8 posts categorized "November 2011"
 There was a time when tennis bags looked as blandly utilitarian as sleeping bags, but traditional carry-alls aren't the only means for transporting your racquets anymore.
If you're: A woman who values fashion as well as functionality; seeking a unique holiday gift for your significant other; a commuter who squeezes in a couple of sets during a busy workday; or an urban multitasker who prefers a compact backpack as you navigate the masses swarming subway cars, Wilson has created a series of sleek, stylish bags that can comfortably carry racquets, cosmetics and gear.
The Wilson Milan Backpack (MSRP: $95) is a combination tennis backpack and cosmetic carry-all that takes its design cues from European travel bags. It's a stylistic departure for the brand whose trademark W logo has long been a staple of its conventional racquet bags.
The bag measures 17.25” x 9.5” x 13.5”. A large front compartment can carry two oversized racquets, with locked zippers to keep your sticks secure. A large main compartment can house your clothes and comes with organizing compartments and a key ring clip. The front pocket carries a matching cosmetic case to help you freshen up after the match. Versatility extends to the back of the backpack: The multi-function strap enables users to wear it as a backpack or sling.
For players who prefer to carry, rather than wear, their bags, Wilson has created a Milan Tote, which offers some of the same features of the backpack—front compartment for housing racquets, a main compartment with organizing pockets and a key ring clip and a separate cosmetics case—in a tote version.
 A slightly larger option offering distinctive detailing is the Trento Backpack (MSRP: $95). The 20” x 10.25” x 13” bag features a larger main compartment containing organizing pockets and a key ring clip. The rear racquet compartment houses two over sized racquets, and like the Milan backpack it keeps your sticks safe with locked zippers.
The large front pocket comes with a matching cosmetic case designed to fit the front flap perfectly, and available side pockets can carry sweatbands, headbands and grips. A cool detail of this backpack is the inclusion of a small lined pocket to protect sunglasses, watches, cell phones or iPods with a functional clip attached to hang the bag.
A Trento tote version of the backpack measures
22” x 9” x 14.25” with a removable, adjustable shoulder strap.
 Andy Murray will run with a revamped accomplice as he adds some flash to his footwork at this week's ATP World Tour Finals in London.
The third-ranked Scot will bring a stripe show to the O2 Arena's blue court as he debuts the new adidas Barricade 7 shoe, which will hit retail stores on Monday. Murray will wear the white/black/red version of the new streamlined shoe, which weighs about 15.3 oz.—1.06 ounces less than its predecessor. The men's Barricade (MSRP: $140) also comes in white/iron/black, with a white/red/blue version set for January release and a black/red version scheduled for launch next April.
The women's Barricade 7 (MSRP: $130) will debut in white/red/metallic silver, with a white/metallic silver/red model released on January 1, followed by a black/metallic silver/red version set for release next April. Andrea Petkovic will wear the women's Barricade 7 starting in Australia in January. The women's Barricade 7 weighs 10.4 oz., and adidas says it offers a softer forefoot flex thanks to the use of more malleable material in the forefoot. Both men's and women's shoes are backed by a six-month outsole limited durability guarantee.
 The seamless synthetic upper is one place where the shoe seems to have shed some weight. The trademark stability claws on the sides of the shoe are designed to help players maintain balance when making quick lateral cuts and sudden changes of direction.
The shoe equivalent of a special effects-laden film franchise that continues to crank out successful sequels at the box office, adidas' Barricade has a loyal following. So what's the most dramatic difference in this latest edition? The lighter weight. It's the most marked characteristic of this shoe, though male weartesters tell us a wider toe box and wider-ranging flex point are discernible enhancements over the 2011 model, which retailed for $120. The Barricade 7 is not nearly as stiff as some of its predecessors, and as a result long-time wearers may well notice a quicker break-in time.
Loyal Barricade-user Murray can infiltrate opponent's minds with his anticipation, agility and quick court coverage that seems to shrink court space to the size of a parking space. Adidas says it applied the feedback it received from Murray and 30 other elite endorsers in designing the new shoe.
"Over a period of more than 18 months we tested the shoe with more than 30 professional and semi-professional players," says Graham Williamson, adidas vice president of business unit tennis. "Our product testing department spent roughly 2,500 hours with athletes to make sure the shoe is the best Barricade ever. When we showed the final samples to our players they were reluctant to give them back and wanted to play in them immediately."
We will post a complete review of the new Barricade 7 after our weartesters have spent time playing and practicing in the shoe, so stay tuned for more.
 Known for his fearless forehands, James Blake now concedes he once felt a fear of flying.
It wasn't vertigo, but a bag check that sometimes sent shivers down his spine. Once down to four racquets without a ready replacement, Blake spent some time stressing the prospect of lost luggage.
"If I flew on a smaller plane and they made you check your racquets at the gate, I'd get pretty nervous about the racquets getting there," says Blake.
The American, who used Dunlop during his peak seasons, spent years looking for a suitable replacement and finally found it in the new Donnay Pro One. The 97-square inch racquet will go on sale in early December with a 16 x 19 string pattern, but Blake has been playing with a customized version much of the year.
Blake learned to play tennis at the Harlem Tennis Center and returns to New York City to host his seventh annual Serving For A Cure charity concert event at Jazz at Lincoln Center on November 28. Actor Justin Long will emcee the event, which features a musical performance by Brett Dennen, a cocktail hour with athletes and celebrities, a fast-serve contest and an auction with items including a Venus Williams-autographed racquet and Dave Matthews Band tickets. The event supports the Thomas Blake Sr. Memorial Research Fund, which Blake established to support cancer research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer. All proceeds from the event benefit the fund, named in honor of Blake’s father, who died of gastric cancer in 2004.
“It makes it a lot more meaningful for me to have it in New York because I have so many family and friends here,” says Blake, whose Foundation has raised more than $2 million for the cause. “A lot of people who knew my father can attend and that means a lot seeing so many people are still helping out, still thinking of him and still speaking his name seven years later. It's emotional: I remember him so fondly and have so many great memories of him and to be in that room and hear other people talk about my father and their fathers as well puts a smile on your face.”
For more information and to order tickets to Serving For A Cure, visit
www.jamesblakefoundation.com or call (305) 461-9296. We caught up with Blake to chat about his gear, game and charity.
TENNIS.com: Why did you select Donnay? What was the process of customizing this racquet?
James Blake: I'd been looking for a new racquet probably about two years. I was trying pretty much everything out there and and couldn't find a racquet. Since Donnay had been out of the racquet business for a while, it wasn't one of my first thoughts. They let me try a few racquets. I was very happy right away and they were also great about making some little tweaks to the racquet to customize it the way I wanted so that I felt comfortable out on the court. There really isn't a huge difference between a lot of the top players so a little bit of a bad feeling can really affect your game negatively. I felt comfortable almost immediately with Donnay.
TENNIS.com: What are the specs of the Donnay you use?
James Blake: It's 357 grams unstrung; that's the weight I've been using for some time. When I started out on tour, I added weight very slowly, because if you do it too quickly it can be dangerous to your shoulder and elbow. When I was about 22, I would add about two grams at a time and play with that for a week or two and then add two more grams, and gradually it became a process of adding weight. Eventually, I got to the point where I felt, 'If I add anymore I'm not going to be able to get the racquet through the hitting zone quick enough.' I use Luxilon Big Banger (strings), which I've used for most of my career because I love the way it feels.
TENNIS.com: You had a big win against Juan Martin del Potro in Stockholm last month. What did that do for you confidence and how can you build on that going into 2012?
James Blake: That really did help me because del Potro is one of the best players in the world, so that was a great feeling. The only difference is that I've been healthy. My knees felt good though toward the end of the fall the pounding started to take a toll again. I felt really good about it and the direction I'm going. I pulled out of Paris to give my knees some rest, but I feel really good about the fact I know I can play that well again. The difference between the top guys and guys ranked a little lower is consistency. I think if I can stay healthy that's gonna be the difference, because I still have the ability to play well—it's just not all the time: I don't have that confidence to do it day in and day out. If I stay healthy and I'm able to train the way I was training toward the end of this summer, then I think the confidence will come back.
TENNIS.com: You've come back from serious injuries in the past—how do those comebacks help now, or does each comeback present its own challenges?
James Blake: Each one is different especially considering how unique my injuries were. Having a sickness where you don't know if you're going to play again and having a broken neck aren't usually the normal injuries for tennis. This one, I have patellar tendinitis, is more common to tennis. But they're each different because they came at different times in your career. When I got injured in '04, I'd had a pretty good career, but I hadn't had the success like getting to number four in the world, reaching the finals of the year-end championships. When you're coming back at 31 years old you understand in no sense of the word are you in the middle of your career—you're at the back end of your career. So you're trying to get as much as you can out of it and it changes your options: If I were to have patellar tendinitis when I was 22, I'd be looking at the possibility of surgery that might keep me out for six months, but surgeries that are going to keep me out six months to a year are not plausible at this point.
TENNIS.com: You played Roger Federer in the 2006 Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai final and you played Novak Djokovic in March. How do you compare the level of Federer in '06 to Djokovic's level now?
James Blake: They've both had exceptional seasons. In my book, right now Roger has to go down as the greatest of all time. Obviously Djokovic is still in the early stages of his dominance. If he can continue it, he can possibly give Roger a run, but right now, in my mind, Roger is the greatest of all time. That '06 Masters Cup final was the best I was playing; I beat Rafa, Nalbandian and Davydenko, and at that time I felt when I was playing my best I could beat anyone in the world. I went into that final and Roger showed me he had a whole other gear. That's one of the few times in my career where I've gone out on the court and played my best and didn't stand a chance of beating Roger that day.
TENNIS.com: How do you assess Donald Young and Ryan Harrison? What's their potential?
James Blake: I think Donald's got a ton of talent and it sometimes takes guys like that a little while to figure how to play because they have so many options. He's doing a great job; the only thing I would try to help him with is with his training and playing with guys who are going to beat him more consistently. Getting him down at Saddlebrook with me or down with Andy [Roddick] in Austin or somewhere he can practice with top level guys consistently. I think that makes a big difference, because you learn so much from playing with guys that you need to play your absolute best against to beat. [John] Isner's on the right track; he's already been Top 20 and I think he has a chance to be in the Top 10 and really wreak havoc in Grand Slams, because no one wants to play a guy that serves the way he does and can be as aggressive as he wants on the return game, because he's so comfortable holding serve. Harrison is a good player; he's got the best attitude and as a result he's gonna get the most out of his talent. He's willing to work, he's curious to learn, he's got real fight in him so he's going to keep improving.
 Socks are sometimes treated as the welcome mats of the tennis world: They get stepped on, sweat-soaked and discolored by the red dirt of clay-court season. Socks are more than cotton or synthetic stepping stones, they are the first line of defense protecting the feet from blisters, perspiration and conditions.
Socks reflect style: The young John McEnroe wore socks with his name on them; Novak Djokovic sometimes wears black socks (with black apparel); Bethanie Mattek-Sands has sported knee-high socks; Andy Roddick has opted for mini socks, while former mini-wearer Mardy Fish has shed the short socks in favor of crew socks.
What are key qualities you should seek in socks?
"The key is moisture management: look for that on the packaging," says TENNIS footwear adviser Dr. David G. Sharnoff. "You don't want to go to Wal-Mart and buy the six-pack of cotton socks for $1.99, because cotton is an all-natural fiber that tends to hold water for a long time, which can create blisters. You might save money, but your feet will pay the price."
Before you start stocking up on socks, make sure you're wearing quality shoes with sufficient support and cushioning.
"I find a lot of people with sock issues really have problems stemming from their sneakers," says Dr. Allan Grossman, a USPTA coach and podiatrist specializing in treating tennis players at the Harrisburg Foot and Ankle Center in Harrisburg, PA. "You'd be surprised how many people I see have spent good money on quality inserts and socks, but have crappy sneakers and then wonder why they have foot issues. So the first thing players should do is make sure you have quality shoes that have good cushioning and support—a big mistake I see players make is trying to use their socks or (orthotic) inserts as filler to compensate for inadequate sneakers and that won't work."
Most experts we spoke with say socks made of moisture-wicking material are best for tennis players, though they point out personal preference is a priority when sock shopping.
"I like the moisture-wicking socks the best because they take the perspiration away from the foot," Dr. Grossman says. "Moisture-wicking socks also tend to be thinner, so if you're someone who prefers thicker socks or you wear two pairs of socks, take that into consideration, as the thickness of the sock can alter the fit of your shoes; players particularly notice that in the toe box. If you're older and and have had any vascular issues, I wouldn't recommend the compression sock because of the potential of pressure build-up."
If you're a tournament player or a player who plays multiple matches or practice sessions a day, pack multiple pairs of socks in your racquet bag.
"You see players change their grip during matches and I always urge my players to change their socks between matches if they're playing a few matches or a few practice sessions each day," Grossman says.
Here are a few sock suggestions from the experts:
Drymax (MSRP: $8.99)
"Drymax makes a great moisture-management system and the socks are typically very light," Dr. Sharnoff says. The brand's arch band vents contribute to the light weight and breathability of the socks.
Eurosocks Court Cool Ped Sock (MSRP: $8.00)
The Italian-made Eurosocks have earned a reputation for cloaking feet in comfort. "It’s a great performance sock for players putting a premium on their feet,” Tennis Warehouse editor Spencer Boller says. “Eurosocks offer a nice combination of comfort, support and moisture wicking."
Sugoi R + R 1/4 Socks (MSRP: $17.00)
Designed to enhance circulation, these Sugoi socks offer ample support through advanced compression. The compression extends from the arch band up through the top of the sock. Additional cushioning across the length of the sole with reinforced cushioning in the toe and heel bolster durability. The Sugoi socks are made of anatomically correct left and right foot construction.
Thorlos TMX Tennis Socks (MSRP: $12.99)
Concentrating on cushioning, Thorlos socks are so comfortable your feet may be tempted to tap a thank-you email to you for buying them. Reinforced cushioning in the heel and toe areas provide blister and impact protection, and the socks are known for their durability. Our favorite is the mini-crew. Thorlos is a consumer-friendly brand offering a 30-day money-back guarantee and free shipping when you buy three or more pairs.
 The unrelenting calm Lisa Raymond displays while rushing the net recalls a surfer staring down a 10-foot wall of water and plotting her angle of attack.
At an age when many of her contemporaries have called it quits, a resurgent Raymond is riding a winning wave. The 38-year-old American—with a backhand volley that parts the court as sharply as a scalpel slicing silk—partnered 35-year-old Liezel Huber in April, creating a dream team of former top-ranked vets that sputtered at the start: The pair failed to win a set in their first three matches and played 10 straight tournaments before claiming a title.
A littany of loss—Raymond also shed substantial weight—fueled a win streak: They captured their first title together in Toronto and reached the U.S. Open final. Down a set and a break, Huber and Raymond were two points from defeat three different times before fighting back for an emotional 4-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3) victory over defending champions Vania King and Yaroslava Shvedova on the 10th anniversary of 9-11. It was Raymond's seventh major doubles title.
Two weeks ago, the duo swept Kveta Peschke and Katarina Srebotnik in the WTA Championships final, giving Raymond her fourth year-end title (with three different partners). Her 74 career doubles titles is seventh on the all-time list; all six women ahead of her are Hall of Famers. Raymond's next goal? To make a mark at the 2012 Olympic Games.
"I'd be lying if I said the Olympics are not a huge goal," she says. "Not trying to sound cocky, but I've been No. 1, won all of the Grand Slams and the one thing I do not have is an Olympic medal, so to be able to represent my country and try for that is a huge goal."
We caught up with the Norristown, PA native, who was 10 years old when she first hit with another Pennsylvania tennis product—TENNIS.com senior writer Steve Tignor—to discuss her gear and game.
TENNIS.com: When did you start playing with Prince and why have you stuck with Prince?
Lisa Raymond: I've been with Prince since I was 15. I used the Prince Graphite, my favorite racquet, starting when I was 15 and switched over to Prince's more current technology probably only about seven or eight years ago. It was like them pulling teeth to get that racquet out of my hands. To this day, the Prince Graphite is the greatest racquet ever made, in my opinion. But I was getting older and my arm couldn't take it anymore. I love that frame and the Prince (EXO3 Tour Lite 100) I use now is pretty similar, though definitely a little bit lighter through the air.
TENNIS.com: What strings do you use?
Lisa Raymond: I use Babolat pure gut. It's probably the same string I've used for over 10 years. I'm pretty old school when it comes to string: I don't use a lot of the new string technology. I think if I was playing more singles the last five years I would have experimented more with string. But I love to come forward, my livelihood is up at net, and I love the feel and control gut gives me.
TENNIS.com: You said re-dedicating yourself to fitness was a key to your success this season. What did you do to get fitter?
Lisa Raymond: It was pretty much a lot more off-court training and diet. My style of play is an explosive style. I felt I had lost a step. I felt I had put on some weight. I felt, for a lack of a better word, I had let myself go for almost a year-and-a-half or two years. I finally had someone call me out on it. I'm glad they did. As hard as it was to hear that my fitness was not there, I needed to hear it. From that day, I changed my diet, I worked extra-hard in the gym and on the practice court. That absolutely made all the difference in the world. I wish I would have been this fit 10 years ago. The one regret I have in my career is that I probably didn't put the fitness time in that I should have when I was playing singles. I feel I'm a better doubles player now than possibly I ever was and certainly I'm a fitter player now than I ever was.
TENNIS.com: What were the challenges you and Liezel faced early in this partnership and how did they help prepare you for later success?
Lisa Raymond: On paper, we thought this was gonna work right away. Given our results and our pedigrees we thought it would work immediately, and then we realized very quickly that wasn't going to be the case. It took us a while to find our identity as a team. We spent endless hours on the practice court working it out. Ultimately, we just both had such faith in ourselves and each other. That faith allowed us to get through the tougher times and it finally clicked.
TENNIS.com: The U.S. Open final was a hell of a match. Where does that U.S. Open title rank among career highlights?
Lisa Raymond: All summer that was our goal: To win one of the Grand Slams; and coming up short in Paris and Wimbledon did not sit well with either of us. To be able to go out and play a U.S. Open final as Americans in New York with our families and friends there was amazing. To come together in that final on September 11 was truly an incredible day. If we're lucky, we have a handful of those incredible, special days in our lives, that was certainly one of them.
TENNIS.com: You've won 74 doubles titles, seventh on the all-time list, and every woman ahead of you is in the Hall of Fame. How do you define success now, and is there a title total you are aiming to achieve?
Lisa Raymond: As far as a number of total titles, no, I don't have anything in mind. Sometimes when I'm out there and I hear the announcer list my stats, I still can't believe it. It blows my mind the company I am in and I'm very proud I've been able to be out there as long as I have. Every time I step on the court, I want to win. The older you get, the better perspective you have on your life and career, but you never lose the desire to compete as hard as you can and win. I hope there are many more to come.
TENNIS.com: Coaches and players often talk about your backhand and backhand volley as signature shots. How has that shot evolved over the years?
Lisa Raymond: I've always had a natural one-handed backhand. I never really experimented with a two-hander, even when I was younger and a little weaker. I knew that the one-hander would help my volley. Volleying has always been very natural to me—especially the backhand—and the fitter I've gotten, I've gotten better on the backhand volley.
TENNIS.com: People talk about the volley becoming extinct on the pro tour, yet Petra Kvitova showed fine net skills last week in Istanbul; Agnieszka Radwanska volleys well; Francesca Schiavone volleyed well to win the French Open and Sam Stosur is a former No. 1 in doubles. What is the future for the volleyer in women's tennis?
Lisa Raymond: Watching Kvitova last week, it was awesome to see her move forward so often and effectively and finish at net. In an era when there's so much power—because racquet and string technology power has almost overtaken the game—but if you develop a volley and you can still come forward and finish points; it's very valuable. Without question, Sam Stosur is someone who can finish at net; I wish she would come in even more and rely on her volley, and Radwanska definitely knows how to volley. I do think some of the younger generation are trying to use it more.
TENNIS.com: Who's the toughest opponent you faced? Who brought out the best in you?
Lisa Raymond: That's a very tough question. When I first came on the tour Gigi Fernandez and Natasha Zvereva were dominant. They were such an incredible team, they had such great chemistry and experience, I played them in a few finals and they certainly cost me a few titles [laughs]. Martina Hingis was a genius with a racquet in her hand. I think one of the great achievements that is often overlooked is Hingis winning the Wimbledon doubles at the age of 15 (with Helena Sukova)—that is just unbelievable. I played with and against so many great champions like Martina (Navratilova) and Lindsay (Davenport), who are amazing players.
 The Grand Slam season ended nearly two months ago, but Grand Slam gear is still a very active presence in cyberspace. As American fans gear up for the approaching holiday season, we looked at some of the best 2011 Grand Slam gear deals available on major web sites now. Even if a trip to Melbourne, Paris, London or New York isn't on your immediate itinerary, you can declare your allegiance to your favorite Slam with the material here.
U.S. Open
An earthquake struck New York City the week before the U.S. Open and persistent precipitation forced the men's final to be played on a Monday for the fourth consecutive year. The U.S. Open Shield Hoodie, available in charcoal and navy, is a good way to protect you from the elements. The unisex hoodie sells for $36.99 on the U.S. Open Outlet Shop, a $25 discount off the standard price of $62. The 80% cotton/20% polyester hoodie features a distressed, old-school U.S. Open Shield across the front, along with the Open's traditional flaming ball logo. The hoodie, which is available in limited sizes, also offers a handwarmer pouch in front, ideal for those cool autumn doubles days.
Wimbledon
The Venus Rosewater Dish may be beyond your reach, but you can still carry a precious piece of the All England Club onto the court. The Wimbledon 125th Anniversary Ladies Championship Towel is a limited edition product in reddish-pink, sky blue with green trim. The woven towel (27.5" x 52") weighs about 17.6 oz and gives you a chance to brush history across your face: No more will be made. Wimbledon towels carry such cachet that players have been known to swipe them from the event; this towel is a near steal at $20.85, and for an extra $8.34 you can personalize the towel in three-character type. 
Roland Garros
You don't have to be Rafael Nadal taking a victory collapse on the terre battue to cloak yourself in clay. Combining Roland Garros' red-clay color scheme and Paris' iconic Eiffel Tower graphic, the Roland Garros Men's Guildford T-Shirt ($33.91) uses tennis terms to create a typographical Eiffel Tower, with the silhouette of a tennis player in full swing near the bottom leg. The words "Roland Garros Internationaux de France 2011 Paris" are written across the bottom of the 100% combed cotton tee.
Australian Open
The Australian Open will soon be unveiling its 2012 gear, but its official web site offer good values on 2011 products. One item that caught our eye is the Australian Open Official 2011 Women's Player Towel, retailing for about $28.30 (not including shipping), which is half of what the Oz Open's 2012 player towels will cost.
The 2011 women's player towel is pink with blue trim, with the words "Australian Open 2011" emblazoned across the middle and "Melbourne Australia" printed in yellow across the blue ends of the towel. It comes packaged in a clear Australian Open-branded bag with adjustable strap.
 You may never possess the eye-popping speed, helium hops, shot-making skill or impressionistic imagination of Gael Monfils, but you can can celebrate Christmas by stepping into the flashy Frenchman's shoes.
K-Swiss will release the new Gael Monfils signature shoe, the Tubes Monfils Mid (MSRP $110) on KSwiss.com two days after Christmas. Monfils, who has worn the K-Swiss Big Shot shoe in the past, will wear this new shoe at the Australian Open, says K-Swiss says. The black, silver and blue men's shoe ranges in size from 6.5 to 15.
K-Swiss applied its Tubes technology to tennis for the first time with the debut of its K-Swiss Tubes Tennis 100 shoe on July 1. Like the earlier release, the Tubes Monfils Mid is a high-performance shoe, featuring full-length Tubes technology cushioning for comfort and shock-absorption. The Aosta II rubber outsole is designed for durability and to offer good traction on a variety of surfaces.
The shoe's cutting-edge cosmetic and Monfils-related detail is much more vivid in person than it is in the photo above (in which the kicks look a little like space shoes). A silver cartoon image of Monfils—complete with spiky hair—underscored by his nickname "LaMonf!" in silver type stands out at the top of the black tongue. The inside of the shoe (above the heel) depicts the image of "Sliderman" in a near full split, a bit reminiscent of the leaping Michael Jordan Air Jordan logo. Monfils' name appears in angled font above the heel with K-Swiss emblazoned in black type across the side of the shoe.
The Monfils Mid is a mid-cut shoe, reinforced with "heat-wielded TPU" that weighs in at about 15.6 oz.—about one ounce heavier than the Tubes Tennis 100. Perforations above the toe box are added for breathability.
How does the new Monfils signature shoe perform on court? We'll let you know once we've tested a pair of them.
 A left ankle sprain forced Maria Sharapova out of the WTA Championships following her round-robin loss to Li Na, but the second-ranked Russian still managed to score style points for the baggage she brought to the year-end event.
Sharapova has been shouldering a rectangular Head racquet bag that looks like more like a travel bag than a typical racquet bag. The Maria Sharapova Tennis Racquet Bag Court (MSRP: $115) is a dual compartment bag with the larger, back compartment capable of carrying multiple racquets. A smaller accessory compartment can hold clothes, grips and other gear, with an extra shoe and toiletry bag part of the package. The all-black bag is emblazoned with the word “Head” in gold script across the front, shoulder strap and handle of the bag, rather than the standard block lettering that appears across the brand's other bags.
Sharapova, who worked with Head on the bag's design, told us the creative collaboration came out of her desire to design a bag that was different from a typical tennis racquet bag.
"One of the things I spoke about, when we sat down with Head during the design process, was there are so many bags out on the market that look like tennis bags. You know what tennis bags look like, so when you're walking around an airport and someone sees a tennis bag before they see the person (carrying it) they probably know that person likes to play tennis," Sharapova said. "I had this idea in mind that I wanted to create something that did not look like a traditional tennis bag; that had a bit of a different shape—although within the collection we still have one that has a traditional tennis shape, though the one I'm carrying is the rectangular one."
Fellow Head endorser and sometime Sharapova impersonator Novak Djokovic also liked the non-traditional look; the world No. 1 said his bag rarely flies under the radar in airports.
"It's a great idea," Djokovic said. "I really hate carrying tennis bags in the airport. People are like, 'Oh that's a tennis player who is it?' Then they're like,'I didn't recognize you, I recognized your bag.'"
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