TennisIDENTITY

A license to leave the US Open in good spirits.

Everyone needs a souvenir from the US Open and this New York plate adorned shirt is among my favs this year. Check out Lady Liberty who has discreetly traded torch for racquet.

The tee is from the Heineken Tennis Classics by Sol Angeles limited ed. collection available ONLY in the Heineken Lounge at the US Open 2011.

Fashionably distressed to look and feel super comfy, it's an absolute go-to for everyday cool-casual, $40 USD (yeah...I KNOW...but it's really nice).

It's a DMV free NY tennis license with spirits on the side.

V-neck not for you? There are 5 other pieces in the collection. 

 

 

Fila adds Australia to its line-up of Davis Cup themed tennis shirts.

Channel a little countryman's pride. Fila has added Australia to its growing collection of Davis Cup themed tennis shirts for men. Above left to right are Australia (which has not been played in yet), Croatia (made to look like a soccer shirt for huge fan Marin Cilic), Israel for Andy Ram and Jonathan Erlich, and Serbia (originally made for Janko Tipsarevic in 2010). Each runs $59 USD. No word on what country is next.

Find them exclusively at Tennis Warehouse.

 

Mental Toughness has NO expiration (TM)

The first day of a new year always brings with it a host of resolutions related to health and fitness. Mental toughness is on my 2011 list and these shirts for men and women are motivating. 

Whatever YOU call it, being in the zone, playing out-of-your-mind, being dialed-in...it's all mental toughness that helps a win when the going gets tough. Never too old.

Made of Cool-n-Dry performance fabric, these shirts, dreamed up by a marathon runner, offer a comfy athletic fit that you can work out and play in. Men's long sleeve, $40. Womens, $28. The short sleeve is $22. Find them only at NO EXPIRATION.

 

Put your love of the game on Cruise Control.

No one needs wonder where your passions lie when you're in one of these tees. You and I live for this game and who shouldn't know that? Offered by Cruise Control, these shirts are made of super lightweight, antibacterial stretch performance fabric and are long enough to prevent belly bare when stretching. They come in a variety of colors for men and women, sleeveless, v-neck and crew. The women's cuts are fitted and very flattering. I really liked the way they played.

 

Available only at Cruise Control, $23 for the woman's sleeveless and $26 for the men's crew neck and womens cap sleeve. Look for the Live for It Collection on the site under mens and womens.

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. 

 

Play me if you dare.

A skull and crossbones portends danger. How about a skull and crossed racquets? Fun for those close-to-Hallows-Eve games (or whenever you're feeling edgy), take a look at dTL's new scoop neck cap sleeve top adorned with black wings, skull and...rhinestone adorned racquets, the perfect foil for the graphic, $48 at DTL Down The Line Sportswear -- all performance too.

Check out the matching skort with the same graphic on the rear, $60.

You can find much of dTL's Bad to the Bone line which is also ornamented with skull and racquets at Tennis-Warehouse. I love the goth feel to the new pieces though.

I'm wearing a black skort and tennis shoes with this one.

 

What WOULD Borg, Ashe or Evert do?

It takes the mind of a champion to win a major and so with homage to those that have so successfully played before us I give you some inspiration. Everything old is new again with these practice tees.

So you're down a set and two games. What Would Borg Do (W.W.B.D.)? What was it that took the guy to the US Open finals four times? Own the tee and those of other top ballers from online seller OldSchoolTennis, $26.99

U.S. Open 1978. Chris Evert defeated Pam Shriver and Jimmy Connors defeated Bjorn Borg for the trophies. Great tennis year. Hate to think that '78 is vintage but it is, at least in the fashion world."

The tee (above left) is one of the Sportique US Open Collection inspired by US Open programs and television coverage from the late 70s to the early 80s. I've seen Sportique US Open tees on athletes (Isner), on-air news correspondents and fans in New York, $32 for t-shirts and $66 for hoodies. The collection can be found at Arthur Ashe Stadium. select Bloomingdales stores and online at USOpenShop

I AM...THE COMPETITION. With these t-shirts you want sweat to show. Win one for your game!

New in "smart" fabrics, ViewSPORT's sweat activated technology makes hidden messages appear in athletically inclined fabric. Sweat hard, and the message that appears tells it like it is.

My favorite pictured left, I AM, and after a set in the heat, THE COMPETITION. The harder you sweat, the stronger the image. Awesome. Pictured right is another of the messages dry, great for your workout hit. Wet it says "All you need is you."

Until now, I have been an avoider of sweat showing fabrics.

Take note that the shirts have special washing instructions (inside out, cold water only, no bleach or oxygen based cleansers) because of the technology.

Find the tees at ViewSPORT. Prices range from $23.99 - $24.99 More products on deck soon.

For a chance to WIN a ViewSPORT t-shirt and watch, leave a comment below. Tell us which one you want.  RT on Twitter for an extra entry.

US addresses only. Winner chosen by random draw. Deadline August 20, 2010 9 PM EST. Winner's choice of design and color is subject to availability.

Let Mac do the trash talkin' for ya.

"What line are you watching pal?" In this game of nicey-nice this shirt lets it fly for you.

Nike is expanding the John McEnroe inspired line of tennis apparel with more shirts, jackets, shorts and accessories. I like this tee in particular. It also comes in white which is generally a lot more sweat forgiving than grey -- if you care.

The line is for men but the tees are fair game ladies, dri fit, so $30 USD. Not a cheap tee but a cool one for sure.

Available at Tennis-Warehouse and other tennis retailers.

Wimbledon Tennis Fashion 2010: Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal is all Mr. Clean in his Wimbledon whites. Well, tight white top, big muscles...that's about it I guess. I like this top though, the Vamos Lawn Crew Tennis shirt by Nike, $65 in white and light wild mango. It is very close fitting so if you don't care for cling (most of us don't have Nadalesq abs) try sizing up.

There is another  version of this shirt as well (see below*) but Nadal has been wearing the plainer one (right) and based on his predisposition towards routines, he's unlikely to mix it up.

If you love to match, wear the top with the long Vamos Woven short with the matching color swoosh, $60. The zip jacket is $90 and sports a little bull head as well.

Check out  the graphic on the men's Rush and Crush practice t-shirt, $30. Yes that's a pricey tee but it's Dri-Fit and it says legions about your love of the game. Nadal has been wearing it during warm-ups and I've seen it at the junior tournaments.

Find it all at Nike, Tennis-Warehouse or other tennis retailers.

*this shirt is only on Nike.com

Wear the Djoker on Your Chest.

It's no joke. You get to the top of the game, you get signature wear.

You and your guy Novak Djokovic can now be one with the new Sergio Tacchini Novak Djokovic Tee. Offered in white or grey the tee features Djokovic's face with Novache underneath. 100% cotton. $34 USD.

Available now at TennisWarehouse.

Hip-Hop Artist Jay-Z Designs Limited Edition Arthur Ashe Tennis Tee Shirt.

The USTA announced today that hip-hop icon and Grammy Award-winning artist Jay-Z has designed a t-shirt featuring Arthur Ashe that will be sold at the 2009 US Open. 

The limited edition Jay-Z tee-shirt celebrates the USTA National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) network’s 40th anniversary. Proceeds from the sales will benefit the NJTL and the Arthur Ashe Endowment for the Defeat of AIDS. 

 “I am thrilled that someone of Jay-Z’s stature would take part in this project,” said Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, Ashe’s widow who remains active in the USTA NJTL network and other charitable endeavors associated with her late husband’s legacy.  “This shirt will honor the legacy of my husband and remind people of his contributions to both the sport of tennis and this country’s underprivileged youth.”

 The 100% cotton charcoal gray shirt with white and black image of Ashe will be available on-site at the Octagon and the Arthur Ashe Endowment Booth, and online at USOpen.org and ArthurAshe.org; $36 USD. The design is part of Jay-Z’s Rocawear clothing line, which the musician founded in 1999.  

 

Venus Williams Designs Limited Edition U.S. Open "Green" Tee Shirt

Ladies, two-time US Open Champion Venus Williams has designed an official 2009 US Open t-shirt.  The limited edition tee is part of the USTA’s wide-ranging green initiatives at the Open and will be sold at the Octagon, the US Open Collection stores located in Louis Armstrong Stadium and the South Plaza and on US Open.org; retail price $36.

The teal blue, yellow (tennis balls) and purple design is printed on comfy 100% organic cotton. Williams designed the shirt as part of her EleVen clothing line, which was launched in 2007 and at present doesn't have an official retail outlet. 

“I am really excited about this project because it combines three of my interests – tennis, fashion and the environment,” said Williams, who enters this year’s US Open seeded No. 3.  "I hope that my passion will be conveyed through this design and will inspire others to do their part to help preserve the environment.”

 A portion of the profits from the Venus Williams tee will benefit Unisphere, Inc., the non-profit organization that maintains and preserves Flushing Meadows Corona Park, home of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

Not performance but a good feel practice tee. Like the shirt says, "Green Your Game."

 

Nike Releases New Collection of John McEnroe Inspired Tennis Apparel. Yes, I am serious.

 

Celebrate the man who drew a whole lot of attention to the game when he was the big man on court. Still the main man in my book, John McEnroe today still has a mean game AND blows everyone out of the tennis commentator water.

Just out, Nike tees to show your love. Left the Nike Ace T-Shirt and right, the Men's Zone T-Shirt, both $30 USD (ouch)...but they are Dri Fit and Johnny Mc, and pretty darn cool...That retro movement just keeps on rolling doesn't it? There's other stuff too but these are my favs.

Available at Tennis-Warehouse and soon on Nike.

Soccer Jerseys on Court. Spotted at a Tournament.

A soccer jersey for tennis? Why not? Looked pretty cool on the junior I spotted at a recent tournament.

Pictured here is the Seattle Sounders Replica Away Jersey, $70. adidas offers a full round-up of replica jerseys as well as more standard, less pricey fare.

Although soccer shirts are likely not designed with overhead motion in mind, they are of course meant for high-performance athletes. Evidence shown by my tournament subject indicated a thumbs-up review on the jersey's tennis functionality. The guy was unhindered, smashing serves and racing around in typical 18 year old fashion.

A new trend? Time will tell.

Available at adidas Soccer .

In RF we trust. The Roger Federer tee.

You've got Roger's hat, you can now have his signature Nike RF tee. Available in black and white (shown here), white and black and white and sterling blue, 100% cotton, $40, this is one great looking (and hopefully inspiring) practice shirt.

Be one with the Fed. Tennis-Warehouse carries the tee group. It is not on the Nike site.

Road Warrior. Spotted at a Tournament. "Just because you couldn't get it doesn't mean it was out."

Bad calls (I won't call it cheating) are a problem in junior tennis and this tee addresses the issue front and back in a matter of fact kind of way.

On the back, "Just because you couldn't get it, doesn't mean it was out." Available in a variety of colors and styles for all ages, this tennis line will make any opponent think twice about less-than fair line calls. 

"Are you sure" tops start at $18.00 USD. They are high-quality 100% cotton from American Apparel. The fitted one is cute for a teen girl.

Visit are you sure ? to learn more or buy.

Pictured is Marielle Williams at the Southern Closed Doubles Championships in Rome, Georgia.

Road Warrior. Spotted at a Tournament. The RAFA tee.

  Mine are junior tournament weekend warriors and there are thousands out there across the country. Every weekend, driving, playing, losing, winning, waiting, eating and drinking out of coolers, and driving home again late at night stopping for a quick dinner at the nearest Subway. If your kid wins, you do it again Sunday.

The players are impressive in their focus and drive (especially the teens who are passing up a lot of social time for the game). Some parents are less so but most are simply driver warriors who have given up weekends to "do tournaments."

And so begins an occasional highlight of a junior player's wardrobe item that pops out of the blur that is junior tournament weekends. Check out this dri-fit  RAFA tee. Loved the U-12 guy who stepped out wearing this and the signature headband. $30 USD. at Nike and Tennis-Warehouse.

"I'm Tomorrow's Future" -- Support the Roger Federer Foundation with this Limited Edition T-shirt.

Stand out on or off court in support of Roger's charitable efforts. This limited edition 100% cotton Nike t-shirt is sold exclusively on Roger Federer's site. Proceeds go to the Roger Federer Foundation which supports children in South Africa and Ethiopia. Read more about the foundation here. The shirt, sold in red only, retails for $46 USD. It says I'm Tomorrow's Future on the front, roger federer foundation on the back and rogerfederer.com on the sleeve.

Get yours at Roger Federer Shop and help support some very needy children.

Image courtesy of Roger Federer Foundation