Racquet Sports Industry

March 2012
Volume 40 Number 3 $5.00

www.racquetsportsindustry.com
Court Construction & Maintenance Guide
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DEPARTMENTS
R S I M A R 2 0 1 2
INDUSTRY NEWS
7 Prince to open Tennis
Innovation Center
7 Gamma lays claim
to the Black Racquet
8 10 and Under Tennis
hits consumers
8 Innovative incentive
for league play
8 New RZR racquet
line from Gamma
9 New looks for
Babolat frames, shoes
9 USTA Serves
awards $1.5 million
10 Peoplewatch
10 Ashaway introduces
Zyex Monogut string
11 March Into Tennis
with kids tennis events
12 Short Sets
12 New Bolt frames
feature ZipStrip
13 US Open National
Playoffs return
4 Our Serve
7 Industry News
14 Pioneers in Tennis: Bob Caldwell
18 TIA News
21 Retailing Tip
38 String Playtest: Pacific XCite 16L
40 Your Serve, by Dr. Robert Heller
2 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY March 2012 www.racquetsportsindustry.com
Contents
Contents
FEATURES
16 Grow the Game
with PlayTennis.com
With a simple message, this non-brand-
ed hub is aimed at increasing the
number of frequent players and
boosting the tennis economy.
22 Support on the Court
These sports bras offer structure
and support for a physically
demanding game.
COURT CONSTRUCTION
& MAINTENANCE GUIDE
25 Senior Status
A lot has been said about courts for
childrenbut what about for players
at the other end of the spectrum?
26 Preventive Treatment
As a facility owner or manager, you
can take small do-it-yourself steps to
help avoid bigger problems down the
road.
28 Color Matching
If you havent yet lined courts for 10
and Under Tennis, take a look at how
easily blended lines can fit in with your
existing court colors.
30 Crack Shooting
What can you do when you notice
cracks in your asphalt courts? Here are
some options.
32 Marketplace
A quick look at some of the court
construction and maintenance products
available, many from the ASBAs
annual trade show.
...
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AER-FLO.
Our Serve
(Incorporating Racquet Tech and Tennis Industry)
Publishers
David Bone Jeff Williams
Editorial Director
Peter Francesconi
Associate Editor
Greg Raven
Design/Art Director
Kristine Thom
Technical Editor
Jonathan Wolfe
Contributing Editors
Robin Bateman
Cynthia Cantrell
Joe Dinoffer
Greg Moran
Kent Oswald
Bob Patterson
Cynthia Sherman
Mary Helen Sprecher
RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY
Corporate Offices
330 Main St., Vista, CA 92084
Phone: 760-536-1177 Fax: 760-536-1171
Email: RSI@racquetTECH.com
Website: www.racquetTECH.com
Office Hours: Mon.-Fri.,8 a.m.-5 p.m. Pacific Time
Advertising Director
John Hanna
770-650-1102, x.125
hanna@knowatlanta.com
Apparel Advertising
Cynthia Sherman
203-263-5243
cstennisindustry@earthlink.net
Racquet Sports Industry is published 10 times per
year: monthly January through August and com-
bined issues in September/October and Novem-
ber/December by Tennis Industry and USRSA, 330
Main St., Vista, CA 92084. Periodcal postage paid at
Vista, CA and at additional mailing offices (USPS
#004-354). March 2012, Volume 40, Number 3
2012 by USRSA and Tennis Industry. All rights
reserved. Racquet Sports Industry, RSI and logo are
trademarks of USRSA. Printed in the U.S.A. Phone
advertising: 770-650-1102 x 125. Phone circulation
and editorial: 760-536-1177. Yearly subscriptions
$25 in the U.S., $40 elsewhere. POSTMASTER: Send
address changes to Racquet Sports Industry, 330 Main
St., Vista, CA 92084.
RSI is the official magazine of the USRSA, TIA,and ASBA
Help the Sport, Help Yourself
4 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY March 2012
E
very business in this industry is important. When a
tennis business goes out of businesswhether its a
local tennis shop or facility, a manufacturer, a court
builder, a member of the tennis media, or a teaching pro
who realizes tennis just cant pay the bills anymoreour
sport suffers, and it points to a weakness in this industry
that we all need to be concerned about.
Certainly the overall economy plays a big part in the challenges we
face. But, by supporting two key industry-wide initiatives, you can help
boost your business and your profits. Its a worthwhile two-way street:
You help support these initiatives, they help build growth for your busi-
ness. Im talking about 10 and Under Tennis and PlayTennis.com, two
initiatives that can help bring players, customers and members to your
business or organization.
10 and Under Tennis is a priority for the USTA, and industry partners
are on board, realizing that getting more kids into tennis has benefits for
everybody. The USTA and TIA have resources, most of them free, that can
help you reach out to kids and parents, bringing them into the game and
onto the path to regular and frequent play. That means more court time,
lessons, clinics, equipment purchases, tennis courts and it virtually
ensures customers for your business down the road.
PlayTennis.comour cover story this month (see page 16)is a
unique idea for this sport: Its a non-branded hub for all things tennis,
helping consumers easily get on the pathway to playing more. The goal
is to increase the frequent-player base, which is what drives this business.
The USTA and TIA have provided key resources and support to develop
PlayTennis.com, which will launch to consumers in May.
Importantly, tennis manufacturers, organizations, media and other
industry partners have all joined to make this brand neutral site the
simple URL for all things tennisall of these industry partners will be dri-
ving consumers to PlayTennis.com. Your support of PlayTennis.com is
important, and its a key to helping to increase your business. For tennis
providers and others, all you need to do is go to the site to register or
update your listing for free. It takes minutes, but your info then becomes
searchable by consumers, who will be able to find your business or pro-
grams. And there is free marketing material at TennisIndustry.org/
playtennis that you can use to help drive consumers to PlayTennis.com.
With some simple moves on your part, you can position your busi-
ness, and the sport, for growth.
Peter Francesconi
Editorial Director

,
THE NEW F.
FULL ACCfLERP/0.A.S. T.
' ' N SHAFT
I NDUSTRY NEWS
I NDUSTRY NEWS
I N F O R M A T I O N T O H E L P Y O U R U N Y O U R B U S I N E S S
R S I M A R C H 2 0 1 2
March 2012 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 7 www.racquetsportsindustry.com
P
rince is opening an advanced tennis innovation center at IMG Academies in Bradenton, Fla., the com-
pany announced, as part of a multi-year renewal agreement with IMG Academies. A statement from
Prince says: Under the terms of the new agreement, IMG Academies will become a prime catalyst of
Princes Whos Next philosophy, aimed at cultivating future champions and taking the game of all tennis
athletes to higher levels through leading-edge on-court weaponry, training, and complete athlete support
programs.
While Prince has played an important role in the advancement of our tennis program for many years,
said Sam Zussman, managing director of IMG Academies, we are looking forward to this next step, which will bring the best of
Princes product and technical expertise to the heart of our campus.
The innovation center will be outfitted with state-of-the art product and performance-testing equipment, said Prince, and will
offer athletes a comprehensive approach designed to help them take their game to the next level, including customized product
fitting and product-concept testing activities.
Prince and IMG Academies also will collaborate on and off-site to offer athletes a comprehensive product, training and devel-
opment program, including talent scouting programs, training analysis and online information offerings for elite athletes and
tennis enthusiasts globally. The IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy has several hundred full-time tennis student-athletes, and thou-
sands more camp participants of all ages.
Gamma Lays Claim to the Black Racquet
O
n Jan. 25, Gamma revealed it had created the Black Racquet that generated a lot of interest
on the web and in social media the last few months. As we now know, the Gamma RZR line
consists of five adult frames and one junior model (see page 8). But the marketing ideato create
consumer demand by putting all-black, unmarked frames in the marketplace, then unveiling the
Gamma connection (including a new Gamma logo and branding)stemmed from the interest that
was generated when staff playtested blacked-out prototypes.
Gamma Product Manager Chuck Vietmeier says the process began more than a year ago, when
the company used an independent research group to help develop a new racquet line from the
ground up. Keeping the development a secret, Gamma named the concept team Black Racquet
Labs and the new racquet line Black Racquet. The goal, says Vietmeier, was to create the most
aerodynamic racquet to date.
I used the prototypes all summer while playing tournaments and USTA league tennis, Viet-
meier says. We also used a select group of playtesters from across the country. I noticed that no
matter where I played there was a high level of curiosity in regards to the racquet I was using. The
fact that it looked different and that it was all-black generated lots of looks.
To continue generating buzz among players, Gamma, whose sales staff didnt even know about the new line, decided to play
on the Black Racquet theme and released a select number of racquets to consumers chosen to be testers. Vietmeier says word
went out on social media, and thousands of applications came in. Those picked received the Black Racquet, with no idea which
manufacturer was producing it.
Then in early January, dealers received Black Racquets shipped from Fromuth, again, not knowing Gamma was behind it.
Once dealers started to receive the packages, they called Fromuth and asked who was sending them, Vietmeier says. But no
one cracked. A hangtag on the frames instructed the dealer to visit blackracquet.com, and the website showed a clock counting
down to the unveiling.
The actual launch happened during our national sales meeting, he says. When we finally let our sales reps in on the secret,
they were totally surprised, not only how it was kept so quiet, but even the mere fact it was done by Gamma. We had a big meet-
ing-ending dinner while we watched the clock count down, and once it hit zero the reps were pumped. Our Facebook page went
wild. Now everyone knows who is responsible for Black Racquet.
Prince to Open Tennis Innovation Center at IMG Academies
10 and Under Tennis Hits
Consumers in Major Push
A
t the USTA Community Tennis Development
Workshop in New Orleans in January, Kurt Kam-
perman, the chief executive of Community Tennis,
stressed that the USTA will focus on fewer things
that will create bigger results, and do them better.
In 2012, he added, that means concentrating on 10
and Under Tennis.
If youre only focused on adults, this is the year
you need to add kids. This is the opportunity of a
lifetime, he told the more than 700 community ten-
nis leaders who gathered for a weekend packed with
presentations on increasing tennis participation.
Kamperman said that over the last few years, the
USTA and the industry has been building the infra-
structure to deliver 10 and Under Tennis, speaking
mainly to the industry and tennis providers. But in
2012, the reach goes to general consumers.
Kicking off the consumer push will be a partner-
ship that started Feb. 4 with Nickelodeon television
network, which reaches 100 million households.
The two stars of the new Nickelodeon program
How to RockCymphonique Miller and Max
Schniederwill be promoting 10 and Under Tennis,
including filming a spot for the USTA to air on the
show. Both stars also will be doing appearances for
10 and Under Tennis, including at select SmashZone
Tour stops.
The consumer reach continues with Youth Regis-
tration, held during the month of March and keying
on Tennis Night in America on March 5. On that
Monday night, the BNP Paribas Showdown will be
held at Madison Square Garden featuring Roger Fed-
erer vs. Andy Roddick and Maria Sharapova vs. Car-
oline Wozniacki. The evening will be broadcast on
ESPN, says Kamperman, adding, Were going to
use the telecast as a commercial for 10 and Under
Tennis.
The SmashZone Tour, with interactive games for
kids, will again be on the road throughout the U.S.
in 2012, stopping at fairs and many non-tennis
events from March to October. SmashZone also will
be at select US Open Series events and the US Open.
Nickelodeon also sponsors the annual World-
wide Day of Play in September, in which kids are
urged to turn off the TV and computer and get out-
side and play. Kamperman said 10 and Under Ten-
nis will be an unofficial sponsor of that event, with
a goal of having 1,000 Play Days around the country
on that day.
The goal is to drive parents and young kids to
your program, Kamperman said of the 10 and
Under Tennis consumer push. For more informa-
tion, visit 10andundertennis.com.
M A R C H 2 0 1 2
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USTA Southern Section Offers
Incentive for Adult Leagues
T
he USTA Southern Section is continuing an innovative
incentive program to help bring adults into USTA League
Tennis. Any tennis coach, team captain, local league coordinator or
other tennis enthusiasts in the Southern Section will be rewarded with
$200 when they add six new players to a new or existing team.
The Southern League Growth Initiative is designed to promote play
in the USTA League Adult and Senior programs. For leagues that begin
in the 2012 calendar year, new players can be added at the 2.0, 2.5,
3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, and 5.0 levels. When six new players are added,
league captains or coaches just need to fill out a simple online claim
form (at southern.usta.com). The first 350 new teams in the USTA
Southern Section are eligible.
Gamma Unveils Six RZR Racquets
G
ammas newest racquetsas revealed at the end of Januaryare part
of the RZR line, which for months had been the subject of speculation
as the Black Racquet. The frames are the RZR 98T, 98, 100T, 100, 110,
and 100 Jr. 26.
The goal of the RZR line was to develop the most aerodynamic rac-
quet available for all types of shots, says Gamma Product Manager
Chuck Vietmeier. Regardless of the angle of the racquet while hitting
grounds strokes, serves or volleys, the racquet always has an angle or an
edge cutting through the air. Most of the testers experienced improved
racquet-head speed with the RZR over their current frame.
Gamma says the RZR 98T is designed for serious players, who can hit
deep, penetrating strokes and big serves. It has a 98-square-inch head
and weighs 11.4 ounces. The RZR 98, with the same head size but weigh-
ing 10.6 ounces, is for players who prefer a lighter, more maneuverable
frame.
The RZR 100T is designed for players who want to punish every ball
they hit from anywhere on the court, says Gamma. It weighs 11 ounces
with a 100-square-inch head. The RZR 100 weighs an ounce less, for
players who want more feel and racquet-head speed.
With a 110-square-inch head and weighing 9.5 ounces, the RZR 110 is
a lightweight,aerodynamically-shaped frame that Gamma says offers a
blend of power and control and slices through the air with ease for
greater comfort. The
junior model in the line
is the 26-inch-long
RZR 100 Jr. 26, at 100
square inches and 8.8
ounces. Visit gam-
masports.com.
RZR 98
RZR 98T
RZR 100
RZR 100 Jr. 26
RZR 100T
RZR 110
USTA Serves Awards
$1.5 Million in 2011
U
STA Serves, the National Charita-
ble Foundation of the USTA, has
granted 41 community tennis and
education organizations in the U.S.
more than $400,000 in grants. Com-
bined with scholarship awards, USTA
Serves distributed more than $1.5
million in 2011.
The bi-annual grant process, a
national initiative of USTA Serves,
was developed to provide disadvan-
taged, at-risk children with the
opportunity to learn to play tennis
and improve their academic skills in
a structured format, and to help
combat childhood obesity by pro-
moting healthy lifestyles. To date,
USTA Serves has awarded more than
$10 million to a variety of programs
that share those aims.
USTA Serves is thrilled to contin-
ue to support great organizations
throughout the country who go
above and beyond in their efforts to
make a difference in the lives of
Americas youth by using tennis as
a vehicle for change, says Mary Car-
illo, President, USTA Serves.
The grant recipients are chosen
by a Grant Proposal Review Commit-
tee comprised of USTA Serves board
members and USTA national staff,
with important input from USTA sec-
tions. Grants are awarded to pro-
grams that successfully combine
tennis and education and help chil-
dren pursue their goals and highest
dreams by leading healthier lives,
succeeding in school and becoming
healthier citizens.
For the complete list of grant
recipients, visit USTA Serves at
www.usta.com.
I N D U S T R Y N E W S
March 2012 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 9
New Looks for Babolat Frames, Shoes
B
abolat has updated the look of its Pure Drive racquets and
Propulse shoes for 2012. For the Pure Drive, Pure Drive Lite
and Pure Drive 107 frames, Babolat's cosmetic philosophy of
"light design" features bright flashes of color energizing a darker
background. The new-look Propulse 3 and Propulse Lady 3 contin-
ue the partnership with fellow French iconic brand Michelin for an
outsole with key grip and durability features. 877-316-9435 or
babolat.com
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Taylor Townsend, a 15-year-old from Stockbridge, Ga., won
both the girls singles title and the doubles title at the Australian
Open, becoming the first American since Lindsay Davenport at the
1992 US Open to sweep junior titles at a Grand Slam event.
Townsend teamed with 15-year-old Gabrielle Andrews of
Pomona, Calif., to win the girls doubles.
Dunlop Tour squash team member Nick Matthew, playing with
the Biomimetic Evolution 130 racquet, captured his first-ever Tour-
nament of Champions title recently and won back the world No.
1 squash ranking. Dunlops Natalie Grinham of the Netherlands
won the womens title, with the Biomimetic Evolution 120.
Novak Djokovic, playing with the Head YouTek IG
Speed MP, won the Australian Open singles title
over Rafael Nadal in the longest final in a
Grand Slam, 5 hours, 53 minutes. On the
womens side, Victoria Azarenka won her first
Grand Slam title, with the Wilson Juice 100
racquet.
RSI Contributing Editor Mary Helen Sprecher is the 2012 winner
of the PTRs Media Excellence Award. Sprecher is also the techni-
cal writer for the American Sports Builders Association, managing
editor of Sports Destination Management magazine, and a
reporter for a newspaper in Baltimore.
RSI Contributing Editor Robin Bateman is the 2012 winner of
the USTA Southern Sections Marc Kaplan Media Excellence
Awardthe second time shes won that honor. Bateman, a volun-
teer on the USTA National Tennis in the Parks Committee, also is
the facilities coordinator for the John Drew Smith and Tattnall Ten-
nis Centers in Macon, Ga.
D.A. Abrams is returning to the USTA National staff as the new
chief diversity and inclusion officer. He previously was the execu-
tive director of the USTA Eastern Section.
Former USTA President Stanley Malless passed away in January.
He was a former president of the USTA Midwest Section and
served as USTA president from 1974 to 1976.
Tiffany Grayson, who led the tennis retail effort at PGA Tour
Superstores the past two years, is leaving the company to focus
on family full-time. Her retailing expertise and guidance culminat-
ed with PGA Tour Superstores being honored with RSIs Mass Mer-
chant of the Year Award in January.
Former pro player Chanda Rubin of Lafayette, La., will be
inducted into the Louisiana Tennis Hall of Fame, along with the
Bill and Lorraine Meyers family of New Orleans.
John Burgess, the national sales manager for ReelSticks, passed
away in January from cancer.
PEOPLEWATCH
Ashaway Introduces Zyex
MonoGut Tennis String
T
ennis string manufacturers have
been trying for years to reproduce
the exceptional playing characteristics
of natural gut. Now, Ashaway says that
goal may be in reach.
Ashaways newest tennis string is
Zyex MonoGut, which the company
says provides exceptional dynamic
stiffness and gut-like playability,
improved abrasion resistance, plus a
surface design that minimizes string
movement for better ball control.
"Like natural gut, our new Zyex
MonoGut string retains tension better than any other synthetic material," said Ashaway Vice
President Steve Crandall. "It provides exceptional energy returnmeaning powerand
also, like gut, it remains soft at higher tensions, reducing impact shock. This adds to comfort
and what we call 'soft power.' Zyex MonoGut contains no polyester. Its 100 percent Zyex
monofilament construction maximizes abrasion resistance and enhances string life."
Reports from early playtests have been extremely positive, Crandall added.
The 16-gauge Zyex MonoGut is designed for players seeking both gut-like playability and
superior durability in a solid monofilament string, as well as players using monofilament
strings in hybrid patterns. A natural gut-like tan in appearance, Zyex MonoGut is available
in 40-ft. sets and 360-ft. reels. Recommended stringing tension is up to 60 lbs.
Visit ashawayusa.com.
SoCal Loses
Bill Rombeau
F
ormer USTA Southern Cali-
fornia President William
Bill Rombeau died Jan. 7 at
his home in California.
Rombeau was a USTA volun-
teer for more than 25 years,
serving as a USTA Section Dele-
gate and, from 1997 to 2008,
as president of the Southern
California section. He was also
a former president of the ball
machine company Sports
Tutor.
In lieu of flowers, the family
has asked that memorial con-
tributions be made to the Pacif-
ic Southwest Youth Tennis
Foundation, Los Angeles Tennis
Center, 420 Charles E. Young
Drive West, Los Angeles, Calif.
90024-9115, and to CurePSP,
30 East Padonia Road, Suite
201, Timonium, Md. 21093.
Hall, Hines Begin
New Roles at Dunlop
D
unlop announces new and
expanded roles for industry vet-
erans Steve Hall and Hunter Hines,
both based in the Greenville, S.C.,
office.
Hall, who has been with the com-
pany since 2000, now assumes the
title of director of marketing for
Indoor Sports, where he'll oversee
squash, badminton and other indoor
sports. Hall will also lead the charge
in exploring additional categories in
which the company can grow.
Hines, who's been in the tennis
industry for over 10 years, assumes
the role of director of marketing and
product for tennis. He will oversee
traditional marketing duties such as
advertising, PR and social media,
but will also have a hand in con-
sumer and tour player product devel-
opment as well as tour player
signings, and will continue to be an
integral part of the Dunlop sales
management team.
Congratulations To the Following
For Achieving MRT and CS Status
New MRTs
Adam Palmer Cincinnati,OH
Tony Mendoza Centralia, WA
Mitch Case Torrington, CT
Jamie Venerys Cottesloe, West Australia
Grayson Throckmorton San Antonio, TX
James Panadise San Antonio, TX
Evan Howard San Antonio, TX
New CSs
Jarryd Woog Lakeland, TN
Ashaway Adds ZyMax 65
Badminton String
A
shaway Racket Strings has rounded out
its ZyMax family of badminton strings
with the introduction of ZyMax 65, billed as
its most repulsive badminton string ever.
Utilizing a combination of high-tech materi-
als and a proprietary ZyWeaVe core con-
struction, the new 22-gauge (0.65 mm)
string maintains tension better and gener-
ates more repulsive power than other bad-
minton strings on the market, according to
the manufacturer.
March Into Tennis
Host a Kids Event
T
he USTA is looking for tennis
providers to March into Ten-
nis with events geared to getting
kids into the game. With a key
multi-million dollar partnership
between the USTA and popular
kids TV network Nickelodeon,
providers who host a Youth Regis-
tration or Play Days event in
March, or start up a new Kids Ten-
nis Club, can reap benefits for
their business.
Facilities registering their kids
events at USTA.com/coaches-orga-
nizers will receive USTA national
and local public relations support,
geo-targeted online advertising,
turn-key marketing materials, a
$50 event pack voucher, a down-
loadable how-to guide, and nation-
al promotion on Nickelodeon and
ESPN2 to drive children and par-
ents to local clubs. Events can be
held any time through the month
of March or beyond.
M A R C H 2 0 1 2
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Tennis Australia, California Prod-
ucts Plexipave Division and Australian
Plexipave Inc. announced an extended
designation of Plexicushion Prestige as
the surface of the Australian Open
through 2017. We want the Aus-
tralian Open True Blue Plexicushion
court to become more and more preva-
lent throughout not only Australia but
Asia, says Steve Wood, CEO of Tennis
Australia.
>
Doubles champions Mike and Bob
Bryan started using the new Prince
Beast XP thermo-polyester string at this
years Australian Open in their EXO3
Rebel racquets.
>
Former Babolat and Prince exec
Max Brownlee has signed an agree-
ment with Asics to sell racquets, shoes
and apparel to U.S. tennis specialty
shops with the Asics name. In addition,
Asics recently signed 2011 US Open
champ Samantha Stosur to a multi-year
deal. The company, known for its run-
ning shoes, currently has five tennis
shoe models. Tennis is one of Asics
Group's key priority categories in our
strategic growth plan to 2015, said
corporation Global President and CEO
Motoi Oyama.
>
Total attendance at the 2012 Aus-
tralian Open hit a record 686,006, sur-
passing the previous record set in 2010 by
more than 32,000 fans. Daily attendance
at 15 of the sessions set records this year,
including 80,649 on the middle Saturday,
a Grand Slam record for daily attendance.
Also, the official Wilson stringers strung
3,300 racquets.
>
Fila has signed an endorsement
agreement with Grand Slam finalist Vera
Zvonareva.
>
Shortly before the Australian Open
began, Tennis Channel and Verizon FiOS
TV reached a new multiyear carriage
agreement.
>
Pro player Lisa Raymond has part-
nered with apparel maker Eliza Audley.
The 2011 US open doubles champion
(with Liezel Huber) wore Eliza Audley
clothes at the Australian Open and will
wear the apparel at premier pro events,
including the upcoming 2012 London
Olympics. Eliza Audley clothing is carried
in over 130 retailers, boutiques and
country clubs. Visit elizaaudley.com.
>
World No. 1 and Australian Open
champion Victoria Azarenka appeared
on The Ellen Degeneres Show on Jan.
31 and gave each audience member
tickets to the BNP Paribas Open in Indian
Wells, Calif.
>
New Chapter Press says tennis
author and historian Steve Flink is doing
some fast work to his upcoming book,
The Greatest Tennis Matches of All
Time, which is due out in June, to add
a chapter about the five-set 2012 Aus-
tralian Open singles final that Novak
Djokovic won over Rafael Nadal in nearly
six hours, the longest singles final ever at
a Grand Slam tourney.
>
World TeamTennis is accepting
applications from youth tennis players
with diabetes for the Novo Nordisk Don-
nelly Awards, which annually distribute
$25,000 in scholarships to male and
female athletes ages 12-21, who have
diabetes and play tennis competitively.
For details and to download an applica-
tion, visit WTT.com/DonnellyAwards.
SHORT SETS
New Bolt Frames Feature ZipStrip
T
he new Bolt racquet shifts flexibility away from the frame and into a
patented design called a ZipStrip, which works with the strings at ball
impact to improve the response of the racquet, says the company. The Zip-
Strip is a spring-like string support that flexes instead of the frame. Bolt says
the flex of the ZipStrip controls ball rebound speed, while the frame itself
remains firm and powerful, creating optimum precision and control, with
maximum power.
Bolt Sports LLC founder and director Brett Bothwell has a background in
architectural design and engineering and has played and coached in tennis for nearly 40 years. He
says the ZipStrip acts like a shock absorber, responding to the ball impact before forces are trans-
mitted to the frame, while allowing the string bed to cradle the ball and launch it from the strings.
The company also says since the ZipStrips reduce stress in the string near the frame edge, it can
help reduce string breakage, too.
Bolt currently has two models available, the B98 and B100. The B98 is intended for advanced all-
court players who like a smaller head size (98 square inches) for maneuverability. It weighs 11.4
ounces and has an 18 x 20 string pattern. The B100 is suited for different types of players depending
on how its strung, says the company. It has a 100-square-inch head, weighs 10.8 ounces and has a 16 x 19 string pattern.
Two new light modelsthe B100.light and B98.lightwill be ready for market in mid-March, says Bothwell. Were ten-
nis professionals designing for professionals, and weve been building our pro network for over a year prior to our launch last
August. For more on Bolt, visit boltadvance.com.
US Open National Playoffs
Return for 2012
T
he US Open National Playoffs will return
for a third year, with entries available
starting March 15 for all Sectional qualifying
tournaments. The US Open National Play-
offs will again include both mens and
womens singles and mixed doubles.
The USTA created the Playoffs to provide
an opportunity for players 14 years of age
and older to earn a berth into the US Open.
The mens and womens singles champions
earn a wild card into the US Open Qualifying
Tournament, held the week prior to the US
Open. The US Open National Playoffs mixed
doubles champions receive a main draw
wild card into the 2012 US Open.
Registration for the 13 sectional qualify-
ing tournaments begins on March 15 at
www.usta.com/tennislink. The entry fee is
$100 for singles and $120 for each mixed
doubles team ($60 per player). All competi-
tors must be USTA members.
For more information, visit USOpen.org/
NationalPlayoffs.
Pioneers In Tennis
"Pioneers in Tennis," an occasional column in RSI, draws attention to trailblazers in the sport. Have someone to suggest?
E-mail rsi@racquettech.com.
Bob Caldwell:
A Leader in Acrylic Surfacing
of the day," notes Junkin. "He believed
if you kept the standards high, you had
a better industry."
Caldwell continued to listen to what
his customers wanted, and the compa-
ny grew. "He was so passionate about
what he did," says Tucker. "He was
always trying to bring out products to
meet the needs of contractors. A lot of
the old productsthe asphalt emulsions
and other thingsweren't contractor-
friendly, and between Caldwell's vision
and a really innovative chemist, the
company came up with some pretty
good products."
Caldwell's passion translated into
high standards for customer loyalty and
technical competence. Working with
him could be challenging, says Tucker,
but he was an excellent mentor. "He
was a greater risk-taker than you might
find in a corporate environment, and
like any innovator, he made plenty of
mistakes. He was bullheaded, but when
he finally saw something was a mis-
take, he knew to stop."
He didn't mince words, either. "We
had this intercom system," says Tucker,
"and periodically, you'd get called in.
He could dress you down pretty well,
but you knew it wasn't personal. Still, I
would hear this voice: 'Tucker! My
office! Now! Oh, God, my stomach just
churns thinking of that."
In the late 1980s, Caldwell, now 98,
retired from the company, now known
as the Plexipave Sport Surfacing Sys-
tems division of California Products
Corp. The business has continued to
flourish, and both Junkin and Tucker
say Caldwell's presence remains.
"There's a loyalty that has tran-
scended Mr. Caldwell himself, and it
still resides in our company," says Tuck-
er. "His name is still evoked: 'Is that
what Bob Caldwell would do?'"
Mary Helen Sprecher
becoming known as Plexipave, and leaving
stucco behind. There were plenty of
challenges.
"They were not counting sales in the
thousands of gallons," says Tucker dryly.
"It was very hard to promote this prod-
uct effectively since we didn't deal directly
with consumers in most cases," Caldwell
noted. "The practical core of the market
lay in the hands of the coaches, the athlet-
ic directors, the club pros and the tourna-
ment directors."
The tennis boom had yet to occur, and
few (if any) business-to-business publica-
tions existed in sports. Caldwell realized he
had to reach the builders of tennis courts
who would ultimately be using the prod-
uct. In 1965, he worked with a group of
others in the industry to found, fund and
launch the U.S. Tennis Court & Track
Builders Association, which would later
become the American Sports Builders
Association. And while it served his net-
working needs, it also improved the indus-
try as a whole.
"He wanted people to be able to
exchange construction ideas so that you
ended up with a better product at the end
hen Bob Caldwell made
the jump from stucco to
sports surfacing, it might
have been a logical progression for a
man whose colleagues hailed him as a
visionary. "Oh, he always was. Bob
Caldwell is the reason I originally
wanted to work at California Prod-
ucts," says Art Tucker, vice president
of the company.
It was in the early 1950s that Cald-
well made his first business venture,
buying a 25-year-old company called
California Stucco Products of New Eng-
land. The company was trying to
develop a stucco that would not fade
in the sunlight. It was a challenging
endeavor, and the geographic area
Massachusetts and surrounding
stateswas not a great market for the
product.
"Stucco really was not a money-
maker in this area," notes Joe Junkin, a
company director (and Caldwell's son-
in-law). It was just dusty, dirty stuff."
Caldwell was willing to look at other
options, and he encouraged his
chemists when they began experiment-
ing with acrylic paint. The paint, the
chemists noted, was bright and
durable. They applied it to a playground
surface to see what would
happen.
"The kids really liked it," says
Junkin. "And then the chemist woke up
one night and said, If I can put this on
a playground, why don't I try it on a
tennis court?'" Caldwell was in favor of
the idea, and a well-known Boston busi-
nessman agreed to apply the finished
product to his private court.
"After a rigorous three-month period
of research and development, they put
it down on his court," says Tucker. The
product was a success, but a measured
one. The company moved into the
paint and coatings business, ultimately
W
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11A Ret a II !Newsletter; up
Lt:J di.l lk' 011 ar:.{:
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digi t l11

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Retail ... Tips" Ardt les: TheSE
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Retailing
This is part of a series of
retail tips presented by
the Tennis Industry
Association and written
by the Gluskin Townley
Group (www.gluskintownleygroup.com).
Hot or Not?
Your sales reps often are an early indi-
cator of whats really hot and whats
not in your area, so make sure you tap
into this valuable knowledge every
time they make a call on your store.
Also, call or email them if you have a
question about how an item is doing in
your area so you can adjust and re-
plan if necessary.
If you are planning a store remodel-
ing or new retail space, your sales rep
can also be a great resource for store
layout and planning tips taken from
their knowledge and the other specialty
tennis retailers they visit every day.
When you sit with your sales reps
to work on your annual plan, be sure
to include clinics and product seminars
for your staffand even for customers!
Get your clinic and product seminar
needs on your reps calendar at the
same time you put the dates on your
planning calendar.
One last tip about working with
your sales reps: Ask them for recom-
mendations when you have a job
opening at your store. Sales reps hear
about who is available and they often
know potentially great employees who
want to get into specialty tennis retail.
Coming Up:
Men vs. Women: Their different shop-
ping habits. w
need, either from their own network or
from the brand or brands they repre-
sent.
Including a calendar for each sales
rep in your annual plan is as important
as asking them to con-
tribute to your annual
planning calendar by
committing to provide the
resources you need to
support your sale or other
events being planned for
the coming year. Also,
ask your sales rep about
price discounts and the best terms to
help you with sales events, and get it
all on your planning calendar in
advance of the season.
Sales reps can be particularly help-
ful with product portfolio planning and
merchandising by making recommen-
dations about what to stock, and just as
importantly, what not to stock. Plan-
ning open-to-buy, special sale items
and purchases with your sale reps in
advance helps ensure you will have the
right products at the right time so you
provide outstanding customer service
throughout the selling season.
Getting the right merchandise to
your store at the right time also means
working with your sales reps to re-plan!
No plan survives first engagement
and your sales reps can help you re-
plan to take advantage of opportunities
in merchandise selling above forecast,
by ordering more and replenishing
your shelves quickly while still in sea-
sonor cutting back on orders for
merchandise that just doesnt sell up to
your forecast expectations.
our independent and dedicated
manufacturer and brand sales
representatives are often overlooked
as real resources in todays fast-paced
retail marketplace. But for tennis spe-
cialty retailers, they may
well be your best
resource.
Your sales reps are
vitally interested in your
retail success because
the better your business
does, the better they do.
They are educated and
trained by the companies and brands
they represent to provide you with
information and assistance to help
make you more efficient and success-
ful. It is to your advantage to get more
of your sales reps time and attention
to help you with your businesses
needs.
Take the time to get to know and
connect with each one of your sales
reps. Determine how and when you
can utilize them as resources to assist
you with merchandise and budget
planning, to conduct clinics on the
products they sell to you, and to
describe product features to you and
your staff so you can close more sales!
Business Plan Help
Outline your annual business plan,
and then review it with each of your
key sales reps to get their reactions,
input and advice. If there is a piece of
industry data, specific product trend
or local information that you require
for your plan, ask your sales reps to
help by providing the information you
Y
For more tips, visit Ten-
nisIndustry.org/Webinars
and download TIA retail
webinars for free, and
check out the webinar
schedule for 2012.
Manufacturer Reps:
Your Best Resource
For tennis retailers, your sales reps can provide
a wealth of information and assistance.
APPAREL
E
verything about tennis has become technicalfrom racquets to
shoes and apparelso it figures that sports bras have become the
next product category to undergo the same transformation and
innovation.
Many tops and dresses now come with the convenience of built-in
bras for the female player, but some court warriors seek better struc-
ture and support for what has become a physically demanding game.
Here are a variety of sport bras for todays active womenmost of which
are geared to greater support than your average sports bra. Some players
will want to wear them strictly for activewear, while some may transition
them from the court to the gym and everyday wear.
www.racquetsportsindustry.com www.racquetsportsindustry.com
SUPPORT ON
THE COURT
SUPPORT ON
THE COURT
BY CYNT HI A S HE RMAN
Champion
Champions Spot Comfort High Support T-hole back bra has comfortable,
adjustable gel-cushioned straps, moisture-wicking and mesh panels for
cooling ventilation, non-chafe seams and hook and eye closure. 800-999-
2249/championusa.com
CW-X
CW-X is the performance sports apparel branch of intimate apparel maker Wacoal. Its sports bras
are known for their anatomically engineered high performance. The VersatX Support Bra offers
strong support with adjustable Velcro shoulder straps and hook and clasp back closure. Mesh and
CoolMax/Lycra provide ventilation and moister-wicking. Available in different cup configurations,
it is suitable for high to low impact activities. info@cw-x.com
Moving Comfort
The company Moving Comfort has long been a staple in the sports
bra category for different activities. Its most supportive Jubralee
Bra attaches hook and loop style in the back and offers maximum
support for players who leap for lobs and run the court. The front
adjustable straps offer comfort and the seam-free molded cups are
best for women seeking compression and encapsulation. 800-763-
6000/movingcomfort.com
March 2012 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 23 www.racquetsportsindustry.com www.racquetsportsindustry.com
PureLime
PureLimes bras have won awards for design and function, and its technical moisture-wick-
ing fabrics, comfortable padded shoulder straps and molded seam-free cups are favorites
among female athletes. The company introduced a compression sports bra that has a built-
in heart-rate sensor on the inside of the elastic, so there is no separate annoying sensor strap
to deal with. The sensors are also compatible with snap interface transmitters from other
sports technology brands. 516-468-1722/purelime.com
Under Armour
Under Armour, known for detail and perfor-
mance, has moved into the sports bra arena
in a serious way. The racerback Armour Bra
B has removable perforated molded cups
for support and shape. It offers a more cus-
tomized fit and mesh ventilation for cooling
in a variety of band and cup sizes. 888-727-
6687/underarmour.com w
Saucony
Saucony is a runners favorite known for
comfort and good support. Featured here
is the companys Ignite LT Bra, which
comes in a racer-back design with mois-
ture-wicking and mesh inserts for breatha-
bility. 800-282-6575/saucony.com
COURT CONSTRUCTI ON & MAI NTENANCE GUI DE
www.racquetsportsindustry.com www.racquetsportsindustry.com
A lot has been said about courts for children. But what about for
players at the other end of the spectrum?
BY MARY HE L E N S PRE CHE R
t
he fact that the baby-boomer population is aging shouldn't
come as a surprise to anyone, and neither should the fact
that those people want to continue playing tennis. Tennis
has long been promoted as a lifetime sport, so much so that USTA
tournament play even includes age divisions up to 90!
According to statistics compiled by the Tennis Industry Associ-
ation, the 50-plus age group generally numbers between 3 and 4
million players, and is consistently one of the largest in the fre-
quent player population. With so many players obviously wanti-
ng to stay in the game, the question becomes: What can you do
to make sure they keep coming back?
Comfortable Courts
Make sure the court surface is comfortable to play on, say the
experts. Many builders promote soft granular surfaces like clay or
fast-dry, saying seniors find them more comfortable to play on.
The slower pace of such surfaces also lends itself to a strategy
game, and allows players to enjoy being on the court longer.
Soft courts (which also include natural grass and synthetic turf)
find favor among a wide range of players because they are easier
on joints, backs, feet and legs. Surfaces that allow players to slide
place less stress on joints when a player stops or turns. Grass, fast-
dry and clay also stay cooler in the summer and have little glare.
Synthetic turf does tend to hold heat.
Fast-dry and grass courts do require more daily maintenance
than a hard court. Synthetic turf will also require periodic brushing
and cleaning, so managers must weigh their ability to put in the
time to keep courts looking and playing their best. If a hard court
is being used, cushioned coatings can help make players comfort-
able. In addition, coatings can be formulated to grip the ball and
slow it down.
Welcoming for Seniors
Outside of the court surface, though, there are plenty of other
things to make tennis facilities more welcoming to senior players.
w Court furniture: Many senior players enjoy the social aspect of
tennis. For them, the tennis garden atmosphere will appeal.
This is a space between or next to the courts with shaded
benches or chairs and tables and other furniture, allowing
players to sit in comfort, and talk or watch other matches in
progress. A small refrigerator for bottled water is a nice
amenity, as is a wastepaper basket so that no debris winds up
on the court. Small lockers for keys, phones, etc. are always
nice.
w Vision: As we age, we all need more and better lighting.
Replacing damaged or burned-out lamps is necessary, and
will improve the quality of the game for all players, not just
seniors. Something that can also help is making sure wind-
screens are well-placed in order to provide adequate contrast
to help players see the ball clearly. The court surface color
should likewise provide good contrast without being unneces-
sarily distracting. A court builder can provide more informa-
tion on color combinations that work well in various settings.
w Accessibility: Many individuals who have had to discontinue
their game, either temporarily or permanently because of
injury, arthritis, joint replacement surgery, etc., may enjoy
visiting with friends at the court. Make sure all paths leading
to the court comply with ADA rules concerning width, slope
and so forth, and that any gates they will have to pass
through are wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair,
walker or crutches. Rest rooms should also be conveniently
located, and fully accessible.
w Welcoming atmosphere: Try to encourage a philosophy of
It's never too late to try tennis. Have a clinic for beginners,
and promote the fun, social aspect of the game, and the abil-
ity to keep fit and stay mentally sharp. Starting seniors on 36-
foot or 60-foot courts with the same low-compression balls
used for the younger set is a great way to bring them in and
get them moving around and having fun.
While it's never too early to get the next generation started
in this lifetime sport, its never too late to accommodate the
older generation. w
Senior StatuS Senior StatuS
A lot has been said about courts for children. But what about for
players at the other end of the spectrum?
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26 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY March 2012 www.racquetsportsindustry.com www.racquetsportsindustry.com
As a facility owner or manager, you can take small do-it-yourself
steps to help avoid bigger problems down the road.
t
hink of it as preventive medicinethe same way you'll get
a flu shot for yourself or an anti-virus program for your
computer, you can take small steps that help avoid prob-
lems with your tennis courts. The best news? These low-cost (and
in some cases, no-cost) fixes can make a difference in the number
of times you have to call in a specialist to address problems. And
that translates into savings for you.
Keep it Clean
"I regularly remind court owners to remove leaves and debris
from their court surface as soon as possible," says David Marsden
of Boston Tennis Court Construction in Hanover, Mass. "This
helps aesthetically as well as preventing stains on hard courts and
a growth medium on soft courts."
Leaves and dry debris can be removed from hard courts using
a leaf blower or a soft push broom. After a rainstorm, use the
same type of broom to remove wet leaves, twigs and any other
materials that can cause staining if allowed to sit on the court.
Pine cones should also be taken away immediately as they can
transfer sap onto a court, which can cause marking.
Ball hoppers now come in metal or plastic. If you're using
metal hoppers to pick up balls, check the bottoms or legs that
come in contact with the court surface. Rust or sharp edges can
damage or mark courts when pressed down or dragged across the
surface. A quick sanding-down of any rough edges and a touch-up
job with some rust-proof paint is a low-cost fix. Check the wheels
of carts and other equipment as well to make sure they're
rolling smoothly and not causing damage.
outside the Lines
"Another issue I regularly observe is the growth of grass or
accumulation of debris outside the fence," says Marsden.
"This is especially problematic on the low side of the court
because it slows or prevents water from draining off the sur-
face, which leads to puddles that leave silt and dirt along the
court edge."
Builders also advise cutting back tree roots before they
have a chance to sneak under court surfaces (or under walk-
ways leading to courts) and cause damage. If mulch is used in
landscaping, it should be kept off the court as well. Welcome
mats near the entrance to the courts can help trap debris.
Fencing
Walk the perimeter of the courts and look for any problems
with fencing. Rust, snags, barbs or sagging rails should be
fixed immediately before they can worsen. Gates should
swing freely without touching the surface of the court, which
can scar it over time.
Some of the factors that contribute to gates that sag are
spectators who lean on the gate with one foot propped on the
bottom rail, children who swing on the gate, and players who
hang things (bags, etc.) on the gate itself. Provide benches to
Preventive
treatment
Preventive
treatment
As a facility owner or manager, you can take small do-it-yourself
steps to help avoid bigger problems down the road.
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March 2012 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 27 www.racquetsportsindustry.com www.racquetsportsindustry.com
sit on, and places to put bags, and you'll help
eliminate many of the risk factors.
underfoot
Everyone knows tennis shoes are the preferred
footwear on court since they have non-marking
soles. But of course, there are going to be begin-
ners who don't yet have court shoes, as well as
just a few stubborn people who refuse to comply
with rules, even when they're posted.
Take care of shoe marks by using warm
water and a soft brush. If that doesn't work, call
the builder who installed the surface and ask for
recommendations for removing shoe marks.
(Many builders have a favorite home remedy
they'll be glad to share with you over the phone.)
Lee Murray of Competition Athletic Surfaces
in Chattanooga, Tenn., says he takes a fair num-
ber of calls about court stains, and that he always
recommends a low-risk approach. "I am often
asked about using bleach and cleansers on court
surfaces. I tell court owners to just use water and
hose the area after scrubbing with a push broom
first. "
Many serious players have designated tennis
shoes, and will keep them in their locker or carry
them in their bag when they come to play, then
remove them when they're done playing. Some,
however, will wear their shoes from home to the
court, which opens the door to tracking dirt,
gravel and other particulate matter onto courts.
Shoe cleaners that allow players to wipe off
debris as they come in will go a long way toward
helping keep courts clean.
Do-it-Yourself
Some clubs ask members to drag hard courts
and sweep the lines after playing. It saves time
for the club personnel like the pro (who can con-
centrate on teaching) and staff (who can concen-
trate on working the desk and the pro shop). It
also gives players a sense of stewardship over
the court, and as a result, makes them more like-
ly to watch out for the facility as a whole.
Squeegees and sponge rollers can also be left out
for players on hard courts.
As a precaution, instructions should be post-
ed for use, and new players should be given a
quick lesson on how to use equipment so as not
to damage it or the court surface.
Ask players to let you know if they see any-
thing wrong on the courts, including the surface,
nets, posts, fence, divider curtains and more.
The more you encourage them, and thank them
for their input, the more active an interest they'll
take in helping to keep the facility looking nice.w
and a Few Don'ts...
Keep in mind, there are certain things you shouldnt do to your courts or facility, but rather
let a qualified court builder handle. What shouldn't you do?
w Fill cracks. "Sometimes a court owner will try to save some money by filling the cracks on
their court. Often they will use a product not intended for filling cracks on a recreational
surface which might cause tracking of oils across the court and possibly poor adhesion,
says Marsden.
w Touch up court lines. If the playing lines look faded, call in a pro who can re-line your
courts, and possibly add markings for 10 and Under Tennis while hes at it. There's nothing
worse than a botched do-it-yourself line jobwhich can ultimately result in costly correc-
tive work.
w Try to paint over marks, stains, etc. on the court with leftover surfacing product. Your court
will wind up having a patchy, freckled appearance.
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There are more than 5,000 courts in the U.S. designed for 10 and
Under Tennis, either as standalone 36- and 60-foot courts or with
blended lines on 78-foot courts. If you havent yet lined your courts
for 10 and Under Tennis, take a look at how easily blended lines can
fit with your existing court colors. And check out the facility assis-
tance grants available from the USTA, which can pay for up to 75
percent of the cost of blended lines (visit usta.com/facilities).
CoLor
matChing
CoLor
matChing
Photos Courtesy USTA
Aerofit Health and Fitness, Bryan, TX
Austin Tennis Center, Amarillo, TX
Baer Park, Reading, PA Blakeney Racquet and Swim Club, Charlotte, NC
Cedar Bluff Racquet Club, Knoxville, TN Cypress Lake, Madison, MS
Evert Academy, Boca Raton, FL
Floyd Park Tennis Complex, Bainbridge, GA
Lexington County Tennis Center, Lexington, SC
Sierra Vista, Albuquerque, NM
USPTA Headquarters, Houston, TX West Homewood Park, Homewood, AL
What can you do when you notice cracks in your asphalt courts?
Here are some options.
CraCK
Shooting
CraCK
Shooting
C
racks in asphalt tennis courts are unavoidable, and a nat-
ural part of the aging process. Its safe to say that at some
point, every asphalt court will crack, no matter who built
it or where it is located.
But cracked tennis courts can be repaired. And while you
cant have a completely new court without reconstruction, you
certainly can have a court that looks better and plays better.
This is the second in an annual series RSI will be offering
about crack repair techniques. The first part of our series in the
March 2011 Court Construction & Maintenance Guide covered
proprietary crack repair systems. (That article is available in our
online archives at www.racquetsportsindustry.com.) This seg-
ment focuses on a variety of techniques court contractors use to
address badly cracked courts.
Remember that there are many different types of cracks in
tennis courts, and that while some are relatively minor, others
can indicate more serious underlying problems. In addition, the
reason for cracking can vary from court to court, and cracks on
a court may have more than one cause.
To a court owner or manager, many cracks can look alike; a
tennis court contractor can examine the facility and diagnose the
underlying cause of the problem. Those who want to learn more
about types of cracking and causes can obtain a copy of the book
Tennis Courts: A Construction and Maintenance Manual, available
from ASBA. The book includes a diagram showing different court
problems, including various cracks and recommendations for
them.
As always, there is no one-size-fits-all (or even one-size-fits-
most) repair. Your choice of repair method should be predicated
on the type and extent of cracking your court has (and any
underlying problems), your budget and other factors.
There are several levels of repair. From the most simple to
the most complex, they are:
targeted Crack repairs
Small cracks on the court may be treated with a crack filler des-
ignated for use on tennis courts. This, says Pete Smith of the
CourtSmiths in Toledo, Ohio, "is the least expensive method." A
very small crack can be treated with a crack filler that is worked
into the crack so that it completely fills the space before the sur-
face above is leveled so as not to create any irregularity.
The larger the crack, the more work is involved. "Generally,"
notes Smith, "the crack is cleaned out, filled partially with sand
and leveled with an acrylic crack filler. In northern climates, this
should be done before the freeze to help prevent moisture in the
sub-base."
However, he notes, putting a filler into any crack is a tempo-
rary fix. "This is more maintenance than anything else. It doesn't
cure the crack; it only helps retard the expansion of it. Cracks
will begin to open up again."
Larger cracks will require full-depth repair. After the crack is
cleaned out and all broken materials are removed, a contractor
will begin a multi-level repair. However, notes Smith, even this
is just a matter of time, since "cracks will begin to split by the fol-
lowing spring."
If this type of work is undertaken in several places on the
court, the surface may be left with a patchy, freckled appear-
ance. Contractors often will recommend resurfacing (the process
of applying thin coats of an acrylic tennis court resurfacer to the
court) and recoating to create a more pleasing appearance.
overlays
In the case of a court where cracks are too numerous to perform
targeted repair, and where other problems exist such as an aging
or crumbling court, drainage issues, etc., a contractor may rec-
ommend a complete asphalt overlayin other words, laying a
new pavement over an existing one. The process may include,
first, the installation of a fiberglass or asphalt-saturated geotextile
membrane or a layer of stone screenings. Cracks generally
reflect up from the base to the surface of the court itself, and this
extra layer can help slow down this process. The contractor will
then install the new pavement in lifts, then recoat and re-line the
court.
While an overlay is an extensive repair, it is still a repair, and
is not defined as reconstruction (the process of removing one
tennis court and building another). Overlay systems will retard
reflective cracking and deterioration of the original pavement,
but to some extent, the condition of the remaining base will be
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What can you do when you notice cracks in your asphalt courts?
Here are some options. BY MARY HE L E N S PRE CHE R
an unknown quantity that may affect the newly laid court some-
where down the road.
Note: Another option may be a post-tensioned concrete over-
lay, which can significantly extend the life of the court.
Court Conversion
One tactic used to deal with severely cracked courts is conversion
to another surface. This may be done on a permanent or tempo-
rary basis. For courts with proper slope and drainage, the follow-
ing options may be considered. Advantages include quick
installation and the ability to avoid making changes to the existing
landscape, fencing, net posts, light posts, etc.
w Modular surfaces: Interlocking tiles can be laid over an existing
pavement to give a court a like-new appearance and feel.
w Roll goods: A synthetic surface may be rolled out, in a manner
similar to a carpet, over a cracked surface, allowing play to con-
tinue without making changes to the court itself.
w Infilled turf systems: The synthetic turf market is growing
rapidly, and is becoming a viable option in tennis court use.
Note that if a new surface is laid over a badly cracked or unsta-
ble pavement, these problems may be apparent despite the pres-
ence of the new surface. For example, interlocking tiles laid over
a deep depression on the original court will only create a bridge
over the low spot and may cause unpredictable bounces during
play.
reconstruction
Some courts with multiple problems or profound structural fail-
ures are better off being reconstructed. While overlays and con-
versions may extend the life of these facilities, they cannot be
used as anything other than a temporary fix.
Reconstruction may include the removal of the existing
asphalt or concrete pavement, removal of base materials,
addressing underlying issues with the subgrade or drainage, fol-
lowed by regrading, reconstructing the base and pavement, and
finally resurfacing and relining the court. When reconstructing a
court, net posts must be removed and re-installed. A portion of
the fence may need to be removed to allow access for machinery,
or the entire fence may be removed and replaced. Other aspects
of the court including light poles, electrical conduits, etc. may also
be affected by the work.
Note: The existing asphalt base, once removed, may be dis-
posed of, overlaid, or pulverized and reused as the base for a new
court. Pulverizing is often chosen, since the cost of recycling old
asphalt at an asphalt plant can be high, and many landfills do not
accept asphalt. A tennis court contractor will be aware of the
options that exist in your area.
If the court owner wants, once the base has been reconstruct-
ed, the court can be converted to a clay or fast-dry court, or to a
post-tensioned concrete court. Other options exist as well once a
stable base is in place. A contractor can provide more information
about the viability of all these options.w
The American Sports Builders Association (ASBA) is a non-
profit association helping designers, builders, owners, opera-
tors and users understand quality sports facility
construction. The ASBA sponsors informative meetings and
publishes newsletters, books and technical construction
guidelines for athletic facilities including tennis courts, run-
ning tracks, athletic fields and indoor structures. Available at
no charge is a listing of all publications offered by the Asso-
ciation, as well as the ASBAs Membership Directory. Info:
866-501-ASBA (2722) or www.sportsbuilders.org.
Heres RSIs quick look at some of the court construction and
maintenance products available for the coming year, from many
companies that displayed their wares at the trade show during the
ASBAs annual Technical Meeting in December.
marKetPLaCe
marKetPLaCe
aeroPro by LSi
The new AeroPro by LSI Courtsider Sports Lighting combines the science of vertical burn
design innovation with high performance reflector technology, says the maker. Using ver-
tical burn pulse start metal halide technology, LSI says the AeroPro provides up to 45 per-
cent more light output than conventional fixtures, with superior surface uniformity,
allowing for greater ball clarity and glare-free visual comfort. Its available in 1000W,
875W, and 750W pulse start metal halide versions. 800-436-7800 ext.3098/lsi-
industries.com
Heres RSIs quick look at some of the court construction and
maintenance products available for the coming year, from many
companies that displayed their wares at the trade show during the
ASBAs annual Technical Meeting in December.
Ballasted Windscreen
Aer-Flo Inc. recently re-introduced its patented Ballasted Windscreen to its deal-
ers after five years of testing. Each 5- by 6-foot Tuffy Ballasted Windscreen unit
is attached to the fence (on alternating sides) with grommets at the top edge only;
the bottom end contains a 15 lb.-weighted PVC pipe to keep the windscreen ver-
tical in normal winds. For winds up to 95 mph, force reduction may approach 47
percent, says Aer-Flo, depending on fence post spacing, post diameter, pipe
gauge and steel quality. Hook-and-loop strips built into each units top allow it to
be rolled up in anticipation of high winds. 800- 823-7356/aerflo.com
Performance Court 300/500
Creative Court Concepts Performance Court 300 and Performance Court 500 surfaces can be installed indoors or outdoors over asphalt,
concrete and rooftops. Both products are suitable for new or existing courts and work great over cracked courts, says the maker, since
the new surfaces fully adhere to the existing surface, resulting in no dead spots and a true ball bounce. The PC 300 and PC 500 also
include a cushioned layer for added comfort and support. 203-410-6090
algaeBlaster
Welch Tennis Courts AlgaeBlaster controls algae on clay courts and is the only
algaecide/bactericide/fungicide labeled for treatment of clay and composition
material courts, says Welch. 813-641-7787/welchtennis.com
armormesh Windscreens
CoverSports USAs ArmorMesh windscreens feature IncrediSeal Heat-Sealed
Hems, which eliminates stitching and the possibility of thread breaks, open seams
or hems, says the manufacturer, and provides a cleaner look because there are no
pleats, stitches or black webbing on the hem. Other features include a 14-oz.
woven, extrusion vinyl-coated polyester fabric with excellent tear strength and
abrasion resistance, a five-year warranty and availability in 12 colors. TuffPrint
customization can add lettering and logos. 800-445-6680/coversports.com
Duraplay Sports tennis Surface
Challenger Industries is now offering an eight-year warranty on its
Duraplay Sports synthetic turf surfacing for tennis courts. The surface
is available in Sport Green and Red Clay colors, which simulate a
grass/hard court and clay courts. 800-334-8873/duraplaysports.com
har-tru Sports net Posts
With feedback from customers, Har-Tru has redesigned its aluminum internal and external wind net posts
to make them easy to use, durable and safe, says the company. The internal wind post allows use of a stan-
dard 3/4-in. or 19-mm socket wrench to put up or take down the net in minutes. The external wind post
features an easy to remove handle for easy net installation and safe and easy adjustments. Both posts fea-
ture a welded lacing rod and are constructed of the highest grade aluminum with a powder-coated finish.
877-442-7878/hartru.com
matflex homeCourt
Matflex Corp.s new HomeCourt is a custom year-round sports complex tile
which comes in 16 colors. The maker say the tiles are engineered to provide con-
trolled lateral give during play for reduced leg stress and greater comfort, while
the narrow gauge ribs and low abrasion surface offer excellent traction while
reducing wear and tear on athletic equipment and footwear. 800-926-3539/mate-
flex.com
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rebound ace Surfaces
Ace Surfaces says Rebound Ace Montreal, which features a Nike Grind underlay-
ment, is the only permanent tennis court surface available that provides 59%
shock absorption. Ace Surfaces suggests combining the surface with the compa-
nys HARO Sports subfloor system for a long-lasting investment. Another product,
Rebound Ace Rome, is a portable tennis court (four people can assemble a full-
size court in less than four hours), most recently used at Nikes Clash of the Cham-
pions and the WTT Finals in Charleston, S.C. 407-865-6279/reboundace.com
SportBase by Sport Court
SportBase is designed for applications that require a temporary court in areas
where concrete is not feasible or practical, or when sustainable building is a con-
cern. A full court using SportBase can be installed in a matter of hours. It provides
a drainage solution superior to pervious concrete, says Connor Sport Court Inter-
national, along with excellent shock absorption. Made from 100 percent recy-
clable materials, Sportbase can be used in many different locations, including
freeze-thaw areas. 801-978-6208/sportcourt.com
tnt gauge net tension Device
Cable Tension LLC offers the TNT Gauge (which stands for Tennis Netcord Tension), a device
that installs on the anchor hook on the outside of a net post and measures net tension. There are
two models, ensuring compatibility with all net posts with external anchors. The gauge has been
tested and used at events around the world, and in 2012, all 20 competition courts at the US Open
will have the device. It is available with club or team logos imprinted. 865-307-0474/tightcable.net
Sportsedge Xt Slot Drain
Multiple asphalt or concrete courts in a series can be especially difficult to drain
when it rains, but The XT Slot Drain can provide a cost effective and solution,
greatly simplifying the design of such facilities, says the maker, SportsEdge.
Installed between courts or along fence lines, the linear drain intercepts sheet
flow coming the courts, then discharges the storm water to an in-line catch
basin then an adjacent storm drain. 800-334-6057/sportsedge.com w
Performance Padded tennis Surface
Action Floor Systems TC Pro high-performance urethane pad-and-pour
court system can be installed indoors or outdoors, over a new or existing
court surface. The company says an Action TC Pro court incorporating the
9mm base mat pad provides 32 percent more shock absorption along
with a 66 percent energy restitution. 800-746-3512/actionfloors.com
String Playtest
EASE OF STRINGING
(compared to other strings)
Number of testers who said it was:
much easier 0
somewhat easier 2
about as easy 27
not quite as easy 8
not nearly as easy 0
OVERALL PLAYABILITY
(compared to string played most often)
much better 0
somewhat better 7
about as playable 10
not quite as playable 16
not nearly as playable 4
OVERALL DURABILITY
(compared to other strings
of similar gauge)
much better 6
somewhat better 11
about as durable 20
not quite as durable 0
not nearly as durable 0
RATING AVERAGES
From 1 to 5 (best)
Playability 3.2
Durability 4.2
Power 3.3
Control 3.6
Comfort 2.7
Touch/Feel 2.8
Spin Potential 3.3
Holding Tension (17th overall) 3.6
Resistance to Movement (7th overall) 4.2

P
acific XCite is a new monofilament
polyester. XCite uses the patent-
pending PolyCite, which according
to Pacific features a molecular structure
unlike that found in any other poly string.
Pacific tells us that the difference is that,
instead of a one-dimensional linear chain of
molecules, PolyCite has a multi-dimensional
molecular chain. One-dimensional chains
line up together to support impact stress
equally, while PolyCites multi-dimensional
chains distribute impact stress differentially.
This allows some molecules in PolyCite to
remain energized while the others are han-
dling the impact, resulting in maximum
return of energy from the string to the ball.
XCite is the first Pacific string to use
PolyCite, and is manufactured in Germany.
According to Pacific, the benefits of
PolyCite in XCite are 25 percent greater
energy return to the ball, faster ball speed
off the strings, more spin, softer feel, and
improved tension maintenance.
XCite is available in 16 (1.30 mm) and
16L (1.25 mm) in pearl only (the color pro-
vides the magic as to why XCite works
the way it does, according to Pacific). It is
priced from $15 for sets of 41 feet, and
$240 for reels of 720 feet. For more infor-
mation or to order, contact Pacific at 941-
795-1789, e-mail usainfo@pacific.com, or
visit Pacific on the web at pacific.com.
IN THE LAB
We tested the 16L gauge XCite. The coil
measured 40 feet. The diameter measured
1.26-1.28 mm prior to stringing, and 1.23-
1.24 mm after stringing. We recorded a
string bed stiffness of 74 RDC units imme-
diately after stringing at 60 pounds in a Wil-
son Pro Staff 6.1 95 (16 x 18 pattern) on a
constant-pull machine.
After 24 hours (no playing), string bed
stiffness measured 68 RDC units, represent-
ing an 8 percent tension loss. Our control
string, Prince Synthetic Gut Original Gold
16, measured 78 RDC units immediately
after stringing and 71 RDC units after 24
hours, representing a 9 percent tension
loss. In lab testing, Prince Synthetic Gut
Original has a stiffness of 217 and a tension
loss of 11.67 pounds, while Pacific XCite
16L has a stiffness of 271 and a tension
loss of 15.33 pounds. XCite added 17
grams to the weight of our unstrung
frame.
The string was tested for five
weeks by 38 USRSA playtesters, with
NTRP ratings from 3.5 to 6.0. These are
blind tests, with playtesters receiving
unmarked strings in unmarked packages.
Average number of hours playtested was
21.4.
Pacific recommends reducing tension
5-10% from your typical nylon reference,
and that is what we recommended to our
playtest team members.
Out of the package, XCite feels smooth,
and has very little coil memo-
ry. The crosses glide nicely across the mains,
without being slippery to the touch. The
pearl color improves stringability, at least
in comparison to the spate of black strings
weve been receiving lately, due to the high
contrast between the string and the typical
black grommet barrel.
One playtester broke his sample during
stringing, nine reported problems with coil
memory, five reported problems tying knots,
and one reported friction burn.
ON THE COURT
Our playtest teams scores put Pacific XCite
clearly in the durability category of string.
XCite scored 7th best overall of the all the
strings weve playtested for publication in
Resistance to Movement, and 17th best
overall for Tension Retention. In addition,
our playtesters rated XCite well above aver-
age for Durability and Control. As a result,
Pacific XCites overall score is well above
average of the 160 strings weve tested to
date.
One playtester broke the sample after 14
hours of playtesting.
CONCLUSION
Based on the scores, Pacific XCite seems
best suited for big hitters who need a string
that doesnt send the ball into orbit, and can
take some punishment. Keep in mind that
we tested the 16L version; XCite also comes
as a 16-gauge string for what must be even
more durability and control. For those who
like XCite but prefer a higher gauge, stay
tuned, as Pacific tells us it is working on a
thinner version.
Finally, if Pacific XCite sounds like a
string your customers might like, contact
your Pacific representative. Pacific is plan-
ning an aggressive seeding program to intro-
duce players to XCite. Greg Raven
Pacific XCite 16L
String breakers and topspin players will have

a blast with this one.
4.5 male baseliner with moderate spin using

Boris Becker London strung at 56 pounds CP
(Gamma Zo Tour 17)
Outstanding control. This string makes for a

heavy ball. Passing shots have pinpoint accura-
cy. Swing away!
5.0 male all-court player

using Wilson BLX Pro Tour strung at 45 pounds
CP (Polyester 16)
Excellent power and spin, especially on

serves. Firm feel on volleys. Touch is above aver-
age.
4.0 male all-court player using Volkl V1 Classic

strung at 56 pounds CP (Wilson Hyperlast Spin
19)
This is a nice all-around polyester. It feels a

little stiff at first. After it loosens up, power and
spin come easy.

using Wilson BLX Tour strung at 54 pounds CP
(Wilson NXT 17)
Playability is average and the feel is stiff.

This string holds tension well. Given the high
durability and control, it would work well in a
hybrid.
4.5 male all-court player using Wilson BLX Tour

strung at 51 pounds CP (Luxilon Alu Power 16L)
Very solid feel. Lively response on serves and

volleys. Overall, this is a decent string.
4.5
male baseliner with heavy spin using Wilson
nPro strung at 55 pounds LO (Signum Pro Poly
Plasma 18)
This string has great power on ground

strokes. Spin on slice serves is
underwhelming.

using Wilson K Blade strung at 52 pounds CP
(Solinco Tour Bite 16)
This is a very durable string. Power is

decent, but touch and feel are below
average.
5.0 male all-court player using

Head Youtek Prestige Pro strung at 57 pounds
CP (Luxilon Alu Power 16)
For the rest of the tester comments, visit
www.racquetsportsindustry.com.
TESTERS
TALK
B
usinesses often spend lots of
time, effort and money to attract
customers. But they often dont
do enough to keep them. A certain
amount of customer turnover in a busi-
ness is normal due to factors not in your
control, for example the customer
moves away or loses a job and cant
afford the service or product. However,
what business practices can you use to
improve your ability to retain cus-
tomers, members and students even in
tough economic times?
Here are just some ideas to help you
retain your customers and players. But
you also should think outside the box
and come up with your own unique
ways to cultivate and maintain the rela-
tionships you have with yours cus-
tomers and members.
Customer
Satisfaction Surveys
Develop and use a system to periodical-
ly but regularly assess the satisfaction of
your existing clients. How satisfied are
they with the convenience of your
hours, your prices, the quality and selec-
tion of your products, the expertise of
your pros, the way they are treated by
staff, the variety of programs offered?
What suggestion can your existing
membership provide that will make
your facility even better?
Survey the Competition
Do you know how you compare to simi-
lar facilities or retail stores in terms of
price, services, convenience, variety and
quality of programs and products? You
should devote some time to keeping one
step ahead of the competition.
Hire the Right People
For staff that will interact with your cus-
tomers, hire those who are people per-
sons, that is, they like to serve and help
others, they are friendly and likable
themselves and they have thick skins
and are not easily offended.
Do you hire tennis pros who are cer-
tified at the highest levels, participate in
continuing education programs and
have some niche or specialty (high per-
formance coach, kids tennis, etc.)?
Provide Ongoing
Staff Training
Discuss and role-play how to handle dif-
ficult people and situations. If you are
not good at this, hire a consultant to do
the training for you. Recognize and
reward good/effective employees.
'What business
practices can you use
to improve your
ability to retain
customers, members
and students in tough
economic times?'
Customer Appreciation
How can you show loyal customers who
have supported and been with you for
years that you appreciate their business
and dont take it for granted? Do you tell
them directly? Provide financial dis-
counts? Go out of your way to be helpful
to them?
A tennis club I belong to promotes a
Breakfast at Wimbledon every year
where members are treated to a free buf-
fet breakfast and can watch the matches
on a big screen television in the club-
house. Look for ways to show your cus-
tomers how much you appreciate them
and their business.
Develop Partnerships
Some health insurance companies pay or
reimburse members to join and remain a
part of the health/fitness facility. By keep-
ing their clients healthy, they pay out less
for health-related problems down the
road. For example, a Silver Sneakers
program is marketed to seniors and pro-
vides classes and clinics geared to and
appropriate to this age population. w
Your Serve
Keep Em Coming
Back for More
A performance enhancement psychologist
has some practical advice for improving your
ability to retain customers and players.
Dr. Robert Heller is a psychologist and per-
formance enhancement psychologist who
works with individuals and
companies to perform at their
best. He can be reached at
www.mentalskillstennis.com,
e-mail info@robertheller.net,
phone 561-451-2731.
We welcome your opinions. Please email
comments to RSI@racquetTECH.com.
BY DR. ROBE RT HE L L E R

Racquet Sports Industry

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March 2012

Volume 40 Number 3 $5.00

String breakers and topspin players will have

4.5 male baseliner with moderate spin using

Outstanding control. This string makes for a

5.0 male all-court player

Excellent power and spin, especially on

4.0 male all-court player using Volkl V1 Classic

This is a nice all-around polyester. It feels a

6.0 male all-court player

Playability is average and the feel is stiff.

4.5 male all-court player using Wilson BLX Tour

Very solid feel. Lively response on serves and

This string has great power on ground

3.5 male all-court player

This is a very durable string. Power is

5.0 male all-court player using

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