VIDEO VAULT: Serena Williams has an espresso with her bagel at the Hopman Cup

Hello 2015! I may be up and ready for the New Year, but the same can't be said for Serena Williams. The top lady baller is in Perth, Australia, for the Hopman Cup where she's teaming up with John Isner. She was facing off against Flavia Pennetta when the Italian fed her a bagel in the first set. That's when ReRe decided she needed to kick it up a notch, so she did what any of us would do - she ordered an on-court espresso. Personally, I would've gone for a triple shot mocha with whipped cream. Delish.

PHOTO OP: The 2014 China Open Player Party

The China Open Player Party has come a long way. So long traditional garb, hello sometimes questionable fashion choices. But I have to say, for the most part [SPOILER ALERT] these looks aren't screaming, "Wait, what the hell were you, or your stylist, thinking?!"

It's safe to say our ballers have come a long way, too.

THE GUYS

Novak Djokovic. The Serb usually goes for relatively safe, classic looks for these events and this outfit is no exception. First of all, I love the blue, but Nole's bordering ever so slightly on game show host here.

Rafael Nadal. I wasn't kidding when I said they've come a long way, especially Rafa. Back in the day, he would never show up wearing anything that actually fit him well. That's no longer the case. Aside from the slicked back hair, I think he looks quite good here.

Tomas Berdych. I'm not a huge fan of denim made to be distressed. I much prefer either raw denim or denim that has been distressed naturally and over time. In this case, Big Berd's jeans give his look some edge and make it less conservative than Rafa's. As we've seen on-court with his H&M kits, the Czech isn't afraid to be bold.

THE LADIES

 

Serena Williams. She dares to be different and this striking dress is no exception. It's certainly in the theme of the evening. But if ReRe's trying to out-Milos Milos Raonic with her one-sleeve number, SHE WINS.

Ana Ivanovic. I'll keep it short here and say she looks lovely. It feels like, on-court and off, she's coming into her own this year.

 

Caroline Wozniacki. What I just wrote for Ana? Ditto for Woz. Great look.

Simona Halep. If this haircut is a new one, it's fantastic. Plus, the pops of yellow against the simple black dress are just right.

Genie Bouchard. You really can't go wrong with a great pair of jeans, a simple white blouse and black heels, and easy flowing hair. Smart, classic look.

Andrea Petkovic. Head-to-toe black is easy and always looks chic. Petko gives the outfit a little kick with these fantastic shoes.

Heather Watson. Fine, she's still very young as this outfit shows. It's a little casual for this event, in my opinion, but at least she's not trying to look older.

[Photo(s) credit: Getty Images]

Serves them right: Serena Williams, Marin Cilic, and their US Open titles

It’s great to finally be settling into our new digs in LA! The cross-country road trip to get here was spectacular. If you ever get the chance to do it, I highly recommend taking the trip. There are some really mind-numbing spots along the way (I MEAN ALL THAT CORN THOUGH), but overall it's an unforgettable experience.

The varied landscapes that make up America are truly breathtaking. From lush forests and the Great Plains, to high deserts and bustling metropolises, you really get a new appreciation for the US after a trip like this one. The sunrises and sunsets in the Midwest and Southwest truly left us speechless at times.

While on the road I followed along with the scores as best I could (we didn’t always have great reception) and watched some bits of matches, but not much, when we were able to sit still in front of a TV. I did catch the entirety of both finals, which were, if we’re all being completely honest, DUDS. What stood out to me was how the matches were similar in many ways but with one big difference – Serena Williams was going for her 18th major while Marin Cilic was looking for his first. They even played out the same; both ballers started off nervously, making errors and coming under pressure immediately in their first service games. But the one shot that never left them was the serve. As their serve went, so did their games. Once they found their footing and relaxed, they powered past their stunned opponents and straight to the titles.

ReRe, playing against good friend, Caroline Wozniacki, had all the pressure in the world on her shoulders. It had been a terrible season by her standards, not getting past the quarterfinals at any Slam. Plus, she was trying to tie Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova with her 18th major championship. ReRe came in with confidence having lost only once since Wimbledon, and she proceeded to plow her way through the draw. She never lost more than three games in any set and that trend continued in the final where she overwhelmed Woz from the start to reach another milestone in her career. With this type of form, it's hard not to see her reaching number 19 and then some.

Even though ReRe never gave her a chance in the final, Woz will leave New York knowing her game is better now than when she first made the finals and moved into the WTA Penthouse. Her serve is bigger and she has a more aggressive mindset on her returns. I’m still not convinced she’ll win a major in her career, but at least her game is continuing to evolve. It wouldn’t bother me at all if she proved me wrong.

Marin looked every bit the part of a multi-Slam champ. He was self-possessed and in complete control of his mind and game. After pushing aside Roger Federer in the semifinals, he came out for single-minded and extremely focused for the final. Not a hint of frustration betrayed his steely look. This match, tournament, and history were his for the taking – and he took it out on Kei Nishikori with ruthless abandon.

Whether it was the fatigue from his previous battles, the weight of the occasion, or both, the Japanese was a shadow of the baller who knocked out three top 10 seeds, including world number one Novak Djokovic. Even thought he didn’t walk away with the men’s title, Kei at least proved his body could sustain a few epic matches in succession without falling apart. He will need to figure out how to save some energy by shortening early round matches if he wants to compete for major titles.

[Photo(s) credit: Getty Images]

VIDEO VAULT: Serena Williams talks and sings while Roger Federer just talks

Serena Williams loves her some karaoke. It's been well-documented, of course. But I still give her props for getting up on stage at the Delta OPEN Mic event last night in front of actual people and doing her rendition of "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend". Jack Sock, Orange Is The New Black’s Uzo Aduba and Laverne Cox, comedian Kathy Griffin, 30 Rock’s Katrina Bowden, Glee’s Darren Criss, and celebrity fitness trainer Shaun T joined the 17-time Grand Slammer at the party.


Roger Federer sat down with sponsor Wilson to talk about winning Cincinnati, his new racquet, and a little about his pre-match routine which includes not missing the match. His words. Swear.

FASHION FIX: Nike US Open looks for Serena, Sharapova, and Azarenka

Along with the duds Nike unveiled for their boys, the sportswear giant released images and information on what their lady ballers will be wearing at the US Open. It seems like they're trying to go for some eye-catching, chatter-inducing styles for Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, and Victoria Azarenka this year. If that's the case, then it's working.

Yes, you're looking at leopard print for the Serena Dress, the choice for her day matches. They've been teasing the print during the hard-court tune-ups but in a tank-top version. I didn't mind it so much as a one piece of a total kit, but as an entire dress and in THAT color? Hmmmm.

We all know Maria likes to push the on-court fashion envelope from time to time. See Exhibits A, B, and C. I could go on and on but I'll just stop there. She started teasing the idea of making the biker shorts a more prominent part of her kit during her championship run at Roland Garros this year. You could tell the dress' hemline was taken up so they would show better. The Maria Day Tunic takes it to the extreme, ditching the dress style completely for a tunic. Usually, tunics are a bit more roomy to give the silhouette volume on top paired with a slim look on the bottom. Because the top of this kit is skin tight for performance purposes, the Russian just looks like she decided to wear an apron to the court. Perhaps Forbes' highest-paid female athlete on the planet will be taking drink orders on the changeovers.

I won't go too much into Vika's US Open kit because it's very similar to the one she wore in Stanford. The only difference in this particular image, and it's a major one for me, is that they've dropped the MAGICAL SHORTS for the Printed Pleated Woven Skirt. I much prefer the shorts Vika's wearing in the top photo of this post; they've become her trademark. Hopefully she'll bust them out and not this skirt (although on its own I like it).

Here are the duds Maria (left) and ReRe (right) will be wearing for their night matches. Unfortunately, from what I can tell, there's nothing shiny, shimmery, or eye-catching here. Too bad. These kits really could have used some pops of color or something to make them special. I mean, they are for the US Open night matches.

[Photo(s) credit: Nike]

VIDEO VAULT: Del Potro back hitting backhands, Raonic practicing with Serena and Nestor

There were a couple of videos that made the rounds today and they were pretty noteworthy. The first one shows Juan Martin del Potro hitting backhands. He's basically pushing the ball to protect his surgically repaired left wrist. It's a start. I, personally, can't wait for the BIG LUG to return. #biglugluv y'all.

Milos Raonic was practicing today in Toronto and brought along a couple of friends...Serena Williams and Daniel Nestor.

ReRe tweeted about the practice session afterwards:

Had a fun hit with Daniel Nestor and @milosraonic today. I tried to hang in there. Hope I did ok! 👍
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) July 24, 2014

[Photo credit: Milos Raonic Facebook page]

WIMBLEDON: Dimitrov downs Murray, William and Kate arrive, and Serena's asleep

I mean, really. What kind of Championships defense was THAT? Andy Murray was completely off his game today and Grigor Dimitrov showed him the door with a 6-1, 7-6(4), 6-2 drubbing in the quarterfinals. I was going to write the Bulgarian “gladly” showed him the door, but, because they’re bros, Grisha was somewhat muted in his post-match point celebration.

Nothing was working for Muzz; his backhand misfired repeatedly and his speed was a non-factor because the 11th seed was quicker off the mark. Grisha seemed to be everywhere, sliding and gliding around the court with ease, and playing like he was the reigning champ. The Bulgarian opened his bag of tricks and clearly confounded the Brit baller from everywhere on the court.

Muzz admitted he was off his game (even Grisha noticed it in the warm up) and was clear on what needs to happen next.

“Today was a bad day from my side,” he said. “I made many mistakes. The younger guys are becoming more mature and improving all the time. I need to take some improvements to my game."

Yes, you do or the British press will NEVER ACCEPT YOU BACK.

Grisha’s now into his first major semifinal where he’ll take on Novak Djokovic. Roger Federer, who defeated his compartriot, Stan Wawrinka, will battle another first-time semifinalist, Milos Raonic. The Canadian ended the exciting run of the Rafa-slaying Aussie, Nick Kyrgios. On the ladies side, Eugenie Bouchard gets Simona Halep, while Petra Kvitova will face off against countrywoman, Lucie Safarova.

OH THE ROYALS WERE HERE THEY DIDN’T LIKE WHAT THEY SAW MUST HAVE BEEN A MUZZ SHOT. (h/t Ben Rothenberg)

Sooooo, there was more strangeness coming from Serena Williams. She posted this photo of her sleeping in front of her laptop with no explanation on her Instagram feed. I guess it means ReRe’s fine, or sleeping a lot, or she was watching the Muzz match and fell out after the first set (understandable). Martina Navratilova, never one to hold back her opinion, jumped into the fray with some words that were one part concern and another part outrage that ReRe was ever let on the court in the first place.

"I find it distressing," she said. "I think virus, whatever they're saying it was, I don't think that was it. I think it's clear that's not the case. I don't know what it is, but I hope Serena will be OK. And most of all, I don't know how she ended up walking onto the court."

Okay, I agree with her if the signs were obvious that ReRe was in such bad shape before heading onto the court. But, if she was walking to the court normally, not speaking to anyone, and got prepared for the warm up, the officials from the WTA and the tournament may not have known to stop it. Obviously, when the top lady baller began serving it became very clear something was wrong and should’ve been called off from that point. Not sure if we’ll ever know what really went on. But until we do, the questions will come.

Other notables: Nick Kyrgios may be gone, but he’s not forgotten. He even left us another ridiculously insane shot to remember him by. Good on ya, mate!

UPDATE: According to Andy Roddick, he texted ReRe to find out how she was doing and she texted back "I'm not well." He also says he's never known a tournament doctor to call a match due to a baller's medical issue. They can give a recommendation but the baller has to make the decision. (h/t 4AllSurfaces)

[Photo(s) credit: Getty Images]

WIMBLEDON: Serena Williams is out and she doesn't even know why

I wouldn’t have believed it if I didn’t see it myself. You know I’m talking about Serena Williams getting bounced by Alize Cornet in the Wimbledon third round, her second consecutive loss to the Frenchie this year. The top seed, looking to tie Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova with 18 majors, went down 6-1, 3-6, 4-6 to the award winner. I was surprised she was beaten because she and the grass have always been a perfect fit – big serves, power groundies, and an aggressive mindset. Plus, after her loss in Paris, she made it very clear that she would come back stronger than ever.

But I was even more stunned by the passive way ReRe went down, playing more like a counter puncher and less like a woman on a mission with something to prove. And she had much to prove this fortnight after her dismal losses at the Australian Open and Roland Garros. On these courts, at this tournament, ReRe was going to rewrite her storyline this season and reclaim her aura of invincibility. Except she didn’t. Or couldn’t.

We’re used to seeing ReRe so clutch down the stretch; she’s pulled out matches she had no business winning over the years more times than anyone could count. It was automatic and seemingly part of her DNA. But this year, when she’s tried to get going by berating herself, staring down her opponent, and giving her thigh a slap, nothing has happened. Her much vaunted serve was nowhere to be found in her loss to Alize, and her footwork was atrocious. When the going has gotten tight lately, she’s been stuck in second gear with nowhere to go but down. Maybe it’s all the expectation, or mental fatigue after a stellar 2013. Even she’s not sure what happened. “I thought I was doing pretty decent,” she said. “I think I’m going to have to watch this film and see what I can do better and what went wrong.”

The downfall of dominance is cumulative; a top baller has a bad loss and then the confidence takes a hit. Other ballers start to feel a bit more confident in their chances, play harder, and, most importantly, believe they can win on the day. And then they start to make good. At the majors Ana Ivanovic did, as did Garbine Muguruza, and now Alize. ReRe will have to find the will to win again.

Other notables: There are still a few third round matches to be completed on the men’s side, including Wawrinka vs. Istomin, Lopez vs. Isner, and Nishikori vs. Bolelli. For the ladies, Ivanovic vs. Lisicki and Keys vs. Shvedova still need to be finished. Of the matches already set, I’m really looking forward to seeing how Nick Kyrgios does against Rafael Nadal in their fourth round battle. A true test for teen if there ever was one.

[Photo(s) credit: Getty Images]

WIMBLEDON: Serena takes a seat, Gulbis and Azarenka fall, and a wolverine meets a bull

No, you're not seeing things. Serena Williams didn't decide to spontaneously crowd surf during her doubles match with sister, Venus, today at Wimbledon, or take a mid-match breather in the stands. She was running hard after a ball and couldn't stop her momentum. ReRe was fine, a little embarrassed maybe, but not hurt. I can't speak for the fan who caught her, though.

I thought Ernests Gulbis had a good shot on going deep in the draw, since he probably came into Wimbledon with the most confidence he's ever had after reaching the semifinals in Paris. But the 12th seed fell today to the serve-and-vollying game of Sergiy Stakhovsky who famously booted Roger Federer in the same round last year. Serg's superior play can be blamed for the loss. With the extra time off now, perhaps he'll hit up the casinos again. Just don't ask him how much he lost. Or about umpires for that matter.

Not as much of shocker, at least to me, as Curlbis going out was Victoria Azarenka's 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 loss to Serb Bojana Jovanovski. She really prefers the firm-footing of a hard court which explains why her best Slam results have been at the Australian and U.S. Opens. That being said, I thought Vika played really well and could have pulled out the win had she played some of the key points better down the stretch. After being out for 3 months, playing the big points isn't automatic yet. Come the U.S. Open, I have a feeling they will be for former top lady baller.

What a thrill meeting legend @RafaelNadal @Wimbledon yesterday. Hard fought match. pic.twitter.com/aHijEc0mDw
— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) June 25, 2014

And this happened (technically yesterday but it was tweeted today). Good GAWD.

Other notables: Great wins by American Lauren Davis over 12th seed 6-4, 7-6 (4) Flavia Pennetta and Russia's Andrey Kuznetsov over 7th seed David Ferrer 6-7 (5), 6-0, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. Also, excited to see Vera Zvonareva back in action and winning. The former finalist completed her first round match and defeated homegirl Tara Moore 6-4, 6-7 (3), 9-7.

[Photo(s) credit: Getty Images]

WIMBLEDON: Centre Court is calling, ladies

The Wimbledon draws are out for the gentlemen and the ladies. Here are the lady ballers I’ll be keeping an eye on over this fortnight. I’ll post about the boys this weekend.

Maria Sharapova. The newly reminted French Open champ dug deep in her last four matches on the slippery stuff and willed her way to the title. We’re used to seeing her tenacity and determination in the face of adversity, but this time it was even more impressive. Her fitness is clearly at a ridic level, too. While the clay did favors for one of her biggest weaknesses, the serve, the grass won’t be as forgiving. The Russian’s serve, when it’s off, is much more of a liability on the grass. I don’t think the 5-time Grand Slammer will get away with hitting 12 double faults in any match as she did in the RG final. She can play a bit of defense and find a way back into points on the clay, but on grass it’s much harder when the points are quicker. Her best chance is to be on the offense – at ALL times. After completing the Career Slam in Paris in 2012, she made it to the fourth round at the All England Club. It wouldn’t surprise me if she maxed out there again.

Serena Williams. We’ve seen this one before. ReRe loses in the first round of the 2012 French Open and then goes on an absolute, historic tear on the WTA Tour. She hates to lose, nevermind losing at a Slam to an up-and-comer (see Wimbledon 2004), and early at that. Aside from crashing weddings and posing with Usain Bolt, I’m sure the 17-time Grand Slammer has been practicing her legendary serve since she openly berated it during that second round loss to Garbine Muguruza. ReRe will need it if she’s to match Chris Evert’s and Martina Navratilova’s 18 major titles. It’s not clear whether the loss in Australia (sure, she had a back issue) combined with the defeat to the young Spaniard in Paris were anomalies, or a sign of real demise in the legend’s power game. Wimbledon will give us all a better idea, including ReRe herself.

Simona Halep. What a story Simona continues to write. She wasn’t even ranked inside the Top 50 during last year’s French Open, but seven titles later she reached her first Grand Slam final. Can she make it consecutive major final appearances at Wimbledon? You’d be a fool to bet against her at this stage. The Romanian has made steady progress for the last year, culminating in her inspiring play against the bigger hitting Sharapova. It wasn’t quite enough that day, but she’s on the cusp. The big question is how will she recover from being that close to raising the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen? Will she see the positives in her play, or will she feel a mental, and maybe physical, hangover from the Paris fortnight? Here’s how the last four runner-ups did at Wimbledon a few weeks after their runs: Maria Sharapova (2013) – 2nd round; Sara Errani (2012) – 1st round; Francesca Schiavone (2011) – 3rd round; and Sam Stosur (2010) – 1st round. Hope she’s not a history buff.

Eugenie Bouchard. Genie sure does impress. Making consecutive final four appearances at a major is pretty huge, as evidenced by the fact that she’s the only lady baller on the tour to have achieved the feat so far this year. The 20-year old Canadian is gritty, aggressive, and wants it BADLY. And, she’s not afraid to say so even if it adds pressure, which she seems to thrive on. Like Simona, she played lights out tennis against Sharapova in their semifinal for a long stretch. But, like Simona, she couldn’t sustain it and buckled under the unrelenting power of the Russian’s game. Wimbledon 2013 is where I first realized the size of Genie’s talent. When she easily upended Ana Ivanovic in the second round, I took notice and thought she was beginning to come into her own. But she’s moved faster than even I expected (she doesn’t seem surprised by any of this…at all). Genie’s low stance and early, flat hitting will serve her well in a few weeks. If she breaks through to her first Grand Slam final, watch out.

Li Na. I’m never sure what to make of Li Na (and I venture to guess I’m not alone). The 2-time Grand Slammer is an enigma of the highest degree. She can confidently and methodically play a match, gracefully gliding across the court, and hitting winners with a sniper’s precision. Then, without warning, she can become harried and desperate, frantically spraying errors like a water hose gone wild. It seemingly comes down to her belief that, unlike ReRe or Sharapova, isn’t inborn and made of tough stuff. It’s learned, which means it could unravel when the conditions aren’t just right. We saw it happen in her opening round loss at Roland Garros, her semifinal against ReRe at last year’s U.S. Open, etc. Unfortunately, the slick stuff at Wimbledon isn’t where she feels the most comfortable – she’s never been past the quarterfinals in seven tries.

Ana Ivanovic. After being favored to go deep in Paris, the Serb was dumped out early by her left-handed nemesis, Lucie Safarova. But Ana has bounced back nicely, winning her first grass-court title at Birmingham. Although she made the semifinals at Wimbledon back in 2007, it’s a surface she has clearly needed time to work out. The former top lady baller should have a game tailor made for the slick stuff – big serve and return, and massive forehand - but it hasn’t quite worked out that way until last week. Ana will certainly be walking onto the pristine grass of the All England Club with the most confidence she has had since her breakthrough year in 2008.

Agnieszka Radwanska. Going from her least favorite surface to what’s been her best surface in the last two years should make Aga happy. On the clay, big hitters can easily overpower her and hit through her ingenious defenses, as we saw when she fell to young Croat Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round of Paris. But the grass really takes to her slice-and-dice game, giving her shots a bit more oomph and pushing her to a finals appearance in 2012 (taking ReRe to 3 sets) and a semifinal spot last season (losing to Sabine Lisicki). What’s been worrisome to see is her inability to seize the opportunities presented to her, including winnable matches in that semifinal match at Wimby last year and at the same stage in Melbourne this year against Dominika Cibulkova. She’s come out flat and uninspired. Hopefully if Aga gets ANOTHER chance to prove her mettle when it matters, she’ll make good.

Others to eyeball:

Andrea Petkovic. There’s a reason why Petko’s highest winning percentage is on clay (73%) and the lowest is grass (50%): her serve. It’s a glaring weakness because the rest of her game is solid. But who knows? The ladies’ Wimby draw was decimated early last year – and we saw in Paris what the German can do when she’s healthy and confident, and when the draw opens up for her.

Victoria Azarenka. After missing three months with a lingering foot injury, the Belarussian finally made her return to the court at Eastbourne, losing in her first match back to Camila Giorgi. While she’s made the semifinals at Wimbledon, her best efforts have come on hard courts where she enjoys more firm footing. While we shouldn't expect much from her until the North American hard-court season, she's still a two-time major champ and former world number one.

Madison Keys. As I write this post, Maddy has just reached her first WTA final at Eastbourne. The American has massive weapons that could be deadly on the lawns of the All England Club. If she keeps her head on straight and plays with controlled aggression, the 19-year old could do serious damage. Could she be the one hoisting the Venus Rosewater Dish? Sure, why not. And it would be fitting on the 10th anniversary of the last teenager to accomplish the feat - Sharapova.

[Photo(s) credit: Getty Images]

FASHION FIX: Welcome to a Nike Wimbledon

Hiya. Yes, it’s been a long break but certainly not as long as a Maria Sharapova mid-match dress change, no? It feels good to be back and right before my fave Grand Slam of the year, Wimbledon.

First, let me catch you up on what’s been going on. Let’s see. Well, we’re moving to LA in September, which is pretty insane. I love NYC and it will always have a place in my heart, but sometimes a change is in order. Now I’m California dreamin’ as it were. Think about it – I’ll be getting to play tennis all year long. Why yes, I’ll take it.

We also began the adoption process. Raising children has always been a dream and this year we finally started to make it happen. I would say by this time next year we could be PARENTS. Cray. There were some smaller things that have happened, but those are the significant ones.

I still kept up with the on- and off-court happenings in the tennis world, including the best women's major final in FOREVAH at Roland Garros. Pretty exhilarating stuff from Sharapova and Simona Halep. The men's final had its share of drama, but at long last it didn't outshine the quality and fierceness of the ladies'. But seeing Rafael Nadal capture 9 French Open titles and tie Pete Sampras with 14 was something special. Wait, isn't someone supposedly getting married this weekend? Speaking of marriage, you're better of without him, Woz. TRUST.

Anyway, what's more fitting than a fashion post to kick things off? Nike just released the Wimby duds for their top ballers, although Li Na is mysteriously absent. Your guess is as good as mine. You can click on each image for a closer look.

Rafael Nadal. The men’s top baller will be attempting to win his third Wimbledon title while working the 2014 Premier Rafa Crew, redesigned Nike Premier Rafa Jacket, and the Nike Gladiator Premier 7-inch Shorts.

Roger Federer. The Swiss will be hoping to add to his record 17 major titles at SW19 while showcasing the Nike Premier RF Polo, Nike Premier RF Cover-Up, Nike Gladiator Premier 9-inch Shorts and the Nike Zoom Vapor 9.5 Tour.

According to Fed, "The goal for my footwear and apparel is always lightness, comfort and style. What I'm wearing has to look good, be as breathable as possible and let me be faster to the ball. You can see in what I'm wearing for London that we've honored the tradition and elegance of this tournament, but that there is still real innovation in the fabrics and tailoring of my apparel that reflects my personal style and gives me the best chance of winning."

Grigor Dimitrov. He may have fallen at the first hurdle of Roland Garros, but Grisha will be feeling good with the grass finally under his Nike-clad feet. The Bulgarian will be styling the Nike Advantage UV Crew made from Dri-FIT UV fabric and the Nike Gladiator 2-in-1 Shorts.

Serena Williams. Wanna bet ReRe is gearing up for an all-out assault on the slick stuff after her humiliating defeat in Paris? She’ll take on pretenders for the crown wearing the all-white unique Nike Novelty Knit Dress that features a front bodice crafted from sweat-wicking Dri-FIT jersey fabric.

The world’s top lady baller has this to say about her partnership with Nike: "It's always a fun challenge when I work with Nike Tennis to create looks and clothing that let me express myself and my unique style while respecting the tournament. What I wear on-court is a key part of my advantage out there, so we focus on making my dress lightweight and allowing for full movement while not compromising on style."

Maria Sharapova. After capturing her second title in the City of Light, Sharapova will be looking to do the same in London where she will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of her run to the title as a scrawny but feisty 17-year old. The Russian will be working the unique Nike Premier Maria Dress “specially designed for superior ergonomics while projecting a luxurious silhouette.” Her kicks will be a white and gold NikeiD version of the iconic Nike Zoom Vapor 9 Tour. Additionally, Eugenie Bouchard and Madison Keys will be showcasing the Maria Team Collection that features the Nike Premier Maria Skirt paired with the Nike Premier Maria Tank.

Victoria Azarenka. The Belarussian basher has been hobbled by a niggling foot injury for the last three months, but she plans to return to action at Eastbourne. Vika will mark her arrival on the pristine lawns of the All England Club wearing the Nike Advantage Solid Tank, Nike Printed Pleated Woven Skirt combination and Nike Lunar Ballistec footwear.

All the styles are available at Nike.com.

(via NikeInc.com)

The City of Light shines on Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams

So, what did you think of this year’s Roland Garros? Surprised? OF COURSE YOU WEREN’T.

The heavy pre-tourney faves, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams, won big. Sure, Rafa started off the fortnight scratchy, losing a set in each of his first two matches, before running into the world’s top baller, Novak Djokovic, and winning an insta-classic, five-set semifinal match. He was the better baller throughout the contest and almost let it slip before pulling it out late in the fifth. Once in the final, he smothered compatriot, David Ferrer, as he is wont to do on the slippery stuff.

Even less of a surprise was ReRe’s demolition of the ladies’ field. I tweeted after she was pushed to three sets by Svetlana Kuznetsova that their quarterfinal match may have been the de facto final. While Maria Sharapova was game and gave it her best in the actual final (no really, she played as well as I’ve seen her against ReRe start to finish), Sveta actually made the world’s top lady baller uncomfortable enough to pull out a set and a break in the third. But closing out the 16-time Grand Slammer is a whole other question. And that’s something few lady ballers—three in fact—have done in the past year.

It used to be that Roland Garros was where you could watch a totally unexpected, out-of-left-field baller win one of tennis’s four major tourneys. Think Iva Majoli. Or Gaston Gaudio. Clay, like a windy day, was thought of as an equalizer, where anyone could have a slip up, sometimes literally, and bite the dust. In one respect, it was exciting; but it doesn’t happen as much anymore. Blame the homogenizing of playing styles, the equipment, the balls, whatever fits your argument.

So does it make Rafa and ReRe’s wins less thrilling? If you think witnessing two living legends cement their place in the annals of tennis history is akin to watching paint dry, the hell yeah. But not me. Rafa’s 12th- major win put him past Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg. I said ROD LAVER and BJORN BORG. ReRe is two major wins from tying Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, which very well could happen by year’s end. And as they both fell to the clay after clinching match point, with a mix of exhilaration, relief and satisfaction, you wouldn’t be blamed for thinking it was their first time.

Because winning never gets old, even for champions.

[Photo(s) credit: Getty Images]

A sneak peek at the Williams sisters documentary

Here's a sneak peek at the documentary about Venus and Serena Williams that they reportedly weren't too happy with. The sisters objected to the way father, Richard, ended up coming across in the film. Not exactly sure what that means, but I sure can't wait to find out.

The Williams sisters have been notoriously private over the years, barely letting anyone outside their immediate circles into their lives. But, based on this preview, fans might finally a good look.

The documentary will be available on demand April 4 and opening in theaters on May 10.

FASHION FIX: Nike spring looks for Serena, Sharapova, Azarenka, and Li

It's spring, right?! Uh, not quite. Winter is still hanging on here in NYC, clinging to life with its frozen talons (can you tell I hate winter?). At least there are parts of the world and this country where it's bright, warm, and people are half dressed. Miami is one of those places, and it's where the ATP and WTA tours are heading for the second Masters 1000 and Premier tourneys, respectively, at the Sony Open. You can see the draws here.

It's also where Nike is debuting some of their spring looks for their lady ballers. Check 'em out:

Top seed Serena Williams will be wearing the Force Pleated Knit Dress. The spring-esque color blocking, which I love, reminds me that spring is officially starting tomorrow. BUT YOU WOULDN'T KNOW IT BECAUSE IT WAS SNOWING HERE. YEAH, SNOWING.

Indian Wells champ and third seed Maria Sharapova will be, of course, working duds from her eponymous collection for Nike including the Premier Maria Tank paired with the Premier Maria Skort. Nice green.

Why does it always seem Victoria Azarenka, the No. 2 seed, always gets the short end of the fashion stick with Nike? Her Australian Open dress was a flop, and this outfit - the Force Printed Tank with the Force Flouncy Woven Skort - isn't going to blind you with its incredibly fashionable design. And that includes the disco print on the straps.

Here's the plus and it's a big one: SHE'S BACK. It will be fantastic to see fifth seed Li Na in action after being out since rehabbing the ankle she injured during her run to the Australian Open final. She'll be working the Force Pure Tennis Top paired with the Pleated Knit Skirt. Pretty basic and typical for her. I'm just excited she's showing up at all.

[Photo(s) credit: Nike Tennis Facebook Page]

2013 Australian Open: Perhaps it’s just a case of déjà vu

There’s a weird feeling nagging at me. The calendar says the Australian Open came and went, and I remember watching it (full disclosure: DVR is my capital B-estie) but nothing seems that different. No euphoria from an epic final (see last year) or a first-time major winner (see last year). Not even a sniff of a legend showing the young guns how’s it really done (see the 2012 “Serena Storm”). Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka entered the year and this tourney as world number ones and defending champions, and when the last ball was smacked they were left standing in the same spot they began. Wizards of Oz. Again.

Sure, a whole slew of drama filled out the middle. They both had to overcome tough moments that tested their champion’s mettle – an inexhaustible Nole eeking out a 12-10 fifth set win over Stanislas Wawrinka in a fourth round war and Vika fighting through a wonky rib and/or breathing problems and/or anxiety in her controversial semifinal win over a clearly over-awed Sloane Stephens and/AND a majority anti-Vika crowd in the final. But in the end, they defended their titles and remained the top ballers in the world.

Maybe that’s why I’ve been struggling a bit trying to put the finishing touches on this fortnight in Melbourne. It doesn’t seem like anything was figured out. I suppose it just means this first Grand Slam of the year is a proper beginning…a true starting point…A LAUNCHING PAD! So, might this year be different than the last?

After Nole fell onto his back, exhausted and elated, after almost six hours battling Rafael Nadal, it was all about the “Nole Slam.” Would he become first man since Rod Laver to hold all 4 majors at once and the 8th man in tennis history to complete the Career Grand Slam at Roland Garros? As we all know, Rafa exacted his revenge and ended that conversation. Although there were glimpses of that remarkable form, Nole was never really “Nole” again until the fall indoor season when he regained the top spot from Roger Federer and won the ATP World Tour Finals.

Vika went on a spectacular tear after claiming her first major and the top ranking in Melbourne, winning 26-straight matches until she was defeated by Marion Bartoli at the Sony Ericsson Open. From there, the Belarussian went into something of a slumber while Serena Williams took a stranglehold on Vika (going 0-5 against ReRe) and the rest of 2012. The 15-time Grand Slammer appeared primed to continue her domination in Oz, but a feisty Stephens and a turned ankle stopped her masterful run. When a door opens in tennis you better take it, and Vika did in the end.

"I was actually really happy that I went through so many things knowing that I can still produce the tennis that I can and keep the focus that I can," she said in her post-match presser. "It just motivates me to be a better player."

They were challenged and overcame. Now Nole and Vika are back where they began. But it’s different. Where they ended up may be the same, but something undoubtedly has changed. Adversity has a way of doing that. It’s like a full-circle moment except this one isn’t completed yet. Far from it. There’s still a whole season ahead of them, hungry foes to defeat, and a lot of work still left to do. Just ask Nole.

"You know, I'm just trying to embrace this moment and enjoy it as much as I can and see where tomorrow brings me."

 [Photo(s) credit: AP, Getty]