News

Boulder, Colorado — Babolat, leading manufacturer of tennis equipment, congratulates this year’s Babolat Sales Awards winners—accolades presented annually to retail partners and company representatives. Recognizing its outstanding achievements in sales and customer experience, northern California based pro-shop, Tennis Station, earned Retailer of the Year. Andy Wild was selected this year as the North Sales Representative of the Year while Mike Moore and Mike Sprengelmeyer earned a nod as South Sales Representatives of the Year. The National Sales Representative of the Year award went to Allan Iverson, sales representative in the west region.

Retailer of the Year: Tennis Station

Tennis Station, located in Burlingame, California, is a full-service tennis pro-shop with over 20 years of stringing and racquet customization experience. For more than nine years, Tennis Station has partnered with Babolat by continually supporting Babolat’s full line of products. Tennis Station prides itself in its knowledgeable personnel, customer service and well-stocked inventory of Babolat racquets, shoes and apparel for players of all levels. “It’s easy to sell a product you believe in,” says Anthony Paz, store owner at Tennis Station. “I know that as soon as a customer tries a Babolat product, their interaction with it will convert to a sale. Babolat is a quality company that is easy to work with and full of integrity, which is apparent in the products they produce.” Paz, a very avid tennis player, and his staff play with Babolat racquets themselves.

“Paz is a strong brand ambassador for Babolat, embodying a true passion for tennis,” said John Rushworth, Northern California sales representative, Babolat USA. “He and his staff elevate the Babolat brand through their genuine passion and excitement to improve every customer’s tennis experience by encouraging them to try Babolat products.”

Anthony Paz and his team of teaching pros are committed to fueling a passion for tennis in the northern California market. Tennis Station features a Babolat “mini store” and it also employs four stringing professionals to operate two Babolat five-star stringing machines. Tennis Station has been named Babolat Retailer of the Year for its overall commitment to the Babolat brand.

Sales Representatives the Year

Factors such as brand growth in all categories, feedback from all departments within Babolat, brand management and teamwork are all considered when selecting the Regional and National Sales Representatives of the Year. “Our sales team is strong. In order to select a few individuals that stand out, we have to look at the big picture, not just the sales numbers,” says Mickey Maule, national sales manager for Babolat USA.

North Sales Representative of the Year: Andy Wild

Andy Wild has been recognized for taking the Babolat brand to a new level in his three years with the company. “He is a grassroots guy, which is a strong focus for the brand,” said Maule, “He’s done a remarkable job of planting a seed in the Midwest to grow the brand’s presence in this region.”

South Sales Representatives of the Year: Mike Moore and Mike Sprengelmeyer

“These two experienced sales reps have a solid understanding of the brand’s history, which has contributed to increased growth in the south region,” remarked Maule.

National Sales Representative of the Year: Allan Iverson (West Representative)

Through the dedicated efforts of sales representatives like four-year veteran, Allan Iverson, Babolat has continued to establish a secure place in the U.S. tennis market. “Allan is a passionate tennis professional with high energy and excitement for the brand,” says Maule. “He knows the brand values to their core and continues to make great strides for the brand year after year.”

Tennis Runs in Our Blood Award: Mickey Maule and Susan DiBiase

The “Tennis Runs in Our Blood” award is given to the individual or business that stands out in promoting, supporting and elevating the Babolat brand in an unparalleled and passionate way. This year, Babolat salutes Mickey Maule, national sales manager and Susan DiBiase, director of marketing. “Mickey and Susan are motivating leaders in their respective departments, and they both deserve this recognition for their undivided dedication and enthusiasm for the brand,” said Jérôme Pin, Managing Director Babolat USA.

ABOUT BABOLAT

Created in 1875, in Lyon, France, Babolat is the longest-running international company specialized in tennis. Babolat is today number 1 in tennis racquet sales in the United States, Japan, France, Spain, and Italy. Family-run for five generations, Babolat is an innovative brand in the tennis sector providing complete equipment for all tennis players: racquets, strings, shoes, balls, bags, apparel, and accessories. The brand provides strings and racquets for numerous tennis players including Rafael Nadal (ESP), Kim Clijsters (BEL), Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA), Li Na (CHN), Andy Roddick (USA) and Julien Benneteau (FRA) (Roddick and Benneteau also play with Babolat shoes). Website: babolat.com / facebook.com/babolat