🎾 April - 21 - Vợt - Sports - Industry - Magazine¶
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April - 21 - Vợt - Sports - Industry - Magazine — tài liệu 64 trang từ thư viện sách tennis.
Chủ đề chính: Thể lực, Racquet
Tóm tắt nội dung (trích từ tài liệu gốc): HEALTH & FITNESS APPAREL RACQUET SPORTS FOOTWEAR PHIT America is Summer outfits Could outdoor Treat your feet with helping to get kids that will heat up squash courts be the performance socks moving and in shape the courts future of the game? and insoles April 2021 / Volume 49 / Number 4 / $5.00 THE TALES OF RETAIL Tennis specialty retailers discuss the ups and downs of their vendor relationships, and how to strengthen these crucial bonds. Incorporating USPTA pg. 41 Experts in Overlay Renovation Technology, NGI Sports offers All-Weather, Clay, and Synthetic Grass Tennis Surfaces to help player
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Nội Dung Gốc (Tiếng Anh)¶
HEALTH & FITNESS APPAREL RACQUET SPORTS FOOTWEAR
PHIT America is Summer outfits Could outdoor Treat your feet with
helping to get kids that will heat up squash courts be the performance socks
moving and in shape the courts future of the game? and insoles
April 2021 / Volume 49 / Number 4 / $5.00
THE TALES
OF RETAIL
Tennis specialty retailers discuss the
ups and downs of their vendor relationships,
and how to strengthen these crucial bonds.
Incorporating USPTA pg. 41
Experts in Overlay Renovation Technology, NGI Sports offers
All-Weather, Clay, and Synthetic Grass Tennis Surfaces to help
players work harder in all conditions.
Ripp Park, Waunakee, Wisconsin
Consultant: Fred Kolkmann Tennis & Sports Surfaces, LLC
General Contractor: Parisi Construction Co., Inc.
Tennis Surface Applicator: Ace Surfaces
(800) 835-0033 � INFO@NGISPORTS.COM � WWW.NGISPORTS.COM
www.tennisindustrymag.com
Contents April 2021
DEPARTMENTS ROUNDTABLE
4 Our Serve Retailers & Vendors
7 Industry News
13 Letters Retailers discuss the ups and downs of vendor relationships,
14 Grassroots Tennis and what can be done to strengthen these critical bonds.
24 String Selector, Part 2
28 Apparel P. 16
36 Racquet Sports: Squash
38 Ask the Experts HEALTH & FITNESS GRASSROOTS GROWTH APPAREL FOOTWEAR COVER PHOTO OF TRUE TENSION RACQUET SPORTS, WESTPORT, CT, BY MICHAEL MORAN; THIS PAGE SHUTTERSTOCK, MICHAEL MORAN
40 Your Serve, with
Amping Up Courts Mood Treat
Mickey Maule Tennis in Cuba Swings Your Feet
INDUSTRY NEWS For Jim Baugh, With the Eco Tennis As tennis moves Performance socks
getting kids healthy Cuba program, into summer, and and insoles will make
7 U.S. tennis participation has been a lifelong hopefully farther from your feet feel better,
surges in 2020, up 44% coach Carlos Lopez
passion, and Toledo looks to the pandemic, can impact your
7 Tennis Channel seeks PHIT America is these outfits can overall health--and
'America's Top Coach' making it happen. expand the sport in heat up the courts. may help your game.
his homeland.
8 Short Sets P. 20 P. 26 P. 28 P. 30
8 USTA to provide $100,000
in PTM scholarships
9 Dennis Van der Meer to be
inducted into ITHOF
9 Babolat creates lab to study
'human racquet sports player'
10 Intercollegiate Tennis Assoc.,
PlaySight extend partnership
10 Tennis gear performance
at specialty stores
11 Paul Annacone joins
USTA Southern Cal team
11 PBI announces 2021
adult tennis camps
11 Tennis loses champion
Tony Trabert
12 Wilson introduces
Britto racquet collection
12 People Watch
12 PTR announces two new
board members
12 Tecnifibre is official ball of
SoCal's Signature Series
p.41 PLUS
43 From the CEO
49 50 52 55 49 Vice President's Message
USPTA Launches Filling the The Future of Kristie Gipe: 50 Master Professional
New Initiative Shoes of Tennis Teaching Not All Heroes
to Foster Retiring Tennis is Bright Wear Capes Corner
Innovation Directors 52 NetWork USPTA
55 Member Feature
Read more articles online at www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com 57 Financial Update
59 The Boardroom
2 RACQUETSPORTSINDUSTRY April 2021 www.tennisindustrymag.com
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EDITOR'S NOTE
EDITOR
Silver Linings PETER FRANCESCONI
As tragic as this pandemic has been, MANAGING EDITOR
tennis participation is reaching SCOTT GRAMLING
unprecedented heights.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
As we begin our second year along with recommendations and guide- IAN KNOWLES
dealing with the coronavi- lines for playing safely.
rus and its impact on our SENIOR EDITOR
lives and on our businesses, A year ago, many of us in the industry ED M GROGAN
there's good news about the were thinking the pandemic also would be
state of our sport. It seems that in 2020, devastating for tennis equipment sales. ART DIRECTOR
while Americans have been locked down, (In fact, 2020 second-quarter racquet CRHISTIAN RODRIGUEZ
forced to curtail most activities and told to shipments from manufacturers to retailers
keep a tight circle of family and friends, the were down by more than 100,000 units PRODUCTION EDITOR
sport of tennis has actually been growing. from Q2 2019.) Well, equipment sales, too, ANDREA WOO
have rebounded, with a fourth-quarter
The USTA released the news in mid- sales surge that, according to Sports SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR
February, under the headline "U.S. Tennis Marketing Surveys, has o set coronavirus BOB PATTERSON
Participation Surges in 2020." And it truly losses earlier in 2020, resulting in annual
did surge--an unprecedented 22 percent increases in U.S. tennis racquet and ball CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
increase in overall participation from a sales. In total, for the year that just ended, CYNTHIA CANTRELL, PEG CONNOR,
year earlier, which translates into about racquets enjoyed a 21 percent boost in ship- DAVID LASOTA, JUDY LEAND, KENT OSWALD,
4 million more players--bringing total ment units to retailers vs. 2019, while ball CYNTHIA SHERMAN, MARY HELEN SPRECHER
tennis participation for 2020 to 21.64 shipments achieved single-digit growth.
million players. CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
All of this is great news for the sport, of BOB KENAS, DAVID KENAS
Significantly, 6.78 million of the total course. But I can't help but think it's tinged
tennis participants last year are consid- with sadness. Would these increases have ASSOCIATE EDITOR
ered new and returning players--the 2.96 been possible had it not been for the pan- TIM M ARTHUR
million new players in 2020 is a 44 percent demic? The reality is, probably not. We've
increase over new players in 2019; while been trying to grow tennis participation EDITORIAL DIRECTION
the 3.82 million Americans who returned for decades, with mixed results--certainly 10TEN MEDIA
to the sport is a 40 percent increase. nothing near a 4-million-person increase
in participation in one year, which we've RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY
These great numbers come to us from managed to achieve during this pandemic. 250 Park Avenue, Ste 825, NY NY 10017
the Physical Activity Council (PAC),
which monitors more than 120 sports and We need to capitalize on this momen- 646-381-8735
activities in the U.S. for its annual Partici- tum surrounding participation with ef- info@tennisindustrymag.com
pation Study. fective programs, initiatives and advocacy
that capture the local, grassroots nature ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
But the numbers also come to us as a of this sport. We owe it to tennis, we owe JOHN HANNA
result of this tragic and challenging pan- it to our businesses--and we owe it to
demic. We all know that tennis has incred- all who have been su ering through this 770-650-1102, x125
ible health benefits, but the very nature of pandemic. hanna@knowatlanta.com
the sport means it's the perfect social-
distancing activity. Americans, cooped up Peter Francesconi APPAREL ADVERTISING
in their homes for months, have realized Editor CYNTHIA SHERMAN
this, and despite the pandemic, they've Peter@TennisIndustryMag.com 203-558-5911
been flocking to tennis courts across the
country for health, fitness and fun. It cstennisindustry@gmail.com
helped, of course, that the USTA was able
to o er financial assistance to facilities Racquet Sports Industry is published 10 times per
year: monthly, January through August with combined
issues in September/October and November/
December, by Tennis Channel, Inc., 250 Park Avenue,
Suite 825, New York NY 10017. Periodical postage paid
in Duluth, GA and at additional mailing offices (USPS
#004-354). April 2021, Volume 49, Number 4 � 2021
by Tennis Channel, Inc. All rights reserved. Racquet
Sports Industry, RSI and logo are trademarks of Tennis
Channel, Inc. Printed in the U.S.A. Phone advertising:
770-650-1102 x 125. Phone circulation and editorial:
646-381-8735. Yearly subscriptions $25 in the U.S.,
$40+ elsewhere. POSTMASTER: Send address changes
to Racquet Sports Industry, 250 Park Avenue, Suite
825, New York NY 10017. Racquet Sports Industry 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.
4 RACQUETSPORTSINDUSTRY April 2021 www.tennisindustrymag.com
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IndustryNews
IndustryNews
Information to help you run your business
RESEARCH sport," notes Craig Morris, the USTA's
chief executive of Community Tennis.
U.S. Tennis Participation "We are energized to continue putting
Surges in 2020, Up 44% forward key industry partnerships and
quality programming to ensure new and
Of the more than 21 million existing players of all ages and abilities
Americans saying they have the best experience playing the
played tennis last year, sport for a lifetime."
6.78 million were new and To capitalize on the momentum
returning players. surrounding participation, the USTA
collaborated with leading manufacturers
and mass retailers to include a "Net Gen-
eration" hangtag on over 400,000 youth
racquets sold by various sporting goods,
tennis and mass retailers across the U.S.
Beginning in early Q2, the hangtags will
include information about Net Genera-
tion, the o cial youth tennis brand of
the USTA, aimed at making it easier for
kids to get into the game.
The USTA says it will continue to
provide resources to certified provid-
ers and facilities across the country to
ensure new and existing tennis players
have access to programming that is safe
and fun.
NIS PARTTICIPATION GROWTH IN 2020 ennis participation and existing players came back to the Tennis Channel Seeks
increased by 22 percent in sport--especially in what was such a `America's Top Coach'
2020, with 21.64 million challenging year for so many people,"
people saying they hit the says USTA CEO and Executive Director Tennis Channel is searching for
courts last year, accord- Mike Dowse. "These new participation "America's Top Coaches," in a contest
that celebrates TC's new Topspin newslet-
ing to data from the Physical Activity numbers are a testament to the hard ter. Coaches were nominated through
mid-March, then narrowed to the top 50.
Council (PAC). work, passion and commit- Fan voting takes place through April 11
to determine the Top 10 finalists (5 men,
Of the total number of ment of a united industry. 5 women).
players, 2.96 million were Even though we continue to The final round of fan voting will take
place April 19 to May 2 to determine the
new to the game--a 44 face challenges, it's evident grand prize winners for America's Top
Coach, for both men and women. The
percent increase over new that many people recognize
players in 2019. Additionally, tennis as the ideal social-
NNIS twhheo3r.8NeN2tEEuWmArPniRLleAlYdi3oERtnMoS APtIILhCmLKeEeIsODrpiUNcoParnt sis 4 MILLION distancing sport."
a 40 pAerRcAenCQt iUnEcTreINas2e0o20ver In addition to the increase
CIPATION thoseOAwVNEhRIoNNCrERWeEtPuALASrYEnEeROSdFINt4o420%t1h9 e MORE PEOPLE
D 22% IN 2020 in participation, the Ten-
PLAYED TENNIS nis Industry Association
IN 2020 THAN IN 2019
sport in 2019. The PAC's reported that racquet sales in
COURTESY USTA annual sports participation the entry-level category have
report, produced by Sports Marketing Source: 2020 Physical Activity Council's seen nearly Participation (PAC) Report. 40 percent growth in 2020,
Surveys, monitors more than 120 sports vs. 2019.
and activities in the U.S. "We are excited to see these positive
"We are thrilled that so many new trends and such significant growth in our
www.tennisindustrymag.com April 2021 RACQUETSPORTSINDUSTRY 7
IndustryNews
Short Grand Prize winners will be featured on
Sets Tennis Channel, TENNIS.com, in TENNIS
Magazine and in the Topspin newsletter,
In a multi-year deal, Head has become The National Federation of State in addition to receiving $500. Other final-
the official ball, racquet and string for High School Associations (NFHS) has ists, and those who nominate coaches,
the Laver Cup. This year's edition is partnered with Universal Tennis, a global can win prizes as well.
scheduled to be held at the TD Garden online platform for connecting players,
in Boston from Sept. 24 to 26. Head will coaches, clubs and federations to grow Visit Tennis.com to find out more about
work with the Laver Cup team to design the sport. Through the partnership, the the contest, and to sign up for the new
a special edition Laver Cup-branded NFHS hopes to use UTR to significantly Topspin newsletter.
racquet and bag that will be sold in the reduce "stacking" in high school tennis,
lead-up to and during the event. a tactic employed by coaches to place USTA to Provide $100,000
higher caliber players against lower cali- in PTM Scholarships
The International Tennis Federation and ber players to create favorable scoring
the Hungarian National Sports Agency matchups. The USTA will partner with the USPTA and
have announced that the Billie Jean King PTR to grant up to $100,000 in scholarships
Cup by BNP Paribas Finals, originally US Open champion Sloane Stephens is to current or incoming college students
slated to take place April 13-18, will be a strategic investor and ambassador for enrolled in Professional Tennis Management
rescheduled to later dates in 2021, due to Quantum Energy Squares, a plant-based programs, to support students looking to
COVID-19 restrictions. energy bar. pursue careers in the tennis industry.
A total of 50 students can receive up to
$2,000 in scholarship money for tuition,
provided they are enrolled in a PTM program
during the 2021-22 academic year. Ten
universities and colleges in America have de-
signed PTM programs for students who want
to learn the coaching and business skills to
8 RACQUETSPORTSINDUSTRY April 2021 www.tennisindustrymag.com
IndustryNews
be successful in the tennis industry. Babolat Creates Lab to Study nies will scientifically explore and improve
"With 4 million new tennis players `Human Racquet Sports Player' knowledge of players through the applica-
tion of biomechanics to racquet sports. A
in 2020, we have a unique opportunity Two French companies, Babolat, a leader in racquet sports laboratory will focus on the
to make sure we retain and engage our racquet sports equipment, and HumanFab, human factor to advance knowledge so that
new players with the best experience sports science expert in human engineer- product innovation will suit players' needs,
possible," says Martin Blackman, general ing, announced a joint collaboration to cre- helping them discover their potential and
manager of USTA Player and Coach De- ate and develop a one-of-kind laboratory optimize performance.
velopment. "That means great coaches focused on the study of "the human racquet
delivering the sport at every level, and sports player." The first phase of the collaboration begins
PTM programs are a perfect launch pad this year with the construction of the nearly
for our next generation of coaches." Merging their expertise, the two compa-
For more information and to apply,
visit usta.com/ptm and click on "Schol-
arships." The application deadline is
April 24.
Van der Meer to be Inducted
into International Tennis HOF
COURTESY PTR Teaching legend Dennis Van der
Meer, former world No. 1 and two-time
major champion Lleyton Hewitt, and April 2021 RACQUETSPORTSINDUSTRY 9
the trailblazing Original 9 of women's
professional tennis will be the recipi-
ents of the sport's ultimate honor this
year: induction into the International
Tennis Hall of Fame.
"It's a pleasure to welcome these
tennis greats into the International
Tennis Hall of Fame," says ITHOF
President Stan Smith. "Dennis Van
der Meer ... was a tremendous coach,
teacher and real visionary for the
future of the sport."
The Induction Ceremony for the
Class of 2021 is scheduled to be held
at the International Tennis Hall of
Fame in Newport, R.I. on Saturday,
July 17, 2021. The 2020 ceremony was
cancelled due to COVID-19, and there-
fore the induction ceremony will also
honor Class of 2020 inductees Goran
Ivanisevic and Conchita Martinez.
www.tennisindustrymag.com
IndustryNews
27,000-square-foot Racquet Sports Players PlaySight installed on their campuses, Tennis Racquet Performance
Laboratory in Aix en Provence, France, with teams using the live-streaming at Specialty Stores
which includes a tennis court. technology to provide a viewing platform
for parents, fans and alumni, as well as Jan.-Dec., 2020 vs. 2019
ITA, Playsight Extend Partnership leveraging the system's analytics and
performance video capabilities for player Units 2020 588,538
The Intercollegiate Tennis Association development and coaching. Eight of the Dollars 2019 602,680
and PlaySight have extended their part- 14 ITA Kickoff Weekend events were Price % change vs. '19 -2%
nership in which PlaySight is an Official live-streamed using PlaySight. 2020 $93,334,000
Live Streaming Partner of the ITA. 2019 $101,988,000
For more information, go to playsight. % change vs. '19 -8%
Close to 100 college tennis pro- com and wearecollegetennis.com. 2020 $158.59
grams across all divisions of play have 2019 $169.22
% change vs. '19 -6%
LOVE LOVE
Top-Selling Racquets
Club members and students will LOVE facing at Specialty Stores
off against the phenom. You will LOVE
offering the added advantage. By year-to-date dollars,
Jan.-Dec. 2020
� Best Sellers
1. Wilson Clash 100 2019 (MP)
follow lobstersports on play more. win more�. 2. Babolat Pure Aero 2019 (MP)
3. Babolat Pure Drive 2018 (MP)
For more information, please call 888.380.9460 or visit www.lobstersports.com 4. Wilson Blade 98 16x19 V7'20 (MP)
5. Babolat Pure Drive 2021 (MP)
"Hot New Racquets"
(introduced in the past 12 months)
1. Babolat Pure Drive 2021 (MP)
2. Wilson Ultra 100 V3 2020
3. Head Graphene 360+ Speed MP
4. Wilson Pro Staff 97 V13 2021 (MP)
5. Wilson Ultra 108 V3 2020
Top-Selling Tennis Shoes
at Specialty Stores
By year-to-date dollars,
Jan.-Dec. 2020
1. K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2
2. Nike Zoom Vapor X 2020
3. Asics Gel Resolution 8'20
4. K-Swiss Hypercourt Express
5. Nike Zoom Cage 4 2020
Top-Selling Strings
at Specialty Stores
By year-to-date units,
Jan.-Dec. 2020
1. Babolat RPM Blast
2. Wilson NXT
3. Wilson Sensation
4. Head Velocity
5. Solinco Hyper G
(Source: Tennis Industry Association)
10 RACQUETSPORTSINDUSTRY April 2021 www.tennisindustrymag.com
IndustryNews
Paul Annacone Joins offering periodic camps, a college com- � Bio-Hotel Stanglwirt (Going/Tirol, Austria)
USTA SoCal Team bine and other resources for SoCal juniors June 20-25 and Sept. 12-17
interested in playing college or profes- � Silverado Resort & Spa (Napa, CA) Aug.
Tennis Channel broadcaster and sional tennis. 5-8
coach Paul Annacone has joined the � Park Hyatt Dubai (Dubai, UAE) Nov. 31-
USTA Southern California Player Annacone, who reached a career-high Dec. 4
Development effort. Annacone, along No. 12 ATP singles ranking and No. 3 in � One & Only Desaru Coast (Malaysia) TBA.
with Director of Player Development doubles, coached Grand Slam champions
Scott Lipsky and Director of Junior Pete Sampras, Roger Federer, Sloane Tennis Loses Champion
Tennis Trevor Kronemann, will be Stephens and Stan Wawrinka. Tony Trabert in February
PBI Announces 2021 Tony Trabert, one of American tennis'
Adult Tennis Camps greatest players in the 1950s, and who
later served as U.S. Davis Cup captain and
Peter Burwash International (PBI) has an- commentated on the US Open from the
nounced its 2021 World Tennis Camp Series. CBS broadcast booth, passed away on
The four- to five-day intensive camps are Feb. 3 at age 90.
featured at some of the most beautiful and
highly rated tennis destinations in the world. Trabert owned 10 major titles in singles
(More dates will be announced as stay-at- and doubles, winning Forest Hills for the
home orders are lifted.) first time in 1953. He was the best player
� JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in the sport in 1955, winning three of the
(Palm Desert, CA) March 17-21 four Grand Slams--including a second
� Naples Grande Beach Resort (Naples, FL) Forest Hills crown--while gaining the
April 22-25 world No. 1 ranking.
� Carmel Valley Ranch (Carmel, CA) April
29- May 2 After retiring as a player, he started a
popular tennis camp in Ojai, Calif., and
COURTESY TENNIS CHANNEL
www.tennisindustrymag.com April 2021 RACQUETSPORTSINDUSTRY 11
IndustryNews
two years later, he began his career as
an analyst with CBS. He was a fixture in
US Open on-court champions' trophy
presentations until his retirement in
2004. Trabert also served as president
of the International Tennis Hall of Fame
from 2001 to 2011.
PTR Announces Two New
Directors for Its Board
EQUIPMENT Two new members of the PTR Board
of Directors were elected at the organi-
Wilson Introduces Colorful zation's Annual General Membership
Britto Racquet Collection Meeting in February. The new board
members, who will serve three-year
W ilson and re- additional products, including apparel terms, are John Borden as Secretary and
nowned artist and accessories. Tito Perez as Director-at-Large. Delaine
Romero Britto Mast was re-elected to another three-
announced the The boldly designed Britto Clash year term as Vice President.
release of the racquets include the Clash 100 ($299),
W | Britto Collection, which features Clash 100L ($279), and Clash 26 Borden, a 20-year PTR pro, was re-
Britto's signature style--inspired by ($159) pre-strung models and include cently promoted to president and CEO
cubism, pop art and a warm, vibrant a Britto-designed head cover. The of the Washington Tennis & Education
color palette, designed to inspire joy, Britto Ultra 100 v3 ($269) upgrades Foundation. Prior to joining WTEF, he
love and acceptance around the game power and stability for players with was general manager of the Junior Tennis
of tennis. The first product collection more of a classic, horizontal swing. Champions Center in College Park, Md.
includes select hardgoods and is The racquet comes strung and in-
part of a multi-year partnership with cludes an exclusive Britto-designed Bolivian native P�rez has worked in
head cover. Visit Wilson.com for more. the tennis industry for more than 25
years and is both a PTR and USTA clini-
People cian. He's a Level II Certified Pro with the
Watch PTR and is the PTR regional director from
New York. He currently serves as direc-
Former USTA President Katrina Adams Rich Benson has joined Har-Tru LLC as tor of tennis and sports manager at Long COURTESY WILSON
has published her first book, Own the Outside Sales Representative. Har-Tru Island Health & Racquet in New York.
Arena: Getting Ahead, Making a Difference has been focusing on the growth of its
and Succeeding as the Only One. The book acrylic Sports Coatings line, and Benson Tecnifibre is Official Ball
provides a behind-the-scenes look at will help lead and develop this segment. of SoCal's Signature Series
managing the USTA and the US Open,
the impact of the controversial Williams Tennis Channel and on-air personality Tecnifibre will be the Official Ball of
vs. Osaka women's final, and Adams' Prakash Amritraj have extended their the USTA Southern California Signa-
journey as a competitive junior player to contract through 2023. ture Series, a collection of elite major
her time on the WTA Tour. tournaments on the SoCal competitive
Doug Chapman, head tennis coach at schedule.
Chuck Gill is the new tennis director for Somerset Berkley Regional High School
the Wellington Tennis Center in Welling- in Massachusetts for the last 43 years, "Tecnifibre balls have been chosen
ton, Fla. Gill had been director at The Club has been named the National Federation by some of the most prestigious tour-
at Ibis for the past 24 years. Jay Berger of State High School Associations (NFHS) naments and clubs in the world," says
will be the new tennis director at Ibis. National Boys Tennis Coach of the Year. USTA SoCal CEO Marla Messing.
As the Official Ball of the Signature
Series, Tecnifibre will be a prominent
presence at the most significant tour-
naments within the section, includ-
ing the 2021 Open Sectionals, Super
Sectionals and the 119th SoCal Junior
Sectional Championships.
12 RACQUETSPORTSINDUSTRY April 2021
Letters to the Editor
Tennis photographer Luigi
Serra had been involved in the
grassroots-tennis TOP program
(toptennischicago.com).
a friend of mine since the early 1970s,
when I ran Mid Town Tennis Club for
Alan Schwartz. He was truly a "tennis
nut." Luigi either had a racquet in his
hand or his camera. He loved the game
and shared it with his entire family, and
was such a shining light to be around.
His wife, Bonnie, eventually worked
for Alan at Mid Town for probably
more than 25 years. His kids, too, loved
the game. He will be sorely missed in
the tennis community.
Steve Zalinski
Durham, N.C.
Remembering Luigi enough to win the city-wide Parks MRT Instructors
Championships a few years earlier?
My RSI magazine subscription fol- I rushed to my photo album, and yes, Back in 2000, The U.S. Racquet
lowed me from San Diego to St. George, it was him! It was such fun to repre- Stringers Association launched an
Utah, recently, and my eye caught the sent Chicago in the National Public MRT Private Stringing Lesson pro-
name of Luigi Serra in the "Our Serve" Parks Tournament when the Windy gram, designed to take advantage of
article in the February issue. I asked City hosted it at Diversey clay courts the growing numbers of certified Mas-
myself, "How do I know that name?" in 1976, and then in St. Louis and Los ter Racquet Technicians. Instead of
Angeles. It sounds as if I may have been conducting group workshops around
Could he have been that unassuming, one of his earlier tennis photographic the world, our MRTs offer private
quick-moving photographer around subjects; he was in his early 30s at the stringing lessons. These MRT instruc-
1976, who was so kind to find me at time, and I was around 26. tors set their own rates and operate
Chicago's Waveland tennis courts and like private tennis instructors--except
present me with large black-and-white I was a flight attendant for Ameri- that they teach stringing and racquet
photos he had taken when I was lucky can Airlines, and between the Chicago service.
Parks summer championships and the
SHUTTERSTOCK International Tennis "Stewardess" Through this system, lessons are
Tournaments, I was very busy playing geared to the desires of the student,
tennis for a few years. Having grown and MRT instructors can adjust their
up in Los Angeles County, I returned lesson to the level of the student. Also,
to Southern California in 1983 and en- students attend only as long as they
joyed part-time tennis teaching in San want--they may learn as much in a
Diego, eventually becoming a USPTA few hours as would be possible in an
teaching pro and competing as a senior. all-day group workshop.
Your well-written article was a If you would like to be an MRT
lovely tribute to Luigi. Thank you very instructor, please email
much for it, so I could reminisce and Dave@RacquetTech.com,
fully appreciate Luigi, the engineer with "instructor" in the subject line.
and champion tennis photographer! I
will contact TOP and donate to Luigi's David Bone
Scholarship Fund with great delight. USRSA President
Taffy Lewis We welcome your opinions and
St. George, Utah comments.Please email them to
info@tennisindustrymag.com
What a great editorial! Luigi Serra was
www.tennisindustrymag.com April 2021 RACQUETSPORTSINDUSTRY 13
GrassrootsTennis
BUILDING COMMUNITY
Play It Forward!
CTAs, along with NJTLs, public
parks and schools, are on the
front lines when it comes to
growing our sport.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA MIDWEST PHOTOS COURTESY FOSTER CITY TENNIS CLUB, HAMILTON COUNTY CTA
Fostering Tennis in Foster City Improving Lives
Through Tennis
A s 2020 began, the Foster aspect that tied together club members in Indiana
City Tennis Club, a key civic and families, while focusing on the
contributor in this 34,000- tennis that bound them with organized K indness and compassion
person community on the play through multiple, intra-club are the twin themes of the
Bay south of San Francisco, was poised leagues designed for different levels of Hamilton County Com-
to reach out to surrounding towns. competitors. munity Tennis Association
FCTC, a USTA Community Tennis in central Indiana, just north of In-
Association, was ready to explore ju- FCTC began 2021 by renewing its dianapolis. Founded in 1990 by Helen
nior development programs, bring the aspirations as well as continuing its Moser Petersen, a USTA volunteer who
game to underserved communities and commitment to health and well-being accepted as a personal responsibility
expand opportunities for social and (and maybe some competitive edge) the association's burgeoning interest in
competitive play for its 350 members by focusing on what they do best: community tennis, the HCCTA has out-
(up from the six players who started the responding to the community. Accord- door and indoor seasons that currently
club in 1973). Dozens of competitive ing to Board Member Patrick Merrill, engage 2,000 to 2,500 individuals.
teams also were set to add to FCTC's "We've been able to play tennis on pub-
legacy in USTA League play, which in- lic courts since last summer. By intro- Play and instruction is at the Carmel
cludes past wins in districts, sectionals ducing these new leagues, and keeping Racquet Club (membership is not
and nationals. Then the pandemic hit. our annual dues low, we've been able mandatory for HCCTA participants)
to keep a majority of our members. In and at schools in four local districts.
The tightly knit community respond- many ways, tennis has become the only Programs range from introduction to
ed by setting aside the in-person social game in town." --Kent Oswald tennis for 4-year-olds, to clinics for 2.0
to 4.5 players, to point-play instruction,
to Cardio Tennis for all. Of special note
are before- and after-school offerings at
local elementary schools that combine
tennis instruction and a Champion
Reads curriculum, and an eight-week
summer Special Olympics campaign for
junior high through adult athletes.
Heading up the paid staff of two full-
timers and two part-timers is Executive
Director Maggie Petersen, lawyer turned
community tennis impresario, whose
working principle is: "Life is always bet-
ter (mentally and physically healthier)
with a passion. Our ultimate goal is to
improve the lives of those in our com-
munity through tennis." --Kent Oswald
14 RACQUETSPORTSINDUSTRY April 2021 www.tennisindustrymag.com
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RETAILERS &
2021 VENDORS
SPECIALTY RETAILERS the detriment of tennis specialty stores.
The direct-to-consumer (DTC) issue
Significant
Others has been percolating for a while, but
now appears to be at full boil. During
Retailers discuss the ups and the COVID-19 siege, now entering
downs of vendor relationships, its second year, consumers' fears of
and what can be done to contagion and their accompanying
strengthen these crucial bonds. avoidance of in-store shopping have
fueled a seemingly unquenchable thirst
By Judy Leand for online commerce. In fact, consum-
ers spent $861.12 billion online with
Over the past few years, there has been a shifting dynamic in the relationship U.S. merchants in 2020, up 44 percent
between tennis specialty retailers and their vendor partners, and it hasn't all been year over year, according to estimates
for the better. As consolidation across the sporting goods industry has increased, from media and research firm Digital
major brands--many of which are publicly owned--have gained power and lever- Commerce 360. If not for the bump in
age. In the interest of bolstering their bottom lines and mollifying investors, some sales due to the pandemic, that figure
of these companies have opted to sell directly to consumers online, oftentimes to wouldn't have been reached until 2022.
This, combined with local and state SHUTTERSTOCK; COURTESY MASON'S TENNIS
government-mandated business shut-
downs, has put traditional retailers in a
particularly precarious position, forc-
ing them to wrestle with market forces
beyond their control as well as grapple
over product pricing, availability and
sales with their own vendors.
Post-pandemic, nobody knows the
extent to which the online shopping
frenzy will become permanent, but it's
a sure bet some of these newly formed
consumer shopping habits are here to
stay. E-commerce is poised to represent
a growing piece of the tennis business
going forward, and now the question is:
What can retailers do to keep their own
shops healthy while also trying to nego-
tiate a new path with their key vendors?
Here, we present the first of a two-part
series that focuses on the increasingly
fraught relationship between retailers
and vendors. Part I examines the retail-
ers' perspective, and Part II in a later
issue will focus on the vendors' views.
It is our hope that this conversation
can spark productive dialogue between
the two parties for the betterment of
everyone's business, for the racquet
sports industry at large and for the mil-
lions of players it serves.
Retailers are struggling with
supply chain issues, says van
Asselt, and vendors are trying
to help as best as they can.
16 RACQUETSPORTSINDUSTRY April 2021 www.tennisindustrymag.com
We need to work hand-in-hand to revive tennis as a business. Retailers are
necessary--we're the first place that consumers go to see and try new things.
On the downside, we're being forced to compete against vendors.
The retailer panel: out of the business who understand the Some of the smaller and privately
� Brad Blume, Managing Partner, sport and the players. owned vendors are a pleasure to deal
Tennis Express, Houston with. Most of the problems come from
� Adam Burbary, Owner, Game-Set- Moriarty: It's a very important rela- conglomerates and publicly owned
Match, Denver, Colo. tionship, especially in light of the short- companies. They're more concerned
� Mark Mason, Owner, Mason's Ten- age of hardgoods lately. Relationships with the bottom line.
nis, New York City are weakening. Vendor upper manage-
� Karen Moriarty, Owner/Manager, ment is always threatening to eliminate Van Asselt: On the positive side, every-
The Tennis Professionals, Harrison, N.Y. sales reps and just go to B2B relation- one is struggling with supply chain
� Philip van Asselt, Owner, Tennis ships, but ordering from a computer issues and vendors are trying to help as
Junction, Bryn Mawr, Pa. isn't as effective or helpful for retailers. best as they can. Our relationships are
decent but we'd like them to be stron-
RSI: How would you characterize Van Asselt: Manufacturers are work- ger. We need to work hand-in-hand to
the relationship between specialty ing with us but they don't have our best revive tennis as a business. Retailers
retailers and vendors across the interests at heart. They're competing are necessary--we're the first place that
racquet sports industry? against us. Manufacturers need to give consumers go to see and try new things.
retailers products to sell. On the downside, we're being forced to
Blume: The industry is very personal compete against vendors. Some manu-
and connected, but vendors are being RSI: How are your current relation- facturers don't value their own product.
squeezed by a rise in manufactur- ships with your own vendors? Sometimes price point frames bite into
ing costs. But it's also tougher to be a sales of new higher-end product and
retailer. Manufacturers produce too Burbary: Key people are leaving and this devalues the brand.
many racquets and other products, reps are being phased out, so personal
which makes it harder for retailers to relationships--which are so important RSI: Has the pandemic improved
stock everything. in this business--are dwindling. But on or worsened your vendor relation-
a positive note, the vendor relationships ships?
Burbary: Relationships are strained. that are left are getting stronger.
Sales departments aren't working Blume: The pandemic has had a
with credit departments, which makes Mason: It depends on the vendor. positive impact on tennis, but many
transactions difficult. Vendors are
squeezing every dime they can and are
cutting customer service. Some are try-
ing to appease new [corporate] owners.
Mason: [One vendor in particular] has
caused so much bad blood--there's no
inventory for retailers, yet this manu-
facturer is keeping product to sell on-
line at 25 percent off. How do you have
a launch and then not have racquets?
The whole thing is mind-boggling. It's
incredibly damaging, like a partner that
opens a store next to yours, sells at a
discount and puts you out of business.
Some vendors don't understand what
retailers do, such as demos and pioneer
work, to help make a racquet success-
ful. There's also the issue of respecting
MAP (minimum advertised price) poli-
cies; it's the glue that holds everything
together. MAP gives everyone an equal
playing field, and going off MAP will
ruin the industry by taking retailers
www.tennisindustrymag.com April 2021 RACQUETSPORTSINDUSTRY 17
I'm positive about new products and sticking to MAP so the retailer
can make money--I applaud vendors that institute MAP policy. However,
it's disappointing to see brands go DTC, particularly on Amazon.
manufacturers cut future orders signifi- tion and they can't get that online. Ven- We're becoming more selective about
cantly when demand hit. Nobody fore- dors' online retail is very limited. Also, our vendor partners. For example,
saw a surge in participation, especially our customers generate lots of add-on there is a racquet customization pro-
demand for entry-level items. Everyone sales, which can't be done online--you gram from one manufacturer that was
is now fighting for product, which need a strong sales staff on the floor. supposed to go to top dealers, but in ac-
creates problems in relationships with tuality went DTC on that vendor's web-
vendors. By late February, retailers still RSI: How have vendors' DTC online site--it's a money grab. When vendors
didn't have January spring product in sales impacted your business, and sell direct, they put dealers second.
stock from many brands. After the pan- is there anything that you can do, or
demic started, manufacturers discount- are planning to do, about it? Mason: I'm planning to support the
ed their products 25 percent, meaning vendors that support me--the ones that
that retailers lost 25 percent of their Blume: I'm positive about new prod- have integrity for their brand and don't
margin after having bought the product ucts and sticking to MAP so the retailer go off MAP. People have long memories
at full price pre-pandemic. Now, there's can make money--I applaud vendors in this business and will go with compa-
no new product to fill the gap. that institute MAP policy. However, it's nies that will help retailers. Companies
disappointing to see brands go DTC, are chipping away at MAP in the U.S.
Burbary: Both, but more toward wors- particularly on Amazon. Manufactur- There's no MAP in Europe. When you
ened. The ongoing excuse is COVID-19. ers are just feeding Amazon revenue start chipping away at the foundations
It's harder to get freight and new prod- that should be going to retailers, and of the industry, you'll eliminate an im-
ucts. It seems that when some vendors in turn to the local communities and portant segment of the business.
do get new products, they have enough tennis programs that retailers help to
to put on their own websites but not support. When vendors sell to Amazon, Moriarty: Links to Amazon from ven-
enough for retailers. Vendors do control they're hurting the industry and are do- dor sites are the scariest thing for us.
when and how they launch product. ing a huge disservice--even worse than We're seeing lots of seconds in racquets
selling DTC on their own websites. coming through our doors. You don't
Moriarty: It's probably improved my always know where the Amazon stuff
relationships. Vendors are beginning Burbary: We're picking our relation- comes from.
to understand that they need retailers. ships. The more vendors go online, the
Consumers want personalized atten- less we're willing to deal with them. Van Asselt: It would be nice to be part
of the custom racquet programs. Most
of the time we carry most of what's
offered online. But customer service is
key--it makes up the difference.
RSI: What actions can vendors take
to be better partners?
Blume: Stop selling DTC! Stop with- SHUTTERSTOCK
holding product from retailers, do
better forecasting and have inventory
in stock, and protect and police MAP
policies. Also, communicate challenges
and issues--keep retailers in the know
as early as possible. Retailers' mar-
gins are slipping on product because
we have to add stringing, online price
matching, tax-free sales and the cost of
carrying demo racquets. Plus, there's
a lack of inventory from the manufac-
turers. Strong communication, early
planning, a focused product line and
grassroots support for retailers would
be very helpful.
18 RACQUETSPORTSINDUSTRY April 2021 www.tennisindustrymag.com
You can't just chase customers
like a commodity, says Burbary.
There has to be trust as well as an
acknowledgement that the retailer
is the activator in the community.
Burbary: Vendors need to be more Moriarty: There needs to be a more ers like a commodity. There has to be
honest about their intentions and clear-cut set of selling rules. Also, we trust as well as an acknowledgement
adhere to MAP policy in order to need more specific programming for that the retailer is the activator in the
strengthen relationships. The inter- brick-and-mortar and more specific community. There's a huge opportunity
net used to dictate pricing and policy digital support. of upside in this marketplace--it's a
for everyone in the industry, but now matter of how you approach it.
vendors are holding product back from Van Asselt: We all get competitive and
retailers. stingy with our ideas, but it would be Mason: By being partners! Help each
better to work together. Everyone wants other out. Stick to MAP--it's the life
Mason: Special programs are fine, but to feel needed, and it's up to the vendors force of the industry. Don't resort to
vendors have to have the merchandise. and reps to not take retailers for granted. short-term benefits; look at what will
Don't compete against us. Is it really When I have a good relationship with a help the industry long-term.
worth it in the long run to alienate your rep, I buy more from that brand.
entire dealer base just to make a little Moriarty: The big thing is that there
more money? It devalues the brand and RSI: How can racquet sports retail- needs to be a positive message about
it's very short-sighted. Retailers are or- ers and vendors better work togeth- the game in general, and that it's good
dering less volume from all the brands er for the betterment of each other's for the mind and body. We can't just
that are competing against them. By businesses, as well as for consumers focus on particular products. We
crippling and ultimately destroying and the industry at large? should all be more public service-
their base of specialty retailers, vendors focused rather than purely retail and
are losing a great asset to the business. Burbary: You can't just chase custom- sales-focused.
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www.tennisindustrymag.com April 2021 RACQUETSPORTSINDUSTRY 19
HEALTH &
2021 FITNESS
PHIT AMERICA
Amping Up
Tennis
& Fitness
For sports industry veteran Jim Baugh, getting
kids healthy has been a lifelong passion, and PHIT
America is helping make it happen.
By Cindy Cantrell
As he approaches the half-century Sports and a board member of the "further driven" by data such as the
mark in the tennis business, Jim USTA and Sports & Fitness Industry UNICEF 2020 Report Card ranking
Baugh has earned the right to reflect Association. U.S. children last in physical health
and appreciate his numerous contri- among 38 countries and 32nd in skills
butions that have helped revolution- Baugh's current passion is "getting and mental wellbeing.
ize the industry. But instead, he deter- kids healthier and smarter" through
minedly deflects attention and praise PHIT America, a nonprofit organiza- "Our kids are in trouble because
from the awards adorning his office. tion he founded in 2013 to help spot- people don't give the proper respect
light PHIT Act legislation pending in for what physical activity does for the
"It's plain and simple," says Baugh, Congress, which will allow Americans body, mind and spirit," he adds. "We
an inductee of the Sports Industry to use pre-tax medical accounts to pay have to get more Americans active and
Hall of Fame and Tennis Industry for physical activity expenses, such as playing sports. And it starts with P.E.
Hall of Fame, and who was named The tennis and fitness clubs, programs and for schoolchildren."
Sporting Life's Most Powerful Person equipment.
in Tennis in the Last 25 Years in 1996, Promoting Health & Fitness
and RSI's Person of the Year in 2003. By 2030, he aims to reach the 50
"None of it means squat unless I make million schoolchildren--or 93 percent In a way, Baugh's involvement with
a difference in this world." of students nationwide--who do PHIT America is a return to his roots.
not meet healthy standards set by While in graduate school in the 1970s,
Make no mistake, Baugh has al- the Centers for Disease Control and he established a new physical educa-
ready left an indelible mark through Prevention of participating in physical tion program that he then taught
his past tenures as president of Wil- activity at least three days a week. to students in grades 1 to 8 for two
son Sporting Goods and the Tennis years. Since that time, Baugh founded
Industry Association, vice president "This inactivity pandemic will Cardio Tennis and PE4Life, as well as
of sales and marketing at Prince not turn around unless we turn it co-authored and helped pass the 2000
around," says Baugh, noting he is
20 RACQUETSPORTSINDUSTRY April 2021 www.tennisindustrymag.com
An estimated 75,000 kids
participate in AMPED, a before-
school running and walking
fitness program that may be
paired with an after-school sport.
PHOTO COURTESY PHIT AMERICA PEP (Physical Education for Prog- school, incentivized running and "AMPED overcomes two of the
ress) Act appropriating $900 million walking fitness program that may biggest issues kids face through
toward high school phys ed programs. be paired with an after-school sport inactivity: health issues and learning
component using specially designed limitations," Baugh says, noting that
In a continuation of that theme, equipment for beginners. sedentary kids have been shown to
PHIT America (phitamerica.org) receive less blood flow to the brain.
o ers fun beginner programs for While AMPED+ Tennis will "AMPED is low-cost and proven to get
lifetime sports in order to improve be launched with USTA support, kids moving and having fun."
children's physical and mental health AMPED+ Golf will be o ered through
for lifelong happiness. To date, the the Payne Stewart Kids Golf Founda- Commitments for Programs
organization has introduced more tion. PHIT America is also looking to
than 600,000 kids to physical activity work closely with SPEEDO so kids In September 2019, PHIT America
at over 1,000 schools. learn swim safety and basic skills in received a multi-million-dollar
AMPED+ Swimming, and AMPED+ commitment from the Seattle-based
Of those, an estimated 75,000 kids Play Fit is being developed using Julia Love Pritt Private Foundation,
in more than 120 elementary schools games with a focus on fitness. which accelerates PHIT's fundraising
participate in AMPED, a before-
When you consider the huge benefits that exercise at school has on academic,
physical and emotional health--but that P.E. is currently offered in just 48 percent
of American schools--you realize that we are failing.
www.tennisindustrymag.com April 2021 RACQUETSPORTSINDUSTRY 21
HEALTH & The $10,000 Britto Coloring
Contest includes Britto-
2021 FITNESS
designed templates for different
sports, including tennis (below),
that kids can color for prizes.
timetable to help establish more fit- Britto Coloring Contest. Children may too sedentary and unhealthy, so we
ness programs in American schools. download any of 10 coloring pages, are promoting the Let's Get Kids to
including a tennis coloring page, at Play Campaign For Happy Healthy
To raise awareness of its nation- https://phitamerica.org/key-pro- Kids artwork through my network.
wide commitment and mission, PHIT grams/play/10-000-romero-britto- The coloring contest will engage kids
America has also teamed with more coloring-contest or create their own while we promote the importance of
than 1,000 local Ambassadors and Fan entry to be submitted through April physical activity and sports for im-
Club members, presenting sponsor 15. Individual prizes will be awarded, proved health. I hope everyone can get
Julia Love Pritt Private Foundation as well as a grand prize for the winning involved with this important mission
and dozens of partners, including Wil- student's school. and support PHIT America."
son, Life Fitness and Athletic DNA.
"Ever since I learned about PHIT Baugh said he is proud that PHIT
Most recently, PHIT America America, I saw the need to dedicate America is playing a role in getting more
and internationally renowned artist myself to getting kids healthier and schoolchildren physically active and
Romero Britto launched the Let's Get happier through increased physical playing sports during the school day.
Kids to Play Campaign For Happy activity," Britto says. "Kids are way
Healthy Kids featuring the $10,000 "When you stop and consider
the huge benefits that exercise at
school has on academic, physical and
emotional health--but that P.E. is
currently o ered in just 48 percent of
American schools--you realize that we
are failing," Baugh says.
"I believe that all my experiences in
the industry have led me to this mo-
ment in time to change children's lives
through PHIT America. I'm excited
and committed to getting it done."
Ever since I learned about PHIT America, says Britto, I saw the need to dedicate myself
to getting kids healthier and happier through increased physical activity.
So we are promoting the Let's Get Kids to Play Campaign For Happy Healthy Kids.
22 RACQUETSPORTSINDUSTRY April 2021 www.tennisindustrymag.com
IMAGES COURTESY PHIT AMERICA, ROMERO BRITTO PHITAMERICA.ORG:
FIND OUT WHAT
YOU CAN DO April 2021 RACQUETSPORTSINDUSTRY 23
1 / JOIN THE MOVEMENT AT
PHITAMERICA.ORG.
Go to the "About" tab to find out how
to become a sponsor, Ambassador, Fan
Club member and more.
2 / PHIT AMERICA PROGRAMS.
Check out the "Key Programs" tab
on the website for more about PHIT
America's core AMPED program for
schoolchildren, including how tennis
and other sports can fit into it. The
AMPED+Tennis program includes
six sessions per child, uses equipment
designed for beginners and is imple-
mented by trained sta .
3 / JOIN THE PLAY CAMPAIGN.
The PLAY Campaign tab includes how
to get involved in the Romero Britto
social media campaign "Let's Get Kids
to Play," and also links to the $10,000
Britto Coloring Contest, where you
can download a Britto-inspired tem-
plate, including one for tennis.
4 / CHECK OUT DATA ON THE
INACTIVITY PANDEMIC.
Visit IP.PHITAmerica.org for key
trends, facts and research on the dan-
gers facing our kids today.
5 / DONATE AND MAKE A
DIFFERENCE IN KIDS' LIVES.
All amounts are welcome, but a $100
donation, which gets 10 kids healthy,
includes two free Britto-designed face
masks, and a $4,400 donation will get
a whole school active and healthy for
three years. PHIT welcomes private
and corporate donations.
6 / SIGN THE PETITION.
Under the "Key Programs" tab, sign
the Petition for Healthy Kids and
support providing kids with at least
30 minutes of physical activity at least
three days a week in school.
www.tennisindustrymag.com
STRING
SELECTOR
2021 GUIDE
EQUIPMENT
String Selector,
Part 2
With COVID-19 challenges, we add some late arrivals to the
USRSA database of currently available strings.
By Bob Patterson
Chart Compiled by David Bone
When we published our annual String late strings in later editions of RSI. The short chart below, combined
Selector Guide in the March issue, we As a reminder, the lab test numbers with the larger chart that appeared
addressed some of the obstacles and in the March issue, represent strings
changes that COVID-19 has brought to for each string in our String Selector that are either new to the market or
our industry. One of those challenges is will give you and your customer a good new to our database. (Note: Pacific has
logistics, and as such, some of the new indication of what a new string may made us aware of the five new strings
strings for this year failed to reach us in have to offer and will help to eliminate in the chart below, but as of press time,
time to be included in our chart in the having several strings in your inventory we were unable to lab test them.) The
last issue. We present these latecomers that may be too similar to each other. complete database of more than 1,000
here, with the caveat that we remain Whether you carry a hundred different strings is available to USRSA members
flexible in case we need to add other strings or just 10, you want to be sure at RacquetTech.com.
that your string inventory has variety.
2021 STRING SELECTOR -- NEWEST STRINGS IN THE USRSA DATABASE
Brand String Sport String Name/Gauge Material Nominal Diameter (mm) Stiffness (lbs.) Tension Loss (lbs.)
Dunlop Tennis Iconic All 16 Nylon 1.30 208 11.77
Dunlop Tennis Iconic All 17 Nylon 1.25 194 12.79
Dunlop Squash Iconic Pro AF 17 Nylon 1.22 211 10.03
Dunlop Squash Iconic Pro AF 18 Nylon 1.18 179 12.76
Gamma Tennis TNT2 React Pro 16 Nylon 1.32 227 12.26
Gamma Tennis TNT2 React Pro 17 Nylon 1.27 231 9.50
Laserfibre Tennis JB Tour 100 16 Co-Polyester 1.30 269 17.89
Laserfibre Tennis JB Tour 100 17 Co-Polyester 1.25 250 20.02
Laserfibre Tennis JB Tour 100 18 Co-Polyester 1.20 230 22.84
Luxilon Tennis Alu Power Rough 130 16 Polyester 1.30 301 18.81
Luxilon Tennis Element 130 Rough 16 Polyester 1.30 299 19.14
Luxilon Tennis LXN Smart 125 16L Polyester 1.25 288 18.48
Luxilon Tennis LXN Smart 130 16 Polyester 1.30 304 19.91
Pacific Tennis Black Thunder 1.25 16L Polyester NA NA NA
Pacific Tennis ChampOne 1.25 16L Polyester NA NA NA
Pacific Tennis ChampOne 1.30 16 Polyester NA NA NA
Pacific Tennis DuraTech X 1.30 16 Polyester NA NA NA
Pacific Tennis DuraTech X 1.35 15L Polyester NA NA NA
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TENNIS
2021 PERSPECTIVES
GRASSROOTS GROWTH To help grow the sport in Cuba and
bring kids into the game, Lopez Toledo
Courts has been offering free tennis on the
of Cuba streets and in the parks of Havana.
With the Eco Tennis Cuba program, many children and adults as possible--
coach Carlos Lopez Toledo looks to for free. Excited at the prospect of new
expand the sport in his homeland. players holding a racquet and hitting
a ball, Lopez Toledo utilizes low-pres-
By Emmy Caporale sure balls and smaller-size courts.
For many people, 2020 will be a year position to coach in the Dominican International Help PHOTOS COURTESY CARLOS LOPEZ TOLEDO
to forget--a year in which we were Republic, so Lopez Toledo assumed
kept afloat by hopes and dreams. But responsibility for his father's teams, To help grow his program, Lopez
not for Carlos Lopez Toledo, who had the members of which became the Toledo has had to rely on the kindness
a dream for his homeland of Cuba, and young coach's first students. Today, of others.
despite overwhelming odds, is making Lopez Toledo, certified as a Level II
it a reality. tennis coach by the Cuban Tennis "I've obtained tennis racquets and
Federation, is one of the primary equipment from coaches from other
Lopez Toledo began playing tennis coaches at the Ferroviario Club, which countries who visit our program," he
at age 6 at the Ferroviario Club in is about 150 feet from his home. says. "They support us in our devel-
Havana, which was founded a century opment with their visits to clinics,
ago. He excelled as a junior player, Importantly, the club also is workshops, training sessions and
competing in many prestigious tour- headquarters for Eco Tennis Cuba, exhibition games in parks, traffic-
naments. In 2014, his father, a tennis a program Lopez Toledo established free streets, schoolyards and old
coach at the club, accepted a two-year with the mission to teach tennis to as tennis clubs."
Passion for the game has quickly
spread, as friends and family watched
others playing in the streets, parks
and schools. The immediate interest
in learning the game was phenom-
enal, says Lopez Toledo, but he also is
looking to the long game--nurturing
players to become coaches for a future
academy.
Networking has been important,
and Lopez Toledo has cultivated new
relationships and potential partner-
ships with groups based in the U.S.,
including the non-profit Sarah Vande
26 RACQUETSPORTSINDUSTRY April 2021 www.tennisindustrymag.com
I've obtained tennis racquets and equipment from coaches from other countries
who visit our program. They support us in our development with their visits to clinics,
workshops, training sessions and exhibition games.
Berg (SVB) Tennis Foundation, based provide children access to world-class to access real tennis courts."
in Zephyrhills, Fla. Pascal Collard, experts in teaching and training, pos- Unfortunately, says Lopez Toledo,
the CEO of the Sarah Vande Berg sibly through scholarships to the SVB
Tennis & Wellness Center, says he center and the opportunity to train "We have not been able to organize
and Lopez Toledo are working on a on site. any UTR tournaments in Cuba
plan to work together. The goal is to because the internet is very expen-
Looking to UTR sive. We hope to do tournaments in
the future and use the internet from
Eco Tennis Cuba also is looking to another country."
utilize the Universal Tennis Rating
(UTR) system, and recently connected The tennis industry in Cuba is in
with Adhemar Rodriguez, who works its infancy, says Lopez Toledo, but
for UTR and is responsible for culti- he'd like to increase awareness and
vating its growth in the Caribbean, participation in the sport by launching
Central America and Mexico. a tennis channel, magazine and travel
agency. He also hopes tennis enthu-
"Carlos expressed his interest in the siasts from other countries, including
UTR system as part of his plan to help the U.S., will visit and help support the
in the growth of the game in Cuba," expansion of the sport in Cuba.
Rodriguez says. "As you can see on
his social-media channels, he is doing Emmy Caporale has been a contribut-
an amazing job with the kids on the ing writer for Tennis View Magazine
streets without the opportunity since 2016.
www.tennisindustrymag.com WWW.GAMMASPORTS.COM
April 2021 RACQUETSPORTSINDUSTRY 27
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28 RACQUETSPORTSINDUSTRY April 2021 www.tennisindustrymag.com