TennisIDENTITY

Clay Courters. Your Shoes Could Make A Difference.

The only way that your tennis equipment can make a difference in your clay court game is on your feet. Most players wear tennis shoes designed for all around play, meaning both hard and clay courts. Surprisingly there are very few clay court specific shoes. We spoke with Thomas Otton, Product Manager at Babolat, on the subject. "Playing on clay requires a better grip than on hard courts, due to a more slippery and movable surface," said Otton. "The specificity of clay court shoes is that they have deeper herringbones in order to increase grip. Hard courts require less grip but more durability, which explains why hard court shoes have thinner herringbones so they wear out more slowly."

Otton explained that the new Babolat Team Clay III shoe (pictured left, the choice of Igor Andreev) takes into account the need for grip with large and deep herringbones on the internal side of the outsole and features thinner herringbones on the medial side of the outsole which is used for sliding. Another nice feature is the clay stopping tongue that prevents little bits of the surface from entering the shoe.The Team Clay III is available in men's sizes only (sorry ladies) and has a $89.00 USD price.

Other clay court specific shoes include the adidas Clima Cool IVY III $75 (pictured right -- to be released in January 09) for women, the adidas Clima Cool Feather IV, $100 for men (also Jan 09, but the CC Feather III is available now) and the Wilson Trance II, $79.00, available now for both men and women.

Hey you've got more than one pair of day shoes in your closet, why settle for just one pair for tennis, especially if one of these specialists could make a difference in your game?

Learn more or buy at Tennis-Warehouse You can also shop at adidas or look for retailers at  Wilson and  Babolat.

Watch the Sony Ericsson Championships on TV, November 4-9

There has been a smattering of U.S. televised tennis coverage from overseas lately. The relative dry spell breaks with more than 30 hours of live action, November 4-9 from the prestigious year-end Sony Ericsson Championships in Doha, Qatar.  This round-robin format tournament features the world's top eight womens singles players and top four doubles teams. The coverage is unprecedented for this tournament, likely the result of a tumultuous but memorable 2008 women's tennis season.

Playing singles will be: U.S. Open winner Serena Williams, Wimbledon winner Venus Williams, World No. 1 Jelena Jankovic, French Open winner Ana Ivanovic, Dinara Safina, Elena Dementieva, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Vera Zvonereva.  Doubles teams include: US Open winners Cara Black/Liezel Huber and French Open winners Anabel Medina Garrigues/Virginia Ruano Pascual joined by Kveta Peschke/Rennae Stubbs and Katarina Srebotnik/Ai Sugiyama.

Find out when and where to watch the action on the  Tennis Channel's TV Schedule. Coverage is listed by day. Visit Sony Ericsson Championships for more tournament detail.

adidas by Stella McCartney-- Tennis Wear With Couture Detail

The Fall/Winter 2008 line from adidas by Stella McCartney is out and it's gorgeous. A mix of romance, boheme and on-court comfort. As usual, Stella's line is loaded with exquisite detail, buttons, pleats and overlays that truly bring couture to the court. We love the print dress in rubia grey. It's fitted and slimming with a not too overly sweet layered bubble skirt, $120.00 USD. It also comes in chalk (see above right). The Grey hoody, $130 is the perfectly sophisticated warm up top to go over this dress. Check out the whole line at Tennis Warehouse or adidas Tennis

Intermediates Not Moving at Age 20 Speed, Add Power and Control To Your Game With The HEAD Crossbow 4

Intermediates (USTA 3.0 to 3.5) looking for more power and control may want to check out the CrossBow 4, the newest in the popular HEAD CrossBow line. This is a excellent choice for the person who doesn't use an over the shoulder, topspin generating swing, someone whose slices and volleys are go-to favorites. The larger than conventional sweetspot is an added bonus and CrossBow technology* adds nice power. Give it a try. Look for it beginning in November at Tennis-Warehouse or find a retailer at HEAD.

*CrossBow technology helps the racquet to store and release power while you hit like a loaded spring or bow.

Sika. By night the stage. By day, the court.

First in a series highlighting unique identities for whom tennis is a necessity.

These players quite literally rock. On stage or on court they are passionate about playing big. Their idie-rock style is influenced by such groups as Radiohead, Muse and Sigur Ros, but infused with a sound distinctly their own.

Based in Twin Cities, Minnesota, three of this rising four man band, Sika, play tennis avidly, both professionally and recreationally. All three attribute much of their success in music to principles they learned training on court. “Music and tennis have interesting parallels,” says Nate McLain, guitarist.  “Discipline, commitment and perseverence have proven to be the keys to success.”

Check out their credentials:

Aleksey Zharinov - Lead singer, bass player. 19 years on court; Tennis coach; Aggressive baseliner; Weapon-forehand; Favorite Surface-clay; Game-singles; Stick-Dunlop Aerogel 300; Court Style-trendy; Tennis Accolades- #1 Adult Open, Northern Section, 2002 and 2005; Played on the pro tour; Tennis thanks-to my Dad.

Nate McLain - Guitar, back vocals. On court since age 14; All-courter; Weapons-serve, backhand and footwork; Favorite Surface-just let me play; Stick-Dunlop Aerogel 300; Court Style-all black, all the time; Tennis Accolades-Owns and runs the McLain Tennis Academy in Minnesota, #1 in singles Men’s Open, Northern Section, 2006 and 2007; Played on the pro tour; Tennis thanks-to the kids I teach for keeping me sharp.

David Crevier – Drums and vocals. Playing only 4 years now but a solid 4.5; Tennis coach; Strong baseliner; Weapon-Forehand; Favorite Surface-either; Stick-Wilson K Factor Tour 90; Court Style-Unpredictable but etiquette; Tennis Accolades-2008 Northern Sectional Champ; Tennis thanks-to Aleksey and Nate.

John Torgerson - keyboard, vocals and sound tech. Unconverted, so far...

Top image: Sika band members, from left to right, David Crevier, Nate McClain, John Torgerson, Aleksey Zharinov. Bottom image: on court, left to right. David, Aleksey and Nate.

The Totally Tricked Out Prince T22's Are In

Add sting to your game with the T22, the aggressive evolution of the Prince men's T10. Aside from being quite radical and bee-like in their anthracite and yellow transformation, these are lightweight, supportive and highly breathable tennis shoes. Air mesh panels set all around the foot (even on top) ensure ventilation. Their fit is glove-like, possibly a little too much so for a very wide foot. Great support and stability for lateral movement. Also in white and navy for the more traditional guy. $89.00 USD. Buy at Tennis-Warehouse or find a local retailer at Prince.

Guys. Vibrancy and Technology For Your Game.

If you're a tech lover and not a subdued colors guy, here are a couple of great choices. Top left, seen just recently on Igor Andreev at the Madrid Masters, is the Under Armour Men's Fall Clutch Polo, $69.99 USD. Made of PolyArmour Heat Gear, this men's tennis shirt offers great temperature and moisture management. It is 30+UPF and has anti-odor technology built in. The mesh side panels on the shirt are white and ice grey. It's eye catching, especially in motion. The shirt also comes as a crew neck, if you prefer t-shirt style. Igor wore his with white Fall Edge Shorts, $39.99 and a white head-band. Sharp.

The shirt on the right is by Yonex and we have seen quite a bit of it on Lleyton Hewitt and on David Nalbandian this fall. It's the New York Crew in yellow with blue, black and red accents. It is part of their Very Cool line meaning that the fabrication lowers body heat by 3 degrees.The fabric incorporates xylitol (yes, like in chewing gum) that absorbs heat (who knew?), $49.99. It comes in white as well. Looks great with black shorts. Yonex makes a pair for $39.99.

Buy at Tennis-Warehouse. You can also learn more at YonexUSA.com or UnderArmour.com.

Igor by Daniel Garcia/AFP/Getty Images, David by Pedro Armestre/Getty Images.

Lacoste Performance Footwear And A What's Up (?) On Women's Style.

Add a little gator bite to your tennis wardrobe with these shoes. Lacoste's newest performance footwear styles are great looking, lightweight and super comfortable. The women's colors are unique gotta haves including the bahamas blue (above right) and pale yellow. The men's come in black (above left), navy and white. The Lacoste Repel retails for $135 USD, the higher end of the tennis sneaker price range, but they offer many performance features including memory foam, gel support and moisture wicking lining. Really nice.

Next, sorry but we have a gripe. We've all seen Andy Roddick's Lacoste kit on the market, but the women's styles on Nathalie Dechy, Emilie Loit, Alize Cornet and Dominika Cibulkova are simply not available for purchase ANYWHERE. What is up with that? The only piece available that the WTA ladies are wearing is the skirt we've seen on Dominika (Active Tipped Interlock Tennis Skirt, $125 USD).

With Lacoste becoming the Official Sponsor of the 2009 Australian Open, including being tournament outfitter, hopefully the company will begin to expand its line to allow more female players to get some of the great alligator style we've seen on the courts this year. Come on Lacoste, serve it up! We're waiting.

Buy the new Repel at Tennis-Warehouse or  Lacoste.

Mats Wilander and John McEnroe Team Up. Fun Tennis for a Serious Reason. Join the Fight.

Mats Wilander and John McEnroe, tennis legends with 14 Grand Slam Singles titles between them, are teaming up to do some real good. Both will play an exhibition match as well as golf and tennis with event participants at the Mats Wilander Celebrity Tennis and Golf Classic, Monday October 20 at the Westchester Country Club in Rye, New York.

This is a chance to see and do with former world number ones who have joined up in an effort to raise money to fund research for Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB*) a genetic condition that Mats' son Erik (pictured here with Mats) battles.

If you live in the area, do some good with your passion for the game and go. It's a full day: breakfast, great tennis, golf, dinner and more. Other sport celebs participating include Ralph Branca, Joe Pignato and Isiah Thomas.

Learn more and order tickets at: DebRA, the organization dedicated to finding a cure for EB. You can also call: 212-868-1573.

*EB is a disabling genetic condition where the skin breaks at the slightest touch, causing wounds and pain. At present there is no treatment, only efforts to prevent trauma and infection.

A Racquet Bag One Step Closer to Being Fine Luggage

Maria Sharapova's bag, like Maria, did not make it to the US Open. It's a nice one. Simple, sleek and classy, ladies it goes with anything you wear. The Prince Sharapova US Open bag comes in two sizes, a six pack ($100.00 USD) and the 3 pack ($90.00). You really don't want a smaller bag than that. It's nice to be able to pack everything in one place: balls, towel, hat, sunglasses, etc. Why do tennis racquet retailers make those single bags anyway? 

These black and white beauties are well thought out. The six pack has one climate control racquet pocket, a removable wet/dry bag and an outside pocket for storing cell phone and keys. The purselike flap on top and embroidered Sharapova crest renders it attractive luggage, not just any old racquet bag. Buy at Tennis Warehouse or find a retailer at Prince Tennis.

Women's Warm Ups for Fall/Winter. Chuck that 80's look.

It's getting chilly; time to build warm-up attire back into our games, at least here in the US. The look of most matching warm up tops and bottoms can be a little 80's high-school track-meet, not something a tennista would feel great in running errands after the game.

In a search of new warm ups that compliment in a more sophisticated sort of way we offer up two hot ones. This first is the slimming Nike Women's Holiday Border Jacket ($65 USD) and Pant ($60) in fashion current mulberry purple and silver.The Holiday Border also comes as a white jacket and charcoal grey pant. Very sharp. The pants are cut low with a wide band, yoga style. Roomy outside ball pocket.

Also pictured is the adidas women's Fall Competition Hoody in vibrant mono pink ($54.99) and Fall Competition pant ($46.99) in white. These pants have more of a traditional athletic look to them, but their styling and slim cut keep the look current -- not puffy. Performance is a given with these brands. Learn more or buy at Tennis Warehouse, Nike or

adidas Tennis

This Is It. The Weapon of Choice Among Ranked Seniors.

Talk about sweet spots! This racquet has the largest allowable headsize in tennis, 135 square inches (compare with more standard 100 sq. in.). It is hugely popular among seniors, 65s. 70s and 75s, both men and women, who enjoy the benefits of the larger than usual hitting area. It's called The Weed and ranked senior players who use this brand stick include Jim Nelson of California who has earned 98 USTA golden balls and George McCabe of Ohio, an International 75's doubles champion.

The Weed is lightweight and comes in six colors and a variety of lengths, 27" to 28 1/2" (to increase reach). The EXT is their bestselling model, $228 USD strung and shipped. The manufacturer recommends calling them prior to purchasing so that they can guide you to the racquet that will suit your game and level. Go to Weed USA to learn more or call 1-800-WEED-RKT.

Celebrating Guga, Brazil And Of Course Tennis

Bring flash and a a little Gustavo Keurten passion to your game with this Guga 10th Anniversary Crew from Diadora. The polo pictured here, $67.99 is similar to the one the Brazilian wore during his first Roland Garros Championship. The design is also available as a crew, $54.99. Get it at Tennis-Warehouse.

Look too at the silent auction going on now through October 31 to benefit Instituto Guga Kuerten, Gustavo's charity dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged kids in Brazil. Ponta dos Ganchos ,  a seriously stunning looking resort in Guga's hometown of Florianopolis is taking bids for stays in the resort's newest luxury sea-side bungalows. They have one fabulous clay court on the water and will bring in a pro just for you if you would like. Email the resort at  reservas@pontadosganchos.com.br for more information or to bid. Image Source