February 2005 Monthly Archive

Expanding Tennis' Reach

The new USTA president lays out his agenda to grow the sport and to advance the stature of tennis in the U.S. (Click here to read more...)

Build Business, Enjoy Yourself, and Write It Off

Imagine an enjoyable — and educational — vacation, but with Uncle Sam picking up part of the tab. Every racquet sports business, owner, employees, even someone who is a shareholder/employee, can legitimately claim an income-tax deduction for the expenses... (Click here to read more...)

A New Twist on the Twistweight of a Tennis Racquet

By Howard Brody One of the most important parameters of a tennis racquet, the "twistweight," is rarely reported on. It is relatively easy to determine a racquet's weight (all it takes is a scale) or a racquet's balance point (a... (Click here to read more...)

Tough Customers?

Every retail operation will come up against people who make life difficult. Here are some strategies to help you keep things under control. (Click here to read more...)

Outlook 2005: String

Research into strings and stringing are leading to a whole new understanding of their effects on play. (Click here to read more...)

Outlook 2005: Racquets

With new construction and new materials, frames can now improve both control and power. (Click here to read more...)

Outlook 2005: Introduction

Tennis industry professionals are eyeing the new year with optimism for retailing, participation, and the sport as a whole. (Click here to read more...)

Continuing Ed That Connects

Continuing education is a big key to helping you succeed in this business. And there are a number of excellent choices when it comes to adding to your business knowledge and honing your skills in tennis teaching, programming, and... (Click here to read more...)

Industry News

Information to help you run your business. (Click here to read more...)

All Systems Go?

The economy appears poised for "reasonable" growth, and signs are pointing to a bullish ennis market, too. (Click here to read more...)

Hard and Fast Winners

These hard-court award winners are worth showing off. (Click here to read more...)

Playtest: Gamma Revelation 16

Gamma Revelation is a new multi-core, multi-wrap string formulated for players who want to use a multifilament string and are looking for the greater control that comes from a stiffer string. Revelation is available in 16 and 17 gauge... (Click here to read more...)

Outlook 2005: Footwear

Manufacturers are turning to lightweight yet strong materials for tennis shoes that add support, not extra weight. (Click here to read more...)

Form an Activities Committee to Promote Your Events

Successful retail merchandisers in shopping malls across the country create promotional events so often and so well that we hardly ever notice being lured into their stores. But for most of us, our event programming seldom consistently generates the... (Click here to read more...)

Air Travel for Tennis Balls

Q: An overseas customer of mine wishes to purchase some tennis balls. I am of two minds about selling to him, because sometime back when I tried to purchase the pressurized balls overseas from stores in the U.S., they refused... (Click here to read more...)

Matched Racquets

Q: I'm looking to buy four older racquets, but from what I understand, the racquet that interests me changed specifications during its lifespan, so I need to do more than find four of them — I need to find four... (Click here to read more...)

Pro Racquets

Q: You have a section that tells the racquets, strings, and tensions used by some of the top pros. Do you have any information regarding how they set their racquets up? I need to know how much pro racquets weigh... (Click here to read more...)

Long Racquet Source

Q: Do you know any companies that might sell longer tennis racquets — up to 32 inches — even if they're only for recreational play?... (Click here to read more...)

Dangerous Tips

Don’t whip the string through your hands too fast. The end of the string can hit you in the eye. When you get near the end of the string, slow down. Also, when trimming the string near the knot, don’t... (Click here to read more...)

Eliminating Sharp Ends

With the growing popularity of polyester based strings, a hazard exists with the tag end of the knots. Most of us trim the string with diagonal pliers (side cutters) which will leave a sharp edge on each side of the... (Click here to read more...)

Wrong Side Short Side

Situation: When you start the short side on the wrong side of frames with a unique shortside, such as Wilson Rollers, Mitt Rockers, Fischer, or the new Prince O3 frames. Solution: String the first cross with the short side. This... (Click here to read more...)

Neat Babolat Stenciling

While applying the two-line stencil to the Babolat Pure Drive and Pure Control racquets I noticed that the ink often splatters onto the white part of the frame adjacent to the stenciled area. To keep the frames free of ink... (Click here to read more...)

One-Man Pre-stretching

I like multifilament strings and they benefit greatly from pre-stretching. The best way to pre-stretch a string is to tie a small knot in each end and have a friend help you stretch it between two starting clamps. Unfortunately, I... (Click here to read more...)

Dense Dampeners

After 11 years of stringing, it jut now hit me how to handle putting dampeners in racquets with dense string patterns. I simply put the dampener in as soon as I have the center mains tensioned and the clamps out... (Click here to read more...)