HEAD partners with Tennis Europe

HEAD racquet sports today announced the start of a three-year partnership with Tennis Europe, the largest regional association of the sport's governing body, the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

From January 1 2007, HEAD will be the “Official racquet, tennis ball, string, bag, accessory, footwear and apparel” partner of Tennis Europe and will become the presenting sponsor of Europe’s largest junior team tennis competition, the Tennis Europe Winter Cup by HEAD and of the forthcoming pan-European team event for Under 12s starting next summer.

“This partnership with the organizing body of European tennis strengthens HEAD's focus and commitment to key grass roots areas of Tennis in Europe,” said Robert Marte, Executive vice president of HEAD’s racquet sports division. "We highly value the opportunity to bring our brand and innovative product portfolio even stronger to the entire European market. We are excited about the opportunities to support the development and promotion of the sport in general and will get particularly involved in junior tennis by sponsoring the most prestigious junior tennis events in Europe.”

The newly launched HEAD Ball will be the official Ball of all Tennis Europe’s flagship events including the European Junior Championships and Junior Masters events. It will also be the “Recommended ball of the Tennis Europe Junior Tour”, a circuit of some 270 events scheduled in almost all member nations with 8000 participants across three age groups (under, 12, 14 and 16).

“We are thrilled to be able to count upon the commitment and enthusiasm of HEAD; a brand synonymous with innovation, quality and high performance,” said Tennis Europe President John James , “As we continue to invest our resources in more than 1,000 tennis events annually, we are confident that the partnership will not only serve to enhance these events, but will also enable HEAD to directly engage with thousands of players of all ages and abilities across the continent.”

Tennis Europe is comprised of 49 European member nations and maintains excellent relationships with the sports’ governing bodies; the International Tennis Federation, ATP and WTA Tour.