Tennis News

The US Open is the most fashion-forward Grand Slam, as its host city inspires tennis apparel companies to experiment with vibrant colors and prints. References to NYC’s bright lights and architecture can be recognized in this season’s aesthetic, while advanced temperature-regulating technologies are there to help WTA players perform their best. Marija Zivlak of Women’s Tennis Blog will give us a closer look at the styles we’ll see at Flushing Meadows.

Simona Halep, Ana Ivanovic and Angelique Kerber will sport the adidas adizero collection whose striking, triangular print is inspired by the landscape and environment of New York. The lightweight collection, built for speed, comes in a variety of bold color combinations.

The flash red version of the adidas Fall Pro Tank, as seen here on Halep, stands out with its stylish tech steel contrast racerback and keyholes. The eye-catching pattern of the adidas Fall Pro Skirt harnesses the good vibes of Big Apple, energizing players to perform their best.

Besides the recognizable geometric sublimated print at straps and bottom, Ivanovic’s adidas Fall Pro Dress features stylish V-shaped mesh color-block at back, which has a ventilating purpose.

The entire collection is focused on keeping athletes dry through Climacool moisture management.

Nike’s collection for the 2016 US Open is inspired by chromatic shift of the lights in New York City, reflecting it through pops of vibrant colors, while comfort in humid summer days is ensured by engineered knit construction.

Serena Williams will go for the NikeCourt Power Dress, which promises to be one of the best outfits of the tournament with its mock neck, that the world number one altered for the promo photo shoot, mesh back ventilation and energizing pleats on the woven skirt. The item comes in black and in white with hyper pink.

Madison Keys will rock a striking black and volt combination in the NikeCourt Dry Slam Tank and NikeCourt Flex Victory Skirt.

Garbiñe Muguruza and Caroline Wozniacki will showcase key looks from the adidas by Stella McCartney Barricade Fall/Winter 2016 apparel made of advanced Climalite fabric that keeps players cool. The collection includes innovative shoe designs intended for the fast and hard surface at the US Open.

The Spaniard’s Adidas Stella Barricade New York Tank and the Adidas Stella Barricade New York Skirt play with white, oyster grey and flash red through color-blocking and marble print.

Clean lines and side color-blocks of Wozniacki’s Adidas Stella Barricade New York Dress have a figure-slimming effect, while bonded no-sew seams at arm holes and hem provide a modern feel.

Muguruza’s Barricade shoe (left) is engineered for maneuverability, while supreme ventilation is ensured by its full mesh knit upper. Wozniacki’s Barricade BOOST footwear (right) and its BOOST™ energy-returning cushioning give players an extra edge on abrasive hard surfaces.

As Venus Williams herself said, the EleVen Prism collection takes colors and prints to a whole new level. Besides the appealing print, the American’s EleVen Prism Chela Dress features lightweight color-blocking mesh at back and a nice wrap design. Moisture-wicking properties, superior breathability and EleVen Ozone for UVA and UVB protection are performance features of this stylish dress.

Agnieszka Radwanska will play in a rose neon version of the Lotto Nixia Dress, unique for its dramatic use of mesh at back and drop-waisted skirt with several pleats.

Heather Watson will sport the lightweight and breathable New Balance Fall Yarra Tank, whose burnout stretch mesh along the back, together with a poly/Spandex knit with NB DRY, will help the Brit feel comfortable. The tank’s match is the 40 Degree Skort which includes laser perforations, engineered waistband, as well as NB DRY and NB FRESH for breathability.

Fila-sponsored stars will wear the Heritage collection, a fusion of Fila’s time-honored silhouettes with contemporary elements. The clothes combine red, white and black, either in color-blocks or modern blurred stripes.

Karolina Pliskova is pictured wearing the Fila Heritage Stripe Dress, while Jelena Jankovic‘s promo image showcases the Fila Heritage Racerback Dress.

Tennis fashion fans can definitely look forward to the 2016 US Open!

NEW YORK, NY, USA – Venus Williams began her record-breaking 72nd Grand Slam campaign with an eventful win over Kateryna Kozlova on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Father time remains undefeated, or so the saying goes. However, a couple of months on from her 36th birthday, Williams continues to defy the aging process, taking the best part of three hours to defeat Kozlova, 6-2, 5-7, 6-4.

The tennis landscape is much changed since a teenage Williams – accompanied by beads and garish outfit – made her Grand Slam bow against Naoko Sawamatsu at the 1997 French Open. Remarkably, the American, now an iconic figure in the sport, remains a threat at its four flagship events.

Last year, quarterfinal appearances at both the Australian and US Opens – backed up by no little success elsewhere – propelled Williams back into the Top 10. And this campaign she has maintained the momentum, reaching the semifinals at the site of her greatest triumphs, the All England Club.

At Wimbledon, Williams matched Amy Frazier’s Open Era record of 71 Grand Slam appearances, marking the occasion with rollercoaster victories over several of the game’s brightest young talents. Against Kozlova – who was just three years old when Williams made her US Open debut – she was once against forced to draw on her wealth of experience.

Venus Williams: Improves to 18-0 in US Open 1st round. Only Chris Evert (19-0) has a better record in the 1st round at US Open (Open Era)

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) 30 August 2016

The 2000 and 2001 champion has never lost an opening round match at Flushing Meadows, a statistic that looked in little danger when she pocketed the first set and moved 4-2 ahead in the second.

Kozlova, though, had other ideas, silencing the partisan crowd by rattling off five of the next six games to take the match the distance. A similar story looked to be unfolding in the decider, the Ukrainian falling 5-2 behind only to produce an unerring down-the-line backhand to break back in the ninth game. This time she was unable to complete the comeback, erring on the backhand to succumb the following game.

Despite a messy afternoon the No.6 seed, who finished with 63 unforced errors, was characteristically upbeat afterwards. “The errors told the story today,” Williams said. “Once you’re at this level everyone can play. Today I had to hit a lot of balls and I think that will help me going into the rest of the tournament.”