FASHION FIX: Venus Williams returns in Miami, revamps EleVen

There were two big returns to the court today at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami. Well, two and a half. First, Alisa Kleybanova. She played her first match since leaving the WTA tour 10 months ago to get treatment for Hodgkin's Lymphoma - and won. Next up was Venus Williams. She hadn't played a singles match since announcing she was suffering from Sjögren's Syndrome 7 months ago at the US Open. She won her opening match as well, routing Kimiko Date-Krumm 6-0, 6-3.

And now for the half. I say "half" not because it's half as good or anything but because it just doesn't compare to these two lady ballers coming back from these serious health conditions. But, it's worth a mention: EleVen is back, too!

V broke out a new dress for her match from the relaunched 2012 Spring Collection which has evolved into more sportswear than just sports apparel. Apparently, she now has an excuse for the full-on cray she had been wearing on court as of late. You know - this, this, this, this, this. It was all an "experiment." Like pairing a brown belt with black shoes. Or chunky bangs. This new EleVen is the rawlness (my word, not hers). And, get this - there's now a men's line. V's planning on having mass distribution for EleVen so more people can wear what she wears on court.

It's a fine restart. Some basics with a bit of fashion thrown in (loving the "Oh & Oh" tagline). And, V definitely upped the quality quotient from what I can tell in the pictures. I'll be interested to see how the collections evolve and where she ends up selling it. But, I give her full credit for continuing to build the Venus Williams brand. Young lady ballers, pay attention. There's life after tennis so be prepared.

More shots from the EleVen capsule collection after the jump - click the headline!

VIDEO VAULT: Sweetness

Give it up, Sugarpova.

(UPDATED) FASHION FIX: Are you "All In" for these adidas tees?

Have you guys seen these new adidas t-shirts their boys have been wearing during their practices in Estoril? How much do you WANT?

These tees are part of the adidas' latest brand marketing campaign called "All Adidas" which features the tagline "All In". It launched last month with a series of commercials that highlights their connections with worlds of sports, music and fashion. David Beckham, Leo Messi, Derrick Rose, B.O.B and Katy Perry all make appearances in these fast-moving, visually exciting spots. The brand has a dedicated YouTube page for the new campaign where you can watch all of the commercials.

So back to these most highly coveted tees. Apparently, they're not being sold to the public which makes absolutely no sense at all. Maybe they thought there wouldn't be a demand, but maybe that's because they haven't made a PR push and no one really knows about them yet. So, let's get the word out. I mean, these tees are like tennis' version of the sports jersey. How awesome would it be to have your fave baller riding your back?? Uh, don't answer that. Focus on the tees, people.

UPDATE: So it's settled. Go here, find your country or region, click the "Contact Us" link and let them know "I WANT A BALLER ON MY BACK!" That is all.

[Photo(s): @AnaTennisGirl TwitPic]

MEDIA MASHUP: WTA celebrates year-end Championships, launches new logo

Seven of the eight lady ballers who qualified for the Sony Ericsson WTA Championships in Doha made their way to the official draw ceremony last night. Roland Garros champ Francesca Schiavone, US Open champ Kim Clijsters, Wimbledon + US Open finalist (edit: and new World No. 2 today) Vera Zvonareva, World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, Jelena Jankovic, Elena Dementieva and Roland Garros finalist Sam Stosur got their glam on before making their way to the event. The eighth qualifier, Victoria Azarenka, was busy beating Maria Kirilenko in Moscow for her second title of the year and fifth overall.

The tourney begins tomorrow and features a round robin format with the lady ballers broken out into two groups. The Maroon group features Wozzi, Fran, Sam and Elena while Kimmie, Bepa, Vika and JJ make up the White group. View the full singles draw here.

The ladies also helped tour Chairman & CEO Stacey Allaster, joined here by President of the Qatar Tennis Federation Nasser Ghanim Al Khelaifi (4th from left) and Tournament Director of the WTA Championships Doha 2010 Karim Alami (5th from left), launch the revamped identity for the WTA brand including a new logo. Via the WTA tour:

The new mark is designed to serve as a distinctive and modern reminder of the captivating athleticism and excitement that has driven the international popularity and growth of women's pro tennis and placed it firmly at the nexus of sport and entertainment.

The design of the new brand image departs from conventional sport logos by not featuring a figure of a female tennis player, but rather putting the emphasis on the letters W, T and A. The symbol also incorporates subtle references to the sport: the oval shape of the mark is a reference to both the imprint a tennis ball leaves on the court and to the shape of a racquet, while the yellow circle as the crossbar of the A recalls a tennis ball. The new core brand identity will be fully integrated throughout the WTA and women's tennis, including in TV graphics, print materials, tournament branding, advertising, promotion and digital and social media in all its forms throughout the 2011 season.

Here's some video promoting the new logo:



Check out more images from the draw ceremony here. Listen, I know I didn't comment on each lady baller's outfit but I didn't want to sound like a broken record. You guys know how I feel about their repeated attempts at 'fashion' for these events. At least their consistency gives me comfort, like a pair of ratty, worn-in sweatpants. Heaven.

Today, the ladies were given the chance to leave their mark on this year's Championships by offering up their hand prints before heading to their pre-tourney pressers. Here's Wozzi's helping:

BONUS: Hello make up man. Even Elena looks intrigued. Who you be?

[Top image + video: WTA tour, Elena image: Getty Images]

FASHION FIX: Is Nike cutting The Bull a new fashion line?

Rafael Nadal was spotted in his pre-tourney presser in Miami working one of his classic expressions ("Another stupid question, no?") and a new-fangled Nike hat with an interesting logo.

Hmmm - could this be the sign of a forthcoming Nike fashion line for the Mallorcan Matador in the same vein as Roger Federer's 'RF' brand? Inquiring minds def wanna know.

PS - It looks like he's still on the 11th green though NaturAna has smartly stayed away. Xisca's watching girl - just sayin'.

(image via getty)

Rafa to develop fragrance line - will his ass-ets shape the bottles?

Rafael Nadal will soon have more in common with Roger Federer than Nike, no. 1, and a Wimbledon crown.

The buff baller has reportedly signed a deal with Inter Parfums to develop a fragrance line called Lanvin L'Homme Sport based on his image to be launched in summer 2009. Of course, Fed has his RF Cosmetics body care line featuring a cologne, after shave balm, body wash, and deodorant stick. No word as to whether Rafa's line will be as extensive.

I'm thinking the shape of the bottles will be inspired by his recently revealed full-moon moment. Do you think his ass-ets are trademarked yet?

PS - Thanks to reader Brent for tipping me off to the news!

FASHION FIX: A closer look at The Boris Becker Collection

Boris Becker made an appearance at the McFit Masters of Legends tennis tournament in Duesseldorf, Germany this week. The former Wimbledon champion battled John McEnroe and sported gear from his eponymous fashion line. We weren't so familiar with the collection so we clicked over to his site and check out the goods - and were we surprised.

The Boris Becker Collection is a full tennis line that not only includes apparel but also tennis racquets, tennis bags, strings, dampners, and even tennis balls! Though there are 3 fashion groups, we pulled highlights from our favorite: BB Retro Court - Black & White Collection. (We'd be fools to try to review the equipment so we'll leave it to What's All the Racquet.)

Boris Becker Collection logo

Polo Shirt pin stripe & Tennis Polo

Knitted Vest & Classic Shorts

FASHION FIX: Lleyton Hewitt enters the fashion game, looks to build a brand

Another tennis fashionista: Could you be wearing the above image on your tennis gear? Would you want to?? Lleyton Hewitt seems to think you will. The Aussie hot-head and his management team are in the process of developing and trademarking his famous "C'mon" battle cry and a logo based on the hand signal called "the vight" for branding purposes. Lleyton told Austrailan Tennis magazine,

"It's funny — I walk down the street and everybody says 'C'mon.' They copy me for doing my signal. I'm not quite sure how to describe that signal, there's no real word for it. So we've trademarked 'C'mon.'"

But the future Lleyton Hewitt brand won't be limited to tennis clothing.

"We're going to try and push ["C'mon"] as much as possible as my brand, and get it out there in the marketplace, make shirts for kids, golf shirts and different kinds of stuff like cargo shorts."

Lleyton wasn't the first tennis player to use "the vight" hand sign, however. It was invented in the 1980's by Niclas Kroon, an obscure Swedish tour player, and later made famous by Mats Wilander. The word "vight" is loosely translated to mean "for sure".

(via TheAge.com)

FASHION FIX: Autographed Nike 'RF' caps available via Roger Federer Shop

Ask and you shall receive: A few of you have been asking, searching, and pleading for more information on purchasing the black Nike RF cap that Roger Federer has been wearing recently. Now comes word the cap is available at the Roger Federer Shop and has been autographed by the World No. 1.

But move fast - only 200 are available. The cap is priced at 250 CHF/Swiss Francs (equivalent to $217.00.) All proceeds will go to the Roger Federer Foundation.

To purchase a cap, click here!

(images via AP Photo)

Maria Sharapova makes Forbes 20 Under 25 list, pulls in $23 million

We can see why Maria "Shriek"apova was all smiles over the weekend, even though she wasn't making money on the tennis court. Forbes magazine released their annual 20 Under 25 list, which ranks the Top-Earning Young Superstars and which makes the rest of us want to cry (psychology degree? dumb!). The Russian fashionista came in at a respectable #3 after bringing in a cool $23 million from June 2006 - 07. Here's what Forbes had to say about the Maria money-making machine:

"Tennis' 'It' girl struggled with injuries in 2007, winning only one tournament and banking $1.7 million on the court. That's down from five tourney wins and $3.8 million in prize money the previous year. Not to worry, Sharapova's endorsement portfolio is one of the strongest in sports. This year she added Pepsi as a sponsor to an already impressive roster that includes Nike, Canon, Colgate-Palmolive and Motorola."

Phew - after her said struggles this year, it's good to know Maria won't need to break the piggy bank any time soon...or ever.

(image via maria-sharapova.org)

VIDEO VAULT: Young Roger Federer shows off continental forehand for Gillette

We all know Roger Federer has one of the most feared forehands on the ATP Tour. But do you think he'd be World No. 1 if he was still hitting that shot with a continental grip? In the new Gillette Champions commercial for holiday entitled "Home Movies", the stars of the Gillette commericials -Roger, Tiger Woods, Thierry Henry - provide rare footage of their younger playing days. The ad shows a skinny, mop-topped 11-year old Federer unwrapping his new racquet then sliding on the red clay hitting a continental forehand. Check it out...

(image via gillettechampions.com)