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Whew, we’re only halfway through this week, and there’s a slew of new products that went up in just the past three days. We get so much new stuff, it’s hard to keep track, so here’s a quick look at what’s new so far this week.
 Tecnifibre VO2 Max Tour 12 Pack Tecnifibre bags are typically built to please. If you want features and high quality materials, check out the new Tour VO2 Max bags. We currently have them in a 12 pack, 9 pack, 6 pack and backpack. What’s not to love about the bags’ sleek black color with patent accents? It hides dirt and doesn’t clash with anything. As always be sure to check out the additional views for different angles and pictures of various pockets. Siobhan has also done a product video on the bags so you can get an even better idea about their size and function. When they’re ready, you’ll see the video button link below the product descriptions.
 DryMax Crew socks in black DryMax Tennis black socks
Good socks are a must if you’re a tennis player. Good socks can help prevent blisters, keep your feet dry and provide comfort. Good socks also last. Drymax socks are some of the best court specific socks. Seamless toes, targeted venting, arch support…the list of features goes on and on. One of the most important aspects of DryMax socks? They fit. We carry four different sizes so you’ll get the best fit for your feet. No one size fits all here. What’s new is that we now have them in black for crews and low-cut styles. With all the black shoe models on the market today, performance black socks are a must.
 Gamma Zo Dart 17 in black The Zo line from Gamma keeps on growing! Zo Dart is a new co-poly string designed to please the big hitters. Always looking to improve strings, Gamma is using special additives that help soften up the polyester string but adds six stiffer polyester monofilaments in the core to maintain control. Zo Dart is available in black and white as well as two gauges, 16 and 17. If you try it and love it, there is a multi-set deal of buy 6 and the price drops to $12.46 per set.
 Tecnifibre Poly Code 660 String Reel Big hitters and string breakers, rejoice! Here’s another option for you. Affordable at $79 for a 660-foot reel, Poly Code is also all about durability. Don’t look for fancy shapes or twists here. This is a traditional feeling poly that offers ultimate control and a crisp feel. Big hitters can swing away. Available only in reel form and in black, Poly Code comes in two gauges 17 (1.25mm) and 16 (1.30mm).
 Tecnifibre Synthetic Gut 16 660 Reel Another great value, Tecnifibre’s synthetic gut reels are now available in black and are only $34.95 for 660 feet of string. Tecnifibre’s synthetic gut also features an abrasion resistant coating for added durability. Find it in 16 and 17 gauges.
 Lotto Raptor Ultra III Junior Shoes The juniors can hit the courts with some Lotto kicks, too. Already available in men’s and women’s sizing, the Ultra III junior has some of the same technologies. Syn-Pulse has been around in Lotto shoes for a while, but it’s still around because it works. Syn-Pulse is a lightweight, responsive cushioning system that’s visible in the heel. New is the ReactiveArch technology. The shoe’s sole is concave and flexes as you run. As it flattens out, you get better stability. As you lift your foot, it returns to the concave shape and offers you better energy return from your stride.
So that’s it, three days into the week and there’s already a lot of new gear to check out. Keep checking the blog page for more updates of what’s new at the warehouse.
Happy Hitting,
Tiffani, TW
I believe it was the genius Tim “The Toolman” Taylor who said, “You need to use the right tool for the right job.” Now, I don’t know if he actually said this, but I can see him saying that while he’s talking to his trusty sidekick, Al Borland, on “Tool Time” or perhaps to his shy-but-wise neighbor, Wilson. Wow, did I really just date myself by using a “Home Improvement” reference? Regardless, there is some truth to that quote, and it applies perfectly to tennis shoes.
 The herringbone tread pattern. Perfect for clay court tennis. With the clay court season well underway, you might be inspired to try your hand (or feet) at playing on the dirty stuff. And, sure, you can probably take out your hard court tennis shoes and move around decently on clay, but I guess you could also probably hammer a nail with a wrench. It might get the job done, but it’s not the best choice, that’s all I’m saying. But if you’re even dreaming about moving and sliding around the court like Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros, you need to pick up some clay court specific shoes. The right tool for the job. Simple.
What makes a clay court specific shoe different than a hard court or a grass court specific shoe is one main thing: the outsole. The outsole of a clay court shoe will usually feature a full herringbone (the zig zags) tread pattern. This pattern won’t allow the clay to lodge to the outsole so you can get a better grip when you try to start, stop or change directions. A couple of hits from your racquet between points should knock loose all the clay from the outsole. The herringbone design also makes the sliding from side to side more predictable so you can perfectly glide into a shot and recover, a la Nadal, but will provide the traction needed for moving forward and backward. So if you plan on playing on clay on a regular basis, you might want to consider picking up a pair of clay specific tennis shoes. The right shoe for the right surface.
Here at Tennis Warehouse, we carry a variety of clay specific shoes for both men and women. (Click on the image to enlarge. Click on the name to purchase.)
With the correct shoes on your feet and a bit of practice, you’ll be moving like a clay court champion in no time.
Jason, TW
 Martina Hingis wears Tonic at Wimbledon. “What’s exciting to me is taking my experience of the sport I grew up with, bringing it into the design process and fusing it with ideas from elsewhere. The Tonic brand has its heritage in yoga so combining the best from both of those traditions produces a look that is comfortable, practical and stylish – suitable for top professionals but also appropriate for club players.” – Martina Hingis on MSN Sport UK
There’s a reason to stop and take notice when a top pro, current or former, loves a yoga brand so much that she wants to bring it to tennis. Such is the story with Martina Hingis and Tonic.
Hingis was shopping and came across Tonic apparel. She liked what she saw and chose to wear it for an exhibition match at the 2010 Wimbledon. It was love from first swing. Hingis then sought out the brand to make tennis specific pieces. So just what does she find so appealing about this apparel?
 The Grand Slam Tank's straps are intricately interwoven. It looks great and moves well, too. Fit and function - The pieces look absolutely phenomenal on. Part of that is fabric, see below, and the other part is where the seams are (or aren’t), how the straps are constructed, how the fabric drapes and so much more. If you want an expert opinion on how a tennis garment must perform, Hingis, the youngest WTA No. 1 ever, certainly would be a good place to start. She described some of the musts in an interview with the Vancouver Courier. “Around the shoulders and the back, this is where you have to feel comfortable with your stroke. It can’t be restricting. If you’re stretched everywhere, you still have to perform.” (Vancouver Courier, July 29, 2011)
Fabric - Tonic makes its own fabric, dubbed Libra. The Libra fabric is soft, and the weight is not too light, not too heavy. It’s heavy enough to conceal what it needs to and light enough to wear comfortably on the court (enhancing fit and function).
Design aesthetic – There are not wild patterns, but the cuts and strap details are so intricate and so feminine that nothing else is needed.
The result of the collaboration is Tonic Tennis by Martina Hingis. The pieces are sporty and sophisticated. Tonic Tennis sets itself apart in another way. It not only manufactures in North America, but also sources its fabric from a North American mill. Keeping the entire manufacturing process in Canada certainly adds to the price, but the Tonic apparel is worth the extra dollars because the apparel makes you feel good, and we all deserve to feel good about our tennis game and ourselves. And, of course, confidence is priceless.
Happy Hitting!
Tiffani, TW
Every so often I like to spice things up by taking a risk. A good challenge now and then is good for you, right? So if asked “Chopsticks or a fork?” Handover the chopsticks. Elevator or stairs? I’ll meet you up there, I’m taking the stairs. My most recent risk involved buying shorts to play tennis in.
I was in need of a new pair and came across the Under Armour Women’s Spring Play It Up Short. The thick elastic waistband with a drawcard and “UNDER ARMOUR” printed in large type caught my eye, and I wanted to give them a try. Once the shorts were on, it was a done deal. I had to own a pair. They were so comfortable I debated whether I should ever take them off again.
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 Under Armour Women's Spring Play It Up Shorts <br>
And that’s when the risk presented itself. No, not the risk of never buying another pair of pants again, although tempting because of how comfy they were. But instead, do I choose the neon pink color that brightens up a room (a positive would be a drop in my electric bill), or do I choose the cool graphite grey that would make any top I pair it with look good? Based on my track record, it may be no surprise that I took a risk and went with the brightly colored shorts.
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 Play It Up Short in Neo Pulse <br>
Now I wouldn’t necessarily say I experienced risk-taker’s remorse. I was just a little out of my comfort zone since these shorts were definitely brighter than anything I ever owned. Though that feeling quickly disappeared after I wore them around for the first time and began to receive compliment after compliment about their color. It was great! I wasn’t used to this magnitude of compliments and was tempted to buy a pair for every day of the week, but I didn’t want to abuse my powerful new compliment-provoker.
So instead of buying seven pairs of the same short, I’ve been keeping a look out for other shorts that fall into the same realm. Like the Nike Women’s Phantom Shorts. The soft training shorts come in fun colors that will light up any room you walk into. Or if you’re not ready to step out of the comfort zone just yet, there’s also the more subtle, darker color that still features a bright accent. Personally, I love the added bonus of a built-in compression short for storing tennis balls. Especially since I have yet to persuade Jason to be a ball kid when I play.
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 Nike Women's Summer Phantom Shorts <br>
Because men shouldn’t be left out in the dark, I’ve found a few options for the male risk-takers out there. Though I’d like to preface that there doesn’t appear to be as many brightly colored men’s shorts like there are for women. Instead it’s all about the bold patterns to make that same statement.
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 KSwiss Men's Stretch Boardshorts <br>
Besides long walks on the beach, another weakness I have is bargains. Which probably explains why I’m attracted to the 2-for-1 deal the KSwiss Men’s Stretch Boardshort has to offer. After you’re done hitting on the courts, you can jump straight into the pool without wasting sunlight changing into your swimsuit. Money-saver and time-saver? I’m so glad they have some for women, too, with both versions having compliment-worthy patterns that the most experienced risk-takers would drool over.
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 Fila Men's Spring Baseline Plaid Shorts <br>
If you’re one of those who is in limbo between taking a risk and the comfort zone, I think we have a solution: the Fila Spring Baseline Plaid Short. From a distance the pattern isn’t quite as obvious, keeping you in short range of the comfort zone. But up close, the high-energy design calls for people’s attention and will leave them with no choice but to compliment you.
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 Nike Men's Summer Distraction Short <br>
And last but not least (well, maybe least in weight) is the Nike Men’s Summer Distraction Short. It’s not quite as loud as the other two men shorts, but the sharp, edgy pattern will still give you a taste of risk-taker stardom. They’re extremely lightweight, making them perfect for training when those heat waves hit.
So go on, live a little. Grab a pair of these trendy shorts and be showered with compliments for taking a little risk.
~Karly
Playing tennis isn’t only about getting out on court and hitting the ball around. Sometimes it is, yes, other times it’s about fitness. It’s about being an athlete. It’s a lifestyle of exercising. Usually those of us that live actively also find other ways to stay in shape physically and mentally.
 Maria Sharapova has been doing yoga since her mid-teens and thinks that it has helped her game, especially between points. Like Masha, something I’ve dabbled in over the years is yoga. Personally, I find yoga to be a way I can stretch (I tend to dread stretching so it’s good to have something to force me) while getting in a good state of mind. So often we run around so busy that it’s good to have an excuse to slow down for an hour. I particularly like the positive effects it had on my tennis. I noticed an improved ability to calm down on court, an increase in my flexibility, my back hurt less as a result of that and an increase in my recovery time. Although we are a tennis company, we are definitely yoga-friendly because being a better tennis player doesn’t just happen on the court.
It goes without saying. The Nike Yoga Mat Medium is the basic ingredient to a good yoga sesh (or any good stretching session for that matter!). It’s cushioned and is non-slip, and has a tacile and patterned surface so it won’t slip across any floor. Bonus? You won’t slide off the top of it either. It’s really comfortable for any static stretching and will support you during any rigorous exercises or poses. The mat comes in grey on one side and dark grey on the other, and obviously it’s Nike so it has the Swoosh there for you. A cool feature is that it has a center line so you can make sure your pose alignment is correct and it also has a carry chord that makes it simple to roll up and take places. Yoga here we come!
 Nike Yoga Mat Medium in Grey/Dark Grey The clothing itself makes me want to go out and enroll in a yoga class. Capris first: Yes ma’am, we have traditional capris that are tightly fitted and perfect for yoga, check them all out here we have some great options, but I thought for this blog I would mix it up a little and show some stuff out of the ordinary. It’s legitimately cute (cute enough that I want to buy it to wear at tennis too). Working from the bottom up we have the Nike Women’s Summer Seasonal Capri. Love this pant. A little different from traditional skin tight capris, they’re soft like sweat pants and are loose-fitting with the bottom hem on each leg being fitted. The waist band can be rolled down, and it has written, “Love Tennis” and a Swoosh — a cool little touch to remind people that you’re a tennis player. It comes in black and white, which will compliment any colored tank or tee you wear.
 Nike Women's Summer Seasonal Knit Capri in Black For another option, there’s the Sofiabella Women’s Evolve Pant. Again, a little less traditional, but really cute. They have an elastic flat waistband, faux pockets for style and ruching on the leg that keeps them a little baggy at the ends. I really like this design because it changes things up and gives it a little flair and more relaxed look, rather than slim fitting the whole way down your leg. Fun fact: these pants also have UPF 50 protection and anti-bacterial properties. They come in dark grey heather, which is nice as the speckled nature of the color gives it a little texture.
 Sofibella Women's Evolve Pant in Dark Heather Grey If, on the top half, you want something fun, look no further than the Roxy Women’s Spring Seamless Victory Tank. It’s a really lightweight tank that is bright and sporty! The spaghetti straps have a little cross over design on the back and a built in shelf bra for complete support and comfort. I really like the athletic feel of this tank, and the colors are really bright and full of life. It has a Roxy logo on the front and the back, which adds to the energetic-ness of the tank — Roxy’s really stepping up here as an athletic brand that has created some great workout gear. It comes in blue and pink, and both those colors are super cute.
 Roxy Women's Spring Seamless Victory Tank in Blue Last but not least I have the Lija Women’s Mystic Crossover Tank for you. First of all, love the pastal colors – Glacier (which is a light blue/green) and Mystic (a light pastel purple). The v-neck line is feminine and sporty, the racer back is sharp and the back of the tank has a cut out to show a little bit of skin and add a little bit of style. It has a built in shelf bra for support, and the material is really soft and comfortable. I really like the style and design of this tank — although I like bright and bold athletic wear, this is a tank that is quality, style and beauty. Go a little more fem and add a little bit more support for any yoga position.
 Lija Women's Mystic Crossover Tank in Glacier We also have a TW drink bottle to keep you hydrated during your yoga session, and towels to use as extra padding or for wiping away the sweat if you’re doing Bikram. Enjoy being healthy, and stay in shape physically and mentally. Go do some yoga!
Namaste. (Ha, sorry had to drop that in there!)
Kiwi
I’m a lucky girl. I get to come to work every day and hang out with the playtesters you see on the videos. Beat them at tennis, make jokes at their expense, force them to workout with me in the gym, make them edit my blogs, listen to me sing with my headphones in at my desk (only Jason gets to hear that, I should start singing louder)… You get the point. I did a little bit of math, and I figured out that the percentage that I know about them all is excessively larger than what the rest of you get to experience, so I thought, “Hey, why not write about them in my blogs?” I get to show you guys how cool they are, I get to make more jokes about them, and I get to talk about tennis even more than I usually do. Win win win.
Except for myself (I am the youngest player in the group), everyone is aging rapidly, getting grey hair (or no hair) and dealing with injuries. Some seriousness for a second, tennis is a harsh sport that takes a toll on your body. Despite being non-contact, injuries are abundant, and if you can’t prevent them in the first place, you have to deal with them. Like I said, our group (myself included) has injuries to deal with on a daily basis. Here’s a little insight to what’s giving them pain, and how they deal with it.
Jason is the biggest fan of Kinesio TEX Gold Tape. When I asked him about it he said, “I use Kinesio tape to help me play with and through injuries. I’ve used it for my shoulder, elbow, wrist and knees.”
Kinesio TEX Gold Tape is an elastic therapeutic tape, which is used to tape over and around muscles to correct muscle function, relieve pain, improve circulation and reposition joints. In short, it works differently than normal tape. It has 140 percent elasticity (the same as human skin), which means it allows you to move as freely as you like, while still working to support the injury. How does it help Jason? “Depending on how I tape up, it can either help support a movement or restrict it.”
I asked him if he had any special tips about how to use it, (because not all of you have him at your beck and call to tape our achilles *cough* me). He said, “Learning how to tape isn’t too difficult, thanks to the internet. We have a few videos on our site that will teach people how to tape for the most common tennis injuries, but a quick Youtube search will get you more videos that we don’t have. I don’t know if it actually does what the manufacturers say it does or if it’s a placebo effect [get out of your head, Jay, it's dark and lonely in there!], but I do know it helps me with my injuries.”
Any last words, Jason? “Not only that, but it comes in a multitude of colors that can match any outfit and that makes me feel pretty.” And he’s right. The Kinesio TEX Gold Original comes in skin tone, blue, black and pink. And yes, the blue makes his eyes sparkle.
 Kinesio TEX Gold Tape Roll I couldn’t stop Spencer talking about his feet when I asked him if he took any injury/preventative measures. “Superfeet Premium Insoles Green is what I used when I had Plantar Fasciitis, and what it does is that it offers a rigid arch support, keeping the plantar tendon stretched.” Pain relief, do I hear you say? Yes, pain relief!
These insoles offer the best arch and foot support because sometimes shoes don’t quite fit the unique shape of your foot. It has technology called Encapsulating Stabilizer System (ESS) that provides the ideal biomechanical support by putting your feet in their optimal functioning position. They have high-density foam that is a shock absorber as well as supporter, and they work to increase blood flow that in turn increases circulation. The center heel holds and balances your body’s weight, so the insoles not only support your feet, but also reduce joint and muscle stress. Technological, I know, but anyone who’s tried insoles before can vouch for their success (yours truly included, after ankle sprains and surgery). They come in four different colors, which distinguish between the levels of support and cushioning, and come in all different sizes for both men and women.
 Superfeet Premium Insoles Green The green insoles are ideal for medium to high arched feet, and as Spencer explained, “You should go wth something as high as your feet can tolerate.” He told me, “Over time, using the Superfeet helps ‘heal the heel,’ if you will. That, along with icing, ibuprofen and rest, of course.” He’s like a bottomless well of knowledge!
Granville was a story of bad ankles. “After a broken ankle in college and several sprains on the tennis court since, I wear ankle braces as a preventative measure.” As a man of quality, I asked Gran how he found the best ankle brace for support. He replied, “Over the years I’ve worn several types from the lace-up to the lace-up with the plastic inserts on the outside to reduce roll-over, but I have found the best brace to be the Hely-Weber Zap Ankle Braces. They use nylon straps and Velcro panels to offer a very tight and supportive wrap. These are the closest braces I’ve found to a ‘wrapped’ ankle with a foam under layer and tape.”
The Hely-Weber Ankle is a popular ankle brace style among tennis players because it uses figure-eight stabilizing straps to replicate traditional ankle taping like Granville described. This not only provides the support you need, but it also still allows you to flex and extend your foot to move efficiently. We actually have the brace in black and white, but also with the TW logo too for a little bit of love and support for your favorite tennis company. Granville told me he uses the brace primarily for injury prevention because unlike the rest of us he “tries not to play in pain!” What? Pain free tennis? You go too far, sir!!!
 Hely Weber Webly Zap Ankle Brace in Black (TW) “I wear it because I think it makes me look bad ass,” explains Chris, who wears Skin Sports Sleeves despite being a hardy Englishman. We currently don’t stock it, but we have in the past, and… You guessed it, we’re bringing it back!!! Why does he wear the Skins Sleeves?
He followed with, “Actually, I like the support it gives my muscles and it feels like I warm up quicker. I also really like the recovery gear as I find I don’t feel as sore the next day if I wear it after I play. The sleeves really help when I have multiple hits in one day — like a tournament situation as I warm up quicker and don’t feel as tight for my next match.”
The Skins Sport Sleeves provide compression to improve circulation, and the seams on the sleeve are anchor points that reduce muscle vibration, resulting in less soreness the next day. You can also wear them after tennis to relieve pain and reduce fatigue. In a nutshell? They compress: enhancing circulation and delivering more oxygen to active muscles. This reduces lactic acid build-up and other metabolic wastes so you can go harder for longer and recover faster. Keep an eye out for them when we bring them back and aid your own recovery with a sleeve.
That’s it for today, now you know a little more about some of the boys on the team, and how they prevent and deal with their injuries. See ya, I’m off to have a hit with Carol!
Siobhan
As far back as I can remember, it seems like technology and sports have gone hand and hand. Gatorade helped us hydrate properly. Radar guns helped us quantify our shots. Instant replay helped us make the correct calls. Heart rate monitors helped us track our health. Short of becoming an actual bionic person, people will continually innovate and do whatever it takes to be better, faster, stronger.
But what about a technology that was designed to help out tennis players? This is where adidas comes in. With their innovative miCoach Speed Cell, we now have ways to track our performance out on a tennis court. Things like max speed, average speed and total distance traveled. You might ask, “But don’t we already have GPS watches that do the same thing?” Good question. The Speed Cell does all those things, but then it leaves those GPS devices in its dust. It can track things such as: total rallies, max rally length, distance traveled during a rally and max rally speed.* And that’s just scratching the surface. This small device attaches to any shoe and wirelessly transmits your information to your iphone/ipod or computer.
*A rally is started every time you move from a stationary position.
 Screen shot of the miCoach website from my hit with fellow playtester, Carol I’ve had a chance to try out this device and I immediately noticed how easy it was to use and setup. My adidas Barricade 7’s already had a built in area for the Speed Cell just underneath the insole of the left shoe. Once I had it in there, there was no button for me to turn on or off. I simply just had to go out and play; it would do the rest automatically. Once back for my hit or workout, I went to the adidas MiCoach Manager program on my computer or iPod I downloaded earlier and it was able to wirelessly sync up and pull the information from my Speed Cell. Once it synched up, I was able to see my results. And with the micoach website, I can even pick a training plan where I can work on my cardio or on strength and conditioning.
With this new training device, I can not only track my workouts off the court but for the first time, on the court as well.
 See what adidas players Fernando Verdasco and Jack Sock think about this new training device. CLICK TO PLAY Jason, TW
What do you normally say when meeting someone for the first time? For me it’s generally something along the lines of, “Hi, I’m Karly. Nice to meet you.” So naturally when starting to write my introductory entry for the TW Blog, those were the first words that came to mind. But as I tried to think of other things to say, it was like I lost my entire vocabulary except for those seven words. Talk about frustrating. All I wanted to do was think of something clever. Make a good impression. Was it really that hard? The last thing I wanted was to sound cliché or use a common, boring expression to introduce myself. Desperate, I felt like if I wanted to do something clever, the only option I had was to scramble my seven words around to make a puzzle – perfect for those who can’t get enough “Jumble” from their daily paper, but not ideal for a blog. Since that won’t work, I’m playing it safe and keeping it simple. Hi, I’m Karly and this is my first blog entry. I just hope I don’t come off boring or unoriginal because I couldn’t think of any other way to start this off.
Now you may be wondering what the title is all about. Allow me to explain. And don’t worry, you didn’t land on an online dating personal ad (although this may not be a bad time to mention I have hazel eyes, like long walks on the beach and have a weakness for karaoke…). Instead I chose “Love-Struck Karly” for two reasons.
The first one deals with all the talented players I’m surrounded by here at TW. On the courts, I’m not always the winning player. And, yes, I’ll admit it. There’ve been times were I end up with a love score (Get it? “Love-Struck”). Particularly when playing against people like Brittany, Chris or Siobhan, the score is more like love to forty-thousand. Now, I’ve been playing tennis since I was 5 and can definitely hold my own against harder hitters. I’m just grateful to have the opportunity to hit with such great players every day. They constantly push me to improve my game, and with any luck, I’ll eventually be able to spread the love (score) to others.
 Showing more love for the sport and its players. (Left: Gasquet. Right: Me) Then that brings me to my second reasoning: my job. Along with playtesting, I work as an Assistant Web Editor and help write apparel descriptions for the website. I love it. I get to see all the new outfits the pros will be wearing at the upcoming tournaments and then get to describe their fit to help better our customers’ shopping experience. Since online shopping isn’t necessarily for the faint of heart – personally I know how nerve-racking it can be waiting for clothes that were bought online to see whether they fit like I expected them to. It definitely puts a damper on my day when they don’t. So this is where I ask for your help. Speak up! Let us know if you have any suggestions to make the online shopping experience better. Post a comment on Facebook, tweet us on Twitter or start a thread on our message board. We want to improve, and I’d love to help.
Uh oh, not again. Now that I have to end the entry all I can think of is, “It was a pleasure meeting you.” So please excuse me again for using a cliché phrase, but it truly was a pleasure writing this. Can’t wait to write again in the future! And let’s hope my vocabulary won’t make this disappearing act a habit…
Game. Set. Match.
~Karly
Hi Everyone,
In our last behind the scenes section of Meet the Playtesters, we have our video editor/stand in video guy William. William is the head of the video department and likes to stay hidden behind the camera. Let’s take a look at William’s interview where he talks about what it is like to work with the Tennis Warehouse Playtesters.
 William How long have you been working at Tennis Warehouse?
6 years
What does your job entail?
-Managing the video department for Sports Warehouse.
-Editing all video/motion graphic content for Tennis & Running Warehouse
-Most importantly, cutting the heads off of Gummi Bears for the web editing dept.
What video experience do you have? (education)
-Shooting and editing since 1997
-Let’s just say when I was in school HD wasn’t out yet so my schooling only slightly prepared me. In this field I learn every day how to do my job.
What is your favorite part about working at Tennis Warehouse?
-I’ve worked a lot of jobs before working here at TW, and it is by far the best run company I’ve ever worked for. I’ve read a lot about our customer service being great, and I think that is a result of the way this place is run. The “higher ups” actually care about you as an employee and treat you as a valuable member. That would be my favorite part.
Who is the playtester that gives you the most trouble and why?
Probably Brittany because I deal with her the most on video projects. She’s always wrong and I have to find new ways of showing her that…Kidding! (Interviewer’s Note: Hey! Not cool! I’m really the best! )
Who is the playtester that is the most efficient and why?
-Chris aka “One Take Wonder.” He’s been on camera since Day One so I would hope he’d be the most efficient.
Who is your favorite playtester?
-The one who gives me the best tennis play, which makes for the easiest time to edit their footage that week.
Who is your favorite pro player on tour right now?
-Fed4life
-Kirilenko (Even if she played tennis as badly as I do…I could watch her all day). Creepy? You’re just jealous.
What is a typical playtest like for you?
-When I’m shooting: They seem to make more mistakes just because I’m there and since it’s not scripted it can get messy. Pretty sure it’s a conspiracy.
-When I’m editing: I just love watching the point play footage. There are some great points that I get to analyze.
What has been your favorite roadtrip with Tennis Warehouse?
-French Open 2007 with Edwards shooting for Tecnifibre. Seems so long ago but we’ll always have Gisela….
What was your favorite project you’ve done with tennis so far?
-Maybe not “project” (singular) but I really enjoyed the early vlogs. We had a lot of fun doing them back in the day because it was really the only video project our department had to do, so we could devote a lot of time to being creative.
What has been your favorite commercial to shoot and why?
-Probably our first commercial with Spencer promoting our demo program. We shot at night, the fog started rolling in (which was perfect) and we shot about 3hrs worth of footage for a 30sec spot. Needless to say, we learned a bit about shooting for commercials.
Any comments on bloopers?
-Never heard so much swearing in my life. I’ll miss Kana.
What is your best memory being a video editor for the TW playtest team?
-We played a joke on one of our old playtesters and edited his part to make him look terrible at tennis. He’d say, “I loved this racquet at net, got great volleys” and we’d show him fail after fail. He was a good sport about it and it’s only encouraged more abuse with other playtesters since. Oh and we never aired that portion of the review, we made him look good for the real one.
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I want to thank everyone for reading my Meet the Playtesters series. I have had a lot of fun interviewing everybody and hope you learned something new about the playtesters.
Ad Out,
Brittany
The Tennis Channel is now airing the “100 Greatest of All Time.” We can argue all day and all night from now until eternity about who’s better, who’s best and who’s next. Preceding another “Greatest” installment, Tennis Channel aired a Wimbledon Classic, the 1990 men’s final between Stefan Edberg and Boris Becker. (Classic? Sigh, when did 1990 become classic?) It was fun to watch five sets of great tennis and oh that Edberg lob at 4-4 in the fifth for the break!
Watching this match got me thinking. Do you remember the days when the serve-and-volleyers ruled the lawns? When the wear pattern on the grass actually led toward the net? When Cyclops would beep and when there was an actual human brave enough to be the let judge at net? When women’s skirts showed less leg and men’s shorts a little more? Tennis, the game, has changed a lot in the past 20 years and so has its fashion.
 Fred Perry Men's 2012 Tennis Pique Polo We don’t see players like Edberg and Becker too often anymore, likewise we don’t see those short shorts on pros either. That doesn’t mean we should call serve-and-volleying dead, and it shouldn’t mean that guys should be scared to show off those knee caps. For the guy who likes to keep it classic, there are few options.
Edberg sported adidas on court, and Becker wore Fila. adidas has revived some old school flavor with its Modern Classics line. I particularly like the spring Spezial Jacket. But graphics with a retro flavor is where adidas draws the line. You will find no short shorts on the men’s adidas page, the women’s, yes, but not the guys. A 7-inch inseam is the shortest adidas men’s short you’ll find in tennis. Fila also brings back some of its heritage apparel with an entire vintage line that taps even deeper into tennis history with new versions of Bjorn Borg and Guillermo Vilas polos and jackets. Though the look is the same, you’ll find the fit has been updated and fits loose and baggy just like most of today’s tennis apparel. Fila does more to please the guy, though, who wants that classic tennis short with the Santoro II Short. These are great traditional shorts. With an actual constructed waistband, the Santoro II Short will give you a put-together look. Complete your Fila retro look with the Retro Wristbands or Retro Headbands.
 Fred Perry 2012 Tailored Tennis Short For the spring 2012 line, Fred Perry went all out to please the classic-minded tennis player. Start the ultimate traditional tennis look with the 2012 Fred Perry tennis polo, available in a performance nylon and classic cotton. It looks super sharp with the tipping on the collar and sleeves. A two-button placket keeps the polo neat and tidy during play as well. Complete the Fred Perry look with the 2012 Tennis Tailored Short. This cotton short has a good weight, so it will always look clean and pressed — never sloppy. It, like the Fila short, has a constructed waistband but also allows for an adjustable fit with the buttoned side tabs. Each piece is finished with an embroidered laurel wreath, the Fred Perry signature.
Sure this classic tennis look may not be for everyone, but the same can be said for the long shorts and brightly colored crews. Everyone has his own style of play and sense of personal style. It’s nice to know that those who like the classic tennis look can still sport it today.
Happy Hitting!
Tiffani, TW
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