Hello Rebounces Nation,

Well, more hardware for the favorites. But is it really that boring? No way!

My God, can you imagine how good Fed would be if he would have been pushed during the early part of his career. I sincerely believe he is better now than he was a couple of years ago. Once he adjusted emotionally to the fact that he could be beaten consistently, he has taken personal inventory, had some kids and come back stronger (and smarter) than before. So a big "Oi" to the master. Better get healed up Roddick and Rafa - your not going to beat this guy with sore knees and shoulders. Andy M., your time is coming! Been a big fan for a few years now. Heart and Brains and maybe the best return game in the game.

Congrats Serena! I never cease to be amazed by this woman. I really thought Henin was going to take it but once again I was wrong. Serena showed off her heart and her wheels (not to mention her amazing serve) during the last 2 weeks. Henin has comeback with a renewed (aggressive) game. I LIKE IT! If I could hit that backhand I dare say that I would dispatch my current playing partners with ease (Bill/Cannon.) Also, a big slap on the back to the Chinese contingent. How does someone make it to the semis of a grand slam with a first serve speed of 80 mph? Easy, FOOTWORK! We should all be so nimble.

How about an update on Rebounces you ask? Going to be an exciting 2010. Heading to Dallas Challenger at T Bar M next week for a recycling promotion. Thanks to Bob, Andrew and the rest of the T Bar M staff for being such loyal clients and friends. They completely get what we are doing. It is saving them some serious jack and they are serious about sustainability. Looking forward to meeting everyone in the flesh.

Big plans in March for a repeat performance at the BNP Paribas Open. Doing a bigger, better promotion at this year's event. Hope to announce a third-party partner on this soon. Gonna be big! Thanks Sauveur/BNP for sharing our vision. Fired up for the desert in 2010.

OK, I'm gonna give it to you now. We have a new product launch. You've been asking for it so here it is. The Rebounces' Green Machine! Now you can re-pressurize your balls on site and use them until the felt wears off if you so choose. Contact me at grant@rebounces.com for more info. Never fear, we will continue to offer our free recycling program and recharging service for those of you who don't need our machine.

 

I have some major news on a personal note. Cannon and Angel are expecting - a baby! I can't think of 2 finer people to be parents. Just tell me the cute stuff though; don't want to hear about any "poopy diapers." Do you think we can get Pampers to print some designer Rebounces logo'd ones?

Well, that's it for now. Everyone say a prayer for the folks in Haiti and do what you can to help.

Grant

 

What a ride!  Tennis fans got a little of everything out of this event.  Congratulations to (fairly) newcomer Melanie Oudin.  Got to give it to the 17-year-old for keeping her head down and getting the job done.  Lord knows I have a hard enough time concentrating when someone forgets to dim their high beams.  This girl saw more flash bulbs in 2 weeks than Maria Sharapova sees in a day.

How about Serena?  Tough spot.  I've been that mad before - many times.  Not pleasant for spectators (or linespersons) but most athletes appreciate the intensity of the moment.  At least that's how I remember my parents trying to to explain it to our club pro back in the day.

Kim Clijsters!  She's going to be on every maternal magazine cover from here to the Barbary Coast.  A really big congrats to her and her family.  A baby girl and a U.S. Open - wonderful.  I remember Evonne Goolagong winning Wimbledon back in '77 and I will never forget my mother's reaction - "That is one of the greatest things in sports I have ever seen; however, she wouldn't be doing that if she had 4 boys like me!"

Rafa - Kudos my man!  If any of you have ever pulled all the muscles in your thoracic region you have to marvel at the Mallorcan Marauder what was able to achieve.  I'm not talking about that week you had that really bad cold and you sneezed way too hard - one too many times.  I'm talking about pain like you see in Die Hard (I - X) when Bruce Willis is hanging by his thumbs with electrical devices connected to multiple parts of his person.  Oh yeah.  Did I mention Rafa's knees?  Not so great.  The boy could have knees designed by God's personal orthopedist but if you cannot turn on a first serve how far do you think you are going to advance in the U.S. Open - how about the semifinals!  Absolutely Amazing.

Roger - Another remarkable run.  I have to admit that Bill ( CEO Rebounces and new father ) and I were questioning whether the Federer twins developed a nasty case of cholic the night before the finals: sleep deprivation is a beast.  But less than 50% first serve in the finals of the U.S. Open?  . . . I've always heard that a Swiss bank account was a good thing to have.  Just jokin'.  Keep the fire boy - this is when it should get interesting for you.

Juan, Juan, Jaun Martin Del Potro!  Maybe they could find this guy's birth certificate with the President's.  20?  I thought you had to be at least 25 to have a license for those ground strokes.  What an advantage that height must be when ripping over that forehand.  The young man's court behaviour is a bit hard to describe but when the chips were down he came out on top - easily - against Roger Federer.  I'm officially a fan.  Just do me a favor and don't start wearing all black like Guillermo.   And, next time don't be so courteous when Dick Enberg tries to hog the mic and not let you say hello to your countrymen in your own language!  Did you see Kanye West/Taylor Swift?  Something like that except you don't have to apologize.

Great to see the Open getting serious about their recycling effort.  We hope all of you will do the same in your personal/business lives.  I'm not saying sell all your worldly possessions and move into the nearest tree (although that does sound challenging.)  We just hope people will take the time to think twice about what it is that they are doing or not doing.  Not just in regard to recycling, but in all manner of life.

OK then people!  Summer has drawn to a close so we know that there are a ton of balls out there just waiting to be Rebounced.  Whether you are interested in having them Recharged or simply need an easy, free way to dispose of them properly, please contact us so we can help.

Thank you and welcome to all of our existing and new clients for joining the cause.

I would be remiss in not saying that it is now football season.  GO HOGS!

Grant Garland / Rebounces.com

 

Another fine example of just how tight things are getting at the top.  I believe the phrase goes something like "on any given weekend . . ."  Serena's inury was evident on Sunday but let's not take anything away from Victoria who is climbing the charts faster than a new hit single.  Murray is proving that he can handle any task thrown his way.  I am going to go out on a limb and predict that barring personal injury and/or a planetary invasion of tennis playing extraterrestrials Andy is going to take Wimbledon and the U.S. Open this year.  Roddick, if you are listening/reading, we are all pulling for you and your game is the best it has been so please go out and prove me wrong!

Congratulations to Sony Ericsson and the staff at Crandon Park for another fine year.  We were unable to make it down this time but we pledge to make Rebounces' presence noted at next year's event.

Grant

I have to send a big shout out to our good friends at BNP Paribas and Indian Wells.  Congratulations on such a wonderful tournament and such a fine facility ( Me and the boys now refer to it as tennis heaven. )  The hospitality was unparalleled as were the people who demonstrated it.  Thank you for working so hard to help Rebounces take its place among other members of the tennis industry.   The recycling promotion was a huge success ( 3,000 balls collected ) and we look forward to working with everyone next year to achieve even greater success. 

To Sauveur, Etty, Michele and the other fine BNP folks - kudos on your inaugural debut in the desert!  We sincerely appreciate your efforts and support of the greatest game on the planet.

To Steve Simon ( The unflappable face of controlled chaos ) and the Indian Wells staff - what a well-oiled machine!  We look forward to a long-term partnership.

On a personal note - I'm bringing my racquet and golf clubs next year so bring your "A" game!

Grant

Wow!  I remember why I love tennis.  It's not the comradery, it's not the exercise, it's not the short skirts ( OK, it's partially the short skirts ).  I set my alarm for 2:30 a.m. last night/this morning - it was worth it!  If you didn't see the Nadal/Verdasco match, you don't know what you missed.  I knew it was going to be great but I never imagined 5 hours 15 minutes of prize fighting with fuzzy, yellow balls!  I don't cry over chick flicks but when 2 countrymen lay it all on the line like that it is difficult not to get misty.  Usually when I am screaming as the sun comes up it's due to my somnambulistic nature but this time I was wide awake.  I swear, if I knew the words/tune to the Spanish national anthem I would have belted it out so loud the neighbors would have called the police.  Watch out world - it is no longer the Big 4.  Welcome to the show Fernando Verdasco!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy New Year everyone!  Rebounces is gearing up for '09.  We greatly appreciate the enthusiasm ( and orders! ) from the tennis community at large.  The overall economic climate is a bit daunting but we are doing our part to keep tennis in the black.  Since adding our custom recharging service, sales have picked up dramatically.  We think it is great that tennis instructors are serious about quality control of their practice balls.  So whether you want your own balls recharged or you need to pull from our inventory, we want to help.

I want to send a shout out to my Aussie friends down under and wish them good luck with the tournament this year.  It's not Pearl Jam & Kings of Leon ( inside joke ) but I am sure it will be a good time as well.  I wonder if Federer & Vedder would make a good doubles team.  We'll try to make it down again next year!

We will be making some updates to the website soon so please tune in.  If you haven't tried our balls yet please call or email about our demo program.

New Years Resolutions:

- perfect my imperfect one-handed topspin backhand

- remember how to take a divot with my short irons

- teach Bill how to play ping pong so that we can have competitive matches

- have Bill teach me how to throw darts so that we can have competitive matches

- make Rebounces a household name ( or at least a pro shop one )

- Oh yeah, find the perfect woman, achieve world peace and become the master of time, space & dimension.

 

Happy New Year and let's make it a great one!

Grant Garland

Rebounces

  

Hello all!  I would like for you to help me welcome a new addition to the Dirst ( and Rebounces ) Family.  Bill's wife Shelley gave birth to a beautiful baby girl on Friday November 10th.  Everyone is healthy and well.  Even 4-year-old Andrew Dirst is handling the transition well.  I am sure with his help, Emerson will learn all the finer points of race car tracks, monster trucks and skyscrapers before she turns a year old.  We have decided that there could be some basketball in her future as her fingers appear long enough to palm a ball already.  She also appears to be a good sleeper which is a characteristic she might want to pass along to her older brother for the sake of his parents.

 Congratulations!  Beautiful people make beautiful children!