Daily Racquet

Let It Rip This Christmas With World's #1 Doubles Team

A copy of Bob and Mike Bryan's new CD, Let it Rip is a perfect gift for the tennis music lover on your Christmas list.

The new album contains five songs that feature Bob Bryan playing the bass and keyboards, Mike Bryan on the drums and David Baron as the lead vocalist also plying piano and guitar. During this year's US Open, the music-loving Bryan brothers worked their magic to convince fellow tennis players Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic to lend their “talents” to a song called, "Autograph." The track is about the attention famous sportsmen receive from autograph hunters.

The Bryan Brothers have been playing musical instruments as long as they've been playing tennis, often performing for family, friends and charity events. In 2009, they performed at four different ATP World Tour events including San Jose, Delray Beach, Houston, Wimbledon and Arthur Ashe Kids Day.

But just to prove their new foray into the music business isn't taking anything away from their tennis, the brothers finished the year by clinching the World Tour Doubles Title and the #1 world doubles ranking.

Both on and off the court, the Bryan Brothers "Let It Rip!"

Available online at iTunes.

Agassi Bio On N.Y. Times Best-Seller List

Andre Agassi’s memoir “Open” continues to stay on the New York Times list of best-selling books since its release in early November. And for good reason. Agassi has hit another ace. This time, in the form of a refreshingly forthright autobiography.

Agassi brings a near-photographic memory to every pivotal match and every relationship. Never before has the inner game of tennis and the outer game of fame been so precisely limned. Alongside vivid portraits of rivals from several generations—Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer—Agassi gives unstinting accounts of his brief time with Barbra Streisand and his doomed marriage to Brooke Shields. He reveals a shattering loss of confidence. And he recounts his spectacular resurrection, a comeback climaxing with his epic run at the 1999 French Open and his march to become the oldest man ever ranked number one.

In clear, taut prose, Agassi evokes his loyal brother, his wise coach, his gentle trainer, all the people who help him regain his balance and find love at last with Stefanie Graf. Inspired by her quiet strength, he fights through crippling pain from a deteriorating spine to remain a dangerous opponent in the twenty-first and final year of his career. Entering his last tournament in 2006, he’s hailed for completing a stunning metamorphosis, from nonconformist to elder statesman, from dropout to education advocate. And still he’s not done. At a U.S. Open for the ages, he makes a courageous last stand, then delivers one of the most stirring farewells ever heard in a sporting arena.

With its breakneck tempo and raw candor, Open will be read and cherished for years. A treat for ardent fans, it will also captivate readers who know nothing about tennis. Like Agassi’s game, it sets a new standard for grace, style, speed, and power.

Available online at Amazon.com.

Wilson KSix.One Tour Finishes The Year On Top

Anybody will tell you that having the proper set of tools in your hand certainly makes a job easier — it's  no different with Roger Federer.

His tool of choice?

The Wilson KSix.One Tour and for good reason. The best-selling KSix.One Tour is a performance oriented racquet designed for the serious tennis player with long, fast swings — it is quick through the contact zone and offers up a larger sweetspot. At net the KSix-One feels rock solid and very precise. On serve there is plenty of control. At 12.5 ounces strung, the Six.One Tour is a heavy racquet that is perfect for advanced tennis players looking for a consistent racquet that plays well from all parts of the court. This stick is meant for competitive tennis players looking to add control, consistency, and precision to their game.

With his [K] Six.One Tour racket, Federer held on to the #1 spot by reaching the semi-finals the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London, England. Federer made his 8th consecutive appearance in the year-end championships.

The top ranking solidifies Federer’s tremendous success of 2009. By winning the French Open title in June, Federer became the 6th man in history to win all four Grand Slam titles in his career. One month later, he won a record-breaking 15th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, where he collected his 6th championship at the All England Club.

All in all, a very impressive racquet that has helped Roger grab a few Grand Slam titles.

Available online at Tennis Warehouse.

New Andre Agassi Bio Slated To Hit Stores Soon

Andre Agassi's new autobiography, Open is slated to hit store shelves November 9th and it's already creating a stir with Agassi's admission that he used Crystal Meth.

With Agassi's near-photographic memory, you will learn about his rigorous training when he was a child through his rebellious teen years. By the age of thirteen, he is banished to a Florida tennis camp that feels like a prison camp. Lonely, scared, a ninth-grade dropout, he rebels in ways that will soon make him a 1980s icon. He dyes his hair, pierces his ears, dresses like a punk rocker. By the time he turns pro at sixteen, his new look promises to change tennis forever, as does his lightning-fast return.

With great recall, Agassi recalls every pivotal match and every relationship. Never before has the inner game of tennis and the outer game of fame been so precisely penned. Alongside vivid portraits of rivals from several generations—Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer—Agassi gives unstinting accounts of his brief time with Barbra Streisand and his doomed marriage to Brooke Shields. He reveals a shattering loss of confidence. And he recounts his spectacular resurrection, a comeback climaxing with his epic run at the 1999 French Open and his march to become the oldest man ever ranked number one.

With its breakneck tempo and raw candor, Open will be read and cherished for years. A treat for ardent fans, it will also captivate readers who know nothing about tennis. Like Agassi’s game, it sets a new standard for grace, style, speed, and power.

Pre-orders available at Amazon.com.

Calling All Rafael Nadal Tennis Fans! Get Your New Nadal Bull Logo Hat

A hat is a hat, unless of course, it features the bull logo that represents Rafael Nadal, “The Matador of Spin." Then, it becomes a hat that we've all been waiting for, and once placed on your head, it adds a whole new dimension to your competitive zeal. The new hat features Rafael Nadal's signature bull logo embroidered at front, as well as Nike swoosh on bill — the Dri-Fit sweatband wicks away perspiration and the four black mesh vents add both a visual and functional flavor. The black underbill and binding minimizes the visual glare. A velcro strap makes this hat adjust to fit most people.

No bull — these hats are guaranteed to make you play your best. Vamos!

Available online at Tennis Warehouse.

Team Up Wth Adidas and Ana Ivanovic To Support UNICEF

Adidas and Ana Ivanovic have teamed up to create a new line of t-shirts with 100% of the profits going to benefit Unicef's "School without Violence" program.

The Adidas collection includes six different T-shirts divided into three categories:  women’s, girls’ and unisex.  It is a limited edition and the designs were chosen by Ana’s fans through online voting on her website.

 Ana’s favorite design is the “Never stop smiling” purple T-shirt, but she is also very fond of the Adidas unisex one.

Available online at Tennis Warehouse.

Melanie Oudin: Heart, Sole and Lots of Color

Melanie Oudin has been wearing her heart on her sleeve during her run at the 2009 US Open and it has endeared her to fans everywhere. On her feet, she is wearing her own personalized adidas mi Barricade 5 tennis shoes — the bright yellow,  and pink shoes with a purple stripe have the  inscription ‘believe’ on the side of the shoe.

You too, can create a one-of-a-kind design that's yours alone — you can choose your own colors, add in details, then show the world your own personal best in the greatest adidas ever. Yours. It doesn't get much cooler than that.

Each shoe can be customized by fit (even different sizes for each foot) or by using an array of colors, designs and logos that result in thousands of possible combinations. And, those having trouble figuring out where to begin, can look to inspirations from  both Oudin’s design.

Whatever your personal style, the customized design and perfect fit of mi adidas shoes can help you run faster and react quicker.  No guarantees that they'll make you as fast Oudin but you will look your best.

Check it out at miadidas.com.

Taxi Please! Nadal Takes New Yorkers For A Ride

Rafael Nadal shirt of choice for the 2009 US Open is the Nike Men's Fall Double Bold Polo Shirt — the bright yellow color is inspired by none other than the signature yellow taxi cabs that zoom through New York City while the multi-row dot print across the chest is inspired by the colorful numeric subway signs.

In addition the bright colors and graphics, this classic polo features a Nike Dri-Fit Mesh is incorporated in strategic places for breathability to keep Nadal cool. It also has a self-fabric collar with two button placket, and a woven tennis court label on the bottom left hem and the famous Nike Swoosh embroidered on the left chest.

The classic polo offers a new take on the spin in the city — taxi please!

Available online at Tennis Warehouse.  

Advantage Roger or Rafa?

Help celebrate and support two of the best tennis players the world has ever seen — Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal — as they head into the final grand slam of the year. Not only are they two of the best players but they are one of the greatest rivalries the game has seen for a long time.

Who has the advantage? Fed, the "The Swiss Magician of Precision” or  Rafa “The Matador of Spin?"Will it be Roger or Rafa in New York? Nobody knows but one thing is for sure, tennis will never be the same!

Get in the spirit of this great tennis rivalry with a t-shirt supporting your player.

Available online at Tennis Warehouse.

Mike and Bob Bryan Let It Rip At Arthur Ashe Kids Day

 #1 ATP World Tour Doubles Team Bob and Mike Bryan debuted three new songs from their new CD Let it Rip at Arthur Ashe Kids Day. The new album will contain five songs that feature Bob Bryan playing the bass and keyboards, Mike Bryan on the drums and David Baron as the lead vocalist also plying piano and guitar.

The Bryan Brothers have been playing musical instruments as long as they've been playing tennis, often performing for family, friends and charity events. In 2009, they performed at four different ATP World Tour events including San Jose, Delray Beach, Houston and most recently Wimbledon.

Scheduled to be released September 1st, the new CD will be available at bryanbrothersband.com and davidbaronmusic.com.