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My Hot-Seller Picks from the 2009 U.S Open Shop.

 

 

The US Open 2009 shop is stocked and ready for the big day. These are my picks for this year's coveted hot sellers. Top left, the Mens Banner NYC Full-Zip Track Jacket, $98 USD; top right, the Women's Banner Full-Zip Track Jacket $90. Both are 100% cotton, high quality jackets. Sewn on detail, rather than printed, make these stars in the shop's outerwear line-up.

Bottom left, the Arch Logo Cap (also in navy), $24 with embroidered detail; and the Infant/Toddler Flag Logo Tee, $18, total cuteness for your future star.

Check out the line of Under Armour branded performance apparel too, obviously useful memorabilia.

Igor Andreev in Court Staples from Under Armour.

I'm seeing a whole lot of Under Armour on the rec tennis courts, especially on guys. There is just something all-athletic about the line -- for the no fluff, no show, just want to get the job done kind of guy.

 Pictured here at Wimbledon Igor Andreev wore a white version of the Under Armour Men's Classic II Crew, $39.99 (similar to the Team Zone Crew) and Men's Woven Short, $39.99; great tennis staples with an edge that includes Heat Gear tech, 30+ sun protection and anti-odor technology.

If you've worn UA you know that this stuff is lightweight and all performance. This particular shirt is not a compression top so much looser fitting than some UA tops. I personally like the look of loose much better than tight (on a guy that is - Rafa excepted). 

Andreev plays with the Babolat Pure Drive GT. Props to him for a great run at All London. Find his gear at Under Armour, Babolat and Tennis-Warehouse.

Image: Igor Andreev vs. Tommy Haas, June 29, 2009 courtesy LIFE.

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.

The single(s) men of adidas hit England. Win Djokovic's Wimbledon Shirt and Shorts Here!

 

Back to basics for these guys. Novak Djokovic, Fernando Verdasco and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga are decked in what I call Wimbledon appropriate brights -- bright whites that absolutely sing summer. Touches of red and black are strategically used to accentuate the adidas brand. If you've worn adidas, you know the feel of these pieces, lightweight, breathable and great fit.

Pictured here top left, Tsonga wears the adidas Men's Competition Tee, $50 USD and Competition Bermuda, $55; Right, Djokovic wears the Men's Edge Top, $65 and Men's Edge Bermuda, $55; bottom, Verdasco wears the Men's Edge Tee with zip, $55 and the Edge Bermuda, $55.

On  their feet: Tsonga wears the new adidas CC Feather grass. Djokovic and Verdasco's shoes are custom with the CC Feather sole.

All pieces, except custom of course, are available at retail.

Register to win Novak Djokovic's Wimbledon shirt and shorts simply by leaving a comment below. Individual U.S. addresses only please. Deadline Thursday, July 2 at 9:00 AM EST. Winner will be drawn at random.

Find the above Wimbledon styles at adidas and Tennis-Warehouse.

White, Gold and Glamorous. Roger Federer at Wimbledon.

 Roger Federer's clean Wimbledon style is an ideal match for the traditional look and feel of the prestigious event. A Wimbledon "twitterer" equated his jacket to a Sgt. Pepper kind of look which indeed it is but oh-so-polished in bright white and his usual accent at Wimbledon, regal gold. Altogether it is a bit much for the eyes. It works better in this image without bags and headband.

 The warm-up jacket is inspired by a jacket in the Nike Sportswear line, the M-65. It’s a modern interpretation of a classic military silhouette from 1965. The intricate hand crafting and uniform collar provide Roger with an almost untouchable look as he walks on and off court.

Roger’s polo (the Dri-FIT Court Men's Tennis Polo, $65) is made with moisture-wicking Nike Dri-FIT technical fabric. An embossed herringbone pattern gives the shirt texture up close. It's light and comfortable, quite a beautiful athletically inclined shirt. Nothing heavy about it although the formal look might make you think it is stiff.

The gold accents which begin in and outside  the shirt collar and swoosh continue down the shorts in a style alluding to a sharply tailored tux. The gold is muted, not glittery glam.  

Roger’s Wimbledon outfit is completed with a coordinating vest and trousers (costume even for him), which can be worn in different ways depending on the weather throughout the tournament. They both incorporate Nike Dri-FIT technology that wicks moisture away from the skin. The look is very Roger, refined and regal. Classy to the core. A man on a mission and proof positive you can look powerful in white.

Top and shorts ($50)  will be available at Nike or Tennis-Warehouse. The jacket is custom. Not available. Shoes of gold, Nike Zoom Vapor VI Tour, $115. Bandana, $15.

Andy Murray to Wear Fred Perry Revival at Wimbledon.

Andy Murray has been wearing a jazzier than usual Fred Perry crew for the last few tournaments but he's about to switch things up and go back to some serious classics. Beginning with Wimbledon, Andy and his brother Jamie will wear a new Fred Perry line designed to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the line's namesake's birth.

Bright white collared polo, double dark green accents, a v-neck cable stitch sweater and vest, and shorter shorts (not THAT short really). This is a style that has lived on through older generations whose thriftiness has prevented them from tossing the relics of tennis past. Well the look is back and a whole lot of freshened up -- did you know Andy could look this refined? No sideburns here. Purist retro lovers will eat this up.

Andy will wear the champion's clothes complete with laurel wreath and A.M. initials while working to achieve what no British man has since Fred Perry himself in 1936, win Wimbledon.

 The Special Edition 100 Year Fred Perry Shirt and  line is available online at Fred Perry. We don't get the AM initials though -- like RF, that's just for the pro.

Images: Nick Griffiths

Checking in with Roddick's Lacoste shirt collection.

One of Andy Roddick's newest shirts from Lacoste is the Super Dry Polo with Zipper Closure and Check Sleeve.  Not too creative of a name but a great looking shirt on the guy. 

This one was his choice at Roland Garros. The shirt comes in white with eclipse blue (shown here) and in the reverse, eclipse blue with white. The collar is ribbed, lightweight, 100% polyester, $95 USD.

Roddick's hat is the Men's Trucker Cap -- full mesh back for ventilation. It actually has less of a trucker look these days (a good thing) and it's on sale at the moment, $37.99. (regularly $55)

Available now at Lacoste under Men's tennis.

Andy plays with the new Babolat Pure Drive Roddick that we looked at May 13.

Image: Ron Angle

New Wilson Tennis Apparel in Performance Fabric x Three.

 

Wilson's on-court spring apparel group incorporates some of the best fabric technology on the market. The three key features: nanoUV which provides built in UV-A and UV-B protection (30+), nanoWIK for breathability, moisture management and quick dry technology, and nanoBAN for integrated odor management through anti-microbial protection. Odor cannot form and build as it does in traditional performance fabrics. Who hasn't thrown something out that's not worn out but simply stinks too much to wear any longer?

Highlights: The women's scoop neck spring slice tank (top right) is a beautiful turquoise with black accents at the bust and across the back, $45 USD -- very slimming when combined with the spring asymmetrical skort (not pictured), $40.00.

The men's collection uses handsome reds combined with crisp white in polos and crews to suit your on-court persona. Pictured top left is a team favorite, super lightweight, lined 9" hard court shorts in white, $40 and the close fitting chili pepper red crew, $40. Mesh panels on both pieces insure optimal ventilation.

New Wilson footwear includes the Tour Spin in versions for men and women. These shoes are lightweight and low to the ground with out of the box comfort. The width will accomodate a wider foot. These are heat management maximized with fabric mesh uppers and nanoWik linings, $99. If your feet get hot when you play, these are for you. Not super snazz like some of the multi-colored shoes out there but classic and comfortable with all the tech built in. The men's pair has some cool-making accents of green in the sole. The women's line offers pink. Priced around $99.

Learn more or buy at Wilson or Tennis-Warehouse. The Wilson site has a helpful size chart and dealer locator.as well.

The Gear that Powers Robin Söderling, Super Swede.

  

Robin Söderling of Sweden rocked Nadal and Paris all the way to the Roland Garros finals -- his first trip to the upper echelons of a Slam. Here's what powers his game besides major league drive:

His apparel? Loose fitting, bright white and lemon yellow zip front crew and black shorts, all to-be-released Lotto. Shoes? Lotto Raptor Extreme, $84.99. Racquet? The Head MicroGEL Radical MP, $210 the same racquet that Andy Murray uses.

Find Söderling's gear at Tennis-Warehouse, Head and Lotto.

The calm before the storm. Roger Federer waits in style.

 

Roger Federer waits to play Robin Söderling, who's homeland equates his Roland Garros performance with "dunder och bråk," thunder and lightening. Söderling certainly has a wilder on-court style than the Fed who's look always reflects the calm and precision that is his very intelligent game. Time will tell. Another storm ahead Sunday.

Pictured here, Federer wears the Nike Summer Classic Open Polo, $65 in sterling blue with classic charcoal and accents of team orange. The shirt has a subtle tonal herringbone woven into the body-mapped dri-fit. The shorts are the Summer Woven Short, $45 in classic charcoal, more of a traditional cut short with zip fly and hook closure but all performance. Swoosh bandana, $8.

If you are looking for the jacket Federer has been wearing in Paris, the stunner white one with the RF logo and accents of orange and blue, alas it belongs only to the court's prince. It is a beauty and if it does become available, you my friends will be the first to know.

His new Grand Slam Champions Bag champions bag is available however. The six-pack bag is adorned with the country flags of all of the Grand Slams. The bag offers thermoguard and moisture control protection, and pockets lined with gold for better visibility inside. This is a great feature as little stuff can really can be hard to find in those deep dark pockets, $80 USD.

Roger's stick? Wilson [K]Six-One Tour strung with Wilson natural gut and Luxilon big banger. Find it all at Tennis-Warehouse or visit Wilson and Nike.

Image: Getty Images Sport/Ryan Pierse

Ciao! And I mean hello in a big way to Starace in new Le Coq Sportif.

Potito Starace of Italy had an on-court look all his own at Roland Garros. Love this black as night shirt with the spectrum galley. The longish shorts have a dash of red over one pocket and orange over the other. The faded blue bandana and signature neck-wear add distinct personality -- cool kit.

The look? Le Coq Sportif: Challenger Black Tee, Club Black Short and Myth Tennis Shoe in white and champagne.

Stay tuned to ShopLeCoq for these good looks coming soon at retail. No word on pricing at the moment. I'll update in a comment as soon as I know.

Starace's racquet? Fischer M Pro 98, MSRP $189.99 USD. Racquet available at Tennis-Warehouse or find a retailer at Fischer Tennis.

Prince players Monfils, Sharapova and Bryan bring it on with raw determination and style.

True to their racquet sponsor's motto, Gael Monfils, Maria Sharapova and the brothers Bryan have been ruling the courts at Roland Garros. Monfils, fueled by Parisian passion, has stepped out with an unbelievable game; determination to chart top again has had Sharapova fighting (unfortunately just went down to Cibulkova); and the Bryan brothers, seemingly untouchable, are driving their way towards an eighth Grand Slam title.

Their collective weapons? All Prince. Monfils is using the new EXO³ Rebel 95, $189 USD (one of the Tennisidentity team switched right over after using this stick only one time), Sharapova and the Bryans are using Prince's O3 Speedport Black, $199. This is a new racquet for Maria who previously used the Speedport O3 white.

On-court style: Monfils wears Nike apparel, the Nike Men's Summer Athlete Sleeveless, $55 in electrolime and navy Summer Athlete Short, $45.

Sharapova, also in Nike, has been wearing a special edition dress made just for her. I'm not sure I'd love all that extra fabric anyway.

The Bryan brothers, always adidas. The shirt, adidas' two toned Men's Spring Competition Zip Crew, $43.99 in cyan blue and black, the shorts, Men's Spring Competition 9" short, $35.99.

Find the looks, racquet to shorts at Tennis-Warehouse, Prince, Nike and adidas Tennis .

Editors note: Stay well Maria. It was good to have you back.

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.

Raphael Nadal at Roland Garros. Pure Passion in Pink.

 

Yes, real men wear pink. Case closed. Howard Fendrich, AP Tennis Writer quoted Raphael Nadal as saying, " It's better than dress the same color every week, no?" Absolutely, we all nod in awe. Rock on. You are the man.

Pictured here in first round Roland Garros action Nadal switched things up again with more than a little dash of the vibrant pink being used fashion industry wide for pop. The top is Nike's Summer Bold Open Polo, light rose with electrolime stripe $60; the shorts, Bold Open Men's Tennis Shorts in charcoal $55; signature bandana $15 and wrist bands $10 in electrolime. His shoes, the Nike Air Max Courtballistec 1.3 classic charcoal vivid pink and white $120 which he appears to own in all color combinations.

I'm not sure many tennis mortals can pull off this look in its entirety without appearing a little presumptuous but grab what you can and what works for your game.

Rafa plays with the Babolat AeroProDrive Cortex.

Find his gear at Nike and Tennis-Warehouse

Image: Getty Images/Matthew Stockman.

adidas Roland Garros Fashion Round-Up. Djokovic, Tsonga, Safina and Verdasco (not yet dressed).

 

  

They are ready! Pictured top left: Novak Djokovic wears the pool Edge Tee ($45 USD), white Edge Bermuda ($50) and blue CC Genius Shoes ($130). Top right: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga wears the same tee as Novak although he plans to wear the pool zip neck Competition Theme polo ($55) in France. His shorts, Competition Bermuda ($50) and shoes, CC Feather ($100).

Bottom left: Dinara Safina  wear a cyan Competition Tank ($45) and white Competition Skort ($45), shoe Barricade V. Bottom right: the buff Fernando Verdasco plans to put on the white Edge tee on the wall ($45) and the black Edge Bermuda ($50), his shoe, the CC Feather ($100). All fabrics are ClimaCool with strategically placed ventilation; ultra buttery awesome adidas.

ShopAdidas or Tennis-Warehouse.

Andy Roddick's new stick from the 2009 Babolat Pure Drive Range. An upgrade with personal flair.

 

You may have noticed, Andy Roddick has a new racquet. It's the new Babolat Pure Drive Roddick ($189 USD, unstrung), ideal for expert players with full and fast swings looking for solid feel with spin and a balance of power and control. Head size: 100 sq.in.; weight:11.1 oz; flair: Roddick's sig.

The alternate version, currently used by Sybille Bammer, is the Babolat Pure Drive ($185) again for advanced players, same head size but a tad lighter at 10.6 oz.  Both 2009 Pure Drive sticks are enhanced with what the company calls GT technology. It's a hybrid material that combines braided carbon fibers and tungsten filaments in the racquet head. This combo reduces torque at ball impact and creates power with precision. The blue color remains. Looking forward to a test drive!

The Babolat Pure Drive is available now for demo or purchase at Tennis-Warehouse and through dealers listed at Babolat. Extended and junior versions are available.

Complete your ensemble with the matching blue and black Team bag. They've got them for 3, 6, 9 or 12 racquets. The 3 pack is big enough for your average rec player who wants enough room to store a spare stick, balls and whatever other court essentials without carrying another bag.

For the scoop on Roddick's apparel from Lacoste, click here.

Reebok channels Michael Chang in a new line made in his honor.

More retro for for the courts, this time from the 1990's. The 20th anniversary of Michael Chang's Roland Garros Championship is coming up and in honor Reebok has released a line of apparel inspired by the looks Chang loved to wear. The graphic rich polo pictured is made of pique weave with a ribbed collar and three button placket. The design is screen printed (not woven), 100% cotton, $42.99 USD.

Also in the collection are a t-shirt, jacket and hoody (with snap closures) ranging from $25 - $75. Check out the hoody in orange. No one will miss you in that one!

These are not on the Reebok site but are available at Tennis-Warehouse. There is no additional retailer listing available. Reminisce a little by checking out Chang's bio at the International Tennis Hall of Fame. He was inducted in 2008.

Tennis Apparel for the Vintage Connoisseur. Mens Fila from the Days of Borg.

 

Perhaps because the Swede in me loved watching Björn Borg, I adore these terra rosa pieces from the Settantetre (73) collection of Vintage Fila.

Channel some 70s energy with Borg's athletic apparel, offered in his cream, navy and red combination as well as the uber cool cream and lime combos above. The belted short shorts are not part of the group; good decision not to try and bring those back.

Pictured above left is the terra rosa jacket, $175 USD, in 70% acrylic and 30% wool -- top quality, warm and SO awesomely retro but with an updated color scheme. The shirt, right, is the terra rosa polo, $110 complete with snap placket, contrast collar and vertical stripes. Made in Italy, these 92% cotton shirts are the real deal, right down to the stitching, based on Borg's exact signature style but cut to fit the more modern man -- who is a bit less sinewy let's just say.

One of my team, a t-shirt and shorts kind of guy, popped the shirt on and instantly looked more polished and professional -- meaning less of a rec., more of a club identity. Interesting how much a shirt can change one's projected image. The jacket also looks great with a pair of jeans as we saw at one of Fila's recent shows.

Learn more or buy at Fila. For more on Borg and a look at some old images visit the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

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.

Andy Murray Wins Men's Sony Ericsson Singles. Here's His Gear.

Congrats to Andy Murray who captured his third ATP title of the season Sunday winning against fellow HEAD player Novak Djokovic. 

“I think any time you win a tournament, obviously it gives you confidence,” said Murray. “The Masters 1000s... they're tough tournaments to win. Like all of your wins, it contributes to your confidence going into the slams.”

Andy (and his brother Jamie) wore a bespoke Fred Perry top, a custom colored version of the Australian Open T, $52. USD and Men's Performance shorts, $44. Hmmm,  anyone else not happy about the custom trend in tennis? Nike is doing this and now Fred Perry. C'mon guys, we want the real deal, not versions of.

Andy's stick? Microgel Radical MP, $210 USD. Shoes? adidas Barricade V.

TennisExpress carries Fred Perry in the US. Visit HEAD for more info and where to buy on the racquet OR test drive at Tennis-Warehouse.

Juan Martin Del Potro. The Gear That Powers His Game.

 

Juan Martin Del Potro rocked Miami by denying world #1 Rafael Nadal the chance at his first Sony Ericsson title. The shorn and sleeveless Argentine is a hot one to watch in 2009. Just last year he rose from top 40 to top 10. The guy's got game (and lots more..those eyes for ex.).

Del Potro plays with the Wilson [K} Six One 95 racquet, $200 USD.  He recently signed a long-term contract with the brand so expect to see him stocked in Wilson from strings to bags for a good long time.

Del Potro's look at the Sony Ericsson includes the Nike Summer Athlete Sleeveless in mint green with classic charcoal and white, $55 and Nike men's summer athlete shorts, 21" in dark obsidian (navy), $45. Bandanna style headband in navy. Nice to see someone still working the exposed biceps.

Find a racquet retailer at Wilson or buy Del Potro's gear at Tennis Warehouse.

Tursunov and Tipsarevic Step Out in New Fila Heritage Collection. A Navy, Red and White 70's Redux That's Grabbing Dollars Already.

 Not to be outdone, the Fila men, Dmitry Tursunov and Janko Tipsarevic trotted out in new Fila Heritage Collection this week down in Miami. Top left Dmitry wears the men's Heritage stripe polo, $45 straight from Fila's design archives in Italy. Bottom, Janko sports the new raglan ss top, $46 (also in a already popular white version). Only the longer shorts, untucked shirts and eyewear give away 2009.

Also see women's new heritage. Janko's Oakley eyewear.

Shop Fila and Tennis-Warehouse.

 

Novak Djokovic's adidas Style Confirmed for Sony Ericsson Open and Roland Garros.

 Novak Djokovic is updating his look for the Sony Ericsson Open and Roland Garros. Like Ana Ivanovic, he's turned to a Miami perfect blue. Pictured here Djokovic wears the adidas Edge polo, $50 USD in pool, black and running white, ClimaCool fabric with full mesh back and sides for optimal cooling and ventilation. The special Djokovic inspired Falcon graphic sits on the back of the left shoulder.

Djokovic's shorts are the10"  Men's Edge Bermuda, $50 in white and phantom. Drawcord waist and side seam pockets.

His shoes are the CC Genius, $130 in pool, black and running white. Low to the ground and well cushioned, carbon composite technology used in lateral strips in the upper give added forefoot support.

Buy at adidas Tennis or Tennis Warehouse.

Andy Murray Wears Scottish Blue at Indian Wells.

Looking for Andy Murray's shirt at Indian Wells? It's the Fred Perry US Open T-shirt in Scottish/Blue, $52 USD. Not new but nice looking for sure and still available. It's made of Activair fabric designed to keep you cool and dry and contains 38% recycled polyester (file that under green effort).

Find a retailer at Fred Perry. You won't find the shirt on their site OR a mention of their winning ambassador. Strange. Tennis Express carries the shirt in the U.S.

David Nalbandian Takes to Battle in New Yonex.

Pictured is the rad-regal 2009 Melbourne Crew from Yonex's Pro Player Collection, $49.99. We've also seen it in grass green/white/black on Lleyton Hewitt and black/white/navy (rich look) on David Nalbandian most recently at Indian Wells. Yes Melbourne has come and gone but these weren't out then. Coordinating shorts are the Yonex Men's 2009 Open short, $46.99. 100% performance polyester, all guy.

Pull it all together with Nalbandian's signature tied bandana, $9.99. Scrap the terry strip and go for the better look -- not sure why so many American players still go for that one.

Learn more at Yonex or buy at Tennis-Warehouse.

Fila Athletes Strut Their Stuff at the Fila/Trina Turk Fashion Show in Indian Wells

   

Gotta say Fila has some yummy tennis stuff coming up alongside some remakes of Borg style classics. I'm going to HAVE to get the mod floral black top and skirt. Check it out. They've got everyone covered right down to the kiddies. Appearances by Anna Chakvetadze, Marin Cilic (see top right), Agi Szavay and Andreas Seppi (left).

Click Here to Watch. the video clip.

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.

mi adidas are Black, White and Slime. Tsonga's are Black and Neon Yellow. How About Yours?

 Have you seen Tsonga's tennis shoes? He designed them on mi adidas. Previously only available in select adidas Sport Performance stores, mi adidas customization is now online in the U.S. I just cooked up a rad pair of adidas Barricade Vs for myself.

You pick the shoe style and colors for the top, sides, laces, grommets, bars and soles. Everything is custom, down to the shoe size. One foot smaller than the other? Order each of your dogs a different size/width. Toughest part is deciding which of the myriad of color combinations you want. Go wild. I created four designs and then made my choice after looking them over top to bottom with the 360-degree zoom and rotate buttons. You can also have a message printed on the back of each shoe. Mine say FOCUS.

Check it out at mi adidas. Custom Barricade Vs will run you $140 USD; no charge to design. Have fun but my bet is you won't be able to resist the purchase. Very cool.

For info on Tsonga's look above check out our post on Jo-Wilfried.

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.

David Ferrer and Gilles Muller Fresh for Spring in 2009 Lotto

David Ferrer and Gilles Muller have freshened up for spring with new 2009 Lotto. Bright white is always a classy looking on-court choice that makes sense under the sun. Lotto has added signature pop with color blocked accents of aqua blue. I love the "epaulets" on Ferrer's shirt. No word yet on the to-be-released apparel line's fabrication and prices. We'll let you know.

The similar looking Lotto Men's Effect Crew and Polo are currently online at Tennis-Warehouse. 

Both Ferrer and Muller are wearing the Lotto Syn Raptor X-treme Speed tennis shoe, MSRP $125. Learn more at Lotto.

Images: Ray Giubilo

 

V is for Victory. Rafa's Winning Jacket and What the Fed Wore.

 

Rafa stands tall as he is hit with a blast of red powder to promote Nike's V is for Victory Campaign and the iconic Eugene Track Jacket he wore at the Australian Open (see below). The jacket, with 26-degree chevron, front zips and a rib that sits on the collar, cuffs and waist, will be in stores February 6.

On Roger, left, the Australian Nike kit that took him to the finals: the Men's Tennis Polo, $65 USD in concord and white (the white accented version is not available online). Tonal pinstripes add a touch of class to the performance polo. The shorts are the white Nike Athlete Woven Men's Tennis Shorts, $45. Again, Roger's exact model, with blue stripes, is not available online. Super close versions are however, so check them out if you are a fan of Fed's classic/cool style.

Buy at: Nike or Tennis-Warehouse. Items not available online are at Niketown locations.

Top image: Rankin

Bottom Image: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

In Color and Step With Rafael Nadal. More on the Man's Gear.

Rafa's Australian kit apparently has two footwear options, the Air Max Breathe Cage II that I mentioned here on January 27 and the Nike Air Max Court Ballistic pictured left, $120.00 USD -- they run a bit large so go down a half-size when ordering. The shoe includes LunarLite and DragOn X technologies which make the shoes light and durable.

These beauties, of course, go perfectly with the full -on charcoal, neon turquoise and volt color combo Rafa is wearing but would also look really hot with a dark shirt and pair of long white shorts (try the Nadal long check tennis shorts, $55.00); just in case you are hesitant to recreate Nadal's on-court look in its entirety but simply must have a piece of the action.

Check 'em out online at Nike or Tennis-Warehouse.

Rafael Nadal Dominates in Vibrant Style at the Aussie Open.

I was waiting to see if he'd switch back but no, the sleeves and striking new look are working just fine. Pictured here at the Australian Open Rafa wears the Nike Crew Reinvent Open tee in classic charcoal and neo turquoise, $55 USD. The shirt is made of super soft Dri-FIT fabric in a medium tight stretch fit. The shorts? Nadal Woven Long Checked Short, a surf-inspired dark short with transparent gloss check print -- look really close and you'll see what I'm talking about. The shorts sit stylishly just above the knee and feature side pockets, a Velcro closure and Dri-FIT inserts for a comfortable feel when it's hot.

Nadal's choice of shoe? The Nike Air Max Breathe Cage II which offers durability and support for the man's pounding game. The Nike DraGon cage, the shoe’s definitive characteristic, provides protection against abrasion and support during lateral movements.The shoe offers superior cushioning  and  HeatBlock, which stops court surface heat migration--a nice bonus in 120 degree heat.  There are a ton more great features. Believe me this is one shoe designed for big game in high heat, $115. Complete  the look with Nike Pro Wristbands and bandana in Volt. 

I have to say, Rafa is one fashion forward dude.  According to Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, right now "... fashion designers [are encouraging] hopeful attitudes with lively colors, while sophisticated, grounded hues address the need for stability in times of economic uncertainty." Is this not Nadal's look? I do feel better watching the guy play... for lots of reasons.

Buy at Nike or Tennis-Warehouse. The shorts are only at Nike retail stores at the moment, but keep checking back online.

Image: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Fila and James Blake to Collaborate on New Men's Tennis Collection

James Blake has just entered a collaboration agreement with Fila and is planning a new co-branded apparel and footwear collection for men. The collection will incorporate the heritage of the Fila brand with a contemporary twist inspired by Blake's signature style. I wonder if there will be any sleeveless styles?The collection will include tennis, golf, fitness and lifestyle apparel and will debut just prior the 2009 U.S. Open.

Pictured here James has covered his lovely biceps (gone like Rafa's) in favor of Fila's Winter Baseline Solid Polo. He also wears the Winter Baseline Short and Fila Alfa shoe.

Hopefully he'll do a special tee for the J-Block. Count me in.

Get the look at Fila or Tennis-Warehouse.

PS -- Check out James' personal post on his new line at Yardbarker.com.

Janko Tipsarevic Owns His Attention Grabbing Style.

Janko Tipsarevic has a style all his own. Pictured here at the Australian he wears Fila's 09 mens collection, a group of which, through bold color graphics, adds a little radical to classic tennis style. The shirt is the Collezione body mapped short sleeve crew, $56 USD, with curved hem and dropped tail. Body mapping allows a mix of breathable mesh fabrications without seams which of course means comfort.

Jankos shorts are the black Essenza Hard Court 9" made of lightweight, baggy fitting poly twill, $40. They've got an elastic waist and pockets with mesh and terry lining. Go to Fila or Tennis-Warehouse to buy.

Janko's eyewear? One of the small handful of pros who wear eyeglasses on court, his are custom Flak Jacket orange and white frames with prescription transition lenses by Oakley. They start at $465 (price with prescription) -- much cheaper as non prescription sunglasses. Other Oakley wearing tour players include: Arnaud Clement and Kirsten Flipkens.

Best Dressed at the Australian Open 2009 -- Tennis Australia's Vote is in

Tennis Australia has just posted its votes for the best dressed players at this year's event. Check out the slide show HERE. I agree completely (although the image of Ivanovic could be more flattering) but think that Rafa and RF should also be included. What do you think?

We've covered many of these looks here at Tennisidentity.com. Type the player's name in our site search bar for more details on their on-court attire.

Andy Roddick Breaks Out A Fresh Shirt From Lacoste.

 

Andy Roddick hit the Australian Open, down fifteen pounds and wearing LACOSTE's new spring 09 line. Lookin' good. Pictured here is the superdry johnny collar color-blocked polo in eclipse blue and white, $95 USD. The shorts are the diamante drawstring short, $85, and the signature trucker cap, $55.00. The shirt and shorts are 100% Superdry polyester. The cap is 60/40 cotton/poly.

The shirt comes in a reversed white on black version as well (see below).

 

Learn more or buy at LACOSTE. The shirts will be up on the site February 1.

Images: Ron Angle

Now In Flight. Novak Djokovic Launches Signature adidas "Falcon" Line.

  Novak Djokovic today unveiled his signature Falcon line for adidas while playing tennis against an airborne opponent on an aerial court in Melbourne's State Theatre (see image below).  Afterwards he was greeted by a live falcon.

Djokovic will wear his complete new range for the first time at the Australian Open beginning this week. Each piece is adorned with the falcon logo. "I chose the falcon as my signature...as I believe my style of play is just like a falcon hunting. I live for great matchups against strong opponents and this is now reflected in my apparel and footwear on court," he said. 

The Falcon footwear range, the CC Genius, will be available in five colors, one for each of the four Grand Slams and one for the year ending Masters Series Cup. The shoe is priced at $130 USD. The clothing line will have special colors for Melbourne and New York. The white top with olive green stripes ($45) and matching shorts ($50) pictured above will be his day look in Australia. For night, he will wear all black featuring silver stripes to match his specially designed silver CC Genius Falcon shoes.

The apparel line incorporates key adidas technologies, ForMotion and ClimaCool. The CC Genius Falcon shoe offers new SPEEDCUT technology (to give more forefoot support), superior cushioning and ClimaCool aeration. Get Novak's new look at adidas Tennis or Tennis-Warehouse.

 

Images courtesy of adidas.

New Year, New Look for Rafa?

Rafa has changed his on-court look for the new year! Well, at least in Abu Dhabi. Nadal hit the Capitala World Tennis Championship courts wearing a short sleeve polo. Yes, the guy is playing wearing sleeves. Is he testing the change prior to the Australian, or just showing us he's not as predictable or superstitious as we tennis writers have suggested?

Pictured here he's wearing the new Nike Dri Fit Bold Stripe Men's Tennis Polo, $60.00 USD in tour yellow, white, concord and chlorine blue. The shorts are Nike Dri-Fit Woven Long Mens Tennis Shorts, $55 in white. All are available at Nike. Image: Karim Sahib/AFP/Getty Images

Musings On Tennis Court-drobes Today and Tomorrow.

Looking back at 2008's on-court styles, both pro and recreational, it is clear that there is truly no across the board "court-drobe," only strong individual opinions as to what works for game-time and image.  Aside from whites-only restrictions, some players are strongly influenced by what the top pros are wearing. Others look for high-fashion influences or designs that express their personalities through color and print. Some still see tennis as akin to a general workout and dress weight-room accordingly.

Most everyone is looking for performance however, and new fabrications that move with every twist and turn, wick moisture, prevent bacterial growth and offer protection from the sun have taken over the market. There are of course aberrations. Recent trips to regional USTA tournaments indicate that the 100% cotton tee is not dead, especially among male teens who use the shirt to communicate attitude not necessarily related to the game

Sneak peeks at 2009 tennis lines indicate that the pattern will continue and court attire will evolve with the same varied consumer interests in mind. Fila plans to offer a full line of retro feel attire that takes the company back to its tennis roots and will certainly appeal to those who love the look of Borg (minus the super short shorts). adidas and Nike have great looking performance collections planned with color and cut defining style. The power house apparel players look to be taking a less risky mass appeal path (driven of course by the top players), leaving the bold graphics, stripes, checks, florals, paisleys and animal prints to the smaller tennis vendors who will capture this group whose desire to express themselves is strong.

Tennis clothes do get tired after a lot of play and a little tennis shopping pick-me-up can be a good thing. Some lucky people play so much they simply need a lot of tennis clothes. Who doesn't feel their best in something fresh? Does this feeling make us play better? Will wearing Sharapova/Federer's Slam gear make us hit a better ball? Did your princess costume make you feel like the real deal? It certainly doesn't hurt and with a game as mental as tennis, anything that helps the mind-set is a good thing.

There is a great variety out there and as 2009 unfolds, we'll let you know what rolls out for the courts. You decide what will work for your good game and style, whatever it is.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga's On-Court Look for Australian Open 09.

Not sure if Tsonga had allusions to Muhammed Ali's famous line when selecting his yellow-jacket like kit for the 2009 Australian but man, it looks like it. Pictured here is the Men's Competition Tee in neon yellow with full mesh back, $45.00 USD. This super comfy shirt incorporates ClimaCool and ForMotion technology for unrestricted performance.

The shorts are the Competition Bermuda in black $45.00, same performance technology as the shirt. The pockets are lined with toweling for tending to sweaty hands without going to the towel. On his feet are the legendary Barricade V, $120.00 USD (adidas's #1 selling tennis shoe). All kinds of tech. in these.

Love the look, sharp, strong, very cool. Available in January 2009 at Tennis Warehouse and adidas Tennis.

With LACOSTE's 2009 Tennis Line Imminent, Jérémy Chardy Motivates.

 Jérémy Chardy, currently ranked 73rd worldwide, is one of LACOSTE's brand ambassadors (and a looker to boot). On Saturday, December 13 he joins the teaching teams of the Fête le Mur Association on the tennis courts of France's Pau site to participate in training activities.

Fête le Mur Association is located in the
heart of 25 Sensitive Urban Zones. Yannick Noah is President of the organization. Fête le Mur allows disadvantaged children to practice tennis, improve and for some, find a professional outlet teaching the sport. The association is supported by partners including the René Lacoste Foundation. 

BTW Chardy's shirt, pictured here is the short sleeve super-dry zip chest striped polo. It's on sale at the moment (reg. $95 USD), so if you like it, the price is right. The gator decorated terry head and wrist bands are $9 and $8 respectively. Find at LACOSTE. Stay tuned on what's coming up for 2009. Image copyright: Ron Angle.

Federer's Tennis Master's Cup Choice.

No matter what happens on court Roger Federer looks cool and collected. It's no wonder so many emulate his style. Win or lose, he is a master and, admit it, we all like to hope that the latest pro pick will work a little magic for us as well. Just like a kid on Halloween, put on the suit and you are Superman.

Pictured here is the Nike Men's Winter Master Polo, $65 USD in dark obsidian navy with university blue. It's made of 100% dri-fit and comes in three other color combinations but this one is our fav. Roger wore it for his final round robin match against Andy Murray in Shanghai recently. Not the win RF wanted but as always he looked great trying. Rest well Roger. We're looking forward to '09.

Look for Roger's shirt at Tennis-Warehouse or Nike.

Image: China Images/Getty Images Sport

Man in Black: Novak Exudes Sophistication in Shanghai.

Black and gold head to toe. Nice look. Novak Djokovic has dispensed with the summer's cool toned blues and greens moving to black with an adidas signature Midas touch. Handsome, not too "pretty." This look's a keeper. More on Novak's complete kit later but for now, his feet.

Pictured are Novak's newest shoes, the adidas Limited Edition Barricade V Shanghai, MSRP $120 USD designed to commemorate the 2008 Tennis Masters Cup and its host city (a city in love with Novak by the way) Shanghai, China. Chinese characters adorn the heel and outsole of these flashy tennis treads lending authentic panache to the newest Barricade. Find them or learn more at Tennis-Warehouse or adidas Tennis .

Get The Look. Gavin Rossdale On Court.

We've heard Gavin Rossdale is a player. How good? Well he showed his stuff at the Chris Evert/Raymond James Pro-Celebrity Classic this past weekend in Delray Beach Florida. Above are some of his on-court style choices for the event; easy going, loose and super casual...dude. No collars on this guy. Looks like the actual faded grey shirt color he wore is not U.S. available at the moment, but the shirt is Nike Men's Winter Core UV Crew (there is also a version called the Basic Core UV Crew), $35. We found it in five different color combinations including the cornet red above. The shorts are Nike Power shorts, $45 in black obsidian, and the headband, the very cool Nike Swoosh bandana, $8. Not everyone can pull this style headband off, but give it a try because those who can look way hot and court savvy.

Gavin's racquet choice? Babolat. Pull the look at Tennis-Warehouse or Nike.

Image: Getty Images/Wire Image Chris Gordon

The Totally Tricked Out Prince T22's Are In

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

Guys. Vibrancy and Technology For Your Game.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Buy the new Repel at Tennis-Warehouse or  Lacoste.

Celebrating Guga, Brazil And Of Course Tennis

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

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

Wilson Launches Innovative Apparel Line Incorporating a Little "Green."

Wilson has revamped its clothing line to offer updated style with innovation in sun protection (nanoUV), moisture manage- ment (nanoWIK) and anti-microbial odor protection (nanoBAN).

The new line will also incorporate body mapping that blends performance fabrics allowing for hot spot cooling without seams.

"Green" players -- select pieces will integrate bamboo, one of the most eco-friendly and sustainable materials on the planet. Bamboo's eco-positive properties provide the ultimate in performance based on nature's own technology. It feels good too.

The new lines, available for adults and children, will be out Spring 2009. We'll keep you posted.