TennisIDENTITY

Novak Djokovic. Stick and Style at the Australian Open 2012.

 Novak Djokovic kicked off the 2012 season with new tennis fashion from Sergio Tacchini. No change in stick however; his HEAD Youtek IG Speed MP racket has certainly served him well.

The polo's colors (on white base for day, black base for night) are inspired by the Serbian flag which also appears in a heart at the lower left shirt hem.  The shirt also comes in navy and as a crew. ST designers tell me that the digital prints (that look to me like art created by a fast paint soaked jump rope) are an artistic interpretation of the dynamic nature of tennis, the force of a ball strike and the Serb's explosive energy. Explosive. Perfect word for Novak's game.

If anyone can prove that a line moves and breathes with you without any hindrence it's Djokovic. No question in the claim that the line here is ergonomic. No ST distribution in the US at this time. 

Find a HEAD racket retailer at HEAD or test drive through Tennis-Warehouse.  Novak's apparel is available at Sergio Tacchini. 

10 tennis players make Bloomberg/Businessweek top 100. 4 Men, 6 Women.

The 2012 Power 100 ranking of the most powerful professional athletes in the U.S was just released by Bloomberg/Businessweek. Ten tennis players made the cut:  

#5 Rafael Nadal, #6 Roger Federer, #9 Novak Djokovic, #25 Serena Williams, #33 Maria Sharapova, #40 Caroline Wozniacki, #80 Andy Murray, #83 Petra Kvitova, #93 Venus Williams, and #96 Victoria Azarenka.

The three in the top ten follow some of the biggest names in sports including Drew Brees (#1), Tom Brady, and LeBron James. Analytics used evaluated more than 3,000 athletes across a variety of sports, with 50 percent based on "off-field" measurements and 50 percent on "on-field" performance.

See the slide-show plus full info on contracts etc. at Bloomberg/BusinessWeek. 

Image ©GettyImages

Stanislas Wawrinka and Bernard Tomic choose YONEX.

Stanislas Wawrinka has welcomed 2012 with a full change to YONEX. He leaves le croc and Head behind.

Pictured he wears the Yonex Mens Australian Open 2012 crew and short. The shirt is also available in dark red with orange (which was worn by Lleyton Hewitt).

Thr inset below shows off the reverse side of this shirt. Big back graphics continue to make a statement. I'm a fan,

The on-court line is made with 100% very cool poly that reflects the suns rays and keeps body temp. down.

Bernard Tomic is another newbie to YONEX - racquet use only. His apparel is Nike - both Tomic and Wawrinka play with the VCORE98D.

“It has been a great start," said Tomic. "I'm enjoying playing with YONEX because there was a long process trying racquets and working choosing the right length and width. I'm happy to find it and it's gonna be a good start this year and I will be better this year..."

So far so good. RF was the one to stop him in Australia. Nice run though (for both guys).

Find a retailer at Yonex.

 

Vera Zvonareva moves to Fila. Kim Clijsters and Svetlana Kuznetsova renew contracts.

You may have noticed. Vera Zvonareva has joined team Fila and she looks damn good in her inaugural choices in Australia. 

“I have admired the Fila brand since I was a young girl and I am thrilled to join the elite group of athletes that have worn Fila throughout the years,” said Zvonareva. “The...brand aligns so well with my personal style...”

Pictured on Vera is the Fila Winter Collezione Racer tank, $50 in a super flattering platinum color with black and white accents and coordinating Collezione Petal Skort, $48. The built in undershorts are platinum. 

Heavy sweaters, consider the white or black base in this top.

For those who love the look but want more upper leg coverage, go with the Flounce Skort (in black or white) which is an inch longer with no peek-a-boo.

Fila has also announced extended endorsement agreements with long-time WTA champions Kim Clijsters and Svetlana Kuznetsova, two of my favs!

Find it at Fila, Tennis-Warehouse and tennis retailers worldwide.

 

Tomas Berdych refuses match-end handshake. Prompts question.

 

The hand-shake refusal. In the heat of the moment, whatever the circumstances, is it right not to shake hands if a match was played fairly? Probably hurt like hell getting hit by Almagro's drive but it happens if players are aggressive and the receiver is not quick enough to defend. 

Big talented boy lost his cool and still managed to win a really tight one (that's interesting actually). File this one under not appropriate.

Are there circumstances where a hand-shake refusal is appropriate however? Multiple blatantly bad calls, using purposeful distracting behavior?

Your thoughts?