trophy watch: go big, go bulky or go home

Go big, go bulky. The designers of tennis trophies must have not heard the news of bleachers breaking during a show at Paris Fashion Week. As fall approaches, trophies are keeping themselves warm with big, bulky and rounded frames. At least they don’t have fur, right? Above, a deserving Jo-Wilfried Tsonga hoists an egg-shaped award at the Moselle Open in Metz, France. The French crowd was happy to cheer on its countryman, who beat Croatian Ivan Ljubicic 6-3 6-7 (4) 6-3 in the final. | TSF Vault: Trophy Watch

Florian Mayer got what he could fashion into a fruit bowl as a prize for his first ATP title as he beat Pablo Andujar in the Bucharest final. It was Mayer’s first ATP win in five final appearances. He beat the Spaniard 6-3, 6-1.

Another first timer, Chanelle Scheepers, was victorious in Guangzhou, beating Magdalena Rybarikova in the final, 6-2 6-2.

We’re really loving this classy number from the tourney in Seoul, even if the trophy does feel one size too big. Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez got past Galina Voskoboeva in the final, running away with two tie-breakers, 7-6 (0) 7-6 (2).

(tsonga and mayer by Getty Images; scheepers via guangzhou and sanchez martina via korea tennis association)

shirtless: rafa strips down (some more) for armani

Who’s got next? With Janko Tipsarevic joining the ranks of ATP fellas who have stripped down in front of the camera, Rafael Nadal needed to get his gusto back from the Serb’s sweaty six-pack. He did just that last week as Armani began to push out its fall campaign, full of swoon-worthy shots of a barely-clad Rafa. The ATP web site has the full set of Rafa photos here.

On court: This week has been a good one for Tipsarevic, who is into the semifinals in Kuala Lumpur. Meanwhile, a hurting Novak Djokovic has pulled out of the China Open due to a bad back.

For all you fans of good legs, check out the Spanish Davis Cup team from a couple of weeks ago. No Nair needed here.

survey, pt. 2: which hackneyed phrases would you vote out of tennis?

In light of the AP’s release of a World Series style guide to help cut down on hackneyed words and phrases appearing in MLB postseason coverage, we wonder: which phrases should the AP put on their chopping block for tennis?

Our first choice: “Dick Enberg.” Just kidding. It’s “journeyman.”

Which words are on your list? Tell us!

(wednesday’s) sunday survey: striking situation

Would these boys really do it? Strike. It’s not something tennis fans really want to think about, and even though Tennis Channel’s James LaRosa does point out some ways that a lack of tennis-playing might make fans’ lives better, we here at TSF would miss the weekly fashions (and trophies!) with great sadness. Andy Murray recently told the BBC that if the tennis bodies don’t step up then the players will, and Rafael Nadal echoed that players could take “strong action.” It doesn’t help that 2011’s king, Novak Djokovic, fell to the ground unable to continue during Davis Cup 10 days ago. Not the best image for the (functional) end of the tennis season, right?

Do you think a players’ strike could really happen? Weigh in below.

(photo by Getty Images)

shirtless: the (liberal) men of SLC

Run, boys, run! Some good natured (and good bodied) folks in Salt Lake City, Utah, took to the streets over the weekend in protest. And in little clothing, we might add. The first ever Undie Run was held to bring attention to what organizers called the state of Utah’s “uptight laws” and nearly 3,000 joggers and walkers participated. We’re just curious: Are there really this many tight-bodied guys in SLC? Or were the photogs wearing their TSF goggles while shooting? Video of the barely-clad, politically-minded guys and gals below.

TSF Vault: Shirtless | Oh right, and undies

(AP photo)

ladies give japan a thumbs up

Words of strength. The WTA lined up its stars in Japan to voice their support for a country that has struggled since the massive earthquake this spring caused severe tsunami damage and the radiation and flooding disasters. Classy move, gals.

TSF Vault: Clijsters lends a hand to Japan | The men, too

More: WTA Japan photos

imitations by andy

Not just Nole. On Sunday night in Oklahoma City, Andy Roddick showed attendees at the exhibition featuring himself and Mardy Fish that it wasn’t Novak Djokovic who can pull out impressions of fellow tennis players. Skip ahead to the 1:51 mark if you want to see Roddick’s Serena impression, including (just for a flash!) her 2009 US Open tirade.

shirtless: bod by janko

Move over, Nole. And you too, Rafa… and Fernando. So Janko Tipsarevic made mention during the US Open that the reason for his recent success was that he had finally dedicated 100 percent of himself to tennis — and his body. The Serb isn’t joking around, appearing in a series of shots for the company Extreme Intimo, which makes underwear, nighties and other wear-at-home items. Janko and his total-toned bod can be seen on their Facebook page. Click the images below (or here) to visit the full gallery, which has 146 Facebook “Likes” and counting…

Oh right, and we couldn’t deprive you of the making-of vid, now could we? | TSF Vault: Shirtless

(via christopher phillips/photos from the extreme intimo facebook page)

spotted in the city: uniqlo goes uptown

Not one, two: We first noticed that Japanese brand Uniqlo was moving uptown in New York while riding a crosstown train back home from the US Open a couple of weeks ago. Forbes reported in late August that the store will open it’s second and third New York City stores — the only in the States — come October. The first is to be 5th Avenue’s biggest retails space (89,000 square feet) and the second is set for tourist-happy 34th St. Uniqlo currently  has just one store in NYC in SoHo on the ever-busy retail strip of Broadway between Houston and Canal Streets.

The company eventually plans to open 200 US stores, generating some $10 billion in sales.

TSF Vault: Uniqlo in SoHo | Kei Nishikori in Uniqlo

(tsf photos)

serena’s all cut up in nike tees

Pass the scissors, please. One thing we loved about Serena Williams at the US Open this year was watching her walk into Interview Room 1 at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Not because we couldn’t wait to hear what Serena had to say — she’s actually notoriously bland in such situations — but for her hilariously amazing Nike tees turned home craft projects. Serena must have had plenty of late nights staying up with her assistant watching re-runs of her HSN appearances and Keeping up with the Kardashians while slicing through a collection of graphic tees. And by that we mean her assistant did all the cutting. Serena was probably painting her toes, right? Or Oprah’s.

Serena is getting some flak for her on-court apparel these days. But we say hey! What about what the girl is rocking off the court?

While the tees are all around a questionable move, we. Love. That. Hair. On the court, too? Do it, lady.

TSF Vault: Seren’a USO kit | Full USO coverage

More: Serena’s first UNICEF campaign

(screengrabs via USOpen.org)

dinara is going through old boxes

What else is there to do? Dinara Safina, who fell from No. 1 in the WTA rankings in an ugly crash and announced earlier this year that she would be taking the rest of 2011 off to re-assess her career, is using some of her free time to go through some old household items, it seems.

The 25-year-old Russian posted this photo, along with others, to her Twitter account today, writing about this one: “Marat and Mama !!!”

(photo via yfrog/dinara safina)

sunday survey: are the good old days of the young guns gone?

Fore! Look out ladies, the girls are comin’ up! Or, are they? Over the weekend, 16-year-old Lexi Thompson shocked the LPGA by winning the Navistar LPGA Classic event in Alabama. She was the youngest winner on the tour by over two years and sparked a whole new conversation in that sport about teenage prodigies, especially seeing that Lexi herself isn’t even a full-fledged pro (not until age 18 on the Lpeedg, y’all). Thompson is filing for membership into the sport’s top body come next week.

But what about the young ladies of the WTA? The tour was once dominated by teens — Tracy Austin, Monica Seles, Martina Hingis — they all had their big start at a young age. But this year on the WTA, as far as TSF can tell, there has been just teenage winner: 19-year-old Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who is now 20. Twenty-year-olds Polona Hercog and Ksenia Pervak have collected titles, as have 21-year-olds Alberta Brianti, Petra Kvitova and Sabine Lisicki. But the teens? Nada. So that has us curious: Are teenage champs a thing of the past? Weigh in below.

Oh right… and it’s Tuesday?! Oops. Call it our AOHO (After Open HangOver.)

(Getty Images photo)

behind the scenes: maria, venus in ‘strong’ campaign

Video: We love the images, though we can’t say we dig the music. Lookin’ good, ladies! More: WTA’s Strong is Beautiful campaign

(wta video)

is this suddenly a movie blog?!

It’s more than a movie… That’s the tag line Sports Illustrated is using to justify putting Brad Pitt on its cover. Pitt is playing Billy Beane, the Oakland A’s general manager in Moneyball, which is due out this week and has received rave reviews.

Pitt-as-Bean has also taken over the homepage at NYTimes.com, though in a more traditional sense: with a giant banner ad.

(SI cover; nyt screen grab)

what we’re doing this weekend

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steve berke for mayor?

Tennis’ top pol: We love this video. We love more that we found this video via Sports Illustrated writer Jon Wertheim on Twitter. God love you, 21st century. #fistpump

shirtless: just call them ballsy

Fore! We’re a little late on this, but the boys of the Bethany College (Kan.) golf team got ballsy this summer in doing a team photoshoot. Too bad the school’s administration didn’t like their tan lines. Oh. And the captain’s name? Jack Hiscock. No. Really.

(Thanks to Dan Savage for the tip)

trophy watch: american hardware

Slam season? It’s ova! I’m out of my let’s-research-this mindset from writing for USOpen.org after two glorious weeks with a great staff at the National Tennis Center, so I’ll give someone else a go at this stat: when was the last time a Slam included no “ova” winner? Barring one-half of the girls’ doubles winning team — that’d be Irina Khromacheva — and she’s an “eva,” so does she even count? For all I know it could have been the French this year, but it certainly seems like a shocker, no?!

The men’s tournament, in the end, wasn’t a shocker itself. Sure, it was shocking that Novak Djokovic for the second year in a row denied Roger Federer a shot at the title by saving match points (how ’bout that forehand?!), but in the end, it was a result that many in tennis expected: Djokovic defeats Rafael Nadal in the final. And what a final it was! Thanks for ending a semi-mediocre tournament with such a glorious match, fellas. ‘Til next time!

Sam-a-Slam: Let’s just talk about the tennis. Sam Stosur played lights-out ball for two sets against Serena Williams on Sunday night at the Open. For us it was reminiscent of the way Maria Sharapova pounded her way past Serena in the 2004 Wimbledon final. Sure, Stosur’s style is completely different that Maria’s, but the result was the same: she lost just five games against her heavily-favored opponent to win her maiden major. One can only wish that the Aussie will show up with similar form at her home slam come January.

TSF Vault: Trophy Watch | 2011 US Open

Cindarella story.  This one really was written in the you-can’t-make-it-up category. Melanie Oudin, two years ago the Open’s golden girl, had paired up with this year’s golden boy in Jack Sock, and the two just stormed through the mixed doubles draw. No, they didn’t smooch! But we sure wish they would have. More? Doubles and juniors after the cut!

happy as a sam

Say “stripes!” The US Open champ, Sam Stosur was reportedly running on some 90 minutes of sleep today — the day after she trotted past Serena Williams in an incredible display on Arthur Ashe Stadium court, winning 6-2, 6-3 for her first slam. The Aussie made a trip to Times Square for a I-just-won-the-Open photo-opp, donning an adorable striped red and white, loose-fitting dress by Lacoste.

Normally we’d want something like this belted, especially if you have a body like Sam’s. But it was 70 and breezy in New York today and somehow Aussie Sam made the concrete jungle feel quite beachy. And check out that sock tan, mate!

TSF Vault: Lacoste USO tees | Lacoste archives

(Photo by Angus Mordant via Detomix)

heineken’s capsule collection for the u.s. open

California-based apparel company Sol Angeles teamed up with the U.S. Open’s official beer sponsor, Heineken, to create a limited-edition apparel collection for this year’s event. Called the Heineken Tennis Classics by Sol Angeles, the collection is sold exclusively at the Heineken Lounge at the Tennis Center.

SA’s husband-and-wife design duo, Eli and Lindsey Myers, designed six pieces that include distressed tees, pullovers, windbreakers, canvas bags (our fave!), and hats priced between $30-$80.

Swag: Heineken also doled out 20,000 Sol Angeles-designed hats to attendees of the U.S. Open tournament.

More: Visit Sol Angeles’ website for a look at the brand’s non-tennis collections.

(images courtesy of Sol Angeles)