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INDUSTRY NEWS
E-commerce, communications and fi nancial tech company
Rakuten is the new global presenting partner for Davis Cup.
The competition will be renamed Davis Cup by Rakuten.
Rakuten also becomes the Davis Cup’s “global innovation and entertainment partner.” The
agreement with the International Tennis Federation is for 2019 and 2020, with the option of a
two year extension.
Rakuten is expected to receive high visibility in the Davis Cup fi nals and qualifi ers.
“We are delighted to welcome Rakuten,” says ITF President David Haggerty. “The Davis Cup has
always been about maintaining tradition while embracing innovation. Adopting new technologies
for the Davis Cup is allowing us to enter exciting new partnerships, and we look forward to working
with Rakuten to reach a global audience in new and diverse ways.”
With over 1.2 billion members worldwide, Rakuten says it will leverage its experience and
expertise in e-commerce and membership loyalty programs to bring global innovation to the Davis
Cup through digital and o ine activations aimed at enhancing the fan experience.
Plans include opening up new avenues of online communications and contentsharing for
supporters.
Rakuten has partnerships with sports powers such as FC Barcelona, the Golden State Warriors
and the National Basketball Association. The company also has been the title sponsor of the
ATP Rakuten Japan Open since 2009.
DecoTurf Chosen for Tennis Courts at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo
California Sports Surfaces, an industry-leading manufacturer of sports surfaces and division of
ICP Building Solutions Group (ICP BSG), announced that its brand DecoTurf® has been selected
as the tennis court surface for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
The trusted low-maintenance DecoTurf® surface was chosen by the Tokyo Organizing Committee
for the prestigious event, marking the fi fth time California Sports Surfaces will provide the surface
for the Olympic Games. DecoTurf® meets the standards set by the International Tennis
Federation (ITF), and as such, has been used for events around the world. The full-depth resilient
surface provides maximum comfort and consistent playability. The colors chosen for the event are
two tones: US Open blue and US Open green.
DecoTurf’s multilayer cushioned tennis surface was chosen for its excellent fl atness and homoge-
neity, ability to provide stable ball bounces and players’ intended ball speeds, strong durability and
low maintenance requirements. The Ariake Tennis Park will feature DecoTurf® technology across
all 12 match courts and eight practice courts. DecoTurf is also featured in the Utsubo Tennis
Center located in Osaka, Japan, which is a designated training facility for Olympic and Paralympic
athletes competing in Tokyo’s 2020 games.
In addition to the company’s selection for fi ve Olympic Games, California Sports Surfaces’ trusted
brands have also been chosen for use in six Paralympic Games, as well as every US Open since
1978; several NCAA Championships; the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea; the 2008
Summer Olympics in Beijing, China; the Australian Open from 1988 through 2019; and other ven-
ues.
For more information about ICP Group, California Sports Surfaces or DecoTurf®, please visit
californiasportssurfaces.com
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ERSA PRO STRINGER // ISSUE 6-2019