Former British tennis number 1 Greg Rusedski talks to SGB about the current state of the UK game and how retailers can improve their service of tennis products
Sports Trade W
hen looking back on British tennis in the nineties and early noughties, it is perhaps easy
If people stock quality products with staff who are knowledgeable and passionate about tennis then retailers are likely to
without adequate knowledge of tennis.
see the benefi t. Too o en shops employ staff
to overlook the achievements of Greg Rusedski. With the darling of Wimbledon, Tim Henman, pulling on the heartstrings of the thousands every year on ‘Henman Hill’ and beyond with courageous challenges at Wimbledon, Rusedski can easily be seen as the forgotten man of British Tennis. When comparing the records of the 2 individuals, Rusedski’s record is the more impressive of the pair. A US Open fi nal appearance and more singles titles than Henman (15 to 11) suggests Rusedski may have been underrated by the British public. Since retiring from tennis in 2007, Rusedski has undertaken a variety of work projects that include media work with Sky, Eurosport and the BBC, coaching the next generation of UK tennis hopefuls and his latest appointment as brand ambassador for Mantis. It is coaching the next generation of Henman’s and Rusedski’s that gives him the most satisfaction.
“ Focusing on improving the grass roots of the game is essential for the future well- being of the sport. This has crucially been lacking and it is only now the tennis authorities are beginning to understand how the UK has underachieved in the past due to a lack of investment in the youth side of the sport.” This appears to paying dividends with a host
of youngsters on the cusp of breaking into the tennis elite. The likes of Laura Robson and Oliver Golding are certainly names to keep an eye on in the future.. The current average age of the players on the professional tour is 25 so hopefully in a few years to come this investment in the youth side of the sport will be rewarded. According to Rusedski, the game has changed
signifi cantly since he hung up his racquet and coaching youngsters accordingly may be the key to success. “The art of serve and volley tennis that British
youngsters are brought up on is largely gone. The courts are quicker, players are stronger and there is a larger element of baseline tennis involved. We need to make sure youngsters are properly coached to adapt to the changing nature of the game.” When SGB asked Rusedski about how retailers
could improve the selling of tennis products, quality was seen as essential in both product knowledge and products stocked. “It is as if many retailers see racquet sports as an afterthought.” says Rusedski. “If people stock quality products with staff who are knowledgeable and passionate about tennis then retailers are likely to see the benefi t. Too often shops employ staff without adequate knowledge of tennis.” Rusedski raises an important point. Too much emphasis has traditionally been placed on the 2 weeks of the year when Wimbledon takes place. In many shops tennis is then shunned to a corner of the store and largely forgotten about for the rest of the year. However with Andy Murray hopefully securing
that elusive Grand Slam very soon and the potential improvement in the junior side of the game being shown, tennis will become a sport that retailers can capitalise on for the whole year. SGB
SGB-SPORTS.COM | 37
checkout fi nish Greg Rusedski Serving it up to the
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40