Daily Racquet

Roger Federer and Andy Murray Kick Off 2009 Wimbledon In Retro Style

Wimbledon and fashion have always been closely linked. In 1949 at the Championships, it was 'Gorgeous’ Gussie Morgan who caused a bit of a stir with her lace-trimmed panties. At the 2009 Championships, Roger Federer and Andy Murray both looked stunning as they modeled their specially made Wimbledon outfits — throw backs to the old-school glamour of tennis style.

Federer, who loves the traditions of the game, has always worn something different at Wimbledon courtesy of his official outfitter, Nike. Today, his eye-catching outfit included long trousers, a stylish jacket with the collar turned up and a gold "RF" logo on the left chest and, underneath that, a fitted waistcoat, all in white.

Meanwhile, Andy Murray made a fashion statement of his own with his retro Fred Perry sportswear. In celebration of the centenary year of Fred Perry's birth, Murray's outfit combines elements of the classic Fred Perry look from the 1950s and 1960s — white shorts, a bit shorter than shorts we've seen the past few years, collared shirt and a cable knit sweater, all bearing the Fred Perry laurel wreath that has been the company’s logo since 1952, and Murray’s initials.

Murray, who won his first grass tournament at Queen's Cup last week, is the world No 3 and goes into the Wimbledon Championships as the highest ranked British tennis player since Perry, who won three Wimbledon singles titles from 1934-36.

These two top players have created a great way to embrace tradition with their style, let's see which one can do it with their game.

For more information go to Nike.com and FredPerry.com.

Support Roger Federer and Unicef With "Federer-Bear" Beanie Baby

Show your support for Roger Federer, and help support UNICEF at the same time through the purchase of the "Federer-Bear" Beanie Baby. The "Federer-Bear," a take-home version of UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and 2009 French Open Champion Roger Federer, is an official Ty Beanie Baby produced exclusively for the ATP by Ty.

Proceeds from the sale of each bear will benefit the "ACE" program (Assisting Children Everywhere), a global partnership between the ATP and UNICEF to help ensure health, education and protection of children around the world.

Available online at Tennis Warehouse.

Wilson K Factor Kobra Tour Racquet Gives You A Lethal Advantage

Don't let the sleek design of the Wilson Kobra Team FX fool you. Just like its namesake, the King Cobra, the largest and most venomous snake in the world — put in the right hands, the new Wilson Kobra can be equally as quick and lethal.

The racquet was created with the new generation of aggressive tournament players in mind and offers plenty of power, spin, and control — a deadly weapon that can strike an opponent from anywhere on the court.

In addition to the cool blue color, one of the first things you'll notice first about this racquet is the new Quad Shaft—large cutouts in the racquet’s throat. Quad Shaft means the throat of the racket has four shafts instead of the conventional two, which ultimately means more stability. This technology provides the racket with 23% more torsional stability and more evenly distributed mass resulting in more control.

The racquet comes at a moderately high strung weight of 11.5 ounces, allowing for momentum behind every shot with a solid feel and a generous sweetspot. The 16x19 open string pattern makes the Kobra Tour spin friendly.  From the baseline the Kobra Tour offers plenty of stability, even on off-center hits. The swingweight makes it easy to generate racquet head speed to get some oomph into the serves and volleys seemed a snap.

Overall, this racquet offers a good combination of power and control and is a solid choice for those looking to add a lethal advantage to their game.

Available online at Tennis Warehouse.

A Terrible Splendor: Three Extraordinary Men, a World Poised for War, and the Greatest Tennis Match Ever Played

Next week tennis superstars Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal as they continue their quests for Grand Slam glory, but even their epic battles can't compare to the one between America's Don Budge and Germany's Gottfried von Cramm in their 1937 Davis Cup match, the subject of Marshall Jon Fisher's captivating new book, A Terrible Splendor: Three Extraordinary Men, a World Poised for War, and the Greatest Tennis Match Ever Played.

This deciding Davis Cup match, played on the hallowed grounds of Wimbledon, was a battle of titans: the world's number one tennis player against the number two; America against Germany; democracy against fascism. For five superhuman sets, the duo’s brilliant shotmaking kept the Centre Court crowd–and the world–spellbound. Against the backdrop of the Great Depression and the brink of World War II, one man played for the pride of his country while the other played for his life. Budge, the humble hard-working American who would soon become the first man to win all four Grand Slam titles in the same year, vied to keep the Davis Cup out of the hands of the Nazi regime. On the other side of the net, the immensely popular and elegant von Cramm fought Budge point for point knowing that a loss might precipitate his descent into the living hell being constructed behind barbed wire back home.

Born into an aristocratic family, von Cramm was admired for his devastating good looks as well as his unparalleled sportsmanship. But he harbored a dark secret, one that put him under increasing Gestapo surveillance. And his situation was made even more perilous by his refusal to join the Nazi Party or defend Hitler. Desperately relying on his athletic achievements and the global spotlight to keep him out of the Gestapo’s clutches, his strategy was to keep traveling and keep winning. A Davis Cup victory would make him the toast of Germany. A loss might be catastrophic.

Set at a time when sports and politics were inextricably linked, A Terrible Splendor gives readers a courtside seat on that fateful day, moving gracefully between the tennis match for the ages and the dramatic events leading Germany, Britain, and America into global war. A book like no other in its weaving of social significance and athletic spectacle, this soul-stirring account is ultimately a tribute to the strength of the human spirit.

Available online at Amazon.com.

Roger Federer Tennis Fans: Get Your RF Monogram Hat and T-Shirt

Calling all Roger Federer fans and tennis collectors alike — celebrate Roger's historical win at the 2009 French Open — with a RF monogram hat or t-shirt.

For the past year, the Roger Federer monogram hats have been one of the most sought after tennis items on the market. As soon as a new color — white and blue — hits the market, fans worldwide grab them up. Each hat features the monogram of Roger Federer embroidered on the face of the hat. Dri-Fit fabrication and the mesh insert around the head helps to control moisture and wick away perspiration. A velcro strap makes this hat adjust to fit most people.

And now, for the first time ever, you can get a RF monogram T-shirt. This comfortable cotton tee features a ribbed V-neck, screened RF  logo, and a screened Swoosh on the left sleeve. The shirt is available in black and white, white and black and white and blue.

Add a touch of history to your game when you sport one of these  classy hats or tees.

Available online at Tennis Warehouse.

Gael Monfils Takes On Roger Federer Armed With New Coach and New Racquet

Surprise 2009 French Open quarterfinalist Gael Monfils takes on Roger Federer armed with a new coach and a new tennis racquet. 

Monfil's new weapon of choice — the EXO3 Rebel 95 provides a ton of feel and control, and is an excellent racquet choice for players seeking the precision of a surgeon's scalpel, or perhaps, a French Open Championship.

Monfils shot up to his highest ranking ever (#9) immediately after making the switch to the EXO3  Rebel 95 before suffering tendonitis in his knee the weeks leading up to Paris. In fact, the 22 year-old Frenchman made the decision to play Roland Garros only one day before the start of the tournament and now finds himself in the quarterfinals after a straight set victory over sixth seed Andy Roddick in the Round of 16.

From the baseline, this racquet provides excellent stability, remaining very solid through the contact zone even during heavy hitting. At the net, it provides solid zip for pinpoint accuracy and good racquet head acceleration on the serve.

The EXO3 Rebel 95 features Prince’s patented Energy Bridge — an exoskeletal structure that suspends the string bed from the frame, increasing virtual head size for up to an 83% larger sweet spot. In addition, frame vibration is reduced by up to 50%. Enhancing the dynamic effects of the Energy Bridge, is the patented Energy Channel, a sculpted groove within the frame that provides added stability, boosts ball control and increases spin by up to 25%.

A true midsize frame with only one thing on its mind...energy and control.  Monfils will need both to beat Roger Federer.

Available online at Tennis Warehouse.

Serve it up Paris style With Adidas Roland Garros Logo Wear

For all of you tennis fans who will spend the next week religiously watching the 2009 French Open unfold, guess what? You can now do it in style when you purchase your very own Adidas Roland Garros Logo Wear.

Select from stylish Adidas tops, shorts and skirts that are 100% polyester with ventilated ClimaCool technology that keeps you cool and comfortable in even the warmest conditions by actively expelling heat and sweat away from your body.

 The official men's crew features the adidas 3-Stripes on the right shoulder, contrast  mesh panels under the arms, a rubber adidas logo centered on the upper back, and a rubber Roland Garros logo centered on the chest.

The women's cap-sleeve top features a flattering modern fit with a contrasting scoop neck, arm trim and piping. There is breathable mesh on the upper chest and underarm, along with applied 3-stripes on the right side. A rubber adidas logo is centered on the top back and on the left chest.

What better way to show your love for Paris than by sporting these official 2009 Roland Garros tops.

Available online at Tennis Warehouse.