July 2009 Monthly Archive

A Campaign We Should All Support

Just like you, we at RSI depend on this industry, so we freely admit that we are “cheerleaders for our sport.” And we need you to be “cheerleaders for tennis,” too. That’s why this issue’s cover may look like... (Click here to read more...)

Industry News

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

Racket Up America

A new industry-wide promotion is designed to drive more sales at retail and help stimulate the marketplace. (Click here to read more...)

Find Your Ball Machine

For 2009, new machines from Lobster and Silent Partner join the list. (Click here to read more...)

The Hard Way

Six outdoor projects claim hard-court construction honors. (Click here to read more...)

What Technologies are you selling? (Part 2 of 3)

Have you and your staff ever wished you had a list of all the major racquet technologies, all in one place? Well, with the help of material from the U.S. Racquet Stringers Association, here it is. This is the... (Click here to read more...)

Playtest: Tecnifibre Black Code 16

Tecnifibre Black Code is a coated monofilament polyester with a pentagonal shape. The monofilament core is a co-polyester, which provides the ultimate in durability, according to Tecnifibre. The polyester coating is said to increase durability and reduce friction burn... (Click here to read more...)

An Open Letter About Regional Tennis Magazines

By Paul Fein and Jim Martz Dear USTA and TIA Leaders: Thanks to your programs and initiatives, tennis participation throughout the U.S. in 2008 continued its growth on every level. More players (nearly 26.9 million) took to the courts... (Click here to read more...)

Patent numbers

Q: I have three racquets of the same model (obviously from the same manufacturer), and I just noticed that each of them has a different patent number. I want them all to play the same. Should I sell the ones... (Click here to read more...)

Black strings, silver ink

Q: I just saw one of HEAD’s new racquets with a black string that had the logo stenciled in white. What’s the name of this string, and where do you find white stencil ink?... (Click here to read more...)

Choking up

Q: Due to a hand injury, I choke up on my racquet handle, instead of “choking down” as I used to. I realize the swingweight will be different, and I can calculate this using the Parallel Axis Calculator on-line at... (Click here to read more...)

Modifying built-in dampeners

Q: I just bought a racquet that I like a lot, but I do not like the dampener that came with it. The supplied dampener not only attaches to the strings, but also seems to be an integral part of... (Click here to read more...)

Reel good tip

I use in excess of 20 reels of different strings. It was always a problem having to store them without having to fish the end out of the reel. I found that the backs to pins, earrings, etc. work great.... (Click here to read more...)

Marketing playtest results

I’ve come up with a way to use information in the playtest reports to help me market strings to current and prospective restringing customers. Over the years I’ve found that people tend to like simplified comparisons of strings when choosing... (Click here to read more...)

Knot Safety

As everyone knows sometimes you just have to grab the pliers to pull a knot tight. Too little pressure you can’t cinch up the knot. Too much, a broken string and possible punch in the nose. Just take your electric... (Click here to read more...)

Temporary tool storage

I like to straighten the cross strings as I go, and to save wear and tear on my fingers I use an offset awl. To keep the awl handy while I work, I just use the stringbed as an awl... (Click here to read more...)

Start at the ends

I always cut the ends of the string on a diagonal before installation, but rather than uncoiling the string and then chasing down the ends, I trim the ends first, and then uncoil the string. Greg Raven, MRT, Apple Valley,... (Click here to read more...)

Reduce friction on crosses

After completing the mains on a two-piece string job, I install the second cross first, then go back and weave the first cross. This way, I avoid pulling the full length of the crosses across the mains any more than... (Click here to read more...)