fashion focus: rafa’s off-court marquer l’histoire polo

Rafael Nadal turns 22 today. The folks at Roland Garros threw him a little party with a fancy cake and gave him a portrait by artist Frederique Lorin.

And thanks to malimeda for this bit: “Check out the white Nike tee that Rafa is wearing: it has 4 years written on it (from 2005 to 2008), the first 3 crossed through for his 3 wins at RG, this year left unmarked (yet!). Underneath it’s written in French: marquer l’histoire (to mark history) and a Nike swoosh. The shirt is available in blue as well: Rafa wore both during his press conferences.”

This is how the marketing campaign appears on Nike’s tennis landing page.

Boo hoo: It doesn’t look like Rafa’s shirt is for sale. Neither is Maria’s jacket.

(photos by Getty Images)

j’adore paris

It doesn’t hurt to have the fans behind you (that way, you don’t get booed) when you’re trying to win your first grand slam — and Jelena Jankovic knows this.

She’s already planting the seed by writing “I <3 Paris” on her bandaged right arm for her quarterfinal match against Canary Islander Carla Suarez Navarro. Jelena won that match 6-3, 6-2 and will meet compatriot Ana Ivanovic in a semifinal on Tuesday.

Ivanovic made quick work of the Patty Schnyder, whose lefty ways usually make hell for players on clay. But against the World No. 2, Patty had no chance. “She’s so tall and has more power than me. In those conditions, it’s really tough for me to win,” said the Swiss.

Before her quarterfinal match, Jankovic flew back to Serbia via private jet to get treatment on that sore right arm.

(photo by Getty Images)

(OT) if you live in california…

…don’t forget to vote on Tuesday, June 3. There are a few things on the ballot — including picking a spot for a Los Angeles County Supervisor and a District Attorney — but most important are Propositions 98 and 99, which deal with eminent domain. Please vote no on 98. Read up here for more info.