28 Super Hot Tennis Innovations to Celebrate Wimbledon 2008 (SUPER GALLERY) Edit

The 2008 Wimbledon Championships are well under way, and levels of excitement continue to be strong. Unlike some sporting events, Wimbledon isn’t just about the athletic challenges. As much as there is coverage of the actual tennis games, the media are giving plenty of attention to the players themselves. This year in particular, there has been an increased emphasis on the fashions worn by Wimbledon players. From Maria Sharapova’s much-hyped tennis tuxedo to Roger Federer’s herringbone cardigan, each tournament has served as a miniature fashion show.

In celebration of Wimbledon this year, which runs June 23 - July 6, we have put together the top bits of trend candy pertaining to tennis.

Enjoy!

Tennis Players

Animated Tennis Pros - Roddick, Federer & Sharapova in Top Spin 3 (VIDEO)

The much anticipated Top Spin 3 by 2K Sports which will be released on May 20, 2008 features the likenesses of tennis superstars Roger Federer, James Blake, Maria Sharapova and Andy Roddick and promises… [More]

Wimbledon Fashion - Maria Sharapova’s Tennis Tuxedo (GALLERY)

The prestigious Wimbledon tennis tournament that is currently under way in England is known for its strict dress code: the players are required to dress in all white. But Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova… [More]

Tennis Champ Mocks Federer - Novak Djokovic On YouTube (VIDEO)

US Open finalist Novak Djokovic has a well deserved reputation as joker for doing dead-on funny imitations of the serves of fellow tennis players including Nadal, Sampras, Roddick, Hewitt and Sharapova,… [More]

Transformer Athletes - Rafael Nadal vs. Alien for Kia (VIDEO)

Last year, Kia Motors signed tennis superstar Rafael Nadal to be the company’s celebrity spokesperson in Europe. Titled “Nadal vs. Alien”, the web-only video is part of Kia’s new marketing campaign.… [More]

Tennis on Water - Williams & Nadal for Sony Open (VIDEO)

Ever heard of an aquatic ace? How about a tennis match on the water? That sounds impossible, but it’s not, as these images and video of Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams prove. On March 254, the world’s… [More]

Best of Maria Sharapova

Best of Wimbledon Fashion - Sharapova, Federer, Williams & Ivanovic (GALLERY)

While most people probably don’t look at tennis courts when searching for fashion trends, perhaps more will do so in the future. Wimbledon and the US open are increasingly being used as a platform to show… [More]

The Curse of The Tuxedo - Maria Sharapova’s Outfit Instigated Opponent, Led to Defeat (GALLERY)

‘I beat Maria Sharapova because of her outfit’, that is the statement which 154th-ranked Russian Alla Kudryavtseva gave after her upset 6-2, 6-4 win over the 3rd seeded Maria Sharapova. Man, it must have… [More]

Celebrity Cell Phone Ads As Wallpaper - Maria Sharapova for Sony Ericsson Z555i (GALLERY)

We recently told you that Maria Sharapova would be the face of a series of Sony Ericsson accessories. What we didn’t mention is that the young tennis star is also official model for the Sony Z555i cell… [More]

Tennis-Inspired Accessories - Maria Sharapova for Sony Ericsson (GALLERY)

Russian superstar tennis player Maria Sharapova has teamed up with Sony Ericsson to launch a collection of four cell phone accessories for women. These items are the Courtside Case (IDC-31), Exercise Case… [More]

Tennis-Inspired Fashion

Futuristic Tennis Gear - Lacoste Brings You To 2083 (VIDEO)

As a celebration of their 75th anniversary, Lacoste unveiled a breath-taking futuristic 3D spot with a companion site. The theme of the spot is “let’s reinvent the game” and depicts the future of… [More]

Stella McCartney Joins Adidas To Release New Fashion Line

Stella McCartney has joined Adidas to release a new collection created for women “who take sport and life seriously”, as stated in the frontpage of Stella McCartney’s-Adidas webpage. The super-cool-and-trendy… [More]

Cheap Celeb Brands - Venus Williams EleVen Sportswear Line (Everything Under $20) (VIDEO)

I posted about New York Knick Stephon Marbury partnering with Steve & Barry’s to make an affordable sportswear line (think sneakers under $15). Now Venus William has brought her fashion sense and celebrity… [More]

Tennis Shoes

Eye Catching Yellow Reebok Pump with Alife’s Signature

“THE BALL OUT” is an ALIFE/Reebok Court Victory Pump, fabricated by hand entirely out of tennis ball felt. There were only 82 pairs made, and Reebok reps say plans aren’t in the works to produce more.… [More]

Tennis Shoes Stilettos - The Converse High Heel Sneakers

This Chuck Taylor combination of the retro high top sneakers and ankle high boots is kind of odd. The High Heel Converse Style Sport Costume Boots feature wicked six inch heels, pointed toes and are made… [More]

Shoe-Tying Art - 15 Tennis Shoe Hacks

Keita from yousaytoo.com displays 15 different ways to tie up your shoe laces that completely changes the look of them. The guide describes how to manipulate the shoestrings and even shows images of the… [More]

Liberace-Inspired Tennis Shoes - New Kashi Kicks Collection

Sneaker manufacturer, Kashi Kicks, is now offering the Liberace Collection of ‘kicks’. As you can imagine, the shoes are as over-the-top as the entertainer himself. Kashi is known for their extravagant… [More]

Tennis Rackets & Other Gear

Gold Tennis Rackets For Charity - Wilson Rackets Support Breast Cancer (VIDEO)

This limited edition Wilson Tennis racket features actual gold inlaid leaf designs.  The rackets are to be sold for charity raising breast cancer awareness.  Only 650 rackets will be made and 10% of it’s… [More]

Chanel Tennis Racket - Sport Equipment For The Brand Conscious (GALLERY)

No wonder people can get so addicted to brands like Chanel. They do think of you. Or at least, they make sure that every accessory you might need for your sport activity can be purchased from them. We… [More]

Other Tennis Innovations

Fake Digital Displays on Tennis Courts - Sony PSP Ads

Shifting from traditional logos which are printed court side at tennis games, this ad was painted directly on the ground around real tennis courts, making it appear as though the courts were inside a giant… [More]

Disco Tennis is the New Disco Bowling (VIDEO)

Do you like these disco bowlings with UV-lights, reflecting balls and with loud music? Well, here’s the tennis version! Sony Ericsson came up with this ‘Night Tennis’ and honestly, I think it looks pretty… [More]

Multi-Player Wii Tennis (VIDEO)

Not too long ago we covered the new Wii and Fusion Contollers which recognize your bodily movements.  Well, now you can see what that actually means with Multi-Player Wii Tennis!  Yes, it’s bizarre. [More]

White Tennis Balls

White is the new yellow in tennis.  So class up the court next time your play with white tennis balls.  They’re being sold in Europe on a non-english site, so good luck trying to import them. [More]

World’s Top Tennis Stars at Burj Al Arab Hotel

As if the Burj Al Arab hotel wasn’t cool enough, they converted their rooftop helipad to a tennis court so that Agassi and Federer could have a skytop game.  Stylin. “In preparation for the Dubai Duty… [More]

Table Tennis/Ping Pong/etc

Convertible Door + Ping Pong Table (GALLERY)

This is a fun space saving way to get some exercise. This door has an insert that pivots in the center and turns into a ping pong table otherwise known as table tennis, but is it still table tennis if… [More]

Designer Table Tennis - Puma Pong

The PT3 (PUMA Table Tennis Tournament) was conceived in the beginning of 2006 - aiming to bring a community together for the sheer passion of table tennis, ok ping-pong. They guys at Puma were inspired… [More]

Boomer Racketeers Change to Pickleball

Old timers and baby boomers are inventing new sports!  The latest: Pickleball!  The sport, which originated in retirement communities from Arizona to Florida,  is a paddle sport on a badminton court that… [More]

World’s Largest 3D Display Made of 8,000 Ping Pong Balls

Electrical engineering students in Europe have created Matrixx, the world’s largest 3D display using 8,000 ping pong balls filled with LEDs.  The unit is capable of displaying games of 3d snake, 3d pong,… [More]

12 Player Ping Pong Tables - Modular Table Tennis System (GALLERY)

Traditional table tennis (ping pong) games allow only two or four people to play together. Guenter Arndt wanted to come up with something more inclusive, so he created Table Tennis Triples, a table tennis… [More]