WIMBLEDON, England – The 2008 Nike Fashion Show – er, Wimbledon Tennis Championships – continued yesterday and Maria Sharapova's tuxedo-inspired shorts ensemble got more attention than her 6-1, 6-4 first-round win against Stephanie Foretz. Of the 22 questions in Sharapova's postmatch press conference, 15 were about fashion, and there were only two token queries about the match.
One could argue the biggest winner after two days of tennis' most storied tournament is the Nike swoosh, which appeared on the front of most newspaper sports sections because it adorned Roger Federer's herringbone cardigan, Serena Williams' trench coat and the bib-style top of Sharapova's tailored tux. It was the first time Sharapova wore shorts at a Grand Slam, and she was more than happy to discuss it.
In fact, she revealed she is already planning what to wear for the 2009 Wimbledon and U.S. Open. “Look, tennis is not a sport where you have to wear uniforms,” Sharapova said. “It's an individual sport. If you have the relationships with the brands, where I can have a voice in what I like, my inspirations, what colors I feel like wearing. If you can do that, why not?”
Andy Roddick, who advanced after surviving pesky 61st-ranked Argentine Eduardo Schwenk, said he doesn't care what people wear on the court, “but any attention drawn to tennis for whatever reason is good. If that means wearing the Mr. Rogers sweater, then so be it. I don't know if it would be a good look for me or any of my friends – or relatives (smiling).”
Sharapova and Roddick were among a long list of marquee names who won on a balmy day by Wimbledon standards (72 degrees and sunny). Defending champion Venus Williams, 2007 runner-up Rafael Nadal, former champion Lindsay Davenport, Jelena Jankovic, Richard Gasquet and James Blake all advanced to the second round. Davenport, the 1999 winner, overcame a sore right knee, which had to be taped heavily before the third set against Ronata Voracova.
“It's a real treat, honor and privilege to be back here,” said Davenport, who took a year off to have a child. “I've had some of my greatest memories here. I'm not here saying, 'Gosh, I hope I get to the second round.' I haven't lost before the quarters since '98, so I have a lot of pride here and look to do well.”
The highest-seeded player eliminated was No. 4 Nikolay Davydenko, who lost 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to Benjamin Becker of Germany.
The day began as it always does on the first Tuesday, with the defending women's champion taking Centre Court. The audience had mixed feelings this year because across the net from four-time champion Williams was Naomi Cavaday, a 197th-ranked, freckle-faced teenager from England.
A day earlier, Cavaday had been denied entry to Centre Court by security guards who (understandably) didn't recognize England's fifth-best female player.
Even the Wimbledon program gave her little chance. It read: “The inference that she is some way out of her depth is obvious, so let's hope she just enjoys the day. . . . ”
Turned out Cavaday had a wonderful time during the 56-minute first set. The lefty caught Williams off guard and jumped to a 3-1 lead. Williams broke her to make it 3-3, and cruised during a 21-minute second set to win 7-6 (7-5), 6-1.
“Obviously, it was a great experience for me,” Cavaday said. “I really just went at her.”
Williams was impressed.
“I thought she played excellent, took her chances, and played with poise on this occasion, Centre Court in front of a home crowd,” said Williams, who not only staved off the gritty Brit, but shooed away a bothersome bumblebee that landed on her leg before a serve early in the match.
