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Tennisidentity.com is a site for those who love tennis and want only the best style, gear and more for their good game. What's new. What's hot. What works. It's all here. Use "Search Our Site" or "Categories" in the left-hand side-bar for help finding something. Subscribe links are above. Thanks for stopping by.

Wearing new Nike Holiday, Serena Williams tops the 2009 WTA charts.

Serena Williams recently claimed the prestigious 2009 end-of-year Sony Ericsson Championship title. She ends the year as the world's number 1 female tennis player, both on-court and at the bank. In 2009 she earned $6.5 million in prize money (the largest amount ever earned by a female player in one season).

What she wore to end her big year? New Nike Holiday. The two piece set was a fall nuts and berries color scheme if you will-- like Rafa she always looks fab in big color. The red is not as orange as it appears in the image, it's more true and warm; the draped, wrapped fabric works to nicely soften her muscular frame. 

Details:Top, the Nike Women's Holiday Master Athlete Tank, $65 and bottom, Master Athlete Skort, $65, light hot red with mahogany. The top has a built in light support bra with a length that gives good tummy coverage. All Dri-Fit, UV protective fabric. Other pieces I like in this group are the Holiday 3/4 Sleeve Top also in Mahogany (it's got some nice feminine styling to it), $65 and the Holiday Athlete Tank, $60. 

The new colors go with the Nike Air Max Mirabella with Hot Red, $82.

Serena's weapon of choice? The Wilson [K] Blade Team, strung with Wilson Gut. She carries the Wilson Grand Slam Bag.

BTW guys, there is some great new Nike winter gear for men in the same mahogany brown. I've seen it on Roger Federer. Ladies if you like polos, get this in a small size and pair it with a pleated white skirt. Cute in a very preppy way.

For more info on Serena's big year visit the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour site.

Look to Nike, Wilson and Tennis-Warehouse for more information.

Andre Agassi's OPEN. A must-read about one of tennis' most unique identities.

It has been said that you can't judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes. Walk with Andre Agassi in OPEN, his just released autobiography.  If you thought you knew him, you will be blown away. There is sadness in those brown eyes.

The revelations concerning his hair and drug use are only asides in a life where growing up meant unwillingly living tennis larger than anyone can imagine. The cast of characters and settings are familiar. We meet Pete Sampras, Jimmy Connors, Brad Gilbert, Nick Bollettieri, Gil Reyes and many more. OPEN offers a fascinating, intimate glimpse at the inner workings of the game and the player who was once number 1.

Agassi comes across as a sweetheart of a guy, a remarkably talented athlete who has until now held his real story close. The media was far too quick to judge so much. Available now:

Open: An Autobiography

Andy Murray joins the adidas tennis family.

Andy Murrray has joined the adidas tennis line-up. The 22-year-old Briton leaves Fred Perry to sport the iconic 3-Stripes beginning January 2010. Perhaps the traditional line was just that, too traditional looking for him. In all likelihood, however, it was money that made the decision. Hey maybe he'll grow out the hair and sideburns again. Andy will first wear the adidas apparel Competition line and the Barricade tennis shoe alongside fellow Briton Laura Robson at the Hopman Cup in Perth Australia in early January.

"We are delighted to welcome Andy Murray in to the adidas tennis family," said Jocelyn Robiot, adidas VP Global Sports Marketing. "Andy is a young, dynamic player that embodies adidas’ pure performer qualities. He is a very driven and dedicated athlete and we look forward to working with him on developing our Barricade products and helping him achieve his Impossible in 2010."

Remember..."impossible is nothing." Time will tell. The Andy Murray adidas Competition apparel and Barricade footwear ranges will be available at select retailers worldwide in January and can also be purchased at adidas .

Tennis lessons too big for your budget? Look to FuzzyYellowBalls.

Private tennis lessons in some parts of the U.S. are running $85 - $120 per hour. That's a big chunk of change for most of us to drop once a week. Group lessons, match play and practice are all good but that private...it can make a big difference. What to do?

Take a look at FuzzyYellowBalls.com. The site offers detailed, quality instruction that can be downloaded and reviewed again and again. No odd camera angles, wind blowing, grainy picture, etc. These well thought out lessons put together by PTR certified pros can reinforce what you are currently working on or help with a particular shot or even help you think about how to practice better. Here's one on practicing with purpose.

FuzzyYellowBalls offers some content free of charge. The other, labeled Premium Content, costs $24.95 per month. They call it your "unfair advantage." It's very comprehensive and I love how you can download to iPod making it possible to bring the videos to court.

Hey, if you're looking for feedback on your game, there's no substitute for an in-the-flesh private. Consider this an affordable, high-quality substitute or supplement if you've got the bucks. Learn more at FuzzyYellowBalls.

Racquet Art. Your heART on strings.

No worries man, peace; I'm just gonna take you down.

Customize your tennis racquet with your initials, monogram, club logo or symbol that identifies you or your team. Stock and custom-made reusable plastic stencils are $9.95 each. Ink bottles are $4.95 and come in a multitude of unusual colors. I did this peace sign in basic black. It took about 5 minutes.

Whether you are a home stringer or use a pro, leave off the manufacturer logo next time and try a funky new stencil. USTA and school teams big on spirit will love these. Fun.

Learn more or buy at RacquetArt.

Motivation: James Blake. He keeps, going and going and...watch.

First in a new Tennisidentity.com category MOTIVATION. We all need it on court and some people are truly inspirational. Check out this ATP World Tour Insider video on one of my personal favorites, fellow New Englander, James Blake.  Check it out here.

Metal and magnetic jewelry in sports; are the benefits all in our minds? The Wall Street Journal reports.

Yesterday's Wall Street Journal presented an excellent article on the questionable curative properties of copper and magnets among other metals. I personally know many tennis players, both male and female, who wear magnetic jewelry to allay aches and pains. This site reported on one such product last year.

Referencing results from a British study of copper and magnetic bracelets published in this month's Complementary Therapies in Medicine, WSJ health writer Melinda Beck presents the medical facts in her piece, "Metal: Panacea or Placebo?." Check it out here.

It appears that any positive effects may be all in our minds. Anyone disagree?

The wearin' of the bull. Rafa Nadal's bull feather light cap.

At last it looks like Rafa will get his own line signature line too. First out is what I prefer to call Rafa's bull-fighter hat, officially named the Nike Bull Feather Light, now available in 100% recycled poly with adjustable dri-fit headband. The Nike swoosh sits on the right side of the visor; $22 USD.

Me'thinks these will be hot. Cooler than RF? You be the judge.  Get yours at Tennis-Warehouse. I don't see it on the Nike site yet but I'm sure it's on the way.

New prints for tennis at Smash Gal. No faux paw here.

Animal prints continue as hot sellers at Smash Gal; they've got four in the offing. No faux paw here. Love this off-the-reality-map turquoise and black tiger print skirt (left).  Teams are loving it too. The sleeveless top is lightweight poly/spandex, $28 and the skirt, A-line cut elastic waist, $26.

More traditional animal print lovers will like the cute new black and brown leopard skirt. I'd wear it with a plain black or white top.

Got enough animal in your game? Take a look at the company's new blue/green swirly skirt (inset below) or check out the wide variety of prints online.

The size you buy dictates the length of the skirt (accounts for curves) so use the size chart when ordering. Size 2-4 for example has a 14.25" length; size 16-18  is 16.25." 1x and 2x sizes are available.

Available only online at SmashGal.

New eliza audley fashions for tennis. A treat with a cherry on top.

eliza audley has released its latest womens fashion collection for tennis. Pictured left are two dress possibilities from the Chocolate Covered Cherries group.

The designer line makes high-end tennis clothing that is cut to flatter and turn heads. Built in bras with cups mean no extra support is needed unless of course you are very amply chested in which case you will need to look to another eliza audley group for more coverage. Their Pros's Rose collection is now on sale.

The Dessert dress (left), $116 has an applique looping necklace like design at the neckline and hem. The fabric has a very slight sheen and because of its mid-weight does not cling. The t-back top assures everything stays in place.

The Cherry-On-Top dress, $112 has a sheen to it as well. No question, you will be noticed. Panels of color gradiated asymmetrical color blocking add even more pizazz to the clean silhouette. I didn't get to play in this one so I can't vouch for whether or not the straps stay put; this style does not have a t-back. Based on the designer's knowledge of the game, however,  I assume it is not a problem.

The group also offers a top and skort. Buy at Tennis-Warehouse or find a local retailer at Eliza Audley. Use the size chart on the site before you buy.

Image: DeoneJahnke.com