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HEAD introduces Tour TV, new player video series. First up Robin Söderling.

HEAD tennis has introduced a new video series, Tour TV, profiling HEAD players and their racquets.

First up, Robin Söderling and his YOUTEK radical mp:

Andy Murray is first player in 15 years to win 2 consecutive titles in Canada. Last few days to register to win a hit with Murray in Miami.

Both the shirt and racquet are not new for Andy Murray but they helped him to a second con- secutive win Sunday in Toronto. On his way he defeated both world #1 Rafael Nadal and #3 Roger Federer. It was his first finals victory against Federer. 4th time's a charm in this case.

His weapon of choice is the HEAD Youtek Radical Pro,$210*

*that list price has come down - you can find it for $189 now

If you want to try and win a hit with the guy click on over to adidas and enter your name to win a day's training with Andy Murray in Miami. Contest ends 8/19/10.

Murray's shirt is the adidas Mens  Competition Traditional Polo $58 USD. It also comes in white with accents of signal blue. I prefer this one though, signal blue with acid buzz - love that name.

Here's what he had to say about his win and the upcoming US Open:

Toronto final Murray pleased to win title but still has US Open coming up

A Little Street Magic From Andy Murray and HEAD.

The folks at HEAD are at it again, cooking up a little video to promote the Youtek Radical Pro, their guy Andy Murray and his considerable racquet "skills." Some pre Wimby entertainment from the Scot:

 

HEAD introduces Youtek Star Racquet line AND offers up a chance to win a hit with Agassi and Graf.

HEAD has recently introduced its new YOUTEK Star Series, a range of racquets designed to meet the more recreational player's needs, primarily, power, control and comfort.  Both Andre Agassi and Stefanie Graf have been active in the creation of the new line and are offering up some doubles action with them in Vegas baby should you win. Click HERE for the contest info. 

“After playing with HEAD racquets for over 16 years...it was great to be able to work with [them] to develop a racquet series that will help players improve their games, said Agassi. There are three racquets in the new line up:

The YOUTEK™ Three Star – (black) The base ultra lightweight model that features d3o™ which adapts to your individual shots and Inner QuadFace for more power. The Youtek Three Star is great for players who don't use a full swing to hit the ball. The oversized head (115 sq. in.) is forgiving of off center hits, $180 USD

The YOUTEK™ Five Star – (white) Also for players with shorter more compact swing styles,  the Youtek Five Star includes d3o,™ Inner QuadFace and Outer QuadFace for maximum power, 2 part Control Ring at 10 & 2 o’clock for more control, and MultiZone Grip™ for maximum comfort. Headsize 107 sq. in, $225.

The YOUTEK™ Six Star – (blue) The flagship of the line which includes d3o,™ Inner QuadFace and Outer QuadFace for maximum power, 4 Part Control Ring for maximum control, and MultiZone Grip™ for maximum comfort.  The Youtek Six Star is perfect for intermediate players with shorter more compact swing styles. Headsize 107 sq. in., $250.

Another feature of all three racquets is the MultiZone Grip™ which is a one piece slide on grip that offers greater comfort and control during play.  It has special sweat channels and different non-slip surfaces for maximum feel.

It's tough to pick a racquet and manufacturer -speak is not always so helpful. As with any raquet purchase try them out before you buy, but do try. Any intermediate who has been playing with the same racquet for "I don't know how many years" --  I know you're out there, try something new. You might find the new technology confidence boosting/game changing for you.

Find a retailer at HEAD or test drive and buy at Tennis-Warehouse.

If you are super curious, here are all the techie deets on the Star Series technology:

d3o™ is able to sense the needs of the player during different shots, providing more power on aggressive shots and more precision on touch shots.  QuadFace extends the stringbed at key points of the frame providing longer strings and an enlarged sweetspot resulting in maximum power.  QuadFace can include Inner QuadFace, allowing the strings to be more flexible before reaching the grommets for a more forgiving sweetspot, and Outer QuadFace which extends the outside of the frame to allow the strings to be longer for a larger sweetspot.  Another YOUTEK™ feature is the Control Ring which helps reduce string deformation for added control.  It is available in a 2 piece Control Ring at the ten and two o’clock locations for excellent control and is available in a 4 piece Control Ring adding the four and eight o’clock positions for maximum control.

Thoughts on "The Superstar Effect," the Tennis Seesaw and the Laws of Physics

Today's Wall Street Journal presents an article entitled "The Superstar Effect." In it Jonah Lehrer details research that serves to prove that "From the playing field to the boardroom, when one competitor is clearly the best, the others don't step up their game - they give up." I don't think this is true in tennis.

Roger Federer, among the best tennis players of all-time, is an example of an "Intimidator." Yes playing him would be intimidating for most but for a top 50 player, with doubt tucked away (the kiss of death) and a lot happening right, a win IS possible. It's happened more than most light followers of tennis know.

Case in point, at the still-in-progress Sony Ericsson Open, Roger Federer, was taken out by Tomas Berdych who will play in the finals against Andy Roddick Sunday. Berdych is ranked #20 on the ATP World Tour. 

Another example,  the recent BNP Paribas Open,won by Ivan Ljubicic (pictured above left), a 26th ranked player who took out Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal (another "Intimidator") and Andy Roddick on his way to the victory.

I personally LOVE the tennis seesaw, the who's up who's down of it all. It's what makes watching matches so exciting.

It does appear that once marquee players hit it big in the marketplace their attentions are often pulled off court. That could be a factor in favor of opponents who are doing nothing but training. Federer and Maria Sharapova, talents with golden touch marketability, have struggled in some recent tournaments. Both have massive endorsement empires. Note that stumbles aside they are still currently #1 ATP and #12 (WTA) in the world respectively. Not shabby of course, but they can and have been beaten recently.

Novak Djokovic, ATP world #2, is earning big off court as well. Endorsement deals have followed his on-court successes but he too has had some recent stumbles.  Check out this recent video, which brings me to the physics portion of this post, a charming Novak Djokovic vs. Tennis Machine, a video sponsored by Djokovic's racquet company HEAD:

 Djokovic, like Sharapova and Federer, is another "Superstar" in the world of tennis. He like the others at the top need to watch out, because those standing on the lower rungs of the ranking ladder are hungry and while Djokovic, for example, is dabbling in physics, these future opponents are grinding it out, eyes on the prize, that tasty big win against a top ranked player.

This post was sponsored in part by HEAD.

Victoria Azarenka Powerful Pretty in Pastel.

 
Although vivid color in every spectral hue has infused on-court fashion for months now, Victoria Azarenka chalked up a pretty change to pastels at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami. Pictured here she wears Nike's new Break Point Dress, $80. Asymmetrical in styling detail, it picks up on the one shoulder trend out there but makes the look work under movement with the added striped shoulder strap. The Break Point has a built in bra, mesh panels for ventilation and a pleated under panel at the bottom for added movement and style.

The dress will be available April 1 in medium blue (the periwinkle color here on Azarenka), julep (a mint green) and aster pink. Those who can't/won't wear knock-you-over brights will be thrilled to see this splash of Easter-esq color in the fashion mix.

Azarenka plays with the HEAD YouTek Extreme Pro, MRP $190. Her shoes are the Nike Lunarlite Speed in white and pink, $115.

Available at Nike, Tennis-Warehouse and tennis retailers worldwide.

Agent X. Mikhail Youzhny's Racquet String.

 It's tough to see which string the pros are using on their racquets but some string makers are getting smarter, making sure you know. Witness the x on Mikhail Youzhny's racquet face.

The x is Pacific's logo. Youzhny's string of choice? The USRA Survey top-rated Pacific Tournament Pro ToughGut, a poly/gut hybrid string that offers gut's love, power and control plus durability, $22.95 per set. Not cheap but anything involving gut never is.

The string comes in 16, 16L and the Russian's choice, the thinner 17 gauge. It has a natural/light orange color scheme.

Youzhny's racquet is the Head YOUTEK Extreme Pro, MSRP $190. You will usually see both the Head and Pacific logos painted on the strings. His apparel? adidas.

Learn more at Pacific, HEAD or buy at Tennis-Warehouse.

The Prestige Racquet is Reborn. HEAD launches New YOUTEK Prestige Series.

HEAD has given its legendary Prestige tennis racquet a modern day boost with its newest technology, YOUTEK (the technology was actually introduced last year in the HEAD Speed and Radical series). Stanislas Wawrinka and Tommy Haas have been using the new Prestige racquets during the Australian Open. Gilles Simon is also a convert.

"YOUTEK can actually sense the needs of the tennis player during different shots to perfectly match your game," said Roger Petersman, senior business manager of tennis racquets for HEAD Penn Racquet Sports. The technology incorporates d3o in the racquet shaft.

d3o is a smart material which dynamically changes its behavior under loading or impact. The upgrade is said to provide a softer touch and better feel on slow speed impacts like slices and drop shots and stiffness necessary to create power on high speed impacts such as serves and passing shots. Sounds interesting ehh?

The Prestige series includes the Prestige Pro, Prestige Mid and Prestige Mid Plus (pictured here). All are MSRP $225 USD. The Prestige Mid Plus (or MP) is the choice of Wawrinka, Simon and Haas.

As usual take some time to look over the specs including weight, head size, string pattern and more to find the racquet that best suits your game and style of play.

Learn more about the racquets or find a retailer at HEAD or test drive and buy at Tennis-Warehouse.

Andy Murray Debuts 2010 Spring/Summer adidas Competition Line for Men at The Hopman Cup.

Andy Murray made his adidas debut today representing Great Britain at the Hopman Cup in Perth Australia. Looks good in the stripes; switch approved. Pictured above he wears the new adidas apparel Competition line and the Barricade V ($120 USD) in signal blue, white and acid buzz (a color that reminds me of Rafa's electrolime bandana last year)

The Competition Polo ($58) and Bermuda shorts ($45) feature state-of-the-art adidas trade-marked Climacool and Formotion technologies that help keep you cool and comfortable. The polo also comes in white with blue accents but I like the buzzed combo best.

Murray's stick? The HEAD YOUTEK Radical, msrp $210.

Check out some studio video footage of Andy HERE.

Find the looks soon at adidas and Tennis-Warehouse. Learn more about the racquet at HEAD.

Svetlana Kuznetsova Clinches China Open Title. Her style, gear and the U.S. Open practice ball.

Props to Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia who won the women's title at this year's China Open. Earlier this month she secured a spot at the WTA's year-end Sony Ericsson Championships in Doha, Qatar.

Kuznetsova has had one of her best seasons on Tour this year, capturing the trophy at Roland Garros, her second Grand Slam title, as well as winning two additional Premier titles at the Internationali BNL d’Italia (Rome) and Porsche Tennis Grand Prix (Stuttgart), defeating World No.1 Dinara Safina in all three finals.  To date, Kuznetsova has defeated a reigning World No.1 player six times. Why not more exposure for this woman?

I personally have a soft spot for Sveta as she said hello and handed my young daughter her practice ball after a blistering warm up hit at the U.S. Open. Despite the heat and tournament pressure she was one no-airs-about-her ambassador for the game. Impression made; witness the ball emblazoned "Svetlana Kuznetsova's Practice Ball"  and always, "How's Svetlana doing?"

Pictured above in Beijing, Kuznetsova wore the Fila Heritage Cap Sleeve Top, $48 and Skort, $45, one of the year's most winning women's outfits. Kim Clijsters wore it to win the U.S. Open. I looked at some of the other pieces from the group earlier in the season.

Kuznetsova plays with a HEAD MicroGel Extreme Pro with Teflon.

Find her style at Tennis-Warehouseand Fila. HEAD has more info on the racquet.

Novak Djokovic wins the China Open. His Beijing gear and style.

Congratulations to Novak Djokovic who just claimed his third title of the year at the China Open in Beijing. Djokovic plays with the HEAD YOUTEK Speed Pro.

Pictured left, trophy overhead, he's sporting the adidas  competition warm up top, $85 USD. He mixed things up a bit and broke out the orange Fall Edge Djokovic Top, $65 in his final match against Marin Cilic. Great to see him win but I really prefer the darker (pure steel inset) shirt he wore at the U.S. Open. It's my personal fly favorite on N.D. at the moment. 

Orange or grey, you can combine either of the shirts with the adidas Fall Edge 10" short in pure steel and the CC Genius Novak shoe, $120, for some serious adi hotness.

Find Djokovic's gear at: Tennis-Warehouse and adidas Tennis . HEAD has more info on the racquet.

New Reebok Tennis for Women. Fashion, Function, Fabulous.

 

Reebok has a dynamic ladies line-up ready for fall. Debuting some of the best will be Amelie Mauresmo who will wear Reebok's new Club UV Tank ($35 USD) and Skort ($35) at the U.S. Open. The Chemical Blue two-piece set is ultra lightweight poly/spandex, total comfort. The top has a key hole back with an elegant touch of mesh and ruching on the upper arm holes in the front. At the waist it offers a looser fit waist so no belly cling but enough coverage when reaching.

Shahar Peer, pictured below, will wear the OTM Sleeveless Vest ($45) and Skort ($40) in phantom blue/wildberry and neon cherry (skort not pictured). The top has wide criss-cross straps accented by a contrasting thin one, pretty touch. The cut is beautifully slimming for wide shoulders and the colors deliciously different. This top is a tighter fit around the waist than Mauresmo's above.

Peer's outfit picks up the colors of the Fall Go Sweat Dress you'll see on Nicole Vaidisova ($60).  If you avoid fitted spandex dresses because of the way they cling to the mid-zone, give this one a try -- the pattern hides any bumps or bulges and the colors are downright flattering on anyone. Great chest coverage without too much extra fabric. Awesome in the heat.

Iveta Benesova will wear the sculpted Ombre Dress ($60) in Chemical Blue. This dress is built of stretch piecework with illusion mesh straps and accents of metallic. It's got a bit of a corset/lingerie look but is completely athletic. The black with gold version is stunning.

All of the women's tops and dresses are PlayDry, made with a built in bra that provides medium impact support and a bit of thickness in the cup for modesty.

Standing O. Love, love, love this new line and man is it comfortable to play in. 

On their feet: Benesova and Peer, The Reebok Rematch; Vaidisova, the KFS Pump Advantage.

Look for the line at Reebok retailers and  Tennis-Warehouse.

HEAD introduces the new YOUTEK Radical Series. On Deck, Andy Murray.

Radical changes are in hand for one of the world's best selling racquet frames as HEAD launches its YOUTEK™ Radical Series, one of which Andy Murray plans to switch to in the coming days.

 The YOUTEK Radical Series uses the same YOUTEK technology as  the Speed Series stick that Novak Djokovic plays with; both lines include d3o^TM and grommets with Teflon reducing polymer to reduce friction during hits. YOUTEK is a "smart material" technology that allows the racquet to respond to the specific kind of shot you are hitting,

The differences between the two lines? The new YOUTEK Radical Series offers a combination of power and control for the more classic player. It is not as stiff or heavy as the Speed Series which has a thinner beam and is more of a power choice for heavy hitters.

The three new YOUTEK Radicals include: the YOUTEK Radical Pro (Andy Murray's choice) $210 USD (pictured), the YOUTEK Radical MP/OS a mid-plus and oversized head version, both $210; and the YOUTEK Radical Lite, $200, a super light feeling racquet that makes manuverability a breeze.

New bags for the series are pictured. There are four bags ranging from the 2 racquet backpack, $50 to the 10 racquet Supercombi, $70. All except the backpack offer protection from extreme temperatures.

The HEAD Tour Team bags (orange in color) actually match the new racquet better so if you are a package look lover, that's the bag you want for this stick.

Visit HEAD for more information. Tennis-Warehouse has a demo program so you can play before you buy.

Tommy Haas' Wimbledon Wardrobe.

Tommy Haas has changed his shirt a few times on the way to the upper echelons of Wimbledon.

Pictured here he wears the new K-Swiss Color Blocked Crew in white and black, $50 USD and Accomplish Short, $35. Mesh inserts in back and under the arms add great ventilation. 

His earlier round alternative was the Accomplish Crew, $30 and his quarterfinal round, the Topstich Polo, $55. Befitting the quarterfinal round, the Polo is a more dressy looking choice, made of performance spandex pique with five topstitched strips across the right chest. Sharp dressed man. 

His hat, the Performance 6 Panel Cap, $22. His racquet, the MicroGel Prestige Mid Plus.

Find the gear at K-Swiss, Head and Tennis-Warehouse.

Image: Haas Sets for a Return, June 29, 2009 courtesy LIFE.

The Gear that Powers Robin Söderling, Super Swede.

  

Robin Söderling of Sweden rocked Nadal and Paris all the way to the Roland Garros finals -- his first trip to the upper echelons of a Slam. Here's what powers his game besides major league drive:

His apparel? Loose fitting, bright white and lemon yellow zip front crew and black shorts, all to-be-released Lotto. Shoes? Lotto Raptor Extreme, $84.99. Racquet? The Head MicroGEL Radical MP, $210 the same racquet that Andy Murray uses.

Find Söderling's gear at Tennis-Warehouse, Head and Lotto.

Svetlana Kuznetsova Wins French Open Title Making Her Grand Slam Total Two. Her Gear.

 

Props to Svetlana Kuznetsova on her trophy win at Roland Garros. This was her second career Grand Slam win. Her first was at the 2004 U.S. Open at age 19. Clearly, despite a few bumpy years, the woman is no fading flower. She won the Porshe Grand Prix at Stuttgart earlier this year (beating Safina there as well).

Kuznetsova plays with the Head MicroGEL Extreme with Teflon, $200. Pictured here she is wearing the new Fila Women's Center Court Cap Sleeve Top, $48 and court skort in pink, $45. For more on the new Center Court collection, click here.

Find Kuznetsova's gear at Fila, Head or Tennis-Warehouse.

Tourna Grip introduces Tourna Tac. Victoria Azarenka takes it to task at Roland Garros.

 

WTA player Victoria Azarenka is the face of the new Tourna Tac grip. Pictured here at Roland Garros you can see hints of the new "tacky" version of the original Tourna Grip. Tourna Tac comes in pink, white and light blue and offers a wet, sticky feel with good moisture absorption in a very soft feel grip. It comes in 3, 10 and 30 packs, $6.25-50.95 USD.  The bros Bryan and Vera Zvonareva also use it.

Looking around the Roland Garros courts, Tourna Grip appears to be the choice of many players. The trademark light blue color and red finishing tape can (sometimes) be seen on the racquets of: Dinara Safina, Elena Dementieva, Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova, Dominika Cibulkova and Alexa Glatch. The company says that about 40 percent of men on the tour use Tourna Grip. I've seen it on the racquets of: Andy Murray, Andy Roddick, David Ferrer, Sam Querry, Giles Simon, Mikhail Youzhny, Dmitry Tursunov, Tommy Haas, Juergen Meltzer and James Blake. Look around and see who else you spot.

We've noticed that Tourna Grip doesn't slip when wet offering great traction when the grip becomes damp or wet in hot humid conditions. The new tacky version takes it one step further -- good for cooler conditions and for those players who simply prefer tacky (many of them women).

Azarenka's style...the top is the Nike Dri-Fit Day Tank in medium blue with with a dash of electrolime as accent. Pair it with the Nike Day Women's Tennis Skirt, $60 which has a very cute, brief pleat at the bottom. She wore the white version in Miami; you've gotta be trim to wear it.

Learn more at Unique Sports, Nike or Tennis-Warehouse.

Image: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Sony Ericsson WTA Tour

Svetlana Kuznetsova and Anabel Medina Garrigues take Titles Using Head MicroGEL racquets.

 

In a Russian showdown Sunday, Svetlana Kuznetsova (pictured above right) won the Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart, defeating World No.1 Dina Safina in straight sets. This is Kuznetsova’s first WTA title since September 2007. Kuznetsova plays with the HEAD MicroGEL Extreme Pro with Teflon® polymer racquet, $200 USD and wears Fila.

Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain (above left), who plays with the same racquet as Kuznetsova, conquered the title of Fes, Morocco, winning against No. 8 seeded Ekaterina Makarova. The victory in Fes marked her ninth career title – the first one in 2009. Garrigues wears adidas.

Buy or learn more at HEAD or Tennis-Warehouse.

HEAD Launches YOUTEK Racquet Line. Finally, the Scoop on Novak Djokovic's New Stick.

Although we have been entertained by Novak's teaser speed lessons, class is over with the unveiling of HEAD's new YOUTEK^TM line. What's all the fuss you ask? It's actually pretty cool.

HEAD YOUTEK offers a technology that adapts to every shot you hit using d3o^TM  in the racquet shaft. d3o is a "smart material" that dramatically changes its behavior under impact. It reacts to the needs of a player in nano seconds providing a softer touch and better feel on slow speed impacts, like slices and drop shots, and increasing in stiffness to create power on high speed impacts, like serves and passing shots.

YOUTEK racquets also offer Teflon^® friction reducing polymer in the grommets which allows strings to slide with little friction or energy loss, translating to more powerful hits.

The following new HEAD racquets are part of the series: Speed Pro, $225 USD, used by Djokovic (above); the Speed MP 16/19 and 18/20 $225; Speed Elite, $210: Speed Lite $210; and Speed Junior $120. The racquets are designed for player levels in that order as well.

Learn more at HEAD or test drive and buy at Tennis-Warehouse.

Victoria Azarenka Electric in Electrolime.

 

Victoria Azarenka, aka Vika, will meet Serena Williams Saturday, this time healthy (hopefully), and for the Sony Ericsson Open title.

Vika's gear: Azarenka plays with the Head MicroGEL Extreme Pro with Teflon polymer, $200 USD. Pictured above in Miami she wears the Nike Women's Slam Day Tank, $60, and Skort, $60 in white with electrolime accents. There'a cute cover-up top for this outfit too, the electrolime Nike Women's Trend Cover up, terry with a vivid pink zipper, $60. Sharp. Could she look more color coordinated?

Find a racquet retailer at Head or shop Nike or Tennis-Warehouse.

Image Matthew StockmanGetty Images. Sony Ericsson WTA Tour

HEAD Signs Novak Djokovic. New Racquet Technology Coming in April.

 Novak Djokovic has signed with HEAD and is playing with the company's newest, not-yet-released technology in Brisbane this week. "This gives me an exciting opportunity to play with a racquet that has the technology with the right feel to compliment my aggressive style of play," says Djokovic.

We mere mortals must wait until April for a chance to check it out. We'll keep you posted.

Image: Courtesy of HEAD

HEAD's Wawrinka Brings Home Gold From Beijing

Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka (pictured here) and Roger Federer earned an Olympic Gold Medal in men's doubles after a 6-3, 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-3 victory over the Swedish team of Thomas Johansson and Simon Aspelin.

On their way, Wawrinka and Fed defeated the No. 1 seeded Bryan brothers, playing for the US, 7-6(6), 6-4. That was a surprise.

Wawrinka plays with the HEAD Flexpoint Prestige MP, a favorite of one of our team members.

Find a retailer or learn more at HEAD. Tennis-Warehouse carries the racquet and offers more info as well.

New Power Loaded Racquet Technology from HEAD

Want more power? HEAD Penn Racquet Sports just announced its latest technology, CrossBow, a power-loaded construction in five new racquets for beginners through advanced (level 4.0). CrossBow technology features an independently moving bridge suspended from the frame that adds pace to your game by helping the racquet to store energy in the stringbed like a bow being loaded. CrossBow lines include a built-in stabilizer to help eliminate racquet vibration and with 10 main strings through the bridge, a larger than standard sweetspot.

For men the line includes the CrossBow 10 and CrossBow 6 (orange above, msrp $250.00) and for women the Airflow 7 (black above, msrp $225.00 ) Airflow 5 and Airflow 3 (pink above, msrp $180.00). Learn more, find retailers and check out all the details on the new line at HEAD. They are coming in July 2 at Tennis-Warehouse.