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2012-01-27T15:47:16-05:00

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Novak Djokovic. Stick and Style at the Australian Open 2012.

2012-01-26T13:26:35-05:00

Novak Djokovic kicked off the 2012 season with new tennis fashion from Sergio Tacchini. No change in stick however; his HEAD Youtek IG Speed MP racket has certainly served him well. The polo's colors (on white base for day, black base for night) are inspired by the Serbian flag which also appears in a heart at the lower left shirt hem. The shirt also comes in navy and as a crew. ST designers tell me that the digital prints (that look to me like art created by a fast paint soaked jump rope) are an artistic interpretation of the dynamic nature of tennis, the force of a ball strike and the Serb's explosive energy. Explosive. Perfect word for Novak's game. If anyone can prove that a line moves and breathes with you without any hindrence it's Djokovic. No question in the claim that the line here is ergonomic. No ST distribution in the US at this time. Find a HEAD racket retailer at HEAD or test drive though Tennis-Warehouse. Novak's apparel is available at Sergio Tacchini.

10 tennis players make Bloomberg/Businessweek top 100. 4 Men, 6 Women.

2012-01-26T13:17:19-05:00

The 2012 Power 100 ranking of the most powerful professional athletes in the U.S was just released by Bloomberg/Businessweek. Ten tennis players made the cut: #5 Rafael Nadal, #6 Roger Federer, #9 Novak Djokovic, #25 Serena Williams, #33 Maria Sharapova, #40 Caroline Wozniacki, #80 Andy Murray, #83 Petra Kvitova, #93 Venus Williams, and #96 Victoria Azarenka. The three in the top ten follow some of the biggest names in sports including Drew Brees (#1), Tom Brady, and LeBron James. Analytics used evaluated more than 3,000 athletes across a variety of sports, with 50 percent based on "off-field" measurements and 50 percent on "on-field" performance. See the slide-show plus full info on contracts etc. at Bloomberg/BusinessWeek. Image ©GettyImages

Stanislas Wawrinka and Bernard Tomic choose YONEX.

2012-01-25T09:26:07-05:00

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.

Vera Zvonareva moves to Fila. Kim Clijsters and Svetlana Kuznetsova renew contracts.

2012-01-24T09:33:58-05:00

You may have noticed. Vera Zvonareva has joined team Fila and she looks damn good in her inaugural choices in Australia. “I have admired the Fila brand since I was a young girl and I am thrilled to join the elite group of athletes that have worn Fila throughout the years,” said Zvonareva. “The...brand aligns so well with my personal style...” Pictured on Vera is the Fila Winter Collezione Racer tank, $50 in a super flattering platinum color with black and white accents and coordinating Collezione Petal Skort, $48. The built in undershorts are platinum. Heavy sweaters, consider the white or black base in this top. For those who love the look but want more upper leg coverage, go with the Flounce Skort (in black or white) which is an inch longer with no peek-a-boo. Fila has also announced extended endorsement agreements with long-time WTA champions Kim Clijsters and Svetlana Kuznetsova, two of my favs! Find it at Fila, Tennis-Warehouse and tennis retailers worldwide.

Tomas Berdych refuses match-end handshake. Prompts question.

2012-01-23T13:36:33-05:00

The hand-shake refusal. In the heat of the moment, whatever the circumstances, is it right not to shake hands if a match was played fairly? Probably hurt like hell getting hit by Almagro's drive but it happens if players are aggressive and the receiver is not quick enough to defend. Big talented boy lost his cool and still managed to win a really tight one (that's interesting actually). File this one under not appropriate. Are there circumstances where a hand-shake refusal is appropriate however? Multiple blatantly bad calls, using purposeful distracting behavior? Your thoughts?

Feliciano Lopez. Now available in Wilson.

2012-01-23T10:39:22-05:00

Although Feliciano Lopez is out of the Australian Open I'm happy to note (albeit belatedly) that the Spaniard is now wearing Wilson. I'm certainly not saying he looked bad in Joma (not possible) but boo for us, the brand was not available in much of the world. Pictured here during an early round AO win, Lopez wears the hot looking new Wilson Laser Speed Crew (check out the back) and Laser Speed Short, white with orange blaze and pool. His shoes are Wilson Tour Ikon. Stick? Juice 100. Best of all, the line is available worldwide. Have to say, some designers are going way to nuts with all over prints these days. This one is a keeper. More love for Feliciano Lopez here. Find a retailer at Wilson or buy soon at Tennis-Warehouse and tennis retailers worldide.

What the hey is a Nike+ FuelBand?

2012-01-20T17:08:32-05:00

Anyone interested in sports has likely seen some form of promo for Nike's new FUELBAND. I found this video that pretty well sums it up. Very cool, very easy. I'm predicting lots of stair-taking and amped up activity around the office and at the gym. The more you move, the more fuel you earn/burn. Available for preorder now at NikeStore, $149. Check specifications on system requirements before ordering. Would you use it? Please leave a comment below.

Rafael Nadal's Australian Open Court Style by Nike

2012-01-20T16:48:45-05:00

And so we turn to Rafael Nadal's look at Australian Open 2012. If you've been watching you've noticed, more super bright. The tennis fashion gods must be trying to awaken us from the recession. I like the shoulder details on this tennis shirt though, modern day epaulets for the commander, $68 (Hey it's got the bull logo so no griping lol). No sew seams on the shoulders mean no chafing. The color is good on someone with a darker skin tone. It's called the Spring Rafa Finals crew. Did someone tell Nike something we ought to be betting on? White, long (23" inseam on the large) loose fitting "Finals" shorts in white, $68. No drawstring here, a hook and bar closure insures a sleek line. Nadal wears his shirts tight, no lumps allowed. The RAFA N98 jacket is right, $95. Nadal's shoe is the Nike Air Court Ballistec 4.3. Find it all at Nike, Tennis-Warehouse and tennis retailers worldwide.

New Nike Maria Sharapova collection dress packs a punch in Australia.

2012-01-19T14:52:49-05:00

Neon accents pack a punch and are one of fashion's hottest looks for spring. This is one beautiful, on-trend and functional tennis dress. I love the fresh energy the electric green accents add to what truly is the most sensible color under the hot sun, white. Slash like cuts have been made at each side of the dress and across the back with breathable mesh added underneath as functional contrast. The look is super fitted and somewhat futuristic. The dress is $130 and comes with a supportive (read useful) built in bra. You will need to buy shorties, $28 in the matching green. If you prefer separates, check out the Sharapova collection Statement Slam tank and skort which also work the white and green but you will lose the cut outs and those I like. Can't see them here but Sharapova is wearing the Nike Lunar Speed 3 womens shoe, $130, pictured below, lightweight flywire which ride close to the ground. And FINALLY, for those who want the complete look, Nike has made and sent to market a visor to match Maria's dress! Not just for Maria anymore. It's a good one too, black under brim to cut glare. The only way to go with a visor or hat. Find it at Nike, Tennis Warehouse or tennis retailers worldwide.