FASHION FIX: Preview of Rafa's Nike fashion campaign for spring

Spring preview continued: So I've discussed what may be Maria "Shriek"apova's French Open Nike dress and Roger Federer's gear through Roland Garros. Now let's turn our attention now to what Nike has for Rafael Nadal's spring tennis fashion.

Sony Ericsson + European clay-court tournaments: The image above is what the World No. 2 will be wearing in Miami and the European clay-court tourneys. He continues with his trademark look - the Dri-Fit Sublimated Sleeveless in vivid blue/black/white and the Dri-Fit Capri Pant in white with black side stripe for day and black with vivid blue side stripe for night. His bandana is the Sublimated Bandana in vivid blue and white.

French Open: The defending Roland Garros champion will be going for a fourth straight title and looks to be on the hunt in this outfit.


Rafa continues with the Dri-Fit Sublimated Sleeveless but in green spark + olive khaki and the Dri-Fit Capri in olive khaki with green spark side stripe.


The Spaniard will debut a new colorway in the Air Max Breathe Cage II: classic green/white/black metallic.
And of course no Rafa outfit would be complete without the wrist and headbands for our swashbuckling Spaniard:



(images via tt.tenniswarehouse.com + Doug Benc/Getty Images for Sony Ericsson)

THE LOW DOWN: Nole spotted at LA Lakers game - is there more to his "friendship" with Maria?

Proof is in the puddin': Remember how I wrote about how much time Novak Djokovic and Maria "Shriek"apova had been spending together before and during last week's Pacific Life Open?

Well, I was alerted to the above shot (thanks Elaine!) of the couple playing footsies during a break at Indian Wells and just stumbled upon this Nole interview - and guess where it takes place? At the LA Lakers game this past Sunday after he captured his first Indian Wells title, and where Maria was spotted hanging out with Camilla Belle.

Do you think they knew each other would be catching the same basketball game? Crazy!

Now I REALLY need to know what his girlfriend Jelena thinks of their "friendship."

Check out the interview:



(image via tt.tenniswarehouse.com)

SIGHTING: Sveta pulls a Maria in sport and fashion - go figure!

The Russians like their balls and vests apparently.

After spotting a bangy Maria "Shriek"apova at last weekend's LA Lakers game, Indian Wells finalist Svetlana Kuznetsova was seen taking some down time before the start of the Sony Ericsson Open this week watching the Miami Heat battle the Milwaukee Bucks.

The draws were announced for the tourney and the World No. 4 has a bye in the first round but ended up in the rough half of the draw featuring Justine Henin and Venus + Serena Williams. Ouch.

Click here to see the full women's draw and here for the men's draw.

(image via AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)

SIGHTING: A-Rod models, autographs and plays Wii at Bloomingdale's in NYC

As I mentioned yesterday, Andy Roddick made his way back to New York City to make a personal appearance at the Lacoste store and Bloomingdale's in Midtown to help the iconic brand celebrate its 75th Anniversary. In honor of the celebration, 10 percent of Lacoste store and Bloomindale's sales yesterday were donated to The Andy Roddick Foundation.


A-Rod took some time for modeling, autographs and some Wii Tennis action with some lucky fans. But one question A-Rod: what's up with the hairy situation on your face?

And, if you haven't checked out the Lacoste site recently, take a peek. The brand now has a Lacoste Sport section featuring interviews + anecdotes with their tennis ballers including A-Rod in "On the Rod", Tatiana Golovin in "Tatiana's World", A-Rod + Tatiana in "Grass Memories", A-Rod + Richard Gasquet in "Clay Memories", and all three in "Hard Court". Good stuff.

(image via wireimage.com, msnbc.com, jezebel.com)

PHOTO OP: Nole manhandles his trophy

Hey Nole - is that the Indian Wells trophy in your hands, or are you just happy to see me?

(image via AFP/GETTY IMAGES/File/Harry How)

SIGHTING: Serena hits up the Party Watch, steps out with Common

Caught in the act, again: Serena "ReRe" Williams was spotted leaving Villa Lounge in Beverly Hills with current boyfriend Common, and they're still looking as uncomfortable being seen together as they did the last time.

Do you think it's because the rapper is just "boyfriend insurance" for the tennis baller and she doesn't want to upset her other admirers?

(image via bossip.com)

FASHION FIX: Preview of Federer's Nike fashion campaign for spring

With all this talk about Maria "Shriek"apova's French Open fashion, I got excited to preview some of our fave tennis ballers' fashions for the spring tennis season. Of course, these outfits are subject to change - you never know with these fashion heads.

Let's start with Roger Federer and what his Nike duds will most likely be for Miami, the European clay-court tournaments, and of course Roland Garros.

Sony Ericsson Open: The Swiss Stylist will be working the Sphere React Cool Polo in white + dark obsidian and the Dri-Fit Control Short in black with dark obsidian contrast band.


European clay-court tournaments: Fed will be wearing the Sphere React Cool Polo in blue chill + white and the Dri-Fit Control Short in black with blue chill contrast band (not pictured.)


French Open: There are two options for the World No. 1 at Roland Garros. He'll continue to work the Sphere React Cool Polo but may wear both the dark obsidian + white (very top image) or the one I'm most excited about: lilac ice + white! Fed could definitely pull of the soft hue with style.

He'll most likely wear the Dri-Fit Control Short in black + blue chill with white contrast band and white with dark obsidian contrast band.


I've showcased the new styles of Vapors for Fed's spring campaign below:

Lastly, here are previews of the wrist and headband styles for Fed:



(images via tt.tennis-warehouse.com)

SIGHTING: A weary Sharapova takes in Lakers game

Thanks to DtL reader Jimmy for alerting us to a blunt-banged Maria "Shriek"apova, whose possible French Open fashions have hit the blogosphere, at the LA Lakers game this weekend with her actress-friend Camilla Belle in tow.

After losing the all-Russian semifinal at Indian Wells this weekend, the Russian announced her withdrawal from the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami citing a shoulder injury.

Could it be the near 50,000 air miles she's logged so far this year have gotten to her?

PHOTO OP: A-Rod goes retro with Lacoste, meets fans (+ girlfriend) in NYC

Andy Roddick, looking clean-cut + dapper here in vintage tennis whites, will be in NYC today to host a meet-and-greet with his loyal fans at the Lacoste store in Midtown.

The recent Dubai titlist must also be visiting his model girlfriend, Brooklyn Decker, who lives here and who may have been the catalyst for A-Rod's breakup with coach Jimmy Connors. Can you say Yoko Ono?

(image via andyroddick.com)

FASHION FIX: What will Maria Sharapova wear at the French Open?

Fiending fashionistas: Though we haven't even started the clay court season yet, the excitement for Maria "Shriek"apova's French Open fashion has already begun. Tennis Served Fresh posted about Nike's Paris Tennis Tank + Skirt as the likely combo.

Although I like the outfit, Maria usually leans towards dresses for the Grand Slams, so I did some research a found from the Nike Spring catalog and their site the Paris Dress in dark obsidian + chalk. This beautiful dress made from their Dri-Fit fabrication has a paneled + pleated skirt, 3-striped banding, v-neck, and a lady-like ribbon.

But, Nike pulled a switch-a-roo in Australia so I wouldn't put it them past to dress our favorite tennis fashionista in something completely different!

(images via nike.com)