TennisIDENTITY

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.

 

 

Technical problems in tennis fashion.

"To each her own" as the saying goes, so I usually point to what I like and leave the tennis fashion I don't to other tastes. Technical issues cross both the loved and not however. Although many of tennis apparel's past problems have been addressed with assets like fabrics that breath and fight odor or bonded seams that don't irritate, there is still work to be done:

1.)  Quite a few of us need sun protection and want tennis apparel that is flattering, all performance, lightweight AND sun protective. True, brands market UV fabrics, but here's the deal, UV protective tanks, tees and shorts are useless. Help us. Our skin must be covered and we are red faced, zipped up in long sleeves and leggings designed for cool weather play. And yes...we do have to play outside in the sun. 

2.)  Cute strappy tops don't work with standard bra styles, so something built in and functional is necessary. Yah that design is cool but put an out-of-the-drawer sports bra under it and I’m positive that’s not how the designer envisioned the look. Only a handful of brands are getting this right but for the small chested only.

3.)  Flimsy shelf bras suck. We need functional bras that include light padding. Thin performance fabrics are remarkably revealing. Brands should scrap the basic shelf bra altogether and we'll wear our own (design to fit over it or see above). Some people actually cut shelf bras out to avoid the double elastic of shelf and regular bra. 

4.)  Make tennis shorts complete with built in compression shorties or ample pockets. Tennis shorts that cannot hold at least 2 tennis balls are not useful.

5.)  Love the skirts with leggings. Keep ‘em coming but remember, we are not starving models and solid light colors make our legs look like sausages in short skirts. Surely there is some design trick that can help minimize the problem.

That's it (for now). Looking forward to seeing what rolls out next and please...someone make something decent for the sun soon.

 

Lacoste renews partnership with Australian Open through 2018.

First in a series spotlighting tennis tournament sponsors:

Lacoste has renewed its partnership with the Australian Open. The contract comes on top of repeat nods from KIA and other key AO sponsors. Our Happy Slam is undoubtedly thrilled.

“Lacoste is a valued partner of the Australian Open and we are thrilled to have signed a new five year deal with the brand,"  said Steve Wood, Tennis Australia CEO. 

I love the impact "the Crocodile" makes in Oz. The colorful uniforms, tennis fashions, retail shops and tasteful branding add punch in a beautifully calm sea of blues. Pictured are a few images from around the 2013 grounds.

 

Love tennis? Embrace that slide; Brad Gilbert talks clay.

So you're a hard-court hot-shot. How do you do on clay? If you are like many U.S. trained players you might be a clay court-avoider. Not a good idea says Brad Gilbert, player turned coach, commentator and former spokesperson for Har-Tru.*

Gilbert says the U.S. needs a bigger clay court culture. Why? Because, "more than 80% of the top 10 players in the world have spent at least half their training time on clay, a stat that goes back to 1968."  

"Clay teaches discipline and how to build a point," says Gilbert. "There are no cheap shots. It's harder to put the ball away." Like many Americans, Gilbert admits he didn't embrace the surface, something he still regrets. 

Playing on clay means:

Long points -- which translate to improved decision making, patience and mental toughness; 

Occasional irregular bounces and condition changes -- making strokes more adaptable; 

Learning angles and spin control -- it's tough to end a point so players learn shot variety;

Healthier joints -- the surface is more forgiving especially if you move well. Roger Federer is a great example of a top clay courter that could play into his mid 30s. Anyone over 45 will feel the difference as it's so much easier on the body.

Gilbert recommends that competitive players spend at least half their training time on clay (like those in the top 10) if looking to grow their game. High school or college players using hard courts should use time-off to work on clay, focusing on topspin, accuracy and consistency.

Dubs lovers, clay-play teaches you to be more accurate and deliberate, ready for anything to come back. 

 Problem is, clay tennis courts are harder to find in the U.S. than in most tennis playing countries. Argentina and Spain are loaded. Cheaper to maintain, hard has been the go-to surface in the States for a long time. Clearly U.S. tennis needs to embrace the slide and add more clay, especially where competing kids are learning. 

Is it coming? Florida, a training hot-spot and home to many playing seniors has 50% of the nation's clay. More regions should follow suit. There are also a growing number of junior clay court tournaments popping up around the country. In 2011 for example, The Orange Bowl, also in Florida, changed its surface to clay. Some larger tennis academies have added clay courts. John McEnroe's Academy in New York has 10 Har-Tru and 10 hard.

One clay court teaching specialist is the Academia Sanchez-Casal in Naples, Florida, sister academy to the famed academy of same name in Barcelona, Spain. The program offers 37 clay and 1 hard court. 

Hard court lovers, there IS method to the dirty madness. 

*Har-Tru, a clay court brand,  is the world's largest manufacturer of clay court surfaces.

 

 

 

The Champion's Mix. Vika's winning mocktail recipe.

Victoria Azarenka selected this, "The Champion's Mix" mocktail, as her fav at Bacardi's recent Champions Drink Responsibly event and competition. The winning drink was crafted by mixologist Pamela Wiznitzer from L'oubil Bar/Bishops +Barons, NY.

Here's how to make this alcohol free concoction at home for your fellow courties (or designated driver):

The Champion's Mix

1.5 oz apple cider
.75 oz lemon juice
.5 oz honey water 
Ginger beer.
apple slice and sprig of mint for garnish

Combine cider, honey water and lemon together and shake well. Strain over fresh ice in a Collins glass and top with ginger beer. Give it a quick stir and garnish with an apple slice and sprig of mint. 

Cheers (and hey, no hangover).

Olympic Tennis Fashion 2012. Who's wearing what and why.

Getting your head around London 2012 tennis fashion is a bit of a challenge with all of the various Olympic alliances out there.

adidas is the official sportswear partner of London 2012 and you will see lots of it during the games (they are partners with 11 different nations with 3,000 + athletes) BUT you will see other brands as well and often not the ones you are used to seeing on your fav players. Here's why.

Any player representing a National Olympic Committee (NOC) or Federation will wear their country's Olympic product in the brand name sponsoring that NOC or Federation. Pictured above, for example, Heather Watson of Great Britain hams it up in some of her Team GB kit by Stella McCartney for adidas. During the regular tennis season Watson is sponsored by K-Swiss.

Nike, as further example, represents the US Tennis Federation and so all Team USA athletes will wear Nike even if it is not their year-round sponsor. We saw a glimpse of John Isner in Nike on the cover of a recent Tennis Magazine. He usually wears Lacoste. Andy Roddick is the same. 

It will be interesting to see what Team USA's Venus Williams will do. EleVen has released an image of a dress she is planning to wear. No swoosh in sight. Serena is all set. 

Enjoy what, from some countries, may turn out to be some seriously unusual fashion. Can't wait. Post Olympics, they will be back in their regular sponsor's brand.

adidas notes that contracted athletes representing countries where adidas does not partner with the NOC or Federation have been given generic International Olympic Committee (IOC) compliant outfits that they can wear if deemed ok by that individual's team federation, so their may be some leniency built in.

Next up, a look at the actual Olympics goods. Torch please. 

Should tennis move to a pay-per-viewer prize model?

Sounds crazy, a tennis player's winnings in line with the number of people who watch their tennis match, but viewership and tickets are totally trackable so it's possible.

Maria Sharapova shot back today at Gilles Simon's seriously un-savvy remarks pertaining to women's tennis prize money, saying that far more people watch her tennis matches than his. Probably true but should that help determine pay?

Read what went down here at the NYT. Flying barbs.

There are a lot of issues to consider. Likely the biggest is the differing requirement of 2 set wins for women vs 3 set for men at slams. Should women be required to play 3 set matches at slams? Maybe...but let's discuss intelligently.

When players of any stature make boorish comments nothing helpful is being accomplished, and we feel the era of the pressed wooden racquet heavy on our shoulders again. Title IX just turned 40 by the way.

Should we go to a pay per view model? Per Andy Roddick in the above linked article "...any other business in the world, the more you sell, the more you make."

Seriously, how would that work? Pay per view would be a bit like picking prom king and queen, a popularity contest rather than a true reward of character and talent. 

What tennis players need is a conference of some kind where they can air things out as a group, men and women together. No boors allowed.

Tennis and the R.M.S. Titanic

April 15*. The world commemorates the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the R.M.S. Titanic. Wherever you are it is likely you have caught a piece of the action. Did you know that our game has a Titanic story to tell too?

The International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHOF) in Newport, Rhode Island has added a new exhibit devoted to two men who not only survived the sinking but went on to become tennis Hall of Fame greats, Karl Howell Behr and Richard Norris Williams. 

The stories of survival are the most amazing (as you know not many guys lived to tell) but the two men actually had to play each other two years after the tragedy AT the Newport Casino (now ITHOF) and again a few more times during their careers. 

Cool story. Love this museum, love Newport.

*On April 14, 1912 the Titanic struck an iceberg. On April 15, in the early hours of the new day, the ship sank.

Tennis on an aircraft carrier. More in March.

The new QuickStart lines are down on hard courts across the US -- those faint lines that delineate smaller courts that get younger kids playing more successfully when combined with kid sized equipment. Now to get them out there.

Last week USTA Eastern set up a court inside the landmark Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York (the museum is in a retired aircraft carrier) giving hundreds of kids the chance to introduce themselves to the game in a very cool setting.

Pictured, Patrick McEnroe, General Manager of USTA Player Development, chats with two aspiring hot shots. “...this is great to get the message out to people,” said McEnroe during a clinic. “I think those of us inside the tennis world know about [Quick Start], but most people don’t. And this could show the average family with kids that tennis really can be kid-friendly.” 

Lots of tennis events coming up in the US in March kicking off with Tennis Night in America March 5 at Madison Square Garden (where I once watched the Grateful Dead play...Times have changed).

5 things players do wrong when looking to grow game. Tips from the new Blackman Tennis Academy.

Martin Blackman opens Blackman Tennis Academy in Delray Beach, Florida today. "After three very rewarding years wth USTA Player Development, I want to get back to my passion of coaching committed junior players," said Blackman. 

Blackman is the former USTA Senior Director of Talent Identification and Development, past head of the Junior Champions Center in College Park, Maryland and Men's Tennis Coach at American University. His new academy will operate as a boutique training facility that will focus on developing high performance players. 

I asked Blackman the 5 most common things players at all levels do wrong when looking to grow their game. Here is his list:

1. Most players who do not consider themselves high performance do not set long-terms goals for themselves. Learn from recreational runners; most of the runners I know have goals and benchmarks for their ‘times’ and training. They stay motivated and focused by going after their goals and hitting their benchmarks. Tennis players of all levels should meet with their instructor or ‘team captain’ or doubles partner to set short, mid and long-term goals for their game.

2. Most players forget that tennis is characterized by three major elements:

    Tennis is a running game.

    Tennis technique is dictated by parameters (a range of acceptability for grips and stroke production).

    Tennis is a game of errors not winners.

Those three elements define tennis at every level; athleticism, technical competency and tenacity are the trifecta of tennis. Players should seek an honest appraisal of those three aspects of their game, and ask their coach to formulate a plan to improve one area at a time. The goals should be realistic, based on the limitations of the player’s abilities and the amount of time that they are able to devote to training. 

3. Most players don’t understand the role of practice. The terms ‘deep practice’ and ‘deliberate practice’ describe the neural processes involved with learning skills. Repetitions of any sort create neural pathways in the brain, therefore, if I have been hitting my forehand the wrong way for 10 years, I won’t be able to fix it in ten days!

The rule of thumb is, the more ingrained the habit, the more deliberate the practice necessary to correct it. Supervised drills and repetition will replace "bad habits" with the correct technique. Supervision is a necessity for correcting a bad habit, because the player will invariably return to the old habit when fatigued or unfocused.

 The flip side is, when the player – typically a young child - is taught the right way the first time, he or she can engage in deep or deliberate practice on their own, without supervision. In tennis, this could mean practice sets, or hitting against a backboard or shadowing.

4. Many players need to spend more time practicing patterns off the serve and return. At every level of instruction and play we don’t spend enough time on the serve and return. The serve especially, is the beginning of holding serve, which should be a tactical goal for players of all levels.

As a coach, I love to work on ground stroke and transition patterns, getting high reps and getting my player to move and execute correctly, to high percentage targets. But now, in order to help my players improve their serves and returns, I often start the drill with them serving or returning, to give the drill a more realistic context. I will not feed the ball unless the player makes the serve or return, and my feed will be based on the strength and placement of their serve.

Having said that, the serve is the most complex stroke in the game, and must be worked on in isolation as well, to ensure good reproducible techniques.

5. ‘Playing up’ too much.  Everyone wants to play up! Tennis players love to play players that are better or ranked higher than they are. There is a simple reason for this, when we play up; there is no pressure! We typically hit out, and play better than we would in a high pressure situation. There is one big problem with this desire to always play up:

Playing up means losing. Playing up all the time, means losing all the time.

I can’t think of any reminder more important to coaches, players and parents alike, than WINNING IS A HABIT!

 

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

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?

Later alligator. Samantha Stosur signs with ASICS.

Ok so it's a croc, not a gator...but Samantha Stosur is no longer wearing Lacoste. The Brisbane International courts were the first to show off Stosur's switch to ASICS tennis.

”I am really excited to join the ASICS team.," said Stosur. "I’ve actually worn their shoes for a couple of years, so now to be fully kitted out is really exciting for me and I am really looking forward to getting the year started.” Clearly the US Open champ found the pay-out was worth overcoming any superstitions. Le croc WAS good to her.

Stosur wears the ASICS Gel Resolution 4 tennis shoe. I haven't seen ASICS dresses in stock anywear yet but they are sure to be hitting retail shortly. I'm looking forward to seeing if they are as comfy as the shoes. Gel inserts maybe for the less endowed? Hah, just kidding ;)

Post after-note: Stosur's dress here is actually a custom colored version of the Court Dress now available in white or lapis (pretty close to Sam's dress here), $60. It's made of a soft moisture managing microfiber Motion+. It is now available online at ASICS.

A promo video of the announcement is below:

 

 

Happy Holidays!

Best wishes to you and yours for a happy holiday season and healthy, winning 2012.

Thank you for reading TennisIDENTITY!

A Toast to Novak Djokovic. Sportsman of the Year 2011.

Sports Illustrated didn't hand the 2011 Sportsman of the Year award to Novak Djokovic, so I will. Tennis magazine has, of course, honored the talent as  Player of the Year (Nov/Dec '11 issue) but much of the larger sports world (Serbia aside) seemingly hasn't noticed. Perhaps SI's decision is more marketing oriented. 

Despite the fact that tennis has become a sport for the fittest, most intelligent and talented of athletes, much of the sports consuming world doesn't follow our game and SI needs to sell magazines.

I get it but Djokovic truly did generate one phenomenal year in sports. Simply put, he won just about every match he played round the globe. His 2011 is marked with a supremely impressive 10 and 1 record against Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, and ten tournament titles, three of which were tough Grand Slams (Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open).

Djokovic ends 2011 at #1. I don't think I'll ever forget his missile cross court on Federer's US Open match point. Gutsy talent at its finest.

A little toast with some of that bubbly is absolutely in order.

Murray vs. Lama. Bajan Road Tennis with David Haye and Example.

Starting to feel like an Andy Murray fan site these days but here goes:

 

The Road Tennis Association of Barbados recently flew to London, to teach Murray how to play the street game.  ‘Road Tennis’ is a cross between table, paddle and tradional tennis, with players chalking out their own courts.

Murray had never played the game before, and was given one hour to  to master the ins and outs before facing Barbados' road tennis legend Lama. The result? Check it out. Pretty darn good I'd say.

Along for the fun are retired pro boxer David Haye ("I look good while I'm beatin ya don't I?" Hah! Love it.) and rapper Example.

Looks like adidas may be getting into Road Tennis kits. Those will definitely be the priciest part of this game ;)

 

Meet RoboServe. Your chance to play tennis with Rafa.

The Bacardi Limited “Champions Drink Responsibly” campaign is offering up a chance to “Ace Rafa” online and then in-person in Mallorca, Spain.

In “Ace Rafa” Nadal reacts to each serve you direct from the Darth Vader-esq machine dubbed RoboServ 3000. Fans who successfully ace the champion will have a chance to win the in-person hit. 

Check out some behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the game below:

 

Those over 21 years old can enter at www.Facebook.com/ChampionsDrinkResponsibly. US residents will be able to join in the fun come December. Other countries not listed like Canada and Argentina may become wild card entries as the promo rolls out.

Thinking green more than pink this October.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and in support are a myriad of pink themed tennis (and other) products, the proceeds from which go to fund breast cancer research. All good of course but think green as well. 

"...[A]s a dietitian," says Susan Levin, M.S., R.D. Director of Nutrition Education for the  Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, "I’m thinking more about green and less about pink. All women should know that increasing the amount of vegetables and other plant foods in their diets can help protect against breast cancer. 

Scientific research has linked breast cancer risk to dietary fat—but plant-based diets are naturally low in fat. Plant foods are also packed with antioxidants and high in fiber, which helps move excess hormones and other cancer triggers out of the body. Lifestyle changes like eating a healthy diet, exercising, and limiting alcohol decrease breast cancer risk by about 38 percent, according to a recent report released by the American Institute for Cancer Research. 

Vegetarian diets built from a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes can play an important role in preventing cancer—and they also help fight obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. This year, let’s look past the pink-washing and focus on greenifying our diets to protect our health.* 

IMHO you can do both. Buy pink, eat green; help others, help yourself and by all means keep playing tennis.

 

John McEnroe and a smiling Serena dedicate refurbished tennis court in NY

Serena Williams joined John McEnroe yesterday to dedicate a refurbished-by-Nike tennis court* at Brooklyn New York's Decatur Playground.

The event images appear a tad surreal given Ms. Williams' unforgettable rage on court at the USO finals. Publicity stunt? Maybe (if not, really really good timing) but I do think Serena's heart is in this cause. Really cute pic below. 

Anger management issues aside, for now some deserving kids and adults get a chance to play our game close to home and that's a good thing. 

*The new court surface is made out of ground-up Nike shoes.

 

Ivan Lendl Opens Junior Tennis Academy on Hilton Head Island.

 Junior tennis training choices are expanding in the US and it's good to see. Former world #1, Ivan Lendl, will open a full-time Junior Tennis Academy on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina this fall. 

“For juniors who love the game, love working hard and love challenges, we can promise a great experience on and off the court,” said Lendl. “You play the way you train, so if you train at a high level, you will play at a high level.” In addition to strengthening strokes, footwork and essential mechanics, the Academy will subscribe to a hands-on holistic approach instilling dedication, focus, hard work, attitude, motivation and overall preparation.

Students enrolled in the full-time boarding school will be book-schooled at the Heritage Academy on Hilton Head Island.

Learn more at Lendl Tennis. Applications are currently being accepted.

 

 

 

Björn Borg vs. John McEnroe. A look back.

 

Tis the 30th anniversary of Björn vs. John. Rediscover the era in new  books:, tv programming and in this  quick little retrospective. Fun. Love the clothes!.

P.S. Another good read on the topic, the just-out: EPIC John McEnroe, Björn Borg and the Greatest Tennis Season Ever by Matthew Cronin.

Exclusive: Roland Garros. Diary of an on-site master stringer.

Chris Gaudreau* (front row, third from left) was an integral part of team Babolat charged with stringing tennis racquets at the 2011 Paris Open at Roland Garros. Over the course of 14 days and 3,000+ racquets, Gaudreau kept a running diary. Here's a sneak peek at just a very few of Gaudreau's many behind-the-stringing-scenes reveals: 

"Nadal had a 5 setter today. Babolat and the Spanish stringers were freaking out...I was the only American so I kept my mouth shut. Nadal had 3 rackets run in and the press followed. Xavie strung 2 rackets in 15 minutes...the fastest I have ever seen..."

"3 rackets were given to me for Kirilenko. It was 11:25 and they were due by 12..."

"When a player is on court and needs a racket strung a special phone rings and giant light goes off...kind of like the "bat phone" but brighter. Gasquet ran a racket in during the match but it didn't help..."

Fun, eye-opening reading. HERE"S THE FULL TRANSCRIPT. A slice of tennis life I knew very little about.

*Chris Gaudreau is a Master Racquet Technician (MRT), USRSA certified racquet stringer and USPTA certified teaching pro. He owns and operates Racket Koop in New Haven, CT (close to the Yale Bowl). He has worked with and strung for some of the the world's top-level tennis players at many world class tennis events. Roland Garros was his first Grand Slam event.

Slice of the inside life: The stringing room at Roland Garros.

The early days of a big tennis tournament like Roland Garros serve up crazy amounts of work for on-site stringers. With pros requiring anywhere between 3-8 racquets custom strung at absolutely perfect tensions before every match and every court full at the start of the tournament, talk about stress. Phenom stringers are doing up to 38 racquets per day!

Featured in this clip is Chris Gaudreau, owner/operator of Racquet Koop in New Haven, CT. He's on-site wearing the shoes working in the trenches. Check it out:

 

 

President Obama grabs a hit at the White House.

    

President Obama took a break from OBL planning and played a little Quickstart tennis on the White House lawn recently. Pictured above he waits for a return from Chris Evert. Also on court are Katrina Adams and a couple of lucky kids at the 2011 White House Easter Egg Roll.

Nice to see our game getting some national exposure within the initiative to get kids out of the house and active.

 

Video: Awesome Vertical Tennis Exhibition Launches Madrid Open.

 

The Matua Madrid Masters Open kicked-off yesterday with a vertical tennis court complete with two hanging players engaged in a singles battle (ball free).

Sooooo cool. I think this one tops the on water stunt in Doha. Here are some great shots from the event that show a few different perspectives.

Madrid Open's website.

The art of tennis. Courts on canvas.

It's a little early to cover Wimbledon but for those making plans to head that way, here's something you may want to add to your trip. 

The Barber Institute of Fine Arts at the University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, England opens a new art exhibit May 27 entitled "Court on Canvas" Tennis in Art that traces the game from the 1870s through the 21st century. Lawn tennis is a special feature.

Artists back in the early days of the game were said to have been particularly enamored with the tennis addicted as they now had an opportunity to depict movement, particularly that of females. Tennis is one of the first sports that women were allowed to participate in.

According to the museum, the first game of tennis was played in 1859 by Major Harry Gem and friend, Jean Batista Augurio Perera, on a court, down the street from the museum at 8 Ampton Road, Edgbaston. And so there you have it. The history of tennis in art where the game began.

Above is "A Rally" by Sir John Lavery from 1885. Below is something more modern, "The Tennis Players" by Christopher Wood, 1921. Other tennis inspired artists exhibited include: Spencer Gore, LS Lowry, Stanley Spencer, Eric Ravilious, Winnie the Pooh illustrator EH Shepard, David Hockney and Tom Phillips. The iconic 1970s Athena Tennis Girl poster, itself photographed on a tennis court at the University of Birmingham, will also be featured.

The museum is about 1 1/2 hours from Wimbledon or 1 hr. 15 min from London and the exhibit runs through September 18, 2011. Visit The Barber Institute of Fine Arts for more info.

USTA moves Orange Bowl to clay surface in step to grow stronger American tennis players.

The USTA Player development team announced today that they would be moving one of the United States' premiere junior tennis tournaments, the Orange Bowl, from hard courts to clay, taking it from Coral Gables to Plantation, Florida starting December 2011. 

The move comes as concern rises over the lack of US players in the world's upper echelons of the game, the elite top 10. The USTA Player Development team (Patrick McEnroe, Jose Higueras, Leo Azevedo and more) believes that the US will have a better chance at developing stronger, more versatile tennis players by having them learn, practice and compete on clay.

"If you play more on clay as a youngster," said Patrick McEnroe, "you will become a more all around player."  European players, the likes of Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer grew up on clay. "Clay is a slower surface," continued McEnroe. "In general it helps a player to develop footwork, patience and construct points."

The USTA Training centers in Carson California, Boca Raton Florida, and Flushing New York are equipt with ample clay courts. Many states in the country however are loaded with hard courts which are cheaper to construct and easier to maintain. This is the reason most American players today have a distinct preference for hard courts. They grew up on them. Some avoid clay courts and clay court tournaments altogether.

This big tournament move, along with the development of clay court circuits in the US, will ensure that those juniors who aspire to the game's highest levels will have to put time in on clay to prepare for and win these most elite of tournaments. 

Novak Djokovic makes a good Top Gun. Tennis on a plane.

 

He said he'd do it. Now it's done. Novak Djokovic, winner of the 2011 BNP Paribas Open and current number 2 in the world deserves a standing ovation for this stunt orchestrated by Head tennis. Awesome.

The foxy woman close up...not necessary...just sayin. I'm not a guy. Maybe that's important.

Wild card anyone? Forget watching the US Open. How about playing in it?

So you think you can hang with THE pros? Prove it.

The U.S. Open playoffs are your opportunity to show you've got. Win this one and you get a wild card into the U.S. Open...really.

Registration opens today, March 15. Competition is in men's and women's singles as well as mixed doubles (new this year). You must be over 14 years of age and a registered member of the USTA to participate.*  The competition begins regionally so there is bound to be one near you if you live in the US.

What the hey. Seriously, if you are good player (and you know what I mean by "good" here), give it a go. Here's all the info including where you can register and play.

*Memberships start at $19 for a junior and $42 for an adult.

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer Launch 2011 ATP Season on Water.

Welcome tennis 2011! The mens world #1 and 2, some might call them the Gods of Tennis, literally played on water to kick off the 2011 ATP World Tour Season in Doha, Qatar over the weekend. With a helicopter swirling overhead, both enjoyed the stunt hit on a tennis court laid in the water of Doha Bay, a magic carpet of sorts in the land of Aladdin.

Both men are playing in the Qatar ExxonMobil Open which began today. 

 

Images ©Crosnier/QTF

 

Buying a new tennis racquet? Think twice about that bargain price. Counterfeiting is on the rise.

According to the Tennis Industry Association (TIA), tennis racquet counterfeiting is on the rise, to the tune of $30 million dollars a year. Anyone who has been in NYC has seen the counterfeit Rolex watches, Louis Vuitton bags, even MAC cosmetics being hawked on the sidewalks. Most of us know they're fakes. The problem with tennis racquets is that people do not realize they are being duped.

Counterfeit racquets are constructed and painted to look exactly like the real deal and are sold online or on auction sites at steal-of-a-deal prices often with free shipping tossed in. Don't bite.

Quoting Eric Babolat of Babolat directly from a TIA story, “These knockoff racquets just aren’t going to work the same way as the real frames. The inferior product and construction can cause harm to a player, and can definitely affect his or her enjoyment of the game. Also, the fake racquet won’t have the durability that legitimate manufacturers build into their products.” There is a good reason that cheap racquet doesn't play as well as its twin, the one you purchased originally from your local tennis shop.

What to do? Simply put, purchase only from well-known or authorized dealers. Fakes are very hard to spot and the best way to weed them out is not to take the chance. Price is usually the best indicator. Use the old adage, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Help the tennis industry fight the problem by reporting any suspicious sites to alert@tennisindustry.org.

Rule change indicates 10 and unders find tennis success with junior sized equipment.

"Other sports don't make kids play like adults," says the USTA, why should tennis? Picture a little-leaguer in Fenway Park. Just doesn't happen. Why should it for the littlest in tennis?

Junior sized tennis equipment has been around for a while but the USTA and ITF are beginning to incorporate it into official tournaments. Going forward, 10 and under level 7 tournaments will be officially listed as playing on full (78'), 60' or 36' courts. Each size court will have a different ball; none will use the yellow ball adults play with.

If playing on a full 78' court kids in this age group will use special low-bounce (regular size) "green-dot" balls; On a 60' court they will use an "orange" ball; On a 36' court they will use a larger "red" felt ball. The court size used depends on the facility holding the tournament. Some clubs are building in the smaller courts, others will adjust with blended lines.

The new balls are designed to have a different bounce, each is slower and lower than the yellow ball adults and teens use, helping smaller players learn the techniques and movement at their speed.  "Instead of simply being a teaching methodology, as it has been, using age appropriate equipment and court size allows children under 10 to compete in an age appropriate setting just like any other sport," says Anne Davis, the USTA's National Manager of Recreational Coaches and Programs .

This official change indicates that junior equipment and low bounce balls are making a difference. Kids are finding success on court faster. Davis says that the USTA is starting to see kids who began tennis on shorter courts with low bounce balls moving up into the 12s with great success.  

But what if your kid doesn't play tournaments? Take a page and look for one of these programs at your local club or buy a right-sized racquet and balls and head down to your public park. That hit with your impatient-to-be-good 6 year old will be a whole lot more fun.

A few equipment suggestions for beginners:

Ages 4-6: Start with a 21 inch Wilson Venus and Serena 21" or Wilson Federer 21" junior racquet (both under $20 USD) with Penn Quick Start Tennis 36' Felt Balls, $4.95

Ages 7-8: Try a 23 inch racquet. HEAD makes the Radical Junior 23" Tennis Racquet ($20), same balls as above or below depending on ability and height. 

Ages 9-10: Start with a 25 inch racquet. Babolat makes the Pure Drive Junior 25"  ($70) and Head makes the Junior speed for under $20 if you want to keep costs down while you check to see if junior's interest kicks in. Penn Quick Start 60' balls, $4.95 are what you want for this age group.

Height can make a difference, so if you have a tall 8 year old you might want to bump them up a length and into the 60' balls. Don't worry about grip size. They are all the same at the starter levels.

If you want to have fun without leaving home this Junior Tennis net is fun especially with Foam Balls. Mom and Dad, you'll think it's a gas.

Find Junior tennis racquets at sports and tennis retailers worldwide and online at Tennis-Warehouse and others.

Roger This. 1 Slam, 1 Championship, 1 masters, 1 500 and 1 250 in 1 year.

In addition to winning the ATP World Tour Finals for the 5th year in a row, Roger Federer has achieved one Slam, one Championship, one Masters, one 500 and one 250 tournament in 2010. Post U.S. Open, Federer's record is an impressive 21-2.

Federer grabbed this, his career 66th title with his trusty Wilson Six.One Tour BLX racquet in hand.

His shirt is the Nike Men's Winter Victory Masters Polo in Challenge Red (it also comes in a more subdued purple color called daybreak), $80 USD. You're paying for the mojo that is inherent in the RF on the sleeve.

Not happy you took down my sweet Rafa, Roger but congrats.

The jacket Rog wore to and from the court is the Winter Victory, $120 in a very handsome anthracite. I liked.

One sec; let's not take away from Rafa's year here, a successful and historic sweep of all three clay court ATP World Tour Masters1000 events and three Grand Slam titles; not shabby, not at all.

 Find the racquet and apparel at Tennis-Warehouse. Keep in mind Fed wannabes this racquet is best for those NTRP 5.0 and up. Take a look at the other Six.One sticks in the group. Same cosmetic, maybe a better fit for your game?

Tis the Season for Charity Tennis Events.

Tonight's 18th annual  WTT Smash Hits presented by Geico kicks off a series of non-tour charity tennis events that roll right on through December.

Here's what's coming up:

November 17 in Baltimore, Maryland Pam Shriver's Silver Tennis Ball

November 30 in NYC An Evening with James Blake and Friends

December 1 in NYC NYJTL's 25th Annual Civic Leadership Awards Luncheon

December 2 in Chatham, NJ Justin Gimelstob Children's Fund Tennis Exhibition

December 10-11 in Vero Beach, Florida Mardy's Tennis and Jake's Music Fest

December 21 in Zurich, Switzerland, Roger Federer's The Match for Africa

December 22 in Madrid Spain, Rafael Nadal's Rafael Nadal vs. Roger Federer

Get involved by buying a ticket.

Lotto Players Bopanna, Qureshi, Soderling and Schiavone Join Forces to Promote Peace through Tennis

 

Lotto sponsored tennis players Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi, Indian and Pakistani respectively, have been working all year to promote peace through tennis. Together with Lotto Sport Italia and the organization "Peace and Sport,"* Bopanna and Qureshi have flagged this initiative using t-shirts and jackets with the slogan “Stop War, Start Tennis.” They have worn the line during training sessions and pre-play since Wimbledon.

Rohan and Aisam have been friends for over ten years and have very successfully  teamed up as doubles partners for the last three. Their respective countries have lived in a situation of unease and tension in the region of Kashmir since it won its independence from the British Empire in 1947.

Peace and Sport emphasizes how much sport unites, as highlighted by the two players’ partnership.The two tennis stars took the initiative to promote peace through sport after having noticed that communities from both countries forget hostility when they support them in international competitions. With the message “Stop War! Start Tennis!” Bopanna and Qureshi remind us that sport is a universal language that facilitates dialogue, going beyond political, racial, religious, ethnical and social differences.

Robin Soderling and Francesca Schiavone are wearing the shirt and jacket in this video to support their fellow Lotto colleagues.

Not available to the tennis masses, but I think they should be. Never enough peace in my book.

*“Peace and Sport, L’Organisation pour la Paix par le Sport” is a neutral and apolitical international initiative. It is based in the Principality of Monaco and placed under the High-Patronage of HSH Prince Albert II. Peace and Sport puts sport and its structuring values at the heart of development projects led within communities in crisis around the world. With interventions in areas of post-conflict, extreme poverty or lacking social cohesion, Peace and Sport makes sport a vehicle for tolerance, respect, sharing and citizenship at the service of sustainable peace.

Caroline Wozniacki Takes #1 Spot from Serena Williams on Monday.

 

On Monday, October 11, 2010, Caroline Wozniacki will become the 20th  player in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) history to ascend to the top of the WTA Rankings. Pictured below she holds a number one decorated with flowers in Beijing at the China Open.

Click for FULL STORY HERE

Wilson Renews Tennis Racquet Contract with Japan's #1 Kei Nishikori

Kei Nishikori, Japan's #1 male tennis player has signed  a multi year agreement to continue his long-time sponsorship by Wilson Racquet Sports. Nishikori has been playing with the brand since he was 10 years old. He is now 20.

“Kei is a dynamic player with an aggressive style...,” said Massimo Calvelli, Global Tour Director of Wilson Racquet Sports.  “This partnership represents a significant piece of our overall marketing strategy.  Kei has a strong following in Japan and the local region and his influence on our overall sales is key and integral to the brand.”

Nishikori is currently playing with the Wilson Tour BLX racket*.

*This is a 4.0 + player's racquet.

Is Buddhism Part of Nadal's Winning Formula?

The Buddhist Review, tricycle, has just published a recent image of Rafael Nadal in Thailand visiting Buddhist monks on a beach outside of Bangkok. 

Perhaps Buddhism is the key to the masterful trance he is able to maintain in the heat of competition.

Nadal is in town to play the PTT Thailand Open which starts today.

Our good boy needs some Nike in Buddhist yellow and gold. No official word on his beliefs. Love it though.

Women's Pro Tennis Celebrates 40th Anniversary. We've Come a Long Way Baby.

Forty years ago today, women’s professional tennis was born when nine players, called the Original 9 and led by Billie Jean King, signed symbolic $1 contracts with the late Gladys Heldman, publisher of World Tennis  publications, to compete in the newly-created Virginia Slims Circuit. 

Read the full article here.

Oakley to be the Official Eyewear for US Olympic Teams. Time for Tennis to Get Wise.

The U.S. Olympic Committee recently announced that Oakley will be the first-ever performance-based eyewear supplier to team USA. Any US tennis athletes using eye wear will be supplied at the 2012 Olympic games. There's the catch. None do. Of the 8 ATP or WTA players who wear Oakley on court none are from the US. The Bryans wear Oakley watches.

Sun protective eyewear is not something that touring pros model often although UV protection would benefit the health of their eyes, preventing macular degeneration and other eye problems later in life. Those that do wear them, Samantha Stosur, as example, love them. Perhaps this offer of some of the best athletically inclined eye wear on the market will be an encouragement.

Oakley Team USA eyewear will be available at Oakley “O” Stores, TeamUSAShop.com and Oakley.com, as well as other national retailers and sunglass specialty stores.

A percentage of these sales will support the training of U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes and hopefuls.

Video: Novak Djokovic on his run at the US Open.

HEAD tennis has put together a short video congratulating their player, US Open finalist Novak Djokovic. Take a look:

It's Fashion Week in New York and Venus Williams has the biggest catwalk of all.

It's fashion week in New York City and the creative juices are on display from the work of students at Academy of Art University to that of Tory Burch and Vera Wang. It is the week where long hours of planning, cutting and sewing are either rewarded with attention or dismissed as folly. Not one designer has a bigger catwalk, bigger live audience and more attention than EleVen's Venus Williams and she's taking advantage of it.

As styled models sashay down skinny runways under tents and in showrooms around the city, Venus as model runs, jumps, stretches and sweats across a tennis court, all eyes and cameras on her. So far she has played in four different tennis outfits all from her EleVen line being sold at Gilt.com. There are more to come.

"I'm having fun with it," said Williams to ESPN2's Hannah Storm last night. "It's all about celebration." And so the latest dress (like the black and red) is adorned with sequined fireworks. We've seen bold graphics, open backs, sheers, varied necklines, black lace, leather fringe, hot pink and body hugging style.

There have been a few malfunctions such as dresses riding way too high during big points but she's taken care to insure that what's underneath is fashionable too. The shorties are decorated with sequins as well. The wind on court has also been a challenge. "The fabric is light and flies when the wind blows," Williams continued smiling. Nothing has slowed her down.

Williams is living her dream, as fashion designer, model, business woman and star tennis player - she's an author too. "I love what I do," she commented to Storm referring to tennis and fashion design. It's all coming together for Venus and she's literally dancing to the music when hitting end-of-match balls into the crowds.

Yeah her outfits are rocking the tennis world and that's what she likes. As a designer to the tennis masses, she's got a few things to work on to make sure some of these new dresses are more user friendly -- that ride up is not working for me. Looking forward to seeing what she wears to the finals if she earns her place there though. Prospects are good.

Click here for a gallery of Venus's US Open Styles courtesy of LIFE.

McEnroe, Federer, Nadal, Sharapova and Azarenka Chat US Open and Tennis Fashion.

After Wednesday night's Lights On. Light's Out event in NYC the Nike tennis powers that be sat down for a few questions. Listen in to an excerpt (6 mins) discussing opins on the upcoming US Open and tennis fashion:

Is Maria Sharapova possibly one of the most media savvy people out there? No wonder she is the number one earning female athlete in the WORLD!

Spend An Evening with Tennis Identity (and Good Guy) Andre Agassi.

 Need to know even more about Agassi? Here's your chance and this one's not on paper.

A Special Evening with Andre Agassi is set for 8 pm, Thursday, September 2 in New York City at The Town Hall. The event which coincides with the US Open and the release of Open: An Autobiography in paperback, will be hosted by sports journalist Rick Reilly and will be a combination interview, real-time talk show, tribute and roast followed by a Q and A. Sounds fun to me but I'm a big fan.

Tickets are $95 and $150 USD. Private-meet-and-greet-over-cocktails-worthy tix are $250. Buy at Ticketmaster.* More info at The Town Hall NYC.

*"Freebie" You'll get a signed paperback copy of Open with any purchase through Ticketmaster.

Isner Puts His Feet Up as Mahut Hits Grass Again. A Chat with the Tall One.

John Isner took in some R&R this past weekend hitting the Jeremiah Weed Backyard at Daytona's midfield. He relaxed and played ping pong with driver Matt Kenseth before going to work Monday at his John Isner Tennis Camp in Athens Georgia.

Meanwhile Nicholas Mahut checked in at Newport's International Tennis Hall of Fame where he donated his shirt, shorts and one signed sneaker from "The Match" to the museum and began his pursuit of the Van Alen Cup. Back to the grind.

Isner had a little time for questions.

What kept you going physically during your marathon match?

Over the past year I worked really hard off-court on my strength and endurance. I spent a lot of time in the weight room and on field wearing cleats doing sprints, suicides and more to keep my cardiovascular up. I also swam once a week. I don't think I would have performed as well if I hadn't done all that.

Any secrets to what you eat or drink for fuel?

I eat a lot. I'm not stuffing down Big Macs or anything like that;  I eat healthy foods - a lot of them. I like pasta but try to keep a good combination of carbs and protein to fuel my big body ( 6' 9", 245 lbs). For hydration I drink coconut water prior to a match and on court. It's loaded with potassium and electrolytes which help keep me from cramping no matter how much I'm sweating.

What's your on court style?

Well I wear Nike and have for eight years. They did our team uniforms at the University of Georgia and so it was a natural transition when I went pro. They have the best stuff out there; the Dri-Fit is great.

Do you choose what you wear in tournaments?

Nike gives me a new batch of clothes about five times a year. I don't have much of a say in it but I like what they give me.

How much do you hang and play with tennis friends who are the competition?

Mardy Fish and James Blake live nearby in Tampa. It's good to have friends who are also players. We motivate each other. No one wants to fall behind.

Did you compete in tennis as a teen?

Yeah, I grew up in North Carolina and did tournaments in the state and the section. Lots of driving.

Are you going to donate anything from the big match to the Hall of Fame yourself?

I'm not sure of my plans yet.

Give him time..he's chillin and still enjoying his win.

Isner plays with the Prince O3 white racquet.

The Longest Match in Pro Tennis and a Whole Lot More. Guiness World Records Ticks Off 12 Newbies on Isner vs. Mahut.

ATP players John Isner, of the USA, and Nicolas Mahut of France, achieved twelve new records during their epic, 3 day match that started on Tuesday June 22 and finished on Thursday, June 24.

“...To set a record such as this is a rare thing, but to do so under the pressure of a major tournament and millions of viewers is awe-inspiring” said Craig Glenday, Guinness World Records’ Editor-in-Chief. Here are the officially confirmed records:

1. Longest match in professional tennis. (11 hrs. 5 mins. over three days)
2. Longest match in a Grand Slam competition
3. Longest match at Wimbledon
4. Most games played in a professional tennis match (183)
5. Most games in a Grand Slam match
6. Most games played during a Wimbledon match
7. Most aces served by an individual player in a professional tennis match (112 Isner)
8. Most aces served by an individual player in a Grand Slam match
9. Most aces by an individual player served at a Wimbledon match
10. Most games in a set in professional tennis (138 in 5th set))
11. Most games in a set in a Grand Slam competition
12. Most games in a set at Wimbledon

That'll make you think differently next time you're in one of those long ones.

The Flame Grows Bigger. WTT and Solfire Announce Alliance.

Solfire is a two year old lifestyle brand that's making itself known on tennis courts nationwide. Word of mouth and some hard pavement pounding by likable company founder, Brendan Murphy have resulted in key court influencers and teaching pros wearing the brand. It appears the efforts are paying off. That Solfire flame is burning brightly.

World Team Tennis (WTT) and Solfire have just announced a multi-year agreement making Solfire the official apparel provider of WTT, official sponsor of WTT Pro and Rec Leagues and WTT Smash Hits. Watch for Solfire apparel on officials, ball kids, staff and a few players.

Tour players currently wearing the line include Tommy Haas (right in the Big Lights Big City crew, $25), Ashley Fisher and Eric Butorac (pictured above left in the Classic ATP match shirt). The shorts on the site are $25. Nice prices ehh?

"Solfire is a non-traditional tennis brand and the WTT Pro League is a non-traditional tennis league," said Murphy. "We both bring great energy and enthusiasm to the game of tennis and I believe our products will provide an exciting new look and feel to the league."

"We're excited to have them join our growing portfolio of innovative partners," said WTT CEO/Commissioner Ilana Kloss. A special WTT tee is on its way.

Solfire makes cross-functional active wear for men and women some is high performance apparel (100% microdenier poly that's anti microbial, anti static and moisture wicking) and some is unique 100% cotton style for off-court. Go traditional or grab one of their stand-out art-adorned styles. Murphy is the artist as well. It's different. I like it.

High level players are eligible for discounted apparel packages. Solfire Nation, as they call it, it growing. Learn more or buy at Solfire.

Bid Yourself a Pricey Private with John McEnroe. Do it for the Mother.

How much would you pay for a one-hour private tennis lesson? Rates run $30 to $120 around the country depending on pro ability, rep and region. How about if your pro was John McEnroe?

McEnroe has donated an hour-long private lesson to raise funds for Christie’s Green Auction: A Bid to Save the Earth, an auction for the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day.  The highest bidder will have the opportunity to learn straight from the master, in NYC. Cool ehh?! The hour is valued at $20,000! Man that's a pricey private; but it's for the mother, mother earth and it's almost mother's day so do it if you've got the cash.

Bidding is open until May 6th 1:20 PM EDT on charitybuzz.

The auction item is part of "Christie's Green Auction: A Bid to Save the Earth,"a collaboration of leaders from the worlds of art, business, politics, media, fashion and celebrity for the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day.   Proceeds benefit 4 NGOs: Central Park Conservancy, Conservation International, NRDC and Oceana. 

Fashion Editors +Tennis Classics. Love Them Too But Could We Please Move On?

Jenny Kang, Lucky Magazine's Associate Market Editor, has put together a page of tennis fashions in the May 2010 issue of the magazine -- see right. I tried to contact Ms. Kang to ask her a few questions to no avail. I specifically wanted to ask her how much tennis she plays and why fashion editors consistently go to classics when they talk tennis.

In an industry that often worships back-killing shoes, wild prints, unusual colors and over-the-top adornments, it is strange to me that tennis is never interesting to fashion editors unless it's classically styled, mostly white, maybe with a touch of navy. The Hermes fashion show last year (for this season's "street" looks) was set on a grass court runway complete with audio of a match in session. The models wore lovely tennis inspired attire obviously not meant for the court or heavy sweating. 

Tennis, it appears, has two levels of fashion 1. tennis wear for lifestyle, Hamptons-ish prep or 1800's court tennis influenced, and 2. tennis wear for sport.

The comment next to the Fila Heritage dress in the Lucky spread reads "Throw a cardigan over it and you've got an unexpected, cute weekend outfit." There are Tretorns next to the dress. Case in point.

Now Fila and Ralph Lauren do a great job of combining classic and performance for those who love that look -- which is why the Fila dress works in the spread -- and I'm not knocking Kang's personal picks but if you play a lot you want variety. Maybe Lucky readers are more interested in the style and not so much in playing tennis but fashion reporters should also take note of what is actually being worn on court too, lots of jet black, vivid colors, florals, ruffles, asymmetricals and more. 

Take a look through the women's tennis fashion link here and you'll see where tennis fashion for female players has been trending. Yes we all love vintage but there is so much more. Come on fashion editors, give it some love or at least a little attention.

Thoughts on "The Superstar Effect," the Tennis Seesaw and the Laws of Physics

Today's Wall Street Journal presents an article entitled "The Superstar Effect." In it Jonah Lehrer details research that serves to prove that "From the playing field to the boardroom, when one competitor is clearly the best, the others don't step up their game - they give up." I don't think this is true in tennis.

Roger Federer, among the best tennis players of all-time, is an example of an "Intimidator." Yes playing him would be intimidating for most but for a top 50 player, with doubt tucked away (the kiss of death) and a lot happening right, a win IS possible. It's happened more than most light followers of tennis know.

Case in point, at the still-in-progress Sony Ericsson Open, Roger Federer, was taken out by Tomas Berdych who will play in the finals against Andy Roddick Sunday. Berdych is ranked #20 on the ATP World Tour. 

Another example,  the recent BNP Paribas Open,won by Ivan Ljubicic (pictured above left), a 26th ranked player who took out Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal (another "Intimidator") and Andy Roddick on his way to the victory.

I personally LOVE the tennis seesaw, the who's up who's down of it all. It's what makes watching matches so exciting.

It does appear that once marquee players hit it big in the marketplace their attentions are often pulled off court. That could be a factor in favor of opponents who are doing nothing but training. Federer and Maria Sharapova, talents with golden touch marketability, have struggled in some recent tournaments. Both have massive endorsement empires. Note that stumbles aside they are still currently #1 ATP and #12 (WTA) in the world respectively. Not shabby of course, but they can and have been beaten recently.

Novak Djokovic, ATP world #2, is earning big off court as well. Endorsement deals have followed his on-court successes but he too has had some recent stumbles.  Check out this recent video, which brings me to the physics portion of this post, a charming Novak Djokovic vs. Tennis Machine, a video sponsored by Djokovic's racquet company HEAD:

 Djokovic, like Sharapova and Federer, is another "Superstar" in the world of tennis. He like the others at the top need to watch out, because those standing on the lower rungs of the ranking ladder are hungry and while Djokovic, for example, is dabbling in physics, these future opponents are grinding it out, eyes on the prize, that tasty big win against a top ranked player.

This post was sponsored in part by HEAD.