Wilson Partners with Tennis Channel Open as Official Ball, Racket and Stringer
Hosts First-Ever Racket Stringing ChampionshipsFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Melanie McGeough
8700 W. Bryn Mawr
Chicago,
773-714-6703
MMcGeough@wilson.com
02/14/06 - Chicago—Wilson Racquet Sports, the No. 1 brand in tennis, is partnering with The Tennis Channel as the official tennis ball, racket and stringer of the inaugural Tennis Channel Open, Feb. 27-March 5, 2006 in Las Vegas. NV. Wilson is also hosting the ‘Wilson World Stringing Championships’ on March 3, which is part of the special events dubbed “Tennispalooza” surrounding The Tennis Channel Open.
The best stringers in the world will compete for $10,000 in cash and prizes, a chance to string at the US Open and will be featured in a 30-minute television special for The Tennis Channel entitled “Wilson World Stringing Championships” that will be shown in prime time on The Tennis Channel. Besides some of the best stringers in the world, other notable participants include French Open doubles champion and tennis analyst Luke Jensen, US doubles star Travis Parrott, tennis star James Blake’s brother Thomas and tennis Olympian Mardy Fish’s father Tom. The event is sanctioned by the USRSA (United States Racquet Stringers Association).
Participants can enter online, www.tennischannelopen.com, with a $20 registration fee or at the event for $30. Contestants will be judged based on completion time and by following strict guidelines focusing on quality of work.
The Darling Memorial Tennis Center will be the site of the Tennis Channel Open for the ATP tournament with special events including a women’s professional ITF event, fast serve championship, a table tennis event with some of the best US players and a world championships of paddle tennis. Wilson will be involved with all of the events on-site, which will be broadcast on The Tennis Channel, including managing player stringing services and a retail presence.
“Wilson is a natural fit for The Tennis Channel Open in not only providing equipment, but more importantly their knowledge of events from working with Grand Slam tournaments and grassroots programs around the world, “ Steve Bellamy, president and founder of The Tennis Channel, said. “Wilson brings a unique understanding of the retail, marketing and operational needs to make this event a first class experience for everyone from the players to the fans.”
“The Tennis Channel Open is the first event to create an interactive experience that highlights aspects of the game never seen before like visible player stringing and the integration of other racquet sports like table and paddle tennis,” Jon Muir, director of US sales and marketing for Wilson Racquet Sports, said. “Wilson is excited to support The Tennis Channel in being part of this first-year event that is certain to become a focal point for the sport and fan experience.”
For more information on The Tennis Channel Open, visit www.tennischannelopen.com
Wilson Racquet Sports is a division of Chicago-based Wilson Sporting Goods, one of the world's leading manufacturers of sports equipment and owned by Amer Sports. Wilson designs, manufactures and distributes sporting goods throughout the world and focuses on making technologically advanced products which help all players play better. Wilson's core sport categories include: Football, Basketball, Baseball, Volleyball, Soccer, Youth Sports, Uniforms/Apparel, Golf, Footwear and Racquet Sports (Tennis, Racquetball, Squash, Badminton and Platform Tennis). For more information, visit www.wilsontennis.com.
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Event Date: 03/03/06
Event Title: Wilson World Stringing Champs. at "Tennispalooza"
Links:
www.wilson.com
