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Prince Tennis anniversary in August

Prince Tennis will be celebrating its 40th Anniversary in August. In that time, Prince has revolutionized the game of tennis over the past 40 years and transcended their technology into other sports around the world.

Started by Bob McClure in 1970 with the invention of the “Little Prince’ first commercially viable ball machine, they also invented the first oversize and long body racquets in the 1970s and 1980s, and in 2003 developed the leading technology in racquet manufacturing today with their “O-tech” air-holes in the racquets played with by top tour players like Maria Sharapova, Bob & Mike Bryan, Gael Monfils, John Isner, Sam Querrey and more. Some of their past champions include Jimmy Connors, Andre Agassi, Martina Navritalova and many more.

In addition to this, they are the ONLY major racquet manufacture U.S. owned and headquartered, and have exported their “O-tech” air hole technology to other sports (i.e. baseball, lacrosse, ice hockey, field hockey) and top sporting good brands such as Reebok, Hoyt, Grays and more.

Business

• Privately owned; ONLY U.S. headquartered and owned major racquet manufacture company
• Expansion globally in the past 40 years to over 100 countries across all continents
• One of the most respected, known and recognizable sporting goods brands in the world - evokes immediate recognition
• Started by Bob McClure in 1970 in his Princeton garage inventing the “Little Prince’ - the first commercially viable ball machine
• License exporting of O-technology to other top sporting goods brands such as Reebok, Grays, Hoyt etc. in baseball, lacrosse, ice hockey, archery, field hockey, etc…
• Long history in player development, grassroots programs, athlete/event sponsorship, and industry partnership - to become a true/total tennis company.
• One of the few companies that carries performance products in every category (total tennis) racquets, string/grips, balls, footwear, soft goods (bags, accessories), machines, etc.

Technology

• Invention of first “oversize” racquet invented by Howard Head in 1976 and called “The Prince” racquet
• Invention of “long body” tennis racquet with the “oversize” ushered in major tennis boom of late 70’s early 80’s by making play easier and more fun for millions of people
• Developed first “multifilament” tennis string, commercially viable electronic ball machine and “natural foot shape” tennis shoes
• Leading technology in tennis racquet manufacturing today with development of “O-Tech” air holes in 2003
• Exporting and licensing of “O-Tech” air hole technology and transcending into other sports including baseball, lacrosse, ice hockey, field hockey and archery (tennis predominantly imports technology from other sports) O-tech has now been played in the Olympics, Stanley Cup and of course, every Grand Slam event.

Tennis

• Currently represent numerous top professional tennis players on the ATP and WTA Tours including: Maria Sharapova, Bob & Mike Bryan, John Isner, Sam Querrey, Vera Zvonareva, Nikolay Davydenko, Marion Bartoli, Gael Monfils, Daniela Hantuchova, David Ferrer, Juan Carlos Ferrero
• 40 year history of innovation in tennis
• Have had athletes on roster over the past 40 years that have also included at one time or another: Pam Shriver, Stan Smith, Martina Navritilova, JImmmy Connors, Andre Agassi, Gabriela Sabatini, Michael Chang, Monica Seles, Jennifer Capriati, Patrick Rafter, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Andy Roddick (junior)
• Strong proponent of grassroots programs and junior development

Posted on May 5, 2010
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