Fashion and Tennis; A Tiebreaker
British journalist Rebecca West once said, “I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is: I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a door mat or
a prostitute.” The writer of this article seems to be facing a similar dilemma.
We were led to believe that the inclusion of women in sports meant bypassing such social barriers and gender related biases. It was a growing belief, that women were finally going to be admired for much more than their 's**y legs',
but boys were wrong. It seems the entire point of the Tennis uniform is to do precisely that! It is our sad duty to inform you that Women’s Tennis has become nothing more than a beauty pageant.
While women have no qualms about exposing, the masculine party, to their credit, have been nothing short of abettors (if not aiders) to the heinous mockery of the sport. Only last year there were claims that the best looking women
were being put on the show courts during Wimbledon, while the less attractive yet higher-ranked women are being sidelined.
While denying all such claims, Andrew Walker - the Women’s Tennis Association senior vice president for global market - does admit that all the publicity that the celebrity brings is rather good for business. Mr. Walker’s statement
leaves one wondering when sports became a business rather than a celebration of human spirit and endurance against all odds.
The games increasing emphasis towards the glamorous side of affairs seems to be reflected more and more with the deepening of necklines, shortening of hems and the flashes of wild colour seen on the courts. And who seems to be
leading on the scoreboard? Well of course the Williams sisters!
There was indeed much more on display during the French open by Venus Williams than just her backhand. The tennis ace walked on the court in a black lacy number with red trimming from her sports wear collection worthy of being
a Victoria’s secret piece. During the US Open, Venus again chose a skimpy pink outfit. Not only was the dress a distraction for the audience and the commentators, but it gave quite a bit of trouble to Ms. Williams, as she continuously had to stop to adjust
it.
We cannot help but wonder if perhaps we are the only ones who bothered reading the WTA rulebook that states that players are “expected to dress and present themselves in a professional manner"?
A number of other stars like Maria Sharapova and Caroline Wozniacki seem to be favouring similar trends. In fact, when Wozniacki was asked about her very short US Open dress, she rather cheekily replied, “I think it’s nice”. She
went on to say that, she will “get a lot of male fans now”. She had also mentioned the “very pretty” Anna Kournikova earlier.
Anna Kournikova did not win many titles during the course of her career, but being named the “Sexiest Woman in Sport” did bring her a fortune in the form of endorsements. Apparently the girls are not fighting to make tennis history
anymore, these days they are looking to be the next Kournikova.
Ana Ivanovic, the former world number one, agrees that the game has become more of a beauty pageant. The 22-year-old Serbian beauty admitted that the players are rivals both on and off the court and compete over "who's the prettiest,
who's the most popular, the most fashionable, who's getting the most coverage".
So what does the future have in store for the world of women’s tennis? The answer remains uncertain. However, there is one thing that we can count on. Ms. Venus Williams plans to return to Wimbledon next year with a whopping 11
new dresses and we cannot wait to see her in them!
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