Tennis Babes
May 13, 2008
Kournikova re-launches website/social network
Anna Kournikova and SportsMates, Inc., a sports social network, today announced the relaunch of Kournikova.com, Anna's official website. Visit Kournikova.com
March 27, 2008
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 19, 2008
Bonderenkos sport K-Swiss threads at Pac Life Open
Alona and Katerina Bonderenko, both sporting their K-Swiss threads at the Pacific Life Open this week at Indian Wells. Unfortunately, Alona lost to Maria Sharapova in the fourth round, and Katerina lost early as well. But they are in the doubles action.
Check out Alona's top, the K-Swiss Empire Seam Top here.
Check out Katerina's dress, the K-Swiss Racerback Dress here.
Photo by Antonio Bernal via Tennis Served Fresh
March 1, 2008
K-Swiss uses tennis babes to sell sneakers
Yep, that's right, they use them to sell sneakers...how dare they! Just kidding, tennis babes have been around since tennis began, its about time someone made some hay with that fact. Now, the blog posts (here and here) were so wooed by the eye candy that they didn't see the shoes. They didn't see that Alona Bondarenko (shown above) is shown wearing the K-Swiss Classic.
OK, now that we've established that we DID notice the shoes, we have to go and stare at this ad...
From hypermediate
January 14, 2008
Sharapova goes white, not tan, in the land of Oz
We've been following the "drama" around Maria Sharapova's Nike, Australian Open dress for the last week or two, thanks to DownTheLine. Now, the rumors are over and we're seen Sharapova officially in action. A clean, classic dress...not the tan, somewhat unflattering dress we've seen lurking around. Nice work Nike.
Read more about Sharapova's Aussie Open apparel on What's All The Racquet:
Did Nike let Hantuchova wear Sharapova's signature threads?
More on Maria Sharapova's Oz Open Nike dresses
Maria Sharapova Australian Open Outfits - FIRST LOOK
(images via AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
January 11, 2008
Player Profile: Ashley Harkleroad
Ashley Harkleroad (born May 2, 1985), is an American tennis player. Born in Rossville, Georgia, Harkleroad reached a career-high ranking of No. 39 on June 9, 2003. As of November 19, 2007, she is ranked 67 in singles and 88 in doubles, as well as 89 in the Race to the Sony Ericsson Championships. Her career prize money to date is $848,426. Ashley Harkleroad turned pro on June 12, 2000, and was quickly "billed" as the next American tennis superstar. Her debut was at the ITF tournament in Largo, Florida, in 1999. The following year she played her first WTA qualifying event in Miami, Florida and her first Grand Slam at the U.S. Open. In 2001, she returned to the same events while improving her status on the ITF Circuit. In 2002 she won her first tour matches, reaching the second round at San Diego, Hawaii, and Bratislava, where she made her first doubles semi-final with partner Maria Emilia Salerni. She ended 2002 in the top 200 for the first time. More at wikipedia
Ashley Harkleroad's Gear:
Racquet: Babolat New Pure Drive
Apparel: adidas Tennis Apparel
Shoes: Adidas ClimaCool Divine II
January 9, 2008
Isner & Jankovic to Swing the New Prince O3 Speedport White at Oz Open
The Oz Open is less than a week away, and we've already made some posts about what we'll be seeing the players wearing and playing. We've learned some new news - that 6'9" American John Isner and No. 3 ranked Serbian Jelena Jankovic will both be swinging the new O3 Speedport White. It is clear that the design and feel of Prince’s new racquet is clearly appealing to a wide range of elite players on the pro tours.
From a Prince spokesperson:
It is interesting and rare to have two completely different player body-types, with very different styles of play, both responding to the same frame and a further testament to the increasing popularity and universal appeal of O3 racquet technology.
Here is the press release:
Bordentown, NJ – January 9, 2008 – One is 6’9”, routinely fires off serves in the 140’s and is one of the most promising up-and- comers on the men’s tour. The other is a slender, consistent baseliner ranked #3 in the world who has her sights set on reaching #1. Two very different body types with very different styles of play, yet next week, at the first Grand Slam of 2008, American John Isner and Serbian Jelena Jankovic will both be carrying the same racquet in their bags - the O3 Speedport White.
As with many other ATP and WTA touring pros, the benefits of the O3 Speedport White were undeniable for Isner and Jankovic. Both knew immediately after playtesting it that it was the frame they needed to take their games to the next level.
“The fact that both John and Jelena - players with completely different playing styles and physical attributes - responded immediately to the benefits of this racquet, is remarkable, and very unique,” said Linda Glassel, Vice President of Marketing for Prince. “The response that the O3 Speedport White is generating from elite level, knowledgeable players is further testament to the universal appeal O3 technology has among a broad range of players.”
With the introduction of the O3 Speedport White, Prince expands its increasingly popular Speedport series, continuing its approach of providing players with frames that are proven to succeed on Tour. The racquet incorporates features that serious players are looking for in their racquets and is available in two string patterns, the O3 Speedport White (16 x 19) and the O3 Speedport Pro White (18 x 19) for players wanting a racquet with a denser string pattern.
Isner, will go with the 16 x 19 open string pattern of the O3 Speedport White. He had used the O3 White - the continued racquet choice of Maria Sharapova and many others - to capture the 2007 NCAA championship for the University of Georgia and reach the third round of his first-ever US Open last summer,.
“Making the switch was an easy choice for me,” said Isner. “I love the O3 White, but I wanted, and got, a little extra racquet speed with the Speedport White. It has a very comfortable, solid hitting feel allowing me to really hit out, but also put great touch and spin on shots when I need to. I am very impressed with its composition and overall feel and am pumped up to head into my first full year on tour with this racquet.”
Jankovic, who wanted a little more pop on her serve and groundstrokes, and who previously played the O3 Red and playtested the Ozone Seven, wanted the denser string pattern of the O3 Speedport Pro White.
“It is funny to think that I am using the same racquet as a guy who is 6’9”, and hits serves and groundstrokes as hard as John does, but I am not surprised,” said Jankovic. “It is such a great frame with exceptional weight and balance and provides incredible control and racquet speed, that I am sure the decision for John was as easy as it was for me. It is rare that a racquet can appeal to so many types of players, but I think this is one of those instances and I know there are already a number of players with this in their bag.”
Both the O3 Speedport White and Pro White, along with Prince’s other new Tour Proven frames, the Ozone Tour and Pro Tour are currently available wherever Prince racquets are sold. Below please find additional information on the specs of the O3 Speedport White and Pro White. For more information on all Prince products, or news on John Isner, Jelena Jankovic or any other Team Prince players, check out www.princetennis.com.
Check out Prince Speedport Products here
Read our other posts about Prince's O3 and Speedport products
January 8, 2008
Jankovic keeping it short and sweet with Reebok
OK...you know we often look to DownTheLine to provide us with the latest in tennis fashion assessment. But in a recent post regarding short shorts, we respectfully disagree... :) Hey, I agree its not proper pro tennis wear. But neither are the sleeveless shirts which show off the guns of Nadal, Haas and Blake. So as long as the proper apparel is out the window, why not have the short shorts for the fellas?
Rbk Women's Statement Stretch Knit Short
Rbk Women's T-Back Tank
Reebok Tennis Women's Match Point
(images via AP)
Sharapova Gold Collection of Prince bags to debut in Oz
Prince is launching the Sharapova Gold Collection of bags - which will debut next week during Sharapova's first round match at the 2008 Australian Open. We've grabbed a first look at one of the bags, and have the full press release below:
Maria Sharapova Goes Gold Down Under
World’s Most Recognizable Female Athlete to Launch New On-Court Bag Collection at Australian Open
Bordentown, NJ – January 8, 2008 – 2008 is an Olympic year and Maria Sharapova already has her mind set on gold. Next week, when the sports world watches the 20 year-old tennis superstar take to the court for her first round match at the Australian Open, she will be debuting, over her shoulder, the first piece from her new Sharapova Gold Collection of bags. Designed by Maria, and produced in partnership with Prince, the Sharapova Gold Collection will unite cutting-edge and top quality design features with stunning and luxurious aesthetics never seen before in a bag collection.
“I absolutely love working with Prince and had the best time taking this collection from initial drawings to final product,” said Sharapova from Melbourne. “First, they are supreme quality tennis bags and totes designed specifically to meet the needs of players. Second, they are gold and who doesn’t love gold? It is always in style and these bags look fantastic when they are over the shoulder or in your hand.”
Aside from being both a Wimbledon and US Open champion and the world’s most recognizable female athlete, Sharapova is also establishing herself as an international fashion icon and respected designer. Her unmatched understanding of player needs and keen fashion sense combined with Prince’s obsession with delivering the most innovative, performance-driven equipment, resulted in a world-class line of bags, available in a six-pack, triple, tote, mini tote and backpack.
“In my opinion, players should head to the court with equipment that not only delivers in terms of quality and design, but also looks great,” said Sharapova. “This collection accomplishes both and I am excited to unveil the first piece when I take the court next week in Melbourne.”
Made primarily of heavy-duty gold nylon, the outside of the bags also feature accents of black in the strap and quilted black patent leather for the Prince logo.
“Maria is the rare combination of someone who pays close attention to the intricacies of performance equipment and also has a trend-setting sense of style and fashion,” said Linda Glassel, Vice President of Marketing and Brand Image for Prince. “She helped usher in the future of racquet design with O3 technology, and always has her finger on the pulse of the fashion world. With this collection, she has once again shown her abilities in both areas and it couldn’t be more perfect that we are launching it during an Olympic year, when gold is on everyone’s mind, including Maria’s.”
The Sharapova Gold Collection will be available internationally beginning in March wherever Prince tennis products are sold with suggested retail prices ranging from $50 - $120US.
Visit www.princesports.com.
Browse Prince Racquets
Browse Prince Bags
Browse other Prince products.
Did Nike let Hantuchova wear Sharapova's signature threads?
Looks like Nike may have pulled a switcheroo on the dress we previously thought Maria Sharapova was going to wear in the Australian Open (Maria Sharapova's Oz Open Nike dresses). Daniela Hantuchova was wearing the dress at the Medibank International Aussie warm-up event. It looks like it gauzy, which is causing it to stick when it gets sweaty. I don't think Hantuchova or Sharapova want to turn the Oz Open into a wet t-shirt contest...although who would complain??
From DownTheLine
January 6, 2008
Even more new women's tennis apparel on the pro tour
We have some more pics from DowntheLine from the Hopman cup, this time featuring Venus Williams and Elena Dementieva:
And Serena Williams in 2 outfits:
If you'd prefer the wife-beater look Serena's sporting above click here for the plain 'ole white undershirt tank top
.
Yonex Women's Summer Skirt and Tank Combo
Yonex Women's Summer Polo
Yonex Ladies Summer Dress
Yonex Ladies Fall Dress
January 5, 2008
January 3, 2008
More on Maria Sharapova's Oz Open Nike dresses
We showed you some sketches of Sharapova's dresses for the Australian Open on 12/20/07, but thanks to DownTheLine we have the real thing.
The first pic is likely the day match dress, and the slightly more formal, pleated dress is likely for night matches.
Maria Sharapova Australian Open Outfits - FIRST LOOK
From DownTheLine
January 2, 2008
Sharapova's Fashion Hangover
DownTheLine caught some pics of Maria Sharapova at the JB Group Classic in Hong Kong. Sharapova won, but we're really not interested in that. What we're interested in is the weird outfit. What's up with the leggings? It just looks like a practice outfit, not tournament match wear. If you buy a ticket to see Sharapova play, you want dresses, skirts and sleeveless shirts dammit!
From DownTheLine
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