same style and intensity
as a collegiate practice session. Players
will have the opportunity to sample
various coaching styles and to receive
on-court coaching during match-play
competitions. Upcoming camps are:
• University of South Florida, Tampa,
Fla., June 15-17
• University of Virginia, Charlottesville,
Va., July 8-10
• Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa., July
17-21 & July 23-27
• Brandeis University, Waltham, Mass.,
July 30 & 31
For more information, visit collegetennis.
com or call 813-684-9031.
Har-Tru Introduces
CourtPac Electric Roller
The CourtPac Electric is the latest addition
to Har-Tru’s line of tennis court rollers, and is
available now from the company.
“Customers have indicated they want a
roller that doesn’t make noise, doesn’t make
a mess, and is easy to use and effective,” says
Terry Aasland, Har-Tru’s design engineer.
“That’s why we designed the CourtPac
Electric.”
The unit has zero emissions, and can be
IndustryNews
People
Watch
Former USTA Northern
President and former national USTA board member
Steve Champlin of Wayzata,
Minn., has been named to
serve on the prestigious
Court of Arbitration for Sport
based in Lausanne, Switzerland. Champlin is an attorney
and long-time arbitrator. CAS
is an independent provider of
specialized worldwide sportsrelated dispute resolution,
originally created by the International Olympic Committee.
The North Carolina Tennis
Foundation has selected
the late Mary Lloyd Hodges
Barbera and Mark Dillon as
the inductees for the North
Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame
class of 2016. Barbera, who
passed away last year at the
age of 49, left a legacy as a
player and advocate of tennis in North Carolina. Dillon,
55, is a Charlotte native and was one of
the state’s best junior players. He was
also the NCHSAA singles champion as
a senior.
Head player Novak
Djokovic won his 60th
career title in January with
a 6-1, 6-2 victory over
Rafael Nadal in the final of
the Qatar Open in Doha.
Fila has signed a multiyear agreement with top-ranked American player
John Isner.
Apparel maker Uniqlo has renewed its
contract with Kei Nishikori.
Suzie Heideman of Woodbury, Minn.,
has been named PTR Jim Verdieck High
School Coach of the Year. She coaches
the boys’ and girls’ varsity teams at East
Ridge High School in Woodbury.
Pro Sloane Stephens has signed a
representation deal with IMG.
The Intercollegiate Tennis Association has hired Kip Sullivan as director
of business administration. His major
responsibilities will include managing
the business affairs of the ITA, maximizing and growing business-to-business
partnerships and overseeing major ITA
events. For the last 22 years, he has
been the co-owner and chief financial
officer of Summit Record Company,
a two-time Grammy-winning record
label.
Adidas has signed Tomas Berdych,
the current world No. 6, to its team of
ambassadors.
Chris Eriksson is the Intercollegiate
Tennis Association's new Championships & Rankings Coordinator. A 2014
graduate of the University of New
Mexico, Eriksson will be the primary
point person for the Oracle/ITA Collegiate Tennis Rankings.
Asics signed two new global tennis
ambassadors: ATP world No. 16 David
Goffin, and WTA world No. 50 Julia
Goerges.
8 TennisIndustry
March 2016
IndustryNews
Letters
Tyler Junior College PTM
Your article “Class Acts” in the January issue outlined an important new
foundation to the growth of professional tennis instruction. Proper,
modern and thorough education is
essential for the industry to maintain
respect and admiration of the people
and institutions willing to pay for top
class instruction. The schools that
are creating PTM curriculum deserve praise for their commitment.
However, there was one PTM program overlooked. The PTM program
at Tyler Junior College (known as
"Tennis Tech") has operated since
1974. Led by Kimm Ketelson, USPTA
Elite Professional, there are two
programs in this department, both of
operated indoors or in covered areas. Its
single AC motor is powered by four 12-volt
deep-cycle batteries, and the CourtPac
Electric Roller is easy to maintain—simply
plug in the smart charger (included) once
the rolling is complete.
For more information visit hartru.com or
call 877-4HARTRU.
USTA Foundation Offers World
Tennis Day Packages
The USTA Foundation, the official charity of the BNP Paribas Showdown, is offering exclusive packages and sponsorship
opportunities at World Tennis Day that
includes the World Tennis Day Awards
Celebration on March 7 and the BNP Paribas Showdown on March 8. The events
will feature Showdown players Serena
Williams, Caroline Wozniacki, Stan Waw-
Publishers
David Bone Jeff Williams
Editorial Director
Peter Francesconi
[email protected]
which contain intense instruction on
the philosophy of coaching, modern
tennis techniques, programming
team workouts, creating programs
for camps and events, sports psychology, marketing and pro shop operations, an internship and passing the
USPTA certification.
As a college graduate I appreciate
the education offered by attending
a four-year institution. When I attended Tyler Junior College several
students were offered scholarships
to play on the college level. This is
extremely valuable to anyone with a
desire to coach on the college level.
The Tyler Junior College PTM
program should not be overlooked
when deciding the avenue to this
wonderful profession.
Tim Young, USPTA
Holly Lake Ranch, Texas
rinka and Gael Monfils.
The World Tennis Day Awards Celebration, held Monday, March 7, at the Essex
House in New York City, will feature the
four pro players and benefit children in
need. The BNP Paribas Showdown, on
March 8, will be held at Madison Square
Garden.
A wide range of sponsorship packages
are available—all including tickets to both
the Awards Celebration and the BNP Paribas Showdown, and many with chances
to meet the pros, attend VIP receptions,
and even participate in clinics and lessons
with the pros. All levels of sponsorship
can be further customized. Visit ustafoundation.com or contact foundation@usta.
com or 914-696-7223.
Ashaway Expands Superkill
Racquetball String Family
Since racquetball's first surge of popularity in the 1970s, Ashaway SuperKill strings
have been
a popular
choice for
players at all
levels. And
as the game
has evolved,
so have
Associate Editor
Greg Raven
Design/Art Director
Kristine Thom
Special Projects Manager
Bob Patterson
Contributing Editors
Robin Bateman
Cynthia Cantrell
Peg Connor
Kent Oswald
Cynthia Sherman
Mary Helen Sprecher
Contributing Photographers
Bob Kenas
David Kenas
TENNIS INDUSTRY
Corporate Offices
PO Box 3392, Duluth, GA 30096
Phone: 760-536-1177 Fax: 760-536-1171
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.TennisIndustryMag.com
Office Hours: Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Advertising Director
John Hanna
770-650-1102, x.125
[email protected]
Apparel Advertising
Cynthia Sherman
203-263-5243
[email protected]
Tennis Industry is published 10 times per year:
monthly January through August and combined
issues in September/October and November/
December by Tennis Industry and USRSA, 310
Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North, Suite 400,
Birmingham, AL 35203. Periodcal postage paid
at Duluth, GA and at additional mailing offices
(USPS #004-354). Mar 2016, Volume 44, Number
3 © 2016 by USRSA and Tennis Industry. All
rights reserved. Tennis Industry, TI and logo
are trademarks of USRSA. Printed in the U.S.A.
Phone advertising: 770-650-1102 x 125. Phone
circulation and editorial: 760-536-1177. Yearly
subscriptions $25 in the U.S., $40 elsewhere.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Tennis
Industry, 310 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North,
Suite 400, Birmingham, AL 35203. TI is the official
magazine of the USRSA, TIA,and ASBA.
Looking for back issues of Tennis Industry/
Racquet Sports Industry? Visit the archives at our
website at TennisIndustrymag.com for free digital
versions back to 2004.
March 2016
TennisIndustry 9
IndustryNews
Short
Sets
The American Sports
Builders Association’s annual Technical Meeting
will be Dec. 2-6 in Amelia
Island, Fla. The meeting
includes technical programming for industry
members along with a
trade show, and more. It
will also provide an opportunity for individuals
to take the ASBA’s certification exams to become
a Certified Tennis Court
Builder. Visit sportsbuilders.org.
The PTR $18,000
Wheelchair Championships, an ITF Series II
Event and a USTA Fall
Southern Championship
held on Hilton Head
Island, S.C., has been
awarded the Wheelchair Tennis Excellence
Award from the USTA
Southern Section. Julie
Jilly is the tournament’s
director.
Peter Burwash
International will serve
as the tennis facility
operator and manager
for all clubs, resorts and
development communities for The Grande
Organization.
Cliff Drysdale Tennis
will manage the tennis
programming and
facility at the Cincin-
SuperKill strings.
Today, the SuperKill family of strings—
SuperKill II, SuperKill 17, and SuperKill
XL—offers an array of playing characteristics
optimized to meet the needs of both recreational and competitive players.
nati Tennis Club for its
2016 season. Founded
in 1880, the Cincinnati Tennis Club is the
second oldest tennis
club west of the Allegheny Mountains, and is
among the 10 oldest
clubs in the U.S.
Longtime squash
pro Lee Witham has
introduced LED Squash
Lighting (ledsquashlighting.com), a new
energy-efficient,
cost-effective lighting
technology for squash
courts that eliminates
glare and replicates
daylight. Witham’s LED
Squash Lighting uses
Samsung chips and
Edge-Lit technology,
which eliminates glare
and produces light uniformity throughout the
court. Visit ledsquashlighting.com or email
[email protected].
The PTR has a twoyear partnership with
Tennis Europe in which
the PTR will be the
“Official Continuous
Learning Provider”
partner of the Tennis
CoachEd initiative,
which will provide PTR
with additional opportunities to promote its
activities throughout
Europe.
All three SuperKill racquetball strings
feature a nylon core with a high-tenacity
nylon wear surface, and offer a range of
design and construction features.
For more information visit ashawayusa.
com.
Marc Stingley Joins
The Staff at PTR
Headquarters
M
arc Stingley has joined the PTR staff
as Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator.
Prior to his move to Hilton Head Island, Stingley spent 12 years at Fred Wells Tennis
& Education Center in St. Paul, Minn., developing many of the USTA Northern’s
most successful juniors, including six NCAA DI players, two DII players, five DIII
players, and two All Americans. During his tenure as Director of Tennis, the Fred
Wells center received the PTR Public Facility of the Year Award.
USTA Northern has recognized Stingley with two prestigious awards: Junior Development Coach of the Year and Junior Team Tennis Organizer of the Year. In addition, Stingley was named PTR Member of the Year for Minnesota, and his family
received the USTA National Family of the Year award. Stingley began teaching the
game at 15 and by 21, was PTR certified. He is now a PTR Clinician, and was in the
first class to earn PTR’s highest certification of Master of Tennis–Performance. •
10 TennisIndustry
March 2016
USPTA and NetKnacks Tennis Awards
have extended their
partnership through
2017, with NetKnacks
remaining the USPTA’s
Official Awards and
Promotional Products
partner.
Top juniors Austen
Huang, 16, of Elk Grove,
Calif., and Jessica Failla,
18, of Ramona, Calif.,
won the USTA National
Winter Championships
Boys’ and Girls’ 18s
singles titles in Scottsdale, Ariz., each earning
wild card entries into
future USTA Pro Circuit
events.
McEnroe to Play
With Head Racquets
Head and tennis legend John McEnroe have announced a multi-year
partnership in which the former
World No 1. will
play with Head
tennis racquets
while competing in the senior
events on the
ATP Champions
Tour.
During his career, McEnroe,
who was inducted into the International Tennis
Hall of Fame in
1999, set several long-standing
records, won
seven Grand
Slam singles titles, and a record
eight year-end championships. He
achieved the No. 1 ranking in the
world for four years.
After his retirement from the ATP
Tour, McEnroe joined the ATP Champions Tour in 1998.
IndustryNews
PowerShares Series
Announces Players, Dates
Playmate Introduces iSmash
P
laymate introduces the new iSmash, which is the next generation of Smash
ball machine. iSmash combines the same rugged design with a more userfriendly interface that is intelligent, interchangeable and intuitive, says
Playmate.
The intelligent design allows a player or
coach to select where the balls will be fed
by just pressing on a picture of a tennis
court. Or, a player can just choose from
three simple patterns: all balls straight
ahead, feeding balls left and right narrow,
or feeding balls left and right wide. It remains upgradeable and interchangeable
with all previous Smash, Deuce and Genie
Playmate ball machines.
The iSmash is upgradeable to iPlaymate Tennis to create drills on an iPhone
or iPad, track workouts, and to allow
players to compare results with others.
Visit playmatetennis.com or contact 800776-6770. •
12 TennisIndustry
March 2016
The PowerShares Series, the tennis circuit
for champion players over the age of 30, announced its slate of player fields for its 12-city
circuit that begins April 8 in Chicago. Competing players in 2016 are Andre Agassi, John
McEnroe, Andy Roddick, Jim Courier, Mark
Philippoussis, James Blake and Mardy Fish.
Each PowerShares Series event features
two one-set semifinal matches and a one-set
championship match. Ticket and VIP experiences information are at PowerSharesSeries.
com. The full schedule:
• April 8, Chicago
• April 9, Charleston,
S.C.
• April 14, St. Louis
• April 22, Memphis
• April 23, Tulsa
• July 17, Newport, R.I.
• Aug. 21, Winston-
Salem, N.C.
• Aug. 25, 26, New
Haven, Conn.
• Nov. 4, Portland,
Ore.
• Nov. 5, Denver
• Dec. 1, Orlando, Fla.
• Dec. 3, New York
USRSA Announces New MRT
Michael Qium - Berwick, Victoria,
Australia
March 2016
TennisIndustry 13
STATE OF THE INDUSTRY
FORUM
State of the Industry
Forum March 23
in Miami
The 2016 TIA State of the Industry Forum will
be March 23 in Miami, in conjunction with
the Tennis Owners & Managers (T.O.M.)
Conference. The Forum will run from 10 to
11:45 a.m. at the Hilton Miami Downtown
and is free to the industry to attend,
however, space is limited, so registration
is required (visit TheTOMConference.com).
The event is being held during the Miami
Open professional tennis tournament.
Industry executives will present the
latest news and data about the state of
the tennis industry, including participation
research, consumer and technology trends,
tennis marketplace data, an update on the
“Rally the Family” initiative, and updates
from the USTA. The Forum also will
outline ways to better define and boost the
economic growth and impact of the tennis
industry, and effective ways to distribute
clear, consistent messaging of health,
fitness and the reasons to play tennis.
Prior to the start of the State of the
Industry Forum, registered attendees are
invited to the “Tennis Tech Fair & Resource
Center,” which opens at 8:30 a.m. and will
offer the opportunity to learn about key
trends and products that will help industry
businesses run more effectively and help
boost tennis participation.
To register for the Forum, go to
TheTOMConference.com site and select
“State of the Industry Forum.”
16 TennisIndustry
March 2016
POP Tennis Adopts
36- & 60-Foot
Courts, ROG Balls
The tennis industry has promoted
play on 36- and 60-foot courts to
help players of all ages get active,
have fun and learn the game more
easily. Now, tennis played on 36and 60-foot courts gets a major
boost through the U.S. POP Tennis
Association, which has adopted the shorter courts and lower pressure balls for POP Tennis.
“We are standardizing POP Tennis courts so the game can be played on the thousands of 36and 60-foot tennis courts already in use and being built across the U.S.,” says Ken Lindner, the
president of the U.S. POP Tennis Association and POP Tennis Hall-of-Fame player. “POP Tennis,
which is the rebranded ‘paddle tennis,’ has also adopted the Red, Orange, Green tennis balls
that have been used for many years for both youth and adult tennis.”
POP Tennis on 36- and 60-foot courts is the same as tennis on a 78-foot court, except that in
POP Tennis, the serve is underhand and players only get one serve. All other rules and scoring
are the same, as are the strokes, footwork and strategies. Currently, there are more than 18,000
standalone or lined 36- and 60-foot courts in the U.S., and USTA Facility Grants are available.
“POP Tennis is a great family activity,” Lindner says. “Just about every youngster who has
ever played POP Tennis has transitioned naturally and inevitably to play tennis. POP Tennis
helps improve your tennis game.”
“For tennis providers, offering POP Tennis will help bring more people of all ages into tennis
and drive revenue,” says Jolyn de Boer, executive director of the TIA. “POP Tennis is a perfect
fit for all facilities, especially those facing demands from short-court alternative forms of tennis
that potentially impact existing tennis infrastructure.”
POP Tennis, which will be demonstrated at the PTR Symposium and the Tennis Owners &
Managers Conference, has already garnered attention throughout the country, including a
national feature story on NBC’s “Today” show. Current and former pro players, including Maria
Sharapova, Andy Roddick, John McEnroe, Gael Monfils, Mardy Fish, Sam Querrey, and Alison
Riske, have played POP Tennis. Visit POPTennis.com for more information.
Join the ‘Rally the Family’ Campaign Now!
Tennis providers should sign up now at
RallyTheFamily.com to participate in the
industry-wide “Rally the Family” campaign to
increase tennis activity
and interest in the sport—
and to take advantage
of
free
promotional
and marketing material,
including downloadable
guides, drills, teaching
models and more. Rally the Family focuses
on tennis for all ages, using ROG balls,
shorter courts, shorter racquets and modified
scoring, along with a focus
on family spending time
together in fun and healthy
activities. Tennis providers
can sign up for free at
RallyTheFamily.com and
post programs and events.
Join the TIA . . . Increase Your Profits . . . Grow the Game . . . www.TennisIndustry.org
2016 Tennis Owners & Managers Conference
Hilton Miami Downtown, Miami, FL, March 23-25
Empowering Tennis Businesses and Leaders for a Stronger Industry!
The 2016 Tennis Owners & Managers (T.O.M.) Conference will bring together leading
experts in club and facility management and programming to provide practical
information and key takeaways that owners and managers can implement to become
more competitive and profitable.
The third annual T.O.M. Conference will be full of fresh ideas to help you improve
your operations, streamline your business, and increase your bottom line. The T.O.M.
Conference is designed to be fluid, dynamic and engaging, with presentations by
industry and sports experts, panel discussions and opportunities to network.
The T.O.M. Conference Will:
• Provide important business “takeaways”
that attendees can implement at their clubs
and facilities.
• Enhance the dialogue between owners/
managers and key industry segments.
• Identify new ways to show tennis as an
attractive activity.
• Introduce the latest technology to drive your
business.
• Provide networking opportunities, Tech Fair &
Resource Center, Idea Fair, Problem-Solving
Roundtables, Ask the Experts, and more.
What You’ll Learn:
• Best practices for managing and
compensating staff.
• How to fill your courts.
• Proven marketing strategies to build your
member/player base.
• Protecting and modernizing your most
valuable asset—your facility.
• How to improve the efficiency and
profitability of your facility.
• Building membership and retaining
members.
• Addressing your top member complaints.
• Strategic management and leadership.
• Short court tennis for adults and juniors.
. . . and much more!
Registration Includes:
• Breakfast and lunch three days.
• Admission to State of the Industry Forum
on March 23.
• Cocktail receptions Wednesday and
Thursday afternoons.
• Welcome packet with program booklet.
• Tech Fair & Resource Center with
Conference special offers.
• Discounted hotel rate at Hilton Miami
Downtown.
• Discounted tickets available for 2016
Miami Open.
Engaged & Influential Audience
Like previous years, we expect the third annual T.O.M. Conference to be well-attended with
facility and club owners/managers/operators and their key staff. Enjoy professional men’s and
women’s tennis at the 2016 Miami Open. Discounted Ticket Packages will be made available.
The T.O.M. Conference immediately follows the TIA State of the Industry Forum (March 23),
which also will be at the Hilton Miami Downtown.
For more information and to register, visit
TheTOMConference.com | Contact the TIA at
[email protected] or 866-686-3036
Dr. Jack
Groppel
Craig
Jones
Kurt
Kamperman
Michele
Krause
Greg
Lappin
Knowledgeable Speakers
& Panelists
Industry experts continue to express
interest in the T.O.M. Conference,
including top tennis facility/club operators,
owners and managers; management and
business consultants; youth tennis, adult
tennis, league tennis and Cardio Tennis
experts; and former pro tennis players/
current tennis broadcasters. Speakers and
panelists confirmed to date include:
Jim Bates, Financial Planner
Jim Baugh, PHIT America
Kevin Brandt, Retail Expert
Jorge Capestany, Facility Manager
Doug Cash, CashFlow Tennis
Virgil Christian, USTA
Casey Conrad, Health & Fitness Consultant
Cliff Drysdale, TV Commentator
John Embree, USPTA CEO
Dr. Gerry Faust, Faust Mgmt. Corp.
Gigi Fernandez, Former Pro
Randy Futty, Calif. Sports Surfaces
Simon Gale, General Manager
Dr. Jack Groppel, Human Performance Inst.
Pat Hanssen, Har-Tru
Craig Jones, USTA
Kurt Kamperman, USTA
Bill Konstand, Digital Marketing Consultant
Michele Krause, Cardio Tennis
Greg Lappin, Facility Consultant
Emilio Sanchez, Former Pro/Facility Owner
Dan Santorum, PTR CEO
Scott Schultz, USTA
Marilyn Sherman, USTA
P.J. Simmons, Tennis Congress
Lee Sponaugle, Sport Court
Butch Staples, Midtown Tennis
Gary Stewart, Virgin Active
Keith Storey, Sports Marketing Surveys
Tom Sweitzer, Orlando Tennis Manager
Fernando Velasco, Club Owner
Mike Woody, Genesis Health Clubs
Jim Baugh
Doug Cash
Cliff
Drysdale
John
Embree
Dr. Gerry
Faust
Gigi
Fernandez
Emilio
Sanchez
Dan
Santorum
Butch
Staples
Gary
Stewart
Tom
Sweitzer
Mike
Woody
Join thousands of tennis facilities across the
country as they Rally The Family!
How do you
get involved?
• Sign up to participate at
RallyTheFamily.com and
get listed so consumers
can find you, your
programs and events.
• Agree to offer introductory
and multi-week entry level
programs for all ages.
Rally The Family
. . . to play tennis!
Sign Up Now at RallyTheFamily.com
You’ll be a part of an industry-wide campaign to boost
tennis activity and interest across the U.S.
• Utilize Red, Orange and
Green tennis balls on
36- and 60- foot courts.
• Make sure your staff has
gone through the free Coach
Youth Tennis training (visit
CoachYouthTennis.com).
• Consider offering online
registration (through your
own website or options
provided at PlayTennis.com
or YouthTennis.com).
36'
Why should my facility participate in the Rally The Family campaign?
1) Attract more people and more
business to your club, tennis center
or public park facility.
4) Provide activities for important
family time, and provide families
with a health and fitness option.
2) Fill your existing programs, or help
to create new, family-focused
programs and events.
5) It is a new, exciting campaign that
is supported by the entire tennis
industry—you’ll help to support the
game both in your community and
on a national level.
3) Add new members and players,
create more demand for court time,
and increase pro shop sales.
Go to RallyTheFamily.com to sign-up as a participating site, get free materials and
listings onPlayTennis.com, Youth Tennis.com and other consumer search engines.
For more info, call the TIA at 843-686-3036 or email [email protected]
60'
Download free guides and
promotional material to
help grow your business–
including the Guide to
Welcoming Families
Join YOUR Industry
To Help Revitalize
Tennis in America!
Retailing 142
A Group Retailers
Can’t Afford to Ignore
While Millennials have garnered much of the
attention, the real power of the purse is with that
old standby—Baby Boomers.
By Cynthia Sherman
I
t’s about time Millennials share
their spending power. Millennials,
those born from the early 1980s
to the early 2000s, have been getting
a lot of attention lately, and they may
well be a driving force in trends and
culture. But there’s a group out there
that is giving Millennials a run for their
money—and retailers better regroup
and take notice.
Remember the Baby Boomers, those
born between 1946 and 1964? Research
firm Fung Business Intelligence Centre
(FBIC) reported findings that cement
the power of the Baby Boomers in its report, “A Booming Opportunity: Profiting from a Graying America.” The study
finds that Baby Boomers will continue
to be a growing consumer market in the
U.S. for the next 20 years.
“Just as they have at every other stage
of their lives, Boomers are now redefining what it means to be old,” says Deborah Weinswig, executive director–head
of global retail and research at FBIC.
“On the whole, they are healthier, richer
and more active than previous generations of older Americans. Younger
Boomers (ages 55 to 64) earn and spend
more than the average U.S. consumer,
and significantly more than the avidly
courted Millennials.”
In a Synchrony Financial report, the
numbers indicate that while Millennials don’t have the spending clout, 80
million of them will be entering their
peak consumption years. But Baby
Boomers still have the most disposable
income and almost 50 percent of retail
sales compared to about 10 percent for
Millennials.
The FBIC study shows that on
average, younger Boomers outspend
Millennials by nearly $8,000 annually
and the average consumer by $5,000,
with money being spent across most
categories. Boomers will control more
than half of all dollars spent on grocery
foods in 2015, with a particular focus on
health and wellness/fitness.
Startlingly, only 10 percent of U.S.
marketing dollars target this demographic, as preconceived notions of
aging linger.
“A persistent myth about older adults
is that they are baffled by high-tech
devices and shun the digital world,”
a Synchrony Financial report noted.
Boomers are very comfortable shopping, browsing and researching online,
and while Millennials and Boomers
use their digital devices for different
purposes, the notion that Boomers
aren’t technically engaged with their
digital devices couldn’t be further from
the truth.
The grandparent market also will
be a huge source of potential retail
sales, with reports estimating that the
number of grandparents will increase
from 65 million in 2010 to 80 million
in 2020.
One rare area where Boomers appear
to have limited their purchases—women's apparel, especially in fitness and
sports—may simply be the result of lack
of product. “Older women, especially
those in professional jobs, are limit-
ing apparel purchases because they are
frustrated with the current styles and
selections available, which seem to them
as either too dated or too youthful,” the
FBIC study concluded. Tennis apparel
and equipment manufacturers, take
note, because you may be missing the
boat here. This area alone can be a cash
cow for innovative retailers in this sector.
Boomers dominate 119 of 123 consumer product-goods categories and account
for almost half of CPG spending, yet
marketers and retailers aren’t tapping
into this resource.
The most eye-opening statistic is that
people aged 55-plus control more than
75 percent of America’s household net
worth of $81.5 trillion!
Boomer consumers will continue to
reshape the marketplace, opening up
fresh opportunities for product developers and retailers, with emphasis
on customer service and innovative
market strategies. Tenniswear, crossover
apparel, and racquet companies that
understand this will find new and lucrative ways to gear their products to this
important market segment
Both Millennials and Baby Boomers
are key links to retail success, and it’s vital that retailers provide a seamless, compelling experience for both by embracing
both the similarities and differences
between the two. •
March 2016
TennisIndustry 19
Recreational Game
‘Master’-ing the Game
USTA Florida’s Masters Tennis, with orange balls
on 60-foot courts, is bringing adults back to the sport.
H
istorically not an easy game
to learn, tennis can also be a
physically demanding game to
play. But times are changing.
Tennis is now easy (and more fun!)
for kids to learn with the age-appropriate equipment and court sizes used
with the introduction of 10 and Under
Tennis. At the same time, older adults,
and players who have been kept off the
courts due to injuries, now have a lessdemanding version of the game, Masters Tennis, which was first launched
for the large population of senior players in Florida.
The popularity of short-court racquet
sports has skyrocketed in Florida, with
parks and recreation facilities filled
with the sounds of both "click"-ing pickleball paddles and the familiar "thwop"
of orange tennis balls on Masters Tennis courts.
“We are training Masters Tennis
Ambassadors across the state and
educating facilities and providers,”
says USTA Florida Masters Tennis
Coordinator Christine Murphy.
“Masters Tennis was presented at the
annual Tennis Development Workshop
in San Diego last November, and at the
2016 AARP Conference in Miami.”
The Masters Tennis format is played
on a 60-foot court (lined inside a
regulation 78-foot court), either a hard
or clay court. The slightly slower and
lower-bouncing orange balls used are
easier to get to and are easier on arms
and joints.
“Masters Tennis turned out to be
the ultimate answer to getting players
on the court,” says West Charlotte,
Fla., organizer Art “Dick” Richards.
“All those beginning players who try to
play regular tennis but cannot because
20 TennisIndustry
March 2016
of lack of skills, physical movement—
not necessarily age related—and ball
control can immediately play Masters
Tennis.”
“Using the modified equipment
that the USTA Youth Tennis format
offers, Masters Tennis can be played
indoors at community centers and
service facilities like YMCAs in their
gymnasiums,” Murphy says. “It is even
perfect as an indoor recreational or
fitness activity, and is perfect for active
adult recreational programs.”
Florida’s St. Pete Beach Parks and
Recreation Director Jennifer McMahon
says Masters Tennis is easy to promote,
with plenty of former players who can
no longer play full-court tennis due to
the rigor and movement demands. “I
cross-promote it with my pickleball
players and seniors new to the game,"
she says. "I love seeing a player who
hasn't played tennis in 10 or 20 or
more years come back to the sport
they loved and play successfully. Or
the husband and wife playing together
that would have never done so without
Masters Tennis. The active player is not
interested in playing Masters Tennis
because they still play traditionally.”
Modifying traditional tennis formats
is nothing new, from the longstanding
World TeamTennis league to newer
formats like Fast4 popularized in
Australia.
“The idea is to create a fun, social way
to play that will appeal to the majority
of the adult population, who may not be
currently playing tennis,” Murphy says.
“There are so many people out there
who stopped playing tennis because
they experienced frustration with the
difficulty of the game, or they do not
have the physical endurance needed to
play full court,” she says. “We need to
provide a friendly option to get them
back in the game and keep them.”
Doug Booth, executive director of the
USTA Florida Section, agrees there is an
urgent need for Masters Tennis before
senior players who can no longer play
full-court tennis are lost to other sports.
“This is a demographic we can't
afford to lose, and the Masters Tennis
format keeps them in the game and
on the court, or gets them back on the
court,” Booth says. “Our USTA national
organization has been watching the
program's progress, and we're looking
forward to this format soon being
offered in every state.” To learn more
about Masters Tennis, visit www.
ustaflorida.com/adulttennis/masterstennis.•
Executive Point
Pete Smith, Chairman, ASBA
Interview By Mary Helen Sprecher
Merit Award in 2000 because of his passion for promoting the game of tennis
and the quality of the facilities built by
the contractors. I was very lucky to have
him as a mentor and I do believe we
share the same ideals and goals. But I
am very humbled to follow his lead.
T
he American Sports Builders Association, the national organization for builders and suppliers
for athletic facilities, including tennis
courts and facilities, celebrated its
50th anniversary in 2015. With that
milestone, the organization chose as
its chairman for the 2016-2017 term
a Certified Tennis Court Builder who
has been both building award-winning
courts and volunteering his time to help
improve the court-building business.
Pete Smith of the CourtSMITHS of Toledo, Ohio, previously served as president of the ASBA’s Tennis Division.
TI: What goals do you have as chairman
of the ASBA?
Smith: Two areas where I would like
to concentrate our efforts during my
term are continuing the growth of the
Certified Builder Program and focusing
on educating the owners of facilities
on choosing the best option for their
construction/repair needs.
The Tennis Division is in the process of partnering the Certified Tennis
Court Builder designation with the
ITF’s Recognized Court/Installer program, which will provide facility owners
with assurances of the quality of the
contractor they have chosen, as well as
a testing mechanism to ensure the final
product meets our high standards.
TI: You grew up in a family of tennis
court builders. Was there a time when
you made the decision to join the family
business, or did you have other ideas
about what you wanted to do earlier in
your life?
Smith: My summers during high school
and college were spent working for our
family business. Upon graduation, I was
planning on a career that was a little
less intense during the nicer seasons of
the year. But the advantages of being an
independent business owner and not
working in a corporate setting became
apparent as I began the process of
22 TennisIndustry
March 2016
interviewing for jobs that I had little
experience or passion for.
During the time I was deciding on
a career, the tennis industry made a
number of technological advances as it
related to equipment and methods of
performing the work. Essentially, the
job of contractor became focused more
on critical thinking and project management, rather than intensive labor.
This played a large role in how I perceived court construction as a career.
TI: Your father, Kevin, held the office of
chairman of ASBA before you. Do you
remember him talking about it during
that time?
Smith: The association was always a
very integral part of our family while
I was growing up. Dad would attend
Technical Meetings with my brother/
partner, Mike, and my parents would
attend the ASBA Winter Meeting
then have some vacation time with
friends from the association. At home,
dad spent countless hours writing or
grading the certification exam and was
always proud of his involvement.
TI: You are the first person to hold an
ASBA office your dad has held. Do you
believe you carry his ideals and goals
forward?
Smith: Dad received the Industry
TI: What is the greatest challenge you
see facing tennis court contractors
today?
Smith: Growing tennis is the ultimate
challenge of not only court contractors,
but the industry as a whole. Expanding the relationships and teamwork
with industry partners such as USTA,
TIA and ITF along with promotion of
36- and 60-foot courts are two valuable
tools in driving the demand during this
competitive arena for peoples’ luxury
time.
TI: How do you think tennis has been
changed by technical advancements in
the construction industry?
Smith: Over the past 20 years, technical advancements have played a critical
part in providing improved quality of
courts, reducing the time frame of court
closures, and helping to control the
increases of cost to construct or repair
facilities. Everything from solutions
to cracks on asphalt courts to sub-irrigation of fast-dry courts have enabled
contractors to provide the highest quality of product while reducing the cost of
time and money to the end-user.
TI: What do you think your dad would
be most surprised by, in the current tennis industry as we know it?
Smith: I’m not sure dad would be
as surprised as proud of the growth
and continued promotion of the high
standards we have seen since the early
days of the association. Contributors
over the 50 years of the association, who
established and fought for certification
and quality specifications, would be
amazed at the influence their work now
has in the industry.•
Grassroots Tennis
Play It Forward!
CTAs, public parks and NJTLs are on the front lines
when it comes to growing this sport in communities.
USTA Missouri Valley
Rural JTT Squad Starts With Basics
For members of the Panhandle Gold Junior Team Tennis squad from
Bridgeport, Neb., the team’s experience at the USTA Missouri Valley
JTT Championships in Topeka, Kan., earlier this year was a result of
enthusiasm, determination and falling in love with the game of tennis
after very simple beginnings.
Five of the six team members first learned about tennis during play
events at the Prairie Winds Community Center in Bridgeport (pop.
1,500), one of the westernmost towns in the section. The nets in the
community center were comprised of caution tape tied between two
chairs on a gym floor, and only the most basic fundamentals of the
game were taught.
“One of the biggest reasons for the success is the emphasis we put
on fun and sportsmanship,” says Darren Emerick, program director at
the community center and youth tennis specialist for USTA Nebraska.
Emerick hopes this squad of kids ages 14 and under will now become lifelong tennis players who can go on to play more junior
tournaments, then Tennis on Campus in college and eventually USTA Leagues.
They simply play for the enjoyment of the game, he adds. “They’re happy in Junior Team Tennis and not really interested in
tournaments for ranking points.”—Andrew Robinson
USTA Midwest
New Association Helps Organize ‘Queen City Open’
The Queen City Tennis Association, founded in early 2015, was initially started in order to organize the first annual Queen City Open, a
Gay and Lesbian Tennis Alliance (GLTA) sponsored world tennis tour
event.
“Our organization is new to the city of Cincinnati,” says Jeffrey
Morgeson, founder of the association. “I have been a member of the
GLTA since 2012, playing GLTA-sponsored tournaments all around
the U.S. The GLTA has had such a profound effect on my life that I felt
a strong desire to bring something here to Cincinnati.”
The Queen City Open was held last spring at the Lindner Family
Tennis Center, home to the Western & Southern Open, an ATP and
WTA Tour Masters series event. According to the Queen City Tennis
Association, 98 players participated, both LGBT and non-LGBT, from
all over the U.S. and Canada. The second Queen City Open is scheduled for this May.
“I felt the need to share my city and its world-class tennis facility with the amazing friends and acquaintances I’ve met, as
well as welcome new players to enjoy a GLTA event,” Morgeson says. “The GLTA provides a safe and welcoming environment
for LGBT players, and readily welcomes non-LGBT friends and allies as well.”
Morgeson says the GLTA helped bring him back to the game after many years. “The GLTA helped me find that love for tennis
again and along with it, introduced a new international social environment that has been life-changing,” he says. “The support
of the GLTA and the USTA has been amazing and vital to our efforts to grow tennis in the small LGBT community of Cincinnati.” —Tracy Maymon
24 TennisIndustry
March 2016
Footwear
Success Stories?
With new marketing strategies and
products, shoe manufacturers have some
strong stories to share.
W
By Kent Oswald
hile full shoe customization is still
somewhere on the horizon, players
(and manufacturers and retailers)
will continue their quest. In the
meantime—that is,
for spring 2016—what they will be able to
choose from is a continuation of choices
along lines of recent year’s trends of increased support, flashier colors, and options emphasizing either more durability
or flexibility.
Retailers will also deal with the less
attention-grabbing, but equally important,
themes of how what goes on their customers’ feet is
integrated by the competing brands into the other parts of a
player’s kit, and the different marketing strategies.
As an example of the stories to consider this
spring, Wilson introduces a “360-degree”
campaign in conjunction with the launch of
its Glide and Kaos shoes (each of which offers an “inner mesh glove” that Wilson says
provides a custom-like feel). The program’s
concept is that each of their items in the
whole tennis product line works both individually as well as in unison to provide a competitive edge. To help players better understand
which are the related products, the company
will label according to a “player ID system,” categorizing by style of play (e.g., baseline, attack, all-court).
Head is using a similar player-taxonomy
strategy in helping players differentiate
whether the debuting Nitro Pro shoes or
the recently introduced Revolt Pros are
the better option. Social media programs, as well as print and marketing
campaigns, will offer consumers a comparison of the benefits of the two lines,
while attempting to drive the viewer to
a “Nitro vs. Revolt” microsite. Clicking there
offers a variety of questions whose answers
will help define whether one is Team Nitro or
Team Revolt.
26 TennisIndustry
March 2016
What’s the Promise?
As it is for the sale of every product, the key message from a
manufacturer is what does the brand promise for that item
in terms of customer satisfaction, and how does it meet or
(preferably) exceed that promise? What makes tennis shoes
an unusually challenging item to sell, particularly in their
debut year, is that the purchase will almost always be
a commitment made without the possibility of a
demo other than a few moments walking or
jogging down a store aisle.
This is not to suggest manufacturers
are comfortable putting the same shoes
out season after season with no tweaks.
Asics, for example, expects to continue to
ride the wave of success it’s seen with its lightweight
Solution Speed 3 line by making small changes to the upper
package and adding new colorways to the men’s, women’s
and juniors’ selections. The idea is that even if it looks like
little has changed, there has to be something new for
the folks on the selling floor to talk about and/or
something eye-catching in a new design
so that a peek at the shoe wall suggests to
the player comfortable with the line that it
might be time to update the bottom line of
his or her wardrobe.
Providing an interesting example of
how to add pizzazz to the marketing of the
tried and true is New Balance’s “Always
in Beta” campaign. Identifying shoes by
number as the Boston-based company does,
and keeping the same shoes on the shelves seasons in and
out, is not inherently sexy. Rather it isn’t until you infuse
it with a sales proposition that the R&D folks are
teaming with the player to keep everyone
striving toward that next level. New Balance
also will be introducing new colorways
to align shoes with its clothing options in
“grand slam kits” throughout the year.
Most intriguingly, with an eye toward
that ultimate goal of full customization,
it will be introducing 3D printing capabilities for the midsoles of its running shoes
into select retail locations in April, an innovation likely to
cross over in the near future to tennis shoes as well.
Tennis Aspirations
Despite the different trails companies take with their marketing of shoes, what each is ultimately trying to do is connect
the customer and their wants and needs in tennis footwear
to their aspirations regarding their game. Those
who take the most direct route, like Babolat and
K-Swiss, are selling themselves as tennis-only,
or at least tennis-primary.
The French company adds new colorways to
its shoe lines this spring, and has not scheduled
any sort of big announcement regarding its next
technological leap for footwear. It has, however,
offered hints that there is shoe research and
development that might provide personalization (if not fuller customization) for the feet,
just as its recently introduced “smart” technologies have
allowed players to change their approach to racquets.
As for K-Swiss, the California company’s shoes (including
the Hypercourt Express with 2016’s new colorways) will continue to be the foundation of its marketing. For the year, the
major promotion theme is that even now, in its 50th year of
selling shoes, it is a tennis company, 100 percent, and should
be the first thought of those who define themselves in part or
whole by their favorite game.
Strong Stories
Reviewing the various marketing strategies and new products
makes clear that in 2016, manufacturers as a whole will be
sharing their strongest shoe stories in years.
Despite that, success will not be based solely on
the product, or even the marketing. Hovering above every shoe on the back wall is the
question of player participation. In particular,
there is a need for an uptick in “core” players,
whose larger amounts of court time naturally
lead to greater wear and tear on their footwear
and consequently more shoe purchases.
The TIA reported a 1 percent drop among
the core group of players for 2014, the latest
year for which complete information is available.
So, for 2016, while players continue their quest for the premier
foundation for their games, manufacturers and retailers both
are concerned with their own quest, one for more core players tied ever tighter to the game of a lifetime, and, hopefully, a
lifetime of tennis shoe purchases. •
March 2016
TennisIndustry 27
Positive Recogni
ITF Recognition provides an independent
assessment of the quality of a court for builders,
suppliers, and court owners.
By Dr. Stuart Miller, ITF Senior Executive Director
First U.S. Courts to Gain ITF Recognition
Two courts at Palm Beach Atlantic University in Florida and one at Fisher Island
Racquet Club in Florida are the first tennis courts in the U.S. to receive ITF Recognition, each gaining Two-Star status.The court surfaces were supplied by California
Sports Surfaces. The PBAU courts were installed by ProCourts and Big D Paving Co.
in conjunction with Global Sports & Tennis Design Group; the Fisher Island court was
installed by Agile Tennis Courts.
28 TennisIndustry
March 2016
Court Construction & Maintenance Guide
ition
W
ith an estimated $30 billion invested in tennis court construction
worldwide, according to the International Tennis Federation, it is
understandable that investors and players are keen to know the quality of construction and, increasingly, how fast—or slow—a court plays.
In response to this need, the ITF Technical Centre has established “ITF Recognition” to
provide end-users with an independent assessment of the quality of their court, and which
also offers contractors an opportunity to demonstrate the calibre of their products and
installation skills.
ITF Recognition arose from the ITF Court Pace Classification Program, which is a labbased program for establishing and categorizing tennis court surfaces according to their
speed. ITF Recognition is an on-site test-based program that aims to improve the standards
of tennis courts, establish minimum specifications for high-quality courts, and establish a
common language for suppliers, builders and court owners.
From an industry point of view, court recognition by the ITF not only will differentiate
good and bad courts, but it also will help to stimulate improvements in quality construction
and marginalize poor workmanship. It can also help identify venues for high-quality competition.
For builders, the benefits of ITF Recognition include evidence of a quality product and
differentiation from competitors, in addition to being able to be used for marketing and
promotional purposes.
Court and facility owners will see ITF court recognition as confirmation of the return on
their investment, along with an independent quality assessment of their court or facility.
Also, ITF Recognition will help them to identify quality court builders, and may help to
provide evidence of the need to resurface.
One- and Two-Star Recognition
To receive One-Star Recognition, key installation properties of a court must meet the ITF
recommendations. Testing begins with a visual inspection to identify any cracks or gaps
in the surface and a uniform appearance. Next, an evenness test measures the size of any
bumps or dips in the court using a straightedge, and the slope and planarity of the court are
established with surveying equipment. Finally, the position of the court markings and net
are checked to ensure they are within tolerance.
Two-Star Recognition requires the court pace rating (CPR) to be compared against the
ITF-classified value for the surface product, in addition to the One-Star tests. The pace is
quantified by firing a ball at the court and recording its speed before and after the bounce.
Rougher surfaces, which generate more friction between the ball and the court, reduce the
speed of the ball parallel to the ground, making a court “slower.” Surfaces that have a higher
bounce also appear slower because players have more time to reach the ball.
There currently are more than 300 surface products classified by the ITF. Surfaces are
classified into one of five categories: slow, medium-slow, medium, medium-fast and fast, and
listed on the ITF website, www.itftennis.com.
Who Can Apply?
ITF Recognition is targeted at venues where the standard of play is highest and the quality
of the court therefore most important, such as international, national and intercollegiate
venues, and national/regional tennis centers. However, ITF Recognition is not limited to
elite-level facilities. In order to establish the appropriate recommended limits for highquality courts, the ITF tested dozens of courts ranging from public park facilities to Davis
Cup venues.
An application for ITF Recognition can be submitted to the ITF by any party associated
March 2016
TennisIndustry 29
with the facility, for example the owner, the organizer of a
tournament held at that facility, or the supplier or builder of
the court(s). One-Star tests must be carried out by an ITF-approved test organization, such as a surveying company, or an
ITF-accredited laboratory. Two-Star tests must be conducted
by an ITF-accredited laboratory.
The ITF charges a $500 administration fee to add a facility
(any number of courts at the same location) that meets the
relevant specifications to the official ITF Recognition list. The
cost of testing is determined by the laboratory and is available
on application.
Earning ‘Elite’ Status
Builders and suppliers who repeatedly provide quality tennis
courts that receive ITF One- and Two-Star Recognition also
are able to earn ITF Recognized Installer/Supplier “Elite”
Silver or Gold status.
Elite Silver and Gold status are both valid for five years from
date of issue. To be an ITF Recognized Installer or Supplier at
the Elite Silver level, you must have 10 ITF One- or Two-Star
Recognition certificates. To reach Elite Gold status, you need
50 Recognition certificates.
Builders and suppliers who achieve Elite Silver and Gold
status will receive a certificate and be listed on the ITF Technical website. They’ll also be able to promote their businesses
with a silver or gold ITF Recognized Installer or Supplier logo.
30 TennisIndustry
March 2016
How Do You Get ITF Recognition?
• Submit an application for One- or Two-Star Recognition* to
the ITF (subject to meeting the relevant specifications) and
pay the administration fee. (Visit www.itftennis.com.)
• Select an ITF-accredited lab/ITF-approved surveyor and
arrange a test date and payment of the test fee.
• Have the court(s) tested and the report(s) sent to the ITF.
• If the court(s) meet all specifications, you’ll receive an ITF
Recognition certificate from the ITF and website listing for
the court(s).
Note: Two-Star Recognition cannot be awarded without comparison against an ITF-classified surface product. If the surface
product is not classified, the product supplier can apply for classification using the results of the court pace rating test on-site.
In the U.S., an ITF Elite-level Installer must also hold a current ASBA Certified Tennis Court Builder certificate.
For more information on how to apply, visit www.itftennis.com or email [email protected]. •
Dr. Stuart Miller is an ITF senior executive director responsible for the Technical, Science, Tennis Development, AntiDoping and Anti-Corruption departments.
C O U RT E S Y E AT O N ’ S E P H E S U S L I G H T I N G
LED on the
Leading Edge
As the technology comes down in price, expect more facilities
to take advantage of this eco-friendly alternative.
By Mary Helen Sprecher
B
enjamin Franklin tied a key to a kite string. Thomas
Edison used Franklin’s discovery to power the first
light bulb. Alexander Graham Bell made a phone. But
turning on the lights on the tennis court by using a
smartphone? It’s a sure bet the three of them never saw that
coming.
Light Emitting Diode, or LED, fixtures continue to make
inroads into the tennis industry. Although they haven’t exactly steamrolled over fluorescent and metal halide systems,
they’re definitely gaining attention, and market share. (Some
hard evidence: LED lighting has been installed at the USTA
Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, home of
the US Open.)
The arc of acceptance for LED is fueled by the fact that the
technology is offered by more vendors, creating an increasingly competitive marketplace. The days are gone when LED
was suitable only to venues offering national-level competition with televised events (the University of Phoenix Stadium
where the Super Bowl was played last year was one example).
But driving its popularity, beyond simple affordability, is an
array of advantages—some unexpected.
“One of the most practical reasons for installing LED lighting isn’t what you might think of,” says Frank Collins, regional
president the Marlborough, Mass.-based Energy Efficiency &
Sustainability (EES) Consulting. “It’s maintenance.”
Simply put, LED systems last longer than others, something
32 TennisIndustry
March 2016
that comes in handy in cases where relamping fixtures is an
investment of time, money and equipment.
If you’re talking about a club with indoor tennis courts,
you’re talking about a very high ceiling,” says Collins. “What
we see a lot is places where lights, whether they’re metal
halide, fluorescent and so on, are burning out. And it’s really
hard to get up there to fix it. You can’t just use a regular ladder;
you’re pretty much going to have to rent a scissor lift, and
that gets expensive. So it’s inconvenient and as a result, we’re
seeing clubs where a quarter to a third of the lights are burned
out and nobody wants to fix them.”
LED systems, Collins says, have a minimum of 50,000
hours in an average life cycle before the lighting starts to fail
or degrade.
To put that into perspective, “Your average sports center
keeps the lights on for maybe 12 hours a day, six to seven days
per week. That comes out to about 3,500 hours per year. It
will take an LED system at least 12 to 12-1/2 years before you
start having to think about them failing.”
Power Savings
“The greatest advantage of LED is the reduction of power
consumption, which translates to reduced costs for the facility,” says tennis facility design expert David LaSota of DW
LaSota Engineering of Patton, Pa. “We need to be cognizant,
however, that most LED lighting systems do not have the
C O U RT E S Y E P H E S U S
Using Existing Light Poles
Lorenz says the lighting market keeps evolving to meet the
needs of buyers. To save money, existing light poles can be retrofitted to use LED heads and fixtures.
LED systems initially gained attention for their high-end
installations, something that Lorenz says is both a selling point
and a drawback. The fact that LED appeared in venues where
the sports action was likely to be televised meant extra visibility; unfortunately, it also made owners leery of installing them
at more mainstream facilities (tennis clubs, municipal courts
and high school tennis centers, for example).
And, says Lorenz, the question always came up: Is this
lighting system too sophisticated for us? Do we actually need
something like this? But as LED systems began coming down in
price, there was a tipping point.
“The cost is getting very competitive with other forms of
lighting,” Collins says. “It
used to be that LED lights
were maybe three times
as expensive as everything
else, but now they might
be 30 to 40 percent more—
and if you have a state
rebate program, it will help
you pay for the conversion.
The payback from conversion from fluorescent to
LED is about two years,
maybe a little less; it’s
averaging 1.8 to 2.5 years.
But the longer your hours of operation, the quicker you’re going
to see payback. LED can reduce electricity usage in your sports
lighting by 50 to 65 percent.”
And that will appeal to prospective owners who want convenience, eco-friendliness and savings.
“I think we have this very cool technology that we can now
make available to high schools and municipalities,” says Lorenz,
“and more importantly, they can justify it based on a number of factors. I think those communities that are more
progressive will look into the different factors with
these systems.”
The fact that connected buildings are currently
allowing clubs who have the technology to control lighting, as well as other building systems,
including HVAC and security, remotely (and even
via smartphone) is the next driving force in the market, according to Collins.
“With the growth of the LED lighting industry, we are
seeing more and more LED lights being offered to tennis facilities as tennis lighting fixtures,” LaSota says. “This is good and
bad. Good because we all know that more options for lighting
generally means better pricing and less costs to implement. Bad
because some of the new players in the field may not understand the game of tennis and therefore, manufacture a fixture
that cannot withstand the direct impact of a tennis ball, or
produce insufficient lighting or excessive glare.”
And as more companies have entered the marketplace, the
choice of systems has become more fraught with problems. It’s
not unusual for club managers, coaches and others to receive
unsolicited e-mails, often from companies in China, advertising
the availability of inexpensive LED fixtures.
For that reason, says Collins, facility owners who are looking into changing their lighting system, whether to LED or any
other form, should check their vendor with the DesignLights
Consortium (DLC), at designlights.org. DLC has set technical requirements for lighting products, and makes its findings
available free of charge.
Just as it did with flat-screen televisions and smartphones,
the technology of LED lighting will continue to come down in
price as the marketplace evolves. As it does, say both Collins
and Lorenz, more facility owners will take advantage of it. •
C O U RT E S Y H A L E C O N
same efficacy as traditional metal halide lighting. You can't
just swap out fixtures on a one-to-one basis and still expect the
same light levels.” Efficacy is a measure of the relative amount
of power required to give off a certain amount of illumination.
LaSota continues: “The
issue we need to address as
an industry is to develop an
objective way to compare
LED to other lighting
systems in determining acceptable levels of illumination for each system. Many
will say that while a metal
halide system may produce
an average maintained
horizontal illumination of
75 foot-candles, an LED
system with lower average maintained horizontal illumination levels will be acceptable because the LED lighting is a whiter light and is therefore
perceived to be brighter. But in strictly an apples-to-apples
comparison, the metal halide light readings will demonstrate
that the metal halide is producing more light.”
Many states, though, are hopping on board with LED’s energy
savings, offering rebates for those who install LED systems to
help offset the higher costs on the front end. (One website listing incentives and policies that support
renewables and energy efficiency in the U.S.
is the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency at dsireusa.org.)
“Energy efficiency is a major adoption
issue,” says Collins. “That’s what’s driving the
adoption conversation now.”
According to Mike Lorenz, president of
Eaton’s Ephesus Lighting of Syracuse, N.Y., LED
systems are advantageous for another reason:
They’re easy to direct, and have meticulous accuracy at illuminating only the court surface. “Tennis as a whole, particularly
when you’re talking about outdoor facilities, is really concerned
about spillover light,” he says. “You can minimize that with LED
lighting.”
“Some manufacturers do a great job in shielding the lighting
from not only trespass, but glare,” LaSota adds. “Keep in mind
that since LED light is ‘whiter’ than other forms of light, it can
create significant glare that can be distracting to players and
annoying to the neighborhood.”
March 2016
TennisIndustry 33
Annual
Maintenance
Planner
Use this yearly court maintenance schedule, reprinted
from the latest edition of the “Tennis Courts” manual,
to protect your investment.
A
well-constructed and well-maintained tennis court will offer years of play. But to maximize the useful life of any type
of court, the owner needs to implement a regular schedule
of maintenance (see chart on following pages, reprinted
with permission from “Tennis Courts: A Construction & Maintenance Manual,” published by the ASBA and USTA).
Regular inspection of the court and repair of minor irregularities is
more cost-effective than allowing the court
to deteriorate to the point where it requires
major repair or reconstruction. (Even with
regular maintenance, however, all courts
will need some repair over time.)
The most important step in maintaining
all types of court surfaces is to keep them
clean by removing debris immediately
and by spot-cleaning spills as soon as they
occur. Don’t allow food and beverages—except for water—on your courts, and don’t
allow smoking in the area. Provide wastebaskets to encourage players and spectators to keep the surface clean. Pick up stray
The chart on the following
balls, ball cans and ball-can lids, which can
pages is from the 2015
damage the court surface, be a tripping hazedition of “Tennis Courts:
ard, and make the court area unsightly.
A Construction & MainteAt the end of the playing season, inspect
nance Manual,” published
all court equipment and order any replaceby the American Sports
ment parts so that the equipment can be
Builders Association and
repaired during the off-season.
USTA and available from
The amount of maintenance required
the ASBA at sportsbuildby a particular tennis facility will vary
depending on the geographic location, the
ers.org.
amount and type of use, player conduct and
alternative use, if any. In any case, the owner should develop an appropriate maintenance plan, ensure that maintenance is performed
at timely intervals, and keep records of maintenance procedures and
conditions or problems. The need for excessive maintenance may be
an indicator of more serious problems.
March 2016
TennisIndustry 35
36 TennisIndustry
March 2016
Annual Maintenance Planner
March 2016
TennisIndustry 37
C O U RT E S Y H A R -T R U S P O RT S
Red or
Green?
Since the 1930s, green clay has been the predominant claycourt color in the U.S. But what’s driving color choices now?
By Pat Hanssen, General Manager, Har-Tru Sports
I
f you are an avid tennis player, or even just mildly
interested in the sport, you have in all likelihood heard
about the new USTA National Campus being built
in Orlando, Fla. Among the 100 tennis courts to be
constructed on the 63-acre site are 32 green clay courts and
eight red clay courts, which might strike people as rather
peculiar. Why install both red and green clay? Are they really
that different?
Knowing that the USTA National Campus could be a
model for other facilities around the country, what can be
learned from the USTA’s selection that might apply elsewhere?
In the early 1900s, grass courts and red clay courts were
the most prevalent types of tennis courts across Europe.
This tradition was carried over to the U.S., and particularly in
the Northeast, where good quality clays were naturally present, clay courts became relatively abundant.
In the 1930s, a man named Horace A. Robinson, working
for En Tous Cas, a European court builder with offices in
the U.S., ran across a roofing granule company in Maryland
and became interested in the possibility of building a tennis court with that material. A test court was constructed
in 1932 and it turned out that this material produced an
extremely good alternative to red clay.
The natural green stone he used created a very stable
and fast-drying court, one that was easy to standardize and replicate compared to local clays. The inventor called the surface “Har-Tru,” using his initials for
the first half of the name and following it with “Tru” to
38 TennisIndustry
March 2016
characterize the surface’s true bounce. From this point
forward, Europe and the U.S. diverged when it came to the
color of clay courts.
Green Clay Benefits
The benefits of the new green court were significant enough
to builders, owners and players that they drove its eventual,
widespread adoption. Builders benefitted from standardized
materials that were readily available and easier to work with
than real clay. Owners found the court easier to maintain
and faster to dry after rain. Tennis players preferred the
consistency of the ball bounce, footing and speed of play as
well as the greater visibility of the ball against the dark green
background (some clays are quite orange and when combined
with balls that get dirty, visibility can be tough, particularly
for older players). By the late 1970s most of the red clay
courts in the U.S. had been converted to Har-Tru green.
Most other countries, of course, stuck with red clay.
Certainly a large part of this has been tradition, but
economics has been a factor as well. Shipping crushed stone
overseas substantially raises the cost of owning a green court
in Europe and South America, particularly when clay and
crushed brick are widely available. Only Canada and the
U.K. transitioned to the green clay—Canada due to its close
proximity to the U.S. and the U.K. due to its confoundedly
rainy weather (fast drying matters) and the fact that their
tradition is grass, not clay.
So why today, when history has proven out the benefits and
practicality of green clay, would anyone in the U.S. choose red
over green? It’s certainly not for the cost. A genuine European
red-clay court could cost as much as double the price of a
green-clay court by the time the material is shipped over and
installed.
The Reason for Red
The primary reason red is chosen is as the preferred training
surface. There are vastly more ATP and WTA tournaments
contested on red clay than on green, and of course Roland
Garros, the clay court Grand Slam, is also played on red clay.
For some facilities and organizations where training highlevel players is a priority, there is a strong belief that you must
replicate the red-clay playing characteristics, specifically
slower speed, higher bounce and more slippery footing. The
USTA fits this description.
The eight red-clay courts being installed at the USTA
National Campus are specifically for the Player Development
team to use to train current and future champions. Tennis
Australia has committed in a similar way to having red and not
green clay at its primary training facilities despite the benefits
green offered of requiring less water for maintenance, water
being quite scarce in Australia.
Alternatively, Tennis Canada chose to install green courts
at its Montreal training center in 2011. In an online article on
SportsNet dated June 14, 2011, Tennis Canada Vice President
for Professional Tennis Eugene Lapierre said, “Green clay
is slightly faster and has a little less bounce than red, but the
game is almost the same.”
While to date having a red-clay court for training top
players ranks first among reasons to install one, that may
be changing. Over the last five years, Har-Tru Sports, the
manufacturer of the green clay, has noticed an uptick in the
interest in red clay. In fact, there has been enough interest
that the company now offers both American and European
red-clay options and has developed a new system for installing
European red on top of existing green courts as a low cost, low
maintenance alternative to real red clay.
Drawing the Eye
Tracy Lynch, Har-Tru’s director of sales, says there is something that tennis players find compelling about the red color.
“It draws your eye and makes you want to try it out. Some of
this may be due to the contrast to the norm that is green, but
I also believe that it’s because there is much more exposure to
the red clay now through tournament coverage on the Tennis
Channel.”
Several clubs that have recently installed red-clay courts
offered similar sentiment. USPTA pro Richard Centerbar,
director of tennis at Boca Grove Country Club in Boca
Raton, Fla., says, “Our tennis facility has 11 green clay courts
and one red. We converted our green exhibition court to red
basically just to add some flash to our club; I told the tennis
committee we could always change it back if they didn’t like
it. They agreed to try it and we were pleasantly surprised to
see how well it was received by the membership. The game
is definitely different because it’s real Italian red clay! The
bounce is higher and slower, and there’s more cushion.
“Another thing we were surprised about,” Centerbar
continues, “was how many touring professionals found out
that we have this surface at our club and they want to come
over and train, especially before the French Open. Even
Ivan Lendl will drive down an hour and a half and ask for the
red clay for a little tennis and golf. He’s played here many
times and always plays on the red. Needless to say, the tennis
committee has never asked me to convert the red exhibition
court back to green.”
Class and Tradition
Cesar Jansen is the maintenance supervisor at Woodfield
Country Club, also in Boca Raton, and is a clay-court guru.
He watched as Har-Tru Sports’ new European red on green
system went in on top of one of the club’s green courts
last year. Interest initially was in having a red surface for
training top players, Jansen says, but its beauty and sense of
tradition captivated many of the club’s members, who now
use the court. “Great tennis centers should have a European
red-clay court,” he says. “It’s class, tradition and play like no
other.”
The clay-court selections by the USTA for the new National Campus offer some useful takeaways for facility owners,
managers and tennis enthusiasts. One is that there is rising
interest in red-clay tennis courts and it’s worth considering
whether it makes sense for your facility to add any. Another
is that while green remains the most practical clay-court option in terms of cost and maintenance, there are new options
for red that make ownership more feasible and attractive.
Recognize that if you work with high-level players, the playing characteristics of red are different than green, and red is
prized as the better training surface.
And finally, the addition of red clay can help differentiate
and enhance your facility and drive interest and excitement
among players of all levels. •
Pat Hanssen of Charlottesville, Va., is the general manager
for Har-Tru Sports. A New England native, he spent 12
years as a full-time tennis teacher and head professional in
Virginia. Hanssen is a USPTA-certified P1 professional, an
active tennis player and enjoys volunteering in the industry.
March 2016
TennisIndustry 39
Guide to Strings
String
Selector
2016
A
s we reported in last year’s String Selector
issue (January 2015), most of the U.S.
manufacturers seem to be slowing down on
their introduction of new strings, but they
certainly haven’t stopped. We currently
have just over 1,800 strings that have been tested in our lab
over the years. Of that number, a little over 1,000 are current
models. So, while the market may be slowing, there are plenty
of strings to choose from.
The polyester category seems to continue to lead with
the most new additions, although manufacturers continue
to introduce nylon and other softer strings as well.
Manufacturers recognize that a stiff monofilament is just
not a good string for every player type, hence the continued
exploration of softer strings.
While polyester does still lead the way in new
introductions, a closer look sees that today’s polyesters are
much softer than past generations. As technology continues
to advance, many of the new strings have the advantages
offered by a polyester-based string, but they are a bit more
playable and easier on the arm.
These softer polyester strings are the perfect match in
a hybrid with an even softer nylon string, or even softer
yet paired with a natural gut. A survey this past summer
with many of the manufacturers seems to point to hybrids
becoming the norm for most players, as it is currently on
the professional tours. Although packaged hybrids are still
being introduced, most feel it is better to leave the pairing
to the racquet technician. By utilizing all the strings in their
inventory, a racquet technician can choose the best two
Use our exclusive guide
to find the perfect strings
for your customers.
By Bob Patterson
strings and the tension to best suit a particular player.
“The popularity of hybrids on the pro tours makes club
players want to try it too, which makes it much easier for the
local shop/stringer to really talk with their customers about
the possible benefits that they might receive from trying a
hybrid string combination,” says Tom Parry of Pacific.
This makes our String Selector tool all the more important
to racquet technicians. By using the information in our String
Selector, a technician has all the information needed to find
the perfect match for their customer.
For advice on how to best use this information, be sure
to read the section “Using the String Selector.” For a better
understanding of the string graph, read “The Geography of
Feel.” USRSA members have access to even more powerful
versions of this information in the tools on the Members Only
portion of our website, www.racquettech.com.
String Spec Search allows members to choose the brand
and model of a particular string and find the specs without
having to go through the hundreds of other strings. Probably
the most utilized tool is the String Selector, which allows
the member to select a certain string and ask for changes
in stiffness, tension loss and gauge. The tool then searches
through the database and presents a list of other string
options. Many members use this tool to find a string similar to
one their customer requests but they don’t stock. By selecting
the string and then choosing “about the same” on all the
options, you will get a list of very similar strings that will often
include one you do stock.
In order to save trees, we have only listed the strings that
have been introduced and tested since our last list.
If you’d like to see the specs for all the current strings on the market, visit our website, www.tennisindustrymag.com. To find the whole list, just click
on the latest issue’s cover, then choose the March 2016 option under the text-only versions.
March 2016
TennisIndustry 41
Newest Strings on the Market
Company
String
Pacific
Pacific
Head
Gamma
Head
Yonex
Gamma
Mauve Sports
Gamma
Yonex
Mauve Sports
Head
Tecnifibre
Yonex
Head
Pacific
Wilson
Yonex
Pacific
Pacific
Pacific
Genesis
Tier One Sports
Genesis
Gamma
Gamma
Mauve Sports
Gamma
Diadem
Yonex
Tourna
Pacific
Gamma
Pacific
Yonex
Bull Gut 16L
Natural Gut
1.27
Bull Gut 16
Natural Gut
1.32
Reflex MLT 1.25
Nylon
1.25
Solace 16
Nylon
1.29
Velocity MLT 1.25
Nylon
1.25
Mono Preme 125
Nylon
1.24
Ocho XP 16
Nylon
1.31
MSV Soft Control 1.25
Polyamide
1.26
Solace 17
Nylon
1.25
Multi-Sensa 125
Nylon & Polyester
1.24
MSV Soft Control 1.30
Polyamide
1.30
Reflex MLT 1.30
Nylon
1.31
HDX Tour 15L
Elastyl & Polyester & SPL 1.35
Multi-Sensa 130
Nylon & Polyester
1.27
Velocity MLT 1.30
Nylon
1.30
Nyltec 1.35
Nylon
1.34
Spin Effect Hybrid (Multi)
Hybrid
1.31
Mono Preme 130
Nylon
1.28
PLX 16
Nylon
1.31
PLX 16L
Nylon
1.27
PLX 17
Nylon
1.24
Black Magic 18
Polyester
1.18
Strike Force Rip 118
Polyester
1.19
Trionic 18
Polyester
1.20
iO Soft 17
Polyester
1.24
Moto Soft 17
Polyester
1.23
MSV Focus-Hex 1.10
Polyester
1.11
Ocho TNT 16
1.29
Solstice Pro 16L
Polyester
1.26
Polytour Fire 120
Polyester
1.20
Big Red 17
Polyester
1.19
Spin 6 16L
Polyester
1.27
Moto Soft 16
Polyester
1.29
Poly Force 18
Polyester
1.23
Polytour Fire 125
Polyester
1.25
42 TennisIndustry
Material
March 2016
Gauge
Stiffness
(lbs.)
Tension
Loss
(lbs.)
Company
String
Material
75
82
131
137
137
138
138
139
139
139
140
142
149
152
153
154
154
155
157
157
158
167
171
171
172
174
175
175
175
176
177
177
177
178
181
8.44
9.24
15.73
14.84
15.50
13.90
15.55
11.55
14.97
17.42
13.19
16.27
13.05
19.12
14.89
15.17
17.55
10.59
14.66
14.80
13.60
21.75
19.31
19.75
23.10
21.52
15.52
15.92
19.34
19.78
19.20
20.90
24.23
21.65
18.92
Diadem
Mauve Sports
Mauve Sports
Mauve Sports
Gamma
Tier One Sports
Pacific
Genesis
Diadem
Pacific
Gosen
Mauve Sports
Diadem
Tecnifibre
Tourna
Luxilon
Mauve Sports
Tecnifibre
Mauve Sports
Wilson
Tier One Sports
Mauve Sports
Gamma
Luxilon
Babolat
Mauve Sports
Asics
Yonex
Genesis
Gosen
Babolat
Tecnifibre
Mauve Sports
Genesis
Gamma
Solstice Power 17
MSV Hepta-Twist 1.20
MSV Go Max 1.25
iO Soft 16
ChampTour 1.30
Trionic 16
Solstice Pro 15L
Xcite 18
Polylon Premium 1.27
MSV Go Max 1.20
Solstice Power 16
Black Code 4S 18
Big Red 16
Element 125
MSV Focus-Hex 1.23
Black Code 4S 17
Spin Effect Hybrid (Mono)
MSV Focus-Hex 1.18
iO Soft 15L
Element 130
Pro Xtreme 1.25 (MAIN)
MSV Focus-Hex 1.23
Polyzone
PolyTour Spin G 125
Pro Advantage 17
Polylon Premium 1.32
RPM Blast 15L
Black Code 4S 16
MSV Focus-Hex 1.27
Pro Advantage 16
Ocho 16
Polyester
Polyester
Polyester
Polyester
Polyester
Polyester
Polyester
Polyester
Polyester
Polyester
Polyester
Polyester
Polyester
Polyester
Polyester
Polyester
Polyester
Polyester
Polyester
Hybrid
Polyester
Polyester
Polyester
Polyester
Polyester
Polyester
Polyester
Polyester
Polyester
Polyester
Polyester
Polyester
Polyester
Polyester
Polyester
Gauge
Stiffness
(lbs.)
Tension
Loss
(lbs.)
1.19
182
16.14
1.17
182
17.15
1.19
182
17.68
1.21
182
18.81
1.26
182
23.09
1.23
183
21.94
1.28
183
24.98
1.33
185
21.24
1.27
187
15.37
1.22
189
17.09
1.26
189
19.21
1.19
190
21.34
1.29
194
15.09
1.18
194
15.86
1.27
194
16.32
1.24
194
19.74
1.23
198
15.37
1.22
199
16.69
1.22
199
17.42
1.24
199
19.94
1.29
199
20.49
1.15
200
15.17
1.39
200
23.28
1.30
201
17.09
1.24
204
21.94
1.22
208
15.87
1.28 20817.00
1.26
212
15.41
1.22
213
13.83
1.31
213
16.71
1.35
218
19.19
1.31
219
17.37
1.33
220
16.45
1.29
223
14.33
1.29
236
11.53
Guide to Strings
Using the String Selector
1
Start by finding the string
your client currently uses in
the appropriate list
2
Note the string’s stiffness and tension loss
numbers, go to the appropriate map and find the dot
located at these coordinates.
If your client is completely
satisfied with their current
string and doesn’t want
anything different from their
next string, dots in the neighborhood (very close to their
current string’s dot) will likely
play similar.
If your client is happy with
how long their string plays
well, but doesn’t love the feel
of their string, try something
on the same vertical level,
but farther to the right or left.
Strings to the right should
feel stiffer (or more crisp),
while strings to the left
should feel softer (or more
comfortable).
If your client is happy with
how their string feels, but
not with how long it feels
that way, try something in
the same column, but higher
or lower. Strings higher on
the chart should soften (or
loosen) up more quickly,
while lower strings should
hold their initial feel longer.
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
All strings on the same vertical
line should feel about the same,
no matter the tension.
All strings at different locations
on the same horizontal line will
feel different from each other.
Stringbed power increases to
the left.
Player supplied power increases
to the right.
Stringbed control increases to
the right.
“Arm friendly” strings are to
the left.
“Feedback” intensity (shock)
increases to the right.
Feel consistency over time tends
to increase toward the bottom.
Test Procedure. All strings
were tensioned to 62 pounds
and allowed to sit for 200
seconds. Then the string was
hit five times with a force
equivalent to hitting a 120
mph serve. The tension loss
represents the total amount
of the relaxation over both
time and impact. The stiffness
value is a calculation derived
from the amount of force created at impact to stretch the
string. Lower values represent
softer strings and lower impact
forces. Higher values represent stiffer strings and higher
impact forces.
Hybrids: To look up a hybrid
combination, you must look
up each string separately. If
it is a pre-packaged hybrid,
most packaging indicates
the name of each string.
There are a few hybrids using strings that aren’t sold
on their own. Those strings
are included in our lists.
They will be listed as the
name of the hybrid with
(main) or (cross) after the
name. For example, Babolat
Pro Xtreme 1.25 (main) is
the string used for the mains
in Babolat’s Pro Xtreme
Hybrid. •
All New Strings
Tension Loss vs. Stiffness
3
Once you’ve found a dot
that seems interesting,
note the coordinates and
look them up in the table.
The Geography
of “Feel”
Finding Your “Feel
Good” Location
Tension Loss
(total loss lbs for 200 seconds and 5 impacts)
·
·
·
Softer strings are to the
left, stiffer strings to the right.
Strings that lose more tension
are at the top; those that lose
less are at the bottom.
Stiffness (lbs/in)
March 2016
TennisIndustry 43
Ask the Experts
Your Equipment Hotline
Q
Starting knot, or
starting clamp?
I encountered someone
today who said, “Starting knots are
seriously frowned upon.” I asked him
to produce his source of this information, and he cited “The Pro Shop:
Open Secret,” which appeared on
Tennis.com Sept. 4, 2015. According
to the article, “… not that any of these
stringers would ever attempt one, but
a starting knot is completely forbidden.”
I’ve been using a starting knot for
years. In fact, I strung all of my college team’s racquets using a starting
knot for four years, and I was never
aware of such opposition and never
had one problem out of over 500
racquets.
What is the basis of this objection?
After extra research, I was unable to
find anything else that supported this,
and I hardly consider one sentence in
one article to be authoritative. What
is the USRSA's official position on the
subject?
A
The USRSA doesn't have an
official position either way, but
our “getting started” technique is to use a starting knot, on the
assumption that it is a lot more likely
that people will be able to tie a starting
knot that holds than it is they will buy
or have a starting clamp on hand when
they are first learning. However, there is
a lot more that can be said on this issue.
First, the fact that the stringers on
the Wilson Stringing Team (at the US
Open and elsewhere) don't use a starting knot is almost certainly due to the
fact that the team manager is against
them. His opinion is that the better
the stringer, the less likely it is he will
use a starting knot. Therefore, if you
want a spot on the team, you use a
starting clamp. This in itself is neither
good nor bad, it’s just that the Wilson
Stringing Team practices uniformity
of technique among its members, and
one of the team’s established practices
forbids starting knots.
Your experience with starting knots
is not unique. There must be thousands of stringers who use a starting
knot, if for no other reason than they
don't own a starting clamp.
The basis of the objection is that you
are pulling tension on your first cross
against a knot. If the knot is not large
enough, it can pull through or partially
through the grommet barrel. Is it
going to hold? Do you stop stringing,
pull it back out, and try again? How
We welcome your questions. Please send them to Tennis Industry, 310 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North, Suite 400, Birmingham, AL 35203;
fax: 760-536-1171; email: [email protected].
44 TennisIndustry
March 2016
badly did you just enlarge the grommet
barrel? Will the knot slip all the way
through next time?
On the other hand if the knot holds,
you could be stressing the anchor string,
causing premature (or even instantaneous) breakage. Then you really
have a situation. Also, the most common starting knots leave the tail of the
string pointed away from the frame, so
the player can catch his skin, clothing,
towel, etc. Finally, with a starting knot
the finished racquet will have three
knots of one kind, and one oddball—the
starting knot.
By now, you're probably on the phone
ordering starting clamps, vowing never
to use a starting knot again. All that's
left is to re-train yourself on how to start
your crosses using a starting clamp. You
run the string through the top cross,
leave enough to reach the tension head
(not too much, though—you don’t want
to run out of string at the bottom!),
clamp the string with the starting cross,
and get going.
After finishing the crosses, you come
back, re-tension the top cross, replace
the starting clamp with a machine
clamp, and tie off as usual. Except, there
are now a few new issues you need to
consider.
First, the high-end clamps ($$$) with
full-face clamping surfaces are wonderful, but the ones that we mortals can
afford need to be used with care. On
these, the clamping surface is an insert,
and if you clamp deep in the V of the
clamp, you can be half on and half off
the textured insert. This can lead to
slippage, or an indentation in the string
where the edge of the insert is.
Second, starting clamps can slip,
too, and when they do, the string can
get pretty badly scarred up. Note that
slippage can occur when you are first
pulling tension, or later, either when the
starting clamp decides to take a millisecond's worth of vacation, or when you
accidentally bump the starting clamp
while the string it is holding is under
tension.
Third, where the heck do you orient
the starting clamp so it's out of your
way? If you are lucky, you can orient
the starting clamp horizontally, and
the tower of your machine will support the handle end of the clamp so it
doesn't flop around. On other machines,
you might have to orient the clamp
vertically, so that the handle is either
straight up or straight down. Straight
down means it is in the way when you
are weaving the top few crosses, and it
can be difficult to reach when it comes
time to remove it. Straight up makes it
easier to reach, but then it is also in the
way all the time.
Fourth, after you have strung a bunch
of racquets using this technique, you
look down into the jaws of your starting
clamp and realize they're filthy. How do
you get anything down there to clean
them? And those surfaces really need to
be clean because they're the only thing
standing between a perfect string job
and a potential disaster.
Fifth, some snob points out that
you're grinding the metal side of the
starting clamp into the tender plastic
of the bumper guard, at which point
the tension from the top cross enables
the starting clamp in forcing its intentions on the bumper guard. What kind
of monster wages a war on bumper
guards? Well, you're not any kind of
monster, so you either develop an
elaborate way of wrapping your starting clamps with padding (à la Vince
Chiarelli’s moleskin), or you buy (or
make) some leather slip-in pads (à la
Richard Parnell) to intervene on behalf
of the bumper guard.
Sixth, you've solved all the other
issues that arise from using a starting clamp, and then someone points
out that you are crushing (and possibly scratching or scarring) the string
exactly where it has to bend to go back
into the tie-off hole, so in your quest
to maintain the integrity of the main
string you have weakened the cross
string at one of its most vulnerable
points. You can buy (or make) stand-off
tubes (à la John Gugel) or other spacers
(à la Sam Chan, Brad Cranford, Jong
Ju Moon, et al.). Once you get done,
though, the result will be the same tieoff knot you've used on the other three
string ends, so the racquet looks more
professional.
As a bonus, after you figure out the
27 simple steps to the correct use of a
starting clamp on the crosses, you can
apply that same knowledge toward using a starting clamp when beginning the
mains, if you so choose.
The bottom line is that you need to
exercise care either way. Given your
perfect history when using starting
knots, there is no pressing need for you
to change.
—Greg Raven •
March 2016
TennisIndustry 45
String Playtest
By Greg Raven
Tecnifibre Multifeel 16
Tecnifibre Multifeel is a solid-core single-wrap multifilament
string, which, according to Tecnifibre, offers durability, dynamic
performance, and comfort in a “made in France” string featuring
many of the same great features of the premium Tecnifibre strings
(HDX Tour, X-One, and NRG2) at an excellent price-to-value
ratio.
Tecnifibre tells us the durability comes from the central monofilament. Surrounding the central monofilament are 985 composite filaments arranged in bundles. The assembled central monofilament and multifilament wraps are immersed in polyurethane
(PU 400), giving the string 400 percent elasticity for outstanding
power, excellent shock absorption, and less arm fatigue. Finally,
Multifeel has an anti-abrasion coating of Silicone Pyrogene Lubritec (SPL) for additional durability.
Tecnifibre hopes Multifeel will appeal to players looking to upgrade from a typical nylon string to a soft PU string with excellent
durability, without a huge price increase.
Multifeel is available in 16 and 17 gauges in Mineral. MAP is
$9.95 for 40-foot sets, with 200-foot reels available. For more information or to order, contact Tecnifibre at 888-301-7878, or visit
tecnifibre.com. Be sure to read the conclusion for more information about getting a free set to try for yourself.
In the Lab
We tested the 16-gauge Multifeel. The coil measured 41 feet, 2 inches. The diameter measured 1.29 mm prior to stringing, and 1.24 mm after stringing. We re-
46 TennisIndustry
March 2016
corded a stringbed stiffness of 83 RDC
units immediately after stringing at 60
pounds in a Wilson Pro Staff 6.1 95 (16 x
18 pattern) on a constant-pull machine.
After 24 hours (no playing), stringbed stiffness measured 75 RDC units,
representing a 10 percent tension loss.
Our control string, Prince Synthetic
Gut Original Gold 16, measured 84 RDC
units immediately after stringing and
77 RDC units after 24 hours, representing an 8.3 percent tension loss. In lab
testing, Prince Synthetic Gut Original
has a stiffness of 217 and a tension
loss of 11.67 pounds, while Tecnifibre
Multifeel 16 has a stiffness of 189 and
a tension loss of 9.81 pounds. Multifeel
16 added 15.1 grams to the weight of our
unstrung frame.
The string was tested for five weeks
by 36 USRSA playtesters, with NTRP
ratings from 3.5 to 6.0. These are blind
tests, with playtesters receiving unmarked strings in unmarked packages.
Average number of hours playtested
was 27.2.
As noted by our playtesters, Multifeel is easy to install. The SPL coating
makes weaving the crosses easier,
without leaving excess lubrication on
your hands or equipment. Blocked
Playtester Ratings
Ease of Stringing
(compared to other strings)
much easier
somewhat easier
about as easy
not quite as easy
not nearly as easy
6
11
19
0
0
Overall Playability
(compared to the string played most often)
much better
somewhat better
about as playable
not quite as playable
not nearly as playable
0
11
9
13
3
Overall Durability
(compared to other strings of similar gauge)
much better
somewhat better
about as durable
not quite as durable
not nearly as durable
3
8
13
5
7
Rating Averages
From 1 to 5 (best)
Playability (10th overall)
Durability
Power
Control
Comfort (15th overall)
Touch/Feel
Spin Potential
Holding Tension
Resistance to Movement
3.9
3.1
3.3
3.6
3.9
3.5
3.2
3.4
3.4
holes were not a problem.
One playtester broke the sample during stringing, one reported problems
with coil memory, one reported problems tying knots, one reported friction
burn, and one reported other problems.
On the Court
Our playtest team confirmed Tecnifibre’s assessment of Multifeel, rating it
10th best of the 190 strings we’ve playtested to date in the Playability category,
and 15th best in the Comfort category.
Multifeel also earned an excellent rating
in the Touch/Feel category, and was
well above average in both the Control
and Tension Retention categories. Overall, our playtesters rated Multifeel well
above average.
We tested a previous version of
Multifeel for the February 2006 issue
of Racquet Sports Industry magazine.
Compared to the earlier version, this
sample tested better in Playability,
Comfort, and Tension Retention, and
much better in Resistance to Movement.
Seven playtesters reported premature fraying or peeling, two reported
buzzing, and 10 reported notching. One
playtester broke the sample after five
hours of play.
Playtester
Comments
"Nice touch and feel,
especially around the net.
Easy to string and easy on
the arm.”
—5.0 male serve-and-volley
player using Prince Tour
strung at 60 pounds LO
(Gamma TNT 17)
“This is a very comfortable, excellent playing
string. It is very easy on
the arm.”
—4.5 male all-court player
using Babolat Pure Aero
strung at 58 pounds CP
(Babolat Origin 17)
“It was easy to find
poly-like power from the
string when necessary,
but also versatile enough
to hit with touch (i.e.
from a multifilament) as
needed.”
—4.7 male baseliner with
moderate spin using Babolat
Pure Drive + strung at 50
pounds CP (Babolat RPM
Blast/Babolat Xcel 17/17))
“Good string for the average market.”
using Prince Textreme Warrior strung at 58 pounds CP
(Prince Tour XP 17)
“Easy to string. Very
comfortable multifilament
string.”
heavy spin using Wilson Pro
Staff strung at 53 pounds CP
(Babolat Natural Gut 16)
“Seemed like a nice, soft
playable multifilament.”
using Boris Becker Delta Core
London Mid strung at 56/53
pounds CP (Ytex Octo Twist
16L)
“Nice string. Seemed
responsive with good
Multifeel are other, more expensive
strings from Tecnifibre, and one much
more expensive natural gut. In the Comfort category, five of the higher-rated
strings are from Tecnifibre and one is a
control.”
using Prince Tour T ESP
strung at 60 pounds CP
(Prince Premiere Power 17)
“Was an average string
to me.”
using Head Prestige strung
at 55 pounds LO (Prince
Synthetic Gut 16)
“The string broke
after about two weeks
of heavy hitting and
started fraying early.”
heavy spin using Pure
Storm Limited strung at
53/50 pounds LO (Forten
Gut 16)
(Strings normally used by
testers are indicated in
parentheses. For the rest
of the tester comments,
visit www.tennisindustrymag.com.)
natural gut. That’s pretty heady territory
for a string at this price range.
If you think that Tecnifibre Multifeel
might be for you, fill out the coupon to
get a free set to try.
Conclusion
As with our earlier playtest of Multifeel,
there’s good news here for lovers of
soft multifilament strings. Three of the
strings rated higher in Playability than
FREE PLAYTEST STRING PROGRAM
Tecnifibre will send a free set of
Multifeel 16 to the first 300 USRSA
members who cut out (or copy) this
coupon and send it to:
USRSA, Attn: Tecnifibre String Offer
310 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North,
Suite 400, Birmingham, AL 35203
or fax to 760-536-1171,
or email the info below to
[email protected]
Offer expires 15 Mar 2016 • Offer only
available to USRSA members in the US.
Name: __________________________
USRSA Member number: ___________
Phone: _________________________
Email: __________________________
If you print your email clearly, we will
notify you when your sample will be sent.
March 2016
TennisIndustry 47
Your Serve
Club Concerns
For this avid rec player, indoor club closures,
college program closures, and more are raising some
questions about the future.
By Alex Kor
I
n the late 1960s and 1970s, our
beloved sport was growing by leaps
and bounds. American tennis
players like Jimmy Connors, Chris
Evert, Billie Jean King, John McEnroe,
Arthur Ashe and Stan Smith paved
the way for the incredible interest
and expansion of tennis. More people
were looking to play, more racquets
and apparel were being sold, and more
indoor tennis clubs were being built.
Here in the mid-Atlantic, many of our
tennis clubs were indeed built during
this time.
In Baltimore, the centerpiece of the
tennis community since 1966 has been
the Cross Keys Tennis Club, hosting
over 100 state and regional championships over the years, along with many
great champions. But on Dec. 21, Cross
Keys, the oldest indoor tennis facility
in the city, closed its doors. As news
spread, area tennis players (myself
included) scrambled for an indoor
alternative.
Unfortunately, insiders have told
me two additional indoor clubs will
close in 2016. Thus, within a year, our
area will lose 25 indoor tennis courts.
To make matters worse, in November,
the University of Maryland–Baltimore
County announced it will drop its
men’s and women’s tennis programs
after this school year—becoming one
of many colleges and universities
around the country to have dropped
tennis. This of course reduces the
number of student-athletes playing
tennis, but it also reduces the number
of employed tennis coaches, as well as
48 TennisIndustry
March 2016
facilities available for play.
Is this trend the beginning of the
end for tennis (as we know it)? Is this
a reflection of a sport that cannot
be sustained because there are few
American tennis stars? Or, will these
closures demand that a new model for
tennis facilities be considered? Is there
indeed a relationship between the demise of American tennis, more colleges
terminating their tennis teams, and
tennis clubs closing their doors? Many
questions need to be answered.
One does not need to be a real estate
mogul to appreciate that indoor tennis
clubs are an inefficient way to make
the best use of the square footage on a
property—the revenue generated per
court per hour is very limited. When
a majority of these indoor clubs were
started, the land surrounding the facilities was under-developed and relatively
inexpensive. Over the years, the surrounding growth made these properties
more lucrative.
Some clubs diversified (i.e. fitness
centers, basketball courts, etc.) while
still maintaining a tennis presence. But
once the demand for the land exceeded
the revenue generated, these facilities
had no choice but to discontinue tennis.
One new tennis facility that has
enjoyed considerable growth is the
Montgomery TennisPlex in Boyds,
Md. Opened three years ago, it has
eight bubbled courts and four lighted
outdoor courts—and now has plans for
expansion. Why is this facility growing? MTP CEO Jack Schore identified
three keys to success: strategic loca-
tion, quality staff and leadership, and
a combination of public and private
funding. He also emphasized that
leasing the property is preferred (vs.
ownership). From my vantage point,
I’d add that the knowledge, experience
and creativity Jack has displayed over
his 30-year career is a driving force for
the success at MTP.
As a resident of Washington, D.C.
and now Baltimore since 2003, I know
our area will not be entirely deprived
of indoor tennis. However, I’m very
concerned. We need to figure out how
to motivate individuals, groups, corporations and communities to build
new indoor tennis facilities—not only
here in my area, but throughout the
country.
I realize I may be preaching to
the choir, but this tennis-playing
podiatrist doesn’t want his racquets
collecting dust in the closet during the
winter. •
Reprinted with permission from MidAtlantic Match Point.
Dr. Alex Kor is certified
by the American Board of
Podiatric Surgery and is
the current president of
the American Academy of
Podiatric Sports Medicine. In
addition to his current duties
as a full-time podiatrist at
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center,
Dr. Kor has a national ranking in men's 50
singles and doubles.
We welcome your opinions. Please email
comments to [email protected].

March 2016 / Volume 44/ Number 3

Transcription

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