The World of Tennis - The Transformation of a Gentleman's Game

The sport of Tennis has a global following and isare stores all over the world that sell tennis clothing,
perhaps one of the most glamorous media spectacles.racquets, balls and shoes both online and offline. The
The tournaments are scheduled all over the world andendorsement of superstars like world No. 1 Roger
it has spawned superstar players who have aFederer has had a huge impact on the sales of tennis
celebrity like following. The business side of the sport isproducts. There are many products that have been
worth billions of dollars in merchandizing, sponsorships,specially designed keeping his image and lifestyle in
media broadcasting and tickets. The tennis equipmentmind.
is sold all over the world and is one of the mostSimilarly there are other tennis stars like the legendary
lucrative merchandizing business.Steffi Graf and Serena Williams have brought massive
A recent study in America showed that Tennis isattention and commercial appeal to several tennis
among the top 5 sporting events in terms ofproducts. Over the years technology has played a
commercial appeal and fan following. The profile getshuge part in redefining and redesigning these products
a major boost during the four Grand Slam events thatas well.
are the most prestigious and marquee tournaments ofThe Modern Edge and Technology - How Tennis
the tennis calendar. The game has indeed come a longRacquets have been Revolutionized
way from the 18th century origins which was startedIn the 60s and 70s the rackets were made of wood
on the croquet grounds of Birmingham in England. Theand aluminum. We all remember Jimmy Connors
popularity of the game is attributed topopularizing steel rackets with wired string loops from
• Global media attention and increase in the numberthe mid 70s. But the slow and relaxed tennis has
of tournaments and matches splayed each yearpaved the way for power tennis. The serves touching
• Superstar status of the top players that haveover 150 mph is only possible with advent of new
become sports iconstechnology in tennis racquets and balls.
• Brand endorsements of not just tennis relatedThe racquets are now made of graphite and carbon
products but a diversified portfolio of consumer itemsand the strings are polyester or nylon. This has
like cars, food products and even high-end couturecompletely revolutionized the game and its current
The Merchandizing Business - Global Sales of Tennispowerful and super fast shots that have invoked
Equipmentmajor attention. These latest line of tennis equipment is
A very large part of the success of tennis as a sportwidely available and distributed across the tennis
is due to the merchandizing of tennis products. Therestores all over the world.