The Sports Campus

Women's Fashion in Tennis

For centuries now, one quintessential element that has never lost its importance in a woman's life is fashion. Women all around the world crave to be fashionable, want to be in-sync with the latest trends in Paris and never miss an opportunity to flaunt their Gucci's, Prada's or Louis Vuitton's. The obsession with fashion was probably first seen in the Victorian age, with women dressing with one purpose in mind, which was to gain the attention of the opposite sex. In modern times, a Carrie Bradshaw would rather measure the sexiness of a woman depending on the shoes and bags she carries. However the obsession with fashion doesn't end at this, fashionable outfits are even seen in sports. Women Tennis players have for long tried to make their games more memorable by wearing stylish, designer outfits. The game at times takes a back seat as reporters are more concerned with who sported what, who was a fashion diva and who was a fashion faux pas! Probably the best thing about this sport is that even though associations like Wimbledon, the French or the Australian Open have certain rules regarding player's uniform, these rules are not that stringent, thus allowing players, especially women players to experiment. Players like Anne White have shattered dress codes by playing in a white bodysuit during the 1980 Wimbledon, and more recently Serena Williams was seen sporting a white "trench" coat during the warm up matches of the Wimbledon 2008. Serena Williams has sure been a popular name when it comes to tennis fashion. She is well known for her unusual and colorful outfits on court and in the year 2002, her name flashed across every news bulletin due to the black lycra suit she wore while playing in the US Open. During the 2004 US Open, she was banned for playing in knee high boots which she wore with her denim skirt. The fashion beam balance is brought to equality with the likes of Anne White and Serena Williams on one side, trying hard to make radical fashion statements, and on the other Maria Sharapova, Venus Williams dressing to kill, but in a very subtle manner. In the year 2005, ‘People' named Maria Sharapova as one of the 50 most beautiful celebrities in the world and by 2006 she was titled the hottest athlete of the world by Maxim for the fourth consecutive year. Her predilection for fashion off court is carried on to the court as well, as if she dresses to be crowned the most fashionable athlete of all times. Off court she has been seen sporting a bikini and on court she is seen wearing the trendiest outfits such as racer back tees or a well cut dress by Nike. The rivalry between the William sisters is quite apparent in their games, however when it comes to fashion, it is Venus who is seen dressed more in sync with fashion trends as compared to her younger sister. Her outfits confine to the subtlety which is required in the game however her sober dressing sense doesn't make her a fashion faux pas. The former World No. 1 is spotted wearing regular dresses/ skirts which enable her to live up to her title as a Tennis Champion and a Fashion Diva. Apart from these international beauties one Indian player who has entered a number of controversies because of her fashionable outfits is Sania Mirza. Quite recently she went on record proclaiming that "As long as I am winning, people shouldn't care whether my skirt is six inches long or six feet long!" This young Indian player was caught into the "morality" web with conventional Islamists demeaning her for her revealing outfits; however this did not stop her from being fashionable. In her home country people have often looked up to her as a fashion icon, imitating her outfits and her accessories. So whether these women win or not, whether they are able to embed their games in the mind of the audiences on account of their play, they surely know how to steam up the tennis court with their fashion statements because as the saying goes the devil surely wears Prada!   Photograph Copyright: Random_fotos (Sharapova), Rafael Amado Deras (S Williams)

Steve Waugh’s Global Foundation launches in India

Steve Waugh, one of cricket's most legendary and revered players whose association with India dates back more than 22 years, announced the development of Steve Waugh Foundation Global in India on Friday. "Our inaugural global project will be in India and setting up Steve Waugh Foundation India. It is well known I have been a long time supporter of India. I am passionate about this country, its people, and the causes and projects I support here" said Waugh. "I now want to take my charity work global in a coordinated approach and innovative way to make a serious difference" Waugh said. "I know I really can make a difference, bring hope, compassion and opportunity where once it wasn't clear or certain." The Global Foundation will help manage and coordinate Steve's charity work around the world. The focus of the Foundation's work will be ‘a commitment to a coordinated approach to the service, identification, treatment and cure of rare diseases and illnesses primarily focusing on children.' Rare disease patients face common problems all around the world, no matter which country you come from. Waugh's vision is to work collaboratively with the best in sport, business and entertainment to achieve unparalleled support to, and results for, children with rare diseases and illnesses, their families and the community locally and around the world. "I'm inspired by ‘courage' and ‘character', especially in children and youth who are in challenging circumstances. When I see a child showing so much integrity under these conditions, with nowhere to turn, I feel compelled to make a difference" Waugh said. A committed philanthropist Waugh has a genuine desire to use cricket, his influence and networks to build bridges around the world. The majority of all donated funds raised in any country will be used to fund national and local projects in that country. Steve Waugh Foundation India has set the following goals for itself: a. Help change things for kids with rare diseases and illnesses b. Give hope to children, families & groups that have nowhere else to turnc. Raise public awareness of the needs of families with rare diseases d. Improve & share scientific knowledge & researche. Provide quality information and education to families & public about rare diseasesf. Increase international cooperation in the service, identification, treatment and cure of rare diseases and illnesses in children The first project of the Indian Foundation will be an extension of Waugh's existing charity work, Udayan, Home for the Rehabilitation for children whose parents suffer from Leprosy or suffer from Leprosy themselves (Kolkata). Working with Revd James Stevens, the Foundation will support the newest intake of seventeen new girls about to enter the Home. Other projects the Foundation will support in India will be researched over the next twelve months. The Foundation will consult with local groups, individuals, and the community make sure it is addressing the greatest need for rare diseases & illnesses in India, its children, their families and the community. "In 18 years touring the world as a professional cricketer, I saw many different countries and cultures. It has helped shape me as the person I am today and provided the inspiration for my involvement in charity work," said Waugh "To make a positive impact you have to give 100 % every day, be it on the cricket field or helping a child. I like a challenge and I like to get stuck in and try and do it the best I can," added Waugh. Steve Waugh Foundation Global is in its early development phase. It will take another three - six months to formally finalise its shape and form.

Lakers win 15th Championship, Kobe MVP

The Lakers came up with the goods for the second time on the road to beat the Orlando Magic 99-86 to clinch their 15th NBA championship. It was a night for celebrations as Coach Phil Jackson ended a seven year drought to pick up his 10th championship ring (as a coach) and go top of the NBA leaderboard as the greatest coach of all time. The drought was also over for MVP Kobe Bryant who finally stepped out from under the extra large shadow of former teammate Shaquille O'Neal to win his fourth title, and first without the big man by his side. Game 5 at the Amway Arena started off in perfect fashion for the home fans as some hot shooting from inside the arc saw Orlando race to a 15-6 lead. However, the champion side that the Lakers are surfaced in the first quarter itself as Kobe Bryant scored 11 points to lead a Lakers 16-9 run at the end of the quarter to bring Orlando's lead down to just 2 at 28-26. Orlando stretched that lead to four points, 40-36 with a little over 7 minutes to play in the first half, as they looked really up for this game in the early exchanges. But in a couple of crucial plays Game 4 saviour Derek Fisher and Trever Ariza slammed in consecutive 3 pointers to hand the Lakers their first lead of the night. Those two plays turned out to be series deciding as the Magic never really recovered as they chased the game from that point on. The Lakers ended the half with a 10 point lead as the Magic just couldn't buy their way to the basket. Ariza scored 11 of his 15 points for the night in that second quarter as the Lakers dished out 30 points! Rafer Alston drained a three-pointer early in the third quarter to cut the LA lead back down to 5 points, but it was as close as Orlando would come on the night as Lamar Odom's back to back three pointers made certain that the lead would stick and build in the third quarter. Odom finished with17 points and 10 rebounds. The Lakers went into the final quarter seemingly already champions with a 15 point lead to their credit. The Magic tried desperately to shoot their way back into the series, but had a very disappointing night especially from 3-point land where they shot 8 from 27, not even 30%. Superman Dwight Howard didn't look anything like 'The Man of Steel' finishing with 11 points. He only shot nine times and was never given a chance to get going by the Lakers. Rashard Lewis scored 18 points, but was only 3 of 12 on 3s for Orlando, landing two of those late in the fourth quarter. Magic as a team thrives on its high field goal percentage, but it just wasn't their night as Rafer Alston, Courtney Lee and Hedo Turkoglu all finished with an identical 12 points - too few to be competitive with Kobe and the Lakers. Pau Gasol had another great night, showing why he is one of the best forwards in the League. He was quick on offence and tough on defence giving a hard time to Howard and Lee. Making sure he picked up the rebounds and didn't let the Magic dominate the glass on either side. He finished with 14 points and 15 rebounds. Proving exactly why Bryant was so glad to have him on his side. "Got a new point guard, got a new wing, got a Spaniard and then it was all good," said Bryant. "It was all good. I had a bunch of Christmas presents that came early."   As the Orlando Magic let the last few seconds slip into oblivion, Kobe Bryant jumped up and down smiling like a little boy after a season full of snarling, scowling, grunting and clipped answers. Kobe buried his ghosts, his nightmares and critics who didn't think him to be an NBA great. As he lifted the Bill Russell MVP trophy for the post season with 32.4 points, 7.2 assists and 5.6 rebounds on an average, the numbers told only half a story about Bryant's dedication and determination to get the Lakers to lift the Larry O' Brien trophy. His ex-teammate acknowledges the big moment. "Congratulations Kobe, u deserve it," Shaq said on his Twitter page. "You played great. Enjoy it my man enjoy it." We agree with the big man. Can't wait for next season!    Photographs Courtesy: The NBA

Kane – The Big Red Machine hits India

The 7 foot, 326 pound wrestling machine is down in India for a series of PR events for WWE thanks to Ten Sports which airs the WWE action here. Kane shared that there are close to 45 Million households in Asia alone who regularly follow his sport & sees it as one of the fastest growing markets for WWE. This is his 3rd visit to India having been to Bangalore & Kolkata on previous occasions. His fascination with history was evident as he visited India Gate yesterday in New Delhi and also dropped in for a quick trip to the Taj Mahal. His visit to Mumbai though was highlighted by his meeting with Bollywood Superstar Akshay Kumar & his family at their Juhu residence. Akshay's son Aarav is a huge fan of the WWE and Kane is one of the biggest stars of the show. When Aarav learnt that Kane is coming to Mumbai, he told his father he wanted to meet the wrestler. Akshay immediately started making arrangements to fulfil Aarav's wish. Incidentally, the actor had earlier worked with Kane's brother the Undertaker in ‘Khiladiyon Ke Khiladi' and he personally knows Kane. The meeting with the Kumar family went well though after a handshake Aarav remained quite shy, said Kane. He & Akshay discussed Bollywood and Kane even showed his interest in acting in a Hindi film if ever offered one. Kane On: India: Kane is enthralled by the history of India and even the rate of progress the nation seems to be making which he noticed by the quality of Airports on this visit to Delhi & Mumbai. Indian Food: He like Indian food especially Curry but nothing very spicy as even the Giant who plays with fire is afraid to get burnt by Indian spices. Favourite Sports: Kane's favourite games are Basketball & Football though he did know about Cricket and how popular the sport is in the sub-continent Favourite Hollywood Star: Himself (he recently starred in - See No Evil) His Idol: Nobody His Half Brother - The Undertaker: Watch out as he's gonna win the next time they meet. His Rival - Great Khali: Amazing sportsman and people from India should be proud of his achievements. His willingness to stand patiently for photographs and give autographs goes against the usually ruthless wrestler who uses the ‘Chokeslam' as his trademark move to finish his opponents. Today however it was closed by a winning smile and a "Namaste India". Click here for our Wrestling TV Guide