TENNIS HEADLINES
Slinger Bag Expands Reach in Agreement With Dunlop Europe Leaders Challenged on COVID-19 Protection Plan By PHIT America PHIT America, a national charity dedicated to improving the physical and mental health of Americans, is espousing the tremendous benefits of physical activity to help protect people from COVID-19. To communicate to national leaders and Americans, PHIT has launched a petition campaign to increase physical activity levels for children. This petition says, “Every child must have at least 30 minutes of physical activity three times a week in school.” Almost 50 percent of schools have eliminated physical education and many have eliminated recess. PHIT America Founder Jim Baugh, the former president of Wilson Sporting Goods, said, “I’ve been sitting on the sidelines for three to four months listening to our government talk about the three ways adults and kids can protect themselves from COVID-19: 1) wear a mask, 2) social distancing, 3) wash your hands. But these leaders are overlooking one of the most important ways to protect yourself from COVID-19, increasing physical activity.” The charity is partnering with Dr. Zhen Yan, professor of cardiovascular medicine from the University of Virginia, who says, “There’s no question that increased physical activity will build up a child’s natural defense system and protect them from COVID-19.” Through its established physical activity programs, PHIT America has introduced over half a million kids to regular physical activity in schools. Learn more at phitamerica.org.
New Babolat Pure Drive Unveiled Babolat unveiled an updated Pure Drive racquet in September. The Pure Drive 2021 is enhanced with two, new, major technologies that improve performance. First, the HTR (High Torsional Rigidity) system helps improve torsional stability for more efficient baseline strokes and optimized power on returns. This resistance to twisting allows for a greater tolerance with off-center shots. Coupled with the racquet’s inherent power, the HTR in the new Pure Drive offers an energy return as explosive and powerful as ever. Second, the new SWX (Smac Wrap eXtended) PureFeel of the Pure Drive filters vibrations, keeping only those that give players the best feeling. With this technology, Babolat says, the Pure Drive offers unparalleled playing sensations on each shot.
18
NETNEWS NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
Slinger Bag recently announced a multiyear distribution agreement with Dunlop across nine, key markets in Europe. This announcement follows similar strategic agreements in key tennis markets including Ireland, Japan, UK, Ireland, Switzerland and all four Scandinavian markets, bringing the total value of Slinger Bag’s international distribution partnerships to a cumulative five-year retail value of $200 million. Under the terms of the agreement, Dunlop International Europe Ltd (Dunlop), whose parent company is Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Japan, will be granted exclusive distribution rights for Slinger Bag’s ball launcher in the core European markets of Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Netherlands, and Spain. “There is no bigger endorsement of how far Slinger Bag has come in a short space of time than this new commercial association with Dunlop, a global giant in tennis with an unequalled market reach and a reputation to match,” said Mike Ballardie, CEO of Slinger Bag. “We have the utmost confidence in the sales and marketing strategy provided by the Dunlop team to rapidly build Slinger Bag brand awareness in the core markets covered by this deal and to activate this partnership through a multitude of traditional grassroots marketing activities allied with aggressive online marketing to European tennis consumers.” Slinger Bag enables tennis players to get out on court to play at any time without the need to find a playing partner — whether that be at their club, local park, on their driveways or in any other available open space. Slinger Bag is lightweight, wheeled like a trolley bag, and easily transported in the trunk of the smallest saloon or sedan car. It offers players the versatility to store all of their tennis gear, including racquets, shoes, towels, and accessories.
