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Monday, June 20, 2005

      Bling, Tennis and Wimbledon

You need only be a realist to recognize news about tennis over the next two weeks won't necessarily be dominated by tennis. There'll be a blitz of British tradition and eccentricity, the bling associated with celebrity, some superstar sex appeal, or petulance, and then there'll be the winners and losers.

Diamond Tennis Bracelet

Talking about the bling.. The year was 1987 and Chris Evert, the former World No. 1 woman tennis player and the winner of 18 Grand Slam singles titles, was playing in the U.S. Open. She was wearing an elegant, light in-line diamond bracelet, which accidentally broke. And the match was interrupted to allow Chris to recover her precious daimonds. From that moment, the discreet and radiant stream of light became the “tennis bracelet” and sparked a huge jewelry trend.

During the nineties, tennis bracelet was worn by a new star in the tennis firmament, the Brazilian Gabriela Sabatini. And in 2002, Serena Williams wore a $29,000 custom-design Harry Winston's Twelve to Twilight diamond tennis bracelet at the U.S. Open. But this time there was an extra secure safety clasp to the bracelet to make sure the flexible and fluid piece will stay securely on Williams' 7 and one-half inch wrist.

Serena Williams 12 carats diamond tennis bracelet

Williams' bracelet contains 242 colorless diamonds and totals 12 carats set in platinum.

Serena Williams Puma catsuit

And remember the second-skin Puma catsuit Serena wore at the 2002 U.S. Open that set tongues wagging? This week at Wimbledon, reigning ladies' champ, Russia's sexy Maria Sharapova made her Tuesday tournament debut in a pair of Nike sneakers adorned with 24-carat gold.

Maria Sharapova in golden Nike sneakersMaria Sharapova's golden sneakers

"It's something totally different and shines unbelievably. Hopefully it will distract my opponents a little bit," Sharapova giggled. Well, don't know about her opponents, but men definitely are getting distracted a whole lot.

Maria Sharapova funny picture

Maria is now readying to launch her own limited edition of diamond watches.

The bling also took centre stage early today as Alexis Barbara, 19, a model and fiancee of Mark Philippoussis chose brief, lacy shorts, bedazzled wedge shoes, an enormous gold cross and an impressive diamond ring on her left hand.

Bec Cartwright, fiancee of tennis star Lleyton HewittBec Cartwright -fiancee of tennis star- daimond engagement ring

Bec Cartwright, fiancee of rival Lleyton Hewitt wasn't to be left behind. She has been sporting her flashy diamond engagement ring - estimated at $200,000 — around the grounds.

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