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!

Kleybanova reveals battle with Hodgkin's lymphoma

As you guys can tell I'm a bit of a tennis vacay after the long spring/summer European swing. But I felt compelled to post after hearing about Alisa Kleybanova's recent revelation that she has Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph tissue. She made the announcement on her 22nd birthday via the WTA tour site which you can read here.

All the best to her as she goes through this most difficult time. 

[Photo(s) credit: AFP PHOTO / DANI POZO]

PHOTO OP: The arabesque volley technique

"Weeeeee!"

"INDIAN WELLS, CA - MARCH 15: Alisa Kleybanova of Russia misses on a forehand volley return to Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark..."

No, really??

Seriously, don't try this at home kids. If you want to win that is (she didn't.)

[Photo(s): Jeff Gross/Getty Images]

MEDIA MASHUP: All things must come to an end

With all my time away from the keyboard vacaying and stuff I missed coverage of the ladies' year-end tourneys including the WTA Championships, Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions and FED CUP.

Here's a quick recap:

WTA Championships, Kim Clijsters d. Caroline Wozniacki 6-3, 5-7, 6-3

Kimmie won her third year-end championship and fifth title of the year. She also denied Wozzi, who clinched the year-end top spot for the first time, the exclamation point on the best season of her career so far. Compared to the rest of the lady ballers who actually made it to Doha the Belgian had the best year of 'em all in terms of quality wins so it was a fitting end for her.

Woz played more, is ranked No. 1 and earned more titles than anyone else (six) but fell short at the big ones. I've heard some say she's just another Jelena Jankovic - all defense with no clear weapons. But I tend to disagree. She's more athletic, more of a "jock" than the Serb and can get gritty when down which will continue to serve her well. The Dane will enter 2011 with an enormous target on her back, though, so the path to her first Grand Slam won't get any easier.



Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions, Ana Ivanovic d. Alisa Kleybanova 6-2, 7-6(5)

Ana Ivanovic seems to have discovered some of the confidence that has alluded her since winning Roland Garros in 2008 and residing in the WTA Penthouse. She won at Linz a few weeks ago and capped off her season by grabbing Bali over Kleybs.

Interestingly, NaturAna parted ways with Coach Heinz Gunthardt during this span. I always find it puzzling when a coaching relationship comes to end right when it seems a baller has turned a corner after struggling for a while. But, sometimes it's really not in their control if the coach wants out for some reason, in this case Heinz's desire not to travel full-time. It'll be interesting to see if NaturAna starts 2011 coachless or secures someone during the off-season. I'd hate for her to lose this momentum she's worked so hard to find.

BTW, ain't she so pretty all gussied up in her Bali-wear?

FED CUP, Italy d. USA 3-1

A big "BRAVA!" to Italy for defending their FED CUP championship over the USA. The Italians had so much experience on their side not to mention a Grand Slam champion in their midst (that would be Francesca Schiavone, duh.) And they got even more help with Coach Mary Jo Fernandez's inane decision to bench Melanie Oudin for Coco Vandeweghe in the opening rubber. Listen, I know Mels has been in slump city but she certainly has light years more experience, relatively speaking, in pressure moments on the big stage than Coco. That counts in FED CUP play. One has to hope the tears the young American cried after losing the final rubber over Flavia Pennetta don't haunt her. It was a bad move on MJ's part. Coco never really had a chance.



Elena Dementieva says BUH-BYE and the ladies pay tribute.

Come to think of it, maybe I should just cover the WTA. You know, the longer off-season and stuff...

[Photo(s): Getty Images]

PHOTO OP: If looks could kill...you'd be DEAD

"@$#%$^&#%#..."

Last year Jelena Dokic was the feelgood story of the entire Oz Open making a successful, enthralling comeback to the Grand Slam stage after years of personal struggle and turmoil. So much for that.

She arrived to Melbourne this season under a veil of more controversy and now has suffered a first round 6-1, 7-5 defeat to Alisa Kleybanova who she defeated during that inspired run to the quarterfinals.

Ugh. JD never got to build on her run last year after suffering with injuries and sickness. I hope she can turn things around or, at the very least, steer clear of any more controversies.

[Photo(s): WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images]