Tour Proven™ Performances Help Prince O3 Racquets “Rule the Court™”
Prince Equipment Played on Tour to be Branded “Tour Proven” in Marketplace
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Zach Perles
One Advantage Court
Bordentown,
609-291-5932
zperles@princesports.com
09/12/06 - Bordentown, NJ – All competitors know that the slightest advantage against an opponent means the difference between success and defeat. Touring professionals, like all players, are constantly looking for ways to improve their game, get the most from themselves and their equipment, and give themselves every opportunity to turn a tournament appearance into a championship run.
Recently, the buzz in the ATP and WTA locker rooms has revolved around racquets – specifically Prince's line of O 3 Technology. In fact, O3 has created such an impact since its introduction that 56 percent of players who test an O3 racquet make the switch.
In response to the success and feedback of O3 Technology, and in an effort to make it easier not only for touring pros, but also competitive and recreational players to identify and capitalize on products which have been shown to raise players' games, Prince will begin branding select products with a new, easily identifiable, Tour Proven™ “stamp of approval.”
Players who are looking to give themselves the competitive edge can look for the Tour Proven™ logo on Prince O3 racquets and other products in the first quarter of 2007.
Prince Partners with Players to Create Winning Equipment
Over the past two years, Prince has evolved the way it develops new equipment, dedicating its mission to innovation, ensuring success at the highest level. The company has instituted a dynamic play-testing process that partners the company’s designers and engineers with the world’s top players. The Tour Proven™ stamp of approval reflects a close collaboration between Prince's product designers, engineers and top pros who understand exactly what needs have to be met for a product to succeed on tour.
“Our products are the result of consistent, ongoing dialogue with players who are candid with their feedback,” said Prince Sports CEO George Napier. “We give them the opportunity to test and refine equipment. Every product is put through the rigors of the game before it ever makes its tour debut.”
O3 is the most-played new technology on Tour with 75 of 101 Team Prince players making the switch to either an O3 or O3 Hybrid model, and seeing great success, including 121 tournament wins. In fact, Maria Sharapova just won the 2006 U.S. Open singles title, and Jelena Jankovic reached the women’s singles semifinal.
“Professional tennis players rarely switch brands and equipment, unless the technology has the ability to take their game to another level,” says Linda Glassel, vice president of sports marketing for Prince. “O3 Technology produces a faster, more aerodynamic racquet with a significantly larger sweetspot. This gives touring pros a reason to change.”
Top Players Switch to Tour Proven™ Technology: O3 Engineering
Before switching to the O3 Tour in May 2005, Nikolay Davydenko was ranked No. 20 in the world; since then he has shot up to No. 4 on the men’s tour and is considered one of the premier clay court players in the world. Davydenko has a stronger first serve percentage, more total return points won and more total points won overall than before switching to O3. “With O3, I’ve found a racquet that lets me play better,” Davydenko said. “Better shots mean more winners. I am serving and returning better, more consistently on every surface.”
Maria Sharapova (No. 3), 2006 US Open Champion who signed a lifetime endorsement deal with Prince in August 2006, switched to the O3 White in January. “I switched to the O3 White because it is faster through the air,” Sharapova said. “I was having problems on shots that I had to reach for, shots that weren’t in my range. O3, because it is faster through the air and has a bigger sweet spot has really helped with this part of my game.” Sharapova is also serving faster and serving more aces per match since switching to O3.
Jelena Jankovic (No. 14) of Serbia switched to the O3 Red in 2006 and saw a resurgence in her game – one that took her all the way to the semifinals at the 2006 U.S. Open. “My game and my confidence have improved so much since I picked up O3,” Jankovic said. “The O3 Red gives me more power and also helps me maintain ball control – that’s a combination I need to play my best.”
“I switched to O3 to improve my shot accuracy,” said Samantha Stosur, currently the #1 doubles player in the world. “In doubles, the game is very fast; and there’s little room for error. O3 is more aerodynamic; and I take full advantage of the large sweet spot when I’m reaching out wide.”
O3 Generates New Passion in the Game
The popularity of O3 Technology has moved into the recreational tennis community. According to the 2006 TIA/SMS Second Quarter Audit Report, five of the top six hottest selling racquets are O3 Technology. The Audit also cites the fact that O3 is the fastest growing technology in the tennis business, capturing 17.4 percent of market share. In addition, the TIA/SMS – Year-end 2005 Dealer Trend Survey ranked O3 as the highest rated racquet technology in terms of consumer benefit.
About Prince Sports
Prince Sports, Inc., based in New Jersey, is a recognized leader in game-improvement technologies and engineering-based high-performance sports equipment. Since 1970, Prince and Ektelon have revolutionized tennis, squash and racquetball with innovations including “Oversize,” “Longbody” and “Extender” racquet technologies, Natural Foot Shape footwear technology, Synthetic Gut String and Electronic Ball Machines. In 2005, Prince introduced O3, another breakthrough that features an expanded sweet spot (up to 54 percent) and increased racquet speed, a combination only possible with O3 Technology. In 2006, Prince developed M Series footwear with Precision Tubes, the latest innovation that gives players maximum cushioning, stability and ventilation. Prince Sports has operations on three continents and distribution in over 100 countries. For more information, please visit www.princetennis.com.
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