Racquet Sports Industry

September/October 2007
Volume 35 Number 9 $5.00

Contents R S I S E P / O C T 2 0 0 7
INDUSTRY NEWS
7 New Boris Becker Tennis
brand debuts
7 Top speakers to headline USPTA’s
World Conference
8 Nex-LvL is new licensee for
Head apparel
8 Babolat offers new racquets
8 Bud Collins moves to ESPN
8 Bryan Brothers switch to Prince
9 Sacramento captures World
TeamTennis title
FEATURES
9 PTR sets first Mini Symposium
26 Swinging in Style in Southern Cal
Court apparel for spring is all in the details. Look for a rainbow of colors,
exciting prints, innovative fabrications, classics revived, and much more. 9 USPTA offers new benefits
30 Foot Soldiers 10 Industry veteran Gary Wakley
What can a hundred bucks get? For your customers, it can get a lot of great joins Fila
technology for their feet.
32 Frames of Reference 10 Tennis Channel adds Wimbledon

For recreational players, the newest racquets offer something for everyone.
to lineup
10 Ferris State partners with
Midtown Clubs
GUIDE TO STRINGS
34 String It Up!
Selecting a string and deciding when to restring can be daunting tasks for
your customers. Our exclusive String Selector can help.
DEPARTMENTS 24 Community Tennis

4 Our Serve 42 String Playtest: Head C3 Rocket 16
16 Corporate Leagues 44 Ask the Experts
17 TIA News & Updates 46 Tips and Techniques
21 Facility Manager’s Manual 48 Your Serve, by Mark O’Bryan
September/October 2007 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 3

Our Serve
(Incorporating Racquet Tech and Tennis Industry)
Strong, And Getting Stronger Publishers

David Bone Jeff Williams
W e at Racquet Sports Industry are proud to be a part

of the Tennis Industry Association. And now,
we’ve taken steps to expand our partnership with the
Editor-in-Chief
Crawford Lindsey
Editorial Director
Peter Francesconi
TIA—and as a result, you’ll enjoy greater coverage of Associate Editor

Greg Raven
industry news and events.
Design/Art Director
For those involved in the tennis business, the TIA is one of the
Kristine Thom
most important organizations, providing key industry research,
Contributing Editors
programs, products, and services that all help to promote the eco-
Robin Bateman
nomic vitality of tennis in the U.S. The TIA serves as a unifying Cynthia Cantrell
force for everyone involved in the tennis industry. And RSI, which Rod Cross
is published 10 times a year, is the world’s largest trade publica- Kristen Daley
Joe Dinoffer
tion dedicated to tennis and the racquet sports industry. Liza Horan
Starting with this issue (see page 17), each edition of RSI will James Martin
contain a dedicated TIA section highlighting the important indus- Greg Moran
try efforts to grow the game, including related research and tech- Chris Nicholson
Bob Patterson
nology innovations. These features also will be catalogued and Cynthia Sherman
archived in a dedicated, searchable TIA section on RSI’s website,
www.RacquetSportsIndustry.com. RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY
The result will be to put the TIA and grow-the-game programs Corporate Offices
330 Main St., Vista, CA 92084
front and center in the minds of tennis industry professionals. In Phone: 760-536-1177 Fax: 760-536-1171
short, we, along with the TIA, will be helping you to stay even bet- Email: RSI@racquetTECH.com
ter informed about the things that not only affect your business, Website: www.racquetTECH.com
Office Hours: Mon.-Fri.,8 a.m.-5 p.m. Pacific Time
but affect tennis participation, too.
“RSI is a natural fit to share important news about the industry Advertising Director
and all our partners’ collaborative efforts to help grow our sport,” John Hanna
says TIA Executive Director Jolyn de Boer. “We look forward to 770-650-1102, x.125
hanna@knowatlanta.com
this expanded relationship with RSI, as the official publication of
the TIA, in helping to deliver the industry news and also the focus Apparel Advertising
on tools to keep our industry healthy and businesses vital.” Cynthia Sherman
Our relationship with the TIA always has been strong, but we’re 203-263-5243
cstennisindustry@earthlink.net
excited to be building on that relationship even more. We’ve
Racquet Sports Industry (USPS 347-8300. ISSN 0191-
always supported the TIA and its important mission to unite the
5851) is published 10 times per year: monthly Janu-
tennis industry to increase participation in the sport. And now, ary through August and combined issues in
we’ll be a much more important ingredient in that recipe. September/October and November/December by
Tennis Industry and USRSA, 330 Main St., Vista, CA
If you’re not a member of the TIA, check out the websites at 92084. Periodicals postage paid at Hurley, NY 12443
www.TennisIndustry.com or www.GrowingTennis.com. Your and additional mailing offices. September/October
participation in this industry is vital, too. 2007, Volume 35, Number 9 © 2007 by USRSA and
Tennis Industry. All rights reserved. Racquet Sports
Industry, RSI and logo are trademarks of USRSA.
Printed in the U.S.A. Phone advertising: 770-650-
1102 x 125. Phone circulation and editorial: 760-536-
1177. Yearly subscriptions $25 in the U.S., $40
elsewhere. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to
Peter Francesconi Racquet Sports Industry, 330 Main St., Vista, CA
92084.
Editorial Director
RSI is the official magazine of the USRSA, TIA,and ASBA
4 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2007

R S I S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 0 7
INDUSTRY NEWS
INFORMATION TO HELP YOU RUN YOUR BUSINESS
Top Speakers New Boris Becker Tennis Brand Debuts

Headline USPTA’s World he newest racquet brand is named for one of the
Conference
The USPTA’s
World Confer-
T game’s all-time great players. The Boris Becker Ten-
nis brand debuted recently with three new racquets
and an apparel line. Boris Becker has been a 50 percent
ence on Tennis, owner of Völkl Tennis since 1999, and his new brand
held Sept. 17 to 22 will co-exist with the Völkl Tennis brand, says Sean
at Saddlebrook Frost, the managing director of Völkl/Boris Becker Ten-
Resort in Wesley nis, based in San Diego, the North American distributor
Chapel, Fla., will feature some of the for both brands.
world’s top tennis speakers. More than “Becker always wanted to have a brand,” says Frost.
35 seminars and four-hour specialty “As a player, he had a lot of interest and passion for
courses will be offered during the brands and is very brand-conscious. When he became
event. involved in Völkl, part of the collaboration was to be
involved in product development and to develop a col-
Speakers scheduled to appear include
lection under his name.”
Nick Bollettieri, Jack Groppel, Rick
Macci, Todd Martin, Kirk Anderson, But the two-brand strategy is more than just Becker wanting his own name
Emilio Sanchez Vicario, and Anne Smith, on a line of racquets, says Frost. “It really came down to activating the biggest
sharing their insights on topics from asset we have,” he says. “We should be embracing Becker more. He has an
tennis teaching to nutrition to business. incredibly marketable image in tennis.” Frost says the name recognition for
About 1,500 tennis professionals and Becker among tennis players is tremendous.
coaches, manufacturer representatives, “We’ve spent 14 years building a great brand in Völkl, and we don’t want
and media attend the World Conference to let go of that,” Frost says. “Völkl will be the tried-and-true brand, and the
each year. USPTA members and non- Boris Becker brand will become the higher end, with more technology, be more
members are welcome. fashion-driven and more edgy. That will come through on both the apparel side and the
racquet side.”
The conference includes several other
BB Tennis products will have the “Serveman” logo—a silhouetted image of
events, including the International
Championships (Sept. 17-20), USPTA a man tossing the ball to serve, with knees bent—an image that’s clearly rem-
division parties (Sept. 18), welcome iniscent of Becker himself during his 15 years on the pro tour.
party (Sept. 19), awards breakfast, buy- The three Boris Becker racquets available now are the Becker V1 Midplus,
ing show and silent auction (Sept. 20), Becker V1 Oversize, and Becker 11. A lighter version of the Becker 11 (295 grams vs. 325
and the National Cardio Tennis Feeding grams) is also available. All racquets, according to Frost, have been co-designed and tested
Shootout finals (Sept. 21). Also, on Sept. by Becker himself. All the frames have Völkl’s DNX material,
21, the USTA will sponsor a High School which the company says provides stability, precision, and
Coaches Workshop at the World Confer- power.
ence, which will consist of a full day of The Becker V1 MP is 102 square inches and weighs 10.1
education that will include team prac- ounces, with a length of 27 inches. The V1 OS is 110 square
tice information, drills, and more.
inches and 27.6 inches long. Both version have a 16 x 19
string pattern.
For more information, including regis-
tration information, visit The Becker 11 has a 98-square-inch head size and is 27
www.uspta.com. Audio tapes of previ- inches long. The 325-gram version has an 18 x 20 string pattern
ous World Conference seminar presen- while the lighter version is 16 x 19. The Becker 11 carries a sug-
tations are also available in the gested retail price of $200 and the V1 is $240.
distance learning center at For more information, contact customerser-
www.uspta.com at no charge. vice@volklbbtennis.com or 866-554-7872, or visit

INDUSTRYNEWS S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 0 7
Nex-LvL Inc. Is New Bryan Brothers Switch to Prince

Licensee For Head Apparel
T
op men’s doubles team Mike and Bob Bryan
have switched to Prince, after nearly 25 years at
N
ex-LvL Inc., based in Toronto, is the new Wilson. The 29-year-old twins are now playing
North American licensee for Head Tennis with the new Prince O3 Speedport Black, which fea-
and Golf sportswear. The company, tures customizable stringing options using “string
which has U.S. sales offices in port inserts.”
Traverse City, Mich., is headed “Without question, O3 technology is turning a
by a team of sports apparel lot of heads on tour,” says Bob Bryan. “The aerody-
industry veterans. namic benefits allow us to add some weight to the
The founder of Nex-LvL is frame while still generating the racquet-head speed
Gidon Fisher (top left), a 35-year we need. The result is a feel that is just awesome.”
textile veteran, inventor, and At the Countrywide Classic in Los Angeles in late
entrepreneur. Fisher is the July, the Bryans won the doubles title without
inventor of GCool, a patent- dropping a set. For more information, visit
pending proprietary fabrication www.princetennis.com.
and process that offers moisture-
management/breathbility, and
anti-microbial and UV protec- Bud Collins Moves to ESPN
tion without the use of chemical
V
eteran tennis journalist and TV tennis commentator Bud Collins, who
treatments. GCool's "InFiber was dropped by NBC after the 2007 Wimbledon in July, will be on the air
technology" means that per- for ESPN. Starting this month at the US Open, Collins will report on ten-
formance attributes remain nis news for “SportsCenter,” ESPNews, and ESPN Radio. Then starting in
throughout the life of the gar- 2008, he will appear on ESPN2’s coverage of the Australian Open, French
ment and can never be washed Open, and Wimbledon.
out, says the company. Collins, who also continues as a correspondent for the Boston Globe, was
Nex-LvL President Robert with NBC for 35 years. In his new role with ESPN, he will be reunited with
"Bob" Fenton (middle) is the longtime partner Dick Enberg, with whom he worked for 20 years at NBC.
former North American vice Enberg has been with ESPN since 2004. Collins will also be teamed with
president of sales for Prince ESPN commentator Cliff Drysdale.
Sports Group/Benetton Sport-
system. Fenton has more than
25 years of experience repre- Babolat Offers New Racquets
senting global brands including
B
abolat has three new frames available now, the Drive Z A E R O 1 1 2
Prince, Ektelon, Rollerblade, Nordica, and 110, Drive Z 118, and Aero 112, designed for club players. D R I V E Z 1 1 0
Hedstrom. The Drive Z 110 and 118 are for players looking for power
Katie Curry (above), vice president of mar- DRIVE Z 118
and maneuverability. Both weigh a light 8.9
keting and merchandising, was formerly with ounces and are 27.5 inches long. The
the LBH Group as vice president of marketing 110-square-inch headsize carries a sug-
and merchandising and has more than 20 gested retail price of $199, while the
years in the sports apparel business, spanning 118 sells for $229.
sales, marketing/promotions, and merchan- The Aero 112, with a 112-square-
dising. inch head size, weighs 9.1 ounces and
"Head has been a global sporting-goods is 27.5 inches long. It’s designed for
icon brand for decades," says Fenton. "And club players looking for a faster swing,
now, Head Tennis and Golf apparel will reen- more topspin, and a greater balance of
gage with tennis and golf pro/specialty shops power with control, says Babolat. It has
in North America that cater to sports enthusi- a recommended retail price of $219.
asts who demand cutting-edge fashion cou- All three frames feature Babolat’s Cor-
pled with fabrication technology that 'works tex System, designed to filter and dampen
and plays' as hard as they do. Using GCool vibration. The frames also have Smart Grip,
fabrication as our signature trademark, we an ergonomic grip that Babolat says offers
will create dynamic fashion-forward sports- “optimized contact between the grip and the
wear for men, women, and children." hand,” resulting in more power, control, and
For more information, or to inquire about comfort.
distribution, contact Fenton at 231-223-8880 For information, visit www.babolat.com or
or bfenton.headsportswearusa@gmail.com. call 877-316-9435.

INDUSTRY NEWS
Sacramento Captures WTT Title
T
he Sacramento Capitals defeated the New York Buzz
24-20 in overtime on July 29 to win a record sixth
Fred & Susan Mullane/Camerawork USA)

World TeamTennis Championship in Roseville, Calif.
The Caps last won the WTT title in 2002. It was New
York’s third appearance in the WTT Championship
match, only to lose to Sacramento each time.
After opening the 2007 season with two losses, the
Caps won 11 of their final 12 matches to advance to the
WTT Championship on their home court in Roseville,
where they received boisterous support from the more
than 4,000 hometown fans who packed the stands for
the final. The festive atmosphere even included a pre-
match photo with an Elvis impersonator and WTT co-
founder Billie Jean King.
Playing for the Capitals were Mark Knowles, Elena
Likhovtseva, Sam Warburg and Michelle Larcher de Brito.
The team is coached by Wayne Bryan. Rik de Voest of the Buzz won WTT Finals MVP honors.
USPTA Offers New Benefits PTR Sets First Mini

T
he USPTA has launched a new website—
www.highschoolcoaches.uspta.com—to offer Symposium in Southern Cal
T
resources to high school tennis coaches and he PTR will hold its first
others who work with high school tennis teams Southern California Mini
and players. And, the association is offering free 18-month subscrip- Symposium Sept. 9-10 at
tions for members to the resource site Tennisplayer.net. the SeaCliff Country Club in
The USPTA developed the High School Coaches Resource Center at Huntington Beach. The event,
www.highschoolcoaches.uspta.com to provide resources that enable with the theme “Excellence in
coaches to organize effective team practices for large groups. The site Teaching,” is open to all PTR and USPTA teaching pros,
supports the “no-cut” tennis team program that has been promoted high school and college coaches, and students who are
by the USTA. or will be teaching tennis.
“We need to do all we can to provide high school coaches with the The Mini Symposium will feature presentations by
tools they need to run effective programs,” says USTA President Jane Pam Austin, PTR Master Pro Ken DeHart (below), Dave
Brown Grimes. “We are particularly excited about how this can help Hagler, Don Hen-
develop more ‘no-cut’ high school teams.” son, and more. The
The information in the extensive Resource Center comes from event opens Sunday
many sources, including nearly four years’ worth of TV shows for “On afternoon when
Court With USPTA,” video recordings of both specialty courses and attendees will watch
seminars from past USPTA World Conferences, audio seminars, DVD the US Open men’s
productions from special events, and more. The site is free to USPTA final with a discus-
members and available through a subscription for non-members. sion afterward, and
The Tennisplayer.net benefit will be found on USPTA members’ continues all day
personal websites. Tennisplayer.net, founded by USPTA member John Monday with on-
Yandell, offers extensive online information and visual resources and court presentations.
has hundreds of instructional articles illustrated with digital photogra- Cost is $95 for PTR
phy and video. Those appearing on the site include Nick Bollettieri, members, $125 for
Jack Goppel, Jim Loehr, Pat Etcheberry, Robert Lansdorp, Rick Macci, non-members. Dis-
and Allen Fox. counts are available
The stroke archives on the site contain more than 20,000 stroke for high school and
clips that allow viewers to examine frame by frame the technical college coaches.
game of more than 60 top players, including Roger Federer, Rafael For more infor-
Nadal, and Justine Henin. Viewers can also discuss the resources in mation or to regis-
interactive forums. ter, call PTR at
For more information on these and other benefits, visit 800-421-6289.
www.uspta.com or call 800-877-8248.

Industry Veteran Wakley Joins Fila Tennis Channel Adds

F
ootwear and apparel industry veteran
Gary Wakley is the new vice president of Wimbledon to Lineup
T
footwear for Fila. Wakley will manage a ennis Channel announced a wide-
team that is responsible for product manage- ranging, multi-year deal that in
ment, development, and sourcing, working 2008 gives the network telecast
closely with the Fila design and marketing rights to Wimbledon. Tennis Channel
groups. currently broadcasts the French Open
Wakley, 58, joins Fila from Prince Sports, and the Australian Open.
where he spent the past three years as senior The deal with Wimbledon will bring more than 100
director of footwear and apparel. In his more hours of programming to Tennis Channel during The
than 36 years of experience in the footwear Championships next year and in the weeks leading up to
and apparel industry, Wakley has held positions at Endicott John- it. Coverage will include a four-hour, nightly prime-time
son, Bata Shoe Company, Romika, Lotto, and Adidas. program, “Wimbledon After Dark.”
He will be based out of Fila’s New York office and will report to Tennis Channel will produce all matches it covers at
Y.C. Cho, Fila’s president of global operations. Wakley joins Fila USA Wimbledon, utilizing the network’s own on-air talent at
President Jon Epstein, VP Footwear and Apparel Sales Bruce Fend- the tournament grounds.
ell, and VP and COO Andrea Greco as the newest members of the
company’s senior management team.
US Open Prize Money Sets Records
T
he base purse at the 2007 US Open will top $19.6 mil-
Classic Turf Courts Jobs in Aspen lion, with the potential to exceed $22.2 million—the
C
lassic Turf Co. of Woodbury, Conn., will be spending time in largest ever increase to Open prize money. The base
the Aspen, Colo., area working on at least eight tennis purse increased by a record $1 million over last year.
courts. Two courts will be completely redone with the Clas- In addition to the $19.6 million, the top three men’s and
sic Turf System, a cushioned sheet-goods surfacing system, while top three women’s finishers in the US Open Series may
others are existing Classic Turf courts that will be recoated, earn up to an additional $2.6 million in bonus prize money
including four courts installed nearly a dozen years ago. at the US Open. Both the men’s and women’s Open singles
The two new courts will be at the private Meadowood com- champions will earn $1.4 million, with the ability to earn
munity. “The existing hard courts have been unusable and closed another $1 million each in bonus prize money based on
for two years,” says Classic Turf President Tumer Eren. “We’ll their performance in the US Open Series. The 2007 Open
redo the courts with 8mm Classic Turf rubber.” will be from Aug. 27 to Sept. 9.
Four Classic Turf courts at the Aspen Institute, installed 11
years ago by Eren, will be recoated for the first time. “They are
extremely pleased with the product, and it’s performed well for Ferris State Partners with Midtown Clubs
T
them all this time,” says Eren. Two other Classic Turf courts at the he Ferris State University Professional Tennis Man-
Aspen Alps community, installed five years ago, also will be agement program and Midtown Clubs have
recoated. For more information, visit www.Classicturf.org or call announced a partnership in which the Midtown Clubs
800-246-7951. will identify talented and motivated students from their
junior development programs interested in pursuing a
career in the tennis industry.
L E T T E R S The Ferris State PTM program will educate and train
the students through their comprehensive bachelor of sci-
Dee Henry a ‘Shining Example’ ence degree program. Upon graduation, the students will
A big thank you to Kristen Daley for her “Your Serve” enter the industry through Midtown Clubs and facilities
article "Going the Distance,” in the August issue. She across the nation.
highlighted Dee Henry, women's tennis coach at Biola Midtown is a leader in upscale athletic club and sports
University in La Mirada, Calif., and as she so aptly under- resort management. The company currently operates 13
stands, Dee's willingness to invest in the lives of others clubs throughout the U.S. and Canada. Midtown Tennis
is significant. Dee is a shining example of commitment and Athletic Clubs is one of four divisions of the Tennis
to others that is characteristic of those who serve at Corporation of America. Ferris State University’s PTM
Biola. Thank you for noting Dee's accomplishments. program offers a four-year bachelor of science degree in
—Gary A. Miller Professional Tennis Management with a choice of a Mar-
Provost & Senior Vice President, Biola University keting or Resort Management concentration. For more
We welcome your letters and comments. Please email them to rsi@racquetTECH.com or fax them information visit www.ferris.edu/ptm and
to 760-536-1171.
www.midtown.com.

INDUSTRY NEWS
LEWA
P T
O
CH
PE
• Fischer player Anna Chakve-

tadze kicked off the U.S. hard-court
season in style by winning two con-
secutive WTA titles at the Western &
Southern Financial Group Women’s
Open and Bank of the West Classic. As
of early August, Chakvetadze, ranked
No. 6 in the world, has won four titles
in 2007. She plays with the new Fischer
M Pro No. 1 98 racquet.
• USRSA Master Racquet Technicians

Lindsay and Craig Willeford donated all
the proceeds from the more than 100
racquets strung at TennisExpress during
a three-day fundraiser for the Houston
Tennis Association’s NJTL Chapter. The
fundraiser, “Stringing for NJTL,” was
held in conjunction with the HTA’s
Championships Junior Major Zone Tour-
nament. Brad Blume, owner of Tennis-
Express, matched the dollars raised and
presented a $1,500 check to the Hous-
ton Parks and Recreation Department.
• Tommy Robredo of Spain, playing

with a Dunlop Aerogel 3Hundred rac-
quet, won his first ATP singles title of
2007 in early August at the Orange
Prokom Open in Poland. It was the fifth
career title for Robredo, who is ranked
No. 7 in the world.
• Scott Schultz of Big Rapids, Mich.,

and Bob Love of Lexington, Ky., were
inducted into the USPTA Midwest Divi-
sion Hall of Fame at a ceremony held
during the Western & Southern Finan-
cial Group Masters tournament in
Cincinnati. Schultz is currently the man-
aging director of Recreational Tennis for
the USTA. Love, a longtime teaching
pro, is a USPTA Master Professional.
• International Tennis Hall of Fame Exec-

utive Director Mark Stenning has been
awarded Rhode Island College’s 2007
Charles B. Willard Achievement Award.
Stenning is a 1978 graduate of the
school.

S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 0 7
SHORT SETS
INDUSTRYNEWS
> Construction continues on a new indoor,

multi-purpose venue at the USTA Billie Jean
>nis The 15th Annual Advanta World TeamTen- > The USTA and Continental Airlines
Smash Hits, held Oct. 10 at the Pavilion at have renewed their US Open partner-
King National Tennis Center in Flushing Villanova University in Villanova, Pa., will fea- ship through 2009. Continental is the
Meadows, N.Y., home of the US Open. The ture music legend Elton John, along with Billie official airline of the US Open.
new indoor building, scheduled to be com- Jean King, Andy Roddick, Lindsay Davenport,
pleted in time for the 2008 US Open, will
feature 12 tennis courts, an expanded fit-
and Anna Kournikova. The event will raise
money for the fight against HIV and AIDS.
> The 11 home courts of the World
TeamTennis Professional League sea-
ness center, a full-service pro shop, a US More information is at www.wtt.com, and son, which was played throughout July,
Open superstore, space for the American tickets are available by calling 215-981-3346 were once again DecoTurf courts. The
Tennis Hall of Fame, and more. or visiting www.ticketmaster.com. courts were a unique, WTT multicol-
ored design that consisted of a calico
pattern featuring blue, green, brown,
and maroon.
> The 2008 U.S. Men’s Clay Court

Championships will move to the River
Oaks Country Club in Houston. For the
last seven years, the event was held at
the Westside Tennis Club in Houston.
> The USTA Player Development

group is scheduled to move into its
new national headquarters located at
the Evert Tennis Academy in Boca
Raton, Fla., in October. Player Develop-
ment has been located in Key Biscayne,
Fla. The USTA formed an alliance with
the Evert Academy in July 2006 to
build a world-class training facility for
top junior players. The new facility will
include a learning center, weight and
fitness center, conference center,
offices, and dorm-style living arrange-
ments for two dozen players.
USRSA MEMBER
CLASSIFIEDS
FOR SALE: Silent Partner Aria Electric
Stringer. Base clamps upgraded. Also
included: string clamps, manual and
tools. Working in excellent condition.
Please contact Ron Condio at 716-763-
0106 or ronnet@madbbs.com - USRSA
#31177
HELP WANTED: Full-time position (with
benefits) in South Florida. Responsibili-
ties include stringing and customizing:
racquet, apparel and footware sales.
Must be computer literate and have
clean drivers license. Salary commen-
surate with experience. Email resume
to: mail@matchpoint-tennis.com

New Website Conditioning Guide

for Finding Pros for Tennis
In “Complete Conditioning for
A
new website—
www.TennisLessons.com Tennis,” the USTA's managing
—launched in April is director of high performance, E.
designed to make searching for Paul Roetert, and chairman of
local tennis lessons easier for national sport science committee,
consumers. According to web- Todd Ellenbecker, share the proven
site creator Tomer Grassiany, exercises and practice drills that
the site has information on translate directly to optimal on-
more than 500 coaches or court performance. This compre-
clubs, covering about 200 cities hensive book and DVD package
in 20 countries. features exercises, sample pro-
Grassiany says the site is grams, and footwork drills that
receiving about 1,000 unique develop speed, quickness, flexibili-
hits a week. Tennis teaching
ty, and strength as they relate to
professionals can post their
tennis. The book ($23.95) covers
information for free. For more
every facet of conditioning from
information, visit the site, or
fitness testing and warming up to
contact Grassiany at
tomer@tennislessons .com or
designing a program that meets a
212-995-0654. player's individual needs and per-
formance goals. The accompanying 90-minute DVD provides visual demonstra-
tions of the most advanced tests and exercises used by the pros. For more
information, contact 800-747-4457 or visit www.HumanKinetics.com.

corporate LEAGUES
In Good Company
Creating a corporate
tennis league in your
area will bring more
business to your facility.
BY KRISTEN DALEY
tions play each other, or intracompany,

made up of teams within the same com-
pany. According to Mast, league coordi-
nators have had the most luck finding
company teams by contacting local ten-
nis players, asking them where they work
and if they’d like to start a team.
In Key Biscayne, Fla., Elaine Wing-
field’s corporate league is made up of a
C
lubs and pros looking to generate tor, organized in Irvine, Calif., turned out unique mix of organizations, including
revenue easily and effectively, and to be good news for the bottom line of the military, a fire department, and facul-
reach a whole new audience, can the restaurant at the Newport Beach ty and staff from the University of Miami.
now create business by catering to Tennis Club, the host site. Each Sunday “It’s not your typical definition of ‘corpo-
business. in April and May, five teams of teaching rate,’” says Wingfield, director of Miami
More than 100 companies now pros and staff from local private tennis Recreational and Corporate Leagues.
participate in corporate tennis leagues clubs competed for bragging rights, then “You have to think outside the box a lit-
in 20 cities across the U.S. The pro- would meet up after the matches at the tle.” A company team can enter a league
gram, presented by the USTA and restaurant. The participants are employ- as long as all employee-players are on
World TeamTennis, offers thousands of ees of clubs that Broersma collaborates the same payroll. And as long as half its
players the chance to hit the courts with to present junior tournaments. “We members are employees, a team can
with their colleagues for fun, co-ed interface all the time, so I was happy to recruit family and friends to play as well.
competition. “It’s a great networking do this,” she says. “It’s easy.” Convincing a company to join a
opportunity, socially and professional- “Overall, league management is not league can be an easy sell, with a format
ly,” says Ilana Kloss, CEO and commis- much harder than recruiting teams and that caters to people with busy lives. It
sioner of World TeamTennis. scheduling matches,” says Glenn Arring- doesn’t matter how many people show
For those in the tennis industry who ton, USTA national manager of Colle- up to play, as long as two men and two
make the leagues happen as coordina- giate and Corporate Tennis. “The glue women are available to compete. “They
tors, the benefits to their business and that holds all of this together is the ability know exactly the time commitment,”
the game are numerous. “You put a to provide adequate communication to says Mast. “Everything’s done in two
lot of people on a limited number of participants.” hours.”
courts, and you get to expose your Pros and clubs interested in organiz- Major corporations like General Elec-
facilities to companies in the area,” ing and hosting a corporate tennis tric and American Express have gotten on
says Delaine Mast, WTT Recreational league can get help from World board. “We see a trend in companies
League national director. Once league TeamTennis (866-PLAY-WTT). Facilities looking to connect with and engage their
competition begins, several facets of need a site license; for the $350 invest- employees in a social setting,” says
your business will reap the benefits— ment they get professionally-designed Arrington. “There’s a definitive need for
from equipment sales at the pro shop, marketing materials, a free WTT web team building in the workplace. Corpo-
to membership sales, to private lessons rate tennis leagues can help address
these needs.” Q
page, the ability to send teams to the
for league players looking to raise their WTT Nationals, and much more.
game. Once a facility is registered, organizers For more information about corporate tennis leagues,
The corporate league that Annette can scout league teams. Leagues can be contact Delaine Mast at 866-PLAY-WTT or visit
www.WTT.com.
Broersma, a USTA tournament direc- intercompany, where different corpora-

T I A N E W S S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 0 7
NEWS & UPDATES

News You Can Use! Industry Gears Up for NYC Debut of Tennis Forum
Welcome to the first edi-
T
he first TIA Tennis Forum, presented by Tennis Magazine,
tion of a special news
will be held Monday, Aug. 27, at the Grand Hyatt in New
section for the Tennis
Industry Association. As York City, during the USTA Tennis Teachers Conference.
part of our expanded The hour-long Forum, which is free to attendees, will “share the
partnership with Racquet good news” in tennis and serve as a rallying point for the industry.
Jolyn de Boer “There’s been a growing interest to have a gathering place for those
Sports Industry, TIA
News & Updates will be appearing in in the industry to network, hear the news, and be brought up to date on
every issue. Articles will also appear industry happenings,” says Jolyn de Boer, the executive director of the TIA.
online at RacquetSportsIndustry.com. “We see this Tennis Forum as the beginning of
an ongoing event to fulfill that need.”
With second-quarter numbers just in, Speakers at the event will include USTA M O N D AY, A U G U S T 2 7
industry growth for the first six months President Jane Brown Grimes, TIA President 8 : 4 0 - 9 : 4 0 A . M .
continues to show increases in racquet
Dave Haggerty, USTA Community Tennis Chief G R A N D B A L L R O O M B
and ball sales. These latest figures con-
Executive Kurt Kamperman, and Tennis Maga- G R A N D H YAT T, N E W Y O R K , N Y
tinue the bullish streak that began four
years ago. In addition, research shows zine Publisher Jeff Williams. Topics will include F E AT U R E D S P E A K E R S :
that dealer and consumer confidence new research in tennis, the new schools pro-
have grown, the number of new players gram, Project 36/60, online enrollment for ten-
trying tennis for the first time has nis programs, the new Tennis Health Index
increased, league play has grown, and and Court Activity Monitor, Cardio Tennis, Ten-
pro tournament attendance is up. The nis Welcome Centers, and more.
efforts to grow the game at the grass- “We want to share the good news,” says de Jane Dave Kurt Jeff
roots level have also intensified with all Brown Grimes Haggerty Kamperman Williams
Boer. “So many people have been working to
areas of the industry working closely keep our sport growing and healthy.”
with our industry partners and USTA.
Admission to the Forum is free and includes breakfast for all attendees, along with an
information packet. Because of the tight schedule, there will not be a question-and-answer
We hope you find this edition informa-
tive. Your input/suggestions are welcome. session. However, attendees will be able to submit questions for any speaker, which will
Please contact us at then be answered online in an open forum at TennisIndustryForum.com.
info@tennisindustry.org or visit TennisIn- For more information, visit TennisIndustry.org, and to post questions, visit TennisIndus-
dustry.org or GrowingTennis.com tryForum.com.
Top-Selling Racquets Tennis Racquet Top-Selling Top-Selling

at Specialty Stores Performance Tennis Shoes Tennis Strings
By year-to-date dollars, January-June 2007 Specialty Stores, January-June, at Specialty at Specialty
Best-Sellers 2007 vs. 2006
1. Babolat Pure Drive Cortex MP $172 Stores Stores
By year-to-date dollars, By year-to-date dollars,
2. Prince O3 White MP $186 Units 2007 352, 342
January-June 2007 January-June 2007
3. Prince O3 Speedport Red OS $231 2006 333,915
1. Adidas 1. Prince
4. Wilson K Six One Team 95 MS $177 % Change vs. ’06 6%
Barricade IV $100 Synthetic Gut Duraflex
5. Wilson K Six One 95 (16 x 18) MS $174
2. Nike 2. Wilson
“Hot New Racquets” Dollars 2007 48,239,000
Air Breathe Free 2 $95 NXT
(Introduced in the past 12 months) 2006 44,035,000
3. Adidas 3. Wilson
1. Prince O3 Speedport Red OS $231 % Change vs. ’06 10%
Barricade II $83 Sensation
2. Wilson K Six One Team 95 MS $177
4. Prince 4. Prince
3. Wilson K Six One 95 (16 x 18) MS $174 Price 2007 $137
T10 $77 Lightning XX
4. Wilson K Six One Tour 90 MS $184 2006 $132
5. Prince 5. Luxilon
5. Prince O3 Speedport Silver OS $269 % Change vs. ’06 4%
MV4 $95 Alu Power
(Source: TIA/Sports Marketing Surveys)

Join the TIA . . . Increase Your Profits . . . Grow the Game . . . www.TennisIndustry.org September/October 2007 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 17
TIA NEWS S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 0 7
Growing Tennis News

Cardio Tennis
in the News
W ith more than 1,600

Cardio Tennis sites in the U.S. to date, the program continues to
get great press and media attention—and it continues to bring in
revenue for facilities. In 2006, more than 100 news and feature stories Tennis Welcome Centers:
appeared, 20 TV stations ran stories on Cardio Tennis, and there were over
200 million impressions.
Growing Strong
30+ major daily newspapers covered
Cardio Tennis, including: Miami Herald,
Los Angeles Times, New York Times,
Houston Chronicle, Washington Post.
T he Tennis Welcome Center initiative is
going strong, with more than 2,000
official TWCs to date. In 2007, all Car-
dio Tennis sites were also signed on as TWCs.
20+ magazines had features and other How does being a TWC help your business?
articles, including Time, Shape, Parade, Research on current TWCs is revealing: The
Health, Reader's Digest, Saturday average Tennis Welcome Center brought in 39
Evening Post. new players to tennis,
60+ other newspapers featured Cardio, and the average TWC
and at least a dozen online magazines, also brought back to
including Health.com, gave the program tennis 34 former play-
coverage. ers. In addition, 82
And you have much more to gain by percent of TWCs
becoming an official Cardio Tennis site. report an increase in
Research shows that the average Cardio lesson revenue as a
Tennis facility had 20 players playing more result of the initia-
frequently as a result of the program. Also, 71 percent of Cardio Tennis facil- tive.
ities reported an increase in lesson revenue as a direct result. And 47 percent When it comes
report an increase in program fees. to growing your
Stay tuned as Cardio Tennis is launching a new, improved website. For business and your profits,
official Cardio Tennis sites, the new website will feature a passcode-protect- numbers like these are hard to ignore.
ed section to receive new drills, video, special sponsor offers and discounts,
and more.
Cardio Tennis Hits the Road! Why Become a Tennis

Aug. 26-29: USTA Tennis Teachers Conference, New York, NY Welcome Center or
Sept. 15-16: PTR Professional Development Weekend, Hilton Head, SC
Sept. 17-22: USPTA World Conference, Tampa, FL Cardio Tennis Site?

Sept. 29-30: Better Your Body Expo, Navy Pier, Chicago
Oct. 6: Tracy Austin Tour, Hawaii
Oct. 12-14: Tracy Austin Tour, Phoenix-El Paso Y ou’ll receive great benefits and exposure,
and that will translate into bottom-line prof-
its for you! One example is the current Lever
2000 “Try Tennis for Free” promotion, which guides
potential players to participating facilities on the
Better Your Business Workshops USTA.com/Lever website.
And here are more reasons why you should go to
Featuring the Cardio Tennis model.
GrowingTennis.com to sign up your facility as a Ten-
E xplore programming, customer service,

technology, and public relations in this
interactive workshop, which can help you
increase your business by attracting and retaining
more tennis players, and offer solutions to help
nis Welcome Center or Cardio Tennis site or a par-
ticipating Lever 2000 site:
You’ll receive free national and local exposure
as part of a comprehensive marketing cam-
paign that drives people in your area to your
impact your tennis membership and better your bottom line.
facility through the industry and consumer
Better Your Business Workshop Schedule:
USTA Tennis Teachers Conference, New York City, Aug. 28
websites. Targeted marketing campaigns will
Midtown Tennis Club, Chicago, Oct. 1
reach millions of potential new players through
For more information, visit www.GrowingTennisTraining.com.
18 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2007 Join the TIA . . . Increase Your Profits . . . Grow the Game . . . www.TennisIndustry.org
TIA NEWS
Technology News
postcard and your facility
Online Enrollment—Made Easy! website.
L ooking for a simple way to get people into your pro-

grams? Get ready for online enrollment. The TIA and
USTA are exploring various online enrollment opportuni-
ties for tennis facilities that want to collect online registrations
and fees upfront.
Online registration is a
proven business-builder. You’ll
not only grow your business,
but you’ll also keep your cus-
tomers happy, increase your revenue and participants’ com-
With an online enrollment system, players and visitors can mitment levels, and have the tools you need to compete in
instantly register for programs and pay online, via a link placed today’s marketplace. Visit www.GrowingTennis.com and click
right on your Tennis Welcome Center or Cardio Tennis facility the Online Enrollment tab.
New Tennis Welcome Centers and Cardio Tennis Sites New Benefit
M ore than two dozen facilities signed on recently to become Tennis Welcome Centers
or Cardio Tennis sites. There are now 2,036 TWCs and 1,603 Cardio sites in the U.S.
For more on these programs, and how your facility can become a TWC or CT site,
visit www.growingtennis.com or contact the TIA toll-free at 866-686-3036.
To help meet the needs of
New Tennis Welcome Centers New Cardio Tennis Facilities retailers and facilities, the TIA
(as of July 27) (as of July 17)
has expanded its insurance
Porter Valley Country Club, Northridge, CA Bentley School, Lafayette, CA
Hampshire Hills, Milford, NH
offerings to members with
Fremont Family YMCA, Fremont, NE
Oshkosh North High School, Oshkosh, WI Basin Harbor Club, Vergennes, VT TIA TennisInsure. The new
Mission Valley Country Club, Nokomis, FL Middlebury Indoor Tennis Facility, program includes liability,
Greendale YMCA, Worcester, MA Middlebury, VT property, auto, umbrella, and
Chaplin Park, Hilton Head Island, SC Northwestern College, Roseville, MN workers' compensation insur-
Byerly Park, Darlington, SC Misquamicut Club, Watch Hill, RI
ance. Previously, the TIA
Turkey Creek Country Club, Alachua, FL Flaherty Park Tennis Center, Wake Forest, NC
Santa Monica High School, Topanga, CA Dobson Ranch La Casita Tennis Center, Mesa, AZ offered only product liability
Seton Park, Bronx, NY Hurst Tennis Center, Hurst, TX insurance for manufacturers.
Woodlake Swim & Racquet Club, Midlothian, VA Newport Bay Club, Boca Raton, FL
Woodlake Estates Tennis & Swim Club, Kenner, LA Mission Valley Country Club, Laurel, FL "Now, through the TIA, facili-
Golden Bear Tennis Club, Hilton Head Island, SC Lyon College, Batesville, AR ty and retailer members will
receive expanded coverage,
at a great rate, with a highly
a variety of promotions, including racquet rated national insurance
hang-tags, tennis ball can logos, and media company," says TIA Executive
exposure. Director Jolyn de Boer.
Free listing on the consumer website pro- Citadel Insurance Services
moting your facility and its program. will provide the comprehen-
Your facility receives FREE of charge: ban- sive insurance package, and
ner, celebrity posters, fliers, racquet and ball TIA members will receive a 5
discount programs, and more.
Opportunity to showcase your facility in
percent to 10 percent pack-
age discount.
leading tennis publications.
Priority placement on USTA.com through In addition to research
the TennisWelcomeCenter website. The pro- reports, the TIA offers many
gram is supported by the USTA, TIA, and other benefits to its mem-
industry organizations in an effort to get bers, including:
Merchant Card Services

more people to play tennis and stay in the
Shipping Discounts
game … you can do your part to help grow
Media and PR Services

the game by making your program and your
Travel Discounts
facility part of the Tennis Welcome Center
initiative.
Publication Discounts
Help grow the game while growing your business!
Join the TIA . . . Increase Your Profits . . . Grow the Game . . . www.TennisIndustry.org September/October 2007 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 19
S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 0 7
TIA NEWS
TennisConnect Will Connect with Your Members

the audio portion of the presentation.) With Online Open
T ennisConnect is the industry’s No. 1 business builder,

with some amazing features that can be used in your
existing website or create a new top-notch website for
your club or facility...to help you keep in touch with your mem-
bers, schedule your courts, promote events, and much more.
House, TennisConnect is easier than ever to evaluate and test
out. Visit www.TennisConnect.org for more information.
“In a matter of a month's time, we had a website up and running
for our facility, which has four indoor courts and 20 outdoor
Some of the key features include: courts. TennisConnect has been instrumental in helping us serve
Website Builder Contact Manager Group Email our customers more efficiently, providing them with quick links
eCalendar Tennis Court Scheduler to all of our information on programs, events, lessons, and clin-
ics, a means to contact the staff easily, a calendar to see daily
And now, TennisConnect has added new features that
events including drop-in classes and more, and a way to finally
include new templates, drawsheets, forums, a calendar for Ten-
reserve courts online! The process to get our site up and running
nisConnect Lite, and more. was easy and whenever we had a question, we were quickly
Also, participate in TennisConnect’s new Online Open answered. This site has helped by modifying programs to better
House series. The Online Open House is a serve our needs and increase revenues. Our web-
series of free “webinars” offered every Monday, site has 500 members and by January 2008 we
Wednesday, and Thursday at 11 a.m. Eastern expect this number to be doubled. As a director
time that allows for web-based screen sharing and tennis professional, TennisConnect has taken
so users and those considering TennisConnect my life and professionalism to a higher level.”
can become familiar with the system. (The Mark Townsend
Online Open House series uses GoToMeeting USPTA Professional, Director of Tennis
Upper Main Line YMCA, Berwyn, Pa.
for screen sharing, and you’ll need high-speed
www.umlytennis.net
internet access and a separate phone line for
TIA Research: Gauging the Health of Tennis Welcome,

New Members!
E
ach year, the TIA produces more than 70 research
Court Activity reports and surveys in conjunction with our leading The following have joined the TIA in July
Monitor research partner, Sports Marketing Surveys. Two (for more on TIA membership, visit
For all courts for June 2007 recent reports for this industry—and for your business— www.tennisindustry.org or call
Total courts booked/used include the Court Activity Monitor (which will be part of the 843-686-3036):
Increased 61.1% Tennis Health Index) and the Cost of Doing Business Sur- Supporting Member
Stayed the same 28.7% vey–Facilities. Drymax Sports, Paso Robles, CA
Decreased 4.4% The Tennis Health Index will be a measure of the overall
Don't know 5.8% EKM Sports, Inc., Mishawaka, IN
health of the industry and is being developed together with
Rebounces, LLC, Harrison, AZ
the USTA. The index will consist of seven components,
League play TennisConnect Member
including a Court Activity Monitor, similar to golf’s “rounds
Increased 46.9%
played” statistic. You will see an instant report and a quar- Badon Tennis, Altadena, CA
Stayed the same 30.5%
Decreased 7.8% terly summary on the level of tennis activity in your area, EMG, Falls Church, VA
Don't know 14.8% plus a quarterly summary of grassroots tennis activity in your Skip Jackson Tennis, Inc.,
area from the TIA. Your participation in the Tennis Health West Palm Beach, FL
New players Index is important—go to www.GrowingTennis.com/public Tennis Star Camps, Rockville, MD
Increased 67.8% and enter your facility details.
TennisConnect Lite Member
Stayed the same 22.6% Cost of Doing Business Survey–Facilities indicates that
Decreased 4.2% Competitor Sports, Santa Rosa, CA
62 percent of facilities report that court usage is up compared
Don't know 5.5% Texas Tennis Warehouse, McAllen, TX
to the same period last year. The 80-page report, which pro-
vides a comprehensive study of operational data by region Associate Member–Facility
Tournament play
and type of facility, includes trends and comparisons, with Babson College, Dudley, MA
Increased 27.1%
information on programming and operational costs. A num-
Stayed the same 42.9% Associate Member–Retail
Decreased 8.9% ber of other surveys are under way, including Cost of Doing
Arthur Canizares, Fredericksburg, VA
Don't know 21.2% Business for retailers and a soon-to-be-conducted survey for
Craig Arthur Scherer, Woodstock, GA
court contractors.
Individual Member
In other research news, the Sporting Goods Manufacturers
Almighty LLC, Boston, MA
Association (SGMA) recently released its 2007 Sports & Fit-
The Tennis Company, Henderson, NV
ness Participation Report, which shows tennis still leading
the pack among traditional sports—up 12.2 percent. Scott Giovanni, Brookville, NY
20 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2007 Join the TIA . . . Increase Your Profits . . . Grow the Game . . . www.TennisIndustry.org
Strokes, or Service?
Lose the automated, feel-good responses, and interact
honestly and sincerely with your members.
BY ROD HECKELMAN
ou’re at the drug-
Y store, buying a tube

of toothpaste, and
as you check out, the cashier
asks you, “Did you find
everything okay?”
“Well, I did have a prob-
lem finding the cold medi-
cine,” you reply.
“Oh, really,” she
responds. “I’ll look into
that.” As you leave, she
asks, “Do you need help on
the way out?” At this point,
you’re almost tempted to
answer yes, even though
you’ve only bought a small
tube of toothpaste.
Welcome to the automat-
ed world of customer service.
It’s one of the downfalls of a
corporate-run industry. Train-
ing becomes automatic and
not intuitive. The message
starts at the top, and by the time it has fil- ing an honest and sincere interaction with makes you more responsive to people, and
tered down to the employee who is actually the membership. That means you need to as a consequence, perfect for the service
interacting with the customer, it has been drop the corporate automated lines and lis- industry.
washed down to a series of redundant ten and talk to people in the good old-fash- We’re not talking about being overly
responses. ioned way: As a friend. sensitive, we are talking about being in
What happened to that great motivational touch with what is taking place around you.
beginning that was initiated at management BE IN TOUCH When you truly care about your members,
level? Maybe it’s not the message that’s being Hopefully you’ve gone into the club industry they’re no longer customers, they are fellow
lost, but the purpose behind the message. because it was attractive to you from the members. They’re not a source of income,
The club industry is a different animal than beginning. You like working and dealing but a source of information and energy that
most service industries. You are going to be with people in this environment. If this is you want to interact with to better the club’s
interacting with the same people day after not the case, you’ve got real problems. You atmosphere.
day, hopefully for years. You can’t afford to have to like people and enjoy their compa- Ever hear someone say, "That guy is a
burn too many bridges and make too many ny, and maybe more importantly, you have great club member”? What does that mean?
avoidable mistakes. This is why so many man- to want them to feel good about you. It means he is putting something back into
agers in this industry fail after only three or When someone is angry with you, it the club that you value. It also means that
four years. They build up a catalogue of mem- should feel uncomfortable, no matter what you can facilitate and enjoy helping him
bers who have lost faith in their ability to do the cause. The reverse is also true, if some- accomplish that feat. It is the combination of
their job. one feels good about what you have done your management skills and the input of
Through the years you can recover from as a manager, you should feel pleased. It’s your membership that will shape the charac-
some of these mistakes and shortcomings, but not a weakness to have feelings like this— ter of your club. What can you do to
the best policy to adopt is a policy of develop- it’s an important part of your character that enhance this process?

First, as I mentioned, create an honest you want at the top of the list for hiring is the long dissertation about how things should
rapport with the members. This means get personality. In an age of computers and face- be or why they are the way they are. No
rid of the line “the customer’s always less conversations, it may be a task to find lectures, just quick and smooth resolu-
right.” That’s a slogan that just won’t work these people, but they’re out there and you tions.
in the club world. If the customer is always will be more likely to discover them when So, what is service in this industry? To
right, how do you answer someone who you have the same characteristics. sum it up, it’s the development of an hon-
feels the pool temperature should be 84 As a manager, you may find it hard to est relationship with your members and
degrees and someone else who thinks it pass on to your employees the mood you are your staff. It is demonstrating that you
should be 80 degrees? Or someone who trying to achieve in your club through a man- are consistent in your actions, but open to
would like the music louder in the workout ual or the written word. Try having seminar- suggestions and change. Finally, that you
area while others would like it quieter. type meetings that will allow your staff to can be yourself, and provide an environ-
That fact is, you are trying to get sever- express themselves and have input. Seasonal ment that allows your members to realize
al hundred people to coexist, and it’s get-togethers are great, and special unex- that the greatest value of their member-
impossible for the customer to always be pected bonuses will be very well received. ship is belonging to your club. Q
right. What is true is that the customer has Use your business credit card to gather
a point of view you are willing to listen to, mileage and pass that on to your deserving
employees. Getting quality employees to Rod Heckelman is the general
and that you will find out what works best manager and tennis pro at
for the majority. work for you is the first step, keeping them
the Mount Tam Racquet Club
happy is your job after that. in Marin County, Calif., where
Third, send the message to your employ- he has been for the last 31
GO FOR THE SMILE years. His career in the indus-
Second, hire the smile person, not the ees and your members that your goal is to
try started in 1967 at the
super-efficient person. Surround yourself continue to look for ways to improve your
famed John Gardiner’s Tennis Ranch. In 1970,
with a staff that enjoys being at work and operation. When issues arise, let them know when Gardiner opened his resort on Camelback
naturally enjoys dealing with others, even that you are trying to find solutions that will Mountain in Scottsdale, Ariz., Heckelman, at
work for everyone. Members don’t want to age 20, became one of the youngest head pros
when those “others” are not always the
in the country. He created the “Facility Manag-
nicest in the world. It’s not that you don’t hear a rehearsed answer, they want to get on
er’s Manual” based on his years of experience
want to have an efficient person, or a reli- with their day and enjoy the use of the club. in the tennis business.
able person, it’s just that the quality that They don’t need to hear your opinions or a

Community TENNIS
Blue Chip Investment

A community rallies together to refurbish 24 courts at a park
and rec facility in Georgia. BY ROBIN BATEMAN
Carter and Hank Aaron and whose compa-

ny is one of the largest in the Southeast,
then things got cranking, and this past was amazed at the level of professionalism
May, a year later, there I sat at the rededi- exhibited from the various organizations.
H
ave you ever fished around in the cation ceremony, surrounded by 24 brand- “With funding coming from so many
pockets of your favorite pair of new courts. As the city’s mayor thanked the sources, everyone wanted a successful out-
jeans, looking for that wadded up countless people and organizations that come,” he said. “People showed up every
$20 bill you knew was there, somewhere? helped make it possible, I admired the new day to see what was going on.”
Losing $20 dollars isn’t fun. But what “US Open blue” courts, the black coated Among those giving thanks during the
if it were $2.3 million? And what if you fencing and new black windscreens, the ceremony was Donna Bailey, president of
wouldn’t lose it just once, but annually. new metal benches on each court. It was USTA Georgia. She reminded us how the
$2.3 million, gone, year after year. an electrifying sight, and I couldn’t wait to area tennis players had been patient, will-
The City of Macon, Ga., faced this try my new serve on these courts. ing, and understanding while construction
$2.3 million dilemma a year ago when the “This is a first took place. Amaz-
USTA Southern Section announced it for us,” said Mar- ingly, league par-
could no longer award tournament bids shall Dye, presi- ticipation actually
to the John Drew Smith Tennis Center dent of Court increased! Match-
because of the condition of the courts. Makers of Mariet- es were relocated
After nearly 30 years of use, it was no sur- ta, Ga., the com- to other park and
prise they displayed signs of age, with sur- pany responsible rec courts, but the
face cracks, deep cracks, and worst of all, for our Deco-sur- program was
drainage problems. Since these tourna- faced courts. “It’s never compro-
ments along with others help pump huge a feather in our mised. Neither
dollars into our local economy every year, cap.” Dye, who were USTA tour-
losing them would spell disaster for the began working in naments, which
area. the tennis court were held on
The cost for fixing 24 age-worn tennis construction industry some 27 years ago, schedule. All park and rec programs, along
courts? $700,000. Where would that kind added, “We’ve never been invited to a with Macon Tennis Connect’s programs,
of money come from? Macon scrambled rededication ceremony before.” never skipped a beat. High school tennis
to find sources. The ultimate answer Macon’s community involvement barely noticed the inconvenience. It all
was—everywhere! impressed Dye the most. “So many groups speaks volumes for league and program
At first, initial attempts to acquire were truly interested in what was going coordinators, for the city’s tennis director,
funding fell victim to political battles. But on.” Dye, who has done work for Jimmy and for the players themselves.

Are new or refurbished courts on your city council members do you know?
agenda? Carl Hodge, Macon’s tennis direc- “And the grants,” continued Hodge,
tor, says follow this plan: “written by a tennis player. She captains a
3.0 tennis team.”
WHO’S AT STAKE?
Identify the stakeholders and pinpoint spe- ANY NEWS IS GOOD NEWS
cific benefits each would reap—as well as The media, a key element to success,
the loss each would feel if repairs weren’t recorded every twist and turn of the ten-
made. In Macon, several organizations nis center’s path to refurbished courts,
stood to gain: including the intense rounds of debates
Q The City of Macon: Every year, the city that ensued upon request for such a large
generated revenue from players coming sum of money.
to the facility, and we’re talking new dol- Were tennis courts more important
lars here. than new automobiles for the police
Q Bibb County: While the county holds zero force? Among those spotlighting the
fiscal responsibility, it receives a percent- plights and progress were—you guessed
age of tax revenue from retail sales and it—tennis players who work for the
hotel rentals, as well as the ability to claim media: a weekend anchor and reporter
such events when enticing folks to move for a local TV station, two regular colum-
into the area. nists for the local paper, all of whom cov-
Q USTA: It generates small fees through Ten- ered the story extensively.
nisLink and claims numbers of partici- And it always came back to the
pants. These tournaments cap off several money—the $2.3 million the tennis cen-
of their programs as well as provide a ter generates in the local economy. “We
pathway for others. competed against new police cars—and
Q Our local CTA’s: Both the Macon Tennis won,” said Hodge who was involved in
Association and Macon Tennis Connect the entire process from start to finish.
stand to gain in memberships, fees, etc. With a green light, money was
Q Private tennis clubs in our community: approved and budgeted. Reconstruction
Since John Drew Smith T.C. is the heart of started in late November 2006.
tennis in Macon, we teach all players, and
some feed into the private clubs in the NET RESULTS
area. In the end, the City of Macon and Bibb
County contributed close to $540,000 to
THE PAPER TRAIL the project. The national office of the
Once stakeholders are identified, prepare USTA donated $100,00 through an
your reports, presentations, and grants. Adopt-a-Court grant. The Macon Tennis
Providing documentation is crucial. Association raised about $50,000 via vari-
Macon supplied important information ous local community grants. Idle Hour
through data collected from tournament Country Club, a local private facility, held
players during the check-in process, includ- a tournament to raise $11,000. And play-
ing the number of participants and where ers themselves donated $200 each to
players are staying. The John Drew Smith purchase 24 of the new metal benches,
Center hosts about 20 tournaments a year, while Lowe’s Home Improvement donat-
and two-thirds of these require hotel infor- ed the remaining 24 benches.
mation from their players—proof that they In the words of Larry Fennelly, a long-
are eating, shopping, playing, and spending time tennis player and columnist for The
money in the city. (Macon) Telegraph newspaper: “The
achievement at our public tennis facilities
BUILDING YOUR “TEAM” is just a small example of what can be
A six-digit price tag guarantees heated dis- accomplished when we join hands and
cussions. And when it comes to lobbying pull together.” Q
for money, it all comes down to who you Robin Bateman is the site coordi-
know. Macon recruited tennis players. Who nator for the Tattnall Tennis Cen-
better to sing the praises than those in the ter in Macon, Ga., where she
coordinates tennis programs and
trenches? leagues, is a tournament direc-
But in addition, “We interviewed every- tor, serves as a team captain and
one who came through our doors,” said assists junior teams competing
at district, regional, and section events.
Hodge. “Who is your commissioner? What

SWINGING
IN
TENNIS APPAREL
STYLE Court fashion for spring

is all in the details. Look
for a rainbow of colors,
exciting prints, innova-
tive fabrications, classics
revived, and much more.
BY CYNTHIA SHERMAN
Lejay
Some of Lejay’s new lines will feature 50 UV protection, anti-micro-
bial tightly woven poly-lycra fabrics in “Body-Care,” which can
cross over to golf, the gym, and about-town wear. A variety of
pieces in the “Eclipse” line lights up in sunshine yellow and blue
bell. Tops feature white mesh details along the side panels.
“Bubblebath” reveals a monochronistic pink dot print and is
paired with white and navy. In “Orchid Island,” a pale purple dom-
inates and the line features a number of pieces including a smart
baby-doll style dress. “Cotton Candy” uses orange, white, and yel-
low to convey motion and energy. These poly-lycras are full of
color, interesting textures, smaller prints, and great silhouettes.
www.lejay.com, 800-932-7535

Bolle
Performance and wearability are key compo-
nents for Bolle, and they're already striking a
chord in the retail market for January 2008 with
the "Full Bloom" collection. With a strong pink
that sings spring, the line features a fun floral
print and a bubble texture, very fashion-oriented
and tailored. While Bolle has always been fash-
ion-forward, it also features more classic looks
that are great for team wear. “Capri,” for
instance, which makes its appearance in Febru-
ary, is more athletic-looking, utilizing a cool mid-
range blue with navy and white.
Rounding off early spring '08 is “A Touch of
Pink”—a fun, flirty, feminine group with a variety
of looks and pieces. Pink has continued to be a
strong popular color, and this collection highlights
lots of it in prints and multicolor shadow stripes,
and it includes a retro ’60s pleated skirt in a fun
pink floral print.
www.bolletenniswear.com, 888-977-7272
Diadora
Diadora is constantly revisiting its
Italian heritage in stylish, slimmer-
cut fashions geared to the younger
crowd. Solid and color-blocked
pieces convey sporty feminine
styles. Besides a variety of tops and
bottoms, Diadora’s bold navy,
white, and red “Alisa” line contains
a court tank and modified halter
dress—dresses and skirts will be
shorter in length. Technical fabrics
are moisture-wicking, very light-
weight, and feature high UV pro-
tection, which is woven into the
yarn. Details are further empha-
sized with the use of smaller
embroidering.
www.diadoraamerica.com,
253-520-8868

LBH
The “Arcadia” line from LBH combines blues and browns in sophisticated designs of
solids, stripes, and blocking with mix-and-match pieces to go from court to yoga to
town. The clearwater blue pieces are a polyester-nylon-lycra with a slight sheen,
while the chocolate brown pieces are fabricated of Tactel nylon-spandex.
LBH’s Wimbledon spring collection, “Whites,” features a variety of pieces in poly-
spandex jacquards, including a flounce skirt, racerback dress and camisole tank,
both of which have built-in bras.
www.lbhgroup.com, 800-421-4474
Fila
Fila’s mantra, “looking at the past, design-
ing for the future,” recalls the classics with
its Collezione line for men and women,
which takes its cues from the ’70s with
clean lines and small stripes in updated
performance fabrics. Black, Chinese red,
and white dominate styles. For women,
zip polos, racerback tanks, T-shirts,
cami’s, dresses, side-stripe skirts, and
warm-ups make up this line.
Just in time for the Australian Open,
men will see a classic but modern look in
navy, and lime and with white stripes in
T’s, polos, shorts, warm-ups—all in
breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics. All
lines carry the signature “F box” logo.
www.fila.com, 410-773-3000
Tail
Tail rolls into 2008 with a variety of colors, pieces, and styles to accommodate
every body and taste. From clothing that captures a team spirit, to contemporary
fashion looks, Tail will offer eight lines in vibrant blues, reds, black and white,
navy and gold, tropical colors, and prints. Mesh inserts serve as ventilation and
fashion statement, and detailing is everywhere.
“Ultra Orchid” in a Meryl Lycra blend combines orchid with black, and shim-
mers with silver accents in contemporary designs: color-block polos, a strappy
dress, performance-fabric tanks, cap and long-sleeve tops, “cardio” skirts, and a
color-block jacket make this line a complete fashion statement.
www.tailinc.com, 800-678-8245

Prince
Prince’s Aerotech system in racquets now
carries over into its new line of apparel in
what the company calls an “inspired focus on
fabric, fit, and technology.” The three com-
ponents of the fabric Aerotech system are:
AeroFit, to facilitate movement and stretch
with the body for maximum comfort and
mobility; AeroShield, UV and bacterial pro-
tection within the fiber itself; and AeroVent,
qualities in the fabric to provide ventilation
and moisture-wicking.
Aerotech lines come in “Gold,” an athlet-
ic-fitting “premier court collection” in fash-
ion-forward colors and accents, which
Prince’s touring pros will be wearing; “Sil-
ver,” in a more relaxed fit with smart
accents; and “Black,” a line full of classic sil-
houettes, colors, and designs in a contempo-
rary look that is great for team wear.
www.princesports.com, 800-2-TENNIS
Ace Collections
Ace Collections out of Canada is a premium
line of tennis wear. “Ace Classic” sports the
signature Ace plaid trim in light pink and dark
pink on its skort and tops. Geared to a 35-plus
market, the fit is more flattering and forgiving
and tops, skirts, and dresses are longer in
length. The new warm-up in a brown mousse
and white is fabricated in a lycra-nylon Sup-
plex. “Ace Diva,” at the lower price point,
comes in a very lightweight moisture-wick-
ing, anti-microbial sueded poly-spandex.
White and neon green pieces are standouts,
as well as skirts, shorts, and tops trimmed in
yellow and navy plaids, green and raspberry,
and a blue nautical plaid.
www.ace-collections.com,
419-932-3308

FOOT
TENNIS SHOES
SOLDIERS
What can a hundred bucks get nowadays? For your
customers, it can get a lot of great technology for
their feet. BY PETER FRANCESCONI
Adidas
Top tennis shoe models from Adidas include the men’s Accelera-
tor and women’s ClimaCool Divine. The top-of-the-line Accelera-
tor is designed for elite players, says Adidas, and features a Men’s Accelerator
low-profile a3 “microride” cushioning system for better comfort Women’s ClimaCool Divine
and control. The open mesh nylon upper aids in breathability and
quick drying, and the toe area has adiTuff to help resist abrasion.
The molded EVA insole offers comfort. Suggested retail price is
$130.
The women’s ClimaCool Divine adds a bit of flash with Swarovski jew-
eled eyelets. ClimaCool in the upper provides all around cooling for the
entire foot, says Adidas, while the ClimaLite lining provides moisture man-
agement and comfort. Suggested retail is $100.
www.adidasus.com, 800-448-1796
Babolat
The Babolat Propulse shoe carries pro Andy Roddick’s signature and features three
innovations: a Michelin rubber outsole compound for durability (Babolat says it offers
40 percent more resistance to abrasion than other shoes), an exclusive Michelin outsole
sculpture to enhance the “grip” on all court surfaces (using Optimized Cell System tech-
nology from Michelin), and the “Exact Pro” propulsion system in the forefoot to aid in
Propulse recovery from lateral movements. The Propulse, designed for competitive players, car-
Team All Court ries a retail price of $120.
The Team All Court is designed specifically for lateral movement, featuring
“Exact: The Shoe Energizer,” a rebound system that Babolat says provides sup-
port and stability along with quicker starts and better recovery. In addition to a
Michelin outsole, the shoe also has Vibrakill, a shock-absorption system for heel
comfort. Suggested retail is $99.
www.babolat.com, 877-316-9435

Men’s Prossimo II
Women’s Prossimo II
Fila
New from Fila is the Prossimo II, which is engineered on a running last
and designed for the player who uses speed as their primary weapon. The
Evergrind outsole, which comes with a seven-month guarantee, features
both sculpted heel and flex groove for comfort and responsiveness, says
Fila. FlowCradle supplies midfoot and heel support, says the company,
while visible Cordura and molded overlays provide lateral stability. For
men and women, the Prossimo II carries a suggested retail price of $100.
www.fila.com, 410-773-3000
Ultra-Natural
Stabilor SLS
K-swiss
Two new shoes for ’08 offer competitive players light weight and lateral sta-
bility. K-Swiss says the Ultra-Natural shoe is the company’s lightest and most
durable tennis shoe, while the new Stabilor SLS offers the most lateral stabili-
ty of any K-Swiss tennis shoe. For the Ultra-Natural, durability comes from the
Aosta II rubber outsole and toe-drag zone combined with a high-abrasion toe
wrap. The Stabilor’s lateral stability is achieved with a skeletal support cage
and sturdy midfoot shank, says K-Swiss, combined with “shock spring” tech-
nology for support and cushioning.
www.k-swiss.com, 800-714-4477
Prince Men’s T20

The second generation of the T20 shoe offers a high- Women’s T20
er level of comfort and flexibility, along with a breath-
able synthetic leather and a resilient polyurethane
sockliner, says Prince. Forefoot and midfoot TPU
straps are for lateral stability, while a TPU Arch
Bridge is for torsional stability. The shoe features
Prince’s ShockEraser insert in the heel and SoftSpring
PU forefoot insert. The PRC 1000 outsole compound
comes with a six-month outsole wear guarantee. The
T20, for both men and women, has a suggested retail
price of $100.
www.princesports.com, 800-2-TENNIS
Men’s Open
Women’s Tour
Wilson
New from Wilson are the men’s Open shoe and the women’s Tour. Both models
offer a contoured last and ventilated sockliner. The Open has molded outriggers,
360-degree ventilation, a foot-conforming upper and more. The women’s Tour has
DST 3X technology in the heel area, a breathable mesh upper, and 180-degree
toe-drag protection, among other features. The Tour also comes with a six-
month outsole guarantee. Suggested retail price for the Open is $130, while the
price for the Tour is $120.
www.wilson.com, 773-714-6400

FRAMES
RACQUETS
OF REFERENCE
For recreational players, the newest racquets
offer something for everyone. BY JAMES MARTIN
Boris Becker
Boris Becker is making a comeback. Well, sort of. Becker, who’s been a co-owner of Völkl
since he hung up his racquet in 1999, has been mostly behind the scenes at the racquet
company. This season, however, Becker is putting his weight—and his name—behind a
new brand, “Boris Becker.” Each racquet will have the signature “Serveman” logo, which
bears an unmistakable resemblance to Becker’s trademark deep knee bend when he
delivered his massive serve.
The Becker brand has its clear pros and cons. On the one hand, Becker remains a pop-
ular figure in the game, and surely his name and likeness will help move product. On the
other hand, you wonder whether the new emphasis on Becker will undermine Völkl, and
the longtime brand loyalty the company has established, particularly among serious play-
ers. Is this the last time we’ll see the name “Völkl” on a stick?
While we wait for the answer to that question, players can enjoy the Boris Becker 11.
Similar to the Völkl DNX 10, this is a heavy, 12.2-ounce, head-light racquet for advanced
players. It also comes in a lighter version with a more open string pattern for easier spin
production.
Fans of the Völkl DNX V1, a well-received comfort-oriented racquet, will want to check
out the Boris Becker V1. Like its predecessor, the BB version is a medium-weight racquet
with shock-absorbing materials in the shaft and handle to reduce bad vibes. Available in
a mid-plus and an extra-long oversize, the Boris Becker V1 is tailored to players who crave Boris Becker 11 295g
a forgiving response, even on off-center hits, and will also appeal to those with arm issues. Boris Becker 11 325g
Boris Becker V1 MP
www.borisbecker.com, 866-554-7872
Dunlop
Dunlop made headlines this summer when it announced the re-signing of
James Blake—you know, the New York Times best-selling author who also
dabbles in tennis. He was with Dunlop for years, then made a switch to
Prince (a company on a roll recently when it comes to inking endorsement
deals). But Blake ultimately decided to return to Dunlop.
The company has two new sticks that, while good, are for the game-
improvement set: the Aerogel 7Hundred and the Aerogel 9Hundred. The
7Hundred is 9.7 ounces and 27.25 inches long, with an ample 108-square-
inch head and head-heavy balance. The 9Hundred is even bigger, with a 113-
square-inch face, a half-inch extra length, and an extremely stiff construction.
Aerogel 7Hundred Translation: Both racquets will juice up the strokes of players with short and
Aerogel 9Hundred
medium-length swings.
www.dunlopsports.com, 800-768-4727

Fischer
There’s no doubt who Fischer is targeting with its new M Comp 95. With a
95-square-inch head, head-light balance, and flexible frame, and tipping the
scales at 12.3 ounces, the racquet is designed for advanced players. Fischer
is also introducing “No Tolerance Technology,” which eliminates variances in
specs and guarantees that every M Comp 95 will have the exact same weight
Fischer M Comp 95
and balance. Serious players, who can pick up on the slightest differences,
will appreciate this feature.
www.fischertennisusa.com, 800-844-7810
Head
The big news at Head is the introduction of the MicroGel Radical,
the latest installment in the line made popular by Andre Agassi.
With this Radical, Head has added MicroGel, a silicone-based
material, to help absorb and distribute vibrations. This Radical
comes in three versions: the 98-square-inch mid-plus, the 100-
square-inch (and heavier) Pro, and the 107-square-inch oversize.
Head MicroGel Radical The Pro also has a more open string pattern, for more spin pro-
duction. Intermediates and advanced players, and perhaps
beginners, will find something to like among the new Radicals.
www.head.com, 800-289-7366
Prince
You can customize the weight and feel of your golf clubs, and now Prince is bringing a similar level
of customization to its racquets with the new O3 Speedport Black and Speedport Tour.
Here’s the deal: Each racquet has the large, grommetless string holes, or Speedports, which
deliver a dampened feel and bigger sweetspot. These holes also allow the user to generate greater
racquet-head speed, for more power. But the thing is, some players prefer a more traditional
response in their racquets, so it’s clear when they nail (and miss) the sweetspot. It helps with their
ability to control their shots. No worries here, as Prince includes grommet strips that you can snap
into the racquet head, effectively eliminating the Speedports and giving you a traditional response.
In other words, you’re getting two racquets in one.
The Black features a 100-square-inch head, is 27 inches long, and is head light. The Tour is
about 12 ounces (11.8 ounces with the Ports, 12 with the grommet strip), and is very head light.
www.princetennis.com, 800-283-6647 O3 Speedport Tour
O3 Speedport Black
Wilson
Aside from the cool name, the Wilson [K] Zen has a 103-square-inch head,
is 27.25 inches long, weighs 11.2 ounces, and is head light. The construc-
tion is also quite stiff. These are the kind of specs that will appeal most to
weekend warriors searching for a racquet with a little more power and eas-
ier to swing. You can bank on young juniors, who are trying their first seri-
Wilson [K] Zen
ous player’s frame, to try the [K] Zen, too.
www.wilsonsports.com, 773-714-6400
Yonex
Like other companies this season, Yonex is offering one of its new rac-
quets in different versions to find the biggest audience. The RDS-002,
which has a 98-square-inch head, comes in a standard version and a
Tour model. The standard is 11 ounces and has a firm construction, Yonex RDS-002
while the Tour is, predictably, heavier (12.1 ounces) and more flexible
for players who can generate a lot of power on their own.
www.yonex.com, 310-793-3800
GUIDE TO STRINGS
BY CRAWFORD LINDSEY
O ur String Selector lists nearly 600 strings, which can easily

make you want to throw up your hands in despair. Given all
these choices, selecting a string is a daunting task. To make
increase is only a millisecond or two (depending on where
on the racquet you hit and how violent the impact, dwell
time is typically 5 to 7 milliseconds). But, surprisingly, dur-
things even more complicated for your customers, deciding ing that extra millisecond, your racquet will sweep through
when to restring can be confusing, too. both a larger vertical and horizontal arc. This will launch
When to restring depends on your choice of string to begin the ball on a higher and more sideways trajectory than you
with. So let's look at the interplay of string selected, frequency are used to. The ball goes long and wide. This coupled with
of restringing, and performance. more ball speed from less ball squashing is a double
whammy. You can’t figure out what technical flaw has
When Should You Restring? emerged in your stroke, and you begin to mess with per-
Touring pros restring every day. Recreational players restring fectly good mechanics to fix your mysterious ailment.
anywhere from every three or four times they play to once a
decade, or until the strings break. But the pros’ frequent Q Change in feel, feedback, and stroke. As strings lose ten-
restringing tells us something: String—especially fresh string— sion, you may feel that the racquet is “going dead,” “get-
matters a lot. Why? What possible difference could restringing ting mushy,” or “losing its punch.” Obviously it is not,
your racquet every day make? since the ball is going faster and farther. But what is hap-
Tennis string has an unfortunate property—beginning from pening is you have lost the “crisp” feel you have become
the very second it is put into the racquet, it loses tension. A rac- accustomed to. “Crisp” of course means more shock, but
quet strung at 60 pounds will most likely be at 50 pounds the shock is feel. The only sensations of striking a ball that
next day, and tension continues to decline with every second your hand feels are shock and vibration. This is your feed-
and with every hit. Tension loss is the only physically signifi- back mechanism. When the feel is the same every time,
cant process impacting your tennis racquet (and string wear). your response is to groove the stroke; when it is different,
This is why racquets need to be restrung. you respond by continually adapting and adjusting your
You probably have customers who will say, “Heck, I don’t stroke.
even pay attention to what tension it gets strung at in the first The other feedback that changes is auditory. The sound
place.” Well, they need to consider what tension loss does to the strings make changes. As tension goes down, hitting
racquet performance. the ball goes from a “ping” to a “thud.” Players may inter-
pret these sounds differently as to what they mean about
Q More power, less control, change in stroke. As tension the “cleanness” of their hits, and when this sound changes,
goes down, the strings stretch more upon impact. This cush- so does the player’s psychology. It affects what they think
ions the ball’s landing, minimizing the squashing effect. they are doing, how they are performing, what the results
When the ball flattens, it loses a lot of energy. So less squash- are, and whether they are in “the zone” or not. All this
ing means more energy for rebound. The strings always affects the mental and physical approach to the next shot.
return almost all the energy that goes into stretching them,
whatever the tension. So power is all about what happens to Q Change in spin and stroke. It has been shown that string
the ball, not what happens to the strings. tension has very little impact on spin. A ball fired oblique-
Power is good if you want it, can control it, and know ly at the same racquet with different tensions rebounds at
how much to expect from day to day. That is how you about the same spin. However, if tension goes down and
groove your stroke—by responding the same way to the you are thus hitting the ball deeper (too deep), your natur-
same situation. But your strings deliver varying amounts of al response will be to either hit it more softly or to add
power from day to day and from hit to hit. This works more spin. The loose strings don’t cause more spin; rather,
against “grooving” anything. As you struggle to keep the ball they cause you to add more spin. Again, these are usually
in, you constantly change your stroke. unconscious adjustments to your strokes as your day-to-
day racquet performance changes. Your strings change
Q More dwell time, less control, change in stroke. When the your strokes daily. And you thought you were just having
strings stretch more, the ball stays on the strings longer. The a bad day.

The Geography
of “Feel”
Finding Your “Feel Good” Location
Q To find the string that goes with

the dot, note the dot's coordi-
nates and look them up in the
table.
Q Find your current string:
• If you like it, dots in the
neighborhood (i.e., close
vertical axes to right or left)
will likely play similar (per-
haps with better durability
and cost).
• If you don't like it, move
out of the neighborhood
(i.e., vertical axes farther to
right or left).
• If you like the feel but it
doesn't last, choose a
string farther down on the
same axis.
Q Stiffness (horizontal axis) is the
MOST important factor in string
“feel.”
Q The amount of tension loss
affects the consistency of that
feel.
Q “Consistency” is relative and
depends on player sensitivity,
Test Procedure. All strings were tensioned to 62 pounds and allowed to sit for 200 seconds. Then string durability, and amount and
the string was hit five times with a force equivalent to hitting a 120 mph serve. The tension loss represents the style
total amount of the relaxation over both time and impact. The stiffness value is a calculation derived from the of play.
amount of force created at impact to stretch the string. Lower values represent softer strings and lower impact Q Hard hitters lose more tension
than light hitters.
Q Softer strings are to the left,
forces. Higher values represent stiffer strings and higher impact forces.
stiffer strings to the right.
Q More string movement, less durability, racquet as you did yesterday—one that will Q Strings that lose more tension are
less performance. Strings slide across behave the same way in the same situa- at the top; those that lose less are
each other more easily at lower tensions. tions, so you can let your muscle memory at the bottom.
The main strings move back and forth take care of swinging while you figure out Q All strings on the same vertical line
over the crosses. This has a couple of what you’ve got to do to beat the guy on the should feel about the same, no
matter the tension.
Q All strings at different locations
obvious effects. First, it shortens the life other side of the net.
of the strings as they saw through each So, how often should a customer
on the same horizontal line will
other. Second, if you don’t move the restring? If they’re a frequent player, the feel
strings back into place after each hit, you answer is most probably, “More often than different from each other.
will have an uneven string pattern and you do now!” I’ll bet that for most of the Q Stringbed power increases to the
will end up with an uneven power and recreational playing population, doubling left.
control response across the string face. their restringing frequency from what it is Q Player supplied power increases
This will affect the bounce of the ball and now would not be overkill. to the right.
you will be making stroke adjustments to More objectively, a good guide is to Q Stringbed control increases to the
right.
Q “Arm friendly” strings are to the
compensate. restring when the stringbed stiffness (mea-
sured by equipment in your pro shop) has
Consistency is Key dropped by 20 percent from the reading
left.
Q “Feedback” intensity (shock)
I could go on, but you get the idea. If you immediately after stringing. Your customer
increases to right.
don’t restring often enough, chances are will have to experiment to find what works
you’ll spend much of your tennis life com- and feels best to them. Hybrids: to look up a hybrid combination,
you must look up each string separately. If
pensating for your changing string tension In the end, though, I think your customer it is a pre-packaged hybrid, most packaging
instead of honing your swing. “Consistency” will find that this is definitely a case where indicates the name of each string.
is the key. You want to play with the same more is better. Q

Nylon, Zyex, & Polyolefin (Sorted by Stiffness)
Stiff- Tension Stiff- Tension
Company String Material Gauge ness Loss Company String Material Gauge ness Loss
(lb/in.) (lbs) (lb/in.) (lbs)
Head Intellistring (Cross) Polyolefin 1.28 136 15.14 Isospeed Energetic Polyolefin / Nylon 1.19 187 14.64
Head Intellitour 17 (Cross) Polyolefin 1.28 136 15.14 Yonex Tour Super 880 Ti Soft 16L Nylon 1.28 188 9.77
Isospeed Platinum 16 (cross) Polyolefin 1.27 138 16.62 Prince Lightning XX w/ Powerfoil 16 Nylon / Polyester 1.32 188 10.96
Head Protector 16 (Cross) Polyolefin 1.31 140 15.77 Silent Partner Filament Frenzy 16 Nylon 1.31 188 11.55
Head Intellitour 16 (Cross) Polyolefin 1.33 143 14.77 Gamma Live Wire 17 Nylon / Zyex 1.24 188 13.74
Gamma Live Wire Professional 18 Nylon / Zyex 1.22 144 15.15 Tecnifibre Multifeel 16 Nylon / Polyurethane 189 9.81
Ashaway Dynamite 17 Zyex / Nylon 1.24 147 13.72 Babolat Attraction 16 Nylon 1.30 189 10.03
Isospeed Professional 17 Polyolefin 1.27 152 15.06 Volkl Power-Fiber II 18 Nylon 1.19 189 10.39
Pro Supex Maxim Touch 1.25 Nylon 1.25 153 12.13 Head RIP Ti.Fiber 17 Nylon / Polyolefin 1.23 189 10.56
Isospeed Control Polyolefin 1.29 154 15.43 Alpha Element 16 Nylon 1.32 189 10.89
Head Protector 16 (Mains) Polyolefin / Nylon 1.32 163 11.57 Pacific Futura TXT 16L Nylon 1.29 189 11.16
Wilson K-Gut Pro 17 Nylon 1.27 163 15.21 Head FiberGel Power 16 Nylon 1.31 189 11.62
Isospeed Platinum 16 (main) Polyolefin / Nylon 1.32 165 12.46 Tecnifibre NRG2 17 Nylon / Polyurethane 1.24 190 9.55
Ashaway Dynamite WB 16 Zyex / Nylon 1.37 165 13.21 Yonex Tour Super 850 16 Nylon 1.31 190 10.89
Gamma Live Wire Professional 17 Nylon / Zyex 1.29 168 12.37 Kirschbaum Touch Multifibre 1.25 Nylon 1.25 190 11.20
Forten Ti-Blend Cross 16 Nylon 1.32 171 13.56 Head Synthetic Gut PPS 17 Nylon 1.22 190 11.38
Gamma Asterisk 17 Nylon 1.26 171 14.35 Unique Tournafiber Irradiated 17 Nylon 1.27 190 11.62
Gamma Asterisk Spin Nylon 1.29 172 12.73 Klip Kicker 17 Nylon 1.24 190 11.68
Gamma Live Wire Professional 16 Nylon / Zyex 1.33 174 13.28 Gamma Live Wire XP 16 Nylon / Zyex 1.32 190 12.04
Gamma Prodigy 17 Nylon 1.25 175 11.16 Gosen OG-Sheep Micro 18 Nylon 1.19 190 12.28
Prince Premier w/softflex 17 Nylon 1.25 175 11.97 Gamma Live Wire 16 Nylon / Zyex 1.31 190 12.87
Wilson Reaction 17 Nylon 1.27 175 12.00 Pro Supex Maxim Touch 1.30 Nylon 1.29 190 13.06
Alpha Axiom 16 Nylon 1.32 175 12.67 Ashaway Synthetic Gut 17 Nylon 1.26 190 14.93
Pacific Power Twist 16L Nylon 1.29 175 13.01 Gamma TNT2 Rx 17 Nylon 1.26 191 10.96
Head Synthetic Gut PPS 18 Nylon 1.16 176 11.93 Wilson K-Gut 16 Nylon 1.31 191 11.98
Prince Premier w/Softflex 16 Nylon 1.31 176 11.97 Gamma Live Wire XP 17 Nylon / Zyex 1.25 191 12.35
Head Intellitour 17 (Main) Nylon / Polyolefin 1.30 177 10.87 Gamma TNT Fat Core 17 Nylon 1.27 191 13.36
Fischer Comfort 16 Nylon 1.33 177 17.44 Tecnifibre X-One Biphase 16 (1.30) Nylon / Polyurethane 1.31 192 10.08
Head RIP Control 17 Nylon / Polyolefin 1.28 178 10.25 Tecnifibre X-One Biphase 17 (1.24) Nylon / Polyurethane 1.28 192 10.12
Head Intellistring (Main) Nylon / Polyolefin 1.32 178 10.91 Prince Lightning XX w/ Powerfoil 17 Nylon / Polyester 1.24 192 10.94
Gamma Professional Spin 16 Nylon 1.32 178 11.47 PowerAngle Duo-Color TNT 17 Nylon 1.20 192 12.01
Prince Synthetic Gut Multifilament 17 Nylon 1.23 178 16.08 Pro Supex Maxim Touch 1.35 Nylon 1.34 192 12.39
Pacific Power Twist 16 Nylon 1.35 179 11.78 Pro Supex Synthetic Gut 1.20 Nylon 1.19 192 12.55
Gamma Asterisk 16 Nylon 1.29 179 12.15 Gamma TNT2 Pro Plus 17L Nylon 1.25 192 12.74
Isospeed Energetic Plus 16 Nylon / Polyolefin 1.32 180 10.41 Kirschbaum Touch MultiFibre 1.30 Nylon 1.31 192 14.07
Head Perfect Power 16 Nylon 1.35 180 11.84 Tecnifibre Multifeel 17 Nylon / Polyurethane 1.27 193 9.92
Head FiberGel Power 17 Nylon 1.26 180 12.28 Gosen OG-Sheep Micro Super 17 Nylon 1.24 193 11.51
Pro Supex Nylon Kevlar Spiral Nylon 1.35 180 16.49 Forten Omni Spin 15L Nylon 1.37 193 12.44
Tecnifibre X-One Biphase 18 (1.18) Nylon / Polyurethane 1.19 181 8.96 Wilson NXT 17 Nylon 1.24 193 12.99
Tecnifibre NRG2 18 Nylon / Polyurethane 1.17 181 9.86 Klip Venom 16 Nylon 1.32 194 9.96
Wilson Reaction 16 Nylon 1.30 181 11.00 Babolat FiberTour 16 Nylon 1.32 194 10.45
Head Intellitour 16 (Main) Nylon / Polyolefin 1.37 181 11.51 Head FXP 17 Nylon / Polyester 1.25 194 10.59
Gamma Prodigy 16 Nylon 1.30 181 11.67 Prince Lightning XX 16 Nylon 1.29 194 10.76
Head FXP Power 17 Nylon 1.25 181 13.37 Volkl Power-Fiber II 16 Nylon 1.30 194 11.20
Babolat Xcel Premium 17 Nylon 1.25 182 10.01 Yonex Tournament 80 Spin 15L Nylon / Vectran 1.35 194 11.33
Wilson K-Gut Pro 16 Nylon 1.33 182 10.62 Silent Partner Ultimatum 18 Nylon 1.19 194 12.04
Gamma ESP 17 Nylon 1.28 182 12.68 Forten Sweet 17 Nylon 1.27 194 12.62
Tecnifibre 515 17 Nylon / Polyurethane 1.27 182 13.05 Gamma TNT Fat Core 16 Nylon 1.31 194 12.77
Babolat Xcel Power 16 Nylon 1.32 183 9.64 Ashaway Liberty 16 Nylon 1.33 194 12.90
Blue Star Laser 130 16 Nylon 1.31 183 10.94 Alpha Claycourt Plus 16 Nylon 1.32 194 13.80
Wilson K-Gut 17 Nylon 1.28 183 11.59 Tecnifibre Synthetic Gut 17 Nylon 1.27 194 13.96
Klip Venom 17 Nylon 1.26 183 12.46 Wilson Super Spin Nylon 1.29 194 14.20
Velociti Plus 16 Nylon 1.31 183 12.65 Volkl Power-Fiber 18 Nylon 1.19 195 9.57
Velociti Synthetic Gut 17 Nylon 1.21 183 13.21 Unique Tournafiber SpinPlus 16 Nylon 1.32 195 11.14
Pacific PMX 16 Nylon / Polyurethane 1.33 184 10.80 Klip Excellerator 16 Nylon 1.30 195 11.44
Head RIP Control 16 Nylon / Polyolefin 1.38 184 11.02 Klip Excellerator 17 Nylon 1.30 195 11.66
Forten Tiegut 16 Nylon 1.32 184 12.08 Gamma TNT2 Ruff 16 Nylon 1.52 195 11.95
Alpha Firecable 16 Nylon / Polyester 1.31 184 14.73 Pro Supex Synthetic Gut Spiral Flex 16 Nylon 1.28 195 14.80
Head Perfect Control 16 Nylon 1.38 185 10.70 Yonex Tour Super 850 Pro 16 Nylon 1.34 196 11.13
Head RIP Ti.Fiber 16 Nylon 1.33 185 11.23 Gamma TNT2 Pro Plus 16 Nylon 1.32 196 11.16
Yonex Tough Brid 125 (cross) Nylon / Vectran 1.35 185 12.02 Head Synthetic Gut PPS 16 Nylon 1.31 196 11.69
Velociti Plus 17 Nylon 1.26 185 13.63 Alpha Prodigy 16 Nylon 1.32 196 11.95
Babolat Attraction Power 17 Nylon 1.26 186 9.84 Pacific Space Power TX 16L Nylon 1.31 196 12.26
Babolat Syntronic Brio 17 Nylon 1.25 186 10.41 Ashaway Liberty L15 Nylon 1.41 196 16.25
Blue Star Fibergut XL 15L Nylon 1.39 186 11.71 Tecnifibre NRG2 16 Nylon / Polyurethane 1.31 197 8.05
Volkl Power-Fiber II 17 Nylon 1.25 186 12.20 Babolat Syntronic Brio 16 Nylon 1.34 197 10.52
Gamma ESP 16 Nylon 1.32 186 12.64 Forten Spin Gear 15 Nylon 1.43 197 11.22
Blue Star Stargut 16 Nylon 1.36 186 12.94 Dunlop M-Fil Tour 16 Nylon 1.33 197 11.87
Gamma Revelation 17 Nylon 1.26 186 13.08 Gamma Revelation 16 Nylon / Zyex 1.32 197 11.88
Babolat Xcel Premium 16 Nylon 1.31 187 10.12 Wilson Sensation 17 Nylon 1.25 197 11.91
Alpha Gut 2000 Nylon 1.33 187 11.23 Wilson NXT 16 Nylon 1.30 198 10.69
Gamma Gut 2 16 Nylon 1.34 187 12.00 Yonex Tournament 50 16L Nylon 1.29 198 11.53

Nylon, Zyex, & Polyolefin (Sorted by Stiffness) Cont.
Head FiberGel 16 Nylon 1.34 198 11.97 Gamma TNT2 17 Nylon 1.27 209 9.85
Ashaway Synthetic Gut 16 Nylon 1.34 198 12.12 Prince Topspin Plus 16 Nylon 1.29 209 10.06
Pacific Premium Power X 16L Nylon 1.29 198 12.74 Head FXP 16 Nylon / Polyester 1.34 209 10.83
Velociti Synthetic Gut 16 Nylon 1.30 198 12.88 Prince Synthetic Gut 15L w/Duraflex Nylon 1.35 209 11.13
Forten Dynamix 18 Nylon 1.21 198 13.01 Gamma Synthetic Gut 17 Nylon 1.26 209 11.51
Blue Star Original 15L Nylon 1.43 198 13.92 Wilson Sensation 16 Nylon 1.32 209 11.55
Wilson NXT OS 16L Nylon 1.32 199 10.43 Prince Topspin 15L Nylon 1.30 209 11.92
Tecnifibre 515 16 Nylon / Polyurethane 1.35 199 10.58 Klip Kicker 16 Nylon 1.32 209 12.55
Dunlop Max Comfort 17 Nylon 1.23 199 11.78 Gamma TNT2 16 Nylon 1.31 210 10.34
Yonex Tough Brid 130 (cross) Nylon / Vectran 1.40 199 11.90 Wilson Extreme Synthetic Gut 17 Nylon 1.25 210 10.39
Gosen OG-Sheep Micro 17 Nylon 1.24 199 12.35 Head Synthetic Gut 17 Nylon 1.24 210 11.27
Prince Tournament Nylon 15L Nylon 1.40 199 13.19 Gosen Tecgut Remplir 16 Nylon 1.32 210 11.62
Babolat Xcel Premium 15L Nylon 1.39 200 10.17 Bow Brand Tournament 16L Nylon 1.32 210 11.97
Dunlop Max Comfort 16 Nylon 1.32 200 11.07 Tecnifibre Synthetic Gut 16 Nylon 1.34 210 12.70
Bow Brand Micro Tournament 17 Nylon 1.24 200 12.50 Babolat Superfine Play 16 Nylon 1.32 210 12.76
Blue Star Focus 130 16 Nylon 1.33 201 10.76 Wilson NXT Max 16 Nylon 1.34 211 9.71
Bow Brand t2000 15L Nylon 1.37 201 11.38 Gosen Tecgut Super Tec AK Speed 16 Nylon 1.32 211 10.45
Forten Dynamix 15L Nylon 1.33 201 11.82 Forten Competition Nylon 15L Nylon 1.41 211 10.89
Wilson Staminia Spin 15L Nylon 1.38 201 12.15 Gamma Marathon DPC 16 Nylon 1.32 211 11.51
Forten Ti-Blend Main 16 Nylon 1.34 201 12.57 Klip Blast 16 (Coss) Nylon 1.32 211 11.62
Silent Partner Ultimatum 17 Nylon 1.28 201 12.66 Unique Tournafiber Synthetic Gut 16 Nylon 1.34 211 12.76
Gamma Gut 3 17 Nylon 1.25 202 10.09 Babolat Powergy 16 Nylon 1.34 211 13.10
Alpha Sensor Fibre 16 Nylon 1.35 202 11.02 Prince Synthetic Gut 17 w/Duraflex Nylon 1.26 212 10.69
Gamma Challenger 17 Nylon 1.27 202 11.33 Forten Sweet 16 Nylon 1.33 212 10.78
Klip Synthetic Gut 17 Nylon 1.25 202 12.87 Gosen OG-Sheep Micro Super JC 16 Nylon 1.30 212 11.05
Pacific Premium Power X 16 Nylon 1.33 202 13.67 Gosen Tecgut Super Tec Ak Pro 16 Nylon 1.34 212 11.64
Gamma Synthetic Gut 17 w/Wearguard Nylon 1.26 203 9.15 Alpha Viper 16 Nylon 1.29 212 12.35
Gamma Synthetic Gut w/Weargurard 18 Nylon 1.21 203 9.68 RAB Endura Classic (Coss) Nylon 1.32 213 11.62
Gamma TNT2 Rx 16 Nylon 1.36 203 9.81 Prince Synthetic Gut 16 w/Duraflex Nylon 1.30 213 12.04
Kirschbaum Touch Classic 1.30 Nylon 1.30 203 10.94 Prince Synthetic Gut Original 17 Nylon 1.24 214 10.59
Kirschbaum Touch Classic 1.25 Nylon 1.24 203 11.23 Klip Synthetic Gut 16 Nylon 1.33 214 10.98
Prince Synthetic Gut 18 w/Duraflex Nylon 1.20 203 11.51 Gamma TNT2 18 Nylon 1.18 214 11.05
Wilson NXT Tour 17 Nylon 1.27 203 12.46 Babolat Razor Spin 16 Nylon 1.30 214 13.76
Klip Screamer Titanium 16 Nylon / Titanium 1.30 203 12.54 Klip Synthetic Gut 15L Nylon 1.37 214 13.76
Gosen OG-Sheep Micro 16 Nylon 1.29 203 12.96 Gamma Synthetic Gut 15L w/Wearguard Nylon 1.38 215 11.18
Gamma Dura Spin 15L Nylon 1.37 204 9.63 Gamma Ruff 16 Nylon 1.48 215 11.33
Gamma Synthetic Gut 16 w/Wearguard Nylon 1.31 204 10.03 Unique Tournafiber Nylon 16 Nylon 1.32 215 12.33
Gosen OG Sheep Micro Super 16 Nylon 1.30 204 11.29 Klip Twister 15L Nylon 1.43 215 12.53
Unique Tournafiber Synthetic Gut 17 Nylon 1.22 204 11.31 Dunlop Synthetic Gut 16 Nylon 1.31 215 13.21
Unique Tournafiber Irradiated 16 Nylon 1.33 204 11.44 Pacific Syntec 16 Nylon 1.37 216 12.15
Forten Sweet 15 Nylon 1.36 204 11.55 Pacific Dura Tech 16 Nylon / Aramid 1.32 216 12.85
Pacific Syntec 16L Nylon 1.32 204 12.37 Alpha Sphere 16 Nylon 1.31 216 14.88
Klip Excellerator 15L Nylon 1.34 204 12.68 Gamma Dura Spin w/ Wearguard 16 Nylon 1.37 217 8.95
Silent Partner Head Spin 15L Nylon 1.38 204 13.18 Gosen Nanocubic 16 Nylon 1.32 217 10.81
Silent Partner Titanium 16 Nylon 1.32 204 13.19 Gamma Challenger 16 Nylon 1.32 217 10.95
Gamma Zo Plus 16L Nylon 1.32 204 13.56 Prince Synthetic Gut Original 16 Nylon 1.30 217 11.67
Gosen OG-Sheep Micro Spin 15L Nylon 1.35 205 10.25 Babolat Conquest 16 Nylon 1.33 217 14.99
Wilson Extreme Synthetic Gut 16 Nylon 1.28 205 10.30 Gamma Synthetic Gut 16 Nylon 1.30 218 9.86
Dunlop Tour Performance 16 Nylon 1.34 205 10.85 Wilson Ultra Synthetic Gut 16 Nylon 1.32 218 10.28
Gosen Micro 16 Nylon 1.31 205 10.94 Gosen OG-Sheep Proform Tuff 15L Nylon 1.38 218 11.16
Forten Dynamix 17 Nylon 1.26 205 11.14 Bow Brand Super Pro 15L Nylon 1.43 218 11.42
Head Synthetic Gut 16 Nylon 1.29 205 11.27 Bow Brand Calibre 15L Nylon 1.36 218 12.28
Pacific Power Spin 16 Nylon 1.38 205 12.48 Babolat Conquest 17 Nylon 1.27 218 12.64
Fischer Tournament Pro 16 Nylon 1.36 205 13.54 Babolat Conquest Ti 16 Nylon 1.33 218 16.23
Bow Brand Ballistic 15L Nylon 1.35 206 10.59 Wilson NXT Tour 16 Nylon 1.31 219 8.98
Velociti Synthetic Gut 15L Nylon 1.35 206 10.83 Dunlop Synthetic Gut 17 Nylon 1.24 219 10.04
Silent Partner Ultimatum 16 Nylon 1.33 206 12.81 Wilson Stamina 16 Nylon 1.32 219 10.10
Klip Scorcher 17 Nylon 1.27 206 13.51 Gamma Marathon DPC 15L Nylon 1.44 219 10.80
Prince Lightning XX 17 Nylon 1.26 207 9.68 Gamma XL 16 Nylon 1.29 219 11.40
Pro Supex Synthetic Gut 1.30 Nylon 1.30 207 11.27 Head Master 15L Nylon 1.39 219 11.58
Alpha Tourna Blend (Cross) Nylon 1.29 207 11.29 Head Master 16L Nylon 1.31 221 9.57
Pacific Futura TXT 16 Nylon 1.39 207 11.51 Gamma Synthetic Gut 18 Nylon 1.22 221 10.14
Silent Partner Original Syn 16 Nylon 1.33 207 13.89 Gosen Tecgut Power 16 Nylon 1.31 221 14.58
Wilson NXT Max 15L Nylon 1.35 208 9.88 Bow Brand Superspin 1.33 Nylon 1.43 222 11.29
Bow Brand Synthetic Gut XT 16 Nylon 1.33 208 10.85 Gamma Dura Spin 16 Nylon 1.39 223 8.93
Forten Dynamix 16 Nylon 1.34 208 10.95 Gamma Synthetic Gut 15L Nylon 1.37 224 11.42
Klip Blast 17 (Cross) Nylon 1.26 208 11.46 Fischer Pro Number One 16 Nylon 1.32 224 12.66
Babolat Superfine Play 17 Nylon 1.25 208 11.49 Gamma Advantage 15L Nylon 1.39 227 9.90
Kirschbaum Touch Titanium 1.30 Nylon / Titanium 1.30 208 12.11 Gamma Marathon DPC 17 Nylon 1.27 228 9.42
Klip Scorcher 16 Nylon 1.31 208 12.83 Ashaway MonoGut 17 Nylon 1.22 233 20.20
Wilson NXT Tour 18 Nylon 1.24 209 9.53 Ashaway MonoGut 16L Nylon 1.27 242 19.40
Wilson Stamina 17 Nylon 1.25 209 9.68

Polyester (Sorted by Stiffness)
Babolat Pro Hurricane 18 Polyester 1.21 187 22.29 Klip Optic Nerve 16 Polyester 1.28 242 13.58
Tecnifibre Promix 17 (1.25) Polyester 1.27 199 13.72 Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 125 Polyester 1.23 242 17.13
Head Sonic Pro Polyester 1.23 199 23.09 Gosen Nancubic 17 Polyester 1.26 242 17.33
Pacific Poly Power 18 Polyester 1.09 201 21.17 Signum Pro Poly-Fiber Titan 1.30 Polyester 1.30 242 24.89
Tecnifibre Promix 16 (1.30) Polyester 1.29 204 14.99 Klip Hardcore 17 Polyester 1.24 243 17.05
Gosen Polylon Comfort 17 Polyester 1.26 215 19.91 Luxilon Big Banger XP 125 Polyester 1.25 243 17.78
Gosen Polylon SP 17 Polyester 1.25 215 20.70 Pro Supex Blue Gear 1.25 Polyester 1.24 243 18.55
Pro Supex Poly Power Soft 1.15 Polyester 1.13 216 19.69 Pro Supex Poly Power Soft 1.30 Polyester 1.32 243 18.76
Kirschbaum Competition 1.20 Polyester 1.19 219 19.09 Signum Pro Poly-Power 1.20 Polyester 1.20 243 19.50
Isospeed Pyramid Polyester 1.28 219 24.19 Kirschbaum Touch Turbo 1.30 Polyester 1.30 243 19.58
Signum Pro Poly-Deluxe 1.22 Polyester 1.20 220 19.11 Signum Pro Poly-Special 1.30 Polyester 1.28 243 20.33
Pacific Force 18 Polyester 1.19 222 17.09 Signum Pro Poly-Speed Excl. 1.25 Polyester 1.27 244 19.56
Tecnifibre Pro Red Code 18 Polyester 1.19 222 18.89 Babolat Ballistic Polymono 17 Polyester 1.25 244 20.89
Klip K-Boom 18 Polyester 1.19 223 18.88 Alpha Vengence 16L Polyester 1.29 244 22.05
Wilson Enduro Pro 18 Polyester 1.21 224 17.02 Pacific PolySpin 16 Polyester 1.32 245 20.29
Gamma Zo True 18 Polyester 1.13 224 17.55 Signum Pro Plasma Hextreme 1.25 Polyester 1.25 246 16.23
Kirschbaum Pro Line No.2 1.15 Polyester 1.16 224 18.92 Signum Pro Poly-Power 1.25 Polyester 1.26 247 17.88
Pro Supex Big Ace 1.22 Polyester 1.21 225 18.68 Dunlop Explosive 17 Polyester 1.26 247 18.00
Babolat Pro Hurricane 17 Polyester 1.25 226 16.83 Kirschbaum Competition 1.30 Polyester 1.30 247 18.50
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power Fluoro 123Polyester 1.23 226 17.64 Kirschbaum Pro Line No.2 1.30 Polyester 1.27 247 18.61
Toalson Thermaxe 123 Polyester 1.23 226 17.97 Yonex Tough Brid 130 (main) Polyester 1.30 247 22.42
Signum Pro Poly Megaforce 1.19 Polyester 1.19 227 16.67 RAB MonoFlex 16L Polyester 1.26 248 17.95
Kirschbaum P2 1.20 Polyester 1.18 227 18.10 Luxilon Big Banger Original 130 Polyester 1.28 249 17.11
Pro Supex Poly Master 1.25 Polyester 1.25 228 20.59 Pro Supex Blue Gear 1.28 Polyester 1.26 249 18.04
Kirschbaum Pro Line No.2 1.20 Polyester 1.18 229 18.19 Gosen Polylon 17 Polyester 1.24 249 19.52
Unique Big Hitter Blue 17 Polyester 1.26 229 18.21 Tecnifibre Polyspin 16 (1.275) Polyester 1.27 249 19.87
Silent Partner Roly Poly 17 Polyester 1.27 229 19.62 Prince Tour 17 Polyester 1.25 249 21.37
Kirschbaum Touch Turbo 1.25 Polyester 1.25 229 21.41 Luxilon Monotec Supersense 125 Polyester 1.26 250 19.21
Unique Tourna Poly Big Hitter 17 Polyester 1.26 231 18.15 Signum Pro Poly-Power 1.35 Polyester 1.35 250 19.38
Pacific Poly Soft 16 Polyester 1.29 231 19.16 Signum Pro Poly Speed Excl. 1.30 Polyester 1.30 250 19.63
Luxilon Big Banger Ace 112 Polyester 1.16 232 17.05 Toalson Thermaxe 130 Polyester 1.29 250 22.21
Yonex Tough Brid 125 (main) Polyester 1.24 232 20.95 Gamma Zo Life 16 Polyester 1.28 251 15.50
Signum Pro Poly Plasma 1.23 Polyester 1.25 233 17.48 Kirschbaum Pro Line No.1 1.20 Polyester 1.19 251 18.96
Signum Pro Poly-Deluxe 1.30 Polyester 1.24 233 18.31 Signum Pro Poly-Deluxe 1.25 Polyester 1.32 252 17.40
Gamma Stinger (Mains) Polyester 1.28 233 19.53 Kirschbaum Super Smash 1.325 Polyester 1.33 252 20.75
Signum Pro Poly-Power 1.30 Polyester 1.32 233 19.58 Kirschbaum Pro Line No.1 1.25 Polyester 1.22 253 16.67
Kirschbaum Pro Line No.1 1.15 Polyester 1.16 234 17.09 Dunlop Explosive 16 Polyester 1.29 253 16.98
Pro Supex Premier Ace 1.25 Polyester 1.24 234 17.57 Forten Flexion 16L Polyester 1.24 254 15.53
Klip K-Boom 17 Polyester 1.23 234 17.99 Gosen Polylon 16 Polyester 1.30 254 21.23
Volkl V-Rex 16L Polyester 1.24 234 18.32 Kirschbaum P2 1.275 Polyester 1.24 255 16.47
Pro Supex Big Ace 1.25 Polyester 1.25 234 19.16 Klip K-Boom 16 Polyester 1.31 255 16.96
Tecnifibre Pro Red Code 17 Polyester 1.26 235 16.27 Head UltraTour 17 Polyester 1.22 255 19.29
Pro Supex Poly Control 1.25 Polyester 1.26 235 17.23 Yonex Poly Tour 125 16 Polyester 1.24 255 19.78
Kirschbaum Competition 1.25 Polyester 1.28 235 19.07 Signum Pro Plasma Hextreme 1.30 Polyester 1.29 256 16.63
Kirschbaum Super Smash 1.20 Polyester 1.21 235 19.98 Forten Flexion 16 Polyester 1.28 256 16.76
Signum Pro Poly-Special 1.25 Polyester 1.23 235 20.64 Babolat Pro Hurricane Tour 17 Polyester 1.25 256 17.58
Gosen Polylon SP 16 Polyester 1.29 235 21.06 Forten Intimidator 16 Polyester 1.30 256 17.91
Topspin Polypolar 1.30 Polyester 1.28 235 24.72 Gosen Polylon Comfort 16 Polyester 1.30 256 19.65
Klip Optic Nerve 17 Polyester 1.23 236 17.49 Prince Tour 16 Polyester 1.28 256 21.57
Kirschbaum Pro Line No.2 1.25 Polyester 1.24 236 19.14 Kirschbaum Super Smash Spiky 1.25 Polyester 1.26 256 22.02
RAB Endura Classic (Main) Polyester 1.29 236 20.26 Signum Pro Poly Megaforce 1.24 Polyester 1.24 257 14.91
Goson Polylon Polybreak 18 Polyester 1.21 236 21.26 Kirschbaum P2 1.25 Polyester 1.25 257 15.48
Signum Pro Poly-Fiber Titan 1.25 Polyester 1.26 236 24.10 Kirschbaum Super Smash 1.25 Polyester 1.25 257 19.55
Gosen Polylon Polybreak 17 Polyester 1.23 238 17.47 Signum Pro Poly-Speed Excl. 1.35 Polyester 1.39 257 20.00
Pro Supex Big Ace 1.28 Polyester 1.25 238 18.68 Babolat Ballistic Polymono 16 Polyester 1.30 257 20.31
Forten Pro Select 17 Polyester 1.20 238 18.92 Alpha Polycable 16 Polyester 1.33 257 23.44
Pacific Poly Dura 15L Polyester 1.34 238 22.32 Tecnifibre Pro Red Code 16 Polyester 1.28 258 14.90
Signum Pro Poly Plasma 1.18 Polyester 1.19 239 15.65 Signum Pro Poly Megaforce 1.29 Polyester 1.30 258 15.06
Wilson Enduro Pro 17 Polyester 1.25 239 15.77 Topspin Cyber Flash 1.30 Polyester 1.27 258 15.28
Gamma Zo Power 16L Polyester 1.20 239 17.29 Wilson Enduro Gold 16 Polyester 1.32 258 17.60
Topspin Cyber Flash 1.25 Polyester 1.23 240 15.54 Klip Hardcore 16 Polyester 1.27 258 19.42
Pro Supex Premier Ace 1.30 Polyester 1.28 240 16.83 Kirschbaum Super Smash Spiky 1.275 Polyester 1.27 258 20.84
Pro Supex Poly Control 1.30 Polyester 1.28 240 16.94 Kirschbaum Pro Line No.1 1.30 Polyester 1.27 258 22.09
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power Rough 125Polyester 1.25 240 18.98 Gamma Zo Sweet (Mains) Polyester 1.22 259 15.75
Babolat Pro Hurricane 16 Polyester 1.31 241 13.61 Ashaway Monofire XL 17 Polyester 1.26 259 17.13
Luxilon Big Banger TiMO 110 Polyester 1.15 241 16.91 Pro Supex Poly Power Soft 1.25 Polyester 1.27 259 18.57
Unique Tourna Poly Big Hitter 16 Polyester 1.29 241 17.62 Wilson Enduro Pro 16 Polyester 1.30 260 14.33
Forten Poly-Blast 17 Polyester 1.23 241 18.41 Signum Pro Poly Plasma 1.28 Polyester 1.27 260 15.98
Pacific Poly Spin 16L Polyester 1.25 241 19.12 Luxilon Big Banger TiMO 117 Polyester 1.23 261 16.29
Prince Tournament Poly 17 Polyester 1.24 241 24.23 Toalson Thermaxe 127 Polyester 1.27 261 18.99
Pacific Poly Power 15L Polyester 1.33 241 24.83 Pacific Force 17 Polyester 1.25 262 13.47

Polyester (Sorted by Stiffness) Cont.
Yonex Poly Tour 130 16 Polyester 1.32 262 19.65 Unique Tourna Poly Premium 18 Polyester 1.21 271 15.39
Head UltraTour 16L Polyester 1.27 263 17.97 Kirschbaum P2 1.30 Polyester 1.30 273 15.74
Kirschbaum Super Smash 1.35 Polyester 1.37 263 19.36 Signum Pro Poly Megaforce 1.34 Polyester 1.34 278 15.69
Fischer Poly Pro 17 Polyester 1.27 263 21.06 Ashaway Monofire XL 16 Polyester 1.29 278 16.14
Gamma Dura Blast 17 Polyester 1.26 264 16.82 Kirschbaum Long Life 1.38 Polyester 1.40 281 20.71
Pacific Poly Power 16 Polyester 1.29 265 17.16 Signum Pro Poly Speed Spin 1.28 Polyester 1.29 283 18.00
Luxilon Big Banger Original Rough 130 Polyester 1.28 266 19.21 Signum Pro Poly Speed Spin 1.33 Polyester 1.32 289 18.34
Kirschbaum Super Smash 1.30 Polyester 1.29 266 19.58 Luxilon Big Banger 5-Star 138 Polyester 1.37 290 17.94
Gamma Zo True 17 Polyester 1.24 267 14.58 Pacific Poly Force 17 Polyester 1.24 294 13.41
Signum Pro Poly Plasma 1.33 Polyester 1.34 270 14.26 Gamma Dura Blast 16 Polyester 1.30 303 12.68
Babolat Pro Hurricane Tour 16 Polyester 1.28 270 16.61 Pacific Poly Force 16L Polyester 1.30 320 17.84
Gut (Sorted by Stiffness)

Unique Tourna Gut 17 Natural Gut 1.22 84 8.75 Pacific Classic Gut 16 Natural Gut 1.30 106 11.01
Pacific Tough Gut 16 Natural Gut 1.26 88 6.75 Babolat VS Touch 16 Natural Gut 1.30 107 8.31
Pacific Classic Gut 16L Natural Gut 1.28 92 6.39 Wilson Natural 15L Natural Gut 1.34 110 9.28
Pacific Prime Gut 16L Natural Gut 1.30 92 6.86 Bow Brand Championship 16 Natural Gut 1.30 111 7.36
Pacific Prime Gut 16 Natural Gut 1.28 97 5.75 Grand Slam Gut Ti. Power 16 (coated) Natural Gut 1.36 112 9.31
Grand Slam Gut Ti. Power 16 (uncoated) Natural Gut 1.30 97 10.92 Klip Legend 1.30 Natural Gut 1.28 113 8.77
Pacific Tough Gut 15 Natural Gut 1.37 100 7.37 Grand Slam Gut Grand Slam Gut 16 (coated) Natural Gut 1.41 113 9.28
Grand Slam Gut Grand Slam Gut 15L (coated) Natural Gut 1.36 100 8.58 Klip Legend 17 Natural Gut 1.27 113 9.31
Wilson Natural 16 Natural Gut 1.31 102 8.43 Prince Natural Gut 16 Natural Gut 1.31 114 8.49
Babolat VS Team 17 Natural Gut 1.26 102 8.45 Babolat Tonic+ Ball Feel Natural Gut 1.35 114 8.84
Wilson Natural 17 Natural Gut 1.26 103 8.13 Bow Brand Championship 15L Natural Gut 1.34 116 8.53
Grand Slam Gut Black Knight Gut 16 (Coated) Natural Gut 1.32 103 11.91 Babolat VS Touch 15L Natural Gut 1.35 118 8.68
Klip Armour Pro 16 Natural Gut 1.30 105 7.43 Unique Tourna Gut 16 Natural Gut 1.30 119 9.06
Klip Armour Pro 17 Natural Gut 1.28 105 7.70 Babolat Tonic+ Longevity Natural Gut 1.38 119 9.26
Grand Slam Gut Grand Slam Gut 17 (uncoated) Natural Gut 1.28 105 7.87 Grand Slam Gut Grand Slam Gut 15L (uncoated) Natural Gut 1.48 129 11.22
Pacific Prime Gut 17 Natural Gut 1.22 105 8.45
Kevlar/Technora/Vectran (Sorted by Stiffness)

Ashaway Composite XL Pro 15 Kevlar 1.38 444 16.36 Forten Sweet Aramid 16L Kevlar 1.27 632 11.60
Ashaway Composite XT Pro 16 Vectran 1.30 470 14.34 Gamma TNT2 Fusion Plus 19 (Mains) Kevlar 1.23 640 17.33
Pacific Powercraft 18 Kevlar / Nylon 1.10 508 14.67 Gamma Infinity 18 (Mains) Kevlar 1.17 641 17.00
Forten New Age 18 Kevlar / Nylon 1.13 511 18.43 Gamma Infinity 17 (Mains) Kevlar 1.24 641 20.57
Forten Aramid Composite 18 Kevlar / Nylon 1.11 516 15.04 Alpha Tourna Blend (Mains) Kevlar 1.24 647 20.64
Forten Ultra Thin Blend 18 Kevlar 1.12 545 15.12 Ashaway Kevlar18 Kevlar 1.08 671 27.21
Forten Thin Blend 18 Kevlar 1.15 557 14.33 Gamma TNT2 Fusion Plus 16 (Mains) Kevlar 1.28 674 16.36
Wilson Hyperlast Spin 19 Technora 1.21 562 13.72 Gosen Arammix Pro 18 Kevlar 1.09 697 17.03
Head FXP Blend (Mains) Kevlar 1.24 574 15.73 Wilson Hyperlast 15 Technora 1.41 709 13.15
Dunlop Max Touch 17 Kevlar 1.22 586 15.08 Prince Problend 17 Kevlar 1.24 720 16.39
Dunlop Max Touch Hybrid (Main) Kevlar 1.24 588 2.76 Gamma Infinity 15L (Mains) Kevlar 1.35 729 17.90
Forten Aramid Composite 17 Kevlar / Nylon 1.17 597 11.27 Gamma Infinity 16 (Mains) Kevlar 1.30 736 17.90
Pacific Aramid 16 Kevlar 1.27 601 12.17 Ashaway Kevlar17 Kevlar 1.22 757 28.37
Forten Aramid Gear 16L Kevlar 1.42 610 10.43 Klip Atomic 16 Kevlar 1.29 758 28.36
Forten Aramid Composite 16 Kevlar / Nylon 1.28 619 9.55 Forten Sweet Aramid 15L Kevlar 1.36 761 13.01
Silent Partner Gutsy Aramid 17 Kevlar 1.15 623 11.38 Ashaway Kevlar16 Kevlar 1.29 764 26.68
Forten Aramid Gear 15 Kevlar 1.45 627 11.84 Gosen Arammix Pro 16 Kevlar 1.28 795 19.14
Pacific Gear Blend (Mains) Kevlar / Nylon 1.32 628 9.33 Prince Pro Blend 16 (Main) Kevlar 1.30 981 15.88
Pacific Power Blend (Mains) Kevlar / Nylon 1.32 628 9.33
Hybrid Guide sion loss when combining crosses and mains. So for the true
Use this hybrid guide to look up the properties of the individ- hybrid fanatic, you have 520 strings combinable with 520 oth-
ual strings used in the crosses and mains. You can vary the ers with 16 variations of each combination.
stiffness of the stringbed by choosing strings that vary from The string manufacturers have limited your choices by
each other in stiffness. This variance will also occur if one putting together what they consider the best hybrid combina-
string loses tension faster than the other. Then you can vary tions into packages and telling you which string to use in the
which string you put in the mains and which in the crosses. mains and which in the crosses. Using the String Selector
Variety is good. But here is the bad news. There are 16 dif- charts, you can see what kind of stringbed to expect with each
ferent combinations of low/high stiffness and low/high ten- combination compared with others.

Hybrids
Inter- Inter-
Company String Hybrid Mains Hybrid Cross change- Company String Hybrid Mainds Hybrid Cross change-
able able
Alpha Gut 2000 Poly Gut 2000 Poly Gut 2000 Klip Blast 16 Hardcore 16 Blast 16
Alpha Tourna Blend Tourna Blend Tourna Blend Klip Blast 17 Hardcore 16 Blast 17
Ashaway Crossfire 17 Kevlar 17 Synthetic Gut 16 Klip Detonator Excellerator 16 K-Boom 17
Ashaway Crossfire 18 Kevlar 18 Synthetic Gut 16 Klip Lightning Legend 16 Excellerator 17
Ashaway Crossfire II Kevlar 16 Synthetic Gut 16 Klip Screamer Legend 16 Scorcher 17
Ashaway Crossfire MonoGut 16 MonoGut 16L Synthetic Gut 16 Klip Stamina Atomic 16 Synthetic Gut 17
Ashaway Crossfire MonoGut 17 MonoGut 16L Synthetic Gut 17 Klip X-Plosive Legend 16 K-Boom 17
Babolat Pro Hurricane Pro Hurricane Tour 16 Conquest 17 Klipper Klipper Blend Kevlar 16 Synthetic Gut Ultra-Fibre 16
Tour 16 & Conquest 17 Klipper Klipper Blend Lite Kevlar 18 Synthetic Gut Ultra-Fibre 18
Babolat Pro Hurricane Pro Hurricane Tour 16 VS Team 17 Luxilon Ace Touch Big Banger Ace 18 Monotec Supersense 16L
Tour 16 & VS Team 17
Luxilon Alu Touch Big Banger Alu Power 16L Monotec Supersense 16L
Babolat Pro Hurricane Pro Hurricane Tour 16 VS Touch 16 Luxilon Timo Touch Big Banger TiMO 18 Monotec Supersense 16L
Tour 16 & VS Touch 16
Pacific Gear Blend Gear Blend Powerline 17
Babolat Pro Hurricane Pro Hurricane Tour 16 Xcel Premium 16 Pacific Hybrid PMX Poly Force 16L PMX 16
Tour 16 & Xcel Premium 16
Pacific Poly Gut 8.5 Poly Force 17 Tough Gut 16L
Babolat Pro Hurricane Pro Hurricane Tour 16 Xcel Premium 17 Pacific Poly Gut 9.0 Poly Force 17 Tough Gut 16
Tour 16 & Xcel Premium 17
Dunlop Max Touch Hybrid Max Touch Hybrid Synthetic Gut 17 Pacific Power Poly Force 17 Powerline 16L
Gamma Infinity 15L Infinity 15L Marathon DPC 15L Pacific Power Blend Power Blend Powerline 16
Gamma Infinity 16 Infinity 16 Marathon DPC 16 Pacific Spin Blend Power Spin 16 Powerline 17
Gamma Infinity 17 Infinity 17 Marathon DPC 17 Pacific Synergy Gut Space Power TX 16L Classic Gut 16L
Gamma Infinity 18 Infinity 18 Marathon DPC 17 Prince Pro Blend Pro Blend 16 Synthetic Gut 16 w/Duraflex
Gamma Stinger 16/17 Stinger Mains Synthetic Gut 17 Prince Synthetic Gut Poly Blend Tournament Poly 17 Synthetic Gut 16 w/Duraflex
Gamma TNT2 Fusion Plus 16 TNT2 Fusion Plus 16 TNT2 Rx 16 Prince Tour Blend Tour 16 Premier w/Softflex 16
Gamma TNT2 Fusion Plus 19 TNT2 Fusion Plus 19 TNT2 Rx 17 Pro Supex P.F. Blend Premier Ace 1.25 Maxim Touch 1.30
Gamma Zo Pro Zo Power 16L Live Wire Professional 16 Pro Supex P.S. Blend Poly Master 1.25 Synthetic Gut 1.30
Gamma Zo Pro Spin Zo Power 16L Professional Spin 16 RAB Endura Classic Endura Classic Endura Classic
Gamma Zo Sweet Zo Sweet Professional Spin16 Wilson Champion’s Choice Big Banger Natural 16 x
Alu Power Rough 16L
Gosen Arammix Blend 18 Aramix Pro 18 OG-Sheep Micro 18
Wilson Sensation Duo Enduro Pro 17 Sensation 16 x
Gosen Arammix Blend 16 Aramix Pro 16 OG-Sheep Micro 16
Wilson Sensation Duo Enduro Pro 17 Sensation 16
Head FiberGel Blend FiberGel Blend FiberGel 16
Wilson Ultimate Duo 16 Big Banger Alu Power 16L NXT Tour 16
Head FXP Blend FXP Blend FXP Power 17
Wilson Hyperlast Hyperlast 15 Stamina DT 15
Head Intellistring IntelliString IntelliString
Wilson Hyperlast Spin Hyperlast Spin 19 Stamina 16
Head Intellitour 16 IntelliTour 16 IntelliTour 16
Yonex Tough Brid 125 Tough Brid 125 Tough Brid 125
Head Intellitour 17 Intellitour 17 Intellitour 17
Yonex Tough Brid 130 Tough Brid 130 Tough Brid 130
Head Protector 16 Protector 16 Protector 16
Klip Adrenalin Legend 16 Hardcore 16

string PLAYTEST
Head C3 Rocket 16
C3 Rocket is a new multifilament con- by 38 USRSA playtesters, with NTRP rat-
trol-oriented string from Head. As with ings from 3.0 to 6.0. These are blind
tests, with playtesters receiving
several other Head strings, C3 Rocket
unmarked strings in unmarked pack-
uses ribbon-shaped strands. These rib- ages. Average number of hours playtest-
bons surround a solid core, but are not ed was 34.8.
bonded to the core. Installing C3 Rocket is easy, even ON THE COURT
The “C3” stands for Crystal Coaxial though the ribbon construction gives it a Our playtest team reports show that C3
Construction. The “Crystal” portion is a natural texture. There was little coil mem- Rocket is a very well balanced string. In
refined polyamide material, which is less ory, and tangles were quickly cleared. fact, C3 Rocket is the second most bal-
stiff for better playability and easier string- No playtester broke his sample during anced string we’ve seen, in terms of hav-
ing. The “Coaxial” refers to the free-mov- stringing, one reported problems with coil ing comparable scores in each of our
ing monofilament core, which according memory, two reported problems tying scoring categories. Of course, balance is
to Head allows for better feel, control, knots, and two reported friction burn. only half of the picture. If the scores are
and power. The “Construction” refers to comparable from category to category,
the C3 Rocket’s elasticity, which Head you want those scores to be as high as
EASE OF STRINGING
claims gives C3 Rocket better touch and possible. As it turns out, C3 Rocket
(compared to other strings)
sound at impact. Number of testers who said it was:
scored well above average in Playability,
According to Head, C3 Rocket is an much easier 0 Power, Control, Touch, Comfort, and
all-around high-performance string for all somewhat easier 13 Spin, and above average in Durability,
player types, with control, power, feel, about as easy 23 Tension Holding, and Resistance to
and durability, as well as good spin prop- not quite as easy 2 Movement. C3 Rocket’s overall score is
erties. not nearly as easy 0 even well above average of the 114
C3 Rocket is available in 16 and 17 in strings we’ve tested to date.
OVERALL PLAYABILITY
white only. It is priced from $14 per 40- (compared to string played most often)
Four of our team members broke C3
foot set. For more information or to Number of testers who said it was: Rocket during the playtest, two at 4
order, contact Head at 800-289-7366, or much better 0 hours, and one each at 5 and 6 hours.
visit www.head.com. Be sure to read the somewhat better 12
conclusion for more information about about as playable 9 CONCLUSION
getting a free set to try for yourself. not quite as playable 16 Head tells us that it had a difficult time
not nearly as playable 1 classifying C3 Rocket as a control string
IN THE LAB OVERALL DURABILITY
because it does everything well, and its
We tested the 16-gauge C3 Rocket. The (compared to other strings scores certainly support this.
coil measured 40 feet. The diameter mea- of similar gauge) Our playtest team gave C3 Rocket
sured 1.29-1.33 mm prior to stringing, Number of testers who said it was: high scores across the board, with no
and 1.24-1.26 mm after stringing. We much better 1 deficiencies anywhere. Based on these
somewhat better 6 results, C3 Rocket could be the string of
recorded a stringbed stiffness of 73 RDC
about as durable 23
units immediately after stringing at 60 choice for players who are picky about
not quite as durable 6
pounds in a Wilson Pro Staff 6.1 95 (16 x string performance in a couple of areas,
not nearly as durable 2
18 pattern) on a constant-pull machine. but still don’t want to give up too much
After 24 hours (no playing), stringbed RATING AVERAGES in other areas. And if you as a stringer
stiffness measured 66 RDC units, repre- From 1 to 5 (best) have to deal with that vast body of play-
senting a 10 percent tension loss. Our Playability 3.4 ers out there who don’t know what
Durability 3.4 string they want, but they want some-
control string, Prince Synthetic Gut Origi-
Power 3.4
nal Gold 16, measured 78 RDC units thing good, C3 Rocket’s performance in
Control 3.5
immediately after stringing and 71 RDC our playtest shows it could become your
Comfort 3.5
units after 24 hours, representing a 9 per- go-to string.
Touch/Feel 3.3
cent tension loss. C3 Rocket added 15 Spin Potential 3.4 If you think that Head C3 Rocket
grams to the weight of our unstrung Holding Tension 3.3 might be for you, fill out the coupon to
frame. Resistance to Movement 3.2 get a free set to try.
The string was tested for five weeks . —Greg Raven Q

TESTERS TALK
“ This string has very high dwell time. The

ball feels like it’s on the strings longer. This
“ String plays excellent for the first 10
hours. After that, though, there is some ten-
allows for great spin control. The comfort, sion loss. This adds some welcomed pop to
durability, and playability make this one of
the better all-around strings I’ve used in a
serves but compromises control. 4.0 male
all-court player using Head i.Radical OS”
”
long time. 3.0 male all-court player using
Wilson nPro strung at 64 pounds CP (Prince
strung at 63 pounds LO (Head Intellitour 16)
Premier w/Softflex 17)

“ This is a superb control string. Power is
not overwhelming, but it is there when need-
“ This string not only has that magic com-

bination of power and control, the comfort
ed. Whether taking a full swing from the
baseline or executing a touch volley, the
”
is right on the mark. 4.0 male baseliner depth and trajectory are always
with moderate spin using Prince O3 Hybrid
Tour (16x18) strung at 63 pounds LO ”
predictable. 4.5 male all-court player using
Dunlop Aerogel 5 Hundred strung at 62
(Gamma TNT 2 16) pounds LO (Prince Lightning XX w/Powerfoil
17)
“ This is a very comfortable string with

great control from the baseline. Both flat
and topspin strokes consistently find their
“ This string has a muted feel and a low
power level. Full swings are required. There is
mark. It’s very easy “right out of the box.” not quite enough bite, but the comfort and
By the end of my first session, I was playing tension maintenance are good. 4.0 male
”
”
extremely confident tennis. 4.5 male all-
court player using Wilson Hyper Pro Staff
all-court player using Babolat Pure Drive
strung at 55 pounds CP (Babolat VS Team 17)
5.1 Surge strung at 60 pounds LO (Head
Intellistring 16)
“ This string has great bite and it’s very
easy on the arm. It’s not quite as playable as
“ Excellent string! Crisp response on vol- natural gut, but it is definitely a very user-
leys and great feel on touch shots. Decent
power on serves and plenty of spin when
”
friendly string. 3.5 male serve-and-volley
player using Wilson K4 strung at 60 pounds
needed.
”
5.0 male all-court player using Wilson n5
LO (Babolat VS Touch 16)
Force strung at 63 pounds CP (Wilson For the rest of the tester comments, visit
Enduro Pro 16) www.racquetsportsindustry.com.
FREE PLAYTEST STRING PROGRAM

Head has generously offered to send a free set of the C3 Rocket 16 to the
first 500 USRSA members who request it. Just cut out (or copy) this coupon
and mail it to: USRSA, Attn: Head C3 Rocket String Offer,
330 Main Street, Vista, CA 92084
or fax to 760-536-1171,
or email the info below to stringsample@racquettech.com
Offer expires 15 September 07
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.

ask the EXPERTS
Your Equipment Hotline

RELEASING THE SIDE of the mounting system. Releasing the 10 it should be losing. I checked the USRSA
MOUNTS DURING STRINGING o’clock supports at this juncture would put string lab test data, and found that ten-
I FINISHED INSTALLING THE MAINS extraordinary stress on the hoop, possibly sion loss of this string is quite similar to
Q in a racquet, had tensioned the

second cross (working from the
head down) and was trying to insert the
leading to damage.
Even though the side supports do restrict
access to the hoop at the contact points, you
other polys we usually string in other
racquets. Can we pre-stretch this partic-
ular string to reduce tension loss? How it
string into the grommet hole for the third should still be able to get the string through should be done?
cross, but the side support at 10 o’clock fairly easily on all but the most difficult rac-
was blocking the way.
A friend of mine who was watching me
struggle told me to pull back the 10
quets. One approach, if the grommet hole
seems blocked from one side of the support,
is to feed the string through the relief in the
A ALTHOUGH STRINGS IN THIS class
are all called “poly,” there are
actually different formulations. Different
o’clock side support in order to gain side support, and approach the grommet formulations are likely to feel different
access to the hole. I told him that I didn’t hole from the other side. In any case, you during play, and when you factor in the
think you should ever release a side sup- should not need to release the side supports built-in differences in response and feel
port while the racquet is being strung, but to gain access to the grommet holes. that occur due to tension loss, it’s not
he assured me there is no problem at all surprising to find that one string seems
doing this. What is the correct procedure POLY TENSION LOSS to play better after a few days than
in these cases? WE ARE GETTING SOME complaints another, seemingly comparable string.
A WITH ALL THE MAINS INSTALLED,

the racquet is at its maximum defor-
Q from customers who say that a cer-
tain poly plays really well, but loses a
lot of tension in a short period of time. I
So, unless you are somehow measuring
the tension loss, you have to be careful
about saying that one is losing tension
mation, which is to say that it is in a con- strung one for myself and the string really much more quickly than it should. If you
dition where it most needs the full support does lose tension quickly — much more than are going by feel alone, you can be

deceived by the difference in charac- should be tied off at 8T. Why do I have to usually easier to get a string past a blocked
teristics among the various formula- use one instead of the other? Will I void hole when the blocking string is the tie-off,
tions. the warranty if I tie off the mains at 6T? but why make life more difficult for your-
Pre-stretching will reduce tension self? Unless you have some compelling rea-
loss, but it will also make the MANUFACTURERS AND THE USRSA son to swap tie-off holes like this, it’s going
stringbed play more stiffly. As polys
typically feel fairly stiff to begin with,
this may be unacceptable to your cus-
A specify tie-off holes in hopes of mak-
ing life easier for stringers who have
trouble locating the tie-off holes them-
to be easier to use the holes as recommend-
ed. The playability of the racquet will be
same, and you avoid even the potential of a
tomers. You can either pre-stretch at selves. In your case using 6T for the main warranty problem.
45 pounds for 45 seconds, as outlined tie-off holes shouldn’t void your warranty, —Greg Raven Q
in Racquet Service Techniques, or you but it will block the tie-off hole for the We welcome your questions. Please send them to Rac-
quet Sports Industry, 330 Main St., Vista, CA, 92084;
can use machine pre-stretch on elec- crosses at that end of the racquet. It is fax: 760-536-1171; email: greg@racquettech.com.
tronic machines that offer that fea-
ture.
If either the feel or the tension loss
still are not what your customers
expect, you might try another poly.
STRINGING WITH
17-GAUGE STRING
A CUSTOMER LEFT TWO rac-
Q quets to be strung with 17-

gauge synthetic gut, but I’ve
never used a light-gauge string
before. I am worried that the starting
knot will come through the grommet
as we pull tension. Should I use the
deadman’s knot that is shown in the
Digest?
A THAT SHOULD WORK. EVEN

though 17-gauge string has a
smaller outside diameter than 16-
gauge string, it’s still not so thin that
you always have to take extraordinary
measures when installing it. However,
if you do run into trouble with the
starting knot pulling through — with
any gauge string — your best bet is to
use a starting clamp instead of start-
ing knot. Pull tension against the
starting clamp to begin the crosses,
and then come back later, retension
that first cross (so you can remove the
starting clamp), hold the string with
the machine clamp, and then tie off
as you normally would on any other
string.
CHOOSING A
TIE-OFF HOLE
I WAS STRINGING A RACQUET the
other day, and just by looking
Q at it I could tell that there were

tie-off holes at 6T and 8T. I
was going to tie off the mains at 6T,
but the Digest indicates that they

tips and TECHNIQUES
Readers’ Know-How in Action

EASILY END COIL MEMORY 5 sets of Prince Premier with Softflex tions of grip and overgrip work better
I hate fighting coil memory, so I found a 16 to: together than others. Some overgrips
way to get around it. I hang the string out Dr. Carl Love, Albany, OR will stick like crazy to certain replace-
straight with a three-pound lead weight ment grips, but peel right off of a dif-
attached as a load. If you don’t have a 40- OVERGRIP REMOVAL ferent make or model.
foot-long room, attach one end of the I have gotten feedback from several of
string to an eyebolt at one end of your the players that I service that the over- COLORFUL LABELS
stringing area, loop the string around a wrap they use tears the grip as they
one-inch dowel on the other side of the remove it. Perforated grips seem to be
room, and then run the end back through the biggest problem. I now install only
the eyebolt. After one hour of stretching, I smooth grips for these players. The
get zero coil memory. It takes about 15 smooth surface grip seems to release the
seconds to attach the string, and will overgrip much better, increasing the
shave several minutes off each string job. longevity substantially.
5 sets of Babolat
Xcel Premium 16 I have a
to: "low-
Dan Kerr, Wiarton, tech" tip
ONT for those
of us who don't like the rather large
Editor’s note: You labels provided to us by string manufac-
may find that turers. I use colorful self-adhesive labels.
some combina- They are available at all office supply

stores and they are very inexpensive. DON'T FORGET TO RESET 5 sets of Ashaway Crossfire 17 to:
You can color coordinate them with the Before tying off the last main, some Mike Trinchitella, Mahopac NY
strings and grip wrap. They stick to the stringers add a few pounds to the refer-
racquet until you want to take them ence tension to mitigate the normal loss Editor’s note: This practice is not nec-
off, and they leave no residue. There is of tension when tying off. The only prob- essary on machines with “push but-
just enough space on them for vital lem is, if you forget to go back and reset ton” knot tension, which increase
information such as the date and string the tension to its original setting, you tension only for one pull.
tension. Best of all, they are small and may install each of the cross strings at the —Greg Raven Q
attractive. higher tension, too. To avoid this, after
Tips and Techniques submitted since 2000 by
5 sets of Gamma Professional Spin pulling tension on that last main — but USRSA members, and appearing in this column,
16 to: before you tie off — reset your reference have all been gathered into a single volume of
Fred S. McWilliams, Arlington, TX tension. This practice could save you the the Stringer’s Digest—Racquet Service Tech-
niques which is a benefit of USRSA membership.
time and expense of having to restring a Submit tips to: Greg Raven, USRSA, 330 Main St.,
RESTORING LEATHER GRIPS newly strung racquet. Vista, CA 92804; or email greg@racquettech.com.
This is the method I’ve been using to
clean leather grips. I’ve been using this
method for a while now, and it works
well. Wet a cloth in methylated spirits
(denatured wood alcohol) and rub
down the grip to remove the dirt. Wait
30 minutes for the alcohol to evaporate
out of the leather. Then, apply a small
amount of castor oil. If you apply too
much, the grip will feel greasy. After
applying, wait eight hours for the castor
oil to penetrate the leather. Your grip
feel as good as new.
I buy methylated spirits and castor oil
at my local pharmacy, although I’ve also
seen methylated spirits for sale at hard-
ware stores.
5 sets of Pro Supex P.F. Blend to:
Jonathan Nguyen
Cupertino, CA
EASY MACHINE MOVING

For those people who have their string
machine on a carpeted surface, they
may find it very easy to move it with
the aid of "furniture movers" placed
under the feet. The machine is stable
and it is a breeze to move if needed. I
found my "furniture movers" in a box
of eight at Home Depot for about
$9.00.
5 sets of Forten Dynamix 16 to:
Gerald O’Hara, Pittsburgh, PA

Your Serve
Career Choices
A recent college graduate says a Professional Tennis
Management program was just what he needed to
help him pursue his dreams. BY MARK O’BRYAN
W
hen I graduated last May from the the Grand Slam Tennis Club in Bedford,
Professional Tennis Management N.Y., then at the Chevy Chase Club in
(PTM) program at Ferris State Uni- Maryland, then at Saddlebrook Resort in age them to seek out a college program
versity, I left Big Rapids, Mich., convinced that I Tampa, Fla.), really prepared me well. that will provide them with both the busi-
had received the best education I possibly could And what’s great about a PTM pro- ness experience and practical experience
to prepare me for a career in the sport that I gram is that you develop a bond with to help ensure their success.
love. And so far, that has certainly proven to be your classmates, with your teachers, and Had I not talked to that PTM alum
the case. with alumni—all of which form a net- years ago and realized that you can get a
I’ve played tennis since I was a kid and work that has helped me in the past and complete and well-rounded education in
have always loved the sport. But as I was I’m sure will help me down the road. I the tennis business, I probably never
going through high school and considering keep in touch with a lot of my class- would have entered this field. I’ve already
colleges, I didn’t realize that I could make a mates, too, and they’re doing well for recommended the PTM program to a
serious career out of tennis. My parents and themselves in their post-graduation jobs. number of friends, and I hope they will
I have seen tennis pros try unsuccessfully to seriously consider tennis as a career,
start or maintain a career, and it’s safe to “If you have a student because this business needs more young
say that we were somewhat skeptical people to get involved, at every level.
about tennis as a career choice. who really loves the Most high school or college students
As I was considering what my choices don’t realize the opportunities that exist
were, a Ferris alum (who now works at an
sport, encourage them in tennis: teaching pro, club or shop
elite club in the Atlanta area) told me to enter the tennis owner and manager, the sales and mar-
about the PTM program, and how going keting of the sport, tournaments, manu-
through such a course of study really pre- business ... and encour- facturers, tennis organizations, and much
pared him for the tennis business. I was more.
impressed with what he told me about the age them to seek out a I personally look forward to the oppor-
business courses he took, along with the tunity to grow the programming at the
workshops, clinics, and internships that
college [PTM] program.” country club where I now work, as well as
gave him the foundation for what would Going through the Ferris program has to develop the junior and adult players I
later become his career. allowed me to avoid a lot of the pitfalls work with. There’s no question that a
When my father and I visited the cam- that other pros have had to learn the degree from a PTM program was
pus during the annual alumni weekend, we hard way. Things like returning phone absolutely the right choice for me, and I
both were impressed with the professional- calls, being punctual, dealing with cus- know that wherever my career leads me
ism and enthusiasm of the students, faculty, tomers, and much more—all of this I in tennis, I’ll have the skills, experience,
and alumni, along with the business degree was able to learn through off-campus and network of friends and colleagues to
program specializing in tennis. I knew I had internships and through the real-world help me achieve my goals.
found a program that would lead me suc- experience we gained by organizing and These PTM programs, whether at Fer-
cessfully into the tennis business. running events and programs through ris State or at other colleges, will be the
Now, I’m the head tennis pro at the the PTM program. I feel that with the breeding grounds for the next generation
Cartersville Country Club, in Cartersville, experience I have, I’ve been able to sepa- of tennis leaders. I’m glad that I entered
Ga., and I love it. Everything I’m doing—giv- rate myself from a lot of pros out there. this business through that door. Q
ing lessons, running clinics and camps, pro- I realize that I am a newcomer to this
gramming, organizing tournaments and full-time tennis business. But I do think I Ferris State University 2007 PTM graduate Mark
events, doing the administrative and bud- have some valuable advice for teaching O’Bryan is the head tennis pro at the Cartersville
geting work, and more—I was completely pros and high school coaches: If you Country Club in Cartersville, Ga.
prepared for. The practical experience I have a student who really loves the
We welcome your opinions. Please email
gained by going through a PTM program, sport, encourage them to enter the ten- comments to rsi@racquetTECH.com or fax
plus the excellent internships I had (first at nis business. And beyond that, encour- them to 760-536-1171.

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September/October 2007

Volume 35 Number 9 $5.00

32 Frames of Reference 10 Tennis Channel adds Wimbledon

DEPARTMENTS 24 Community Tennis

September/October 2007 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 3

Strong, And Getting Stronger Publishers

W e at Racquet Sports Industry are proud to be a part

TIA—and as a result, you’ll enjoy greater coverage of Associate Editor

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

4 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2007

Top Speakers New Boris Becker Tennis Brand Debuts

September/October 2007 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 7

Nex-LvL Inc. Is New Bryan Brothers Switch to Prince

8 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2007

Sacramento Captures WTT Title

Fred & Susan Mullane/Camerawork USA)

USPTA Offers New Benefits PTR Sets First Mini

September/October 2007 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 9

Industry Veteran Wakley Joins Fila Tennis Channel Adds

10 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2007

• Fischer player Anna Chakve-

• USRSA Master Racquet Technicians

• Tommy Robredo of Spain, playing

• Scott Schultz of Big Rapids, Mich.,

• International Tennis Hall of Fame Exec-

September/October 2007 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 11

> Construction continues on a new indoor,

> The 2008 U.S. Men’s Clay Court

> The USTA Player Development

12 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2007

New Website Conditioning Guide

14 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2007

tions play each other, or intracompany,

16 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2007

NEWS & UPDATES

Top-Selling Racquets Tennis Racquet Top-Selling Top-Selling

(Source: TIA/Sports Marketing Surveys)

Growing Tennis News

W ith more than 1,600

Cardio Tennis Hits the Road! Why Become a Tennis

E xplore programming, customer service,

L ooking for a simple way to get people into your pro-

Merchant Card Services

Media and PR Services

TennisConnect Will Connect with Your Members

T ennisConnect is the industry’s No. 1 business builder,

TIA Research: Gauging the Health of Tennis Welcome,

Y store, buying a tube

September/October 2007 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 21

22 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2007

Blue Chip Investment

Carter and Hank Aaron and whose compa-

24 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2007

September/October 2007 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 25

STYLE Court fashion for spring

26 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2007

September/October 2007 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 27

28 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2007

September/October 2007 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 29

30 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2007

Prince Men’s T20

September/October 2007 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 31

32 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2007