The Shockers And The Stunners – French Open Fashion 2010

It’s that time of year again, it’s raining during a Slam and I find time to write about the current fashions that our favourite men and women are rocking. The first thing to mention is the lack of effort Adidas has put into this year’s French Open. Andy Murray and Fernando Verdasco, their two biggest stars, look exactly the same as they have for months now. I’m not sure what kind of faith they have in Murray but Verdasco has certainly been showing enough good form to warrant a change from his current Otago Highlanders’ outfit. Nike have been ever diligent in designing new outfits but it feels as if we are seeing the same styles again and again for Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. I’m not suggesting they go putting Roger in yellow and taking away his collar, or giving Nadal some Boris-Becker like shorts and putting his hair in a pony-tail, but surely we have had enough of the now ‘classic but boring’ and the ‘bright but tacky’ looks? I certainly have. Anyway, that is enough rambling from me. On with the show…

You might be wondering why I am reviewing a Fila outfit and yes I agree, they are boring and often repetitive. Why they failed to design anything in the past even remotely refreshing or, heaven’s forbid, pretty, I have no idea. However, Kuznetsova is wearing shorts and I happen to think that shorts are the way of the future. Think about it, all the girls wear short shorts in their practise sessions, Sharapova wore some seriously cool shorts (with a seriously awful blouse) at Wimbledon a few years back and we all know she is ahead when it comes to fashion. So here we are, some very cool short shorts. Now all Fila has to do is jazz them up a bit and match them with a top that isn’t an awful shade of pink that highlights sweat marks and Kuznetsova will be away laughing.

6/10

When describing a dress as low-cut, short, with black lace and red trimming, most people would shudder and assume you were describing Tila Tequila’s latest formal attire. Unfortunately, the hideous wonder belongs to none other than Venus Williams. It is, of course, self designed just as her revealing Australian Open outfit was. Whilst I overall liked the Australian Open outfit and just wished she had worn some yellow shorts, this time the effect on the eyes is overwhelming. Even without the flesh coloured shorts the whole assemble looks horribly trashy. Let’s hope Venus find her good fashion sense again come Wimbledon. We all know she has it.

4/10 (those are some fabulous legs though)

You can always count on at least one Williams sister to get it right and Serena has made sure this year is no exception. Sporting a completely different colour and style Serena has one-upped her sister in every single category of fashion this time around. Her hair looks better, the colours look funkier, the style is more flattering and tennis appropriate, even the lime green pants, which I am not a fan of, are a thousand times better than Venus’s. It’s not just Venus she has left for dead, though. Serena looks better than almost all of the WTA. Again.

8/10 (She’s managed to make blue and green look ok, and that takes some serious skill)

Maria Sharapova wears some of the most original, exciting, hideous, and beautiful outfits. She is capable of severe faux pases and incredible designs. This French Open seems to be a bit of a mix. It’s not a faux pas by any means, but neither is it stunning. The grey doesn’t suit Maria’s fair skin and the burgundy just serves to wash her out even more. Another combination of colours and the dress could be beautiful, but as it is it remains far behind last year’s Roland Garros dress. Perhaps she is saving up ideas for Wimbledon. Of course, Maria still looks pretty and I defiantly set standards higher for her than the rest of the WTA.

6.5/10

Unexpected good form isn’t the only thing Jelena Jankovic appears to be turning out at the moment, she has finally discovered some good taste. Jankovic is a fashion lover but is known for more misses than hits, hence it was a big surprise for me to see her dress. Normally I despise yellow on clothing but Jankovic has managed to make the canary work. With a cut that compliments her figure and ruffles like that of Serena, Jankovic has finally hit the mark.

9/10 (it’s still yellow)

It’s hard to give Roger Federer a bad review when he looks simply stunning and wears a t-shirt better than any other player but the time might have come. Of course the shirt is lovely, with the sleeve detailing and the stunning blue, and of course there is nothing tacky or awkward about his attire. It’s just boring. Federer has been wearing blue at Slams since I can remember, (so, January) and although it suits him, it’s like we are seeing the same shirt in a slightly different shade every time. It is time Nike went back to the drawing board and thought of some new ideas and colours for Federer. Personally, I’d like to see him in green. Let’s just hope he comes up with something completely over the top and fun for Wimbledon. It’s time for a change.

5/10

Rafael Nadal will probably never turn out a subdued colour palate, as a friend put it, but why Nike need to clash every colour under the sun when designing for him is a mystery. This time Nadal has pulled on blue and green, and not just one revolting shade of green but two. It’s an upgrade from last year’s watermelon spectacular and it’s nice to see he has ditched the Pumpkin Patch clothes of this year but it looks like a sea creature has spewed on him. Points for the shorts, (they are not checkered), shoes, and the fact that the top actually fits unlike his last clay court outfit. Overall, pretty damn bad once again from the favourite.

4/10

Whilst Nadal and Federer have very distinct styles, Novak Djokovic is still playing around a bit with his. This is his second outfit with Sergio Tacchini and I must say it is an improvement from the Japanese silk pajama look. But I’m still a little unconvinced. The collar is great, the blue is terrific, but the tie-dye? I can’t say I’m digging it. The simplistic look of the overall outfit though compensates for the reference to the 60s and as a result I think it’s fair to say Djokovic looks the freshest of the men at the top. There’s nothing reworked and no blinding tackiness here. The switch from Adidas is starting to look like a good thing.

7/10

I never thought I would like two Fila outfits but surprises do happen and with Adidas completely neglecting the French Open it’s nice to see Fila making an effort. I’ve also never reviewed Marin Cilic either, so what a surprise to see the usually dull dressed Croatian wearing such a stunning shade of blue. Combined with a collar, white stripes, and some plain shorts, it’s almost like Cilic is out doing Federer at his own game. If only that shirt had a Nike tick…

8/10

So there we have it, this French Open’s fashion. Yes, it’s a little boring and yes, Adidas suck. However, props to Fila who have put in the hard yards this time around and have dressed one of the most promising players in my personal favourite outfit. Let’s hope they keep it up, Nike get some fresh ideas, and Adidas make an effort next time. As for now, the tennis is back on and I’m going to sit back and watch Jelena run around in the stand out dress of the tournament.