New Fed-Ex Range
Tuesday, July 14th, 2009| Overall Rating | No Ratings |
Almost every sports fan watched Roger Federer claim his sixth Wimbledon title earlier this month at the All England Club. If you are a massive fan of the world number one, then why not check out some of Nike’s newest threads which you can wear on and off the court.
Federer was recently interviewed by a fellow sports professional, Rio Ferdinand (English Soccer) and the two discussed fashion and in particular Roger’s clothing range. The Swiss ace has his own say on all the clothing that is designed for him. Colours are a key component for Roger – he loves reds and blues, but also likes the simple white design like the one he wore for Wimbledon this year with his unique Jersey gold signature on them.
The latest range of Fed-Ex’s clothing is very sharp and fresh, which is a great comparison to the style and elegance of the great man himself. The latest Roger Federer t-shirts are very simple, but seem to send out a message of pure greatness.
Check out the new Nike Roger Federer Fall Collection
Nike Men’s Roger Federer T-Shirts – All photos courtesy of Tennis Warehouse
The new Roger Federer hat range is quite impressive with seven different styles and colours to choose from. My Tennis Fashion really likes the new Federer black cap with red signature – very stylish for on or off the court.
Take a look at these selected choices below.
All of the products in this article can be found on the Tennis Warehouse website.
Federer holds
Sunday, July 5th, 2009| Overall Rating | No Ratings |
History rewritten in the epic Wimbledon Finale
By MTF Contributor Nistha Tripathi
At the end of day 14 of Wimbledon Championships, it is all about the number 15.
(AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)
In 2007, Federer had won Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open championships to end the year with 12 Slams. Except for the elusive French Open, his title acquisitions were increasing by the tournament. Just 2 short of Pete Sampras’s record 14 Grand Slams, Federer looked all set to create a record of more than 20 Slams at least. Then, his Slam clock stopped ticking as he passed the first three Slams in 2008 without a title. Eventually in August, his World No. 1 position was usurped by Rafael Nadal. Written off by critics, the weight of history kept getting heavier for Federer. The task of reaching the magic number 14 had seemed all uphill from there as his dominance in the game emaciated. Bagging US Open for the fifth time in 2008 and closely missing the chance in Australian Open 2009 against Nadal, Roger awaited the bewitching 14th victory that, thereafter, came in the most unexpected arena – Paris. Setting his own record of most number of Grand Slam victories was now only a matter of ‘when’ and ‘where’. We have the answer now.
(AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
So, we all know that history can be demanding. Ask Federer- what emotional toll it has taken on him since last couple of Grand Slams where his toughest opponent has been the burden of expectations. But it can also be cruel at times. Ask Roddick- what it is like to play against history; knowing that it is not about him at all today and yet, giving it all before coming a bit short. The only tribute he will get in the history books is ‘the guy whom Federer overcame in a record long match to win his 15th Grand Slam’. But no numbers or adulation can justify his genius of performances against Hewitt and Murray that took him to finals- his mere consolation being a runners-up trophy and roary applause from Centre court crowd.
The American gave the most polished performance of his career hitting brutal serves and winners to stretch the Wimbledon final into an epic marathon. No write up can describe the level of the game played, tension created and the drama that unfolded at SW19. With Roddick’s impregnable serve in the first 4 sets, it only seemed fair that Wimbledon doesn’t allow tie-breaks in the decider set. Had it been US Open, we would have missed the tension wrought 5th set where Federer had to break A-Rod to win. Roddick played aggressive while Federer hung on but eventually the lethargy showed off the American and Swiss got his only break of the match in the 30th game, winning it 16-14. To be fair, Federer displayed utmost grits and nerves to play magnificently on crucial points, saving 4 set points in 2nd set and 2 break points in the 5th. In the end, like last year, it was going to be cruel for the one who lost. In 2008, it was Roger in tears and this was Roddick’s turn but what a phenomenal tournament it has been for him.
(AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
If not the trophy, Roddick achieved something very special – adulation from British crowd after defeating their biggest hope Andy Murray and then Federer, who remains a favorite champion at the All England’s Club; an adoration that momentarily overshadowed Federer’s record breaking achievement for when the match ended, the crowd congratulated Fedex with a generous applause but was soon chanting Roddick’s name as he gracefully stood up and thanked them. Call it a moment of divine stature of the quality of today’s match.
The final turned out to be unexpectedly scintillating and seesawed given how heftily Federer had dominated Roddick in the past. And that made the record breaking feat for the Swiss all the more meaningful and memorable. Fedex is also back to World No. 1 spot now but he was humble in accepting that it has come in Nadal’s absence. However, he did flaunt his triumph by donning a jacket with number ’15′ inscribed for the trophy presentation. Attending his coronation were the great of the greats in tennis – Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg and the guy who has slipped to no. 2 in record books – Pete Sampras.
Talking of history, it was not in the destiny of Venus Williams to achieve a similar feat to Federer when Serena Williams outplayed her to claim the Venus Rosewater dish. After playing the longest semi final and perhaps, the best ladies match up in recent times, against Elena Dementieva, Serena Williams was absolutely indefatigable.
(AP photos)
And, lets hear it from the Champions of Wimbledon 2009 -
Roger Federer: “It was so different to what I experienced the last few years with Rafa, you know, where it was a baseline game. Today it was a serve and return game, which is more classical for grass. I mean, it’s frustrating at times because I couldn’t break Andy till the very, very end. So satisfaction is maybe bigger this time around to come through, because I couldn’t control the match at all.”
Serena Williams: “I think if you hold three Grand Slam titles maybe you should be No. 1, but not on the WTA Tour obviously… That’s just shocking. But whatever. It is what it is. I’d rather definitely be No. 2 and hold three Grand Slams in the past year than be No. 1 and not have any.”
I think Sampras summed it the best -
Roger has that ability to make the tough things look easy. He was also a little lucky today, but that’s not surprising. The great ones are always a little lucky.
Wimbledon – Women’s SF Preview Safina v V Williams
Thursday, July 2nd, 2009| Overall Rating | No Ratings |
Dinara Safina v Venus Williams.
The second women’s semi final sees the current world number 1, Dinara Safina take on the former world number 1, Venus Williams. Safina is desperate to win a grand slam after being runner-up on three separate occasions. The Russian will has overcome some difficult matches en route to the semi finals, more notably her quarter final encounter with Sabine Lisicki which went to three sets.
Venus has shown in the past she is capable of beating anyone in the women’s game including her little sister. The 29-year-old is looking for her sixth Wimbledon title which will be an incredible achievement for someone still in their twenties. Venus has been playing some great tennis at the All England Club this year and will take a lot of stopping.
MTF Prediction - This will be very tight. The hunger and desire of Safina against the experience of Venus. We are going for an all-Williams’ final. Venus to show her class and experience out on Centre Court today, she goes through to the final.
SY
Wimbledon – Women’s SF Preview Dementieva v S Williams
Thursday, July 2nd, 2009| Overall Rating | No Ratings |
Elena Dementieva v Serena Williams.
It is women’s semi final day at Wimbledon and we are expecting some superb tennis out on Centre Court later on. Elena Demnetieva versus Serena Williams is a very mouth-watering match-up. Both have great strength in their game and both are heavy weights when it comes to the world of women’s tennis.
This should be an interesting match because we have Elena, who has a strong serve and we have Serena, who is probably the best returner in the game so it will be a fascinating encounter. Both players are 27-years-old and will have to use all their experience to outwit their opponent in the heat on Centre Court.
Serena will be searching for her third Wimbledon title whilst Elena will be hoping she can win her first Grand Slam title at the All England Club.
Both players have cruised to this stage so expect to see some hard-hitting from both players out there.
MTF Prediction – We are going with Serena in the first of the semi finals at Wimbledon today. She will be determined to make the final again this year. Elena will be overpowered in the end by her opponent. Serena smashes her way to the final.
SY
A surreal sixth?
Wednesday, July 1st, 2009| Overall Rating | No Ratings |
A Wimbledon for Federer and Venus to lose
By MTF Contributor Nistha Tripathi
‘Can a 6ft 10in mighty serving Croat finally stop Federer from his 21st straight semi final’ – was the question. After all, Ivo Karlovic was boasting of 80 unbeaten service games in his run to the Quarter Finals at Wimbledon. In answer, Roger Federer humbled him with the finesse of an artist, in straights, while never facing a break point himself. At the end, all Ivo could say was – “Oh, it is only because he is better than everybody else. That’s it”. In the other QF match, Djokovic failed to avenge his Halle title loss to the oldest player left in the draws, Tommy Haas, and caved-in in 4 sets. Nearly a month ago, the Serb was on a majestic run on the clay and was supposed to be the biggest threat in Rafa’s way to 5th French Open title. Around the same time, Federer was giving one desultory performance after another in the ATP Masters tournaments and any hope of equaling Sampras’s 14 Slams was getting bleaker and bleaker; not to forget a rare display of racket abuse in Miami against Nole. Then, Madrid Open happened. In one brilliant semi final, Nadal overcame Djokovic in 3 tight sets leaving the Serb high and dry. Federer having disposed off Del Potro in the other easy semi final, defeated Nadal in straight sets in the final to claim his first ATP title since 2007. Suddenly, the whole dynamics of Men’s tennis had changed.
Since Madrid, Djokovic has constantly struggled to display form and talent that took him to World No. 3 rank. The mentally exhausted Serb lost his improving touch on clay and fell inexplicably to Philip Kohlschreiber in the third round at French Open and later to Tommy Haas at the Halle Open finals on grass. Since Madrid, Nadal also has succumbed to physical and personal malaise.
In contrast, Roger Federer seemed to have found the lost key to his original form and happiness as he claimed the elusive ‘Coupe des Mousquetaires‘ for the first time, completing his career slam and leveling Sampras’s record of most Grand Slam titles. It will not be an understatement to say that the guy is on top of the world and knows that he is there. In his recent media interviews, a casual eye might easily mistake his confidence and aplomb for arrogance. He is prepared for anything that might come in his way for a record 15th Slam victory. And, one should not under estimate his armory and ability to evolve. The guy who once detested the drop shots as a last resort in panic, overhauled his tactics and used them breath takingly during his course at French Open to thwart the likes of Mathieu, Haas, Del Potro and Soderling. We are talking about a guy who has kept himself injury free and fit for more than 5 years, and has consistently delivered near flawless performances at the Slams. The only man to strip him of his invulnerability is the Majorcan and the Swiss is making the best of defending champion’s absence at Wimbledon.
©Julian Finney/Getty ©EPA/S. Suki ©Getty/P Gilham ©Getty/H Blair
Looking ahead at the draws, Haas may prove to be the toughest contender yet for Federer and if he has learnt anything from his French Open loss, he should know that even a 2 sets lead means nothing against the Swiss. In the ‘clash of Andys’, Roddick will hope to up his game against the rising Scot er Briton, Murray.
©EPA / G. Penny ©EPA / S. Suki ©Getty Images / H. Blair
On the ladies side, WTA has had so many shuffles in the rankings lately that I almost missed the fact that the top 4 seeds have all made it to the semi finals! In both USA vs Russia semis, it seems very unlikely that anyone will be able to stop Williams sisters, who exhibited transcendental performances in their respective quarter final matches. Do you know that only one of the last nine women’s finals at Wimbledon did not feature any Williams sister? It was in 2006 when Mauresmo defeated Justine Henin. I do not see any reason why we should not make it one in last ten now.
The stage is set for Roger Federer and Venus Williams to clench their 6th Wimbledon Trophy. Who can stop them?
Wimbledon – Men’s QF Preview Karlovic v Federer
Wednesday, July 1st, 2009| Overall Rating | No Ratings |
Ivo Karlovic v Roger Federer.
The tall frame of Ivo Karlovic will cause the five-time Wimbledon champion all sorts of problems out on Centre Court today. Karlovic has an impressive serve, which might be able to undo Federer on a few occasions in this match. The Croatian has already knocked out ninth seed, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and seventh seed, Fernando Verdasco making him a real contender to lift the trophy on Sunday.
Federer will have to be at his best in this match if he wants to reach the semi finals at the All England Club. The former world number 1 wants the top spot back and is also desperate to reclaim the Wimbledon title which will be a sixth time in his career. Roger overcame a tough fourth round match against Robin Soderling to reach this stage, but now the pressure is on to perform against the giant Croatian.
MTF Prediction – Karlovic will cause Federer problems with his big serve, but the former champion will up his game to match anything that is thrown at him. Federer to reach the last four.
SY
Wimbledon – Men’s QF Preview Haas v Djokovic
Wednesday, July 1st, 2009| Overall Rating | No Ratings |
Tommy Haas v Novak Djokovic.
The first match on Court 1 today will be the Serbian versus the German. Djokovic has only lost one set in his previous four rounds and is steadily going about his business with not much fuss. He comes up against Tommy Haas today who is having a great Wimbledon Championships so far. The twenty fourth seed reached the quarter finals by beating a couple of seeded players including Marin Cilic which went to five sets with the German eventually winning 7-5 7-5 1-6 6-7 10-8.
If Haas wants to reach the semi finals at the All England Club for the very first time he will have to produce the best tennis of his career to overcome the world number four.
MTF Prediction – We know this one might go all the way because the heat out there today will probably cause Djokovic problems, but we are still confident that Novak can set-u a semi final meeting with either Federer or Karlovic. Novak Djokovic goes through.
SY
Wimbledon – Men’s QF Preview Murray v Ferrero
Tuesday, June 30th, 2009| Overall Rating | No Ratings |
Andy Murray v Juan Carlos Ferrero.
We are in for a treat if this match is anything like the previous Murray match. Andy Murray dug deep to dispatch Stanislas Wawrinka in the fourth round. It took nearly four hours of play on Centre Court under the roof for Murray to knock out Wawrinka. What a spectacle it was to see the first ever full match on Centre Court with the roof on. The atmosphere inside the arena was electric.
Murray needs to find some energy from somewhere if he’s to get past the talented Spaniard, Juan Carlos Ferrero. This will be Murray’s toughest challenge yet because Ferrero is good on grass and has lots of experience playing in top games on a grass court.
Juan Carlos has knocked out some tough opponents en route to the quarter finals. The Spaniard beat Gilles Simon in the previous round, which is a big scalp at this late stage of the Championships. On paper Murray should win and with their previous meeting only two weeks ago at Queen’s going the Scott’s way we should see Murray through to his first semi final at Wimbledon.
MTF Prediction – We are going with the player with the Fred Perry threads. Murray will be too strong for his opponent despite the best efforts from the Spaniard. Andy Murray to progress into the last four.
SY
Wimbledon – Men’s QF Preview Hewitt v Roddick
Tuesday, June 30th, 2009| Overall Rating | No Ratings |
Lleyton Hewitt v Andy Roddick.
This quarter final match will have everything. Two complete competitors battling it out for a place in this year’s Wimbldon semi finals. Lleyton Hewitt has shown us he is back to his former best after knocking out Juan Martin Del Potro in straight sets in the second round and then overcoming the 23rd seed, Radek Stepanek in round four. His ability not to give in has got him this far because he could have crumbled in the last round when he started feeling an injury, but give him credit where it’s due he battled on to take the match in five sets.
Andy Roddick is no novice when it comes to playing in the last eight. The American has found some excellent form this year at Wimbledon and is a serious contender to win it. Roddick has only lost three sets en route to the quarter finals which means he will be slightly fresher than Hewitt in this contest. A-Rod has improved his game recently adding more variety to his game, which is paying dividends at the All England Club.
MTF Prediction – This is a tough one to call. Hewitt is a born again winner at the moment and Roddick is showing us a stronger game. We will go with Roddick for this one despite Hewitt’s strong backing from The Fanatics. Roddick to clinch this epic match.
SY
Is Murray ready?
Monday, June 29th, 2009| Overall Rating | No Ratings |
Fred Perry’s legacy and Britain’s expectations – Is Andy Murray ready?
By MTF Contributor Nistha Tripathi
2001 Men’s semi final was the closest Britain ever got to Wimbledon’s Men’s Trophy in Open era as Tim Henman gave way to eventual winner Goran Ivanisevic. Hosting the sport’s most beloved Grand Slam, United Kingdom is still looking to crown one of its own men as the champion since 1936. For many reasons, 2009 Wimbledon is very special for the Britons.
A century ago, Britain’s most revered tennis player was born – Fred Perry. A legend, Perry is not only the last British player to win all the Slams but also the last one to have conquered the Wimbledon lawns – a feat yet to be achieved in Open era of tennis. The highest ranked ATP player Britain ever produced, Tim Henman, never even reached the finals of a Grand Slam as Britons kept waiting for their maiden Grand Slam champion since Perry.
(Marc Aspland/The Times)
Celebrating the birth centennial of Perry, Britons have their highest hopes pinned on the World No. 3 Andy Murray and not without reasons. Murray is not only the highest ranked Briton yet but also the only one to have reached a Grand Slam final when he was defeated by Roger Federer at the US Open in 2008. Tremendously improving his game over past year or so, Murray has already defeated everyone in ATP top 10 to win 3 ATP Masters title and is known for one of the best backhands in the game. With his latest victory on grass at Queen’s and in absence of Nadal in his half of the draw, he is the man to beat at Wimbledon 2009. However, he has yet to prove his caliber in Grand Slams this year as he has lost early at Australian and French Open in 2009. With a home crowd and a burden of expectations, everyone is interested in seeing how the young Scot reacts.
As Andy Murray marches forward to get his biggest career victory and register himself in history of British tennis, he is being endorsed on courts by none other than Fred Perry sportswear company. Perry introduced the concept of wristbands in tennis and popularized the white cotton polo shirts. A fashion conscious player himself, Perry’s range has sponsored legendary Wimbledon champions, such as John Newcombe, Arthur Ashe and Billie Jean King. As the company lost its charm among the newer generations, an affiliation with Andy Murray on centenary of Perry’s birth year has brought it into the limelight once again. Interestingly, Murray has not always been fashionable – “I’d rather look scruffy and win matches than look good and lose“. But as his rankings and stature have raised in tennis, he is looking to play the part of one who is bearing the expectations of a thirsty nation. However, paying the homage to Perry by adopting his clothing line will not suffice. In fact, nothing short of the Wimbledon trophy will do as the fans wave the Union Jacks at every nook and corner of the All England’s Club.
(Marc Aspland/The Times)
Known for a rebellious and independent personality as Perry, Andy Murray will be hoping to introduce another commonness between them – a Wimbledon Trophy. In the second week, the Scot is set to clash with Wawrinka in the fourth round and Ferrero or Simon Gilles in the Quarters. None of them pose a serious threat and Murray should look forward to meeting Hewitt or Roddick (in absence of their upsets) in semis. With a comparatively less hurdled road like that to finals, no doubt every British is eagerly awaiting the tournament’s final day where they hope to see the name of Britain in the scorecard and eventually the Trophy.
The two favorites, Roger Federer and Andy Murray, will strive hard to reach the finals on 5th July and if they do, we will witness the history no matter who ultimately wins. Roger had an easy time against the upcoming Murray at last year’s US Open final but the rival he’ll face this year shall be a more mature, experienced, motivated and confident young Briton. And surrounded by thousands of Union Jacks, who knows what Andy Murray is capable of.
