You choose. And let us know what you think.
(photo via yahoo; via thedoublebagel)
Archive for October, 2009
who wore it best?
October 6, 2009short balls: (tennis) party in the usa
October 6, 2009
Brooklynites have become quite hip over the last decade. But trying to pair the trendy New York borough with the sport of tennis would be like setting Serena Williams up on a blind date with Unnamed Lineslady. Things just wouldn’t work out.
But members of the Williamsburg neighborhood in BK, one of the trendiest of them all, are coming together to repair the tennis courts in McCarren Park, just off Bedford Avenue. The group is hosting the Williamsburg Open this coming weekend (the 10th and 11th) to raise funds for their venture, and are throwing an on-court party (of course!) Saturday night that DJ collective Ohio Party.
Check out the artsy and eye-catching flyer here. Design done by Nick Pattison.
Catty Caroline: Caroline Wozniacki finally let out some steam after trying to take the title as “Nicest Girl on the WTA Tour” from Kim Clijsters following a complaint of the tour’s schedulers this week in Beijing. Wozniacki, who lost early in Tokyo and again in Beijing, said she requested an extra day of rest to shake a virus she’d been stricken with since arriving in Asia. The tourney director denied such request, and Caro’s post-US Open finals record is now 0-2. That’s enough to put anyone in a foul mood, no?
Back on track: Jelena Dokic hopes to be back on track after winning a $100,000 ITF satellite tournament in Athens last week, beating former top 20 player (and home-towner) Eleni Daniilidou. The Australian had gone just 7-10 on the year after her run to the AO quarterfinals early this year, and suffered a debilitating injury that kept her bed ridden and allowed her to play just two matches from June through August (Wimbledon and the USO). Welcome back, Jelena! We’re happy you have some ranking points so you won’t plummet after the Aussie…
One, two… three? Maria Sharapova may have done her part in starting a three-way cat fight yesterday in Beijing after Victoria Azarenka took a second injury second timeout during their three-set thriller. “Is her last name Jankovic?” Sharapova asked a tour official. Who do you think would win in that Celebrity Deathmatch?! We’re banking on Jelena. (UPDATE! Check out the video here of Maria’s jab. Thanks for posting, Mr. James LaRosa!)
Shortest balls: In case you missed it: Fila was named the new official sponsor of the Sony Ericsson Championships; Melanie Oudin hasn’t beat a player inside the top 800 since her US Open run; Andy Roddick and Juan Martin del Potro have Asian burnout-flu; and even though Venus had the best hair in China, Anastasia was awarded with pizza after her win.
(photo by mugsniffer via flickr)
rafael nadal: green light, green shirt
October 6, 2009
After the doctors gave Rafa Nadal the green light to continue with his grueling style of professional tennis play for the rest of 2009, the Spaniard has decided to vie for the China Open title this week. He’s also slated Shanghai, Bercy, London, and the Davis Cup final (vs. the Czechs) for this year.
In Beijing, Rafa is through to the second round after taking out Marcos Baghdatis 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. He next faces James Blake. In his quarter of the draw is Fernando Gonzalez; in his half, Nikolay Davydenko. See the draw here.
The post-US Open version of his Nike polo is a green with navy blue and grey; it’s also available in a white with grey/green colorway. We’re totally wanting that polo, but the color contrast in those checkered shorts are a bit much. What do you think think? Tell us!
Buy: Nike Winter Woven Long Short, $55; Bold Master Polo, $60; both from TW.
More: More images after the cut…
three months of aussie buzz starts today. w00t?
October 6, 2009
He said, he said: Apparently, Lleyton Hewitt was snubbed by Aussie up-and-comer Bernard Tomic when the former No. 1 asked to hit with the U.S. Open 2009 junior champ sometime before Wimbledon. It was recently revealed by the Tomic camp that the request was turned down because of swine flu.
”I mean, if I get the chance, look, I would love to,” Tomic said, referring to hitting with Lleyton. ”He’s an idol and an icon for Australian tennis. I was watching him as I was growing up, a lot, and I loved his game and it would be a pleasure to hit with him any time, anywhere, I think.”
The Hewitt entourage counters that Tomic just went with someone else — Juan Carlos Ferrero — and thinks that the ailment excuse is all hogwash.
Wait — is this even news? Why was this published? Oh, that’s right — the organizers of the Australian Open have officially “launched” the tournament (how does one “launch” an event?), which means we’ll have media squeezing Aussie lemons to make tart, sour tennis lemonade like this Tomic/Hewitt row (thanks, The Age!) between now and January 18, 2010, when the event begins. Brace yourselves, folks.
On the flipside: There are a few things to get excited about. First, a wonderful teaser ad (click above) using the blue tint of the Melbourne Park courts as a motif. Second, the return of our Belgian munchkin Justine Henin. Third, the Woodies — Mark Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge — get inducted into the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame. And fourth, Pat Rafter and Goran Ivanisevic will play a rematch of their ’01 Wimbledon final (which Ivanisevic won 9-7 in the fifth). Squee!
(Tomic photo via The Age; AO ad screengrab from YouTube)
“pearl crown” dress can’t save the china open queen
October 6, 2009
The Shuai-caused upsets continue at the China Open, with Shuai Zhang‘s defeat of Dinara Safina preceding the fizzling of Jelena Jankovic‘s tourney run. The defending champion lost 6-4, 5-7, 2-6 to local Shuai Peng. Jankovic was still being bothered by the wrist injury that forced her to retire from the Toray Pan Pacific Open final last week; she “couldn’t hit the ball hard enough” to keep the match competitive in the third set.
ANTA, Jelena’s sponsor, created a special dress just for their hometown event (Zheng Jie got the same treatment). They created a “pearl crown” pattern on the layered purple dress, which made references to Jelena’s title reign for this past year.
“I love this design very much,” Jelena said about the design. “I am very touched.” Not touched enough to defend! (Jay kay! xo – tsf)
We really do love this dress, and think that Jelena and ANTA have created a great collaboration that we expect to see more of in the coming weeks — if Jelena is fit enough to play. What do you think of the dress? Tell us!
Bracketology: Meanwhile, Serena won her third-round match and will be back at the No. 1 spot once the rankings are published on Monday. We expect Ms. Williams to survive her half of the draw (taking out Russians Petrova, Sharapova, and Kuznetsova along the way) and then face Dementieva in the finals. See the draw here (pdf).
(images via Getty)
fila japan blog + did anyone see morigami?
October 6, 2009
We’re in love with the banner for Fila Japan‘s blog. Yep — that’s pretty much how I fell every time I step out on a court.
BTW, their mascot, Akiko Morigami, has apparently recovered from her injury is now back in the pro tennis fray. She tried to qualify for the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo last week, but got shut out in the first round by Jill Craybas. If there’s anyone out there with pics of Morigami from the event, I’d love to see ‘em!
(image via fila japan)
fashion focus: monfils in vogue
October 6, 2009
The October issue of Vogue has a French-themed spread of beautiful gowns by Parisian couture houses Chanel, Christian Lacroix and, Christian Dior; and shot by Arthur Elgort on location in the City of Lights.
While the women’s clothes took center stage (this is Vogue, after all), we were disappointed that they left French tennis star Gael Monfils as prop — dressed simply in Nike whites. Were they painted into this drab clothing corner by contractual obligations to his apparel sponsor? Le sigh; our loss, since we know that he can look pretty good all made up for the camera.
Flip: You can see the entire spread here.
This week: Monfils is still gunning for this week’s Rakuten Japan Open in Tokyo. He took out Marsel Ilhan in the first round, faces Chiudinelli in the second, and will likely run into Stan Wawrinka in the quarters. Draw here (pdf).
(scans at sarahdenslenoir via GOTOTENNIS)
delpo loses his first match as a slam champ
October 6, 2009
An ailing and jet-lagged Juan Martin del Potro, the top seed at this week’s Rakuten Japan Open, was upset by Frenchman Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-4, 6-4 in the first round of the tournament.
The gracious Argentine, who won his first major title at the 2009 U.S. Open, did not give any excuses for his poor performance. “The other guy played good tennis and took his opportunities… Everyone can lose. It happens.”
And Roger-Vasselin thought that his relative anonymity might have helped his cause. “I know him better than he knows me. That’s maybe how I won.”
Buy: The polka dot madness over at Nike continues. This week, del Potro wore the winter version of the sleeveless top, in white with Green Spark dots. It’s also available in black/grey and navy/white. $55 at TW.
(image via Getty)
i snooze and i lose, but lleyton wins
October 6, 2009
We probably can’t teach old dog new tricks, so we’re stuck dozing off while looking at pics of Lleyton Hewitt languishing in Yonex. (Can he retire already? Please?)
The Aussie won his first rounder at this week’s Rakuten Japan Open, taking out wildcard Tatsuma Ito 6-1, 7-5. Couple this with top seed Juan Martin del Potro‘s first-round loss to Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Lleyton has a decent shot to get to the quarterfinals!
Buy: For those absolutely interested, you can pick up versions of the Yonex New York Crew for $44.99.
(image via Getty)
communist chic
October 5, 2009
World No. 1 Dinara Safina cemented her place atop a rank list — that of “Worst No. 1 Ever” — with her second-round, 7-5, 7-6 (5), loss to the 226th-ranked Shuai Zhang at this week’s China Open. The previous record was held by Ana Ivanovic, who, as the world no. 1, lost to the 188th-ranked Julie Coin in the second round of the 2008 U.S. Open.
Two snaps to Zhang, who received a wildcard into this tournament. Not bad for her first SEWTA Tour win, right?
And we love those patriotic Nike wristbands.
BTW: If Serena bests Dinara’s performance this week (and she could do so by winning against Ekaterina Makarova in the third round tomorrow), she’ll be back at No. 1. The flip flop continues!
(images via Getty)
pavlyuchenkova too much for venus’ tutu
October 5, 2009
Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova has Venus Williams‘s number, having upset the American for the second time in two weeks, more recently in the second round of the China Open. The score: 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.
“I just tried to play as simple as I can just into the court and just make her move,” said Pavlyuchenkova of Venus at her post-match presser. “And today I just tried to do the same thing.”
Make Venus — one of the tour’s best movers — move? Kids these days can stare death in the face and not flinch one bit!
Bracketology: Anastasia next faces Wozniak, and could face Kuznetsova in the quarters. The rest of the draw is here (pdf).
Thumbs up: Many of you didn’t like Venus’ U.S. Open ’09 bowling shirt dress, but make sure to send love to her doubles outfit from that Slam, which she also wore for singles this week. Straps criss-crossed down the back of the bright pink dress, fitting for a ballerina.
(image via Getty)
warm-up jackets: gasquet (wimbledon) and cibulkova (french)?
October 5, 2009And in case they don’t put Andy Roddick or the guys in their french stable in those shorts (we can only dream!), Lacoste can at least grab two looks from their Spring 2010 runway show and slap ‘em on some tennis pros.
Since everyone is all about accessorizing for their short strut from locker room to player’s chair, I recommend these for Slam entrances for the upcoming year:
The white jacket would be perfect for Wimbledon, and the black anorak capelet will work for the ladies during the Roland Garros appearances.
(images via style.com)
fashion focus: lacoste spring 2010
October 5, 2009
We’ve been watching a lot of Tennis Channel at Chez TSF — especially those classic matches from the 80s — and’ve been totally fascinated by the short shorts worn by Borg, Connors, Ashe, et al. We want them to come back!
Our only concern is how they’ll keep junk in the trunks, but it worked back then, so it must work now. How about starting off with the men of Lacoste?
The French company’s Spring 2010 goods made a showing in New York last month, and creative director Christophe Lemaire churned out the classics: blazers and polos for the men, and flirty skirts and jumpsuits for the women.
We can totally see Gilles Simon wearing that white outfit on the very left. Do you agree? Tell us!
View: The Lacoste 2010 rtw slideshow is here.
(images via style.com)
SPRING 2010 SHOWS WE LOVE
>> bottega veneta
>> max mara
>> thakoon
>> fendi
>> marc by marc jacobs
>> giorgio armani
>> burberry prorsum
chiudinelli: hum or yum?
October 5, 2009
The third best Swiss ATPer, Marco Chiudinelli, made it through qualifying at this week’s Rakuten Japan Open and beat Dudi Sela 4-6, 6-1, 6-4. He’s had momentum as of late, making it to the third round of the U.S. Open and the quarters of last week’s Thailand Open. Unfortunately, he lost his only rubber at the World Group 2009 Davis Cup Playoff tie against Italy (his doubles match with Wawrinka against Starace and Bolelli). Still, Switzerland won it 3-2.
Looking ahead: The Rakuten Japan Open counts Del Potro, Simon, Tsonga, and Monfils as its top seeds. MC next plays Monfils. The draw’s here (pdf).
And now to the important stuff:
a) Marco’s outfitted with clothes from HI-PRO’s Black and White Collection. HI-PRO is a sports marketing company founded by Ivo Heuberger — a former pro and one of Martina Hingis‘s former flames.
b) I was once told I like really bland guys (and I sort of believe them. Exhibit A), but I’m thinking my new fascination is Chiudi is the real deal. Take a look at the pics after the cut and help me out?
trophy watch: winning matches by hitting the ball? so 2008
October 5, 2009
Not many repeats this week as the lower-profile players — at least when it comes to wins — chomped off pieces of the trophy pie.
Golden statement: In Kuala Lumpur, Russian Nikolay Davydenko wore his gilded Airness track jacket as he received the trophy for beating Fernando Verdasco to take the Proton Malaysian Open on Sunday.
Kolya now has three titles (Hamburg and Umag are the other two) and has yet to catch a FeVer; he’s now 6-1 in his head-to-head against Verdasco.
Simon’s say: In Bangkok, new TSF fave Gilles Simon kept his clothes on long enough to bag the PTT Thailand Open title with his 7-5, 6-3 victory over Viktor Troicki. This is Simon’s first title of the year and sixth of this career.
Wrist accesories: Like a good pro, Russian Maria Sharapova slapped on her Tag Heuer watch just after winning the Toray Pan Pacific Open. Unfortunately, the victory came from Jelena Jankovic injuring her wrist in the seventh game of the first set. Masha also won this in 2005, defeating Lindsay Davenport in the final. This was Sharapova’s first title since Amelia Island in April 2008.
On the right is a pic of the many bracelets (cute charms!) that Jelena wore with her red ANTA dress.
(images via Getty)
get ‘em while they’re squishy
October 4, 2009
Dinara Safina was greeted by a big fan club of one (see background) upon arriving in Beijing this last week. Well, that’s actually just Gumby’s blue cousin, Blumby. He’s waving with fervor, and Dinara is def doing her best to ignore him. She’s obviously supes embarrassed.
With the China Open officially under the way we did some perusing on their web site to find some 中网纪念品 - or, in English, “China Open souvenirs” Our first fave is these miniature key chains:
But they don’t top these gems below. These squishy friends are sporting tennis onesies (a skirt for the female and shorts for the male) and remind me of drawings I did as a child before I knew people had bodies and connected their legs to their heads. Loves it.
After the cut, see the Olympic Stadium all ready for the tourney. (more…)
rafa: lookin’ goodie in the hoodie
October 4, 2009
Has Rafael Nadal ever looked cuter? We don’t think so. Check him out in this promotional video for Nike’s new hoodie line, AW77.
Check out the jump for a peek at Nike.com’s front page that features Rafa, Maria and Serena! Tennis takeover!? We think so. (more…)
sunday survey: yankee dreams
October 3, 2009
Men’s tennis in America hasn’t shined for a while on the ATP Tour, the last slam coming for a Yank at the 2003 USO when Roddick took the crown. It was an especially topsy turvy season for Roddick, James Blake and Sam Querrey in 2009.
With the new year around the corner, we wonder:
Which American man will step up big in 2010? Can Isner follow his US Open success? Can Ginepri prove Indy wasn’t a fluke? Will Taylor Dent continue his comeback? Was Wimbledon the last stand for Andy? Or a sign that he wants it more than ever? Can James Blake find his fire again? What’s next for (now-injured) Sam Querrey? And who – just who – will be the next big American star? Buchanan? Harrison? McClune?!
There are plenty of names to talk about, plenty of pros and cons to each and every player, but TSF is curious to know what you think about the future of men’s tennis in America – especially in 2010.
(photo by one-one via flickr)
<3: bottega veneta spring 2010
October 2, 2009
Tomas Maier had some gi-inspired pieces in his spring 2010 Bottega Veneta women’s line. Lovesies!
View: The Bottega Veneta Spring 2010 women’s show here; men’s show here (both via style.com).
SPRING 2010 SHOWS WE LOVE
>> max mara
>> thakoon
>> fendi
>> marc by marc jacobs
>> giorgio armani
>> burberry prorsum
tennis gets commercial
October 2, 2009We’re well aware of tennis’ re-arrival into pop culture, but who knew the ad execs would take so kindly to the sport, too?!
PeTA recently launched an ad campaign using John McEnroe as a spokesman (‘yellsman’?) in this commercial. CNNSI.com columnist L. Jon Wertheim is wondering just how much more of the “YCBS?!” our culture can take.
Meanwhile, tennis splashed onto the pages of the Village Voice this week in the form of a foot fungus ad (ew!).
And, the sport was spotted in the trendy East Village nabe of NYC, where foodie movement EatFreely.org was combining the never-failing combo of breaded cheesy goodness and tennis balls. Loves it.
(tsf photos)
