Posts with tag rafael nadal

As much as Rafael Nadal's highly athletic style has made an impression on the world of tennis, it's not his mind-boggling work on the baseline that define his image. He's perhaps better known to non-tennis fans as the guy who wears capri pants, bandannas, and sleeveless shirts. Now that he's more or less the golden boy of tennis -- taking the crown from Federer at Wimbeldon last month -- his PR department is steering him towards a more classic tennis look.

According to his management team: "Rafa will have a new image at the U.S. Open." They're looking shift Rafa's image from the tennis pirate heartthrob into reigning champion. What does that mean exactly? We're not sure. This pic from a couple days ago has him in a polo shirt, tennis shorts, and a headband. Is this the new look?

Look, we're not big fans of Rafa's capri pants -- quite the opposite -- but it doesn't it seem a bit disingenuous to have him change his look simply because he's the top player in men's tennis?

There was a serious "Grapple in the Apple" last week, when reigning tennis champs Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal met at the Mandarin Oriental in New York City's Time Square. Unfortunately, they weren't there just to provide great eye candy - but to promote their up coming match during the U.S Open. As you can imagine, they looked young, handsome and rich - but all eyes were glued to the old, quirky and loud man who was moderating the meeting: Don King.

Maria promised to change up her Wimbledon outfit, and and she came through. Her "menswear-inspired" Nike outfit is a decidedly sexy, sheer top with a tudexo "dickie" embellishing the front. With the matching white jacket and white shorts, she could as easily be on her way to lunch as to a championship match.

Players frequently blend in at Wimbledon, where everyone is required to wear white from head to toe. A few, like Sharapova, manage to stand out despite this restriction.

Five-time champion Roger Federer, also sponsored by Nike, does it with a surprise look each year. Others, like Rafa Nadal and his manpris, have their own unique and consistent look that they bring to every match. Not to mention regular fashion notables Serena and Venus Williams, who are almost as well known for their fashion off the court as they are for winning on the court.

Check out the fashion high points of Wimbledon Week One in the gallery.

As I walk around my town (Athens, Georgia -- home of the University of Georgia -- to be more precise), I see the different trends and styles that the young people here are taking part in. There are always trends that I completely disagree with and don't understand. But today, I saw something that no man should ever be seen doing.

I was confused at first. Was I seeing things correctly? Capri pants? On a guy?

That's right. Capri-styled pants for men are the "in" thing for the summer, according to AskMen.com. I can't help but wonder why someone would take such a risk to wear a pair, but I must admit that this guy is braver than myself.

I keep hoping to myself, however, that this trend has been started by the Spanish tennis sensation Rafael Nadal, who wears Capri-style tennis pants during almost every one of his matches. Somehow the Capri-style isn't so bad if this guy was simply trying to emulate a champion tennis player. Right?

No. It's definitely still a style foul.