A LITTLE BLACK MAGIC
People say a little black dress is right for every occasion. Maria Sharapova puts that to the test during the U.S. Open, where she’ll wear one during her evening matches. Inspired by Givenchy but designed by the team at Nike, the dress takes some artistic – or athletic – liberties. It’s made from a patented Dri-Fit fabric, has slits at the hemline to allow for mobility, and the back is open to keep her cooler. Otherwise, though, it’s more “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” than center court. The dress has a neckline with crystal embellishment and an empire waistline with a black belt and bow. For her daytime matches, Sharapova will wear a more classic white tennis dress. | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
RAKISH RAFAEL
Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal sets style on and off the court. If you want to pick up a little of his courtside panache, check out Nike’s three-quarter-length pants, $50; sleeveless shirts, $20; Air Max Breathe shoes, $110; headbands and wrist bands at sporting goods stores and such online outlets as tenniswarehouse.com.
LOVE THIS MATCH
If 1980s-vintage Bjorn Borg and “The Royal Tenenbaums” are more your style of tennis than the action in New York this week, check out the Woody Open mixed doubles wooden racquet tennis tournament from noon-5 p.m. Saturday at Gates Tennis Center. Presented by InMotion365.com, the all-day, mixed doubles event encourages players to dress in retro style and even provides the wooden racquets. The $70 doubles team fee and $40 single player fee includes lunch, a T-shirt and prizes. A portion of the proceeds benefits tennis programs for underprivileged kids. For more details, go to woodyopen.com
