March 31, 2008
March Monthly Round-up
It was in with the old and in with the new this past month. Yes, I said "in" with the new, not "out," because there were a lot of great retro tennis items such as the Puma Guillermo Vilas GV Special, the adidas Tournament Pack, and the beginning of what appears to be a string of McEnroe/Borg spoofs. But there was plenty new to see as well, including the Spring Nike lines for Sharapova, Serena, Federer and Nadal.
Retro Tennis
More adidas Stan Smith styles - Sleek & Superstar Vintage
Vintage Tennis Fridays - adidas Tennis Pro
Adidas Tournament Edition Forest Hills
Vintage Tennis Thursdays? Perforated Stan Smith II
Vintage Tennis Wednesdays? Roddick Sports Vintage Lacoste for Photo Shoot
Vintage Tennis Fridays: Nike Air Tech Challenge II, Hot Lava
Vintage Tennis Fridays: McEnroe & Borg in Fake Marc Jacobs Ad
Aaron Krickstein Goes Retro at Outback Tournament
What gives? Puma Guillermo Vilas GV Special not in the US?
adidas Tournament Pack brings the tennis classics back!
Vintage Tennis Fridays: Ilie "Nasty" Nastase
Vintage Tennis Fridays: GrassCourt.com
New Spring Apparel
Serena Williams Nike Apparel for Spring
Nadal's Nike Gear for the French Open
Another Possible Nike French Open Dress for Sharapova
Federer's Nike Apparel for the Spring Season
Nike previews Sharapova's French Open threads
Tennis Deals
Balle de Match Women's Cap Sleeve Shirt on Sale
$20 off K-Swiss & Wilson Tennis Shoes for Spring
Superb Deals Going On at RacketMan.com
Tennis Grips on Sale - Head, Gamma, Prince, Tournagrip & more
Spring Tennis Buyer's Guide
Great Deals on Fischer Tennis Racquets
Deal Alert: $10 off adidas, K-swiss, Wilson tennis shoes
Products of the Pros
Janko Tipsarevic breaks out the breathing strip again
Maria Sharapova Ad Campaign Photos for Tag Heuer
Djokovic wins Pacific Life Open at Indian Wells
Ivanovic Wins Pac Life Open at Indian Wells
Ivan Ljubicic get custom racquet from Head, shoes from Li Ning
Bonderenkos sport K-Swiss threads at Pac Life Open
Maria Sharapova ties on OTZ Band Dampeners
Serena Williams helps HP launch limited edition laptops
Bethanie Mattek sports a retro tennis look
New Proshop Items at AndyRoddick.com
Periwinkle Blue, Sergio Tacchini shirt donned by Flavia Pennetta
Tennis Ball Machines, Hoppers, etc.
Lobster Elite 2 Ball Machine
Easter Baskets...Tennis Style
The I-SAM Model 1
Playmate Super Deluxe Tennis Ball Mower on Sale
The Tennis Tutor Ball Machine
Tennis Fashion & Apparel
TraciBag Tennis Bags - Racquet Bags with an Animal Attraction
Stella McCartney / adidas Tennis Dress
dTL Women's Tennis Apparel - Fashion Meets Function
Tacchini Does Turquoise
Lacoste Celebrates 75 Years with Spring/Summer 2008 Collection
Tennis News & Views
Prince Sport, Inc. - President of Prince Americas Doug Fonte Retires
Fila & Wimbledon Partner Up for Five Years
Thorlo gets consumers in on their marketing
HEAD Pros Continue to Win on WTA and ATP Tours
HEAD/Penn to Continue as Sponsor of Beach Tennis USA
24hTennis.com Launches Social Network for Tennis
Tennis Racquet Shipments up 42%
Luxilon and The Sony Ericsson Open Extended Their Partnership on a Multi-Year Basis
Tennis Shoes
Wilson Open II - Lighter, Cooler, and Redder (is that a word?)
Fila Alpha Wimbledon shoe
K-Swiss uses tennis babes to sell sneakers
Tennis Accessories
Don't miss your court time with the adiStar GT Midsize Watch
Dunlop & Fischer Tennis Backpacks
Tennis Racquets
New Georgio Armani Tennis Racquet from Babolat
Random Tennis Stuff
Tennis Balls can help your clothes dryer work better.
Novak Djokovic Yo-Yo
Tennis Ball Chair
March 31, 2008
March 31, 2008
Don't miss your court time with the adiStar GT Midsize Watch
I'm not personally a watch-wearer on the court, but if you are, this is a good option. Stylish, sporty and lightweight. The adistar GT features a digital dial with 100-lap memory, shadow race mode, enhanced interval timer, touch sensor plate/button, world time mode and race calculator functions. It has digital movement and is water resistant to 100 meters. The strap is a black and sliver polyurethane with a polycarbonate and aluminum case. Styles are available for both men and women.
Check out the adistar GT watch here.
From Daily Racquet
March 31, 2008
Serena Williams Nike Apparel for Spring
We're digging the "conservative and feminine look" that Serena Williams is sporting with this season's NIke threads. Nice colors, clean design, classic looks with understated detailing. And the bow on the shoulder really caps off the look.
Check out Serena's Nike Volley Top in Lilac and Rally Skirt
From Tennis Served Fresh
March 29, 2008
Tennis Balls can help your clothes dryer work better.
Check out this "life hack" - putting tennis balls in your dryer to speed up and fluff up the laundry. Just toss a few in the dryer. Lifehacker notes some dissent in the idea, though, from "The Laundry Alternative" website:
"Some manufacturers recommend putting new tennis balls in the dryer to keep the down from clumping. However, the Soap and Detergent Association does not recommend this practice. The neon dye on the tennis ball could transfer to the down-filled item, or the tennis ball might not be able to withstand the heat. To avoid clumping, it is safer to periodically remove the item and shake vigorously. Adding clean, dry towels to the dryer load can also help."
Need tennis balls? Click here.
From Lifehacker; image from Life Hackery
More adidas Stan Smith styles - Sleek & Superstar Vintage
Two new color-ways for the ever-evolving Stan Smith line - the Sleek and Superstar Vintage.
"The upper (of the Sleek) is composed of Brown leather, gold accents and brown satin. A very stylish and modern look. The Vintage Superstar which featured a vintage styled heel cap and a Black suede upper."
Interesting side point, adidas will also be selling matching apparel for the Vintage model.
Read more of WATR's coverage of Stan Smith sneakers:
Vintage Tennis Fridays - Stan Smiths
Stan Smith II - Camo
adidas Tournament Pack brings the tennis classics back!
Vintage Tennis Thursdays? Perforated Stan Smith II
Check out Stan Smiths of all styles here.
From SneakerFiles
March 28, 2008
Balle de Match Women's Cap Sleeve Shirt on Sale
Balle de Match Women's Capfull Cap Sleeve
This is a classic cut shirt, with the Balle de Match edge - so its not stuffy or up-tight.
UV 40+. 90% poly, 10% lycra with Yip-Dry.
For $24.99, its a great shirt for the Spring tennis season.
Janko Tipsarevic breaks out the breathing strip again
Think breathing strips can help your game? Then check them out here.
From Tennis Served Fresh
(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Vintage Tennis Fridays - adidas Tennis Pro
The adidas Tennis Pro was originally designed for sand courts, believe it or not. This model was launched in 1979 for professional tennis players. It comes with leather upper that features extensive forefoot perforation and rubber outsole with pimpled pattern.
Check out the adidas Tennis Pro here.
Wilson Open II - Lighter, Cooler, and Redder (is that a word?)
It's about time in our opinion that Wilson gets a little more stylish with their kicks. They have one of the highest quality tennis shoes, but they always look so plain. The Open II is one of the best lightweight, cushioned, and breathable shoes around. We love the red, its time to make a non-white tennis shoe statement that isn't black.
"The direct-injected TPU Quarter Stable Wrap keep feet stable when moving laterally, important for the advanced player having to make quick changes of direction. Dual layer toe protection with Duratex adds durability while the 360 degree ventilation and perforated EVA sockliner help keep your feet cool."
Check out the Wilson Open II here.
From Daily Racquet
Fila Alpha Wimbledon shoe
Just two days ago we posted about the Fila/Wimbledon partnership. Today, thanks to Tennis Served Fresh, we have learned about the Fila Alpha Wimbledon shoe and some new tidbits about the partnership. Some details about the partnership:
- The hard court shoes will be worn by the ball crew, the court covers, and all staffers of the Wimbledon Shop. Line judges are not included in this group.
- The grass court version of the shoe will be worn by all British players sponsored by Fila.
- Since this is only a footwear license, Polo Ralph Lauren will continue to outfit all the officials and staff. From the looks of the shoe, the two companies' products will find a way to beautifully coexist for the fortnight.
(photo courtesy of Fila)
March 27, 2008
Novak Djokovic Yo-Yo
The Pac Life champ just launched his official product line in partnership with adidas. This is our favorite, the Nole Yo-Yo. The products will all be sold via his website.
Image from novak-djokovic.com, heads up from Down the Line
Adidas Tournament Edition Forest Hills
We touched on the adidas Tournament Edition line back on March 13, telling you about the release of the adidas tennis shoe models that we based on the originals worn by tennis legends when they were competing. The first pair seems to have hit the market - the Forrest Hills (the namesake of a past site of the US Open). Premium white leather, metallic gold and a kelly green mid-sole with a suede toe cap.
Thank you SneakerFiles!
Nadal's Nike Gear for the French Open
It looks like greens and olive khaki's for the world's #2 (#3 if Nolo keeps it up). As usual, it will be the Nike Dri-Fit Sublimated Sleeveless shirt and the Dri-Fit Capri (capris being something we're still on the fence about). On the footwear, Nada will be in the Nike Air Max Breathe Cage II in classic green/white/black metallic. And the obligatory wrist and headbands.
From Down the Line (images via tt.tenniswarehouse.com)
Vintage Tennis Thursdays? Perforated Stan Smith II
Classic, clean Stan Smiths, an icon of the sneaker world. This time with tan highlights and perforation everywhere, adding a little interest to the otherwise simple looking shoe. If you want these kicks, SneakerFiles says they'll be available soon at adidas Original retailers.
Maria Sharapova Ad Campaign Photos for Tag Heuer
Here is one of the stills from the new Tag Heuer ad campaign with Maria Sharapova. In this pic she's holding her Prince O3 Speedport Pro White.
If you want to see all the photos, click here.
From Tennis Served Fresh, all photos from Fantasticus
March 26, 2008
Prince Sport, Inc. - President of Prince Americas Doug Fonte Retires
Doug Fonte Retires...This Time Permanently!
Bordentown, NJ - March 26, 2008 - In the spring of 2005 Doug Fonte came out of retirement to help rebuild the Prince brand in the United States. A little more than a year later he added responsibility for Canada and Latin America and took on the title of President - Prince Americas. His timing was wonderful.
Prince had just launched O3 - the Company's award-winning racquet technology - and was in the early stages of its rebirth.
Today, with Prince on a positive upward path, he is going back into retirement, effective May 1, 2008.
"This time it's permanent" Fonte said. "Getting back in the tennis industry, contributing to the revival of Prince, working with George Napier (the Prince Chairman and CEO) and the terrific Prince team over the past three years has been a lot of fun and very rewarding, but now is the right time to let a younger generation take the company to the next level. Our brand is in great shape, we have several exciting new products and growth initiatives, either in the pipeline or underway, and the team is fully engaged."
Commenting on Doug's retirement, and the future, Napier said "Doug's a strong competitor, a clear thinker, and a good friend. Working with him the past three years has been really good for our team and a privilege for me. Although Doug is leaving his management role, he will stay connected to Prince as a consultant - through 2009 - and as a Prince ambassador to several organizations including the Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education Center (AAYTE) in Philadelphia and the International Tennis Hall of Fame."
Napier went on to thank Fonte for his contributions and leadership and wished him much happiness in retirement. "I'm expecting to get a few more strokes when we play golf," Napier said.
As for the future, Napier commented, "I fully expect to fill Doug's role when the time is right. In the meanwhile I'm proud of the team we have in place at Prince - they are a terrific group of managers and leaders - and I'm looking forward to working directly with each of them...hopefully contributing something to their on-going, tireless pursuit of making Prince the best sporting goods company on the planet."
About Prince Sports
Prince Sports, Inc., based in New Jersey, is a recognized leader in game-improvement technologies and engineering-based, high-performance sports equipment. Since 1970, Prince and Ektelon have revolutionized tennis, squash and racquetball with innovations including "Oversize," "Longbody" and "Extender" racquet technologies, Natural Foot Shape footwear technology, Synthetic Gut String and Electronic Ball Machines. In 2005 the Company introduced its O Tech platform building the brand with O3 Original (2005), O3 Hybrid (2006) and O3 Speedport (2007) racquets which give players speed, stability and a larger sweet spot. Since then, the Company has licensed, under the O Tech trademark, its award winning O Technology to leading brands in other sports as a product performance booster. In 2006, Prince introduced M Series footwear with Precision Tube Technology, and in 2007, Prince introduced AeroTech apparel, an advanced technology based fabric system, designed specifically for players. Most recently, Prince added Viking Athletics, the leader in platform and paddle tennis, to its existing portfolio of racquet sports brands. Prince Sports has operations on three continents and distribution in over 100 countries. For more information, please visit www.princesports.com.
Fila & Wimbledon Partner Up for Five Years
Vintage Tennis Wednesdays? Roddick Sports Vintage Lacoste for Photo Shoot
Check out other Lacoste gear.
From Down The Line
March 25, 2008
Another Possible Nike French Open Dress for Sharapova
We just looked at what we thought might be Maria Sharapova's Nike French Open threads. We saw this number onTennis Served Fresh...could this be the one instead?
Federer's Nike Apparel for the Spring Season
You can't cover Sharapova's new nike threads without also talking about Federer's, so here we go. I don't know where Down The Line digs this stuff up, but it never fails to impress, so thank you.
Looks like Fed will be sporting the Nike Sphere React Cool Polo in white + dark obsidian and the Dri-Fit Control Short in black for the Sony Ericsson Open.
For the European clay-court season, it will be the Sphere React Cool Polo in blue chill.
And the really interesting possibility, a lilac (yes, lilac) polo for Roland Garros.
From Down the Line
March 24, 2008
Nike previews Sharapova's French Open threads
From Tennis Served Fresh
Continue reading: 
