Trendy Tennis

Adidas by Stella McCartney 2012 Spring-Summer Tennis Collection Fashion Review

2012-02-24T15:12:00.002-08:00

Numerous tennis fashion aficionadas are quite excited about the 2012 Adidas by Stella McCartney Spring-Summer collection. As always, the famous designer was able to come up once again with to-die-for tennis apparel that boast of style, comfort, and function combined together.

The simple yet stylish designs of these pieces are perfect for great movement on the courts while looking fresh and gorgeous. The colors are solid and strong, yet plain enough to be mixed and matched with your other tennis garments and accessories. You can opt for classic hues like white and gray, or you can go for a splash of bright, vivid tones when you don the tops and bottoms in tomato red and fresh lemon.

The stunning Adidas by Stella McCartney Tennis Performance Dress shown below is the highlight of the entire collection, to be worn by McCartney's ambassador Caroline Wozniacki, one of the most popular tennis celebrity pros today. Its cheerful yet intense color sparkles with optimism out there on the courts, while giving the impression that the player is serious about her game. Its semi-fitted bodice makes for comfortable wear while its flounce skirt adds a relaxed feel to the ensemble. Meanwhile, the strip of mesh in the center provides a sexy touch to the overall look. This tennis dress can also be bought in classic white color (probably the one we'll see Caro on Wimbledon this year).

Adidas by Stella McCartney Tennis Performance Dress - $120

For the ladies who prefer tops and bottoms, you can go for Perf Tank Core top with a loose bodice but a fitted bottom. It is quite casual and relaxed, with a sporty tie at the neckline. It is ideal for recreational players who wish to hide their unsightly bulges and flabby tummies while still emitting a sense of style and appeal. You can pick out from three colors: grey, royal blue, and lemon yellow.

Adidas by Stella Mccartney Perf Tank Core Top - $75

On the other hand, Tennis Logo Tee appears like a regular casual blouse you could wear to the mall. It is very fashionable and comfortable, made with Climalite cotton fabric. Furthermore, there is a large tennis ball graphic in front that changes the oversimplicity of the design. It comes in red, white, and yellow. Take your pick!

Adidas by Stella McCartney Tennis Logo Tee - $75

So what should you wear with these tops? For the bottoms included in this collection, Performance Shorts are really nice and attractive. Made with a light and comfy material, they will surely allow you to play your best. The pockets are emphasized for a chic and hip look. It is available in yellow and white.

Adidas by Stella McCartney Tennis Performance Short - $120

Nevertheless, for the women who prefer skirts, 2012 Adidas by Stella McCartney Spring-Summer collection offers Tennis Performance Skirt featuring the classic tennis skirt style - bouncy with just the right fit, lightweight and smooth on the skin, elegant and modish. You can choose from three colors: yellow, white, and red.

Adidas by Stella McCartney Tennis Performance Skirt - $95

Of course this collection will not be complete without this striking cropped Te Perf Jacket that is made with tasteful details that will surely render you a trendsetter in the world of tennis fashion. It has a wide hood, perforated material, zip pockets, and a chunky drawcord.

Adidas by Stella McCartney Te Perf Jacket - $250

Be sure to also check Stella's shoes and accessories that will compliment your outfit, like Sebellica Tennis Shoes or new cotton visor.

Stella McCartney by Adidas Sibellica Tennis Shoes - $200	Stella McCartney Adidas Cotton Visor - $30

This tennis collection is certainly a wonderful addition to your sports wardrobe. Perhaps the only downside to it is the lack of choice when it comes to tennis dresses. The featured dress seems ideal only for players who have great figure-eight bodies, but may not be flattering for those who are a bit on the heavy side. Nevertheless, the whole collection is very promising with the major advantages of being easily adaptable to various looks and also being a trouble-free and practical match to a vast range of tennis apparel. Moreover, many of the pieces are also great for off-court fashion!

Enjoy this new 2012 spring-summer Adidas by Stella McCartney tennis collection.

Tennis Dresses for Different Body Types

2012-02-22T00:43:00.006-08:00

A lot of female tennis players nowadays are going ga-ga over the many different styles and designs coming out for tennis dresses. With the many fashionable dresses now available, these women can be stylish every single day on the courts while showing off their moves.

However, it is not enough to grab a cute tennis dress off the rack just based on its appearance and without even trying it on. This may turn out to be a disaster! Take note that there are suitable types of dresses for different body types. Hence, you should make sure that what you choose to wear will look flattering on you.

For instance, if you have a petite figure, you should go for tennis dresses with a relaxed fit. A loose style will make you appear as if you have shrunk inside the dress, while something that fits tightly may put too much emphasis on your rather small body. On the other hand, if you are on the heavier side, it would be good to do away from tight-fitting bodices that might stress your bulges and from equally tight-fitting skirts that will surely draw attention to large hips and round legs. But if you have a great figure, you can flaunt it by wearing a snugly fitted tennis dress. Just make sure that it does not get in the way of your game.

Example of tennis dress ideal for those with a slim figure

Moreover, if you are big-busted, it would be better to stick to dresses with fuller tops and wider straps. And if you want to appear like you have a thin waist, then you should select the ones with flared skirts but not necessarily pleated.

Example of tennis dress for a voluptuous body type

In addition, you have to also pay attention to the colors and prints of the tennis dresses you pick out. Remember that if you want to look slimmer, darker colors and vertical lines are always ideal. To avoid emphasis on bulges and wide frames, you can also opt for diagonal lines. And in order to attract attention to your assets, you should choose designs that have bolder patterns. For example, a tennis dress with a huge print of a sun or flower by the bottom part of a skirt will draw people's eyes to your legs. But if your dress has lots of geometric shapes at the top while the bottom part has muted patterns, you can draw the attention to your face, neck, shoulder, and chest areas.

Example of tennis dress with bold pattern on top

Indeed picking out the best tennis dresses to make you look awesome can be quite tricky. You have to consider all these things when choosing the styles because not all designs can look great on different body types.

Five Fun Things to Do With Your Tennis Friends

2012-02-19T21:28:00.002-08:00

When you spend a lot of time with a bunch of other tennis players, you cannot help but form new friendships on the courts especially if you constantly see one another and play together too. Being in love with the same sport immediately draws you closer together.

What are the top five fun things you can do with your group of tennis friends?

1. Food Binge. It can sometimes be exhausting and depressing to maintain a healthy diet day in and day out when you are an athlete. Every now and then, it can be really fun to go on a food binge with people you love hanging out with in order to satisfy your cravings and to simply enjoy the delicious treat without worrying about anything. Perhaps you and your tennis friends can have a potluck of your favorite snacks and dishes one of these days. You can bring them to your practice venue and have a feast after your game. Or you can plan a dine-out get-together at your favorite cafe or restaurant nearby.

2. Clothes Exchange. Instead of buying new stuff for your tennis ensembles, perhaps you and your tennis friends can bring all the clothing items and accessories that you do not want to use anymore. After one of your games, you can gather your items together and pick out those you like. You might be surprised that others may really adore some things you are not interested in anymore.

3. Marathon Mania. It is always great to run with friends in a marathon. Why don't you and your tennis buddies sign up for one of the marathons in your area? Fun runs are a fantastic way to bond and release pent-up tension. This will also be a perfect opportunity for you guys to enjoy and exercise at the same time.

4. New Sports Venture. Instead of playing tennis together, try out a sport that most of you have not tried before or are not good in. This will help you unwind and simply laugh at your weak skills in this sport and temporarily forget about the pressure of playing well on the tennis courts. You can try out bowling, billiards, wall climbing, swimming, or paintball. These activities will surely get your adrenaline rushing and such sports have always been proven to be great fun for many.

5. Movie Night. Plan a movie night with your tennis friends at your house or at someone else's place. You can watch a fun movie about tennis such as Nobody's Perfect, Wimbledon, Tennis Anyone?, and Match Point. Have everyone bring yummy snacks you can nibble on while watching. Chips and dips, pizza, cheesesticks, and other similar munchies are perfect for these get-togethers, along with some beer too!

Selecting a Tennis Bag that Suits You Best

2012-02-19T19:36:00.000-08:00

One of the most important things that you will need to invest in when you intend to play tennis is your very own tennis bag. At the moment, there are a lot of options available in the market which tennis players can pick from. These come in a vast array of designs, shapes, sizes, materials, and brands. Hence, it is best for you to know how you can select the right one for you.

How Serious Are You?

The first question you will have to ask yourself is this: How serious are you about this sport? Do you intend to play for a long time, or to get involved in competitions? Your level of earnestness in this game will help determine the kind of bag that you need to purchase and use.

If you plan to take tennis seriously or if you are training to become a pro, then you should really invest in a reliable bag with an esteemed and trusted brand in this field. It should certainly be something that you can make use of for a long time. Thus, you need one that is durable and made with first-class quality.

Furthermore, it would be good to choose one that utilizes climate control technology like Andy Murray's Head Monstercombi tennis bag. That will help ensure the proper protection for your tennis rackets. This way, you will also be able to keep these essential rackets away from dust, moisture, heat, and cold, and be able to preserve the string tension too.

Being serious about tennis also means that you will probably have more than two rackets soon, if not now. You will most likely be bringing a number of these rackets along with other tennisaccessories and tennis apparel. Hence, you need a tennis bag that can accommodate these things.

Where and Why Do You Play?

Aside from your seriousness, one other consideration you must not forget is the place or venue of the games. For instance, if you play only locally and if it is just purely for leisure, you will most likely just have to use the 3-pack sort of tennis bag like infamous Babolat Team 3 Pack Blue Tennis Bag ($49.95) or maybe a tennis backpack. Here you can choose either a traditional backpack like Wilson Roger Federer Tennis Backpack ($50), or a trendier option produced by Whak Sak, Life is Tennis or 40 Love Courture. Meanwhile, if you are an advanced player who joins local tournaments every now and then and plays in sports arenas or in official training facilities for tennis, then you may want to go for the 6-pack or 12-pack type instead. Moreover, if you compete abroad, you should pick out those with added features that are appropriate for traveling, such as tennis bags with wheels and padded shoulder straps.

Check Out Our Picks

For fashionistas who never compromise on style	Cortiglia Sonoma Black Tennis Bag - $425
For serious players with great performance	Babolat Team Line 135th Anniversary 12 Pack Tennis Bag - $119.95
For travelers	Babolat Team Travel Tennis Rolling Bag - $84.95
For backpack lovers	Wilson BLX Tour Backpack (Black/Gold) - $59.95

What Do You Bring?

Think about the usual items that you bring with you whenever you play tennis. How many tennis rackets do you carry? Do you often bring several extra clothes? Do you have your own set of tennis balls? Do you usually bring food? These are just some of the questions you have to ask yourself in order to determine the kind of bag that suits you best.

For example, beginner players and those who simply play for recreational purposes often choose backpacks that can carry 1 or 2 rackets and some other items. But for those who play professionally, it is better to select tennis bags with bigger compartments for multiple rackets. This will allow you to always be ready if you want to change grip, string tension, and other features simply by getting a different racket.

Check out the various additional features of tennis bags nowadays. There are styles that have insulated food compartments and accessories compartments. There are also those that offer ventilated wet and dry storage partitions, plus shoe containers that are anti-microbial.

Remember to keep these selection considerations before buying a tennis bag. If you are looking for something trendy and unusual, check our article on designer tennis bags for women. And to make sure you have everything you need, check the article What You Should Have In Your Tennis Bag.

Tennis-Themed Kiddie Party Ideas

2012-02-17T20:29:00.000-08:00

Perhaps your baby is turning one and being a true-blue tennis enthusiast, you just could not resist throwing a tennis-themed kiddie party for him. Or maybe your child is turning seven and he is really into this sport or is dreaming of becoming the next star player on the tennis courts! Whatever propelled you to finally decide on tennis as your kid's party theme, what's important is making it an awesome and unforgettable event for all the guests and most especially for the children who will be there.

Here are some fabulous kiddie party ideas for a tennis theme:

1. Cake. One of the most eye-catching elements of a kiddie party is the cake. Its function is actually more decorative, so you should ensure that the appearance is terrific. It must suit the theme, be colorful and attractive, and look very enticing to eat! Of course, it would be fantastic if you can also have one that tastes just as good as it looks. For tennis-themed cakes, you can focus on a miniature tennis court design or incorporate tennis rackets. Some also use 3D tennis balls and tennis player toppers with the celebrant's face. Below are a few samples that can give you ideas.

2. Unique party hats. Instead of having the kids wear party hats, why don't you prepare colorful sun visors made of cardboard? You can put the words "I love tennis" in front or perhaps "I am a tennis star" or something similar to these. You can even invent a title for a make-believe tennis tournament that includes the celebrant's name, such as "2012 Ralphian Open" (for a child named Ralph). What's more, you can opt to include sun visor art decor as one of the activities during the party. All you need to prepare is a bunch of art materials like paint, glue, beads, glitters, and more.

3. Decor. For the room decor, you can hang styro balls that look like tennis balls from the ceiling. You can also include these in the table centerpieces. Tennis rackets may also be incorporated in the wall decors. In addition, you may want to put up posters or standees of famous tennis celebrities. As a variation, have a customized standee made with a hole on the face but the body of a tennis player in a tennis outfit. This way, guests can put their faces into the hole and have their picture taken.

4. Giveaways. Party favors may be lollipops that seem like tennis balls with sticks or tennis-themed cupcakes. You can also give away personalized sweatbands or wristbands. And of course a kiddie party is not complete without loot bags! Prepare candies and other goodies inside tin cans or plastic containers with stickers that show a graphic design of the celebrant in tennis attire.

5. Fun. You may want to hire a face painter who can create colorful pictures of tennis rackets and balls on kids' body parts. You may also hire an artist to draw caricatures of the guests in tennis ensembles and with a background that shows a tennis tournament scenario.

There are many more that you can do to build the tennis-themed mood in your child's party. Just remember that what's most important is for the celebrant and the guests to have tons of fun.

Favorite Finds: Lija Tennis

2012-02-16T23:23:00.000-08:00

In the 1990s, it was difficult to find active sportswear that was attractive, cool and comfortable. To fill this need on the golf course, Linda Hipp developed Hyp Golf in 1997 in Vancouver, Canada. Her line of women’s golf wear debuted in 1998 with 12 styles, and by the end of that year the line had made its way into more than 25 stores! In 1999, Hyp Golf entered the market in the United States and gained a reputation for feminine, well-cut styles.

Responding to a growing market beyond golf, Hyp Golf became LIJA (a play on the word “leisure,”), and in 2009 LIJA introduced its first Lija tennis collection for North American women. With a successful introductory year, LIJA doubled the size of its collection and is quickly becoming a popular brand name in women’s tennis apparel in North America and Europe. The LIJA tennis line features styles that are cool, comfortable and feminine with great fit!

LIJA blends influences from the tennis court, the world of fashion and life! The company looks to inspire women around the world to embrace a healthy and active lifestyle in order to play well, be confident and succeed in all areas. LIJA hopes that their styles will make women feel strong and beautiful on the court or on the street.

LIJA tennis line features five collections: Energy, Radiant, Neo, Indigo and Blush. Take a look at our picks - three cool and comfortable items.

Lija Women's Fuse Warm Up Tennis Tank - $75	This stretchy tank highlights scoop neck, front key hole opening and a built-in, low-impact shelf bra. Made from 92% Nylon and 8% Elastic , it is the ultimate in comfort!
Lija Women's Fuse Flounce Tennis Skort - $90	With a 12-inch length, this skort features multiple asymmetrical tiers, plus comes in four attractive colors. Constructed from 92% Nylon and 8% Elastic, it offers cool, on-court comfort!
Lija Tennis Fuse Smash Dress - $110	This attractive dress features a scoop neck, racer back, natural waist seam and ruffles sleeves. Made from 92% Nylon and 8% Elastic, it is moisture wicking and quick drying.

Tennis Socks for Men and Women

2012-02-11T01:19:00.000-08:00

Some people may think that as long as you have your racket, a great-looking outfit made especially for a game on the tennis courts, and a good pair of tennis shoes, you are already set to go. Keep in mind that this kind of sport can be quite strenuous and entails a lot of backbreaking and ongoing vigorous movements. Hence, you will have to be very comfortable in what you are wearing.

A lot of beginners in this sport tend to overlook the importance of putting on a suitable and comfortable pair of tennis socks. It is crucial to invest in good socks both for male and female tennis players. Here are some things you will have to keep in mind when choosing your socks:

Wearing a good pair of socks with the right fit will protect your feet and help you to avoid injuries when your feet keep being pushed into the edge of your shoes. Your toes definitely need that additional cushion. You must also stay away from socks that keep moving or sliding.
It is important as well to not wear socks that are too short or cut low. Although this will help you to lessen the discomfort of heat being trapped around your ankles and legs, you may end up with many sores and blisters after a game.
Try to look for tennis socks that are seamless, so as to provide greater comfort. You may also want to opt for those with a breathable mesh vent at the top part.
There are also socks with special features like moisture management, temperature management, anti-odor and anti-bacterial properties, and form-fitting figures. Such extra features are especially made for athletes like you.
Instead of scrimping on your socks, remember that these are also vital in playing tennis. Consider the purchase an investment and just be sure to get those that give you value for your money.
Go for designs that will be more useful since they can be matched with almost anything.

Our Picks - Socks made specially for tennis

Thorlos - Thin Cushion Tennis Micro Mini Crew 3-Pair Pack (available in pink, turquoise and black) - $37.99	Thorlos - Tennis Crew Thick Cushion 3-Pair Pack (White) - $45

If you still do not have decent socks for playing tennis, it's about time you start shopping for a few pairs. Who knows? This simple piece of clothing might just help you improve your game a bit more or even a lot more!

The Benefits of Customized Sweatbands for Tennis

2012-02-10T09:29:00.000-08:00

More and more tennis players are having customized sweatbands made. It is not merely a silly craze or a tennis fashion statement anymore, but is actually becoming a preferred option by a lot of athletes on the tennis courts for good reason.

What exactly are the benefits of using customized sweatbands instead of simply buying readymade ones? Here are some of the best advantages that have been cited by those players who were and are still happy and contented with their custom-made sweatbands:

1.You can pick out a design that uniquely matches your interests and/or personality. This way, you can really be yourself on and off the court. It is a means of self-expression and a form of creativity too, especially if you are the one who will be designing your own--- the color, the printed text and picture, the style, etc.

2. You need not be limited to just a few designs and to having a store run out of the particular color and style that you like.

3. You can create your own trademark by coming up with a logo to represent you as a professional tennis player or as a serious athlete. Then you can use this design in various sweatbands of different colors, textures, and materials.

4. You can indicate the material that you prefer, so you can end up being happy with the overall product. This way, you can choose a fabric that is lightweight and good in absorbing your sweat.

5. You can have the size tailored to fit you perfectly. No need to worry about loose or tight ones.

6. You can form a group or encourage teamwork and group spirit by having the same custom-made sweatbands. In wearing these, people can identify you with a specific organization or association. This will also help in popularizing the group.

7. You can have a particular branded design copied in order for you to have a similar but cheaper one.

There are really plenty of benefits in buying and wearing customized sweatbands. Make the most of this alternative.

Caroline Wozniacki's Model Pictures

2012-02-09T19:05:00.000-08:00

Contemporary tennis and modelling go hand in hand. So check out Caroline's pictures. Wasn't she born for modelling?

How to Choose a Great Tennis Coach

2012-02-08T08:03:00.000-08:00

Perhaps you have been yearning to invest your time and money in private tennis lessons with a reliable coach who can help you get started on your path to playing the sport of your dreams. Or perhaps you have already begun playing, but would like to be trained in order to become better. No matter what your level of game is at the moment, a good tennis coach can certainly be of immense help to your skills on the court.

So how can you choose a great tennis coach so that you can have your money's worth and be able to enjoy learning and practicing too? Here are some simple tips you can follow:

Check out tennis clubs and facilities. This is one way of finding great tennis coaches because such places usually employ a few pros who can provide lessons.
Consult professional associations. You can go online to explore associations with tennis pro members who may be willing to teach you for a certain fee. You can also call up these organizations and groups for recommended coaches.
Watch them at work and at play. This means that upon eyeing some tennis pros to hire as your private coach, you should observe how they teach other players and tennis pro wanna-be's. This is more possible for those who regularly conduct classes in tennis clubs and facilities. Moreover, you should also watch how these tennis coaches play the game so you can be assured that you will really be learning a lot from whomever you will pick.
Have a chat. It would be of great help if you could have a chat with your shortlisted coaches so you can have an idea of whom you have good rapport with and who will be able to help you most.

If you follow these tips on how to choose a great tennis coach, then chances are you will end up with one who can really provide the best lessons for you. Good luck with your search!

Caroline Wozniacki: Fashion Profile

2012-02-08T07:28:00.000-08:00

Who in the tennis world and even those in the sidelines has not heard of the amazingly talented and beautiful Caroline Wozniacki? This highly esteemed professional tennis player who hails from Denmark is certainly not just admired for her winning moves during the tournaments but also for her fashion statements on and off the courts.

Caroline Wozniacki, Sony Ericsson Open 2011

Caroline Wozniacki is indeed one of the top fashion icons in the realm of tennis, mainly due to the fact that she is the most recent and chief model of upscale designer Stella McCartney. Thus, the fantastic combination of McCartney's modish pieces in her Adidas collection and the amazing figure of the Danish player is a big hit among tennis fans and sports enthusiasts. Even those who are not really playing the game are wearing the designs for casual, everyday use and sometimes even for date nights and parties!

Caroline Wozniacki, Australian Open 2011

Caroline Wozniacki, U.S. Open 2010

Caroline Wozniacki, Modelling for Adidas by Stella McCartney (2012 tennis collection)

This gorgeous tennis player carries a wide array of fashionable tennis outfits, from the classics of whites and grays to more colorful ensembles with bright and vibrant hues. Because of her pale skin and blond hair, a lot of fashion gurus claim that cheerful and brighter colors are more suitable for her and will complement the kind of stand-out game that she delivers.

Off the courts, Caroline Wozniacki has been spotted wearing several cute and stylish get-ups too. Her fashion sense seems to be mostly feminine and unique, such as with the kinds of dresses she wears. Even though many of her outfits bear classic styles, they usually have a twist.

Caroline Wozniacki ramp modelling at BNP Paribas Open

Caroline Wozniacki, "Fashion's Night Out" at New York City

Nevertheless, from time to time, she seems to also have some slips from the upper fashion standards such as when she wore a mermaid-looking dress to a party that appeared a bit outlandish and inappropriate.Caroline Wozniacki partying with Agniezska Radwanska in Miami

Caroline Wozniacki and Agnieszka Radwanska, Sony Ericsson Kick-Off Party

Overall, though, Caroline Wozniacki is still looked up to by many girls and women and certainly admired by men of different nationalities because of her natural beauty and flair for fashion. This is also the reason why she has been chosen to endorse a host of sponsors such as Sony Ericsson, Turkish Airlines, Yonex, and Oriflame Sweden.

Cute Tennis Fashion Items for Your Babies

2012-02-06T07:25:00.000-08:00

Who said only kids and adults are allowed to sport cute tennis outfits and other fashionable items that are tennis-related? There are also plenty of adorable tennis fashion items created for the babies of this sport's fanatics and athletes. Even if they cannot engage in the actual game yet, it is just really amusing to see them donned in such stylish sports attires.

Here are some of the delightful fashion items you can try on your babies:

Cute Tennis-Inspired Onesies. Dreaming of having your baby follow your footsteps in becoming a tennis enthusiast? Let him start early by wearing endearing onesies that have printed designs and text which are related to the sport. You can even buy plain-colored onesies and have them printed with customized designs. For example, you can go for images of tennis rackets with statements like "I want to be a tennis player like Mommy!" or titles such as "The Next Tennis Champ". Take a look at the cute sample below with the phrase "Daddy's Future Tennis Buddy".

Lovely Tennis-Designed Bibs. Another great fashion item you can have your baby use are cute little bibs which can also have pictures and words about tennis. The Mud Pie Country Club Baby Decorated Chenille Bib ($12.50) has trimmings that look like pleated tennis skirts with a nice embroidery of tennis rackets and a ribbon embellishment. The pink, green, and white color scheme also works well in creating a feminine and stylish appearance.

Tiny Tennis Socks. If you are a true-blue tennis aficionado, you will not be able to resist buying this adorable Mud Pie Tennis Baby Socks ($14) with tennis designs for your babies. There are white socks and colorful ones too that are made with ruffles or laces along with patches and embroideries of tennis equipment for baby girls. On the other hand, the ones for baby boys may also have the same tennis images on them. But mostly, the miniature tennis socks for the boys appear as if they are actually tennis shoes with real shoelaces too that are not really weaved but just sewn on the top part.

These are just some of the cute fashion items you can put together for your babies' tennis outfits. Have fun mix-matching these garments and accessories to make your baby look like a tennis fashion icon!

A Tennis STAR in the Making: Bjorn Frantangelo

2012-02-01T19:03:00.000-08:00

Bjorn Fratangelo is an American junior player who won the Boys’ Singles Title at the 2011 French Open, beating Dominic Thiem of Austria 3-6, 6-3, 8-6.

Bjorn Fratangelo, French Open 2011

With the victory, Frantangelo - who lives and trains in Naples, Florida during the majority of the year - became the first American since John McEnroe in 1977, to gain the French Open Boys’ Singles title. See his press conference following the French Open win.

Even though Americans don't typically have a great reputation for performance on the clay, Fratangelo was able to hone his skills with practice on clay courts in Florida.

"I learned really how to slide, how to move well on the surface," he commented. "It taught me to construct points. [With] indoor tennis, they just slap the ball one, two, three, point's over. But on clay... it's mental toughness. You really have to grind out the points long and hard..."

Fratangelo started his tennis career in the family basement at the age of three, hitting balls with a miniature racquet. He soon graduated to a real court and at eight years old began competing in youth tournaments. Frantangelo’s hard work and rise in the rankings culminated in his French Open victory and he hopes to continue the trend.

"It's just a matter of seeing what happens," he said. "The ultimate goal is to turn pro, make men's Grand Slam events and win. If I feel like my game gets good enough, I'll move to the pro level. If I need to develop more, I'll do that in college. Tennis is an up-and-down sport. One tournament doesn't make a career."

BORN: July 19, 1993

BIRTHPLACE: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

JUNIOR RANKING CAREER HIGH: No. 2

PLAYS: Right-handed, with double-handed backhand

COACH: Father, Mario

NAMESAKE: Hmmm…Bjorn Borg, his father’s favorite player

OTHER FAVORITE ACTIVITIES: Surprise…table tennis

FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM: Pittsburgh Steelers

OTHER TENNIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 2009 USTA under-16 and 2010 USTA under-18 clay-court titles; represented the U.S. in Junior Davis Cup.

Fab Five. Best Dressed Tennis Players: Australian Open 2012

2012-01-30T14:39:00.000-08:00

With continued stellar play from Mr. Djokovic and fun surprises like Leighton Hewitt’s 3rd round win over Milos Raonic, the 2012 Australian Open is proving to be a wonderful kick-off to the Grand Slam season! The only thing that could have made it better? A Williams-Roddick mixed-doubles pairing…but we are keeping our fingers crossed for the future.

Even though someone had the misguided idea to recall 1980s neon - with a majority of players blindly jumping on the bandwagon - we did find a few styles that we enjoyed at the Aussie Open…here is our Fab Five for 2012.
The Fed Express – 1st Prize…again…yawn. Roger is so put together that even his racquet matches. We have seen this exact outfit many, many times, however. And consistent perfection can get a little monotonous…well, almost. Check out Roger Federer's Style from our Australian Open 2012 Fashion Review.

Roger Federer, Australian Open 2012

A well-fitting short in a neutral color, a good amount of bright white and small colorful accents…classic, simple and best of all…no NEON – thank you, Ivo! 2nd Prize!

Ivo Karlovic, Australian Open 2012

Okay, we can forgive a little bit of neon. This simple dress is beautifully cut, and the well-placed, eye-popping green is kept to a minimum. Check out Maria's style at our Australian Open 2012 Fashion Review. 3rd Prize!

Maria Sharapova, Australian Open 2012

These snazzy K-Swiss shirts may have given the top-seeded Bryan brothers that extra bit of luck needed to move on to the semis. The brothers now have an opportunity to set a record with a 12th Grand Slam Championship….the second best thing that may happen to Bob Bryan this year. His wife is due to give birth to their first child at the end of this month! 4th Prize!

Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan, Australian Open 2012

Serena already made our Wear This list with a stylish headband. This cute ensemble from Nike is well-fitting, cool and comfortable. If only the accessories actually matched the dress, Miss Williams would have the top spot! For now (sniffle) she will have to settle for… 5th Prize

Serena Williams, Australian Open 2012

Stay Tuned for More Trendy Tennis Fashion Review Throughout the 2012 Season!

Top Five Worst-Dressed Tennis Players: Australian Open 2012

2012-01-29T10:40:00.000-08:00

Tis the Season of the Neon, fa-la-la-la-la…

Did Nike telephone Adidas before they designed their Spring Tennis Collection this year? Or perhaps it was the other way around…but much too our chagrin, many players are sporting glaringly-bright styles! Those of you who would ask, “How much is too much?” have obviously not seen our first-place pick for worst-dressed this year. While we love the way that Jo-Willie fills out any style he chooses to wear, this ensemble is just TOO much! One, simple change would have landed Jo-Willie at the top of our Best-Dressed List: A bright, white shirt with small, colorful details.

1st Prize!

Jo-Wilfired Tsonga, Australian Open 2012

And speaking of too much…a little break from all the purples please, Miss Kvitova!

A close 2nd Prize!

Petra Kvitova, Australian Open 2012

Yeah...maybe it was Adidas taking the lead on the neon-inspired styles this year. It’s a shame we have to purchase heavy-duty sunglasses to get through the 2012 Grand Slam season! Thankfully…he went out early.

3rd Prize!

Fernando Verdasco, Australian Open 2012

HELP WANTED: DESIGNER

Applicant needs to understand complementary color choices, proper fit and overall design. Jelena, go back to Anta, please!! They no doubt have a well-cut, stylish dress in neon pink…

4th Prize!

Jelena Jankovic, Australian Open 2012

While this K-Swiss top fortunately features only a bit of the neon, the overall effect is busy – to the extreme! Are there two designers working for the company this year? We loved the Bryan brothers’ K-Swiss choice – look for them in our “Best-Dressed” feature coming soon!

5th Prize!

Gael Monfils, Australian Open 2012

Australian Open 2012 Tennis Fashion Day 10: Rafael Nadal vs. Roger Federer

2012-01-26T19:24:00.000-08:00

It was one of the most expected matches recently. Tennis fans waited for it even more than for the final of Aussie Open. At last, two legends meet. Rafael Nadal won Roger Federer in 4 sets, and will face Novak Djokovic or Andy Murray in the final. Let's see what Nike has in store for its two main ambassadors.

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, Australian Open 2012

Create Roger Federer's Australian Open 2012 Look

Nike Roger Federer Smash Stripe Tennis Polo - $84	Nike Match Woven Tennis Short - $52

Nike Roger Federer Tennis Jacket - $125	Nike Men's Zoom Vapor 9 Tour Tennis Shoes - $130

Create Rafael Nadal's Australian Open 2012 Look

Nike Men's Rafa Finals Tennis Crew - $68	Nike Rafa Finals Tennis Short - $68

Nike Rafa Finals Dri Fit N98 Tennis Jacket - $95	Nike Air Max Courtballistec 4.3 Tennis Shoes - $130

Wear This, Not That! 2012 Australian Open Fashion

2012-01-25T17:52:00.000-08:00

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi!!! It’s that time again kids – the Australian Open. For some tennis aficionados, it is the BEST time of the year – the start of another Grand Slam season! While we are sure that you are enjoying the action-packed matches, there’s no doubt you have been waiting with baited breath for this year’s Trendy Tennis “Wear This, NOT That – Aussie Open” post! So, without further ado…

WEAR THIS

We LOVE Del Potro’s relaxed (yet put together) style! He always exhibits just the right amount of color paired with neutrals (typically navy) and a touch of bright white. Check out Day 9 of our Aussie Open 2012 Tennis Fashion Review to see how to create Del Potro's Australian Open 2012 look.

NOT THAT

Verdasco usually ROCKS the color, but this time he went just a little too far! It’s a good thing he’s out early…we’re not sure our retinas could have taken another match!

WEAR THIS

Speaking of color…Ms. McCartney has done a wonderful job designing this Performance Tennis Dress – she thinks about skin tone, color (look how beautiful it pairs with the court blue and Miss Wozniacki’s complexion), and fabric – this design features beautiful textural detail.

NOT THAT

Yikes…where to start? This too-bright shade of yellow rarely complements any skin tone, and the accent color clashes with the darker blue courts!

WEAR THIS

If you need something to keep those nasty beads of sweat from your peepers, we love a visor – this one beautifully accents the outfit, and it shields Miss Kirilenko’s eyes from harmful UV rays!

NOT THAT

Doesn’t Miss Kvitova read Wear This NOT That?? We keep finding her in these unattractive headbands with tails – for goodness sake!

P. S. Shoulders back, Petra…but we digress.

WEAR THIS

If you MUST wear a headband, choose one like Serena is wearing here – wide, with a colorful accenting pattern SANS tails!

Coming Soon: Our traditional review of Top Five Best-Dressed Players – 2012 Australian Open!

Australian Open 2012 Tennis Fashion Day 9: Juan Martin Del Potro

2012-01-24T17:18:00.000-08:00

Juan Martin Del Potro lost to Roger Federer just in 3 sets. Was it a revenge dating back to U.S. Open 2009? We can't say for sure... But we are sorry to see Juan Martin go. Not only is he a great player, he also was one of our favorites in terms of fashion on this year's Aussie Open. Check out our Wear This, Not That Australian Open 2012 article to see more.

Juan Martin Del Potro, Australian Open 2012

Create Juan Martin Del Potro's Australian Open 2012 Look

Nike Advantage Geometric Tennis Top - $58	Nike Advantage Woven Tennis Short - $52

Nike Zoom Breathe 2K11 Tennis Shoes - $105	Nike Tennis Swoosh Bandana - $12

Australian Open 2012 Tennis Fashion Day 5: Fila Girls Kim Clijsters, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Vera Zvonareva and Nadia Petrova

2012-01-20T15:55:00.000-08:00

Fila's Australian Open 2012 collection is not in stores yet, but as we see, this season Fila went for both bright combinations with black and yellow and calmer grey-white-pink palette. A couple of surprises here as well - Vera Zvonareva is now with Fila, same as Nadia Petrova (at last she said "good buy" to Ellesse which didn't compliment her with the clothing). So, let's have a look at Fila girls and wait for the clothing to get to the stores.

Kim Clijsters, Australian Open 2012

Svetlana Kuznetsova, Australian Open 2012

Vera Zvonareva, Australian Open 2012

Nadia Petrova, Australia Open 2012

Australian Open 2012 Tennis Fashion Day 4: Andy Roddick and John Isner - Lacoste Fashion

2012-01-19T15:09:00.000-08:00

Lacoste lost (or let go?) some of the players who represented the brand. Samantha Stosur signed with Asics, and Wawrinka went to Yonex. However Lacoste replenished its American representation adding John Isner to its main ambassador Andy Roddick.

It was unexpected that Andy retired in a match with Lleyton Hewitt, but though he was not successful in this year's Australian Open, he released a collection with Lacoste, and the clothing we saw Andy in was actually from Lacoste Andy Roddick signature collection.

Andy Roddick, Australian Open 2012

Create Andy Roddick's Australian Open 2012 Look

Lacoste Andy Roddick Signature Collection Striped Polo - $63.99	Lacoste Mens 7 Diamante Drawstring Shorts - $67.99

Lacoste Men's Truck Cap - $55	Babolat Propulse 3 Men Gray/Green/Blue/White - Tennis Shoes - $109

John Isner, Australian Open 2012

Create John Isner's Australian Open 2012 Look

Lacoste - L!VE S/S Tipped Pique Polo - $61.99	Lacoste Classic Pique Polo Shirt - $79.50

Lacoste Mens 7 Diamante Drawstring Shorts - $67.99	Nike Men's Air Max Courtballistec 3.3 Tennis Shoes Black/Orange/White/Silver - $119.90

Australian Open 2012 Tennis Fashion Day 3: Mardy Fish, Gael Monfils, Kateryna Bondarenko K-Swiss Fashion

2012-01-18T14:01:00.000-08:00

Since two of the K-Swiss ambassadors have already left the tournament (Kateryna Bondarenko lost in the first round to Vania King, and American hope Mardy Fish surprisingly lost to a Colombian Alejandro Falla in the second round), we decided to talk a bit about the K-Swiss Australian Open collection. K-Swiss went for stripes all over the shirts, which actually doesn't look good. All of the outfits look too busy and much worse, than Stripes crews we saw on Mardy Fish earlier this season.

Gael Monfils, Australian Open 2012

Mardy Fish, Australian Open 2012

Kateryna Bondarenko, Australian Open 2012

Don't be surprised that we didn't mention Vera Zvonareva, as she has recently changed her sponsor to Fila, so stay tuned for Fila collection review in the future posts.

Australian Open 2012 Tennis Fashion Day 2: Samantha Stosur

2012-01-17T10:40:00.000-08:00

The biggest shock of the second day of the Aussie Open - Samantha Stosur, U.S. Open 2011 champion and one of the tournament favorites lost in the first round to a young Romanian Solana Cirstea just in two sets... We've seen Samantha after U.S. Open just twice, in Brisbane and Sydney, and noticed that she changed her sponsor from Lacoste to Asics.

Samantha Stosur, Australian Open 2012

Create Samantha Stosur's Australian Open 2012 Look

Asics Court Dress - $60	Asics Women's Gel Resolution 4 - $120

Tifosi Optics - Slope Golf Interchangeable - $60	Babolat New Pure Storm GT Tennis Racquet - $179

Australian Open 2012 Tennis Fashion Day 1: Fernando Verdasco

2012-01-16T11:55:00.000-08:00

The first grand Slam of 2012 has started and while all the sports media review the successes and failures of the players, we continue to talk not only about the performance, but also about style.

One of the biggest surprises of the first day of Australian Open is perhaps the lost of Fernando Verdasco to a young and promising Canadian Bernard Tomic. 19-year old Bernard has just received his first title at Kooyong, an invitational warmup tournament for the Australian Open. After the tough five-set match with Verdasco leading in first two sets, Tomic surprisingly won.

As for Fernando Verdasco's style, in spite of the advertised colors for Fernando Verdasco Aussie Open outfit by Adidas, he opted for more "Spanish" yellow-red color scheme, which was actually too bright. Yes, Fernando is one of very few players who is complimented by bright colors, but sometimes it can be too much... When you feel like it's better to wear sunglasses to continue watching the match, you know that something might be wrong...

Fernando Verdasco, Australian Open 2012

Create Fernando Verdasco's Australian Open 2012 Look

Adidas Men's Adizero Tennis Crew - $60	Adidas Men's AdiZero Bermuda Tennis Shorts - $50

Men's Adidas AdiZero Feather Tennis Shoes - $125	Dunlop Biomimetic 300 Tennis Racquet - $169

Refashioning Your Old Tennis Skirt

2012-01-15T05:31:00.000-08:00

Been rummaging through your closet lately? If you have found several old tennis skirts which you are planning to discard soon, hold on just a minute! You may not have to let go of them just yet. If these skirts are still in good condition but may not be the latest fashion in the tennis world today, you need not get rid of them. You can still make great use of them for your everyday outfits.

All you need to do is to refashion these old tennis skirts in order to give them a new look, so you can use them for going to the mall, hanging out with friends, or even when you have a hot date! Here are some ways on how you can redesign them:

1. Laces and Prints. You can sew on strips of laces or tulle material at the hemline of your old tennis skirts, whether they are stream-lined or pleated. This will give them a more feminine and dainty appearance.

You can also opt to add printed cloths as belts to your plain-colored tennis skirts to give them a unique twist. These can be bright-colored stripes or pastel-colored florals or even denims! It really depends on your fashion sense, and on what kind of outfit you wish to achieve.

2. Embellishments. Try to be creative with your old tennis skirts by adding on buttons, beads, and gemstones of different sizes and shapes. You can even put them together to create unique patterns and figures! You can also choose to sew on ready-made flowers, ribbons, and patches.

3. Layers. You can layer your old tennis skirts to make them longer. You can either sew the next layer to the hemline of your skirt or sew it beneath. Or you may wish to cut first the skirt to a shorter length before adding on new layers. Try adding cloths of similar material and color. You can also opt to use a different color or print for each layer. Your final product should look like a cool peasant skirt which you can use for your stylish casual ensembles.

Enjoy refashioning your old tennis skirts and turning them into creative, stylish skirts which you can use for casual get-ups and even for semi-formal ensembles!

Weird Tennis Outfits You Should Avoid

2012-01-14T07:11:00.000-08:00

Being stylish on the tennis courts takes a good fashion sense to pull it off well. You may sometimes get too excited over how an outfit looks like without realizing that this is not really appropriate for playing tennis and may appear too outlandish and weird when worn during a game. Or you may get carried away, thinking that the tennis event is your fashion ramp. This may not work out either. Hence, you have to maintain a certain balance when choosing your tennis outfits.

Here are several weird tennis outfits that you should avoid:

1. When you are playing tennis, you should still look like you were made up for this game instead of looking like you are about to go to a rock concert. Remember that your tennis ensembles should still be suitable for playing. Thus, denims and studded outfits are a definite no-no!

2. Again, suitability is the number one consideration. Even though being experimental with tennis outfits sometimes works, you will have to determine which materials and clothes can match a regular tennis ensemble. The cover-up shown below, for instance, looks really off. It seems gruesome by itself, and is even more horrible with the tennis get-up.

3. Wearing long-sleeved tennis tops is not unglamorous by itself. However, in the picture below, the top is really unflattering and is truly a bad match for the pastel-colored feminine-looking ruffled tennis skirt.

4. Always check how an outfit fits you. Remember that you will be making all kinds of moves out there on the court. Hence, a tiny playsuit like this one can really be unflattering for your figure because of its very short cut and baggy top. A true-blue mismatch, you will certainly attract attention you do not want with such a weird tennis outfit!

With the given examples above, you now have an idea about the different types of tennis outfits you should avoid. Even if it is not exactly the same or even close to the ones above, you were still able to get a feel of the things you should stay away from when it comes to tennis fashion. And because the outfits shown were actually worn by the pros, at least you now realize as well that following the fashion sense of these great players is not the way to go. It is better to create your own fashion statement--- one that suits your own personality and style.