How exciting! The New York Times is showing the world the stylish and very photogenic side of women's tennis. Check out these jaw-dropping videos, appropriately named The Beauty of the Power Game. They were shot for a New York Times feature called Women Who Hit Very Hard And How They've Changed Tennis. Serena Williams and fellow tennis stars have never looked better and the tennis couture is smashing!
The New York Times has really outdone themselves with this tennis feature.
The athletes are styled in nontraditional tennis wear, such as a sparkling black dress sported by Serena Williams and a cashmere Chanel bodysuit worn by Vera Zvonareva. In some shots, colored chalk and glitter fly around the women as they strike the ball. (source)
The makeup, styling and slow-motion photography are all so exquisite that you almost forget about the article. Read it! It's quite interesting and talks about how nowadays, female contenders have to BRING IT, both skillfully and physically, to MAKE IT. Basically, you have to be a well-oiled, power machine. Gone are the days of Anna Kournikova types where looks and celeb-status made you a favorite to win.
Kim Clijsters even admits: "Venus and Serena raised the bar for everyone. We all had to go back to the gym." (source)
Uh, why did they ever leave? I'm shocked but relieved that Kim dusted off her Thighmaster because she looks phenomenal in the video above. And seriously, thank god for the Williams sisters' powerful influence over the years. They took a lot of heat for being too buff but their strong and fit physiques have changed the sport for the better. Female tennis pros are finally starting to look like real athletes and that makes me very happy.
Check out the picture slide show HERE!
What are your thoughts and reactions to Women Who Hit Very Hard? Which video is your favorite? Which outfit?