FASHION FIX: Clijsters takes Fila back to her childhood for Roland Garros

Kim Clijsters + Fila are going old school again.

In celebration of their 100th anniversary, the Italian sportswear brand is launching a new collection at Roland Garros inspired by a Fila outfit Kimmy received for Christmas as a child in the mid 1980's. It's part of a series of 100th anniversary commemorative Champions collections worn exclusively by the 4-time Grand Slammer that also includes the Evonne Goolagong-Cawley inspired kit she wore during her winning run in Oz.

The Fila design team actually combed their archives searching for the outfit based on Kimmy's description. Once they discovered it, the team went to work. They updated the color palette to something brighter for a more modern silhouette. The short-sleeve top, warm up jacket and visor were adorned with the signature print design from her childhood outfit while the F-box 100 year anniversary seal logo was placed inside each piece. And the team used Shiny Crinkle Taslin fabric to give the warm up a full-on 80's look and feel (oooh, I remember it well).

The Champions collection can be found at specialty retailers nationwide or at fila.com.

[Photo(s): Fila]

FASHION FIX: Li beats Benesova in Madrid, wears Nike Gridiron

Don't look now but Li Na is on a mini roll! Yes, I cheer for small favors. She ousted Czech Iveta Benesova 6-1 6-4 from the Madrid second round today, the first time the Chinese lady baller has won back-to-back matches since reaching the Australian Open final in January. Li took out Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez in her opening round match.

So what brought about this small turnaround? Well, Li's either missing that credit card badly (you know it's on severe lock down right now) or new coach Michael Mortensen is starting to make an impact. My guess? COMBO PLATTER.

Anyway, I'm really liking these Nike duds she's been wearing from the Gridiron Group this clay court swing. Obviously, we haven't seen much of it since she hasn't been winning but maybe we will now. Li's working the Smash Classic Top ($50) in white with gym pink and gridiron:

The top is paired with the Smash Classic Skort ($55) in gridiron with gym pink and white:

The combination of the gridiron, which seems to be similar to gun metal grey, and the pink gives a nice contrast. The accents of pink on the v of the tee, the bold stripe on the skort and the pops of it peeking out from the slits are pretty cool, too.

BONUS: Check out some of the stuff Li + Coach Morty have been focusing on during their practice sessions in this behind-the-scenes video. Look deeply into her eyes. You can really see how badly she wants it back. The credit card, I mean:

[Photo(s): Reuters, Tennis Warehouse]

FASHION FIX: Rez finds more interesting uses for foil

Here's a sneak peek at what Aravane Rezai has chosen (no, she wasn't forced) to wear at this year's Wimbledon.

I thought her last outfit was horrific but she actually has outdone herself with this latest disaster. Clearly Rez likes big + bold as evidenced by her power game and colorful off-court commentary but these pieces, from what I can see, just look cheap. Not cheap chic a la H & M. Just cheap a la Ke$ha.

The warm up jacket wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't embellished to death but don't get me started on that skirt. I mean, she really loves foil as a fabric, huh? (see last outfit)

Listen up lady ballers: Keep it simple. For your sake and ours. I beg of you.

[Photo(s): WTA FB page]

FASHION FIX: Serena grounds Alexa, goes overkill with orange

Serena Williams is trying to make history again here in Miami and the defending champ got off to a fine start.

The top lady baller, who will hold the record for the most Sony Ericsson Open titles by winning for the sixth time here, defeated teenage compatriot Alexa Glatch 6-2, 6-3 in a 63-minute mismatch. She'll face China's Shuai Peng in the next round.

ReRe debuted some new Nike duds as well in her first match. She was working the Serena Dri-FIT Sony Ericsson Women's Tennis Tank Top in orange paired with what looks like Nike Woven Pleated Tennis Skirt in orange (can someone confirm?). ReRe also busted out a colorful, iridescent-looking satchel on-court:


I'm really not into the whole matchy moment here. I mean, this orange is a great color when used as an accent here 'n there to add pop but now she looks like a walking, ground-stroke slapping popsicle. That being said, the bright orange does play well against her darker complexion and the brightness fits Miami.

Now this shade of orange doesn't work on everybody, but ReRe can def pull it off. Just don't wear it head to toe people. I BEG of you.

(images via getty)

FASHION FIX: Shrieka's stylish return to tennis, defeated in doubles action at Indian Wells

She's baaack! Well, kinda of course.

Maria Sharapova made her long-awaited return to tennis action at Indian Wells yesterday after seven months on injured reserve for a balky right shoulder. The Russian glamazon teamed up with compatriot Elena Vesnina for doubles but the wildcard pair were narrowly defeated by Ekaterina Makarova + Tatiana Poutchek, 6-1, 4-6, 10-7.


Afterwards, Shrieka told the press she was anxious to see how her shoulder would hold up and what she was hoping to achieve in her return:

It feels very good to be back, I just wanted to test it out. I started training a couple of months ago. I just wanted to... test it out in a match situation and get a little different scenery than the practice court and play in front of the crowd, so that was exciting.

The main goal for here was just to get out there and be in that atmosphere again. The hump I've got to get through right now is to put together two weeks of coming out to the court and playing two or three sets every day, and doing that for seven or eight days in a row. Right now I'm able to do maybe three days or four days and then I have to take it easy on the fifth.

The 21-year old was also asked about the next steps in her recovery. "I'm done with setting a timetable for myself. Those days are over," said Shrieka. Alrighty then.


I LOVE these new Nike duds Shrieka was wearing in her match. She has one of the best eyes for style on the court and this ensemble is quite fitting for her: a simple cream tank paired with an elegant high-waisted gauzy skirt in a pale yellow-green colorway featuring a gathered waistband. Quite the stylish return indeed.

These pieces don't seem to be part of Nike's Spring/Summer '09 collection so I'm thinking they were specially designed with Shrieka in mind. I'll be sure to let you know if they do eventually become available for purchase.

In any case, welcome back Shrieka. You've been sorely missed!

(images via ap)

FASHION FIX: Serena defeats Dinara, works classic Nike stylings

Serena Williams finally made her debut at the WTA Championships in Doha. The 9-time Grand Slammer wasted Russian Dinara Safina 6-4, 6-1 in her opening Maroon group match and will face sister Venus next.

ReRe also debuted a new Nike style during her match - she's working the Court Tank and the Court Skirt both in aqua grey from their Holiday collection. It's a classic look paired with the layered mesh ruffles on the skirt and black accents on the straps and the ruffling to give it texture.

I'm not blown away here, but ReRe always look best when she let's her tennis do the talking and not her fashion.

Good choice.

(images via Getty)

FASHION FIX: Dominika goes down in Moscow, but Lacoste style hits high

Diminutive Dominika Cibulkova, who was spotted getting double teamed in Red Square, had her trip to Moscow cut short (no pun intended, I swear!). The Slovak was bundled out of the tourney's quarterfinals today by Vera Zvonareva 7-5, 6-4.

I'm liking these new Lacoste duds Dominika is working here. The polka-dot graphic design on the polo adds some nice pop but I really love the skirt. The periwinkle blue is fresh, the striped waist band looks inspired by preppy grosgrain ribbon belts, and the front features functional pockets outlined with white piping.

Sporty, cute, and fun - everything you need in great tennis fashion.

(images via Getty)

FASHION FIX: Fila feeling feminine at the US Open

Fila looks to be stepping up their fashion game in a big way at this year's US Open.

Svetlana Kuznetsova, Tatiana Perebiynis, and Karin Knapp were all spotted working some of the sports brand's newest looks today. It seems Fila has decided to add more feminine touches including piping, ruffles, layering, and tiering.

My fave here is Tatiana's periwinkle tank dress followed by Sveta's color block wrap-skirt moment. I'm not exactly sure what Karin's outfit is doing, though - I like the two pieces separately (especially the skirt) but together they seem disjointed.

But, otherwise, good looks Fila.

(images via Getty)

FASHION FIX: Nadia dumps EleVen for Babolat but skort needs to go!

Nadia Petrova made quick work of recent Wimbledon quarterfinalist Tamarine Tanasugarn at the Rogers Cup today defeating her Thai foe 6-3, 6-2 in the second round. The Russian headcase will battle Dominka Cibulkova in the next round.

So Nads was, of course, working EleVen by Venus Williams on the courts recently but it seems she's settled on Babolat as her full-time sponsor. She's wearing the Performance Polo in a mustard color paired with the Performance Skort in white.

I'm loving the color here - it seems fresh next to all the overdone neon + jewel hues drowning both Tours these days. But the skort? Ewww - I just don't get them.

(image via Getty)

FASHION FIX: Azarenka loses in Prague but wins with style

Although Victoria Azarenka lost the fourth final of her young career to Vera Zvonareva this weekend at Prague, the Belarusian was a clear winner in the tennis fashion game.

I'm liking the 18-year old's affinity for classic looks with a twist of femininity as evidenced by her polka-dotted moment from Miami. Victoria continued that style in Prague looking spot-on in the white Nike Volley Women's Top with lilac trim and the black Rally Skirt.

(images via Getty)

FASHION FIX: Sharapova debuts Paris Tennis tank + skirt, one French Open mystery solved!

Maria "Shriek"apova made her debut at the Bausch + Lomb Championships on Amelia Island and reached the quarterfinals after fighting her way to a tight 3-set win over Spaniard Anabel Medina Garrigues.

The Russian fashionista also debuted the Nike Paris Tennis tank + skirt, an outfit some thought she might wear to Roland Garros. I like the femininity of the whole look and the beautiful detailing on the tank, but the color white-washes Maria. In any case, one mystery solved!

I still think she'll wear the Paris Dress in dark obsidian + chalk but based Nike's sneaky Aussie Open switch-a-roo, we can't be too sure (good luck buying your French Open fashions retailers.)

(images via AP)

FASHION FIX: Venus Williams wins two matches in a day, goes clean & classic

Twice as tough: Venus Williams continued her recent good form at the Bangkok Open this week. V needed to play two matches today as bad weather in Thailand has wreaked havoc with the schdule. No worries - the Grand Slam champ pulled out two comfortable wins, defeating Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki 6-2, 6-2 and later bouncing local favorite Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-4, 6-1.

She also continued her recent good form in another area - fashion. V did all this winning while looking clean and classic in her white polo shirt and flirty skirt by her eponymous label EleVen. We love how the graphic design on the back gives the outfit a young, modern feel as well - not to mention the afro puff!

(images via AP Photo, Getty)

FASHION FIX: Lacoste's up n' down year and Tatiana's tangerine dream

We think Frenchie fashion label Lacoste has been very hit-or-miss this year. The hits? The men's tennis gear, most recently with Fabrice Santoro's super cute candy-striped polo matched with white shorts for the US Open. The misses? The women's on-court fashion with the latest being Tatiana Golovin's "tangerine dream" for this week's Porshce Tennis Grand Prix - or dare we say nightmare?


Of course, we must put a fair amount of the blame on the players themselves. Tati just went overboard wearing the same orange color for both the top and skirt, similar to Marat Safin and his adidas "haz-mat" outfit.

We keep saying it but the tours could use a full-time stylist - any takers?

FASHION FIX: Sania Mirza goes white + red for Japan Open

India's superstar Sania Mirza is playing in the Japan Open this week and sits as the No. 2 seed. Clothing sponsor Lotto has hooked Sania up with a striking red number for the tournament (with our fave flirty skirt.) We've always admired her understated style, particulary this summer's white + green gear. Clearly she's having a white + red moment having worn the same color combo while previewing the winner's trophy at the Sunfeast Open.

Sania moved into the second round by defeating Japan's Ayumi Morita 6-0, 6-4.

New girl in town: Tennis ingenue Agnes Szavay makes run to Pilot Pen final

We've been admiring a new girl in town - 18-year old Agnes Szavay. We love her game - solid serve, hard groundies, variety, excellent movement - and, of course, her flirty skirt moment. The former junior French Open champ has been making serious noise at this week's US Open warm-up, the Pilot Pen, by reaching the final as a qualifier and taking down World No. 10 Daniela Hantuchova earlier in the week.


And it seems we're not the only one's taking notice: SI's Jon Wertheim has picked the Hungarian to reach no less than the SEMIFINALS at the Open, with a potential matchup against fashion-loving Russian Maria "Shriek"apova.

FASHION FIX: The short(s) of it all

We've really been loving the flirty skirt moment happening on the women's WTA Tour this summer. The trend continues at this week's Acura Classic with Maria Kirilenko in Stella McCartney for adidas and Tataina Golovin in Lacoste. For all the athleticism and power these players possess, this style adds some much needed elegance to the sport.

But we've also noticed a disturbing trend looking to take the spotlight from the skirts: shorty-shorts. Recent perpetrators include usually fashion-conscious players like Venus "V" Williams (who we know owns a flirty skirt) and slender Slovak Daniela Hantuchova. We're all for minimalism and comfort, but this looks too boyish (and it seems we're not the only ones thinking this way.)

Our memories remind us that Russian Elena Dementieva was the first player we spotted wearing fashion shorts back in the day.

BEST LOOK: Flirty skirts or shorty-shorts? Tell us!

FASHION FIX: Sania Mirza's stylish tennis moment

India's rising star Sania Mirza is having one hot summer. Not only did she reach the final of the Bank of the West Classic, losing to Russia's Anna Chakvetadze, but she matched her career high ranking of No. 31 this week. She's currently competing at the Acura Classic, a Tier 1 tournament.

We are loving the white tennis gear with green accents designed by clothing sponsor Lotto Sports Italia, and in particular the flirty skirt. This style gives her outfit just a touch of femininity. And, with Venus Williams rocking the classic navy pleated skirt at FED CUP and Maria "Shriek"apova sporting the tiered flow-y Swan Lake dress at Wimbledon, it looks like this silhouette is back.

Check out more of Lotto's tennis duds at Tennis Warehouse.

(images courtesy of AP Photo)