The 2008 Nike Fashion Show — er, Wimbledon Tennis Championships continued Tuesday and Maria Sharapova’s tuxedo-inspired shorts ensemble got more attention than her first-round win against Stephanie Foretz. Of the 22 questions in her postmatch news conference, 15 were about fashion, and there were only two token queries about the match.
One could argue the biggest winner after two days of tennis’ most storied tournament is the Nike swoosh, which appeared on the front of most newspaper sports sections because it adorned Roger Federer’s herringbone cardigan, Serena Williams’ trench coat, and the bib-style top of Sharapova’s tailored tux. It was the first time Sharapova wore shorts at a Grand Slam, and she was more than happy to discuss it.
“I’ve loved fashion since I was very young, loved creating things, loved fabrics,” she said. “To be able to produce things like what I wore on court today is incredible, and if there’s a place to do it, it’s definitely Wimbledon.”
With that said, let’s take a little Wearwolves sensibility to Wimbledon fashions:
SERENA WILLIAMS
Wimble-don’t: Ms. Williams, as usual, is a hit or miss. In this trench-coat number, she looks like she got lost on her way to the “Get Smart” premiere.
MARIA SHARAPOVA
Wimble-don’t: Nice try with the tuxedo get-up, but she looks like she should be serving tea, not serving aces.
RAFAEL NADAL
Wimble-don’t: This show should be called “Making the Band.” Nadal was so focused on big headbands and wrist bands that he must have forgotten his sleeves.
THE WILLIAMS SISTERS
Wimble-do: Simple. Elegant. Classy.
JAMES BLAKE
Wimble-do: The preppy, up -collar look is what’s in. If Kanye West played tennis, this is what he’d wear. Wait, can we change our minds?
– – –
TUESDAY’S
WINNERS
Men:
No. 2 Rafael Nadal,
No. 6 Andy Roddick,
No. 9 James Blake
Women:
No. 2 Jelena Jankovic
No. 3 Maria Sharapova
No. 7 Venus Williams
