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Asics Debuts BZ 100 Performance Racquet

Asics America announced Dec. 9 the introduction of the BZ 100, the company’s first-ever performance tennis racquet designed to give competitive players controllable power.

“With the launch of the BZ 100, we are introducing to the market racquet technology options that have never been available, and we strongly believe it will positively impact players’ performance,” says Kevin Wulff, president and CEO of Asics America Corp. “The tennis category is a key focus for Asics globally as we move into 2015. We’ve seen great success with our tennis footwear and expect this innovative racquet will follow in the same footsteps.”

The BZ 100 features Asics’ new patent-pending Bending Zone technology, which adjusts the flex distribution in the frame, giving players the ability to better control the ball without sacrificing power, says the company. Asics says it reduced the height of the throat by 30 percent compared to an average player racquet, resulting in a substantial reduction in the stiffness of the frame and a larger “sweet spot.” The optimized flex, says the company, will also result in a reduction in vibrations and less drag in the head.

The BZ 100 is 27 inches, 11.2 ounces strung with a more rounded 100-square-inch head shape. Suggested retail is $189. Visit AsicsAmerica.com.

K-Swiss Unveils New Brand Identity

K-Swiss has introduced a new brand identity that celebrates its place as the only heritage American tennis brand. The new look brings the brand back to its founding roots in 1966 and is characterized by a directional logo, classic 1966 typeface and signature Brunner Blue colorway inspired by the blue color on U.S. tennis courts.

“With the resurgence of K-Swiss and our brand positioning around heritage American tennis, it was time to refresh the elements of our brand identity,” says Barney Waters, CMO of K-Swiss Inc, which is based in Westlake Village, Calif. “We’ve managed to modernize the symbols while retaining the elements that have long-term equity, such as the color combination and the shield.”

The new minimalist shield logo retains the classic K-Swiss Five Stripes trademark, though the orientation of the stripes has changed — the stripes now point upward.

The red, white and blue K-Swiss logo has long signified America as the place where the brand was introduced, but now a new color has been introduced, Brunner Blue. Named for K-Swiss’ founders, brothers Art and Ernie Brunner, the color matches the shade of blue found on America’s tennis courts, including at the US Open. The color will be introduced into all K-Swiss branding elements, including the logo, packaging, retail displays and website.

The company’s signature “Classic” shoe, the first all-leather tennis shoe, made its debut at Wimbledon, and almost 50 years later, is still considered a style staple. K-Swiss relaunched its brand in 2009 and it is now distributed in more than 80 countries.

WTT Celebrates 40 Years

Mylan World TeamTennis commemorates its 40th season with a yearlong marketing and promotional program that includes special events and fan engagement initiatives. The 2015 WTT season will run July 12-Aug. 2, with finals that will air live on ESPN2. ESPN 3 will also broadcast a number of matches throughout the summer.

“As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, Mylan World TeamTennis maintains its pioneering spirit and commitment to push the boundaries of our sport in the name of fan entertainment,” says founder Billie Jean King. “Throughout our rich history, Mylan WTT has been a showcase for world-class competition as well as the fundamental values of gender equity, access, and community.”

Gerflor Buys Connor Sport Court

Gerflor, a global leader in the design and manufacture of resilient flooring, has acquired Connor Sport Court International. In a statement, Gerflor said the two companies’ combined resources will enhance their ability to offer more innovative solutions and improved services to customers, including worldwide sport associations.

“The acquisition of Connor Sport Court International is an extremely exciting development for Gerflor, as it brings a world-class organization into the Gerflor family to strengthen our position as a world leader in sports surfaces. It is also a major step to strengthen our Group sales footprint in North America,” says Bertrand Chammas, CEO of the Gerflor Group.

“We look forward to being part of the Gerflor Group,” adds Ron Cerny, CEO of Connor Sport Court International. “It provides the unique opportunity to further expand our sales throughout the world and provide truly complementary solutions to our customers.”

Gugel Honored at IART Symposium

Master Racquet Technician John Gugel, the 2012 Tennis Industry Magazine Stringer of the Year, received the “Lifetime Achievement” award during the 2014 IART Symposium, held at the end of September at Saddlebrook Resort in Tampa, Fla. “John has done it all in our industry, from tournament stringing to designing racquets,” said IART Executive Director Tim Strawn. “He’s the consummate professional who is long overdue recognition for his contributions to the racquet sports industry.”

The five-day IART event focuses on those in the racquet sports industry who work in the service side of the business. “We added new speakers this year and covered some new ground, all of which was well received,” Strawn said. “Classes on successful Pro Shop Management, a new class presented by Babolat’s Lucien Nogues on “Ball Effect,” and a new and improved six-hour racquet customization class were included in the program.”

This was the organization’s eighth conference and plans are under way for 2015. Strawn also announced that Ron Rocchi of Wilson, a participant from the symposium’s start, will be the new creative director of the event. For more information, visit gssalliance.com.

U of Florida wins TOC Fall Invitational

The University of Florida became the first repeat winner at the USTA Tennis On Campus Fall Invitational as the Gators defended its 2013 title with a 25-18 win over Auburn University at the Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center in Hilton Head Island, S.C. By reaching the final, both Florida and Auburn qualify for the 2015 Tennis On Campus National Championship in Cary, N.C., April 9-11, 2015.

NYJTL Honored by Bronx Chamber

New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL) President and CEO Dr. Deborah Antoine accepted the inaugural Bronx (N.Y.) Builder’s Award from the Bronx Chamber of Commerce in October. The NYJTL was honored for its work in building a new $26.5 million tennis, community and educational center in the heart of Crotona Park, called the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning, the result of a public/private partnership with the City of New York. The grand opening of the 10 indoor/10 outdoor court facility is scheduled for April.

In addition, Todd Martin, CEO of the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum, and Doug Conant, Chairman of Avon Products and Founder & CEO of Conant Leadership were honored by the NYJTL at its 29th annual Leadership Awards Luncheon recently. The luncheon also raised $1.7 million to complete the Cary Leeds Tennis & Learning Center.

Tecnifibre Partners With ProWorld Tennis

High-performance tennis equipment brand Tecnifibre has partnered with ProWorld Tennis Academy in Delray Beach, Fla., which is now the exclusive training center for Tecnifibre’s ATP program in the Southeast U.S.

ProWorld coaches and pros have groomed the likes of Andy Roddick, Jennifer Capriati and Ryan Sweeting. The academy’s program is directed by former ATP Top 50 player Cyril Saulnier, ATP/WTA coach Horacio Rearte and world-class former player Sebastien Grosjean as consultant and ambassador. The fitness program is directed by ATP/WTA Fitness Coach Carlos Aranda. ProWorld Tennis has 15 hard and three Har-Tru courts.

Ashaway’s MonoGut ZX Now Available in Black

Ashaway’s popular MonoGut ZX and MonoGut ZX Pro are now available in black. At 17 gauge (1.22 mm), MonoGut ZX Pro is a thinner, lighter string, designed to provide better elongation, snap-back and playability for players who do not require the added durability of the 16L (1.27 mm) gauge MonoGut ZX string.

Both strings are of 100% Zyex monofilament construction, which provides exceptional dynamic stiffness and arm-friendly gut-like playability, says Ashaway. The total lack of polyester increases elongation and decreases stiffness for comfortable soft power.

USTA Honors Grassroots Tennis at TDW

The 2014 Tennis Development Workshop, held in Atlanta in November, celebrated grassroots heroes and organizations that have gone above and beyond to make the game accessible to everyone.

“Celebrating the outstanding work of our peers raises the bar for all of us,” said USTA President Dave Haggerty during this year’s awards presentation. “The USTA is proud to honor individuals and organizations who have exceeded expectations in delivering positive experiences in physical activity, social connection and opportunities for bright futures.” Award winners include:

Eve F. Kraft Community Service Award: Rex Maynard, Belton, S.C.
USTA Faculty Member of the Year: Leah Friedman, Chicago
Janet Louer USTA Junior Team Tennis National Organizer of the Year Award: Leslie Jackson, Fort Smith, Ark.
USTA Adaptive Tennis National Community Service Award: ACEing Autism
Community Tennis Association of the Year: Greater Columbus Tennis Association, Ohio
NJTL Chapter of the Year: Tennis Success, Corpus Christi, Texas

USRSA Announces New MRTs/CSs

Master Racquet Technicians

Michael Alexiou - Toronto, Canada

David Darling - Alpharetta, GA

Eric Ferrazzi – Lyon, France

Scott Gates - Cumming, GA

Susannah Hill - Toronto, Canada

John Koenig, Maynard, MA

Devin Leal - Toronto, Canada

Michael Pournaras - Charlotte, NC

Michael Sims - Lilburn, GA

Thomas Staub - Charlotte, NC

Mike Stephens - Soddy Daisy, TN

Steven Struck - Surprise, AZ

Raymond Wendeln - Sun City, AZ

Certified Stringers

Matthew Collura - Richmond Hill, Canada

Anthony Nazzaro - Somers, NY

Jeffrey Charles Stanford - Rancho Mirage, CA

Jeffrey Zhou - Wynnewood, PA

Correction to USRSA Fall Digest

Instruction notes in the Fall 2014 Stringer’s Digest are incorrect for the Dunlop iDapt 98, Dunlop iDapt 100 and Dunlop iDapt 105.

The correct note should read: “If stringing 1-piece, short side must be installed on side of frame with “S” marked near bottom of grommet strip. If stringing 2-piece, starting knot must be tied on side of frame with “S” marked near bottom of grommet strip.”

WTA Signs Largest Media Right Deal

The WTA Board of Directors approved a ground-breaking 10-year media agreement with Perform of more than $525 million, the largest live media rights and production venture in the history of the WTA and in women’s sports.

“This is a game-changing and historic moment for our fans and for women’s sport,” says WTA Chairman and CEO Stacey Allaster. “Our new broadcast strategy to produce all 2,000 main draw singles matches in partnership with Perform will deliver exponential global exposure for our players, tournaments and partners.”

The agreement introduces WTA Media, a joint endeavor between both organizations that will deliver unprecedented premium content to tennis fans worldwide. WTA Media, together with tournaments, will produce all main-draw singles matches and the semifinals and finals of all doubles matches from 2017. Furthermore, WTA Media will increase its production of news content by 40 percent. It will also deliver additional magazine shows and significant off-court content to support the WTA’s mobile, digital and social media strategy.

Aussie Open Series Uses Plexicushion Prestige

California Sports Surfaces has announced that the Australian Open and Australian Open Series of tournaments will once again be played on Plexicushion Prestige. Plexicushion Prestige was first installed in Melbourne in 2008 and has since expanded to the series events across Australia.

The Hopman Cup, Brisbane International, Hobart International, Apia International and the World Tennis Challenge all lead up to the Australian Grand Slam, so tournament organizers and Tennis Australia wanted the court surfaces to be consistent.

Plexicushion Prestige is a resilient acrylic system, consisting of SBR and EPDM granules, which has been rated as a Category 4 Medium-Fast surface by the ITF, meaning all the courts across the series should have a similar bounce and similar footing.

Like the USTA with its US Open color in 2005, Tennis Australia created its own original color scheme, utilizing a two-toned blue combination called Velocity Blue and True Blue. For more information, visit plexipave.com.

Adidas Introduces New Barricade 2015

Adidas’ newest shoe is the Barricade 2015, which has the most design updates since the shoe’s inception 15 years ago. The Barricade 2015 is lighter and more flexible, says the company, and available in new colorways.

The shoe provides stability and durability, and features a synthetic-mesh toes shell for maximum flexibility, says Adidas.

“Analyzing our player’s on-court performance was an essential part of the design process,” said Thomas Weege, VP for Heartbeat Sports Design. “By redesigning some core elements of the shoe, we have managed to create a design that is a real departure from previous Barricade designs, while still retaining the core qualities of absolute stability and durability.”

The Barricade 2015 will be available in January for $140.

Mason Promoted to President of Head USA Racquet Sports

Greg Mason has been named president of Head USA Racquet Sports. Mason, who previously was vice president of sales and marketing for Head USA, also serves as the president of the TIA.

“Greg has been the driving force behind the incredible success of our racquet division in the U.S. over the last five years,” said Kevin Kempin, Head North America’s CEO and president. “Both the Head and Penn brands have achieved record growth due to the efforts of Greg and his team.”

Mason joined Head USA in August 2000 and has held a variety of key positions in the sales and marketing groups. He also continues to serve as TIA president, a position he has held for the past two years.

By the numbers

Tennis Racquet Performance Specialty Stores

January-September, 2014 vs. 2013

Units	2014	514,600
	2013	534,492
	% change vs. ‘13	-4%
Dollars	2014	$76,241,000
	2013	$77,826,000
	% change vs. ‘13	-2%
Price	2014	$148.16
	2013	$145.61
	% change vs. ‘13	2%

Top-Selling Racquets at Specialty Stores

By year-to-date dollars

Jan.-Sept. 2014

Babolat Aero Pro Drive 2013 (MP)
Babolat Pure Drive GT 2012 (MP)
Babolat Pur Drive Lite 2012 (MP)
Babolat Aero Pro Team 2013 (MP)
Head Graphene Radical MP (MP)

“Hot New Racquets”

(introduced in the past 12 months)

Head Graphene Radical MP (MP)
Wilson Juice 100 S (MP)
Babolat Pure Strike 100 (MP)
Head Graphene Radical Pro (MP)
Wilson Juice 100 2014 (MP)

Top-Selling Tennis Shoes at Specialty Stores

By year-to-date dollars, Jan.-Sept. 2014

Asics Gel Resolution 5
Prince T22
Nike Air Max Cage 2013
Nike Zoom Vapor 9.5 Tour
Babolat Propulse 4

Top-Selling Strings at Specialty Stores

By year-to-date units, Jan.-Sept. 2014

Babolat RPM Blast
Prince Synthetic Gut Duraflex
Wilson NXT
Wilson Sensation
Luxilon Alu Power

(Source: TIA)

‘Pickup Wall’ Keeps ‘em Hitting

What’s one of the most common complaints from players hitting on a ball machine or in a lesson or clinic? “I hate picking up the balls.” A new product, the Pickup Wall by Tennis Tech, can help eliminate that complaint.

The PickupWall attaches to the court fence and automatically collects and returns balls hit over the net to the ball machine or a teaching cart, enabling nearly continuous hitting. It requires 3 feet of space from the back of the fence, thereby allowing the court to be used for regular play as well.

The patented, one of a kind product is backed by a full two-year warranty, and the all-season design allows the unit to remain in place year round, although it can be easily disassembled and installed in the event of severe weather. Visit pickupwall.com or call National Sales Manager Mike Puc at 561-315-2158.

Paul Kid Named Volkl U.S. Sales Manager

Volkl Tennis has announced that industry veteran Paul Kid has joined the company as the U.S. national sales manager. The announcement was made at the company’s annual sales meeting in San Diego recently, where four new racquets were introduced.

The four new frames, all Super G updates, are the Super G 1 with Power Arm, Super G V-1 MidPlus, Super G V-1 Oversize, and Super G 7.

Head Introduces New Graphene XT Speed Line

Head has introduced its new Graphene XT Speed racquet line, endorsed by World No. 1 Novak Djokovic and combining “an iconic new design and the improved Graphene XT technology into one speedy package,” says the company.

The line is based on the use of graphene, the strongest yet lightest material in the world, and Head says with the updated technology, Graphene XT now features a 30 percent stronger material structure that has been “engineered to optimize the racquet’s weight distribution to where players need it most. As a result, racquets with Graphene XT feature a 10 percent better energy transfer for a higher ball speed and faster game.”

Graphene XT Speed models are the Pro, MP A, S and Rev Pro. New to the Speed line are the Rev and MP A models, which feature Adaptive String Pattern (ASP) technology that allows the player to exchange the grommet strips and choose between a 16/16 pattern for more spin or the 16/19 pattern for more control. Three models (MP A, Rev Pro, S) are available now; the Pro will be available Jan. 12.

Pro: Tour version with highest weight at 11.1 ounces, 100-square-inch head size, 22-mm constant beam, 18/20 string pattern.

S: 10.1 ounces, 100-square-inch head, 22-mm constant beam, 16/19 string pattern.

MP A: 10.6 ounces, 100-square-inch head, 22-mm constant beam, adaptive string pattern of either 16/19 or 16/16.

Rev Pro: 93 ounces, 27.4-inch length, 98-square-inch head, 25/22.5/24 mm beam, adaptive string pattern of either 16/19 or 16/16.

USTA’s Gordon Smith Honored By University of Georgia

USTA Executive Director Gordon Smith, an SEC champion and former captain of the Georgia men’s tennis team, is the 2014 recipient of the UGA’s Bill Hartman Award. Smith was recognized in November at the Georgia-Auburn football game and will receive the award during the UGA Circle of Honor Gala on Feb. 6.

Named for the late Bill Hartman, Georgia’s long-time kicking coach and chairman of the Georgia Student Educational Fund, the Hartman Award, presented annually since 1992, is one of the highest honors given to a former UGA student-athlete. Only former varsity athletes who have received a baccalaureate degree from Georgia can be considered for the award.

A native of Rome, Ga., Smith won a state title at Darlington School, and later earned a scholarship to play for Dan Magill at UGA. He served as captain of a Bulldog team that swept the SEC title each of his four years from 1972 to 1975. He was a two-time all-SEC selection and, as a senior, won the conference doubles championship with current head men’s tennis coach Manuel Diaz. Smith graduated magna cum laude in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, and he earned his juris doctorate with honors from UGA in 1978.

Short sets

The Czech Republic beat Germany 3-1 in November to win the 2014 Fed Cup Final, the country’s third title in four years.
Scotland will host the U.S. vs. Britain first-round Davis Cup tie March 6-8 in Glasgow.
Tennis legend Roger Federer will face Grigor Dimitrov at the annual BNP Paribas Showdown on Tuesday, March 10, in Madison Square Garden in New York.
Lacoste is an Official Partner of the Miami Open and will be the official and exclusive tennis and casual apparel and footwear outfitter of the tournament. The five-year partnership also includes two retail spaces on-site, and the creation of a co-branded collection that will be sold in the U.S. and in Lacoste boutiques in February.
In a three-year deal, German automaker Audi is now the official vehicle of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif.
USPTA is partnering with 2XU, an Australian-based compression apparel brand, to offer a new benefit. USPTA pros save 40 percent on purchases for personal use, and members who purchase for their club pro shop or facility will receive a 5 percent contribution to their Retirement Gold+ plan. To access the discount code, Professional-level members should log into uspta.com and click on the 2XU logo. The USPTA also is renewing its partnership with Rezilient Direct to continue to give members in the U.S. the opportunity to purchase additional health coverage.
Tennis Central (tenniscentral.net) is a new app (for Android and Apple) that provides adult players with a tool to learn from the world’s best coaches and experts. It features over 150 lessons and courses.
The TIA has named Payment Alliance International a strategic partner for merchant processing services. More than 700 TIA member companies, organizations and tennis businesses now have access to a full suite of innovative and cost-effective merchant services and solutions. Visit tennisindustry.org.
TGA Premier Youth Tennis recently established its first franchise in Massachusetts. Peter Dunlop, a technology and telecommunications executive, has acquired geographic rights to TGA in the Southern Boston area. TGA also has opened a second franchise in Seattle. Chandler Lewis, a recent graduate of the University of Washington and a former high school varsity tennis coach, acquired the rights to the east side of the Greater Seattle area.
The U.S. National Indoor Tennis Championships has been renamed the Memphis Open, and Erin Mazurek will serve as the tournament director. It will be played Feb. 9-15. The USTA partnered with The Racquet Club of Memphis, which has hosted the U.S. National Indoor Tennis Championships since 1977, to purchase the tournament from San Jose-based Sharks Sports & Entertainment.
Pacific Brands has sold the Dunlop and Slazenger brands in Australia and New Zealand to International Brand Management & Licensing (IBML). IBML already owns the brands outside of Australia and New Zealand.
The Tose Tennis Center at the U.S. Naval Academy’s Brigade Sports Complex in Annapolis, Md., recently converted to energy-efficient LED sports lighting by Ephesus Lighting of Syracuse, N.Y. The Tose Center has six outdoor courts and serves as the home courts for the academy’s men’s and women’s Division 1 tennis teams. It was one of seven outdoor sports venues, three indoor sports arenas, and five other locations at the Naval Academy to switch to Ephesus LED.
Billie Jean King’s Eye Coach training aid is now being distributed to coaches and students in the UK through the new company Tennis Coach Club Ltd.
The American Sports Builders Association (ASBA) has announced the publication of the 2014 edition of “Indoor Sports Surfaces: An Installation and Maintenance Manual.” The manual is available in hard copy or digital form. Contact 866-501-ASBA (2722) or visit sportsbuilders.org.
The WTA announced its Aces for Humanity initiative benefiting the USANA True Health Foundation has raised more than $25,000 for the not-for-profit charity. The WTA donated $10 for every ace served by its seven USANA Ambassadors — Genie Bouchard, Madison Keys, Monica Puig, Sloane Stephens, Samantha Stosur, Zhang Shuai and Zheng Jie — with a $5 donation for all other aces served at Premier-level events. Collectively, the seven USANA Ambassadors hit 412 of the 4,314 aces.
U.S. boys and girls won the overall titles at the 2014 Junior Davis Cup and Junior Fed Cup Finals in Mexico in September. Sixteen boys and 16 girls teams took part in the finals of the ITF’s world junior team competition for players aged 16-and-under, out of a total of 170 teams from 94 countries.
The Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative launched in November “to move the needle on issues impacting diversity and inclusion by inspiring future leaders and motivating those in positions of power to promote diverse identities and challenge the status quo.” King presented the inaugural “Inspiring Leader” awards to Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to the President of the United States, and Gracia Martore, president and CEO of Gannett.

People Watch

Ken McAllister of Austin, Texas, is the recipient of the National Pubic Parks Tennis Association’s 2014 Hollis and Jean Smith Lifetime Achievement Award presented during the USTA Semi-Annual Meeting in New York in September. McAllister has served on the NPPTA Board since 2000 and as its president for the past 10 years. He has been the executive director of USTA Texas for 24 years.
Matt Olson is the new executive director of the USTA New England Section. Olson has been the ED of USTA Atlanta and the Atlanta Youth Tennis & Education Foundation since 2003. USTA Atlanta is the largest Community Tennis Association in the country, with more than 50,000 adult and junior players.
Van Barry is the new executive director for the USTA Texas Section, taking over from longtime ED Ken McAllister, who is retiring.
Tecnifibre and American squash player Gilly Lane have singed a multi-year racquet and strings agreement. Lane played professionally from 2007 to 2012 and currently is the assistant squash coach at the University of Pennsylvania, U.S. Men’s Team player/coach, and U.S. Junior Boys’ assistant coach. He plays with the Tecnifibre Carboflex 125 racquet and 305+ string.
Germany’s Andrea Petkovic won the final Fed Cup Heart Award of 2014 in recognition of her performance during Germany’s semifinal victory against Australia in Brisbane in April.
Racquetball legend, coach and Hall-of-Famer Cliff Swain has joined Ashaway Racket Strings’ roster of sponsored players.
The International Tennis Hall of Fame and International Tennis Federation honored Helena Sukova of the Czech Republic with the 2014 Fed Cup Award of Excellence.
Former World No. 1 Patrick Rafter has been named as performance director for Tennis Australia, one of the top jobs in Australian tennis.
Former world No. 1 Kim Clijsters will be the new tournament director for the BNP Paribas Fortis Diamond Games, played in Antwerp in February.
Pro player Aleksandra Krunic of Serbia, who came through the qualifying rounds and reached the round of 16 at the 2014 US Open, has signed with Octagon sports management.
Dorothy “Dodo” Cheney, an icon of American tennis and a 2004 inductee of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, passed away on Nov. 23 in Escondido, Calif., at age 98. Cheney first started playing as a young child and was an active competitor well into her 90s, winning an extraordinary 391 gold balls.
Keith Callahan of the Manchester (Mass.) Athletic Club was named Facility Manager of the Year by the USPTA New England Division at its meeting in November.
Texas Tennis Hall of Famer Bob Mapes died Oct. 31 at age 86. The Texas tennis icon played at Baylor and began his tennis coaching career in 1953.
“The Secrets of Spanish Tennis,” which features key Spanish methods and philosophies, is now available for sale from New Chapter Press. The book is written by New York-based high-performance tennis coach Chris Lewit, who spent the last seven years visiting many of the top Spanish academies and studying their teaching methods. It’s at bookstores and available on Amazon.com.
Micky Lawler is the new president of the WTA, reporting to WTA Chairman and CEO Stacey Allaster. Lawler was the former managing director of tennis for Octagon.
Former British doubles player Ross Hutchins, who successfully overcame cancer and then retired from competitive tennis recently at age 29, has been named the ATP World Tour’s new vice president of player relations.
Tavistock Development Co. has announced that Taj Adhav will oversee the development of the burgeoning sports innovation and performance cluster at Lake Nona, Fla., which will feature the USTA’s “New Home of American Tennis.” Adhav is charged with identifying and attracting innovative businesses and ideas to the development in Orlando.
The Junior Tennis Champions Center in College Park, Md., has hired Ben Cappuccitti as senior coach and Anastasia Revzina as staff professional.
Andy Murray is now a spokesman for the World Wildlife Fund.
USTA Southern will induct three into the section’s Hall of Fame in January: Brenda Carter of Charleston, S.C., John Sadri of Charlotte, N.C., and Fran Chandler of Jackson, Tenn.
Head Penn junior players Jordan Barth of Minnesota, Jordan Cooperrider of Florida, and Connor Laffey of Oregon represented the U.S. National Junior Racquetball team at the 2014 International Racquetball Federation’s World Junior Racquetball Championships held in South America in November.
Nicolas Chua of the University of Chicago and Megan Humphreys of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater are the winners of the 2014 James O’Hara Sargent Sportsmanship Awards, presented by Rolex Watch, USA, at the USTA/ITA National Small College Championships.