RacquetTech October 2009

RacquetTech October - 2009

WimbledonAshaway ZyMaxNew Racquets Dunlop - TecnifibreIndustry News

Contents20 Industry News

Featured Articles3 My Serve5 New Products10 Ashaway ZyMax13 String Test15 Wimbledon27 Rod Cross

Head Radical MessengerHead Golden Ball Prince Triple WinPrince Premier LT Nr. 1Dunlop Scouting TourTecnifibre & Sixth SensePTR German CertificationBow Brand Natural Gut

RacquetTech IV

Racquet Tech - October- 2009

My Serve

We have a lot of organizational news this month. The new Stringers Digest 2009/10 is being prepared for publication. The new format is an A4 book instead of a ringbook. Please renew your membership if it has expired to get the latest issues of RacquetTech magazine and the new Digest. The 2010 Annual Meeting/Symposium is planned for the end of October in southern Spain. We will keep you informed of the exact dates and venue. The meeting is planned for three days with workshops covering different areas such as stringing, racquet tun-ing, marketing, etc. In 2010 ERSA will publish 6 magazines starting with Febru-ary 1, then every 2 months. We have several new experts writing articles for us in 2010, along with a Questions and Answers Section and Stringing Tips in every issue. The six issues will allow us to offer more space for information for our members. We have been busier than ever with workshops. We are booked out through the end of this year and already have work-shops (20) for Italy, Greece, England, Ireland and Germany planned along with the workshops offered by our testers in five countries. In tennis racket sales, the industry is still down, but stringing-seems to be steady. It will be interesting to see how Klip USA and Pacific will fit into the market in these slower times as “new” racquet manufacturers. Bow Brand has also just announced it is going back into natural gut production for tennis after a short break. Bow Brand is a major producer of natural gut music strings. The new Tecnifibre stringing machine will be introduced in the next issue with many improvements and innovations.Best wishes

Mark MaslowskiDirector

Racquet Tech EuropeEuropean Racquet Stringers Association

DIRECTORMark Maslowski

OFFICE MANAGERSanda Maslowski

AUSTRALIA MANAGERAnthony Aley

UK MANAGER Sam Chan

SPAIN MANAGERRichard Parnell

GREECE MANAGERPetros BirisGREECE WORKSHOP MANAGERGeorge Pahiakos

Czech Republic & SlovakiaVaclav Smat

FOUNDING MEMBERSAshaway BabolatHead IsospeedKirschbaum LuxilonPacific Wilson

COPORATE MEMBERSAshaway HeadPrince Völkl Fischer Dunlop Slazenger Carlton

STRING SUPPLIER MEMBERSApollo Leisure Bow BrandKirschbaum GosenKlip Europe Signum ProTOA Strings

Technical ConsultantRod Cross

CONTACTEuropean Racquet Stringers AssociationLenaustr. 3840470 Düsseldorf, GermanyPhone - +49-(0)211-87511548Fax - +49-(0)211-87511549www.ersa-stringers.com

4

DeutschWir haben diesen Monat viele organisato-rische Nachrichten. Der neue Stringers Digest 2009/10 wird für die Öffentlichkeit vorbereitet. Das neue Format ist ein A4 Buch anstatt ein Ringbuch. Bitte erneuern Sie ihre Mitgliedschaft, wenn Sie abgelaufen ist um die neuesten The-men über RacquetTech-Magazine und dem neuen Digest zu erfahren. Das Jahreshaupt-versammlung/ Symposium 2010 ist für das Ende vom Oktober in Süd-Spanien geplant. Wir werden Sie mit den exakten Datum und dem

Kirschbaum Sportartikel GmbH · Schweerstraße 1 · D-58456 Wittenphone: +49 (0) 23 02-9 70 50 · fax: +49 (0) 23 02-7 76 76www.kirschbaum-strings.de · [email protected]

The Kirschbaum SPIKY SHARK based on ten years of know how of the SUPER SMASH SPIKY with its diagonal surface structure. The new SPIKY SHARK is equipped with an octa-gonal profile parallel to the string. Using a specially developed technique we accomplish distinctive peaks for an optimum grip to the ball to ensure best slice and spin transfer (US Patent 6,117,383).

Kirschbaum SPIKY SHARK – a new meaning of spin transfer!

– no string slipping – enlarged acceleration and high comfort – best spin transfer

(available in 1,25 mm / 17 and 1,30 mm / 16, 12 m- und 200 m-unit)

SPIKY® SHARK

NEWTHE STRING WITH A BITE

My Serve

Austragungsort informieren. Das Meeting ist für 3 Tage mit verschiedene Workshops wie z.B. Bespannen, Schläger-tuning, Marketing, usw.In 2010 wird ERSA 6 Magazine, beginnend am 2. Februar und dann alle 2 Monate, veröffentlichen. Wir haben etliche neue Experten, die für uns 2010 Artikel schreiben, zusammen mit Fragen und Antwort-Sektion und Bespan-nungstipps in jeder Ausgabe. Die 6 Ausgaben werden uns mehr Platz für Informationen für unsere Mitglieder er-möglichen. Wir waren nie zuvor so tätig was Workshops angeht. Wir sind bis zum Ende des Jahres ausgebucht und haben bereits Workshop(20) für Italien, Griechenland, England, Irland und Deutschland geplant, plus Workshops angeboten von unseren Testern in allen 5 Ländern.In Tennisschlägerverkauft ist die Industrie immernoch abgesunken aber Bespannen scheint stabil zu laufen. Es wird interessant sein zu sehen wie Klip USA und Pacific in diesen langsamen Zeiten als „neue“ Schlägerhersteller passen. Bow Brand hat eben auch angekündigt, dass es wieder geht in Naturdarmproduktion für Tennis. Bow Brand ist ein bedeutender Naturdarm Musiksaiten Hersteller.Die neue Tecnifibre-Bespannungsmaschine wird in der nächsten Ausgabe mit vielen Fortschritten und Innovationen vorgestellt.Mit freundlichen GrüßenMark Maslowski


Ashaway ZyMax

Ashaway ZyWeaVeTechnology Ashaway Racket Strings has developed a new core construction technique that allows the production of lighter, stronger badminton strings than any yet produced. ZyWeaVe™ technology allows Ashaway to produce a string that is 25% lighter than standard 0.70mm badminton strings. The company has introduced a new line of strings using the new technology under the brand name ZyMax®.

“Professional players like lighter strings in their racquet heads for more power on smashes and better feel and control on touch shots,” said Steve Crandall, Vice President of Marketing for Ashaway. “Early play testing of the new line has been very positive, and one player, Ruilin Huang, even won the 2009 US Open Ladies Doubles Championship using one of our new ZyMax strings.”

Using a combination of high-tech materials and their proprietary ZyWeaVe core, the new Ashaway strings produce less elongation at professional stringing tensions and less creep. This means the strings maintain tension and consistent maximum performance throughout their playing life. In addition, ZyWeaVe technology allows Ashaway to make a string that can be strung at unusually high tensions.

“We’ve been able to string a ZyMax .70mm gauge string at over 40 lbs. using special high tension racquets,” said Crandall. “You can tell the string is maintaining tension and repulsion power by the nice crisp “ping” sound it makes when you strike the shuttle.”

Crandall did not disclose details of the new ZyMax string line, but indicated it would consist of several gauge models and would be rolled out during the late summer and early fall of 2009. And he added, “With this technology, we’re confident we can produce the lightest and strongest badminton strings ever made.”

Ashaway Introduces ZyMax® 70 for Badminton, the Strongest 0.70 mm String Ever Made

Ashaway Racket Strings has introduced the first string of its highly anticipated ZyMax® line of badminton strings. ZyMax 70 makes maximum use of Ashaway’s patented new ZyWeaVe™ core processing technology which produces thinner, stronger strings. According to Ashaway, ZyMax 70 is the strongest 0.70 mm string ever made. Designed to provide durability and responsiveness at all stringing tensions, ZyMax 70 is ideal for heavy hitters who want a micro-gauge string but need to maximize durability.

“ZyMax 70 is the workhorse of the new line,” said Steve Crandall, Ashaway’s VP of Marketing, “Power

Ashaway ZyMax

players typically use thicker strings to avoid breakage, and increase tension to improve control. But with ZyMax 70, they can get a thin string that is both durable and can handle high tensions. ZyMax 70 has performed well in play tests at 40.6 lbs in a special high tension frame.”

Key to the performance of the ZyMax line is a combination of high-tech core and braid materials, and Ashaway’s proprietary ZyWeaVe core process technology which allows the production of lighter, stronger badminton strings than any yet produced. The new ZyMax strings produce less elongation at professional stringing tensions and less creep. This means the strings maintain tension and consistent maximum performance throughout their playing life. In addition, ZyWeaVe technology allows Ashaway to make a string that can be strung at unusually high tensions.

Recommended to be strung at up to 35 lbs, ZyMax 70 is very durable and responsive across a range of stringing tensions. The ZyWeaVe core allows less elongation at all stringing tensions. As a result, ZyMax 70 strings up tighter and plays firmer with maximum tension stability. It maintains string tension longer and displays consistent maximum performance throughout the life of the string.

Website: http://www.ashawayusa.com


String Test Badminton

ASHAWAY ZyMax STRING TEST

Ashaway has introduced a new badminton string which has given us the highest marks of any badminton string we have tested. They spent the last 18 months developing this string with the goal of making the best badminton string in the world. The string was developed for good amateur to professional level players, so we tested the string with 25 top juniors, seniors and high level nationally ranked players in several countries. As expected, most of the players were using the number one played string among professional players, but found the ZyMax the same, somewhat better or much better than the string they now use.Ashaway has sent us 25 sets of each of 2 of their new ZyMax badminton strings to test at the same time, Ashaway ZyMax 70 (optic yellow) and ZyMax 67 (platinum silver).

Ashaway ZyMax62 – is a multi-core string with a double multi-filament overwrap at 0.62mm the thinnest string available. It comes optic yellow,platinum silver and ivory white colors and is available in 10 meter sets and 200 meter reels. The ZyWeaVe core was developed to maintain tension over a longer period of time.

Ashaway ZyMax67 – is a multi-core string with a double multi-filament overwrap and is 0.67mm. It comes in optic yellow,platinum silver and ivory white colors and is available in 10 meter sets and 200 meter reels. Recommended tension up to 30 pounds.

Ashaway ZyMax70 - is a multi-core string with a double multi-filament overwrap and is 0.70mm. It comes in optic yellow,platinum silver and ivory white colors and is available in 10 meter sets and 200 meter reels. Developed for more durability and has a recommended tension up to 35 pounds, but has been tested at over 40 pounds.

We received 25 sets of the ZyMax 70 and ZyMax 67 measuring 10 meters in yellow and silver. We sent one of each of the sets to 25 testers. We received results from 20 testers.

STRINGINGAlmost all of the testers found both strings the same to string as their current string, with 2 finding it somewhat easier and one finding it somewhat more difficult to string. No one reported any problems with stringing, friction notching, ease of stringing, tying knots, string breakage and weaving.

PLAYTESTPlayability was rated the same as their string (10 testers) a little better (5 testers) much better (4 testers) and a little worse (1 tester). The average playing time was 16 hours with the longest 40 hours. Two strings broke during the play test. One from a mishit (10 hours) and the other from wear (35 hours). Here are the results of the two individual strings.


New Products

14

RATINGSFrom the chart below you can see that our testers rated the ZyMax 70 Optic Yellow better in durability and power while the thinner string ZyMax 67 Silverrated better in feeling, control, comfort and overall playability as youwould expect.

1 being the highest score and 6 being the lowest

Comments –

“A very good playability with both strings.” Top 50 nationally ranked player using Yonex BG65.

“A very good string with excellent playability” Top 10 nationally ranked player using Head Super Power 69.

“I rate it a somewhat better than my current string.” Tournament player using Yonex BG65.

“Very good string but I will stick with my string.” Regionally ranked player using Yonex BG65.

Summary – Ashaway ZyMax Badminton strings should become one of the top strings in the market in a short time. The UK Ashaway distributor, Goode Sports, said they are selling very well and better than they hoped for shortly after intoducing it. Zymax came out as good or a little better in comparison to Yonex BG 65, the most used string from tournament and top world class players. All the testers said they would carry the string in their business and more than 50% of the players said they would consider changing to this string even though they have contracts with other companies.

ZyMax 70 Yellow ZyMax 67 Silverplayability 2,2 2,3durability 2 2,4power 1,9 2,4control 2,6 2,1comfort 3 2,8feeling 4 2,1tension loss 2,3 2,4string movement 2,2 2


Wimbledon 2009

Apollo Leisure has taken over the Wimbledon stringing service. Below is a report sent in to us with some interesting information and statistics. See page 18 for selected player logs.

APOLLO LEISURE REPORT ON WIMBLEDON 2009

Apollo Leisure was honoured to be asked by the All England Club to run the stringing service at Wimbledon in 2009, taking over from Bow Brand who had

run the service for over 20 years.

We employed 20 stringers, 7 admin staff and 5 runners during the Qualifying Tournament and the Championships.

We used 10 new Prince 6000 stringing machines. A Prince Precision Tuning Centre for customising players’ frames and a Beers ERT 300 tension tester for checking the dynamic tension of specific restrings.

The booking in system was computerised for the first time and although there were some teething

problems this was considered a success.

We strung a total of 2316 frames during the 3 weeks of the Qualifiers and the Championships. A new record!

The busiest day was the first Monday, 22nd June, when 286 frames were strung.

The highest tension strung was 33 kgs/73 lbs for Jurgen Melzer.

The lowest tension strung was 16 kgs/35 lbs for Peter Luczak.

The most frames strung for one player was 55 for Serena Williams.

The most popular string was Luxilon Alu Power.


Wimbledon 2009 LogsW

IMB

LED

ON

SEL

ECTE

D 2

009

PLA

YER

LO

GS

PLAYER

RACK

ETSTRINGM's/X's

TENSIONM's/X's

STRU

NG

MEN

Igor

Andreev

Babo

latP

ureDrive+

LuxilonOrig

inal

25/23kgs

6Bo

bBryan

Prince

O3Speedp

ortB

lac k

LuxilonAluPo

wer

Rough/Ba

bolatV

STo

uch

48/52lbs

32MikeBryan

Prince

O3Speedp

ortB

lac k

LuxilonAluPo

wer

Rough/Ba

bolatV

STo

uch

47/51lbs

29Juan

Carlo

sFerrero

Prince

Ozone

Tou r

LuxilonOrig

inal

24.5/23.5kgs

24Ph

ilipp

Kohlschreibe

rWilson

KBlade

LuxilonAluPo

wer/W

ilson

Natural

23/22kgs

13Jurgen

Melzer

Dunlop

Aerogel300

Isospe

edProfessio

nal

32kgs

15Da

nielNestor

Wilson

KSixOne

95Wilson

Natural

52.5/50.5lbs

7Du

diSela

Head

Prestig

eLuxilonAluPo

wer

23kgs

9Gilles

Simon

Head

Prestig

eHe

adIntellitour

20/19kgs

10Ro

binSode

rling

Head

RadicalM

PLuxilonAluPo

wer

25kgs

31Fernando

Verdasc o

TecnifibreT.Fight3

20LuxilonOrig

inal

23/21kgs

21Nen

adZimon

jicHe

adRa

dicalM

PBa

bolatV

STeam

23/21.5kgs

13

WOMEN

VictoriaAzaren

kaHe

adExtrem

ePro

LuxilonAluPo

wer

62/61lbs

2Elen

aDe

men

tieva

Yone

xRD

iS100

LuxilonAluPo

wer

23/22kgs

18Am

elieMauresm

oHe

adRa

dicalM

PBa

bolatV

STeam

24.5kgs

19An

abelMed

inaGarrig

ues

Head

Extrem

eLuxilonAluPo

wer

24.5kgs

7MelanieOud

inWilson

KBladeTo

urWilson

Natural

52.5lbs

2NadiaPe

trova

Babo

latA

eroStorm

Babo

latR

even

ge25

.5/26.5kgs

10Ag

nieszkaRa

dwanska

Babo

latP

ureDriveLite

Babo

latP

roHu

rricane

23kgs

4Dinara

Safin

aBa

bolatA

eroStorm

LuxilonAluPo

wer

25/24kgs

35FrancescaSchiavon

eBa

bolatA

erop

roDrive

Babo

latR

even

ge21

.5kgs

6Serena

Williams

Wilson

KBladeTeam

Wilson

Natural

64lbs

55Ve

nusW

illiams

Wilson

KBladeTeam

Wilson

Natural

68lbs

46CarolineWozniacki

Babo

latA

erop

roDrive

Babo

latR

even

ge25

kgs

9

ASHAWAY ZyMax/Badminton08-20-09 A4 with distributors

Beat the Competition with ZyMax ®

Choose the ZyMax Badminton String that Matches Your Style of Game

Developed for the 21st Century

PO Box 549 Ashaway, Rhode Island USA 02804

ashawayusa.com

ZyMax 62

Revolutionary ZyWeaVeTMRevolutionary ZyWeaVeTMRevolutionary ZyWeaVe core makes ZyMax 62 25% lighter than standard .70 mm badminton strings, maximizing repulsion on smashes and control on drop shots.

175x Cross SectionMagnifi cation

ZyMax 62 Standard .70 mm String

The lightest string ever made; 25% lighter

lightestever made; 25% lighter

lightestthan standard .70 mm strings. Optimum repulsion with the crisp sound players want to hear.

The strongest .70 strongest .70 strongestmm string ever made. Has

strongestmm string ever made. Has

strongest

been strung over 40 lbs. in special high tension rackets. The best string for durability at all stringing tensions.

Revolutionary ZyWeaVe core allows ZyMax 70 to be strung at 40.6 lbs in Panda Power Ultra badminton frame.

ZyMax 70

Lowest tension loss of any badminton loss of any badminton lossstring. Exceptional tension stability insures an excellent combination of durability and repulsion at all stringing tensions.

”Excellent string for durability, feel and control with no tension loss. ZyMax 67 is perfect for my game.”Ruilin Huang, (left) 2009 US Open Ladies Doubles Champion playing with ZyMax 67.

ZyMax 67

Available from:

GERMANY BENELUX SWITZERLAND / AUSTRIA FRANCE

Distri Sport International Victor International GmbH CFB Victor BENELUX SWITZERLAND / AUSTRIA FRANCE

Distri Sport International Victor International GmbH CFB Victor BENELUX SWITZERLAND / AUSTRIA FRANCE

www.distrisport.be +32 (0) 3 281 1314 www.victor-international.com +49 (0) 4121 450130 www.fb-victor.fr +33 (0) 1 4930 7770

SPAIN UK ITALY Arisport Goode Sport TetaSport snc www.arisport.com +34 (0) 966 089829 www.ashaway.co.uk +44 (0) 1707 321397 www.tetasport.com +39 (0) 2 26 14 84 99 www.arisport.com +34 (0) 966 089829 www.ashaway.co.uk +44 (0) 1707 321397 www.tetasport.com +39 (0) 2 26 14 84 99

RacquetTech October 2009

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Transcript of RacquetTech October 2009