TennisIDENTITY

Philipp Kohlschreiber works new Wilson in Rome.

 

© Getty Images

Philipp Kohlschreiber is wearing new summer collection Wilson in Rome. An orange based version of this look is planned for Roland Garros but I do LOVE this ace of a flint grey and lime combo. 

The so-called "Well-Equipped Crew" and short are made of ultra light, liquid stretch fabric and zoned mesh which work to keep you well cooled. I'd like this top with white or black shorts even better. The polo, left is a more conservative option.

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

Hello Kitty court.

Hello, Kitty. This little face might be on just about everything now. Too cute. Not for all but I do know I'm going to be seeing these on the tennis courts and not just on kids.

Uber cutsey visors with bows and junior sized (19"- 26" range) tennis racquets and bag complete the new group.

Find the goods at Tennis-Warehouse. 

Has Simone Bolelli gone goth?

Nah...Simone Bolelli has moved to Hydrogen, an edgy street fashion brand now hitting the tennis courts.

The new performance collection features shirts, shorts, cap, warm up and accessories and is branded with the co's trademark skull.

Perhaps the skull can rep a dangerous game but stripes of red and green and a cheery yellow ball on select pieces nod to the brand's Italian heritage and the designer's love for our game.

I do love this jacket.

Find it at HydrogenJeans.com.

 

New tennis book: Photographing Tennis

Any amateur photog. who has tried to shoot tennis action knows it's really hard. While owning a monster lensed $1000+ camera would certainly make a difference, there are lower priced options and techniques that will reward with great images.

Photographing Tennis by photo pro Chris Nicholson offers easy to follow tips on protocol, gear, positioning, light, exposure, composition, timing and more.  Nicholson is a sixteen year tennis photo veteran whose captivating images are featured throughout the book. 

Read up before heading to the courts and keep the paperback in your bag for a quick refresher between matches.

More info at PhotographingTennis.com; $21.95. 

Say ciao bella to C'mon, Italy's newest tennis fashion secret.

Marche, Italy is home to Cecilia Marchegiani, recreational tennis player and designer of the beautiful tennis dresses you see here.

Marchegiani started playing tennis as an adult and was quickly bored with what she felt was a sameness about the fashions women were wearing. She began making styles for her own game and soon after for admiring friends. C'mon tailoring shop was born.

Fresh, fun and custom cut, Marchegiani's stand-out styles are designed for the movement, grace, energy and power so inherent in womens tennis. 

Cmon fabrics are all performance, breathable microfibra in polymide and elastan. Bras for smaller chests can be built in upon request. BYOB for those more amply endowed. Garment prices range from approx. $80 - $120 USD.

Find more at cmon-sartoriadeltennis.it  

Painful? Possibly, but The Volley Cam offers a great way to improve your tennis.

Watching myself play tennis is not something I love to do but it IS an eye opening exercise.

I recently checked out The Volley Cam, an easy to use tool to record play on court, whether a lesson or match.

Turn on the camera, hang the mounting tool high on the back screen (or curtain), adjust the viewfinder using the mirror and off you go. You've got the court under surveillance.

The system comes with instruction on how to use everything including uploading your video to various platforms for  review.

The tool itself is a work of a true MacGyver; it'll turn heads for sure but it's well thought out and easy to put together. Once set up, it's solid and works well.

The Volley Cam is $245 complete with a Kodak sport camera or $125 with a VolleyMount for camcorder or cellphone.

Find it at VolleyCam.com. Here's their commercial video:

 

 

Another tennis heyday. Anyone else worried?

Tennis is having another big moment and I'm worried. As happened during the 1970s, talent, looks, charisma and lifestyle have aligned for many of the reigning players. This time, however, fueled by media coverage and marketing campaigns, their mass influence is even greater. Can we sustain our game's prominence this time around or are we going to be looking back in a few years recalling two distinct periods of time in which tennis was pure magic?

Maria Sharapova and Roger Federer are queen and king when it comes to tennis ambassadors/tennis marketing juggernauts. Look too at the world influence and appeal held by Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams and Li Na. 

Like yesteryear's darlings Björn Borg, John McEnroe, Chris Evert and Jimmy Connors, many of today’s top tennis players are household names (Li in China), but this time known not just for their game.  

Today, players sell tennis alongside everything from candy lips and razors to watches and luxury cars.

Sure the tennis industry works hard but it's these elite players that are the biggest engine behind the racquet sales, revitalized public courts, full stadiums and presence on network television. The rest is trickle down.

I began to think about this when Nadal pulled out of Miami in March. Federer AND Nadal not playing? Was it worth bothering to go, said some? Seriously? Surely the myriad of other uber talented players were worth watching. 

I am nervous. Our biggest names are growing older and time is on no one’s side when it comes to athletics. These court-pounded bodies will slow down and it won’t be all that long before any one of today’s mega stars are wearing broadcast credentials.

So the question is, what can we do NOW, so that when the marquis acts in the group have left the courts behind, tennis stays on network television, stadiums stay full and people keep playing? Try as we might the eyeballs that determine mainstream tennis coverage do not appear to be keen on watching or reading about many new players.

Like I said, I'm worried.

 

 

Tsonga in your design? Go wild.

 

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga fans, go wild (but a bit less than Tsonga above, lol) by going to miadidas.com and designing a pair of adizero tennis shoes for the Frenchman to wear on Kid's Day at Roland Garros.

Tweet your design with #miTsonga and your design is entered. The contest opens May 2. Tsonga will pick his fav. He's told me he likes bright flashy colors, so head in that direction.

PS -- Ana Ivanovic lovers, watch for her cameo above.

New on the courtwalk: Maria Sharapova in Stuttgart.

 

© Getty Images

Maria Sharapova has changed things up again in Germany. No tennis fashion repeats for this girl. Winning is another story though.

Above are the Nike Summer Premier Maria tank and skort (her own line). Can't see it but she's wearing the Nike Zoom Vapor 9 Tour in grey and orange. 

Love the tank in ice blue with strata grey and bright citrus. Hi-def bra with molded cups are built in so no bra worries (if your girls are modest in size).The skort picks up the strata gray and combines nicely with cool grey and confidence in spades.

Orange...it's moving in. We're going to see lots on the clay this year.

Find it at Nike.com, Tennis-Warehouse and Nike retailers worldwide.

Andy Murray's new tennis bag.

Andy Murray has a new tennis bag. Looks like HEAD is working to tone down the graphics and appeal to an older male player. Check it out here in this RADO commercial:

 

The bag comes in two versions: an Andy Murray Series Monster Combi that holds up to 9 racquets, $90 USD, and Combi 6 pack $75, may be a better choice for those not playing tournaments.

Loads of pockets and compartments inside and out on this one. Beige though? Well men do seem to love their khakis so maybe this appeals.

Find a retailer at HEAD.com or buy at Tennis-Warehouse.