She is nothing but an Anna Kournikova but then with results. Well, can you blame them? Sharapova = money. She makes companies and brands money. Whether it be Nike or Cole Haan, Sharapova makes them money. And Sharapova knows it! If Maria doesn’t know then I would suggest that she checks her bank balance and see if Nike has deposited that $70 million. And for every million in that endorsement deal, Nike is sure to make 2 or 3 times that amount.

But I have to say that Greg is right, with big money come big expectations.  Nike takes a big risk spending so much money on one player. Theoratically Sharapova can live up to those big expectations. She has won three majors after all at the age of 22.  But will she actually live up to the big expectations?  Nobody can really tell. Her shoulder may act up and that could mean that she could be off the courts for another year. She could be lovesick and throw matches. Who knows? There are too many  factors that  you have to take in  in consideration to actually figure out if she is worth all that money.

What did Sharapova have to say about her loss not much except:

“You know, just a bad day,” she said. “A bad day’s not going to stop me from doing what I love. I’m still going to go back on the court and work hard and perform.

“I’ll be back here on a Saturday of the second week, so you’ll watch.”

And I’ll be sure to watch on that Saturday of the second week until then I have my many photos to keep me and you entertained.

[View with PicLens]

Federer first wore the stylish jacket in 2006, pictured here on the cover of the book THE ROGER FEDERER STORY: QUEST FOR PERFECTION.

Finally, as no. 2, Federer gets some love at the majors

We don’t remember the last time we felt so compelled to gun for Roger at a final (there were goosebumps as we got on the ‘net for the match synopsis…). But why the sudden change? Why are we all so excited?

Seeding: As if the ranking (and seeding) stars aligned perfectly, Roger was seeded No. 2 at a major where he is clearly second-best. Thus, there’s no extra push for Rafael Nadal, the king of clay, to correct the discrepancy with a title win.

He’s suffered enough: Federer has spent the last year having the pack chip away at his runaway No. 1 ranking. His testiness with the press – and eventual sobfest – has shown us that underneath the automaton is a living, breathing, person. And now that he’s spent enough time suffering for being a hyper-confident douche, we again have his over-muscled back.

The tide is turning: The girlfriend wife is preggers. And now he’s back on track to equal (or surpass) Pete Sampras‘ Slam record. Sometimes, it’s just nicer when good things come in bunches.

The tide is turning… for Rafa: Now that Nadal’s got the media coverage, the number one seeding, and the customized Nike kit, it’s also his turn to be the one knocked out from the top. How well can he (and his knees) handle that pressure? His docs have already asked him to pull out of Queen’s Club.

We can’t wait to see what happens next!

That partnership between Cole Haan and Maria Sharapova announced on the eve of the 2008 U.S. Open is finally sprouting: the company’s spring ad campaign will feature Maria, marking the first time a Nike fashion subsidiary has used a Nike athlete for advertising.

While Cole Haan’s marketeers had the following to say about the deal:

“The campaign marks the first time Cole Haan has collaborated with a Nike athlete to serve as the face of a new collection,” notes Cole Haan Chief Marketing Officer Michael Capiraso. “We are able to leverage her interest in fashion and sport, while connecting with our consumer in a new and unique way.”

Sharapova added to that:

International tennis sensation, Maria Sharapova adds: “Cole Haan’s Sporting Collection offers the right balance of style and function that’s perfect with my lifestyle.  Off court, I want to feel comfortable in what I wear, and polished at the same time. The Sporting Collection lets me do that and still be me.”

Well Sharapova was spotted at her arrival at the Cole Haan Promotional Signing, Coral Gables on March 25.  Enjoy pics!

New York, NY (February 2009) - Cole Haan unveils today that international tennis sensation Maria Sharapova will serve as the face of the 2009 Spring advertising campaign.

Shot with elemental simplicity in Malibu, California by internationally acclaimed lifestyle photographer Martyn Thompson, the campaign reflects the interplay of style and sport, passion and play, that Cole Haan and Sharapova share. The weave of traditional craftsmanship and high-performance innovation that embodies the Cole Haan-Nike partnership finds new expression in Spring.

“The campaign marks the first time Cole Haan has collaborated with a Nike athlete to serve as the face of a new collection,” notes Cole Haan Chief Marketing Officer Michael Capiraso. “We are able to leverage her interest in fashion and sport, while connecting with our consumer in a new and unique way.”

International tennis sensation, Maria Sharapova adds: “Cole Haan’s Sporting Collection offers the right balance of style and function that’s perfect with my lifestyle.  Off court, I want to feel comfortable in what I wear, and polished at the same time. The Sporting Collection lets me do that and still be me.”

Mixing Media Initiatives:

• Digital media to play an important role in the campaign – rich media presence on top sites
• Debuting in March issue of Vanity Fair
• Print Campaign to appear in top Women’s Core titles (mix of single page, spread and 4-page insert executions)
• OOH executions include NYC Meat Packing district Billboard, wrapped bus shelters and busses

Media can visit www.colehaan.com for more information on all of Cole Haan’s product lines for Spring ‘09 and beyond.

Her name was Lola: The ailing Maria Sharapova sat out this 2009 Australian Open to give her shoulder enough time to heal (she’s back next month). And a version of the Spring Maria Day Dress, a ruffled number whose tiers fade from liquid lime to charcoal grey, might have been the defending champ’s on-court outfit.

Cover-up: And this charcoal grey warmup is the season’s variation on the oversized collar that’s been around for a few seasons now. Use the drawstrings for a dramatic gathered-neck effect.

Buy: Nike Maria Tennis Dress, liquid lime/charcoal, $96, prodirecttennis.com; Woven Cover-Up, charcoal/white, $80; Open Skort, white/light photo blue, $60; Cover-Up and Skort via Tennis Warehouse.

(images via prodirecttennis and TW)

TSF didn’t put our money on an out-of-form Serena Williams to be an Australian Open finalist this year (that’s why we’re not bookies, we figure), but we put our money down for a buzz-worthy Nike outfit from the American.

Am I in downtown Vegas? For spring, her sleeveless dressfeatures contrast trim around the v-neck and waistline plus a pleated bloussant skirt — perfect for covering Serena’s badonkadonk. Unfortch, we didn’t know what to make of that laser-light-show fabric of her first-round dress.

Much more refreshing was the version in Light Photo Blue with lime trim (accented with a bandana and wristband) which Serena wore in the latter rounds in taking out Azarenka, Kuznetsova, and Dementieva. The white/blue version of the dress made appearances during her doubles matches with sister Venus.

What’d you think of the dress? Love it? Hate it? Tell us!

Accessories: Here are her earrings up close, and a look at the whole get-up (a ring, a bracelet, a pendant, and her hoops). Of course, icing on the Serena cake is the Nike 76 Club bag.

Scoreline: Serena’s fourth stab at a Melbourne title will pit her against Russian Dinara Safina. Williams’ road to the finals included three straight-set matches, a walk-over (due to Azarenka’s stomach virus — poor kid!), and a three-set quarterfinal against the hard-hitting Kuznetsova.

Buy: Nike Women’s Spring Cruise Serena Day Dress in white/blue/gray, $90, nike.com. Browse the rest of the women’s collection here.

Dare I say it, the tees they’ve churned out are much better than the merch produced by the USTA. Yep, even better than that Heidi Klum-designed butterfly top.

A look at my top three picks:

A simple, bright, and fun font dominates these two Dri-Fit Long Sleeve tees. $38.

The combination of a gothic font and a crest on this Crest Shirt gives off a sense of tradition not usually associated with the loudest and most unconventional of majors. $22.

Normally, a black top with red/white text screams “overplayed” in my world (as far as performance attire goes), but somehow this is a refreshing change. Perhaps it’s the first time in recent years that Roger’s worn something so plain? Therma Half-Zip, $60.

Ho hum: The rest of the tees are run-of-the-mill; see them after the cut:

Power Tennis, $22.00; NYC Long Sleeve Fall 2008, $28.

Rock The Meadows, $22.

Cityscape, $22.

Maria Sharapova recently confirmed that she’ll mix up her Grand Slam outfits at this year’s Wimbledon by wearing shorts; she has so far only worn dresses to these big events.

The sleeveless pleated tuxedo top and the tailored shorts are perfect for the most formal of the Grand Slams, but we’re a little disappointed that this looks like Maria Kirilenko’s 2007 outfit: the tuxedo shirt dress from adidas by Stella McCartney.

What do you think of Sharapova’s kit?

(images via prodirecttennis.com)