Un Scoop de la Mode Parisienne

With the French Open getting underway, the tennis elite was quick to showcase its latest outfits. The venue being Paris, la capitale de la mode, many players got inspired. In the absence of the Williams sisters and with Wozniacki insisting to wear the hideous Hawaiian dress, Maria Sharapova stole the show with a bright yellow, sheer Nike dress. There must be something about the Roland Garros, as Sharapova always wears her most remarkable outfits in the French capital. I have heavy criticizes the Russian this year for lowering her fashion standards and allowing herself to wear the same clothes as other tour player. Although I still think she lost her authenticity and thus the uniqueness of her outfits has vanished, the Russian proved she retains her fashionista status. She knows exactly what clothes to pick and how to make a fashion statement. After winning in Rome, Sharapova looks poised to conquer Paris and to complete her Grand Slam collection.

Maria Sharapova - NIKE 'Maria Sharapova' Group

Julia Goerges - NIKE

Kim Clijsters - FILA

Kim Clijsters, probably the best player of the moment, signaled her return from injury with a new look. The cute Belgian looks younger, fresher and completely focused on adding a first Suzanne Lenglen cup to her resume. The interesting thing about her outfit is that, due to the pattern, the blouse blends in perfectly with the clay surface. Although I am not blown away by it, I am enchanted by her overall look. Great to have adorable Kimmie back.

Victoria Azarenka - NIKE

Vera Zvonareva - K-Swiss

Without standing out from the crowd, Victoria Azarenka and Vera Zvonareva are both topping the mainstream Nike, respectively USTA, fields with great looking outfits. While Victoria made some inspired choices this year, managing to always look her utmost best, Zvonareva is yet to climb the highest fashion peaks. After turning around her career with Grand Slam finals at Wimbledon and the US Open, Vera gives signs that she is improving her style too. I really like the K-Swiss apparel and fashion wise, I think she took an inspired decision to switch to the American sponsor.

Ana Ivanovic - AdiZero

Sorana Cirstea - AdiZero

Maria Kirilenko - AdiPure

Andrea Petkovic - AdiPure

There's nothing wrong with Ana's AdiZero dress, except for the fapt that she wore it since the start of the season and I am starting to get a bit tired of it. Of course, it was a different color scheme (i.e. she replaced blue with a hot pink), but she really wanted to up her game, she could've come with some new. Wearing the same garment for half a season (although the colors might differ) is not worthy of a true fashionista. The same applies to Maria Kirilenko and the rest of the AdiPure ambassadors. I am a huge Adidas fan, but they should come up with some new at least on the big occasions.

Petra Kvitova - NIKE

Sabine Lisicki - NIKE

Na Li - NIKE

Tsvetlana Pironkova - LOTTO

Jelena Jankovic - ANTA

Bethanie Mattek-Sands - UnderArmour

As usually though, not everyone was that inspired. The Nike outfits wore by Lisicki, Kvitova or Li for example were a completely mishit with that horrible orange/ pink mismatch, while Tsvetlana Pironkova looked cheap and cheesy in her strawberry, 'fancy wannabe' top. At least these two players wore what their sponsors gave them. It wasn't the case for fashionistas disasters Jelena Jankovic and Bethanie Mattek-Sands who continue to present to us the rough outcome of their styleless creativity. While Jankovic proudly introduced us with the pink version of her 'spring' dress, Bethanie, proving to be a one-trick pony, wore her trademark knee high socks and coal miner make-up.

Roger Federer - NIKE 'Roger Federer' Group

On the men's side, Roger Federer was back to his fashion best. After getting rid of the dull T-shirt he wore lately, the Swiss Master is once again elevating his style with a great carmine T-shirt and a matching jacket. A plus for the retro element of his outfit.
French duo of Gael Monfils and Jo Wilfried Tsonga wore dynamic outfits to match their volcanic personalities. While Monfils dared the partisan home crowds in vivid purple, Tsonga kept to his usual green. The dark tone of their skins contrasts very well bold colours, so the Frenchmen proved inspired once more. Compared to the rest of the player, they provide the fashion salt & pepper that the ATP tour needs.

Gael Monfils - K-Swiss

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - AdiZero

photos (top-down / left-right):  GETTY IMAGES (x4), AP (x3), GETTY IMAGES (x14)