TennisIDENTITY

Mardy Fish and bros Bryan to hit the US Open in new K-Swiss.

The US men of K-Swiss will each be wearing something a little different this year, offering a look at the full new K-Swiss men's tennis line.

American #1, Mardy Fish, will be competing in the Stripes Polo (really like this one), white base left $55, and stretch stripe short $50. 

# 1 ATP dubs impresarios, Bob and Mike Bryan, will wear both the Fade Crew, below $55, and Spliced Polo $50, with the Training Woven short. 

All three players will wear the line touched by energetic striped graphics and gradiated color that's a soft mossy green. It's a nice hue in an understated way.

The shirts are made of a very thin, loose fitting performance poly pique. The printed design is front-only and full back mesh panel adds to ventilation.The group is available in three other colors  (blue, red and grey/white) as well as the green.

Tennis shoe for the boys? The Big Shot, $125. We all know Monfils loves this shoe.

Find it all at K-Swiss, Tennis-Warehouse and tennis retailers worldwide.

Sam Querrey, who has unfortunately withdrawn from the Open with an injury, would have competed in both the Stripes Crew $50, and Spliced Crew $45, with the Stretch Stripe Short. Heal quickly Sam. We'll catch you in it all next tourney.

Tennis fashion: Mardy Fish in Spring Men's K-Swiss. Pop art DPI.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mardy Fish has been switching between this blue K-Swiss combo he wore in Indian Wells and a black and white version of the same in Miami.

Pictured above is the fading stripe crew ($45 USD) and 9" inseam spring training woven short in brilliant blue. The b/w zip neck polo version ($50) is right. Nice looking.  All made of quick dry performance material. 

The around-the-body print is a halftone dot design that connotes movement.  Fading, shrinking dots stride out from a tight center stripe. DPI (dots per inch) as art. Brings me back to shading with peel-off halftones.

I like this for the guy that wants a little extra pop on court but shies away from Miami brights .

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

 

 

Spring 2011 K-Swiss Hits the Courts with Chanelle Scheepers at WTA Dubai Tourney

We didn't see Chanelle Scheepers of South Africa long at the WTA Dubai Duty Free. She faced Jelena Jankovic first round and lost BUT I loved her look, something kinda Katherine Hepburn about the ensemble. 

Pictured left, Scheepers wears separates from K-Swiss' new Spring Tennis Group. The top is a spliced shell tank, a popular style among women who eschew body cling, $30, bright white with shimmery champagne beige (almost gold) accents. The skort is a flattering, updated version of the traditional pleated tennis skirt in the same glowing champagne beige, simple, classy and not hip magnifying at all. The black accent is a thin grosgrain ribbon, $47. All performance, UV protective and breathable. 

Really pretty in such an understated way.

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

 

Gael Monfils. Primed for a Tennis Fashion Line of His Own?

Gael Monfils played his way through Roger Federer to the finals of the Paris Masters 1000 wearing this kit from K Swiss. Pretty radical. If this is any indication of what's to come from Monfil's rumored upcoming namesake line I think it fits him.

K Swiss confirms nothing but my guess is we're looking at the direction the line will take, if it happens that is. He's not even listed as a tennis athlete on their website at the moment.

The top here is custom, not available. The shorts are new black and white checked stretch KSwiss board shorts, $55 and the shoes the K Swiss BigShot $120. Style for the anti-tradition player.

Available at K Swiss, Tennis-Warehouse and tennis retailers worldwide.

 

 

Next Time I'm Packing This Shirt.

Does the fact that someone is working REALLY hard to win give them the excuse to yell, swear and grunt through an entire three setter? I don't think so but this weekend I had to work REALLY hard to block someone like this out. Yeah sure I could have said something but then again it's rec tennis and shouldn't my powers of concentration be up to this? Well, I lost.

Next time I'm packing this shirt, the K Swiss Quiet Please tee, MSRP $22.00 in white, grey and black. Pull it out, pop it on and spend a little time near the offending party...enough said. 

 

Seeing Stripes. Alona Bondarenko at the US Open.

Alona Bondarenko takes on Francesca Schiavone today in third round womens action. She has been wearing new K Swiss for tennis.

Pictured here she wears the new Y Back dress, $75, which has a really open back (see inset). This dress also comes in hyacinth violet and virtual pink with white.

Stripes have been all over fashion this year and it looks like they're sticking around for a while longer. They are fun to wear and really fresh looking. I'd pair this dress with a pair of black or white tennis shoes.

If you're not a dress fan, add a smaller dose of stripes with the really slimming Mesh Pleat Skirt, $50 and strappy Criss Cross Tank, $50. The sophisticate in me says go black or white with the top. Vera Zvonareva wore this in the US Open finals.

You can find Bondarenko's look at K Swiss, Tennis-Warehouse and tennis retailers worldwide.

Bob and Mike Bryan Take Record Win #62 in Pick-Up-Sticks.

The Bros Bryan got their record 62nd win yesterday at the Farmers Classic in LA wearing jazzy new KSwiss - matching of course. This one is the Sig Stripe Crew; a pick-up-sticks pile of gradiant color criss crosses the upper half of the shirt.The graphic also resembles a screen grab of a media player - perhaps a more fitting analogy for the music loving Bryans. 

The shirt also comes in white with jelly green (lime green back) and white with pigment blue (blue back), $50.  You can't help but turn heads in this one. Tennis traditionalists will complain but I think it's got great energy.

The fabric is polyester pique, the back panel, mesh for breathability. They paired it with the 10" Inset Knit Short, $40 also from K Swiss. The shorts have an elastic waist and mesh side panels. You'll stay nice and cool in this set boys.

Their racquets? Prince EXO3 Ignite 95. Learn about the stick at Prince.

Buy it at Tennis-Warehouse.  The win is up to you.

Wimbledon Tennis Fashion: Vera Zvonareva

Vera Zvonareva of Russia usually goes for full-on color. Wimbledon necessitates a tone down but her outfit is still one of the most color adorned on the grass this year.

Pictured is a two piece set from K Swiss. The top is the Open Racerback Tank, $48 in white with touches of mesh in brilliant blue and blazing yellow. It has a built in bra, is all performance and UV protective (40+); the skort is the Mesh Pleat Skirt, $50; and her Performance visor, $20. 

I love K-Swiss skirts and this one offers a slimming twist on the classic full pleated that can make you look a bit hippy (not good unless you are a stick). The brilliant blue wrap skort (pictured here) is a good alternative.

The outfit gives the illusion of a dress but is versatile. The skirt can go with a myriad of tops.The look does come as a Halter Dress but with a blue pleated hem. I prefer the two pieces -- less maiden-like. If you can't find the skirt take a look at the KSwiss Basic Knit Short in white. These are short but really cute (comfy low cut with no "mom" waist), $45.

Good luck in the finals Vera!

Find it at K Swiss, Tennis-Warehouse and other tennis retailers.

K•Swiss Signs Gael Monfils. See ya Nike. He's Got His Own Line in Sight.

 
Gaël Monfils of France is now an official K•Swiss athlete. He's traded the single swoosh for five stripes.

The current ATP tour #18 has two career ATP titles and is a seven-time ATP tour finalist. “Gaël is, without question, one of the most exciting players on the tour," said K•Swiss Sports Marketing Director, Erik Vervloet.  "He has a flair for the game that is hard to ignore and he is a title-winning threat on all surfaces. We are very excited to have him with our brand and think he will deliver some real punch to K•Swiss."

Agreed. Love to watch the guy play myself. “I am thrilled to join such an iconic tennis brand with a great reputation for athlete collaboration,” said Monfils. “I am looking forward to working with K•Swiss on developing my own line of clothes to launch next year and growing our relationship in the years to come.” Cool but I hope he doesn't completely abandon the signature sleevless styles like Rafa did.

Monfils will wear his new brand at Roland Garros. He'll be able to choose from the new collection some of which he is wearing in the image above: KSwiss Signature Crew, $50 in vivid blue, Training Shorts,  $45 in navy and custom Pro Speedster Tennis shoes (regular style runs $80).

Find the looks at K-Swiss or Tennis-Warehouse.

Vera Zvonareva Picks Prince's EXO3 Black 100.

 
 Prince Tennis has announced that Vera Zvonareva is now officially on the Prince athlete roster. She has selected the new Prince EXO3 Black 100, $199 USD, as her weapon of choice.

“I trust Prince and the quality of the racquets they produce and know that the company is continually thinking about ways to take my game to a higher level.  When I first picked up the EXO³Black, I knew something was different, special about it, and the more time I spent with the racquet,  the better it felt to me.  I have already won my first title with it and am looking to make deeper runs at the bigger events this year, especially the Grand Slams.” Zvonareva joins Gael Monfils, Maria Sharapova, the Bryan Brothers and Shahar Peer, already playing with an EXO³.

There are currently fifteen different racquet models in the EXO³line of performance racquets, allowing players with different playing styles, preferences and skill levels the opportunity to take advantage of the technology.  There are eight models in the EXO³Tour Series (Zvonareva's racquet is one) designed for ultra-competitive players looking for control-oriented frames with more traditional weights and cross-sections. The seven models in the Thunder Series are designed for players looking for ultimate comfort with exceptional playability (that's speak for the rec player).

The dot on Zvonareva's strings? The mark of Gamma. She plays with Gamma Zo Sweet 17, $11.25 per package. This is a hybrid set with power monofilament for the mains and TNT2 for the crosses. Her outfit is K-Swiss.

Learn more or find a retailer at Prince  and Gamma or buy/test drive at Tennis-Warehouse.

Bryan Brothers, Mardy Fish and Sam Querrey Usher in New K-Swiss for Spring

Bob and Mike Bryan nabbed their first victory wearing K-Swiss at the Australian Open. They and fellow K-Swiss ambassadors, Sam Querrey and Mardy Fish wore new soon-to-be released apparel from the brand's men's Spring line in Melbourne. 

Pictured here the Bryans are wearing the new Signature Crew in a powerful flame scarlet, $50. This is a all poly pique -- check out the vivid blue version -- an awesome blast of color. With it they wore beige plaid 9" inseam Boardshorts, $48 -- the color pictured here is new navy plaid (I prefer it) -- surfer style, drawstring waist. The plaid shorts trend marches on for court fashionistos who need to wear what's most current.

New shorts coming out in the group include the: tailored Stretch Stripe Short , $45 (in solid black, light grey, white and new navy -- no stripe so go figure on the name) snap waistband, zip fly, stretch fabric; and the new Training Woven Short, $45  ( 9" inseam) pull on elastic waist, in charcoal and white and new navy.

The new lines are coming in now. Look to K-Swiss and Tennis-Warehouse to find it.

In the Pink. Vera Zvonareva ♥s K-Swiss Spring Fashion.

WTA player Vera Zvonareva (RUS) showed off some of K-Swiss' upcoming Spring 2010 tennis collection at the Australian Open. Great run there by-the-way. Pictured here she is wearing the New K-Swiss Shell Tank in raspberry rose and white, $40 USD, and Pleated Skirt, $55 in white (it is a skort). Both come in multiple alternate colors and are made of KWICK DRI poly/spandex performance fabric that offers 40+ UV protection.

Also in the group is this cheery raspberry rose halter dress (also in white), $75 -- there are some thin anchor style straps down the back for security under motion. Take a look also at the new 3 1/2" inseam Shortie Short, $30 in black-- I'm spotting this style with tight fitting tops on teen girls who have no body issues and loads of confidence. They are super short but look pretty darn good on these players.

These pink themed outfits would look great with the new CVC Warm up Jacket, $75 and Pant, $60 spandex french terry in white -- the zip front hoodie has a pink lining. Fresh!

Find it all soon at K-Swiss and Tennis-Warehouse.

Bob and Mike Bryan say goodbye to longtime apparel sponsor adidas. Move to K-Swiss.

"Happy to report we've signed a 4 year deal with K-Swiss. Stepping up the stripes, from 3 to 5." said Bob Bryan on Twitter early this week." ...Thnx to Jim Latham and everyone at adidas for a great 12 years..."

K-Swiss won't confirm anything about the deal at the moment but this means that the Bryans will likely be joining Alona and Kateryna Bondarenko, Mardy Fish, Tommy Haas, Liezel Huber, Vera Zvonareva, Jim Courier and Anna Kournikova on the K-Swiss wearing tennis team.

Pictured left is the K-Swiss Mens Winter 5 Stripe Polo, $55.00 USD, part of the new K-Swiss Winter Group. This shirt looks great with the white Mens Combo Woven Short, $48 or the 9.5" multipurpose board short, $45. The ebony and black version is my favorite in the new collection, polished but as edgy as a polo gets. Maybe we'll see the Bryans in it come 2010.

Who's next? It's a game of chess at the moment.

Buy at K-Swiss or Tennis-Warehouse. Follow Bob Bryan on Twitter @BryanBros

Vera Zvonareva Shows Off Fall K-Swiss Women's Tennis Fashion. Props to Cara Black and Liezel Huber.

Unlike Nike and adidas sponsored players K-Swiss athletes are not restricted to one kit during a tournament. Allowed to pick from the full season's range, we get to see a good glimpse of the line's offerings. Unfortunately no one chose to wear my current fave, the beautiful liberty purple and black Empire Tank and Skort.     

What we did see was one hot dress and a bit of what's coming next, the fall season brick varsity red and fig (a light brown). Fitting and pretty but I really wanted to see the energy of that most regal of hues.

As the weather cools over Flushing Meadows, the players are looking to keep warm during play. The v-necked Mesh Long Sleeve top, $55, pictured left on Vera Zvonareva is a great pick for chillier days. I like that it's fitted without hugging too hard around the mid-section. She has paired it with the women's fall Pleated Skirt, $55.

Doubles duo Cara Black and Liezel Huber teamed up in matching  Zip Front Polos, $55 and Pleated Skirts in a sophisticated palette of ebony and clover.  The look was strong and tailored, with great chest and shoulder coverage which a lot of women like. These polo tops are fitted and not boxy at all.

For those players with more of a penchant for body hugging drama (and currently playing in warmer climes) take a look at the bandage dress inspired V-Tank style, $75 USD, pictured right again on Zvonareva. It resembles a Herve Leger style but is all performance. The angled straps are sturdy, designed to prevent the downward slipping tube we've all experienced at some point in our lives.

K-Swiss clothes are well cut and figure flattering, UV protective,breathable, antibacterial performance.The skirts run on the short side which I personally like.

Find the looks at K-Swiss and Tennis-Warehouse. The newer fall colors should be out soon.

 And finally, a big CONGRATULATIONS to Black and Huber, the first team to qualify for the prestigious year-end Sony Ericsson Championships in Doha, Qatar! Pictured left they are wearing the K-Swiss cap sleeve tank (on sale now) and Accomplish Pant.

Images: Top left, Julian Finney/Getty Images Sport; Right, courtesy; and bottom left, Getty Images. 

Tommy Haas' Wimbledon Wardrobe.

Tommy Haas has changed his shirt a few times on the way to the upper echelons of Wimbledon.

Pictured here he wears the new K-Swiss Color Blocked Crew in white and black, $50 USD and Accomplish Short, $35. Mesh inserts in back and under the arms add great ventilation. 

His earlier round alternative was the Accomplish Crew, $30 and his quarterfinal round, the Topstich Polo, $55. Befitting the quarterfinal round, the Polo is a more dressy looking choice, made of performance spandex pique with five topstitched strips across the right chest. Sharp dressed man. 

His hat, the Performance 6 Panel Cap, $22. His racquet, the MicroGel Prestige Mid Plus.

Find the gear at K-Swiss, Head and Tennis-Warehouse.

Image: Haas Sets for a Return, June 29, 2009 courtesy LIFE.

Who likes short shorts? We like short shorts. Spotted at a tournament and here on Alona Bondarenko.

 

When it comes to junior tournament play the hands-down outfit of choice among girls is short shorts and a fitted tank. Many manufacturers cut their shorts a little higher on the waist than the girls like so they flip over the waistband and almost everyone has a tag sticking out their back. Kind of funny.

In all honesty low-cut shorts are a better on-court look for most anyone -- they're sleeker and a whole lot hipper than high-risers. Wear them with a longer cut top and you'll have no belly baring problems.

Looking for low cut (not dangerous low but below the navel) proves to be challenging in a sea of shorts but the Dual Knit Sport Shorts by K-Swiss pictured here on Alona Bondarenko ($42 USD) fit the bill. Other performance oriented low cut, short tennis shorts include: adidas Women's Spring Court Short ($29.99), Nike Women's Basic More Power Knit Short ( $45) and Prince Women's Spring Gold Tour Short ($29.99). All have built in compression shorts which make it easy to stow that extra ball when serving. No need to flip over these waistbands girls.

Find the look at Tennis-Warehouse, Nike, adidas Tennis , and K-Swiss.

Image: Getty Images/Clive Brunskill -- Sony Ericsson WTA Tour

New 2009 tennis backpacks. Something for every tennis identity.

 

 

If you travel to the courts via foot, subway or bike, less is definitely more. Even though most racquet bags come with backpack straps, these smaller back packs fit the bill during those times when you just don't want any extra bulk.

Top left the Wilson KTour back pack, holds two racquets with padding around them, has a separate compartent for shoes and is made without PVC (an environmentally friendly effort), $39.95;  top right, the KSwiss Ibiza Tennis Backpack in Navy -- retro-ish and fitting in an all tennis-whites setting, for one-racquet, $39.99. Bottom left the groovy "Tell it to my Heart" Whak Sak, black with rhinestones, holds a tennista's two racquets and essentials. The insulated drink holder keeps a beverage cold and handy, $79.99; Bottom right: the Babolat Classic Club Line Back Pack, $24.95 (has a racquet handle cover -- added value for transit in the rain). Some of Rafa's entourage have been spotted wearing this bag. 

Not pictured: the new Babolat Team Line back pack, $44.95, matches the new Pure Drive racquet. HEAD also makes a sharp looking Djokovic series back pack to go with his new stick, $59.95. 

Find these back-packs and a myriad of others to suit your court identity at Tennis-Warehouse Visit  Whaksak Babolat, Wilson and K-Swiss for other retailers.

Mardy Fish and Tommy Haas Get Traction in New K-Swiss.

 Mardy Fish and Tommy Haas have been sporting the new K-Swiss men's line since the Australian. Pictured here Fish wears the Sublimated Crew in olympian blue and navy, my favorite of the four versions of this crew neck top with super sized K-Swiss stripes. Haas has worn the white version with olympian blue. Strategically placed mesh inserts, moisture wicking fabric and chafe free seams make this a truly comfortable performance piece, $55 USD.

 Both guys wear the Accomplish Knit Short, $35,  9" inseam and drawstring elastic waist. Piping down the sides adds subtle decoration. The headband is the old stretch classic, $5. 

Watch the courts also for the clean and unfussy looking Topstich Polo, $55, which comes in four solid colors with same color top-stitched stripes. It's a much more subtle, tailored look for the player who prefers more refined style. Mardy wore the white on white and blue on blue versions during his great run at the SAP Open.  The traction? It's in that tire-track"ish" design, the Ascendor shoes ($100 on Fish) as well as the Glaciator, $95 on Haas. Add a little 'tude and you've got it.

Learn more or buy at K-Swiss or Tennis-Warehouse.

Michaella Krajicek, Beautiful in Boysenberry

Michaella Krajicek, of the Netherlands, caught our eye wearing K-Swiss down-under at the ASB classic in Auckland recently. Purple and black together, unpredictably lovely.

This little combo pairs the K-Swiss Women's Winter Sport top in boysenberry, $39.99 USD (also in tidal wave blue) and the super flattering K-Swiss Women's Winter Pleated Skort in black, $39.99 (this skirt also comes in white and tidal wave blue) The pleats on this skort are centered front and back so you get the tailored effect without adding bulk at the hips. UltraCel fabric ensures you stay cool and dry while you play. The visor pulls it all together. The hair...that's a bit harder. 

Get Michaella's look now at K-Swiss or Tennis-Warehouse. Both items have been out for a few weeks now so good luck.

Image: Getty Images

New Separates From K-Swiss: Sophisticated Color and Comfort.

We've talked a lot about dresses this year but fact is, most of us wear separates when we practice and play. Maybe it's something about their versatility. This combo on Alona Bondarenko caught our eye. Both pieces are new from K Swiss, the Knit Sport Skirt, $45 USD with built in shorts in urban grey and the Scoop Back Tank, $45 in boysenberry. Alona's sneakers are the Ascendor Mesh, $100.

Comfortable, wicking fabrics and unique unfussy feminine styling details make these pieces a great fashion/function choice. Love the sophisticated color combination.

Buy at K-Swiss or Tennis-Warehouse.

Image: Getty Images

New K Swiss as Seen on Mardy Fish -- Casual Tennis Style for Serious Players

Many sponsors appear to require their players to wear the same outfit throughout an entire tournament. K-Swiss lets Mardy switch it up a bit within the line; nice for a guy who doesn't appear to want to look too done-up. Recently he wore the loose fitting, performance styles above. The top is the new K-Swiss short sleeve v-neck, $50 USD and long mesh shorts, $48 (10"inseam). Both are performance pieces that help control heat and wick moisture. In earlier rounds, Mardy wore the new short sleeve crew neck in charcoal, $50 (not pictured). Looked like a simple tee but body mapped mesh inserts in back make this a great choice for the player who wants performance without looking too tailored. Look for these styles at K-Swiss or Tennis-Warehouse.

Image: getty images/Chris McGrath