Martina Hingis signed a "major" $2-3M sponsorship deal
with Merrill Lynch, according to "executives close to the
player" cited by AD AGE. Hingis, represented by Octagon
Athlete Representation, "could be featured in future"
Merrill Lynch advertising (AD AGE, 1/18).
GOTTA BE THE SHOES: USA TODAY's Doug Smith writes that
Serena Williams said that "several people told her" that her
new red Puma shoes "caused her to be called for eight foot
faults" in her match against Amanda Grahame in the first
round of the Australian Open yesterday because the shoes are
an "eye popping target for linesman." Williams: "I'm not
giving up on the red shoes. I'm just going to move back"
(USA TODAY, 1/19). During ESPN's Australian Open coverage,
Pam Shriver said Williams "keeps bending down and sort of
messing with her shoes. She has a new outfit, new hairdo,
new shoes. I'm just wondering ... if her feet aren't
bothering her. ... She just is walking a little gingerly"
(ESPN, 1/18). FSN's Kevin Frazier: "Please blame [the foot
faults] on those ugly red shoes" (FSN, 1/18). In DC, Rachel
Alexander writes that the shoes "were part of a new look"
for Williams, who has been dressing "completely in red and
black and who has been wearing fewer beads in her hair"
(WASHINGTON POST, 1/19).
