Tennis through and through - that's what Sandra Kirschbaum , owner of Kirschbaum Sportartikel GmbH, has lived by since she was a child. In a really interesting interview with Marc Raffel, tennis entrepreneur and long-time business partner of the Kirschbaum company, she explains why and how she has been connected to tennis, the players and the tennis scene for over 30 years. Among other things, Kirschbaum will also be the title sponsor of the ITF men's tennis tournament in the Rhine district of Neuss in 2021. From April 13th, 2021 to April 18th, 2021 the tournament will again be called “Kirschbaum International” - the ATP Talent Show. The game is played in Teremeer, the sports and tennis resort in Meerbusch. And TennisTraveller will be taking part as an official tournament partner for the first time.
, company owner Sandra Kirschbaum talks about the tradition of Kirschbaum tennis strings, the particular challenge of the tennis industry in Corona times and the current state of the German tennis tournament landscape.
Marc Raffel:
Sandra, you have been working at Kirschbaum Sportartikel GmbH for almost 30 years, which you took over from your father years ago. Would you make that decision again today?
Sandra Kirschbaum:
Of course! It's great to transport your own name all over the world.
Marc Raffel:
Kirschbaum strings can look back on a long tradition. What distinguishes the strings from your company?
Sandra Kirschbaum:
We have been guaranteeing consistent quality, a wide range of products and long-term availability of the various strings for decades. In addition, as a family business, we provide top service directly to the customer.
Marc Raffel:
People used to play with wooden rackets, today they play with ultra-modern rackets made with materials from space travel. Has the meaning of a tennis string changed in recent years and decades?
Sandra Kirschbaum:
The importance of the string is still extremely high in professional tennis. In contrast to the past, we are observing that more and more team and recreational athletes are placing great value on the right string and are also taking advantage of our advisory services.
Marc Raffel:
Where and how are your cherry tree tennis strings produced?
Sandra Kirschbaum:
We produce most of our products in Germany. This affects our entire polyester range. Surface modifications and individual profiles are developed and implemented directly on site in Witten. The entire worldwide distribution of Kirschbaum products is controlled from Witten.
Marc Raffel:
Many tennis players always ask themselves which string is the right one for them. What types of strings are there and what are the differences?
Sandra Kirschbaum:
The decision for a type of string is extremely individual and depends on many factors such as racket model, string weight, playing system, age, fitness level, etc. The trend is towards thinner strings and lower string weight. Here, too, I can once again invite every player - no matter what level of play - to receive individual and personal advice using the advice form on our homepage.
Marc Raffel:
Natural gut strings used to be the measure of all things. Is it still like that?
Sandra Kirschbaum:
No. Due to further developments in rackets and string materials, the gut string has lost its importance.
Marc Raffel:
How hard should you string a string? Which hardness do the professionals prefer?
Sandra Kirschbaum: In the professional sector it depends on the surface and temperature. What is clear is that fewer and fewer top players are stringing their rackets very hard.
Marc Raffel:
We are all living in strange times due to the corona crisis. What impact do the developments have on your company?
Sandra Kirschbaum:
The lockdown last spring hit us quickly and hard. Without sports, there is no demand for equipment. When the clubs opened in mid-May, pleasing demand quickly developed again. This is how we managed to cushion the loss.
Marc Raffel:
Tennis is primarily played at tournaments. There are many formats and options. How do you see developments in the tournament landscape?
Sandra Kirschbaum:
The global tennis circus has already been hit hard by Corona and with it the tournament organizers and organizers. However, the player base, consisting of young talent, teams and LK players, seems to me to be extremely stable and crisis-proof. Most people play tennis with passion.
Marc Raffel:
Kirschbaum strings were and are played by many tournament players and tennis professionals. Which contract players do you remember particularly fondly? Who currently trusts your products?
Sandra Kirschbaum:
Ex-Kirschbaum players include French Open champion Gaston Gaudio, Carlos Moya, Karol Kucera, Patty Schnyder and Angelique Kerber. Today we focus primarily on young talent and projects for young talent.
Company headquarters: Witten
Company has existed since: 1987
Company owner: Sandra Kirschbaum
Company founder: Horst Kirschbaum
Employees: 13
Products: Strings & Accessories
Company philosophy: Family, tennis, service, passion
Marc Raffel is the owner of MARA Sport-Consulting and a tennis entrepreneur with various fields of activity.
Whether as a tournament organizer of major ATP and ITF tournaments as well as DTB ranking and LK tournaments, operator of the YONEX tennis base in the Teremeer tennis and sports resort Meerbusch or organizer of tennis camps at home and abroad. The field of activity is broad and Marc is known throughout Germany as a tennis great.
Which string is right for me? This question is certainly very difficult for most of us to answer. Although the wide range of rackets on offer may be somewhat manageable, this is difficult when it comes to the range of strings on offer. At least that's how I feel.
I think the Kirschbaum Strings advice service, which is used to inquire about various aspects, is all the more great. There will then be individual advice and a corresponding suggestion.
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