Daily Racquet

Tory Burch Releases Limited Edition Tee To Commemorate 1973 Battle of the Sexes Match

Tory Burch has released a limited-edition She Won, We Won T-Shirt to commemorate the iconic 1973 tennis    match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, BATTLE OF THE SEXES, which became one of the most watched televised sports events of all time. When King won, conversations about women’s equality ignited around the world and is the subject of the forthcoming movie starring Emma Stone and Steve Carell.

Half of the net proceeds benefit the Tory Burch Foundation, which empowers women entrepreneurs by providing access to capital, education programs and digital resources and the other half of net proceeds benefit the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative, which addresses the critical issues required to achieve inclusive leadership that will lead to significant changes in how women and men operate in the world.

Available online at ToryBurch.com.

Sharing the Love: A Golden Retriever at the Museum

When Artist Tom Mosser did a painting of his four-legged best friend, Lucas, he had no idea that it would become a worldwide phenomenon. But that's exactly what happened. As soon as the image was posted online, it went viral and Lucas became an overnight sensation.

Pictures can truly be worth a thousand words and the image of Lucas did just that for so many tennis players and dog lovers around the world.

The popular print sold out within five weeks but the good news is that Mosser (and Lucas) are Sharing the Love. They have teamed with the The Animal Rescue League to sell t-shirts that feature the original "A Golden Retriever at the Museum" graphic on the front. The proceeds are being donated to rescue and charity groups.

Join Lucas and help Share the Love! 

For more information go to tommosser.com.  T-shirts are available online at the Animal Rescue League.

Make It A Tennis Hall of Fame Christmas

If you have a true tennis aficionado on your Christmas list — think about shopping and supporting the Tennis Hall of Fame. You'll find some fantastic items at their online store. Not only will you find some good purchases but you'll be supporting the history of the game in the process.

There are a slew of fantastic gift items to choose from including the 2012 Hall of Fame Holiday ornament, Tennis Christmas ornaments, 2012 Enshrinement merchandise, jewelry, stationary, art and more.

We're a bit partial to the Unisex Hoodie that sports the Tennis Hall of Fame logo on both the front and back hood.

But, no matter what your choice, be sure to check out the Tennis Hall of Fame store before you finish your holiday shopping.

Available online at Tennis Hall of Fame.

Charity of Choice: Andy Roddick Foundation

Did you see Brooklyn Decker wearing this shirt during Andy's last match at the US Open?! It has been trending ever since and supplies are limited!

This vintage style T-Shirt features a super soft tri-blend fabric with a distressed new Andy Roddick Foundation Logo. You can wear the same shirt that Andy’s friends and family sported at the US Open for only $30. The shirt is available in Vintage Gray and Vintage Blue. Available in size S-XXL. The shirts tend to run slim, so if you are not sure, you should order a size larger.

All proceeds benefit the new Roddick Tennis and Learning Center. ARF believes talent is universal but opportunity is not. By focusing on character development and values such as honor, respect, dignity and duty, our goal is to provide all children a support system that gives them hope for a brighter future. To achieve this goal, ARF has raised over $10 million to fund programs that improve the daily lives of thousands of children. These programs include everything from summer and tennis camps to after-school programs and school uniform initiatives.

Get a great tee and help support a good cause. Available online at ARF.

Babolat Gets In Swing of the US Open

Babolat kicked off the US Open yesterday in New York City with Andy Roddick for the culmination of 

Babolat’s “Put Yourself in Roddick’s Shoes.” CityView Racquet Club played host to the event emcee’d by Larry Stefanki, Andy Roddick’s coach.

Earlier this year, Babolat launched “Put Yourself in Roddick’s Shoes” to give tennis fans an opportunity to win great prizes, receive added value on Babolat purchases, such as footwear, tennis racquets and bags, and support the Andy Roddick Foundation at the same time. A portion of proceeds from the promotion went to the Andy Roddick Foundation. The nationwide contest winner, a 13-year-old boy from the New York City area, received the grand prize—the chance to hit on court with Roddick himself. 

Roddick has been playing with a Babolat racquet since his days as a junior player. He won the US Open in 2003 with a Babolat racquet and he got the world-record for the fastest serve with a Babolat racquet.

When the US Open starts on Monday, Roddick will be playing with the Babolat Pure Drive Roddick tennis racquet strung at 73 #'s with RPM blast strings. Helping him get a quick step on his opponents, Roddick will wearing the Babolat Propulse 2 Titanium tennis shoes.

Available online at Tennis Warehouse.

2010 Charitable New Year's Resolutions

Did you know that along with the usual and very predictable New Year's resolutions — spend more time with family and friends, be healthier and get organized — giving more to charity is high on many lists. That's right — giving back is a high priority and can actually add to your health.

So, if giving back is on your list and you're looking for a few good tennis causes to donate to, we'd like to suggest a few of our favorites.

USTA Serves
The USTA Serves is a not-for-profit entity that is dedicated to improving the quality of life among our nation’s youth through tennis and education — with a mission that it encourages children to pursue their goals and highest dreams by succeeding in school and becoming responsible citizens. To see how you can contribute go to USTA Serves.

Tennis Against Breast Cancer
TABC is a tennis organization specially formed to expand awareness of breast cancer and raise funds to find a a cure. Through tennis and sporting events, TABC provides a means of raising funds which have benefited several organizations. Go to tennisabc.org to donate.  

Project Tennis Backboard
Project Tennis Backboard's mission is to make tennis backboards available at schools, parks and public tennis facilities across America. Backboards are the perfect tool to introduce thousands of new players' specifically youth, to the game of tennis in a way they will enjoy a good level of success and encourage their lifetime participation. Go to projecttennisbackboard.com to learn more and see how you can help.

Thomas Blake, Sr. Memorial Research Fund
The Thomas Blake, Sr. Memorial Research Fund supports early detection research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering — the nation's preeminent cancer center. The Blake Research Fund invests vital seed money at the leading-edge of science: speeding the most promising work, and shortening the time it takes for discoveries at the lab bench to become better treatments at patients' bedsides. One hundred percent of every dollar donated to the Fund goes directly to cancer research. Join James in this his quest to raise money and give a gift that keeps on giving!

Check out these great causes and if you like what you see, consider sending a few dollars their way.

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.

Venus Williams Goes Green At US Open

Two-time US Open Champ Venus Williams has designed an official limited edition US Open t-shirt as part of the USTA's wide-ranging green initiatives at the 2009 US Open.

The colorful  tee features a Tennis Tree with "Green Your Game" on one side of the trunk and "US Open 2009" on the other side of the trunk. The eco friendly theme is printed on a 100% organic preshrunk cotton t-shirt. Organic cotton is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. The shirt also features double-needle stitching throughout and a seamless topstitched collar.

Willams, who won the US Open in 2000 and 2001, is designing the shirt as part of EleVen clothing line, which was launched in 2007.

A portion of the profits from the t-shirt will benefit Unisphere, Inc., the non-profit organization that maintains and preserves Flushing Meadows Corona Park, home of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

Available online at USOpenshop.org.

Prince In The Park

If you live in the New York City area or know anyone coming to New York for the Open, check this out! It's guaranteed to be fun and a fantastic way to start your U.S. Open festivities!

On Sunday, August 30, the day before the start of the Open, the world's top touring pros will be at the public tennis courts in Central Park for the 2009 Prince Tennis EXO3bition.  You'll have the opportunity to see, learn from and even play with stars like Gael Monfils, Mike & Bob Bryan, John Isner, Sam Querrey, David Ferrer and legends Stan Smith, Paul Annacone, Roger Rasheed and Wayne Bryan. 

The event isn't limited to just tennis — music fans can meet and hear an exclusive, live performance by American Idol Season 7 finalist, Downtown Recording Artist, and former top-ranked Australian Prince Junior Team player, Michael Johns! This is shaping up to be one of the biggest tennis events of the year - and you are invited! So stop by or tell a friend to come and join Prince for a great day in the park.

In addition, you can bid on a private tennis lesson with the Bryan Brothers and other U.S. Open legends in NYC on August 30th, 2009!  Proceeds to benefit the City Parks Foundation.

For more information on the free public event, to learn how to bid on the private 30-minute lesson with the Bryan Brothers and other U.S Open legends, and an interactive map of Central Park Tennis Courts, fans and media can visit: www.princetennis.com/2009centralparkexo3bition.

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.