TennisIDENTITY

Stanislas Wawrinka and Bernard Tomic choose YONEX.

Stanislas Wawrinka has welcomed 2012 with a full change to YONEX. He leaves le croc and Head behind.

Pictured he wears the Yonex Mens Australian Open 2012 crew and short. The shirt is also available in dark red with orange (which was worn by Lleyton Hewitt).

Thr inset below shows off the reverse side of this shirt. Big back graphics continue to make a statement. I'm a fan,

The on-court line is made with 100% very cool poly that reflects the suns rays and keeps body temp. down.

Bernard Tomic is another newbie to YONEX - racquet use only. His apparel is Nike - both Tomic and Wawrinka play with the VCORE98D.

“It has been a great start," said Tomic. "I'm enjoying playing with YONEX because there was a long process trying racquets and working choosing the right length and width. I'm happy to find it and it's gonna be a good start this year and I will be better this year..."

So far so good. RF was the one to stop him in Australia. Nice run though (for both guys).

Find a retailer at Yonex.

 

Yonex launches new EZONE Xi tennis racquet. Ana Ivanovic takes the lead.

Yonex recently announced its newest line of tennis racquets, the EZONE Xi, which will officially launch in January 2012. Take a look at some of the new technology (as shown by Ana Ivanovic).

 

 The new racquet features a quad power system (in combo with its unique ISOMETRIC head design)  for a powerful and enlarged sweetspot, an oval pressed shaft for increased stiffness and comfort, and NEOFADE vibration absorbing technology which is said to reduce vibration by 15%.

There are nine racquets in the new group:  IEZONE Xi 98; EZONE Xi 100; EZONE Xi 100 Lite; EZONE Xi 107; EZONE 115; EZONE Team; EZONE Team+; EZONE Rally; and EZONE 26 (junior frame).

Ivanovic will play with the 98 pictured above. Use this link for more EZONE Xi racquet details.

Yonex's male players plan to use the VCORE series for the time being. Caroline Wozniacki currently plays with the VCORE 100S.

A few YONEX players are testing the 98" EZONE so you may see some switching as the year progresses.

After note: other players switching to the new EZONE listed here

Yonex releases enhanced line of Power Cushion Tennis shoes.

Leveraging the success of its previous models, the newly released Yonex tennis shoes retain the cushioning characteristics and lightweight feel synonymous with past Power Cushion Tennis shoes and add a lot more.

Yonex says that the new 3-Layer Power Cushion now absorbs 30% more shock and provides 5% more repulsion than the original Power Cushion. In addition, Tough Brid Technology provides greater elasticity and shape retention. As a result the shoe continues to provide a high level of cushioning performance even under the stress of high impact footwork.

Complementing the cushioning of the shoe are technological enhancements that improve breathability, flexibility, stability, durability and lightness.

There are 7 new tennis shoes in the line-up. The Power Cushion 307, $125 USD is above left (also in black and yellow, below, special for clay surfaces) and Power Cushion 108, $90, right.

I really like the gold and black model. Really sharp without too much flash.

There are mens and women's shoes in the new range. All of the above pictured are men's.

Find more info at Yonex or buy at Tennis-Warehouse or tennis retailers worldwide.

 

 

Elena Baltacha bows out in style.

Elena Baltacha, Britain's #1 female player (WTA world 85) is currently in Miami for the Sony Ericsson Open where she won her first round and just today lost in the second. 

"Tactics spot on," she tweeted afterwards, "but just needed to execute them better today!!loads learned and banked..keep head down and keep chipping away,onwards and..Upwards!" Love the attitude.

Baltacha has been wearing the black and white version of the Yonex Melbourne tennis dress which got publc play time at AO in red. Unfortunately the black version is not available in the US. It retails for $80 USD in red only.

I like the clean silhouette of this tennis dress including the color blocked white ventilation panels, drop waist and wide shoulder straps.

There is a bow at the back as well. Bows are not really my thing but they  figure really big (literally) on many runway looks again this year. Happy Yonex decided to keep this one fairly low profile.

Baltacha's racquet? The EZONE 100, also Yonex.

Find a retailer at Yonex, visit Tennis-Warehouse or other tennis retailer worldwide.

Get to know Elena on her website. You can also follow her on Twitter @ElenaBaltacha.

David Nalbandian lights up 2011 Spring collection from Yonex.

David Nalbandian of Argentina wears new Yonex tennis 2011 Melbourne Collection here at the Movistar Open in Chile.

The crew, named for the city at which it first appeared, will be available in four color combos: black/teal (Lleyton Hewitt wore it at AO), white/teal, red/black (on Richard Berankis below at AO) and white/red (as here-my fav).

The shorts come in white or black. I really dig the crisp, dynamic streamer-esq graphic on both front and back. There is something about this look that is so not "outfit" making it one you could recreate without feeling like too much of a wanna-be (toss in a black headband instead of red maybe).

The tennis shoes are the Yonex SHT-307 Navy/Silver Men's and updated shoe loaded with new comfort and performance technology.

Yonex tennis apparel is loose fitting lightweight and breathable. Nice stuff.

Find it online soon at Tennis-Warehouse or find a retailer at Yonex. Unfortunately Yonex is tough to find at brick and mortar shops in the US. Please leave a comment if you've found otherwise. Top image: Jim Rydell Movistar Open. Bottom, Krystle Lee at Tennis-Brain.

Smooth sailing for Caroline Wozniacki and her new tennis racquet.

Last week Yonex announced that Caroline Wozniacki, the world's number one ranked female tennis player, had switched to a Yonex racquet. It's hard to imagine turning in your racquet at the very top of your game. Remember Novak Djokovic's bumpy brand switch a couple of years back? Money can be compelling however as we all know.

The switch was officially announced at the start of the Australian Open although Wozniacki has been playing with the new stick since January 1. No problems whatsoever. The new racquet in hand is the new for 2011 Yonex VCORE 100S.

"After Doha, which was my last tournament of last year, I had trained back at the practice court and the whole Yonex team was there. I thought that everything about the racquet was perfect at the end, and I thought that it was great for me. Yonex really helped me to find solutions to improve my game and also spin with the ball."

We all know about player racquet customization but the VCore 100S has a 100 sq. in. head size 16x19 string pattern and is designed for players who really like to spin the ball. The #D vector shaft is said to aid frame stability.

Find a retailer at Yonex or test drive and buy soon at Tennis-Warehouse.

Congratulations to Robin Söderling on his first career Masters 1000 crown.

It took Robin Söderling just 77 minutes in the finals against Gael Monfils for his first career Master's 1000 crown. "It feels great, I don't have a very good record in finals, and especially here in Paris," said Söderling. "It's great to reach the final in a Grand Slam and also in a Masters Series. But a final is that one match you really want to win. I'm really happy that I played well today, and now I'm here winning the title"...and holding the most macho trophy in tennis (I add).

Söderling is the first Swedish winner at Bercy since Thomas Enqvist in 1996. "I think you need to believe in yourself, that can make a big change," he added. "I'm feeling really good right now, and I'm going to have one or two days of rest and then prepare for London." Go Robin.

Söderling plays with the HEAD YouTek Prestige MP and wears Lotto apparel and footwear. He wore their 2010 Fall Winter Fluid line in Paris. His shoes are their Raptor Ultra.

Look for him in new for 2011 apparel from Lotto's Bat Line at the London Masters.

Find a Lotto retailer at Lotto Sport. There are none in the US (bummer). Learn more about YouTek here on the HEAD website.

 

C'mon, time to check out Yonex mens. Lleyton Hewitt's Style and Gear

Have to say that I personally don't see much Yonex on the US courts.Time to give it a rip mates; it's great stuff. Pictured here in New York Lleyton Hewitt wore it head to toe. He's been with the company since 1998.

His racquet: the Yonex RDiS 100 Mid, $189 (a 4.5+ level player's racquet); The shirt is the loose fitting Performance crew in white and grass green, $49.99 (the graphic is great) and the Performance Tournament short in black with green piping, $46.99. On his feet the lightweight Power Cushion 306, also in silver and green, $109. I also really like the white red and navy version of the shirt.

The mid weight performance fabric Yonex uses is called Very Cool, appropriately named as it is made with Xylitol which, according to research, offers an overall body cooling effect by lowering the skin's surface temperature by 3 degrees. Built in ventilation panels offer additional cooling.

Hewitt's whole range of 2009 tournament shirts is available online. Looking forward to see what's up for Australia 2010.

Find it all through Yonex or Tennis-Warehouse.

Ana Ivanovic's 2009 U.S. Open adidas Style Revealed

Ana Ivanovic will wear this lilac, "medium purple" adilibria dress for daytime matches at the U.S. Open; the dark purple version below will be for night.

This is the same dress Ivanovic wore at Wimbledon, this time jazzed up with gorgeous color and a playful print (see inset) on the back. The tiered ruffled layers are made of an easy- to-move-in mesh overlay that's all CLIMACool comfort, $75.00 USD. You can't see it here but the fabric is a fine herringbone weave -- really elegant. A shelf bra is built in. You may need more support if you are bigger than a B cup.

Complimenting the dress is the white with purple Barricade V adilibria, a perfect match with its scattered triangles print.

The shoe is constructed with adiPRENE, forefront propulsion and a high impact cushion design, $120. This is a lighter shoe than the IV. 

Ivanovic's racquet? She will be using the Yonex RQiS 1Tour XL 95 HG, $230 USD.

Learn more or buy at adidas , Tennis-Warehouse and Yonex.

 If you are in NYC for the Open check out the huge adidas Sport Performance Store at 610 Broadway. If you love adidas, plan on spending some solid time there. It is beautiful.

Elena Dementieva's Red Hot Cool for Summer's Heat.

Elena Dementieva of Russia kicked off her run at the U.S. Open Series with this smoke red number from Yonex. Pictured here at the Bank of the West Classic, Dementieva wears the new Yonex Women's 2009 New York Dress, $80.

Dual criss-cross straps add ornamentation to the otherwise open back. I like there is a built in bra with cups because there is no possible way a sports bra would look good under this. Ribbon like ornamention at the bustline is built around a mesh panel that adds even more cool. There are mesh panels hidden on the sides as well. Add VeryCOOL, Yonex's name for their wicking performance fabric, and you've got a slimming dress for any kind of heat summer throws at you. This fabric is said to be able to lower body temps by three degrees.

Dementieva plays with the Yonex RDiS 100 Midplus racquet, $220.

Learn more or buy at Yonex or Tennis-Warehouse.

Image: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images, Sony Ericsson WTA Tour

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.

Elena Dementieva Heads to the Australian Open With a Perfect Record and Big Passion.

 You go girl!  Elena Dementieva heads into the Australian Open having won two for two this year. Pictured left she wears her winning combination from both Auckland and Sydney, January 2009.

The dress and matching visor are from Yonex and are part of the company's new spring collection. We've been told it won't be available until April, so we'll have to just watch the line in action a bit longer. Seems the fiery red dress has channeled some burning passion for the Russian.

Elena's 2008 Yonex dresses are still available at Tennis-Warehouse: Melbourne, Paris and New York. Her stick is the Yonex RDS 001 Midplus.

Image courtesy Sony Ericsson WTA/Getty Images.

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

Day 3 Video Highlights and On Court Fashion from Doha

Check out Day 3 tennis and court fashion highlights from Doha. Jelena Jankovic wore Reebok's KFS Shimmer Dress ($49.99) in soft black grey with cool shadow; Svetlana Kuznetsova, Fila's Summer heritage v-neck tank ($39.99) and skort ($36.99) in periwinkle; Venus Williams, eleVen by Venus Williams in a black version of her singles dress (not available at this time); Serena Williams, Nike Women's Winter Court Tank ($60) and Winter Court Skort ($60); Elena Dementieva, a to be released 2009 Yonex dress; and Dinara Safina, the adidas fall competition tank ($37.99) and competition skort ($37.99) in mono pink with white.  All except eleven are available at Tennis-Warehouse. You can find other retailers at Yonex, Reebok, eleVen by Venus Williams, Nike, Fila and adidas Tennis

Read our previous post for more info on watching this tournament.

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.