ISSUE 2-2018

NEW PRODUCTS
HEAD SHOES
TECNIFIBRE BAGS
ASHAWAY COATING
INDUSTRY NEWS
YONEX NEWS
TENNIS EUROPE
SNAUWAERT IS BACK
WORKSHOPS
GERMANY & ITALY

THE MAN, THE RACKET

THE LEGEND
THE BABOLAT DECIMA RACKET

PRO STRINGER MAGAZINE IS FREE FOR ALL ERSA MEMBERS

1
DISTRIBUTION OR RESELLING ARE NOT ALLOWED
www.ersa-stringers.com

ISSUE
2-2018

CONTENTS
04 My Serve
06 New Products
18 Industry News
26 ERSA Schedule
29 Australian Open
31 ERSA ATW

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PRO STRINGER MAGAZINE

European Racquet Stringers Association
ERSA Australia - Noel Dodds

My Serve
ERSA Benelux
Timo van Driel, Rob Maessen

ERSA Czech Republic & Slovakia

Vaclav Smat
Welcome to Issue 2 - 2018 of ERSA Pro Stringer Magazine.
ERSA Germany, Austria, Switzerland
Mike Emenako, Mark Maslowski
I am happy to see that many of you are coming to the 2018
ERSA Greece - George Pahiakos Symposium. We are getting inquiries everyday. If you want to
come and have not signed up, please contact me immediately
ERSA Italy - Marco Rossani to reserve a place. The hotels are almost full now.
ERSA Ireland - Roger Henry
The schedule of presentations and workshops are included in
ERSA Korea - Taikki Lee this issue. We are happy to welcome new Corporate members
and new presenters for the first time this year including
ERSA Latin America Snauwaert, Stringingpedia, Dunlop, Luxilon, Sergetti
Ricardo Dipold
Stringing, Stringlab, Pro-T-One and Unstrung Customs. We
ERSA Serbia - Dr. Alexander Ducic have a wide range of presentations and workshops that will
be interesting to everyone.
ERSA Spain / France- Richard Parnell
We would like to welcome Stringlab and Pro-T-One as new
ERSA Taiwan - Bernie Chen
Corporate String Supplier members and both will be giving
ERSA UK presentations at the Symposium.
Paul Skipp, Huw Phillips, Dr. Jamie Pethick Dennis Fabian of HEAD will be presenting the new tuning
center at the Symposium along with the new HEAD Sensor.
ERSA Ukraine - Sergey Konovolenko We have been swamped with questions about the tuning
FOUNDING MEMBERS center for the last year and I am sure everyone will be looking
Ashaway Babolat forward to testing it along with the updated HEAD stringing
Head Isospeed machines.
Kirschbaum Luxilon
Pacific Wilson
Our new ERSA China manager, Roger Luo, will be attending
CORPORATE MEMBERS also along with our Chinese certification testers. Anyone
Ashaway Head Babolat interested in getting tennis products produced in China can
Prince Isospeed Yonex speak to them about getting contacts with manufacturers.
Gosen Tecnifibre

STRING SUPLIER MEMBERS This issue contains a large number of tennis, badminton and
Apollo Leisure MSV String Kong squash product introductions including shoes, bags, strings
Krischbaum Signum Pro and rackets. Next month we will
have an article on the Symposium
ASOCIATION MEMBER and lots of new products
PTR Europe TIA UK
Tennis Europe introduced to our members.

TECHNICAL CONSULTANTS Best regards,

Rod Cross - Australia - Physics
Gabe Jarmillo - Pro Tennis Mark Maslowski
European Racquet Stringers Association
Lenaustr. 38 40470 Düsseldorf, Germany
Phone/Fax: +49 (0)211 688 14151
www.ersa-stringers.com

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www.ersa-stringers.com

New Certified Stringers

ERSA now offers certification for different levels of stringers, from beginners to the top professional stringers
in the world. The first level is ERSA Stringer is for new stringers to show they have completed a stringing course
and learned to string correctly. Certified Stringer is for stringing services, such as coaches, club stringers, shop
stringers, after passing a day of practical and written tests. Master Racquet Technician is for shop stringers
and owners who can tune rac-quets, string at a high level and have a broad knowledge of products for their
customers. Pro Tour Stringer certification is for MRTs who are stringing at ATP and WTA tournaments. There are
3 levels for this certification, Level 1, Level 2 and Master Pro Tour Stringer.

Master Pro Stringer Level 1

Myrto Simtzi - Greece

Pro Tour Stringer Level 1 Tennis

Javier Casau Moreno – Spain
George Kastimonitis - Greece ERSA PROFESSIONAL STRINGER

STRINGS
MADE IN GERMANY
SINCE 1985
 www.ersa-stringers.com
NEW PRODUCTS

FAST JUST GOT

COMFORTABLE
HEAD LAUNCHES NEW SPRINT PRO 2.0
AS PART OF ON-GOING FOOTWEAR RIVALRY
The all-court game is fast, thankfully HEAD’s new premium performance Sprint Pro 2.0 is faster. The perfect
combination of explosive energy and agile finesse, HEAD’s lightest performance shoe is especially designed for
the fast versatile game.

Perfect for players who need to sprint to the point, the new Sprint Pro 2.0 comes with the latest HEAD
technologies that ensure optimal support and comfort. HEAD’s TRI-NRG technology provides exceptional shock
absorption, torsional support and energy return with every step. The unique and fast low-to-the-ground midsole
construction with the integrated HEAD Cooling System unit keeps players’ feet cool at all times.

The fast Sprint Pro 2.0 is one half of HEAD’s on-going internal footwear rivalry with the strong Revolt Pro 2.5.
Engineered to withstand the backcourt’s tough conditions with the help of several technologies such as the
durable HEAD Hybrasion+ rubber for less abrasion, the Revolt Pro 2.5 is the perfect partner for the aggressive
baseline player. In addition, the HEAD Energy Frame keeps the foot in place and provides lateral and medial
stability, while the HEAD TRI-NRG outsole technology ensures comfort during long baseline rallies.

The launch of HEAD’s new footwear will be supported by a campaign on head.com from February 5th onwards.
In a special sweepstake, tennis fans are able to answer a few questions on their footwear preferences before
being given the optimal shoe for their individual needs. A total of 50 lucky winners will receive their respective
shoe for free.

Besides, the Sprint Pro 2.0 and the Revolt Pro 2.5 are available
as of January 17, 2018 with different outsoles and in various
colors for both men and women at selected retailers
and online.

6 ERSA PRO STRINGER // ISSUE 1-2018

 RO 2.0
SPRINT P
THE ALL-COURT GAME IS FAST.
NO TIME FOR ANYTHING, JUST RUN.
YOU NEED HEAD’S LIGHTEST PERFORMANCE SHOE, EVER.
SPRINT TO THE POINT.

.COM
 www.ersa-stringers.com
NEW PRODUCTS

ASHAWAY’S NEW
SURFACE COATING
New textured coating an evolution of ZyMax
technology to stiffen feel, add control
Ashaway Racket Strings has developed a proprietary textured surface coating for their ZyMax® line of
badminton strings. New coated strings will be dubbed “ZyMax TX,” and like their ZyMax Fire siblings, will utilize
Ashaway’s proprietary BETA polymer fibers and be constructed using the company’s special ZyWeaVe™ string
core technology. The textured surface coating on the new strings will provide a stiffer feel and add a measure
of control.

“We continue to evolve our ZyMax string technology based on player feedback and new technical developments,”
said Steve Crandall, Ashaway Vice President. “Our new ZyMax TX strings with the textured coating will allow
players even more choice in selecting the best string for their particular style of play.”

ZyMax badminton string benefits include: sensational elasticity and dynamic stiffness for maximum shuttle
speed and explosive repulsion; optimum power and durability, including incredible knot and loop strength; and
exceptional tension holding ability for consistent, reliable performance. ZyMax strings are the only ones on the
market to use Ashaway’s BETA polymer, which provides a 25% improvement in dynamic stiffness, and in knot
and sheer strength over most popular badminton strings.

Ashaway’s trademarked ZyWeaVe technology generates a string core that is stronger and holds tension better
than traditional badminton strings. This allows for thinner, more playable strings that perform consistently at
higher tensions throughout the life of the string.

Initially, two Ashaway string models with the new

coating will be introduced, ZyMax 68 TX and ZyMax
64 TX, at 0.68 and 0.64 mm (21 and 22 gauge)
respectively. They will be available in white, orange
and optic yellow, and in both sets and reels.

Ashaway Racket Strings are made by Ashaway

Line & Twine Mfg. Co., the only U.S. manufacturer
of string for squash, tennis, racquetball, and
badminton. Operated by the Crandall family
since 1824, Ashaway has been making racquet
strings since 1949, and is responsible for several
important technical innovations. Ashaway has
been the Official String of USA Racquetball for
more than fifteen years. Ashaway Line & Twine
Mfg. Co. also makes braided products for medical
and industrial applications.

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NEW PRODUCTS

YONEX VCORE YONEX POLYTOUR

PRO 97 G STRIKE
Named Tennis The new game-
Magazine’s 2018 changing string
Editor’s Choice for from Yonex
Best Player’s Frame
Tennis Magazine – a premier American tennis Yonex is proud to unveil
publication - called the VORE PRO 97 G an “all- its newest tennis string,
court weapon that exhibit(s) the smoothness POLYTOUR STRIKE,
and consistency of classic control frames, but in a which allows players
lighter package.” They went on to add, “it was easy to confidently strike
to whip through the hitting zone for a little extra with overwhelming
pop on serves and ground strokes. Having one less power, precision, and
cross string than its predecessor offered more spin long-lasting tension
potential, as did the added torque from the more performance.
flexible graphite and thinner beam.”
Traditionally, polyester strings are known for
The VCORE PRO, the new flagship model of the their durability and spin potential, but with the
VCORE series, is the racquet of choice for three-time major downside of quick tension loss that results
Grand Slam champion Stan “The Man” Wawrinka in uncontrollable shots. Upon several requests
(SUI), as well as ATP Next Gen stars Frances Tiafoe from top tour players, Yonex began research and
(USA) and Hyeon Chung (KOR). To meet the needs of development towards a revolutionary polyester
these players’ games, the VCORE PRO incorporates string with a focus on long-lasting attacking power.
a revolutionary next- generation graphite, called After meticulous lab and field-testing with tour
“Namd1,” which provides for a unique flex and fast players, Yonex developed a formula that was tour-
frame snapback, allowing players to grip the ball and proven to provide players with the extra “pop”
fire-off aggressive, attacking spin. they seek with minimal tension loss. Studies
compared POLYTOUR STRIKE to the market-leaders
in power-oriented polyester strings, with results
showing a 1.7% and 0.4%*1 power and ball speed
increase, respectively. Additionally, POLYTOUR
STRIKE performed significantly better at tension-
maintenance, allowing players to focus on their
game rather than their equipment.

During the 2017 season, both Caroline Garcia and

Denis Shapovalov competed with the prototype
POLYTOUR STRIKE, catapulting them both to their
career-high rankings. Like all of Yonex’s POLYTOUR
products, the strings are manufactured in Japan,
under Yonex’s renowned high-quality standards and
controlled conditions.

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NEW PRODUCTS

NEW BAGS FROM

TECNIFIBRE
A place for everything. everything at its place

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Designed for Pro‘s. This monofile polyester string offers ultimate control
combined with high ball speed. Now released!

Diese Monofile Polyestersaite wurde speziell für die Anforderungen auf der Profitour entwickelt. Volle Kontrolle bei
hoher Beschleunigung. Jetzt released nach erfolgreichem Einsatz auf der Tour!

ERSA PRO STRINGER // ISSUE 2-2018 11

www.isospeed.com
 www.ersa-stringers.com
NEW PRODUCTS

TECNIFIBRE
CARBOFLEX X-SPEED
The racket developed with Mohamed El Shorbagy

12 ERSA PRO STRINGER // ISSUE 2-2018

SIGN-UP 2018
Sign up Now for 2018 and free membership until January 1.
Become a member today and receive:
- STRINGERS DIGEST
- PRO STRINGER MAGAZINE - 10 ISSUES
- WEB ACCESS
- DISCOUNTS ON ADVERTISERS PRODUCTS
- FREE SAMPLES
- REDUCED PRICES ON WORKSHOPS AND CERTIFICATION
- ANNUAL MEETING / SYMPOSIUM - Value 600€ for 149€ -
Minimum 100€ in Free Samples plus prizes worth 100s €

MEMBERSHIP FORM 2018

1 Year Membership - 99€ /// 2 Year Membership - 180€ /// 3 Year Membership - 230€

Name

Address

Postcode City

Country

1. Year Membership 99 Euro

2. Year Membership 170 Euro

3. Year Membership 220 Euro

Credit Card
AMEX VISA Mastercard

Card Number Exp. Date

Signature

Please Fax or e-Mail this form to European Racquet Stringers Association.

Phone & Fax: +49(0)211-68814151; E-Mail: [email protected]
 www.ersa-stringers.com
NEW PRODUCTS

GAMMA. WHAT’S NEW?

GAMMA Jet
• Composition: Co-polyester Twisted Monofilament
• Gauge: 16L (1.28 mm), 17 (1.25 mm)
• Color: Blue
• Sets: 40’ (12.2 m)
• Reels: 660’ (200 m)
• Twisted ribbed shaped profile offers a textured surface for maximum
ball bite allowing players to generate huge amounts of spin.
• JET offers greater ball pocketing for better feel and control.
• Maximum tension maintenance for long lasting playability

GAMMA Gut
• Composition: Multifilament Construction
• Gauge: 16 (1.32 mm), 17 (1.27 mm)
• Color: Natural
• Sets: 40’ (12.2 m)
• Reels: N/A
• TNT processed high energy dual center core offers greater power.
• Outer filaments are twisted and bonded together in a polyurethane
matrix for maximum elasticity and resiliency. This construction
provides optimal power, control and comfort.
• Maximum tension maintenance for long lasting playability
• Abrasion resistant TPU coating resists notching

GAMMA MOTO 17 /TNT 16 Hybrid

• Composition: Mains – Moto Polyester 
Crosses – TNT2 Premium Synthetic
• Gauge: Mains – 17 (1.24 mm) /  Crosses – 16 (1.32 mm)
• Color: Mains – Black /  Crosses – Natural
• Sets: Mains - 22’ (12.2 m) / Crosses - 20’ (6.1 m) 
• Reels: N/A

Moto Main Strings

• Seven sided profile to generated maximum spin
• Longer durability
• Maximum tension maintenance for long lasting playability

TNT2 Cross Strings

• TNT2 cross strings allow for greater feel, comfort and
• Maximum tension maintenance for long lasting playability

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NEW PRODUCTS

GAMMA Fashion Overgrips

Extend fashion to your forehand while crushing your competitor.
GAMMA’s proprietary high tac polymer surface combines traction with
moisture absorption for a non-slip grip.

Maximum tension maintenance for long lasting playability

GAMMA String Things

Three new categories paired in packages of two in the combinations below. Also available in jars and refills.

ERSA PRO STRINGER // ISSUE 2-2018 15

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NEW PRODUCTS

Robin Söderling’S
NEW Tennis String
A MULTIFILAMENT WITH NATURAL GUT FEELING
Robin Söderling Tennis has added a new string to their growing product line.
A multifilament made in Japan. A long time in development, Robin tries to
product only the best products in his company.

The ultimate multifilament string developed by Robin Söderling together

with Japanese engineers. The string was designed to play close to gut and
have a better durability than other multifilaments.

The RS New York is in their opinion as close as you can come a NATURAL GUT
string in terms of feel and they think that Robin has developed the worlds
best multifilament string.

We also recommend you to use this string in a

hybrid string bed. It gives the ultimate soft feel
with great touch and spin potential.
Play like Natural Gut but much less expensive.
RS New York comes in 16 or 17 gauge (1.30 mm
or 1.24 mm) and Natural color.
Length: 12.2 m

For more information : www.rs-tennis.com

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NEW PRODUCTS

THE BABOLAT
DECIMA RACKET
CELEBRATING RAFAEL NADAL’S 10 CLAY COURT VICTORIES
In 2018, Rafael Nadal will defend his title at Roland-Garros. Babolat has chosen to launch a special edition racket:
the PURE AERO DECIMA. With unique, vivid cosmetics, this racket sums up the relationship between the Spanish
player, his Babolat equipment partner, and Roland-Garros.

Designed for fans of tennis, of Rafael Nadal and of Roland-Garros, the PURE AERO DECIMA racket is the ultimate
symbol of passion for tennis, performance at the highest level, and victory. The PURE AERO DECIMA was
conceived and developed for Rafael Nadal as a testament to his legendary performance... and those to come

HONORING RAFAEL NADAL:

THE MAN. THE RACKET. THE LEGEND.

On the design side, the PURE AERO DECIMA racket is On the technical side, PURE AERO DECIMA belongs
a one-of-a-kind personalized model with cosmetics to the PURE AERO range: rackets optimized for
celebrating Rafas 10 Roland-Garros victories. unparalleled spin and power

• Weight: 300 g
• Head size: 645 cm2
• Suggested Retail Price: £210 (unstrung)

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Legendary Snauwaert brand re-enters

U.S. Tennis Market
Known for groundbreaking racquet design and elite craftsmanship beginning in 1928, Snauwaert has officially
announced its re-entry into the US tennis market. With a new, first-of-its-kind business model that departs from,
and disrupts, current category conventions, Snauwaert will deliver, exclusively, direct-to-consumer services.

The brand will sell its newly designed range of performance and youth racquets, strings, grips and bags through
its e-commerce website, www.snauwaert.com. In the process, the typical intermediate steps of traditional
retail will be fully eliminated, thus allowing for significant investment in the development of a widereaching,
full service brand ambassador network of coaches globally. Counter to what other brands have traditionally
done, Snauwaert ambassadors will receive a commission, and be compensated, for the first time ever, for their
promotional activities, thus fuelling the growth of the brand and its sales.

The company is led by an all-star collective of

sporting goods executives who, in recent years,
have delivered some of tennis’ most innovative
thinking in product design, promotions,
marketing, logistics and customer service. Chief
Executive Officer and owner, Roberto Gazzara,
former head of research and design for Prince
Sports, Inc. will be based out of the company’s
Italian headquarters, and will be joined by Vice
President of Sales and Marketing, Ken Merritt,
an acclaimed grassroots and promotional
marketing expert credited for helping to create
the blueprint for modern day tennis promotional marketing. An expert third-party operator will oversee all
logistics, customer service and warehousing out of its Louisville, Colorado facility, while a hand-selected team
of branding, public relations and digital/social media agency partners based in Italy, Spain, Argentina and New
York City will develop and execute the brands’ marketing communications initiatives.

“Our mission is simple. We are here to serve tennis and finally take a truly active role in helping the player,”
said Gazzara. “We have created a full product line designed to suit players of all levels and have developed an
innovative program that will provide high-touch, ‘white glove’ individual concierge support to every Snauwaert
player prior to, during and after their equipment selection process - in order to ensure each has the absolute
right product in hand.”

In less than two full months, the brand has grown its tribe of promotional sales representatives in the US to
more than fifty elite ambassadors. These individuals are top-tier instructors in their local markets charged with
providing the consumer with a real-time resource and a better, more personal experience, at every touch point
along their journey.

“Our customers are our end users,” said Merritt. “Our business model is to present Snauwaert racquets direct
from us to the end user. We answer to, and want to interact directly with, them. We made a conscious decision
to serve at the pleasure of the people who play this great game of tennis. They, not anyone else, are our number
one priority, period.”

For more information, images, interview requests or product demo opportunities,

please contact: [email protected] or visit: www.snauwaert.com

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INDUSTRY NEWS

MSV News
First of all we congratulate Scott Duncan and the
entire Great Britain Team on winning GOLD at the
World University Championships Master’U BNP
Paribas 2017 end of last year. Scott is ATP player. He
plays the MSV Focus Hex 1.27 string and the MSV
Overgrips Cyber Wet.

Jonas Erikssson who runs the tennis blog tennisnerd.

net play-tested the MSV Focus Hex Ultra. Have a look
at what we says about our string. http://tennisnerd.
net/gear/strings/msv-focus-hex-ultra-string-
review/6998 The guy next to Jonas still prefers
another string brand.. No idea why!

Finally we congratulate Daria Lodikova on winning

the 15,000 US$ ITF tournament in Hammamet
(Tunisia) on christmas eve last year. Daria (21) who is
from Russia plays our best-seller the MSV Focus Hex
1.23 Tennis String and the MSV Cyber Wet overgrips.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

DeHart, Mast, Waite elected to PTR Board

Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) is pleased to announce three new members of the PTR Board of Directors
were elected at the organization’s Annual General Membership Meeting. The new board members who will serve
three-year terms are Directors-at-Large Ken DeHart and Delaine Mast, and Jack Waite, who is serving as Secretary.

Ken DeHart, San Jose, Calif., is a Charter Member and former

Executive Director of the organization. He is PTR International
Master Professional and Clinician. DeHart was named PTR
Professional of the Year twice. Currently, he is Director of Player
Development at Alameda Valley Athletic Club. DeHart co-wrote
the International Book of Drills with Dennis Van der Meer, has had
numerous articles published in tennis magazines, and produces
seven coaching DVDs. A coach and a player, DeHart has earned
gold medals in the South Bay Senior Games and the Huntsman
World Senior Tennis Games.

Delaine Mast, Lancaster, Pa., has been National Director of WTT

Community Tennis and inner city high school boys’ and girls’ tennis
coach since 1986. Mast has become a household name within the
tennis community and embodies the slogan “growing the game”. She is
the Executive Director of Tennis Central, an NJTL chapter that combines
tennis and learning to change lives and serves more than 2,000 Lancaster
youth. Mast served as President of USTA Middle States, and was later
appointed as USTA National Chair of the USA Tennis 1-2-3 Committee. In
2010, she was elected to the USTA Board of Directors and was the Vice
Chair of the Strategic Planning and Creative Opportunities Committee.
Mast was inducted into the USTA Middle States Tennis Hall of Fame,
received the USTA Eve Kraft Community Service Award. A PTR member
for 25-plus years, Mast is prior Chair of PTR Women’s Committee, who in
2017, received the International Tennis Hall of Fame Educational Merit
Award and Tennis Industry magazine’s Grassroots Tennis Champion of
the Year.

Jack Waite, a native of Wisconsin, is currently residing in Riverside, Conn. Waite

played tennis for the University of Wisconsin, and after graduating embarked
on a 10 year professional tennis career where he reached a career high ATP world
doubles ranking of #44. He accumulated doubles wins over Roger Federer, Boris
Becker, Patrick Rafter, Michael Chang, Goran Ivanisevic, and the Bryan Brothers
among others. After retiring from the pro tour, Waite helped found Le Petit Tennis, a
company that specializes in teaching tennis to young children around the world, and
later joined PTR as their Director of Development. Currently, Waite serves as Director
of Racquet Sports at Burning Tree Country Club in Greenwich, Connecticut. His other
volunteer service includes roles as a member of the USTA Nominating Committee
and the Chair of the Pro Circuit Committee.

PTR is the largest global organization of tennis teaching professionals and coaches with nearly 16,500 members
in 125 countries. It has the greatest percentage of multicultural and women members of any such organization.
PTR is dedicated to educating, certifying and serving tennis teachers and coaches around the world in order to
grow the game.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Seven coaches earn PTR Masters of Tennis

Seven coaches recently completed the education requirements
to earn the PTR’s highest coaching certification, the PTR Master
of Tennis (MOT).

Earning MOT–Adult Development certifications are: Greg Fowler,

Manhattan Beach, Calif.; Tom Ruth, Bluffton, S.C.; and Linda Van B.
Stafford, Villa Hills, Ky.

Earning MOT–Performance certifications are: Ed Duffy, Delray Beach, Fla.; Dr. Doug Eng, Medford, Mass.; Andy
Dowsett, Essex, England; and Karsten Weigelt, Berlin, Germany.

The Master of Tennis program is open to PTR members who hold a Professional rating and develops the coach’s
ability to plan comprehensive club programs for all ages and to use competence-based coaching skills.

WTA Finals awarded to Shenzhen, China

The WTA has selected the city of Shenzhen, China to host the prestigious WTA Finals from 2019 through 2028.

Gemdale Corp., one of China’s largest real estate developers, submitted the winning bid, which includes building
a state-of-the-art venue in the city’s downtown with seating for 12,000 people and record prize money of $14
million for the Top 8 singles players and Top 8 doubles teams, doubling the previous purse.

Dunlop player Kevin Anderson wins the

first New York Open
After his win at the Dunlop sponsored
New York Open, five months after his
US Open final Kevin Anderson rose
to number 9 in the ATP rankings, his
highest ranking ever. Anderson won
the final 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 against American
Sam Querrey using his Dunlop Srixon CX
2.0 Tour LE.Anderson reached 4 finals in
2017.

Dunlop is now sponsor for New York

along with Rom, Madrid, Monte Carlo
and Shanghai.

Dunlop was the official ball and

stringing service in New York.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

European Tennis Trophy

France has captured the European Tennis Trophy for Overall Performance for a sixth time,
retaining the title to spend a second successive year atop the league table of Tennis Europe’s
50 member nations. Established to recognise and reward the annual achievements of Tennis
Europe’s member nations, the European Tennis Trophy
considers the performances of players and teams representing national tennis federations
across four disciplines
of the sport throughout the season.

The key to France’s overall victory was once again down to strong performances in all the
contributing categories in 2017, with the nation retaining the Professional Tennis Trophy and
appearing in the Top 5 of all other contributing categories - Junior, Senior and Wheelchair Tennis.

Tennis Europe and HEAD renew partnership

Tennis Europe has extended its partnership with leading equipment manufacturer HEAD through 2017, launching
a second decade of cooperation between the two organisations. As premier partner of the European Tennis
Federation, HEAD has been recognised as the Official Racquet, Tennis Ball and Tennis Bag since 2007, and is
heavily involved in Tennis Europe’s junior activities.

Under the terms of the agreement, HEAD is promoted as the Recommended Ball of the Tennis Europe Junior
Tour, which consists of well over 360 international tournaments for players aged 12, 14 and 16 & Under, with
events held in almost all 50 of the member nations of the International Tennis Federation’s largest regional
association. The partnership swings into action this week, when the sport’s largest indoor team competition,
the Tennis Europe Winter Cups by HEAD, will see more than 190 national junior teams in action across the three
agecategories.

HEAD will also continue to serve as title sponsor of the 12 & Under summer team event, the Tennis Europe Nations
Challenge by HEAD, and as Official Partner of the Tour’s most prestigious individual events, the European Junior
Championships, and the season-ending Tennis Europe Junior Masters.

Tennis Europe President Vladimir Dmitriev

said, “We are delighted to announce this
extension to our successful partnership.
HEAD’s commitment to the development
of the sport, as well as to connecting
with and offering opportunities to the
next generation of leading players
is unquestionable, and together we
have been able to bring new services
to players, tournament organisers and
federations. We look forward to another
year of growth on the Tennis Europe
Junior Tour.” Ottmar Barbian, Executive Vice President of HEAD Racquetsports commented, “Tennis Europe is
a trusted partner for HEAD, not least because of their invaluable efforts to promote and develop the sport of
tennis. Together, we support the next generation of tennis players and we are
excited to continue this productive partnership in 2018.”

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Next Gen’s Tiafoe captures his first ATP title

On the final day of the Delray Beach Open (Delray Beach, America 2/19
– 2/25), Next Gen ATP player Frances Tiafoe (USA) soundly defeated
Peter Gojowczyk of Germany (6-1, 6-4) to claim his first ATP finals win.

Tiafoe used his VCORE-powered shots to successively defeat top-

10-ranked Juan Martin del Potro (Argentina) and Australian Open
semifinalist Chung Hyeon, resulting in a historic first ATP tournament
win for a wild card entrant.

“It’s unbelievable,” said Tiafoe. “It’s an amazing feeling and I just hope
I can get many more as I go along.” The achievement represents a
major breakthrough for Tiafoe, achieving a new personal best ATP
ranking of 61*, while continuing to aim for even greater heights.

Players using VCORE flourished in the tournament, with three of the top four — Tiafoe, Steve Johnson (USA) and
Dennis Shapovalov (Canada) — wielding the racquets.

Denmark, England and Japan among countries

to appear at the 2018 Thomas & Uber Cup!
On May 20th, the men’s and women’s national teams competition, TOTAL BWF Thomas & Uber Cup 2018,
officially gets under way in Bangkok, Thailand. Participating countries were determined based on the results of
the qualifiers held in each region. BWF also announced additional participating countries with consideration to
world ranking points. While both the men’s and women’s contests are expected to be hotly contested, all eyes
on the men’s side will be fixed on Denmark, who won its first title at last year’s tournament. Among the women,
China has been dominant, winning the past 3 championships, but Japan swept the Asian Group Championship
and hopes to secure their first title since 1981.

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DIFFERENCE
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Leichtergasse 28 - 39012 MERAN
ERSA PRO STRINGER // ISSUE 2-2018
Fon: +39 0473 230097 - www.ptrtennis.de - [email protected]
www.ersa-stringers.com
INDUSTRY NEWS

Elina Svitolina wains first Tie Break Tens

competition in the United States
Elina Svitolina triumphed over Shuai Zhang to win the $250,000 champion’s prize at
New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden

Having seen off Venus Williams and CoCo Vandeweghe in the previous rounds of the
new fast-paced, short-form tennis competition. “It’s amazing to win the first ever Tie
Break Tens tournament in the US,” said Elina Svitolina. “I had a lot of fun out there on
the court and it was great to see the crowd get behind the speed and intensity of the
game.”

James Blake new director for the Miami Open

Retired pro player James Blake is the new tournament director for the Miami Open. This new position was
created for Blake, who will be in charge of player relations, media, broadcast and tournament improvements
and innovations.

Williams sisters in the fifth Tie Break Tens

Serena and Venus Williams are slated to participate in the fi fth tournament of the Tie Break Tens series, which
will be held at Madison Square Garden in New York City on March 5.

The contest is the first time a Tie Break Tens tournament will be held in the U.S. Tie Break Tens tournaments are
held over one session and involve eight players competing in a knock-out format, with each match consisting
of a super tie-break to 10 points.

Fila extends with Ashley Barty

Fila has extended its relationship with WTA No. 19 Ashleigh Barty of Australia, the 2017 Newcombe Medal winner.
American player John Isner debuted his new racquet, the Prince Beast 100, at the Australian Open in January.

Martina Hingis involves in the Fed Cup Swiss-Team

Recently-retired world doubles #1 Martina Hingis has taken on a role as Fed Cup Coach with Swiss tennis.

Conchita Martinez & Garbiñe Muguruza

Conchita Martinez has taken on a role as advisor to the team of Garbiñe Muguruza.

ERSA PRO STRINGER // ISSUE 2-2018 25

 www.ersa-stringers.com
INDUSTRY NEWS

Roger Federer back to World #1

By winning the Rotterdam title recently, Roger Federer returned to the world #1 spot and moved three titles
away from another milestone – 100 tournament victories. Jimmy Connors holds the all-time record for
tournament wins with 109.

Victoria Azarenka return at Indian Wells

Alongside new coach Slava Konikov, Victoria Azarenka will return to the WTA Tour at the Indian Wells tournament
next month. Fellow new-mum Serena Williams has also accepted a wild card to return to action in the Californian
desert.

2018 Fed Cup dates

Draws have been announced for the 2018 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group and World Group II playoffs, due
to be played on 21-22 April.

The World Group sees Belarus host Slovakia, Romania host Switzerland. The Netherlands travel to Australia
while Italy will host Belgium. In the World Group II, Russia hosts Latvia, Spain hosts Paraguay, Ukraine travels to
Ukraine and Great Britain will be visiting Japan.

World Tour Players Sponsors

Novak Djokovic has signed an endorsement deal with footwear brand Asics, while Simona Halep has joined
Nike’s team of top athletes.

Roger Federer,meanwhile, has renewed his agreement to serve as global ambassador for Mercedes-Benz. And
Grigor Dimitrov is the new face of Häagen-Dazs ice cream.

Samsung & WTA

Samsung is the new title sponsor of the WTA tournament in Lugano, Switzerland, due to be played from 9-15
April..

26 ERSA PRO STRINGER // ISSUE 2-2018

 www.ersa-stringers.com
ERSA SYMPOSIUM

2018 ERSA Symposium

Here is the updated Symposium Schedule. We will offer again 1 free Private Stringing Lesson to everyone. Additional
lessons can be booked with the Master Pro Tour Stringers for 40€ for one hour.

April 6
20:00 Welcome Cocktail

April 7
9:00 – 10:00 Annual General Meeting
10:00 – 10:30 Dunlop – Product Presentation
10:30-11:30 Unstrung Customs – Racket Painting – Nikki Roenn
11:30-12:00 Coffee Break
12:00-13:00 Presentation – Richard Parnell – Natural Gut
13:00-14:30 Lunch Break
14:30-15:15 Luxilon Strings – Nico van Malderen
15:15 – 16:00 Stringingpedia – Giancarlo Sparla
16:00 – 17:00 Sergetti Stringing Method - Peter Masters
17:00 – 18:00 Private Lessons
18:00 – 19:00 Managers Meeting

April 8
9:00 – 10:00 Grip Moulding – Ricardo Dipold
10:00 - 11:00 – Yonex – Product Presentation
11:00-11:30 Coffee Break
12:30-13:15 - Gabriele Medri --- pro-t-one – Tuning Equipment
13:15 – 14:30 Lunch Break
13:30-14:00 – Stringlab – Luigi Bortoni -
14:00-15:30 - HEAD Tuning Center and Sensor
15:30 – 16:00 – String Kong – Product Presentation
16:00 – 17:00 Badminton Stringing Business – Mark Goodman
17:00 – 18:00 Stringing the ERSA Way – Mark Maslowski
18:00-19:00 Private Lessons

April 9
9:00-12:00 Workshops – Tuning, Painting, Grip Moulding, Badminton Stringing. We will have 4 90 minute workshops
going on with small groups at one time. These will be from 9:00-10:30 and 10:30 – 12:00 repeated for each workshop.
Sign-up is mandatory and limited places available.
12:00-13:30 Lunch Break
13:30 – 15:00 Workshops depending on demand.
15:00 – 18:00 Private Lessons
14:00- 17:00 Tennis Racket and String Testing – On-court – Yonex, Dunlop, Snauweart, Head

April 10
9:00-13:00 Certification Testing
Departures

Thanks to the Sponsors - Dunlop, HEAD, Yonex, Kirschbaum, Snauwaert, Kimony, Pro-T-One, Stringlab, String Kong, MSV,
Luxilon, Sergetti Stringing,

28 ERSA PRO STRINGER // ISSUE 2-2018

2018 ERSA
Symposium and Annual 6 - 10 April 2018
General Meeting Milano, Italy
Friday, April 6, 2018
20:00 – Welcome Cocktail – Excel Milano 3 Hotel
Samstag, April 7, 2018
9:00 – 17:00 Presentations – Excel Milano 3 Hotel
followed by private lessons
Sunday, April 8, 2018
9:00 – 17:00 Presentations – Excel Milano 3 Hotel
followed by private lessons
Monday, April 9, 2018
9:00 – 13:00 Presentations – Excel Milano 3 Hotel
14:00 - 17:00 Racquet and String Testing - Sporting Club Milano 3
9:00 - 13:00 Certification Testing
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
9:00 – 13:00 Certification Testing

Sign-Up Sheet
Excel Hotel Milano 3 - Piazza Marco Polo 14, 20080 Basiglio (Milano)

ERSA Member 149€ Single - 94€ / Double - 104€

ERSA e-Member 199€ Single check-in check-out
Non-Members 249€ Double check-in check-out

Excel Next Hotel 3 - Via Sardegna 7, 20090 Fizzonasco (Milano)

(No breakfast and 1km away from meeting room. Breakfast in Sporting Club from 2€)
ERSA Member 149€ Single - 54€ / Double - 54€
ERSA e-Member 199€ Single check-in check-out
Non-Members 249€ Double check-in check-out

Company
Name
Address
Postcode City Country
Phone E-mail Date
Credit Card Amex VISA Mastercard
CC Number Exp.Date Signature
Please E-Mail or fax this sign-up sheet to: [email protected] +49(0)211-68814151
 www.ersa-stringers.com
AO 2018

Australian Open 2018:

New Stars and Veterans Shine Bright
Over the fortnight, Team Yonex showed grit and determination.
Former Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber made a strong
start to the year with a 14-match win streak. In Melbourne, she
made the semifinals facing the current World No.1 Simona Halep
in a long, heated battle. On the men’s side, Next Gen Champion
Hyeon Chung became the first ever South Korean to make a Grand
Slam semifinal. The young gun scored the biggest wins of his career,
taking out No. 4 seed Alexander Zverev and former Australian Open
champion Novak Djokovic.

Shingo Kunieda returned to the Grand Slam spotlight with an epic

battle in the final against Frenchman Stefan Houdet. Kunieda
mounted a comeback from three match points in the final set to
win his first Grand Slam title in 3 years. The win comes after having
joined Team Yonex this year, and the 47-time Grand Slam champion
accredits his EZONE 100 in unleashing powerful groundstrokes.

A new member to Team Yonex is Hungarian Timea Babos.

Switching to the VCORE SV 98, Babos secured the Women’s
Doubles title and finished as runner up in the Mixed
Doubles event. The big-hitting Hungarian loved the new
frame. “The racquet has a lot of speed and lots of control,
which gives me confidence in my shots,” she expounded.

The Yonex Stringing Team closes out another exciting year

Down Under in Melbourne at the 2018 Australian Open.
The team was comprised of a diverse mix of stringers from
all over the world: 24 stringers from 15
different countries. Each technician on the team was
devoted to providing top-level stringing to support the
world’s best, working from the early hours of the morning
to late at night. Tournament stringers are some of the
unsung heroes behind the Australian Open. The Yonex
Stringing Team is proud to serve at the year’s first Grand
Slam event, nicknamed the ‘Happy Slam.’ This year the
team totaled 5,206 restrings throughout the tournament,
with a maximum of 500 per day.

Shingo Kunieda (EZONE 98) (JPN)

Timea Babos (VCORE SV 98) (HUN)

Hyeon Chung (VCORE Duel G 97) (KOR)

Angelique Kerber (VCORE, POLYTOUR FIRE 120) (GER)

30 ERSA PRO STRINGER // ISSUE 2-2018

www.ersa-stringers.com
AO 2018

Australian Open 2018 in figures

Denis Shapovalov PolyTour Strike 125 @ 49lbs

Nick Kyrgios PolyTour Pro 120 @ 55lbs
Hyeon Chung AluPower 125 @ 56lbs

Daniel Nestor Natural Gut/Timo 117 @ 17/15lbs

Dustin Brown Lux Original 16 @ 36kgs
 
24 stringers from 15 different countries
Total 5,206 restrings
Maximum of over 500 in one day

Popular strings: Brands Ranking:

 
Pros Pros
1.        AluPower 1.        Luxilon
2.        RPM Blast 2.        Babolat
3.        VS Touch 3.        Yonex
4.        4G 4.        Solinco
5.        PolyTour Pro 5.        Head
   
Juniors Juniors
1T.   PolyTour Pro 1.        Luxilon
1T.   RPM Blast 2.        Babolat
3.  Alu Power 3.        Yonex
4.  Lynx 4.        Head
  5.        Solinco
ERSA PRO STRINGER // ISSUE 2-2018 31
 www.ersa-stringers.com
ERSA ATW

Workshops Germany
Beginner Workshop - April 21 -22, 2018
Advanced Wrokshop - April 28-29, 2018

Workshops Italy
06/04/2018 - 10/04/2018 Tutto il giorno
2018 ERSA AGM & Symposium in Italia Sporting Club Milano 3, Basiglio - (Milano)

15/04/2018 09:00 - 19:00

Sessione di esami PS/MPS DNA Tennis – shop & lab, Milano - (Milano)

15/04/2018 09:00
Workshop One To One Michele Fabbretti, Senigallia - (AN)

16/04/2018 09:00 - 19:00

Workshop ADVANCED Marco Rossani c/o DNA Tennis – shop & lab, Milano - (MI)

22/04/2018 09:00
Workshop BASIC Michele Fabbretti, Senigallia - (AN)

29/04/2018 09:00
Workshop ADVANCED Michele Fabbretti, Senigallia - (AN)

29/04/2018 09:00 - 19:00

Workshop BASIC Marco Rossani c/o DNA Tennis – shop & lab, Milano - (MI)

30/04/2018 09:00 - 19:00

Workshop One to One Marco Rossani c/o DNA Tennis – shop & lab, Milano - (MI)

06/05/2018 - 21/05/2018 Tutto il giorno

BNL Internazionali d’Italia 2018 - SOSPENSIONE CORSI sedi di Milano/Senigallia BNL
Internazionali d’Italia, Roma - (RM)

28/05/2018 09:00 - 19:00

Workshop BASIC Marco Rossani c/o DNA Tennis – shop & lab, Milano - (MI)

New ERSA Germany, Austria, Switzerland Website going online this month.

We are expecting up to 70 Members attending the 2018 Symposium from Europe, Middle East, Asia, North
and South America and Africa. We still have a few places open for last minute bookings!

32 ERSA PRO STRINGER // ISSUE 2-2018

 LT P R O2 .5
REVO
IT STARTS ON THE BACKCOURT.
GET THE HEAD REVOLT SHOE WITH A SECURE FEEL,
DESIGNED TO TAKE YOU ALL THE WAY TO THE WIN.
THE BASELINE GAME NEEDS A REVOLUTION.

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