Nadal Decides Against Wearing New Nike Wardrobe At U.S. Open

Nadal Elects Not To Change Familiar  Wardrobe During U.S. Open

STYLE ALL HIS OWN: NEW YORK magazine's Ben Williams writes though male tennis fashion "has mostly been conservative, built on frequent returns to the preppy classicism of [Rene] Lacoste and [Fred] Perry," Nadal has "managed to create what might be the most original look in men's tennis history: sleeveless tees, shin-length pants, and bandannas tied with a cheeky flourish." The "interesting thing about Nadal's style is that it's so feminine -- a thinner, less physical player could not pull off those clothes" (NEW YORK, 8/25 issue).

CELEBRITY APPEAL: Golf Channel’s Tim Rosaforte reported golfers Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia will both attend the U.S. Open. Rosaforte said Woods is a “Federer guy so I’m sure he’ll be in the Federer box at some point,” and Garcia "is a Nadal guy." Rosaforte said Woods and Garcia "both love tennis and they should be getting plenty of high-profile exposure on TV this week” (“Golf Central,” Golf Channel, 8/25). For more athletes and celebrites planning on attending the U.S. Open, see today's Names In The News section.

GRAND SLAM: BRANDWEEK's Barry Janoff reports as part of the 40 year anniversary of open-era tennis, U.S. Open partners such as American Express, Olympus, Canon, Heineken, Evian, USA Network and the USTA are "activating heavily" behind the Open. USTA CMO for Professional Tennis Michelle Wilson: "We are seeing more campaigns, and more creatively done efforts, than ever." Janoff notes "key players" in the marketing include ATPer James Blake, who is featured in efforts from American Express, Heineken and Evian; WTAer Venus Williams, who stars in American Express ads and is supporting her own EleVen line of clothing; and WTAer Maria Sharapova, who will be "omnipresent via a TV spot from Canon and various personal appearances for her sponsors," despite withdrawing from the tournament due to injury (BRANDWEEK, 8/25 issue).

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