TennisIDENTITY

Taylor Townsend. Tennis dreams do come true.

I recall John McEnroe telling everyone to be patient on the subject of US tennis talent. Here we go.

With bow and bracelets befitting her 15 years, Taylor Townsend, out of Stockbridge, Ga., won the junior singles girls final at the Australian Open. 

There are kids grinding their young lives out on tennis courts worldwide and this girl made it big. Not many do. Imagine the smile under those hands. 

Andy Roddick and Donald Young once won this tournament. Lindsay Davenport was a finalist. That's the short list.

And if winning singles were not enough,  Townsend also won the girls doubles tournament with partner Gabrielle Andrews.

Townsend, one of Prince's team "Who's Next," uses the Prince EXO³ racquet and has for two years. “This technology allows me to do a lot more on shots that I am pulled out of position for –which is most of the time at our level" said Townsend. "[It] has allowed me to win the four to five more points per set that many times are the difference between winning and losing. Since switching, my game has gone to a whole new level."

You can see the trademark grommets on the racquet above. According to Prince, these allow all players, including those at the most elite level of the game, to do more on balls they hit off center because the strings have more freedom to respond.

Townsend's tennis apparel is Nike, separates (love them) from the '12 Spring Rally Statement line that Serena Williams wore in Australia, right (and at Fed Cup in Worcester this past weekend).

Congratulations Taylor, and all the best to you for a successful career.

P.S - Blue becomes you.

Find it all at Prince, Nike, Tennis-Warehouse and tennis retailers worldwide.

 

Serena Williams' special collection celebrates Black History Month at the Australian Open

Black History Month is February and Serena Williams is celebrating early with this on-court collection created by Nike.

"Black History Month, America celebrates the invaluable contributions that the African-American community has made to the culture and history of our nation." (NAACP.org). Serena, best know for her success on court, looks to be growing her presence as an ambassador in other areas. Most recently she was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF.

Pictured above the four items in this special group. Alas they are not available at retail. Too bad! Looks to me like a good fundraising opportunity. The stuff is fun.

A new stick for Vic. Victoria Azarenka juices her game for 2012.

Notice anything different in this shot of our WTA world #3? Yes, a new tennis racquet. Victoria Azarenka, has switched, from long-time sponsor Head, to Wilson. She will use the new Juice 100 BLX to kick off 2012 and has signed a long-term partnership agreement with the company (not including apparel). 

“I’m extremely excited to be changing to Wilson’s new Juice racket. The power and spin that I feel with this racket is insane and I look forward to seeing what I can do with it,” said Azarenka.

Azarenka will also carry a matching new blue Wilson Tour tennis bag and use the company's Emotisorb shock absorber.

“Vika’s talent is undeniable, and she has been one of the tour’s most consistent performers,"said Renaud Vallon, global tour director for Wilson."...“She is a very powerful player, with a dynamic personality and we are ...thrilled to have her join the Wilson family.”

Let's go! More Vika. Sounds good.

 

New products for your gym bag:

New products to consider carrying in your gym or tennis bag:

1.) Definitely not something to play tennis with but handy for training, running, treadmills or stationary biking. It's a lightweight pocket for your upper arm that can hold your mobile device and feed headphones to your ears without tangling or worse, phone dropping. The clear touch-screen allows in motion device operation. Multiple interior pockets can fit your phone/iTouch, key, gym pass and inhaler or any small-sized critical needs you carry to the gym or road with you.

Bonus (for me at least), the Armpocket Sport i-20 ($29.95 USD) also fit the mi-coach click-in heart monitor attachment I use on my iPhone. The Armpocket comes in a variety of sizes and colors and is made with moisture wicking materials to keep your skin from getting irritated. Make sure the model you consider fits your device and arm.

2.) Tis the season for dry skin and standard soaps can make things worse.  Kiss My Face makes a new Peace Soap Castille liquid soap that is mild, hydrating and moisturing. Keep it at home and in your gym bag and your skin will thank you,  $2.99 for a 3.40 oz gym size. You can also use it to wash your hair. I love the lavender mandarin scent but there are others. Good for you and the world,10% of all profits from this soap go to the Seeds of Peace organization (develops relationships and leadership skills among young people from regions of conflict).

3.) Still feeling reptillian? Try the company's all-natural moisturizers (not new but I'm a fan) app. $4.99 for a 4 oz tube. Love that these are all natural and never tested on animals. 

4.) Lastly, when you simply must play and run, take a Paper Shower. 

Paper Shower is a new two body wipe combo that'll clean you up and hold you over. Each pack comes with two large-sized towelettes (9" x 12"ea), one wet and one dry. The wet one is saturated with gentle cleaning ingredients with enough power to clean up a light sweat. The dry one is soft and absorbent leaving your skin dry, not sticky or laden with chemicals, $7.50 per pack include 6 wet/dry towelettes (that's $1.25 per pack with free shipping).

And what about your hair you ask? Good question. Dry shampoo solves the hair issue. I like KMS Hair Play Makeover Spray (yes, guys can use it too).

 

Training tool for tennis: Pro Trainer WinSock

The PT WinSock is a slide-on, weighted tennis training tool that builds strength and racquet control while hitting balls.  

"For beginners," says WinSock inventor/owner Bill Gibson, "it is very useful in learning to execute a full finish on ground strokes, to let the racket turn them in recovery to the center, and to develop upper body strength. [The device] delivers a powerful and reliable swing movement and dramatically improves swing speed and swing mechanics."

Gibson recommends short, moderate speed sessions of 10 to 20 strokes (each) for best results at all levels.

So, how does it work? The added 8 ozs. of weight, equally distributed at both sides of the racquet throat, necessitates that you hold your racquet more firmly and in the correct position while hitting. Use it to groove groundies or volleys and to develop strength, muscle memory and faster, controlled racquet speed that can help generate more spin and power.

 I found the WinSock easy to put on and take off, simple to work into a training regime in the recommended small doses. You do not need to hit hard to reap the benefits. Go easy to begin, especially if you do not lift/work out regularly. One extra note, the company recommends that you do not serve using WinSock. The service motion, however, is ok.

Find it at PTWinSock, $30 USD. Not recommended for children using kid sized racquets as young muscles are not developed enough to handle the extra weight.

Wilson tennis introduces new Steam and Juice racquets for 2012.

Are they legal? the campaign asks. Wilson tennis has just introduced its new Juice and Steam racquets and is using social media to launch them. Check out one of the Steam videos featuring Kei Nishikori and Petra Kvitova below::

 

The tongue-in-cheek campaign appears to be the focus of this launch (always fun watching pros goof around) but I'm most interested in what these new sticks are going to do for my game. 

The Steam series includes the Steam Pro BLX, weighted and balanced for power and spin for use by more experienced players (used by Kei Nishikori), and the Steam 100 BLX, a lighter-weight, version of the same (used by Ernests Gulbis and Petra Kvitova).

The Juice series is available in Juice Pro BLX, offering what Wilson says is a modern feel for big hitting power and spin.  The Juice 100 BLX has Wilson’s Amplifeel grip system and is designed for a wide range of players of all levels and ages; the Juice 108 BLX, with a larger head size and lighter weight design, also features Amplifeel. This racquet is for someone who prefers a larger sweetspot. You can read more about each racquet here. 

Are you thinking what I am? It does appear that Wilson may have made some tweaks to the BLX with weight, head size and cosmetics, but not too much else appears to be going on in terms of  real new technology. BLX users, take a test drive and let us know what YOU think. 

The Wilson Juice and Steam will be available at retail January 15. 

A hot new leather tennis racquet bag for the 1%

Wilson's newest leather tennis racquet bag is a beauty. For the person that covets high quality craftsman leather accessories, this is IT for the court, a real executive's tennis bag.  It also comes in a 3 pack (one main pocket) if you don't require as much extra space. 

The new for 2012 bags are constructed of full grain leather. The interior is  lined with a beige nylon fabric (wipe it clean if needed). An outside pocket is the spot for keeping smaller items: keys, phone, etc. There are a few smaller organizer pockets inside the 6 as well. There is no wet/dry bag so add a plastic bag  (how gauche) to keep clay and sweat from ruining the nice interior.

The price? The six pack (two compartments) will run you $600 and the 3 pack, $500. That's where that 1% might figure in. No pro is scheduled to carry this bag in 2012. It really looks Roger though doesn't it? Go ahead, you be the man (or woman).

Wilson will  monogram the strap on the bag at no extra charge if you send in an enclosed card and strap after purchase.

Find a retailer at Wilson or online at Tennis-Warehouse.

 

Yonex launches new EZONE Xi tennis racquet. Ana Ivanovic takes the lead.

Yonex recently announced its newest line of tennis racquets, the EZONE Xi, which will officially launch in January 2012. Take a look at some of the new technology (as shown by Ana Ivanovic).

 

 The new racquet features a quad power system (in combo with its unique ISOMETRIC head design)  for a powerful and enlarged sweetspot, an oval pressed shaft for increased stiffness and comfort, and NEOFADE vibration absorbing technology which is said to reduce vibration by 15%.

There are nine racquets in the new group:  IEZONE Xi 98; EZONE Xi 100; EZONE Xi 100 Lite; EZONE Xi 107; EZONE 115; EZONE Team; EZONE Team+; EZONE Rally; and EZONE 26 (junior frame).

Ivanovic will play with the 98 pictured above. Use this link for more EZONE Xi racquet details.

Yonex's male players plan to use the VCORE series for the time being. Caroline Wozniacki currently plays with the VCORE 100S.

A few YONEX players are testing the 98" EZONE so you may see some switching as the year progresses.

After note: other players switching to the new EZONE listed here

7's up for Andy Murray. Win a pair of adidas barricade 7s for YOUR game.

adidas has just announced the new barricade 7.0 tennis shoe. Pictured is the model Andy Murray will wear in London at the ATP Masters Finals.

Win a pair for your game by leaving a note for Andy below or by retweeting this post on Twitter.* *

The 11 year old barricade line continues to evolve. The new shoe is 1.06 oz. lighter than the last and more flexible. A forefoot "claw" provides maximum control and stability; SPINTWEB and adiPRENE reduces impact, absorbs shock and improves comfort and flexibility.

More construction dets here:

 

The women's version is a more elegant version of the men's 7.0. Super sleek, softer forefoot flex and lighter. Check out Andrea Petkovic in the shoes below. Great colors!!!

 

adidas reports that more than ever before, they collaborated with elite players in the development of the 7.0, from the initial briefing to the final sample. “Over a period of more than 18 months we tested the shoe with more than 30 professional and semi-professional players. Our product testing department spent roughly 2,500 hours with athletes to make sure the shoe is the best barricade ever,” says Graham Williamson, adidas vice president of business unit tennis. “When we showed the final samples to our players they were reluctant to give them back and wanted to play in them immediately.”

The 7.0 (men's $140 USD, women's $130) will be available soon (November) at adidas or tennis retailers worldwide including Tennis-Warehouse.

**Contest rules:  Enter to win a pair of Andy Murray's new 7.0 adidas tennis shoes by leaving a note for Andy Murray below or retweeting this post on Twitter with @TennisIdentity included. Last entry will be accepted November 30, 2011 at midnight EST. One entry per email address/twitter handle. Winner will be chosen by random draw on December 1 and posted after the winner has responded. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to notification before another winner is drawn. If you use Twitter to enter you must follow @TennisIdentity in order to be eligible. Email addresses will ONLY be used to contact you if selected.

Spotted at a Tournament. Cheap massage for tight muscles.

To most of us courtside massages are luxuries, available to touring tennis pros and those at high-level tournaments. Fact is pros require them. Clearly they are important to playing well.

So what to do when you are a weekend warrior or simply don't have the bucks for massage? Do it yourself.

I recently spotted the Foam Roller (top pic), and hand held Roller Massager (below) at a tennis tournament. Both devices work like a real massage would, sinking into soft tissue to elongate muscles, rolling out tightness and increasing blood flow to soft areas. The hard foam roller feels grrrrreat on a tight back.

Ryan Ginley, Senior Director of High Performance and Player Development at Intensity in Norwalk Connecticut is a believer. He travels with the foam roller and has his junior players work with it before and after matches.

"The massage you get from using the roller helps keep you feeling fresh and loose,"says Ginley." "To be honest there is some discomfort associated with it and tight muscles but the benefit of refreshed, pliable muscles is enormous. Some of these kids are playing two or even three tough matches in a day and the 15-20 minutes we take for massage before and after makes a difference. My players stay looser than they would without it." 

Both rollers come with complete instructions on the best ways to use them. The high density Foam Roller is made in a few sizes and will cover larger areas like your back. The  6" diameter x 35" length is versatile and runs $29.95. 

The Roller Massager, $27.95, is for calves, thighs, shoulders and smaller spots. It will pop right into your tennis bag ready for a quick tune up whenever you need it.

Find the rollers at Pro-Tec Athletics.

 

 

Hot off the press. Ltd. Ed. Nike Tennis Shoe.

11/1/11 is running out but as promised, today the mysterious new Nike/Tennis Warehouse collaboration was revealed. Spotlight on above.

It's a limited edition of the Nike men's Air Court Ballistec 3.3 tennis shoe and a pretty hot one at that. Super stealth. I love the understated and very unusual patent black on matte swoosh and discreet dashes of cyber orange. This is a new version of the shoe Rafael Nadal wears with updates that include reinforcements in key high-wear areas. Strap 'em on and jam.

The shoe goes nicely with the new Nike Winter Showdown crew, Victory Track jacket and anthracite and cyber orange bandana. Seems like something Rafa would wear but I'm told he won't. No worries about looking like a poser then. The look can be yours only.

 Tennis-Warehouse is the exclusive retailer of this just-out Nike tennis shoe.

Of course women can wear 'em. Much tougher looking than a white tennis shoe (brands make far too many of those). Buy two sizes down.

Penn introduces Pro Penn Marathon tennis ball for hard, clay and high altitude courts.

As the name suggests, this tennis ball is designed to last longer than most. It feels bad chucking one-match used balls (I give them to pupp-ay or toss 'em in a practice hopper) but that's been a fact of tennis life.

Penn’s newest tennis ball, the Pro Penn Marathon, not only offers greater longevity than past Penn balls but also better durability and visibility. 

Encore Technology is the core compound that maximizes longer-lasting playing properties. By using a proprietary blend of natural and man-made polymers, ball softening is limited. The core stays fresher longer, playing fresh from the can longer. 

Pro Penn Marathon has a 22% longer lasting core compared to Penn’s original Pro Penn+ tennis ball (and those have actually been among the best for hopper ball longevity according to a few teaching pros I've spoken with).

LongPlay felt combines wool and high tenacity fibers for durability and Smart Optik treatment keeps the balls cleaner and brighter looking throughout play as they don't pick up dirt as readily.

The new ball will hit stores worldwide January 2012 and will be offered in Extra-Duty (for hard courts), Regular-Duty (for soft courts) and Extra-Duty High Altitude.

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Andy Murray aligns with the Dragon in Asia.

Check out Andy Murray's new kicks. Just out, they're the adidas Barricade 6.0 Dragon Edition, a fierce warrior like change-up to the tennis shoes Murray has been wearing this year.

The new issue celebrates the Chinese Year of the Dragon (2012), a nod to the culture of the country hosting Andy in October. 

According to legend the Dragon symbolizes good fortune and power. A dragon personality is free spirited, driven and self-directed.

Murray looks to have been born during the year of the rabbit (1987) so some dragon karma might be a good thing for him.

The shoe's metallic finished outer is outfitted with dragonlike scales that help the shoe breath (looks a little like armour too). A tough looking exterior for a durable shoe.

A red on black dragon-inspired print covers the outside of the tongue and heel collar. A bright red dragon symbol adorns the heel and tongue.

Retail price is $120.00 USD. 

Find them only at specialty tennis retailers including Tennis-Warehouse.

 

 

 

Training to the beat of your own drum. adidas adds heart rate based coaching to miCoach. Why you need it.

adidas has announced a new heart rate monitor that works with the miCoach mobile app the company introduced last year.

The monitor snaps onto an adjustable absorbant stretch belt (pictured below) that you wear around your chest. A small, connect device plugs into your iPhone or iPod Touch.

Sync your phone to the monitor once you have it on and off you go. Your heart rate data is transferred to the screen (and to your ears if you choose) in real time as you work out, right alongside miles, time, calories burned etc. The device (and built in personal coach) is excellent for fitness training. 

But, why should a healthy athlete be concerned about heart rate?

According to Dr. Kimberly Parks, Cardiologist, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Harvard Medical School:

"Monitoring your heart rate during exercise is important both for safety and to make sure you are achieving maximum effectiveness from your workout.  

It can be easy to get caught up in the positive response your brain has to exercise...[and] It is easy to under or over estimate how much you are exerting yourself. Monitoring your heart rate is important to ensure that you are achieving the desired intensity of your workout."  

Determining your desired heart rate: Subtract your age from the number 220. The result is your maximum predicted heart rate (MPHR).

"For endurance training, your target heart rate should be between 70-80% of your MPHR," says Dr. Parks. "For maximum aerobic benefit, you should aim to maintain your target heart rate for a minimum of 20-30 minutes. It's best to avoid exerting yourself at greater than 85% MPHR [during endurance training]..." 

Dr. Malissa Wood, Co-director of the MGH Heart Center, Corrigan Women's Heart Health Program and Cardiovascular Performance Program comments that "Individuals hoping to increase their fitness can push their heart rate to a slightly higher range (88-90% max of MPHR) for short intervals..The benefits derived from higher intensity short periods are clear. Typical types of short burst activity would include plyometrics (jump training), sprints or interval runs and running the baselines on a tennis court."

A few notes:

The miCoach heart rate monitor is a great tool for those who want to add running or cycling to their training-for-tennis regime and well as for those who already do these activities. The app will run an assessment program that it will use to base your future workouts on. You can also simply use the heart monitor for short interval training.

This is not a time to lie about your age. Yeah, we all wish we were younger but it's important that the heart monitor make its calculations based on your true age.

I did not find the belt uncomfortable at all but I do not run long distances where chafing could be a problem. adidas offers a couple of miCoach heart rate monitor compatible garments, a sports bra (pictured left) and close fitting shirt for men, for those who might be bothered by the belt. Try it without them first. 

You may want to wear an armband style iPhone case if you want to keep your hands free when using the system for high intensity training.

Pretty neat little tool that adds to an already solid fitness app. The adidas miCoachConnect and the Heart Rate Monitor bundle retails for $69.99 and will be available soon at adidas. The miCoach app is free and available for iPhone, BlackBerry and Android. The heart monitor, as noted above, is only available for iPhone and iPod touch.

As always, talk to your doctor before starting a new fitness regime.

Learn more at adidas.com/micoach . Their blog is a good resource for getting familiar with the app. Not available in all countries yet. 

Nike tennis is in the customization game. Shoes for style, fit + surface.

 

Never one to be outdone Nike is now offering customized tennis kicks. U-pick durability, fit, traction, width, color and message. One surface tough to shop for in the US is grass. As they say, "there's an app for that" here $145.00 USD.

Zoom Breath 2K11 iD at NikeiD.com. Find them under mens or women's tennis.

Obsession: Maria Sharapova's new tennis racquet bag from HEAD.

Maria Sharapova has a hot new tennis bag. Gone is the racquet shaped bag she's been carrying (although you can still buy it). This one resembles a relaxed yet luxe quilted duffle with two sections.

Accented with gold hardware and lettering (MS and Head), leather tassels and sky blue interior it's pretty and sophisticated, a well thought-out user-friendly tennis bag that will appeal to the style conscious woman who never carries a mega branded bag (horrors!). The racquet section like the traditional racquet bag is thermo protected and holds 3 racquets.

One flattering color, black will go well with any tennis outfit. That interior BTW matches the HEAD Instinct S racquet Sharapova is swinging with. The bag retails for $100.00 USD.

Find a retailer at HEAD or buy at Tennis Warehouse or tennis retailers selling HEAD worldwide.

Here's more if you need it:

 

Rising Brit, Heather Watson signs with Dunlop.

Today Dunlop announced the signing of British tennis player Heather Watson. The 19 year old hails from Guernsey, an island in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy, and now trains at the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Florida. Already recognized as an up-and-comer Watson is one of the WTA's 6 featured 2011 Xperia Hot Shots.   

Watson is currently 85th in the 2011 WTA Singles Race. She uses the Dunlop Biomimetic 300 Tour (MSRP $210) for her penetrating groundstrokes and strong baseline game. Her chief weapon is the two handed backhand. 

Watson's apparel sponsor is K-Swiss. Pictured here she wears the Spring pleated dress (which is actually on sale at the moment).

More on the racquet at Dunlop or Tennis Warehouse.

Look for Watson on tour and at the US Open. Follow her on Twitter @HeatherWatson92. Tell her @TennisIdentity said hello.

Round-Up: Headbands for tennis

There are two kinds of headbands for tennis, those designed to keep sweat out of your eyes and those that keep hair out of your face.

First, the sweat managers:

Nike's swoosh bandanas are 100% cotton (stays wet while sweating), $12. If you've got the face and hair, these look darn good (case in point on left). adidas, K-Swiss and Fila, also make a tie variety (all are poly blend).

Right, by adidas, are the more traditional cotton terry variety, 75% cotton with stretch, $5.99 for two. Let's just say it's a very functional style. I see a lot of these on men. Fila, Nike, K-Swiss and Lacoste also make them.

bondiband makes a thin sweat wicking headband in multiple colors and fun/motivational prints, $8.00. All are meant to be worn across the forehead or at the hairline (as pictured here). They are attractive and very quick-drying (so you are never wearing a soaking band). Look for the one with crossed tennis racquets in the sport section. They carry quite a few men's styles as well. 

Second, the hair managers:

Women who wear these do not feel comfortable with a headband across their forehead. Problem is, comfortable, functional, hair-taming bands are hard to find because most slip unless sitting at the hairline or forehead. Many wear hard u shaped plastic bands.

What you need to look for are headbands with strips of silicone gripper tape on the side against your hair. Yoga manufacturers like Lululemon sell these. Their Slipless Headband, $12, is pictured here. I've also seen silicone lined bands at Athleta. I am not finding them yet in branded tennis apparel.

Find adidas, Nike, Fila, K-Swiss and Lacoste headbands at Tennis-Warehouse and tennis retailers worldwide.

 

New racquet brand BOLT strikes the tennis market.

Is there room for another tennis racquet brand? Brett Bothwell, director of BOLT Sports thinks so and he has what he calls a "vastly improved" stick. 

It is well known that tennis racquet retailers tend to primarily use paint job changes for the "new model" of an older version. There are certainly technological innovations from time to time but not all that often.

Bothwell says BOLT racquets offer innovation you can feel right away. The "zip-strip," located at 3, 9 and 12 o'clock on the racquet head, is a suspension system that carries racquet strings, holding them off the bed of the frame. The result, says Bothwell, is an explosive, almost vibration-free impact with hit.

BOLT currently offers two models, the B98, 98 sq. in. (blue and black) and B100, 100 sq. in. (orange and black) that both list for $215 USD unstrung. These are intermediate to advanced racquets (stringing variables and head size can help in either direction). The company will make string recommendations based on your level and style of play.

Hungarian and Swedish Davis Cup players are currently play-testing the racquets. 

Available to test drive and buy only at BOLT beginning August 1, 2011.

Andy Murray's racquet bag at Wimbledon. Express your love.

Andy Murray's tennis bag at Wimbledon deserves a little attention. It's the concoction of HEAD tennis and is available only to one lucky person (plus Andy of course).

If you've been following Murray's game you may have noticed his racquet bag filling up with messages the deeper he got into the tournament. Today -- sigh -- was the last day (but I do love Rafa too so I was very torn).

HEAD has been pulling fan messages off of its Facebook page and adding more to the bag every round.

Leave a message for Andy and be entered to win a replica of the bag.

The drawing will take place after Wimbledon.

 

Petra Kvitova. Tennis fashion at Wimbledon.

Petra Kvitova is into Saturday's Wimbledon women's 2011 finals. Everyone knows her opponent, Maria Sharapova; fewer know the young Czech. The blond southpaw is definitely one to watch.

Kvitova has been wearing the two piece Smash Classic tank and pleated skort by Nike. Both are $55 USD. Classic white and deep obsidian navy. This set is part of the beautiful group that includes Serena William's dress for Wimbledon.

Check out Kvitova's manicure that matches the navy in the outfit. Pretty total-picture pull-together.

The top does not include a bra and finding one that will stay hidden with this beautifully open neckline is a challenge. If you find one, please leave a comment below.

I'm hoping for a good battle between the statuesque 6 footers. If you are watching on tv, you might want to turn down the volume. This should be a loud one either way.

Kvitova's racquet? It's the Wilson Tour BLX

Find it all at Nike, Wilson, Tennis-Warehouse and tennis retailers worldwide.

 

 

Towel off with the Wimbledon 125th Anniversary Championships.

Most avid players carry a towel for mopping up sweat, drying hands, showering, whatever. Quite a few have a pretty dingy looking one. Freshen up your racquet bag with a signature Wimbledon towel. Yes, these are the decent size ones (not hand towel size) you are seeing on court in London.

Limited edition towels, available in signature green/purple and a very feminine cerise/sky blue, $43.77 USD. Personalize them for FREE with 3 initials.70 cm x 133 (app 28" x 52")

Find them at the Wimbledon shop.

Wilson debuts new Roger Federer Limited Edition Racquet Bag at Wimbledon.

Roger Federer has a brand new tennis bag for Wimbledon, the Wilson BLX Tour Federer Super Six Pack LTD. It's designed specifically for Fed. Wilson players and big RF fans carrying multiple racquets (or a lot of gear) will love this limited edition memento of Roger’s 16 Grand Slam titles. 

About the bag: Thermoguard and Moistureguard compartments protect up to 12 racquets from cold or heat. The bag also contains a large pocket to hold shoes and apparel as well as an accessory pocket for cell phone and keys. There are backpack straps and a fully padded back for comfort. Roger's "signature" of course adorns the bag. No PVC's for a healthier world.

You can't tell from the larger image but the red is metallic which is really sharp against the black and white. Nice high quality racquet bag: $110.00 USD.

Find a retailer at Wilson or buy at Tennis-Warehouse.

Look for the special promo going on with this bag, a chance to win more of Roger's gear.

 

Bethanie Mattek-Sands promotes eye black for the tennis court.

Bethanie Mattek Sands has teamed up with EyeBlack.com, the company that makes the eye-black stickers she has been wearing on the tennis court lately.

Mattek-Sands first noticed a need for glare protection after several pairs of sunglasses failed her at the Australian Open. She then tried EyeBlack's adhesive strips during her next match and immediately felt a difference in her visibility. Intimidation is suggested as an added benefit ;)

"As a person and a player, I have been known to push the limits of tennis both with my fashion and my play, and now I think I have found a great combination of both...,"” said Mattek-Sands. “"EyeBlack not only offers a great product to help me see better out on the court, but allows me to be creative and have fun with what I wear.”"

Expect to see more of these as Ms. Mattek-Sands has a new product line which includes signature EyeBlack stickers and a rainbow of zebra stripes in the same "smear" shape. 

Made of latex free, medical grade tape that breathes, they stay on even when sweating and peel off easily and painlessly. Football and baseball players are regular users of the more straightforward shape. $1.30 per pair USD at EyeBlack. One time use per pair.

I can see these being fun for teams. 

 

About that String Thing.

The String Thing is a lightweight hand-held tool that will quickly and evenly straighten your tennis racquet strings with a few quick up and down swipes. Straight, in position strings mean better hits. 

We've all pushed the lone string or two back in position with our fingers, something pretty easy to do, but this little gadget covers your whole racquet face fast straightening all of your strings in less than 6 seconds. It really works well.

Interestingly this little device is popular with women who pay big to keep their nails looking lovely. For manicured nails straightening tight strings by hand is a no-no. I've seen polish adorned hands pushing strings around with pens and keys.

The String Thing is available for both open (16 x19) and dense (18 x20) string patterns. $19.95 USD. More info or buy at String Thing, Tennis-Warehouse as well as many tennis retailers in the US.

 

Yonex releases enhanced line of Power Cushion Tennis shoes.

Leveraging the success of its previous models, the newly released Yonex tennis shoes retain the cushioning characteristics and lightweight feel synonymous with past Power Cushion Tennis shoes and add a lot more.

Yonex says that the new 3-Layer Power Cushion now absorbs 30% more shock and provides 5% more repulsion than the original Power Cushion. In addition, Tough Brid Technology provides greater elasticity and shape retention. As a result the shoe continues to provide a high level of cushioning performance even under the stress of high impact footwork.

Complementing the cushioning of the shoe are technological enhancements that improve breathability, flexibility, stability, durability and lightness.

There are 7 new tennis shoes in the line-up. The Power Cushion 307, $125 USD is above left (also in black and yellow, below, special for clay surfaces) and Power Cushion 108, $90, right.

I really like the gold and black model. Really sharp without too much flash.

There are mens and women's shoes in the new range. All of the above pictured are men's.

Find more info at Yonex or buy at Tennis-Warehouse or tennis retailers worldwide.

 

 

Luxilon named tennis racquet string manufacturer of the decade.

Luxilon was recently named the tennis “String Manufacturer of the Decade” by the European Racquet Stringers Association (ERSA) 2000-2010. The brand was given this title because of its dominant use on the men’s and women’s pro tours.

Take a look for it on these stringer lists from Wilson: Men's Singles, Women's Singles, Men's + Women's Doubles. You'll see the brand quite a few times.

“All of us at Luxilon are very proud to win this award,” Nico Van Malderen, President of Luxilon said. “This furthers our belief that strict quality control and continuous research has helped to produce strings that will improve every player’s game, regardless of ability.”

For more information, visit www.luxilon.com. Find the string at Tennis-Warehouse or tennis retailers/stringers worldwide.

Maria Sharapova unveils new HEAD racquet in Madrid.

Maria Sharapova has revealed her newest on-court weapon. Now officially painted, Sharapova premiered the new HEAD YouTek IG INSTINCT tennis racquet first round at the Mutua Madrid Open and came up with a win. The racquet has been a work in progress since early 2011.

“The game became a lot more powerful, a lot more physical,” Sharapova said. “I was really looking for a powerful racquet, and am thankful that HEAD provided me with exactly that."

The new stick is said to provide "Effortless Power" actually. The YouTek Instinct IG series will be available in August in two versions, the MP and the S model. Both will allow players to create power in their strokes much more easily, due to better maneuverability of the racquet during the swinging motion and less energy loss at ball impact; built in Innegra™ technology reduces vibration on ball impact and allows for more control.

More specs are forthcoming.

HEAD CEO Johan Eliasch noted, "Maria gave a lot of input to help develop this new series of racquets. We are proud that she joined our team and trusts our products."  Proud? Yes of course but much more likely... very, very thrilled  ;)

Maria's apparel here? All Nike Maria Sharapova Group. The Statement Tank in lemon frost/lightbulb $60 and Skort, in gridiron $60. Very pretty two piece set.

Dunlop signs auspicious American Tim Smyczek.

Dunlop tennis has signed Tim Smycek, a hot-on-court Milwaukee native, to a racquet deal. His win last week against Donald Young in the 2011 USTA French Open Wild Card Playoffs earned him the coveted ticket to Roland Garros.

Smyczek is hitting with a Dunlop Biomimetic 300 Tour. 

"Tim is a great signing for Dunlop," said Kai Nitche, Vice President and General Manager of Dunlop Racket Sports. "He possesses the key characteristics we look for in our Tour Team members; he works extremely hard both on and off-court, he's dedicated, and he pulls through in clutch situations. It's been a pleasure to work with him thus far, and we wish him well as he continues his climb up the ATP World Tour rankings."

The 23 year old trains at the Saddlebrook Resort in Tampa and now makes his second appearance in a Grand Slam main draw; he won the USTA playoff last August to get into the US Open. This year he's continued his upward momentum by reaching the quarters in San Jose in February and the second round in Indian Wells after qualifying for the main draw. 

Smycek currently wears adidas apparel and footwear. Yeah, you're right, he's hot off court too ;)

Here's his website.

 

TENNIS Magazine's Buyer's Guide 2011

TENNIS Magazine's 2011 Buyer's Guide is in their May issue. Pick one up if you don't subscribe.

If you are in the market for a new racquet or shoes this issue outlines playtester reviews of what's new with the biggest brands and tells it like the players felt it.

Read the dets closely and don't just buy a racquet model because your favorite player uses it. Look for features that suit YOUR game style.

In the background...my lovely Fila jacket, the one Kim Clijsters wore when she won the 2009 US Open. Still looks great doesn't it?

 

Tennis bags for style sophisticates.

One of my particularly stylish friends walked on court the other day carrying this tennis bag; I find it covetable in a way only hand-bags and shoes can be.

It's the Maggie Mather tennis tote in fuschia. Gorgeous color and quality. It comes in 9 incarnations but my favorites are the fuschia, teal, orange and black. Designer/owner Lynne Burns said she made the bags "for the player that wants a tennis racquet bag that works with what they have on, the person not interested in something big and logo-emblazoned." That's a lot of women according to what I see especially on adult USTA courts. Easy access totes are very, very popular and not all are as good-looking as this one.

The super sturdy but elegant fabric bag has a pocket to hold two racquets of any size, a large interior pocket (lined with zebra stripe print) as well as side pockets to hold on-court essentials and personal items. The bag goes over the shoulder and stands open nicely; nothing floppy about it.MSRP is $96 USD

New in the line are Maggie Mather racquet bags. See one in macaw green below. These stylishly hued and purposefully built bags can hold three racquets, a can of balls, a jacket and personal extras. MSRP 129.00 USD.

The racquet bag is a good option if you are travelling or need to keep your racquet handles away from the elements.

Find the bags at Tennis-Warehouse and tennis retailers nationwide. Use the contact info at Maggie Mather if you want to see where you can find a retailer near you.

The power of Power Balance.

I've seen Power Balance bracelets on a myriad of pro athletes. In tennis Victoria Azarenka, Mardy Fish and Sam Querrey are all wearers. But do these bracelets really work? 

 Power Balance touts its products as helping to improve balance, strength and flexibility. Earlier this year however, the company released a statement indicating that these claims may have been misleading.

According to the Power Balance website the brand is committed to bringing performance innovation to every athlete in the world from professional to recreational. We want everyone, no matter their level of activity, to maximize their potential and live life to the fullest." It goes on to note that "The founders of Power Balance™ have always believed in the benefits of various holistic practices and Eastern philosophies and set out to develop a product to more easily and affordably embody these beliefs."

The power of positive thinking may be big factor here. I found no scientific evidence on the site or packaging that explains how the technology works and so it could be that the "power" of the silicone bracelet with hologram insignias comes from being one with an elite group of athletes like Shaquille O'Neal, Dustin Pedroia, Drew Brees and many more. They do wear them to compete. Positive thinking IS powerful (as is celebrity endorsement) and just like we feel a little like Rafa wearing his shoes, or like Roger in a Rolex (will likely never experience that one), it is possible that people feel part elite athlete wearing Power Balance products simply by association and by the power of suggestion.

People do report feeling good wearing these. Karma baby. I am reminded of a quote: "Everything that is created begins in the mind" (Ruth Fishel, 1988).

More info at Power Balance. A bracelet retails for $30 and comes in a myriad of colors and collectible styles.

 

 

 

Is your tennis game headed outside again? Consider a string tension adjustment.

Those of us not lucky enough to live south are starting to head outside to play tennis again. After being indoors all winter the change takes adjustment. Going from 70 degrees to 48 takes some obvious wardrobe changes; add game adjustments factoring in wind, sun and noise but what about racquet strings?

I asked Ron Yu at Priority One (P1) tennis about making stringing adjustments for colder temperatures.

"Adjusting strings due to playing conditions can be a difficult thing to figure out since it can vary from player to player, said Yu. "In most cases, players will increase tension a bit when it gets warmer, and lower tension a bit when it gets colder.  So for players moving outdoors to colder conditions, they may want to lower tensions a pound or two."

That said, Yu added that "some of our clients like Gael Monfils will stick to the same tension regardless of the weather conditions.  He'll string his racquets at 26/25 kilograms no matter where he is."

And so, as in many things related to tennis, it's personal feel. 

Official 2011 Babolat Roland-Garros tennis equipment announced.

Two historic French brands have teamed up to offer a new Roland Garros range created by Babolat. The line-up includes tennis racquets, tennis bags, balls, over grips and more all themed with the color of the French Open's clay courts. Mais oui, yes they are sharp looking.

The Aeropro Drive French Open is the showpiece and comes in three Roland Garros versions to suit your ability: Aeropro Drive French Open, $199 unstrung (Nadal and Tsonga use this stick), E Sense Comp French Open, $99 strung (lighter of the two adult racquets), Aeropro Drive Junior French Open $140 strung.  Head sizes are the same on all three. Differences are in weight and construction. All are cosmetic updates to existing Babolat frames.

The Roland-Garros tennis bag comes as a six $60 or twelve pack $80, both have the isotherm racquet compartment which protects your string job from big temperature changes. There is also a back pack for $40 and club bag. New themed tennis balls, over grips and dampeners are also part of the collection.

Find the line soon at Tennis Warehouse or find a local retailer at Babolat. Available May 2011.

 

 

 

Drinkin' green on court. Hydration via Vapur.

Vapur, the good-for-the-earth "anti-bottle," is designed to let you tap water or whatever you drink on court anywhere. Tennis players, these space savers stand tall when filled and fold flat to a fraction when empty; no more empty water bottles rolling around your bag or at home on the counter. 

FDA approved and BPA free they are $10 USD for the .5L with a carabiner to attach to your bag. Wash in the dishwasher upside down. Freezable too. If you drink a lot while you play, bring two or more. I go through one pretty quickly.

According to Vapur only 23% of the 50 billion water bottles sold annually worldwide are recycled. 38 billion are dumped in landfills. Do your part, use a recyclable bottle and refill with tap water; 89% in the US meets or exceeds regulations. 

Find the bottles at Vapur or use the Find Store button on the site.

ASICS releases new tennis footwear for 2011.

ASICS has released four new tennis shoes for 2011. I have never worn a pair of ASICS so I can't vouch for them personally but a review of chat on past lines comes up glowing. Comfort and cushioning are recurring words. I know players who swear by them for those reasons.

The new tennis line-up starts with the flagship GEL-Resolution 3 for $115 USD offering synthetic leather with form fitting support and stability. Pictured above is one of the women's models. It also comes in white with purple accents. An impact guidance system is said to enhance the foot's natural gait cycle and heel clutch system insures feet stay put. There is a six-month outsole guarantee on this shoe. The men's version is 13.7 oz and women's is 11.9 oz. Men's colors: black with yellow accents and white with red accents.

The GEL-Challenger 8 is $20 less than the Resolution 3. Priced at $95, this shoe is made of synthetic leather and mesh and offers GEL cushioned comfort and support, including personal heel fit without the extra bells and whistles and without the six month guarantee. A men's version is pictured right in black and lime. It's also available in white with black. In women's it comes in white with fashionable maui blue or boysenberry accents.

The GEL-Game 3, $75, is a  mid-level shoe for players who want to be light on their feet. The men's is 12.6 oz and women's 10.4 oz.  Again, fewer of the extras but a solid tennis shoe. Men's also comes in white with crimson. Women's: white with purple or white with green.

The GEL-Dedicate 2 , $65 is the least expensive version in the new ASICS line-up (not pictured). It is also the lightest shoe. Women's: white with blue. Men's: white with charcoal.

Find more info at ASICS (there is a store locater there) or buy at Tennis-Warehouse (men's or women's) or tennis retailers world wide. BTW Tennis-Warehouse offers a site 6 month sole warranty on ALL of these shoes. That's pretty nice for those of us that chew through shoes.

"Ultimate" alliance generates co-branded Babolat Roland-Garros tennis gear.

Babolat has announced the launch of a new collaboration between Babolat and Roland Garros beginning this year and running through 2015. Babolat will supply the official tournament ball at the French Open and will provide stringing services for all tournament players.

So what does it mean to us?

Sure we'll see the ads but the alliance is being billed as the Ultimate Tennis Experience and true to Babolat's mission to reach "all tennis aficionados" -- see the artwork above -- we tennis mortals will have access to a brand new line of Babolat-Roland Garros products, both adult and junior racquets, balls, racquet bags, strings, grips and dampeners. A little love from France for our game too.

I'm looking forward to checking it out. The new gear will be available in May 2011. Roland Garros begins May 17.

Converse announces the Jack Purcell Evo for tennis.

Are you old enough to remember Jack Purcell's on court? Well they're back and designed for TODAY's tennis game. Really. The Harvard University tennis team is wearing them this Spring if you want to check them out in action.

The new Converse Jack Purcell Evo features Jack Purcell heritage in a high-tech reincarnation using current Nike technologies.

The shoe is classic in styling but fitted with the latest in Nike Flywire making it far lighter than the shoe of old. Click on the images here to blow them up.

The Evo combines on-court benefits like breathability, increased support for lateral movement and Nike Lunarlon foam for a light, bouncy feel, all while featuring the big trademark "smile" on the toe. Kinda retro, kinda not...in a good way.

The new to market tennis shoe will be available in crimson (that's Harvard's color) and white as pictured here in stores and online February 15, 2011 through the fall. More information on the JP Evo and images are below. MSRP $110.00. Unisex.

Find a retailer at Converse or buy after Feb. 15 at Tennis Warehouse and other online tennis retailers. Tennis-Warehouse is accepting pre-orders.

 

Novak and Andy's HEAD to HEAD Sunday.

Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic go HEAD to HEAD Sunday night in the men's singles finals of the Australian Open. This is their first time meeting in a Grand Slam final.

Both will wield a HEAD racquet. Djokovic, the new HEAD YouTek™ IG Speed MP, and Murray the HEAD YouTek™ Radical Pro.

Make a winning prediction on HEAD's Facebook page for a chance to win a signed racquet.

The final starts at 7:30 PM Australian Time 1/30. That means 3:30 AM EST US. Yikes. Can't wait.

 

New from Babolat, his and hers rockin' Roddick reds.

  

You can't help but notice Andy Roddick's seriously red tennis shoes. Flash-ehh? There's a women's version as well, though a tad more subdued. If you want the full blast ladies, go with a men's size like many women already do.

Andy Roddick's shoes are the new Babolat Propulse 3, the third reincarnation of the Propulse, $109. The women's version is the the Lady 3, $104 (USD). This is a solid but lightweight and breathable performance shoe. The velcro belts, as I call them, are great for securing the shoe for a snug feeling, very custom fit. Michelin man soles offer durability and traction.

 

Find them at Tennis-Warehouse  and Babolat dealers worldwide.

 

Prince unveils a slime green Beast XP in its new tennis string.

There has been a mysterious new tennis string on the market for the last six months. It was known simply as the green string of 361 nation. The users? Elite juniors participating in high level tournaments such as Eddie Herr and Kalamazoo. Hawked out of tents at these big deal events, young poly string loving players flocked and tried. What young gun wouldn't try something new, cool, dangerous looking and free? The slime green color, sly eye on the package and mystery of a new company all proved irresistible. They gave it a try and yes, they liked. Within the test period over 1,200 players in 50+ countries turned to the string and registered with the nation.

Day 1 at Australian Open 2011 was big reveal day for Prince. Yes, it is Prince behind the test, a company not known for success with poly string, which is why they kept the project under wraps.

With serious research and testing behind them, Prince has officially released Beast XP 1.30/16 g., a new thermo polymer string that is said to perform well at all tensions, create a lower trajectory (allowing you to take a bigger and faster swing at the ball) and offer great spin-ability. It has gotten high ratings from its new users in power, feel, comfort, spin and playability categories. Some players use it as a full set, others as mains in a hybrid job.

Prince says that its ATP and WTA players have been more cautious to transition to the string than juniors have been. Shahar Peer and Martina Sanchez are among the first to use it on the pro tour.

MSRP $15 USD. Learn more at BeastXP or buy soon at Tennis-Warehouse and tennis retailers worldwide.

Novak Djokovic's 2011 Racquet. HEAD Introduces a Speed IG Line.

Novak Djokovic hits Australia with a new HEAD racquet in hand, the YouTek IG Speed MP 18/20, one of six in the new HEAD Speed IG series.This second generation YouTek blends the best of the d3o technology introduced in '09 with HEAD's newest Innegra fiber technology. 

Tough and light, Innegra (also used in F1 cars) is said to improve stability and shock absorption and provide consistent performance over the entire life of the frame.  

The Speed series racquet group includes a 300 gram MP version of Djokovic's for easier playability (for those not at the higher echelons of the game).

Below are more details on the different versions of the series. All have just about the same cosmetic:

- YouTek IG Speed Pro: This racquet offers a heavier frame with a very thin beam, providing great touch and feel. It comes with a synthetic leather grip and cap.

- YouTek IG Speed MP 16/19: Offers a combination of power and feel in a slightly longer version to accommodate a wide range of players.100 sq. in. head.

- YouTek IG Speed MP 18/20: Djokovic's racquet. This stick will appeal to a wide range of players with its combination of power and feel. 100 sq. in. head.

- YouTek IG Speed 300: A more powerful MP version which makes shots faster with less effort. This racquet offers good power and control. 100 sq in. head, 16/19.

- YouTek™ IG Speed Elite: A Tour Light version providing tour performance with greater maneuverability. The slightly wider beam gives it even more power. 100 sq. in. head.

- YouTek™ IG Speed Lite: This is the lightest racquet in the Speed series. A great tweener providing a combination of power, maneuverability, control and feel. It’s a good choice for players with a moderate swing style. 102 sq in head, 16/19.

The YouTek IG Speed MP 16/19, YouTek IG Speed MP 18/20 and YouTek IG Speed Lite will all hit retail 1/17.  The YouTek IG Speed 300 and YouTek IG Speed Elite will not be available until March.

The tennis bag that goes with this line includes the Djokovic backpack (holds 1 racquet), combi (holds 3-5) or monster combi (holds up to 10 but that would be tight).

Learn more at HEAD tennis or test drive and buy at Tennis Warehouse or tennis racquet retailers worldwide.

 Djokovic's apparel, nice ehh? I'll leave it for another day :)

Prince tennis 2011. New racquets for a new year.

 

 

Prince tennis has announced its new performance racquets for 2011. The updated racquet line includes: Three EXO3 Tour models (EXO3 Tour 100 (16x18 string pattern), EXO3 Tour 100 (18x20 string pattern) and EXO3 Tour Lite 100) designed for more advanced players with faster swing speeds; and newly upgraded versions of the EXO3 Silver 115, EXO3 Blue 110, and EXO3 Red 105 models for beginner to intermediate players.

All six new EXO3 racquets will feature the distinct ThermoCarbon String Suspension Inserts (the larger holes) and will join the popular EXO3 Black, EXO3 White and EXO3 Rebel to complete the full 2011 performance racquet collection. 

According to Prince, EXO3 is a patented racquet design utilizing large holes and string suspension inserts that absorb vibration and deliver a larger hitting area compared with other frames of the same head size on the market. Strings are liberated from traditional, smaller grommets, allowing the strings to respond more freely, even at the outer edges of the string plane for balls hit off-center. 

"High-speed video shows that beginner and intermediate players are not the only ones who hit balls off center," said tennis guru Nick Bollettieri.  Pro athletes today compete at such an incredibly high pace,along the tightest of margins with very little reaction time - so nearly every ball they strike makes contact outside of the direct center string bed. ...[E]liminating grommets that limit string response...even out to the edge of the frame on balls players hit at full stretch or have less time to react to...allows players, at every level, to hit better shots, more consistently."

So who who's playing with what now at Prince?

EXO3 Tour: David Ferrer, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Sam Querrey, Albert Montanes, and Viktor Troicki.

EXO3 Black: Vera Zvonareva, John Isner, Shahar Peer and Marion Bartoli.

EXO3 Rebel: Gael Monfils, Mike and Bob Bryan.

Learn more at Prince or test drive or buy at Tennis-Warehouse or tennis retailers worldwide. Available January 17, 2011.

 

 

Cheap Tennis Fix under $20. Flair for Your Strings.

Tennis racquet vibration dampeners are designed to reduce the shock you feel when hitting a ball. Some people use them, some don't. If you do, express yourself baby.

Unlike the movie Office Space, less is more when it comes to flair. Suit your mood or interests, or have one custom made for your team. Find them at String-a-ma-jig. $4 each for ready-mades.

Tennis-Warehouse has all the brand name logo'd ones: Babolat, Prince, Gamma, Wilson and more...

String-a-mag-jig has the "smiley" Novak Djokovic used to use. I miss it. He's got a HEAD one in at the moment. That's the contract talking. 

Green Tennis: ORIGINE A Court Savvy Tennis Racquet that's Eco-Friendly.

Origine is a new-to-market Canadian brand. Their first tennis product is a racquet that combines performance and comfort in a stick that utilizes flax fiber in its structure. The company plans to roll out additional models in late 2011.

The Origine racquet has a long reach (27.25 in.) for higher power. Flax fibers are blended with carbon fibers for enhanced frame flexibility and vibration absorption. Unstrung the racquet weighs 10.2 oz. Head size is 100. 

Although flax represents only 15% of the frame fibers, use of the renewable material represents a positive step in a "green" direction. The company points out that a fully flax composed frame would be far too brittle for play. The current ratio insures performance and comfort. 

The Origine is currently being used by a number of pros around the US. Bill Patton, USPTA/PTR Tennis Pro with Chabot Swim and Tennis Club in Castro Valley California is one convert. "[It's an] arm friendly flexible racket, " said Patton.  It offers some 'pop' on the ball, with a nice even balance... It is also great to know that an effort is being made to reduce the carbon footprint of making tennis rackets."  

Designed with the intermediate to advanced player's needs in mind, this is not a racquet for beginners.

The Origine retails for $134.99 USD plus tax. Buy at Origine. 

A Princess Prince-less. Maria Sharapova works a new racquet at HEAD.

Leaving behind what was once called a lifetime deal with Prince, Maria Sharapova has joined the HEAD team -- tennis racquets only. She remains cozy and content with her Nike apparel deal. This is a big win for HEAD as Sharapova is a marquee super player who has huge marketing power despite her recent downs and ups in the game.

“We are proud to have Maria on board with so many other great tennis athletes like Novak [Djokovic], Andy [Murray] and Robin [Söderling]. She definitely helps us build a much stronger women’s team together with Victoria Azarenka and Svetlana Kuznetsova” said CEO of HEAD N.V., Johan Eliasch.

Sharapova can be seen playing with her prototype HEAD racquet with black and white cosmetic down in New Zealand at the ASB Classic. At this time, her new stick is only for her as she works with HEAD to develop a racquet that suits her performance needs. Look for the Sharapova-friendly HEAD racquet later in the year.

The partnership includes a high-performance tour racquet line, a range of junior and kid’s racquets, accessories, and tennis bags. Sharapova is expected to be closely involved in the development and design of these products, which will be launched in retail in fall of 2011.

Watch for more info on HEAD and on Sharapova's website.

Buying a new tennis racquet? Think twice about that bargain price. Counterfeiting is on the rise.

According to the Tennis Industry Association (TIA), tennis racquet counterfeiting is on the rise, to the tune of $30 million dollars a year. Anyone who has been in NYC has seen the counterfeit Rolex watches, Louis Vuitton bags, even MAC cosmetics being hawked on the sidewalks. Most of us know they're fakes. The problem with tennis racquets is that people do not realize they are being duped.

Counterfeit racquets are constructed and painted to look exactly like the real deal and are sold online or on auction sites at steal-of-a-deal prices often with free shipping tossed in. Don't bite.

Quoting Eric Babolat of Babolat directly from a TIA story, “These knockoff racquets just aren’t going to work the same way as the real frames. The inferior product and construction can cause harm to a player, and can definitely affect his or her enjoyment of the game. Also, the fake racquet won’t have the durability that legitimate manufacturers build into their products.” There is a good reason that cheap racquet doesn't play as well as its twin, the one you purchased originally from your local tennis shop.

What to do? Simply put, purchase only from well-known or authorized dealers. Fakes are very hard to spot and the best way to weed them out is not to take the chance. Price is usually the best indicator. Use the old adage, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Help the tennis industry fight the problem by reporting any suspicious sites to alert@tennisindustry.org.

Rule change indicates 10 and unders find tennis success with junior sized equipment.

"Other sports don't make kids play like adults," says the USTA, why should tennis? Picture a little-leaguer in Fenway Park. Just doesn't happen. Why should it for the littlest in tennis?

Junior sized tennis equipment has been around for a while but the USTA and ITF are beginning to incorporate it into official tournaments. Going forward, 10 and under level 7 tournaments will be officially listed as playing on full (78'), 60' or 36' courts. Each size court will have a different ball; none will use the yellow ball adults play with.

If playing on a full 78' court kids in this age group will use special low-bounce (regular size) "green-dot" balls; On a 60' court they will use an "orange" ball; On a 36' court they will use a larger "red" felt ball. The court size used depends on the facility holding the tournament. Some clubs are building in the smaller courts, others will adjust with blended lines.

The new balls are designed to have a different bounce, each is slower and lower than the yellow ball adults and teens use, helping smaller players learn the techniques and movement at their speed.  "Instead of simply being a teaching methodology, as it has been, using age appropriate equipment and court size allows children under 10 to compete in an age appropriate setting just like any other sport," says Anne Davis, the USTA's National Manager of Recreational Coaches and Programs .

This official change indicates that junior equipment and low bounce balls are making a difference. Kids are finding success on court faster. Davis says that the USTA is starting to see kids who began tennis on shorter courts with low bounce balls moving up into the 12s with great success.  

But what if your kid doesn't play tournaments? Take a page and look for one of these programs at your local club or buy a right-sized racquet and balls and head down to your public park. That hit with your impatient-to-be-good 6 year old will be a whole lot more fun.

A few equipment suggestions for beginners:

Ages 4-6: Start with a 21 inch Wilson Venus and Serena 21" or Wilson Federer 21" junior racquet (both under $20 USD) with Penn Quick Start Tennis 36' Felt Balls, $4.95

Ages 7-8: Try a 23 inch racquet. HEAD makes the Radical Junior 23" Tennis Racquet ($20), same balls as above or below depending on ability and height. 

Ages 9-10: Start with a 25 inch racquet. Babolat makes the Pure Drive Junior 25"  ($70) and Head makes the Junior speed for under $20 if you want to keep costs down while you check to see if junior's interest kicks in. Penn Quick Start 60' balls, $4.95 are what you want for this age group.

Height can make a difference, so if you have a tall 8 year old you might want to bump them up a length and into the 60' balls. Don't worry about grip size. They are all the same at the starter levels.

If you want to have fun without leaving home this Junior Tennis net is fun especially with Foam Balls. Mom and Dad, you'll think it's a gas.

Find Junior tennis racquets at sports and tennis retailers worldwide and online at Tennis-Warehouse and others.

Roger This. 1 Slam, 1 Championship, 1 masters, 1 500 and 1 250 in 1 year.

In addition to winning the ATP World Tour Finals for the 5th year in a row, Roger Federer has achieved one Slam, one Championship, one Masters, one 500 and one 250 tournament in 2010. Post U.S. Open, Federer's record is an impressive 21-2.

Federer grabbed this, his career 66th title with his trusty Wilson Six.One Tour BLX racquet in hand.

His shirt is the Nike Men's Winter Victory Masters Polo in Challenge Red (it also comes in a more subdued purple color called daybreak), $80 USD. You're paying for the mojo that is inherent in the RF on the sleeve.

Not happy you took down my sweet Rafa, Roger but congrats.

The jacket Rog wore to and from the court is the Winter Victory, $120 in a very handsome anthracite. I liked.

One sec; let's not take away from Rafa's year here, a successful and historic sweep of all three clay court ATP World Tour Masters1000 events and three Grand Slam titles; not shabby, not at all.

 Find the racquet and apparel at Tennis-Warehouse. Keep in mind Fed wannabes this racquet is best for those NTRP 5.0 and up. Take a look at the other Six.One sticks in the group. Same cosmetic, maybe a better fit for your game?

Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. Today O2, Tomorrow OZ.

The Barclays ATP World Finals are underway at the O2 arena in London and so far no great surprises.

There's a fair bit of Roger worship going on and the twitterin' tennis world doesn't like Andy Murray's new shirt (his first change all year). All-black might have proven a more effective outfit choice as it was for team Melzer/Petzschner.

For those unfamiliar, the Finals breaks the ATP's top men into two groups, A and B in both singles in doubles.

Play is round-robin format. In singles, before the top two in each pool advance to the semifinals for traditional, single-elimination play, each in the groups compete in at least three matches. Singles and doubles winners in A and B play finals matches Sunday, November 28.

Here are the groups:

A singles: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick and Tomas Berdych

B singles: Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Robin Söderling, David Ferrer

 A doubles: Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan, Mariusz Fyrstenberg/Marcin Matkowski, Juergen Melzer/Philipp Petzschner, Lukas Dloughy/Leander Paes.

B doubles: Daniel Nestor/Nenad Zimonjic, Mahesh Bhupathi/Max Mirnyi, Lukasz Kubot/Oliver Marach, Wesley Moodie/Dick Norman

Follow the standings here as they roll out. Predictions anyone?

Watch it on Tennis-Channel, online via Tennis-TV or using the iPhone app (look for BATPWTF in the iTunes store)

Next stop OZ (Australia).