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Ame and Lulu's Racquet Bag Adds Pretty Prep to Your Game

For the woman who just doesn't go for logo laden tennis gear, this is a fun, casual option. Pictured here is one of Ame & Lulu's tennis totes made from cotton canvas fabric. The fabric pictured here is kimono. There are a variety of gorgeous, eye-catching prints, complemented by a solid bright interior. The versatile tote is canvas on the outside but quilted so soft against your body and definitely ample. You can fit a racquet in the interior velcro pocket. Another compartment holds a jacket and change of shoes. Five outside pockets hold tennis balls, water, energy bars, anything you want to grab quickly between games. The straps are long enough to throw over your shoulder comfortably.

Check out the vibrant collection in its entirety online at Ame & Lulu. The Tennis Tote runs $98 USD. They also make a more traditionally shaped racquet bag with strap, $112.00 and a cosmetic bag set, $56, in every print. These are quality bags, luxurious, borderline preppy. You can picture them on the well tended clay in the Hamptons.

The Good Old Days. How Not to Behave.

Tennis Channel is counting down the top-five tennis meltdowns of all time in a new documentary special, Best of 5: Temper Tantrums. The program looks at some of the most outrageous behavior, racquet smashes and over-the-top on-court verbal abuse you have ever seen (if you are a young gun).  Most of this stuff is pre-hawk-eye, so short-shorts on the guys, stretch headbands...you get the picture...McEnroe is in it yes, of course. Good stuff.

If you've ever wanted to smash a racquet (but don't because it cost a pretty penny) or yell at a bad call, here's a chance to live vicariously and laugh a lot.  Best of 5:Temper Tantrums  will be airing throughout July. Look for times by visiting Tennis Channel's TV Schedule.

Indianapolis Tennis Championships and Bank of the West Classic 2008 on TV

The 2008 Olympus US Open Series just kicked off the six-week hard court summer season with the start of the mens Indianapolis Tennis Championships presented by Lilly and the womens Bank of the West Classic running now through July 20. There is limited television coverage of these tournaments but we'll take what we can get. See what The Tennis Channel and ESPN2 have slated here and set your DVRs if you can't watch live.

Learn more about the Indianapolis ATP event at Tennis Indy and Stanford WTA event at Bank of the West Classic.

Special US Open Hotel Rate for Those Who Love Tennis and NYC

Bryant Park Hotel in New York City is offering a special US Open rate starting at $289 a night for two (plus taxes) on rooms August 25 - September 7, 2008. If you've stayed in the Big Apple recently you know this is a DEAL for an upscale hotel. The rooms have a distinctive, contemporary decor, including Tibetan rugs, goose-down duvets, all the latest tech amenities and then some. Beautiful!

If you are looking for fun in the city before or after the Open, check out this spot set alongside fashionable Bryant Park.  Learn more at Bryant Park Hotel but book the special rate by calling 1-877-640-9300 and asking for the "US Open 2008 rate." The rate is subject to availability and is not offered online. These will go fast for sure.

Athletic Ionic Gear from TRION:Z

We've heard and read a lot about using magnets to increase energy and reduce joint pain. There are many styles out there, some of them disguised as beads and other jewelry, but in a nutshell, the team wears them because we think magnets work.

The problem for many of the guys was that they didn't/wouldn't wear jewelry, especially on court. We found these from TRION:Z which come in a myriad of colors and a few different styles. If you look closely you'll see a number of players wearing them. We've seen them on Andy Roddick, Ashley Harkleroad and many golfers. They are soft and pliable. Easy to slip on or in the case of the necklace, click on. They are made with "stayers" a unique textile with minus-ion producing minerals woven into the fabric. Trion:Z also uses axially magnetized magnets in a patented Alternating North-South Polarity Orientation to maximize the magnetic flow. There is background on the therapeutic use of magnets on the  TRION:Z site as well as a health warning to pregnant, pacemaker wearers and other health compromised individuals. Please ask your doctor if you are concerned. The necklace above runs $29.95 USD. The bracelets, $19.95. The broadband, a wider model, not pictured, $24.95. Tennis-Warehouse has them in stock as well. Give them a try. We thought they were great.

There's a New Bag in Town and the Wilson Players Among Us Want it Bad

Roger's got a brand new bag and we like it a lot. Wilson players this is the new limited edition super six pack you saw Federer carrying at Wimbledon and that you'll see with him through the 2008 US Open. The bag has Thermoguard and Moistureguard compartments which are great on and off court in the summer's heat; your hot car is no longer the enemy. The Swiss flag motif bag sports an embroidered Federer autograph while offering your precious sticks and string jobs terrific protection (as well as ample room to store essentials). MSRP $120.00. Visit Wilson to find a retailer near you or buy now at Tennis-Warehouse.

Williams and Wilson Win Big with K Factor

Wilson players dominated Wimbledon with eleven players in the finals capturing six out of nine titles (including juniors). All held [K] Factor racquets.

Venus and Serena both played with [K] Blade Team Racquets during their singles and doubles matches. Roger Federer played with the [K] Six.One Tour.

As we noted in our OntheBaseline article on beginning tennis gear, these are not the exact racquets that all player levels should use. Check out the whole line at Wilson because there is a version that will match your level of play. Tennis-Warehouse also carries and demos all [K] Factor sticks. Give one a test drive and see for yourself if it will bring your game a step closer to Champion.

Rafa's New Wimbledon Winning Shorts

Rafael Nadal always looks sharp but he hasn't changed much style-wise in the past months, aqua-blue sleeveless in Miami, same top in green in France, white in England. We did notice a change in his shorts however, which are looser fitting than the summer global 3/4 "toreador" pants he's worn in the past. Maybe he requested an unrestrictive fit around the knee as they are both taped every match these days. Well the looser fit stepped right up for him didn't it? Rafael Nadal won the hard fought Wimbledon match up vs. Federer wearing the new Nike Dri-FIT longer length men's short. They have an elastic waist, are 13" long and come in red, black and white, MSRP $ 55 USD. A patch of chamois is built into the back leg for wiping sweaty palms during play. Nice touch. Rafa's fav top is Nike Dri-FIT Power Sleeveless, $55, offering Dri-FIT fabric and UV protection. Learn more and find both pieces at Nike or Tennis-Warehouse.

Serena's Power Choice at Wimbledon

Serena's Wimbledon choice looked sharp and flattered her strong physique. The top is the Nike Women's NYC Court Tank, MSRP, $55 USD. The little mesh insert in the scoop neck top is a great feminine touch. There is a support bra built in and mesh ventilation in back. The 13.5" skort is the zip back Nike Women's NYC Court Skort, $55. It is also available in black. The pleats are overlayed on a woven, stretch skirt. Shorties are built in. Both top and bottom are made of Dri-Fit performance fabric and move and breathe beautifully. Very nice.

Learn more or get yours now at Nike or Tennis-Warehouse.

Roger's Style at Wimbledon

We've seen Roger in action recently wearing the Nike London Men's Polo Shirt, $65 USD paired with the Control Men's Tennis Short, MSRP $45 USD. The gold accented version of the shirt is only available to Roger. He has also teamed the 9" shorts with the uncollared, Men's Fall Control UV crew $45. His current sneaker of choice is the Nike Air Zoom Vapor V, $115.

As you can see from the blended images here, the man's Wimbledon style hasn't changed much over the years (ok, he has cut his hair). The performance built into his clothing has however. All of Roger's new pieces offer a classic look for the tennis purist who doesn't want to miss out on the benefits of the newest performance technology. No word yet on when/if the new gold trimmed RF sweater and white slacks will be available. We'll let you know. For now, look for most of Roger Federer's choices and learn more at Nike or at Tennis-Warehouse. P.S. -- There is a funny, very un-Roger Bond-like video on the Nike site, here.