China's first Olympic tennis gold drove Chinese consumer interest in tennis, helping sporting goods company Amer Sports grow ball and racket gear sales by double digits in its third quarter.

Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Tim Newcomb covers tennis gear/business, stadiums and sneaker tech. Roger Federer has put his signature on a string of Wilson rackets.

The countdown to the Australian Open is always an electrifying time, with the tennis world buzzing over players’ preparations ...