Half of Wimbledon Men's Round of 16 Playing with HEAD MicroGEL

HEAD players have shown success this year at Wimbledon through the round of 16. Eight HEAD players remain in the men's main draw which means 50% of the players are playing with Head MicroGEL!

Marat Safin, who plays with the MicroGEL Prestige Mid, advanced to the round of 16 by upsetting the number 3 seed, Novak Djokovic, in 4 sets 7-5, 2-6, 6-3, 6-0, and then defeating #29, Andreas Seppi, 7-6(5), 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-4. Safin will face HEAD player and #13 seed Stanislas Wawrinka in the next round.

Andy Murray, who plays with the MicroGEL Radical MP, defeated Tommy Haas 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-2 to make it to the round of 16. Richard Gasquet, who plays with the MicroGEL Extreme Pro, defeated HEAD player Gilles Simon 6-3, 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-3. Murray and Gasquet will face each other in the next round.

Rainer Schuettler, who plays with the MicroGEL Prestige Mid, defeated James Blake in the second round 6-3, 6-7(8), 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 and then defeated HEAD player Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-2, 6-3, 6-4. Schuettler will face Janko Tipsarevic in the next round.

Martin Cilic, who plays with the MicroGEL Radical MP, will face fellow HEAD player Arnaud Clement, who plays with the MicroGEL Prestige MP, in the round of 16.

Mikhail Youzhny, who plays with the MicroGEL Extreme Pro, had a close 5 set match against 16th seed Radek Stepanek and won 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-3. Youzhny plays Rafael Nadal in the next round.

Svetlana Kuznetsova, who plays with the MicroGEL Extreme, remains in the women's round of 16 and will face #14 seed Agnieszka Radwanska.

Check out Head MicroGEL here.

From RSI News

HEAD Wheelchair Players Have Solid Showing at World Team Cup in Italy

The nation's top wheelchair tennis players competed against participants from 34 countries, June 9th - 15th at the Invacare World Team Cup in Cermona, Italy.

HEAD sponsored players representing the United States and contributing to the team's success included:

#13 John Rydberg (Men) --
#13 Beth Arnoult (Women) -- Head Airflow 3
#1 David Wagner (Quad) -- Head Flexpoint Instinct
#3 Taylor (Quad) -- Head Metallix 10
#13 Dylan Levine (Junior) -- Head MicroGEL Raptor MidPlus
Coach Dan James (Men, entire team) -- Head MicroGel Instinct
Coach Paul Walker (Women) -- Head MicroGel Radical Pro

Continue reading: "HEAD Wheelchair Players Have Solid Showing at World Team Cup in Italy"

The Champions Program Partners with HEAD Penn Racquet Sports

COLLEGE PARK, MD -- The Junior Tennis Champions Center, a not-for-profit junior development program located in College Park MD, today announced an official partnership with sports equipment leader HEAD Penn Racquet Sports. The three-year agreement will see Penn become the official tennis ball of the Junior Tennis Champions Center, and HEAD Racquets become an official program
racquet sponsor.

"HEAD Penn has consistently been one of the top tennis racquet and equipment manufacturers over the past 30 years," said Martin Blackman, Director of the Champions Program, "Our players love HEAD racquets, and Penn is a great ball. A partnership with an industry leader like HEAD Penn brings us one step closer to our goal of establishing our program as the best in the world. Whether it is on the court or in the classroom, our program is all about excellence."

Continue reading: "The Champions Program Partners with HEAD Penn Racquet Sports"

HEAD Re-Signs Tennis Sensation Murray

05/23/08 - Kennelbach, Austria - HEAD announced that the company has re-signed an agreement with tennis star Andy Murray. The partnership will continue through end of 2011.

The contract signing took place on May 20th in London with Executive Director of Global Sales Jeremy Sherwood in attendance.

Murray, who plays with the MicroGEL Radical MP, holds a current ranking of No. 11 in the South African Airways ATP rankings.

"I've enjoyed tremendous success on the ATP tour with my HEAD racquet," said Murray. "I'm looking forward to playing with the Radical for years to come."
Murray added: "I trust my racquet. HEAD produces fantastic products and is the most used brand among the top 100 players on the ATP tour. HEAD's technical competence fulfils the needs of today's pros and I look forward to continuing this successful relationship."

"HEAD is one of the most well-known tennis brands in the world and has a long tradition of success with pros such as Arthur Ashe, Guillermo Vilas and Andre Agassi. We know Andy will continue this tradition," said Johan Eliasch. "Pros like Andy help us continue to develop innovative products and strengthen the brand."

A native of Dunblane, Scotland, Murray began playing tennis at the age of three. The 21-year-old has five ATP titles under his belt, including recent wins at the 2008 Doha and Marseille championships.

New Power Loaded Racquet Technology from HEAD

PHOENIX, AZ (May 14, 2008)-- HEAD Penn Racquet Sports, one of the industry leaders in forward-thinking racquet design and technology, has launched its latest revolutionary technology: CrossBow. This Power Loaded technology features the world's first and only dynamic bridge racquet construction.

The new CrossBow Technology will be found in five new racquets from HEAD for the coming season, including the CrossBow 10, the CrossBow 6, as well as the next-generation of Airflow racquets designed for women including the Airflow 7, Airflow 5, and Airflow 3.

Power loaded for players with shorter more compact swings, CrossBow Technology features a bridge suspended from the frame that moves independently, allowing the racquet to store energy in both the stringbed and the bridge. The two-piece design acts like a spring or bow that is loaded during ball impact and is released as the ball accelerates off the stringbed for maximum power.

"With the CrossBow technology, a new-found energy is unleashed in every shot, which provides incredible power to the player," said Kevin Kempin, vice president of sales and marketing for HEAD Penn Racquet Sports.

The CrossBow lines will also include HEAD's newly re-designed stabilizer to eliminate racquet vibration, resulting in some of the most comfortable racquets available today.

CrossBow also uses 10 main strings though the bridge, offering a larger sweetspot than is found on conventional fixed-bridge racquets.

The new CrossBow Technology will be available in the following racquets:

CrossBow 10: The lightest and most powerful CrossBow
racquet offers optimal maneuverability for superior
performance.

CrossBow 6: A powerful, evenly balanced racquet with
great pick-up feel appealing to a large range of players.

Airflow 7: The most powerful Airflow racquet incorporating
CrossBow Technology is lightweight with perfect balance.

Airflow 5: An oversized, lightweight racquet with the perfect
balance of power and control complete with CrossBow
Technology.

Airflow 3: Offering extra control for longer swing styles, the
Airflow 3 is perfectly balanced for excellent maneuverability.

Penn Introduces New Pro Penn+

PHOENIX - May 12, 2008 -- Penn introduces its new Pro Penn+ tennis ball, featuring new LongPlay® felt for 25% longer wear* and 19% greater visibility*. New Pro Penn+ also continues to feature Encore Technology™ for a 33% longer lasting core*, making the ball play like new longer. This new innovation takes this popular, tournament-quality ball and makes it even more technologically advanced and beneficial for tennis players.

LongPlay Felt is Pro Penn's new felt that lasts 25% longer* than original Pro Penn. It also has a stain-resistant property, keeping the ball cleaner longer. A key benefit to the new LongPlay felt is that it plays exactly the same as original Pro Penn felt, but just wears longer - therefore maintaining all the positive properties that have made this ball a top-performer from Penn - America's #1 selling ball. In addition, this ball still features brighter felt for ultimate visibility on-court. You can see from the chart details below how LongPlay felt is longer lasting than original Pro Penn.

This ball continues to include Encore Technology™ - Pro Penn's unique core
compound that uses a proprietary blend of natural and man-made polymers to limit ball softening. The core stays fresher longer and therefore "plays like new" longer.

"Penn continues to lead the market in innovation with the introduction of new Pro Penn+. We now offer the complete package of a ball that lasts longer from the inside out - from core to felt. The clear benefit to tennis players is to have the ball they know and love last even that much longer - through the most rigorous of lessons, practice sessions or tournament matches," says Jennifer Parker, Business Manager for Penn Tennis Balls.

Pro Penn has been the official ball of the USPTA for over 35 years and is the longest running endorsement in tennis history. Pro Penn+ will be available in July 2008 and will be sold exclusively at pro/specialty shops around the country. Penn continues to be the only tennis ball Made in the USA.

www.pennracquet.com

Mother's Day Tennis Gifts - On Sale No Less

Racquets
Head Flexpoint 10 - An oversize, power-oriented racquet. Offers a very powerful feel thanks to its 31mm width beam. Also, slightly lighter than the other FlexPoint frames. Best suited for players with shorter, compact strokes looking for power. Recommended for the 1.5-2.5 NTRP level players. Liquidmetal Technology: Liquidmetal material is applied to four strategic areas of the racquet's head and it is the only material that utilizes all the energy your swing generates. No energy is lost on ball impact due to its liquid atomic structure. Hole+Dimple=Flexpoint: These two precisely engineered holes, positioned at 3 and 9 o'clock on the racquet head, work together to bring power in control. The dimple is engineered to create flexibility by reducing beam height by a maximum of 25%. The hole reduces sectional stiffness up to 50%. The hole and dimple allow a player to harness maximum power and control it.

Dunlop M Fil Lady - A lightweight and maneuverable racquet engineered with the female player in mind. The M-FiL Lady features a stiff racquet hoop for power and stability, while the proven ISIS handle system protects the player from racquet shock and vibration. Ideally suited for players with moderate, powerful strokes. Recommended for the 3.0-4.5. ISIS: (Impact Shock Isolation System), in the racquet handle, dampens frame vibration and helps protect the arm from tennis elbow. Includes racquet and matching sling-pack racquet bag. Racquet bag features a single racquet-specific pouch and a main compartment that can be used for an additional racquet or gear and accessories

Apparel


Balle de Match Women's Mandy Tech Top CLOSEOUT
Balle de Match Women's Desire Swing Skirt CLOSEOUT

Sergio Tacchini Women's Oralee Racer Tank w/ Interior Bra
Sergio Tacchini Women's Ondina Skirt w/ Interior shorts

And if all else fails, just get her a gift certificate - always a little less personal of course, but it ensures your mom gets what she really wants.

WATR Celebrates Earth Day All Week - HEAD Cool Earth

WATR covered HEAD's Cool Earth initiative at the beginning, but its worth mentioning again, being Earth "week" and all.

Cool Earth started in June 2007 aims to tackle the climate crisis in a cost-effective, mass membership way, long before governments are able to swing into action. It will enable individuals and groups including schools and businesses, to directly fund rainforest protection on a massive scale and safeguard this invaluable resource.

Cool Earth is looking to harness public opinion to put a fair value on the rainforests and stop global warming. Their help aims to not only protect the most endangered forest for the long-term but funds local conservation by local people. Sponsors of Cool Earth can view their plot with Google Earth, and there are 6,000 supporters already signed up, kudos.

You can support the HEAD Cool Earth effort by clicking here.

Or you can support HEAD by buying their tennis racquets, shoes, apparel and accessories.

Enter to Win a HEAD MG 125 Squash Racquet

Click here to enter to win Ramy Ashour's weapon of choice!

Ramy's not the only HEAD pro doing well this year. HEAD's MicroGel series for squash has become the choice for seven of the top 100 world ranked squash players, including PSA players Mohammed Azlan Iskandar and WISPA player Line Hansen. Ashour recently came off an injury to win the Bear Stearns Tournament of Champions and the 2008 PACE Canadian Squash Classic.

Check out HEAD squash gear here.

HEAD Tennis Re-Signs Donald Young

HEAD announced today that the company has re-signed an agreement with young tennis standout Donald Young. The partnership begins immediately and will continue through 2010.

Coached by his parents Donald Sr. and Ilona, Young, who plays with a Head MicroGel Radical Midplus, holds a current ranking of No. 77 and is the youngest Top 100 player in ATP rankings.

Eighteen-year-old Young was recently a Quarter Finalist at the 2008 Regions Morgan Keegan Championship in Memphis and already reached the 3rd round of a Grand Slam at the 2007 U.S. Open in Flushing Meadows.

At the age of sixteen, Young became the youngest No. 1 player in the ITF Junior rankings in 2005. Young also won the Junior Australian Tournament the same year and the Junior Wimbledon Tournament in 2007.

Check out the Head MicroGel Radical Midplus

Check out HEAD's website.

Learn the "Flying Forehand"

HEAD takes a look at one of the most spectacular of all shots, the "Flying Forehand."

This "most demanding strike of all the many forehand attacking possibilities in terms of sheer coordination is the flying variant" can be seen here in photos and instructions, and also here if you'd like to see a more dynamic video.

Check out HEAD tennis gear here.

HEAD MicroGel Most Used Technology on ATP Tour

According to HEAD, 25% of pro tennis players in the Top 100 play with a HEAD MicroGel racquet. Why? They say because the MicroGel "technology maximizes the responsive qualities of the racquet to create a rock solid feel and explosive spin, catering to today's modern tennis player. On ball impact, HEAD MicroGel material deforms and compresses, absorbing and dispersing the impact to the entire frame, then returning quickly to its original shape."

They also mention the favorable coverage by German Tennis magazine.

Regarding the HEAD MicroGel Radical Team:

• "fantastic control and great power"


• "the most precise racquet in the test"


• "crisp playability, fantastic control and great power compared to other racquets of the same construction."

Regarding the HEAD MicroGel Extreme Team:

• "extreme spin"


• "would be a great fit for younger players"


• "the arm protection is impressive"


• "The big head size also enables a big sweet spot."

Buy the HEAD MicroGel Radical Team
Buy the HEAD MicroGel Extreme Team

From HEAD

Three Head Tennis Bags Under $40

Head Extreme Combi Bag - $29.99
-Dimensions: L x W x H= 29" x 8" x 12"
-Two racquet compartments for 4-6 racquets
-Accessory pocket for MP3/CD player
-Adjustable, padded shoulder straps
-End handle to hold upright
-Climate Control Technology, a thermal foil that helps to protect the contents of the pocket from extreme temperatures, thereby reducing the risk of damage.

Head Extreme Supercombi - $39.99
- Dimensions: L x W x H= 29" x 13" x 12"
- Two racquet pockets (8-10 racquets)
- Climate Control Technology
- Padded accessory pocket
- Double padded backpack straps
- Padded end handle to hold upright
- Separate shoe/wet pocket & protected eyewear pocket

Head Flexpoint Radical '06 Tennis Bag - $39.99
- Dimensions: L x W x H= 29" x 13" x 12"
- Huge main compartment with interior accessory pouch
- Can hold 8-10 racquets comfortably
- Climate Control Technology
- External racquet compartment
- Accessory pocket for MP3/CD player
- Integrated shoe compartment
- Wet compartment with breathable mesh vent
- Adjustable, padded shoulder strap

Ivan Ljubicic get custom racquet from Head, shoes from Li Ning

Peter Bodo sits down with Luby in a recent post in Tennis Magazine, talking about all sorts of stuff, among which is the situation with his racquet, apparel and shoes. Luby recently dumped his Babolat Pure Drivefor the Head Extreme, and he feels the stick is performing well. To get a racquet he felt good about he called the HEAD, and ended up spending 11 days there play-testing custom-made sticks. According to Bodo, the racquet has larger grommet holes, which give him a wider string pattern on his verticals (that is, there's a string closer to the side of the racket head on either side).

"Most days, I played with three new rackets, so over that period Head made about 35 new rackets before I said, 'Okay, this is it. This is the one I like.' I have to thank them, a lot. They were ready and keen on doing something for me, and it was fantastic to go to the factory and actually watch the rackets being made."

"This contract with Head is fantastic. It's one of the first I really felt this is what I deserve. In the past, it was nothing. If I was making money, it was just because I was earning bonuses (for hitting certain ranking and result benchmarks). I felt Head really wanted to invest in me, and I knew they were a serious company."

He's also hit a winning partnership with Chinese apparel and footwear maker, Li-Ning

"I said to them, guys, for me, good shoes is not good enough - it has to be great shoes. So they sent me to Belgium to one laboratory where they really measured my foot and did all kinds of testing until they could make perfect shoes for my body. It took them a month to make them."

From Peter Bodo's Tennis World via Tennis Magazine