Fasion Police, Melbourne edition

POSTED BY BESS: And now for the perennial discussion of the most pressing tennis matter at hand... the fashion.

I know it's the Aussie Open, but I'm not sure I've ever seen so many day-glo brights at one time. It's like an '80s party, but with 2015 "shoe technology." 

Serena's backless Nike kit

Serena was interviewed by Mary Joe the other night, and she said all the Nike athletes are in bright colors. That explains a lot, since there are a swoosh of Nike athletes in the field. (See what I did there?) 

Here's what I don't get. The sportswear companies know the top 128 men and 128 women are all converging on the same tourney. If you're Nike, you must know players wearing your gear are going to be playing back to back to back matches on TV--and often playing each other. So why are so many of them wearing the same exact same kits? 

I get that there's cost effectiveness in producing just a few styles. So come up with a few for the season but then make those limited styles in a gang of colors. Maybe add a stripe here, change a fabric there. Allow for a little individuality in this individual sport. No? But why not?

It doesn't seem that hard to help the players avoid feeling like they just showed up to prom and all of their closest friends *and* worst enemies are wearing the same damn thing. 

To the uninitiated viewer, those early rounds must have looked like the same two players out there for 12 hours straight. I did witness two back-to-back matches featuring one player wearing the Adidas purple outfit and the other wearing the Nike pink/white get-up. It just seems odd and unnecessary. 

Clearly there's a whole lot about outfitting tennis players that I don't understand. 

Getting down to the specifics, this is not my favorite look:

But it was *everywhere* the first two nights. When paired with pink shoes and pink sweat bands, as I witnessed one player doing, it was like an ad for Love's Baby Soft. {shudder} Certainly we can do better than this.

Now, Serena's Nike dress is completely distinctive, being backless, and all (see photo at top of post.) As is Sharapova's (one of my faves, see photo at bottom of post.) They are premier athletes, so it seems to make sense that they have very distinctive looks. But must the rest of the players be left looking like an army of neon Garanimals?

Interestingly, after I had drafted this post, Maria tweeted photos of three women wearing her MS Nike line. Confusing, since they're all wearing the same outfit (is the line just one kit?) and the kit looks nothing like Maria's signature look for this tournament... but it does somewhat resemble Serena's look. Agree? So bizarre.

Oh - and, thoughts on Caro's Adidas number, dubbed "The Barricade?" (First, it has a name?) Her looks are typically a bit edgier, so this one has thrown me for a loop in all its muted glory. I don't hate it. But I don't love it.  

Woziacki's yawner of a dress

Finally, the men. Their fashion matters, too! It's just typically not as fun to discuss. 

I feel like there was more variety in the men's kits, especially in the early rounds, but maybe that's just me being distracted by all the five set matches they played! 

I'm not a big fan of Federer's lemonade ensemble (my name, not his.) He's typically hard to fault but this one just doesn't do it for me. Rafa's bright pink is fun, but all the neon yellow accessories are a bit much. Pretty sure Stacy and Clinton would have told him to "edit" his look before hitting the court. (Not that Rafa would have listened.) 

And then there's Kei Nishikori, in what might aptly be described as the UPS Power Pro Series:

No one else is really standing out for me at this point, but I can't say that I've seen everyone play, so I'm likely missing a few obvious Fashion Police candidates. 

I'm sure Dave has some thoughts.

DAVE WEIGHS IN: First things first. Bess, you stole my reference to the 80s!

Secondly, I haven't paid as much attention to fashion this tournament, as in past Slams. That may be because, as Bess (and Serena) noted, all of the Nike-sponsored female athletes have been wearing the same dress. YAWN. 

Pretty much everyone agrees this is an A+ look.

But, hold it, is that really true? I've only caught one of Sharapova's matches, but she was wearing this flawless Nike dress. Still in the pink family, but not the standard-issue Nike dress I have seen Serena and the others wear. Maybe I'm missing something? Or losing my mind due to the sleep deprivation that comes with trying to hold down a full-time job plus watch live tennis that's on at such ungodly hours back here in the States.  

Regardless, I don't mind all of the pink dresses, nor the sense of unity. Maybe it's subconsciously helped me focus more on the action than the fashion, at least in the case of Nike-sponsored women.

As for the men, do we really consider what they wear fashion? That's a stretch, in my opinion. I'll comment solely on Fed's outfit, solely because it was so bright and distracting. And roughly in the same color family as tennis balls, no doubt making it, at times, difficult for the opposing player to follow the ball's path. All of that strikes me as being a bit much, especially for a soft-spoken, gracious champion like Fed.

Then again, this isn't Wimbledon! Let them wear all the crazy colors they want Down Under. Just please, All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, don't ever bend your rules. I love Wimbledon's strict dress code, and the sense of tradition and honor.  

TENNIS FANS: Anybody want to talk fashion aces and faults from the 2015 Aussie Open? Opinions run the gamut, for sure. Feel free to put us in our place.

Three stars, one grateful fan

POSTED BY DAVE: Let me talk about three shining stars, all of whom happen to be Americans. (Call me biased or patriotic. Guilty, as charged.) Here goes:

First, who the heck is Steve Johnson?! I'm not sure how he became the #2 American, and ranked #38 in the world, without having previously been on my radar. At all. Plus, I have learned that he won 72 consecutive matches in college AND back-to-back NCAA singles titles? Wow! This guy is just so impressive. Power, placement, poise: he's got it all.

Introducing Steve Johnson. The next great American? (Photo: AFP)

Johnson lost his 3R match to #5 seed Nishikori (who was on my radar years ago, long before his recent ascent). The result isn't what matters to me, though. What I'd like to note is Johnson's maturity, on and off-court.  He seems all about the tennis, and not one for talking smack, pumping his ego, and so on. So refreshing. I'm really eager to see if his star keeps rising, and if he can stay so grounded. Perhaps our next great American champion?

Madison Keys (Photo: USA Today)

On to the next bright American star: Madison Keys. Personally, I haven't been on the Keys bandwagon like so many others, including Bess. (Keys is from the Quad Cities, where Bess grew up.) She's got power, yes; who's going to deny that?! But, she's always seemed like a loose cannon. When her shots are on, she's amazing. When they're not, she doesn't have any sort of Plan B. (Note: I tell my students all of the time that it's much easier to be a critic than a champion. So, Madison, I mean no disrespect at all. I wouldn't last 20 seconds on the court with someone as talented as you!)

Keys' style resonates with me, because coming up with a Plan B has always been my challenge playing tennis. I've got some power, and I'm not too shabby at placement. But, unlike Johnson, I don't have consistent poise. I didn't think Keys had it, either, but her new coach (and one of my favorites of all-time!) Lindsay Davenport must be having a positive impact. Keys seemed to be self-controlled all the way through her 3R victory over Kvitova. If she stays in this mindset, watch out!

Venus Williams, a true champion in every sense of the word.

Finally, I want to give a special shout-out to my favorite Williams sister. (Sorry, Serena.) Venus, I have spent nearly as much time watching and reading your interviews this week, as watching matches. Your news conferences have been especially gratifying to watch.

To be honest, I feel that you have long been one of the most gracious players, female or male. I see that increasingly in you, as you age, and as you contend with health struggles. I admire your composure and your sense of gratitude, for still being able to compete at such a high level. You truly let your tennis do the talking these days, just like upstarts Johnson and Keys are learning to do.

Your status as a dominant tennis star may be starting to fade a bit, just as theirs are rising. But, to me, you shine as brightly as ever, if not more so. Thanks for being such a great ambassador for the sport.

BESS REPLIES: Dave's stats about Steve Johnson are all news to me. Impressive, indeed!

I echo Dave's comments about Venus. It's almost as if her health condition and related on-court challenges make her more relatable to so many of us who aren't superstar athletes. And, as Dave says, because she seems to be so grateful to be out there--so joyous.

Venus is old (by tennis standards) and her Sjogren's Syndrome makes her energy level unpredictable. She is no longer the favorite to win, and has had more than her share of early exits in the past several years (despite my always hopeful predictions). She also has a tennis apparel line, other business ventures and arguably many other distractions. All perfectly good reasons many people would cite as they threw in the towel. But she's out there going for it, loving her sport perhaps more than ever and relishing every moment.

Venus is so easy to root for, and count me among those hoping she can keep this run going Down Under and throughout the coming season! Count David Law, of BBC tennis, a fan as well:

And what can I say about Madison Keys? Her work these past few months with Davenport has clearly paid off. You can see why they'd be such a great match when you see Keys thumping those shots with all that power. Watching her go toe-to-toe with Kvitova throughout that whole match was great fun. (Also great fun to see Lindsay in the stands, so invested in these matches!)

Heck, even Feliciano Lopez is a fan:

In the next round Keys plays another young American named Madison Brengle. Keys claims they're excited to play each other and happy that no matter who wins there will be a Madison in the quarter finals. Setting my alarm for that match!

TENNIS FANS: Have you been cheering for Johnson, Keys, and/or Venus? Or, are there other upstarts or veterans who are your favorites? (They don't even need to be Americans!) Please share, and tell us why!

Bess, I told you so ...

Posted by Dave: Ha! What fun to wake up to the news that Nishikori survived a five-setter against Tsonga and that Serena fell in straight sets to Makarova. I had texted Bess from the comfort of my couch last night, as I watched the early parts of both matches, making both of those predictions before I called it an early night.

(c) 2011 Paul Crock/Getty Images

It was also no surprise that Serena made the loss all about herself, rather than Makarova's aggressiveness and control. Serena: "I know that I can play a hundred times better than I did this whole tournament." Perhaps so, but next time you could also admit that your opponent simply played better.

Nishikori should do fine against Murray. It may be a battle, but I think Nishikori will rise to the occasion. He looked strong and steady enough, at least in what little I saw of his match last night.

And the women's quarters should be fun! Aside from Errani (who?), the rest are either proven champions or rising stars. Expect some hard-hitting matches with good doses of drama.

Now if I can just stay awake a little later each night this week ...

On getting housed .. and other ramblings

Posted by Dave: Sadly, I've seen but one hour of coverage from Australia. Life has gotten in the way of tennis lately. But so it goes it sometimes.

Props to Bess for blogging so frequently and eloquently the past week or so. I'll try to redeem myself by offering a few predictions for the week ahead:

1) Nishikori will surprise his half of the draw, and he'll earn the right to get housed* by Djokovic in the semis. This is not what I'd predicted in my original draw, but ... as the Black Eyed Peas would say ... I've got a feelin'. Plus, I cannot fathom the idea of Hewitt taking out Djokovic in the next round. THAT would be a bold prediction, no? But I just can't go there. Mentally. Emotionally. Or otherwise. And I trust many of you don't care to go there, either. (That said, I'm good with Lleyton and Djok having a tight match.)

2) Wozniacki will face Kvitova in the final. (Yawn.) This should surprise few, as they are seeded #1 and #2, respectively. However, I'm only reaffirming what I'd already predicted -- i.e. that Ivanovic will not pull a surprise, Serena will fade, and Sharapova will fall short. (Sorry, Bess, you know I adore Maria even more than you do.) For the record, though, I'm a little bitter that Jankovic got housed by Woz. I mean, a bagel in the first set? (Sigh.)

3) My final prediction is that I'll see no more than another hour of play, at least until the finals this coming weekend. Blame it on cross-training boot camp that starts each morning at 5:20 a.m., coupled with tennis coverage that doesn't start until nearly an hour after my bedtime. Plus, I teach college so I can't sleep through meetings or doze off at my desk like a typical American office worker. (Not implying that you do such things, Bess!) The Australian has always been my least favorite Slam for its inconvenience to those of us in the Northern hemisphere, not to mention that it's where my beloved Mary Joe Fernandez twice fell short in the finals.

But life, and the Australian, go on. Here's to the week ahead!

*Note: Thanks, NPR, for introducing me to the term housed, which is not to be confused with hosed. I had to look up (on UrbanDictionary.com no less!) what housed means.

It's elementary, my dear (Heather) Watson ...

... that neither Bess nor I are swept up in the hype about Serena's comeback. She didn't get a mention in either one of our initial posts to this blog. (Hooray!) I'm sure Serena will do great and all. She always does (annoying). And I suppose she could win, despite being fully Slam-ready. And, regardless, she probably won't threaten to shove a ball down a linesperson's throat at this Slam, and that will be good for everyone, especially young children interested in the sport. But I still don't care. Haven't missed her self-absorbed swagger one bit.

Now Venus' comeback? That's another story. Can't wait to see her back in action at AELTC.

And who's Heather Watson, you ask? British dark horse. Gotta love the name.

As usual, my hopes are with Sharapova. Admire her fight. And her game looked to be back on track at Roland Garros. Could she win it all? We'll see. I like to think of myself as an optimist, but I'm being more of a realist with age. So there's every chance she'll go out to Chakvetadze in the first round. Stranger things have happened at Wimbledon.

Typically, I like to root for Jankovic and King, as well, even though their results have been so erratic. The match that really tears me apart, though, is Oudin and Ivanovic, both of whom are overdue for a return to Slam glory. This time around, maybe?

And when did Patty Schnyder retire?! Totally missed that news. Oh well. [shrug]

The men? Djokovic. (Deal with it, Bess.) Federer. (All hail!) Roddick. (A guy can dream.) Haas. (Hey, why not?) And Nishikori, because his name is fun to say. And because ESPN-UK called him a "starlet." But mostly because he'd knock Hewitt out first round. And that's something Bess and I could both celebrate. You, too?