Hantuchova Picks Up an O3 Racquet and Wins Pacific Life Open
Slovakian Star Latest To Switch To O3; Looks for Success In Miami
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Zach Perles
One Advantage Court
Bordentown,
609-291-5932
zperles@princesports.com
03/20/07 - Bordentown, NJ – Professional athletes are very particular when it comes to their equipment. It is rare that a top touring pro will pick up a new racquet and decide, right on the spot, that he or she needs to make a change. However, that is exactly what Daniela Hantuchova (HAN-too-koh-vuh) the hard hitting Slovakian star did when she approached Prince about switching to the O3 White after testing it for the first time in Dubai.
“It was pretty simple really. I picked up the racquet and just fell in love with it,” said Hantuchova. “I was not looking to make a switch, but it felt so great in my hands.”
The 23-year-old was so impressed with the O3 White, that she immediately contacted Prince about using it during the 2007 Pacific Life Open. Clearly, it worked. As with nearly every other touring pro who has made the switch to O3, Hantuchova had immediate success, making an inspired run and knocking off five seeded players, including the #2 seed, on her way to capturing the PLO title with a 6-3, 6-4 victory in the finals.
“This is what's the most important thing for me, to be able to do well in big tournaments like this and Grand Slams, so definitely it means a lot to me. The new racquet really helped increase my first serve percentage and power and helped me pull out the victory.” said Hantuchova.
When asked how what winning the Pacific Life Open specifically meant to her, Hantuchova said, “You’ve got the best players in the world playing, it's definitely a very tough one to win. I think there are only a few players in the past that were able to win this tournament twice. And, you know, being able to be one of them, it definitely feels great. This is one of my favorite tournaments, and definitely the biggest one after the slams.”
Hantuchova is hoping for similar results when she takes to the courts with the O3 White this week in Miami at the Sony Ericsson Open.
In addition to being the best selling racquet of 2006*, the O3 White, one of the thirteen racquets in the O3 line, is the same racquet that helped Maria Sharapova win the 2006 U.S Open and reach the world’s number one position earlier this year. O3 was named the Hottest Racquet Technology by Tennis Magazine last year and since its introduction, O3 racquets has helped players capture 166 ATP and WTA tour events including six Grand Slam titles.
“We are very proud and excited for Daniela and congratulate her on a well-deserved title,” said Linda Glassel, VP of Marketing and Communications at Prince. “It is very cool to not only have a player of Daniella’s caliber ask to play a racquet, but to see it result in a tournament win. The response to O3 on tour has been absolutely incredible and her win only helps to validate that we have something very special here.”
Why Are They Switching?
The revolutionary, visible technology which replaces traditional pin-sized string holes, with giant O-ports offers numerous benefits including improved aerodynamics and a measurably larger sweetspot. The result is a racquet that allows players, of all levels, the opportunity to hit their best shots, more often.
Hantuchova becomes the latest name on a growing list of tour players asking for, and taking advantage of the technology. In fact, nearly 60% of touring pros who have tested an O3 racquet have ended up making the switch – an incredible rate among very particular professional athletes. In only two short years, over 75 ATP and WTA players have picked up an O3 racquet and, more impressive, nearly every one has improved their ranking considerably.
Here is what a few of them had to say about O3 and making the switch:
Nikolay Davydenko
Ranking Before: #20
Ranking After: #3
“It is simple. My O3 Tour is helping me play better. I am serving and returning better, more consistently, on every surface. And my ranking improvement backs that up.”
Maria Sharapova
Ranking Before: #4
Ranking After: #1
“I switched to the O3 White because it’s faster through the air. I was having problems reaching shots that weren’t in my range. With faster racquet head speed and a larger sweet spot, my range has expanded, and I feel like I can reach everything.”
Paul Goldstein
Ranking Before: #202
Ranking After: #54
“I had no idea how much O3 would help my game. I’ve been on the tour for nine years and the O3 Tour helped me move from 202 to 54 in the rankings.”
Shahar Peer
Ranking Before: #45
Ranking After: #16
“It’s not easy switching racquets as a touring pro. The Hybrid Tour was a different story. I’ve had great success with the racquet and won my first two WTA tour titles after switching.”
Jelena Jankovic
Ranking Before: #48
Ranking After: #9
“My game and confidence have improved dramatically since I picked up O3. The O3 Red gives me more power and helps me maintain ball control. That combination is key to playing my best tennis.”
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. Prince gives players speed, stability and a larger sweet spot with O3 racquet technology, building the brand with O3 Original Series (2005), O3 Hybrid (2006) and O3 Speedport (2007). In 2006, Prince introduced M Series footwear with Precision Tube Technology, an 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.
