Glamourous girls rule tennis world

The Economic Times ^ | SUNDAY, MAY 09, 2004 | PRADEEP KURUP

[presidio9]

Anna Kournikova was there at Mumbai and Bangalore when the desi footloosers tap danced to Enrique Iglesias's Latino pop. She was there on all lips more than the Enrique numbers and all were wondering whether Anna will make Enrique dance to her tunes. Anna Kournikova is no more the teenage tennis sensation she was. She is now the fashion icon who sneaked into a million hearts with those stunning looks and those eye-grabbing outfits.

It's amusing just to think how a hard core Navratilova fan would watch today's women's tennis. From the pinnacle of grace and power during the Billie Jean King-Chris Evert-Martina Navratilova era, the tennis played by Gen-X beauties have evolved to be more glamourous, sexy and showbiz type.

None can be blamed for this shift of ‘gear’ as the game is played more in the television than in Flushing Meadows or Roland Garos. Anna, who though failed miserably to add any goodies from the tennis world to her basket still is a hot favourite and she is not the only one to make waves in the fashion world. The Williams sisters , Venus and Serena, stunned the French Open crowd with their outfits. The gear that showcased all of their athletic cleavages was one of those smart picks that are fast becoming the trend of tennis world. The women’s tennis gear that remained simple with those ankle length skirts and cut-off sweat shirts till the early 80s had an adventurous makeover with the entry of daring teenage stars.

The designer gears worn by the tennis pros with lavish splash of colours and unorthodox cuts are many a times innovatively designed by the stars themselves. The Williams sisters are both fashion students and make clear suggestions on their outfits. In vogue in the circuit are outfits that ease performance and raise comfort. The change in perceptions among the players has forced the leading sportswear companies to go in for a big deal of research on material and design. Materials like stretch linen, microfibre, smart cotton mixes like poly-rayon cotton and mercerized cotton and polymer innovations like spandex blend are all a result of this new trend.

Almost all the leading brands in the sportswear business have come out with designer sportswear to grab their share of the fashion pie. Adidas, Diadora, Fila, K-Swiss, Nike, Ralph Lauren, Polo sport, Puma, Reebok, Lotto have all come up with customized wardrobe for the players in their kitty.

[presidio9]

[GungaLaGunga]

Anna's tennis game stinks. Over-hyped and underperforming is no way to stay in the limelight.

[presidio9]

ping

[presidio9]

Anna Kournikova is one of the most successful doubles players in the history of the sport.

[aardvark1]

Anna played tennis? Who knew? Who cared?

[petercooper]

[LiteKeeper]

bump (for research purposes only)

[Lunatic Fringe]

 

[WKB]

Anna's tennis game stinks.


And this matters because ??

[johniegrad]

You've been downgraded to "Chat".

[presidio9]

No, actually I think her sport was bobsled.

[NCjim]

Not a tennis racquet in sight but that's OK with me...

[11th Earl of Mar]

I recognize that mountain.

I think it is Cameltoe... I mean, Camelback.

[Frapster]

Oh my gosh - who is that on the left? And what is happening to her arms? Ack.

[Darksheare]

She's scary.
Reminds me of one of my less inspired 'dates'.
Which created rule 3 in my book of universal rules.
"Never date a woman who can pick you up with one arm and sling you over her shoulder."
Rule 4 "Never date a woman who looks meaner than you."

[Lunatic Fringe]

That is Jennifer Capriati

[Warren]

NEVER WON A TOURNAMENT!!

[MotleyGirl70]

You can at least post a decent picture of Jennifer.

[LiteKeeper]

bump for research [purposes only

[Clemenza]

I personally think the Williams sisters are both talented and attractive. Flame away if you must...