April 2008 Monthly Archive

A Gathering of Champions

Once again, I felt fortunate to attend one of this industry's best workshops for those actually delivering tennis at the grassroots level. I'm talking about the USTA's Community Tennis Development Workshop, a yearly event that brings together those who... (Click here to read more...)

Industry News

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

Working Effectively

Multi-tasking can be a great tool for your business. But if you're not careful, it can also drag you down. (Click here to read more...)

Building Expectations

As players get smarter about their frames, they continue to expect more from racquet companies. (Click here to read more...)

2008 Racquet Selection Map

Our exclusive Racquet Selection Map enables you to help your customer choose a racquet with “at-a-glance” ease. The entire performance racquet universe is presented on one easily navigable grid that instantly locates each racquet compared to every other in... (Click here to read more...)

Taking one for the Team

Team apparel can be big business for retailers, as tenniswear manufacturers offer outfits to suit all types of groups. (Click here to read more...)

Overcome Obstacles to Play

Don't just teach your beginners how to hit the ball. For more complete participation in your programs and leagues, teach them how to play a match. (Click here to read more...)

Quality Construction

Distinguished Facility-of-the-Year Awards. The outdoor hard-court winners demonstrate excellence on a grand scale. (Click here to read more...)

Playtest: Luxilon Alu Power Fluoro 123

Alu Power Fluoro is the latest monofilament string from Luxilon. It is based on the original Alu Power 125, which took the pro tour by storm before becoming a favorite with other competitive players. It is created with a... (Click here to read more...)

League Leader

A longtime tennis director says WTT Rec Leagues are not only fun for all, but they also add to your bottom line. (Click here to read more...)

Power pads

Q: I am having a hard time finding a tennis supplier that still carries leather power pads (preferably the round ones).... (Click here to read more...)

Hybrid theory

Q: Do you think it would improve playability of a hybrid-strung racquet if the mains and crosses were strung in such a way that the dynamic stiffness was more equal? For example, if you have Luxilon Alu Power in the... (Click here to read more...)

Never too thin

When stinging with stiff polys, I thin out the tip with emery cloth when stringing the crosses. This makes the tip easier to grip onto and also gives it a bit more flex. 5 sets of Wilson Enduro Pro 18... (Click here to read more...)

Restring by ...

Recently a regular customer asked me when he would be due for another string job if he had not broken one by then. This gave me an idea for a great advertising tool. I had some business cards printed up... (Click here to read more...)

Great cart for tabletop stringing machines

After looking everywhere for a cart for my Alpha Revo 4000, I found a great buy at Sam’s Club (item #135623) for only $49.87+ tax. The cart is the Seville Heavy Duty Commercial Cart Model 99307 and is very sturdy.... (Click here to read more...)

Favorite cutters

Seems like I keep reading about people using diagonal cutters, or nippers with their stringing. I’ve found that my favorite stringing tool after my awl is a pair of Fiskars Ultimate Craft Scissors (#12-7927). These are phenomenal at quickly cutting... (Click here to read more...)

Stringing by ear

I use a stethoscope to listen to frames while pulling tension. This is especially useful in diagnosing frames with integrity issues. If a crack is suspected, I can usually pass or fail the frame using the stethoscope. If I hear... (Click here to read more...)