Does gear play a role in achieving top performance? Sporting goods manufacturers claim it does. They support their claims by having the world’s top performers endorse equipment in TV and print advertising campaigns, or wear their gear at trainings and in official matches. Let’s see what the female tennis champions are using for achieving their results.
Dinara Safina at the French Open Tennis Championship
Dinara Safina, the number one WTA player uses Babolat Aero Storm Tour racquets, the same gear Nadia Petrova uses. Babolat racquets offer an increased level of control and a very good maneuverability, at least that’s what the manufacturer says. Dinara’s footwear and outfits are all from Adidas.
Serena Williams
Serena Williams, the WTA number two, uses Wilson racquets, the Wilson K Factor KBlade Team racquet being her first choice. Serena’s sister, Venus, is using the same type of gear. The clothing and footwear apparel worn by Serena Williams comes from Nike.
Ana Ivanovic
Ana Ivanovic, another WTA top player wears Adidas apparel and shoes. Her tennis racquets and bags are Yonex. Ana has her own tennis gear online shop, powered by Tennis Warehouse.
Kim Clijsters
Kim Clijsters, the newly returned champion, is proudly representing Fila footwear and apparel. Kim had left tennis championships in 2007, when she got married and started herself a family. Now she’s back and Fila is happy to have her on their side. Kim’s racquets are Babolat.
Caroline Wozniacki
Caroline Wozniacki is the representative of the newest Adidas line. She has been chosen to be the image of the Adidas by Stella McCartney tennis attire and she seems very pleased with that. She appreciates most the combination of performance and style and this new tennis range is offering her both. Stella McCartney is also thrilled to be one of the few fashion designers to dress a world champion.
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova, one of the most beautiful faces in the WTA top, joined Cole Haan Sporting for their 2009 collection which is an innovative mix between sports and fashion. Cole Haan are basing their footwear and sporting goods equipment on Nike’s technology.
This list could go on for a very long while. Top sporting gear manufacturers invest a lot of resources in research, in order to provide athletes a good support for their performance, but they don’t ignore the commercial side of their business, since that’s the department providing the profits and the source of research money. And if I admire Sharapova and I love playing tennis wearing Nike shoes, the odds of myself buying some bags and matching shoes from the new Cole Haan collection are really very high. It’s a simple matter of consumer psychology.