Haute of the Month: Maria Kirilenko

Birthplace: Moscow, Russia 

Birthdate: Jan. 25, 1987 

Height: 5’ 8” 

Weight: 127 lbs. 

Coach: Father, Yuri Kirilenko 

Food Favorite: Baked Potatoes 

Off-court Interests: Fishing, Dance, Music, Computer Gaming, Basketball, Football and Reading 

Some Favorite Books: The Three Musketeers, White Fang 

Favorite Players: Jennifer Capriati, Yevgeni Kafelnikov 

Good Friends on Tour: Maria Sharapova, Victoria Azarenka, Ana Ivanović, Agnieszka Radwańska and Nadia Petrova

Photo courtesy of Olympicgirls.net

At seven years of age, Maria Kirilenko arrived at Moscow’s Dinamo tennis school with her father, a tennis aficionado and recreational player. In less than a year, she began to win competitions, and at the age of 12 she was “discovered” by Elena Brioukhovets – an Honored Master of sports who began to work with her. 

Kirilenko’s parents brought her daily to Dinamo and TsSKA sport grounds from Yubileyny – a small town in the Moscow region. In less than three years, she became # 1 in her age group. During this time, Maria received help from well-known tennis professionals Yevgeni Kafelnikov, Andrey Olkhovsky and Maxim Mirny – the creators of an organization to support young, up-and-coming players.

Maria Kirilenko’s hard work paid off - in 2002, she became one of the youngest winners of both the Canadian Open and US Open junior tournaments. In 2005, she won her first title on the WTA Tour, ousting Anna-Lena Grönefeld in the China Open. Kirilenko reached her career-high ranking of # 16 in May of 2012, and she currently stands at # 19 in the world.

← Who looks THIS good playing tennis? 

Game Style: Aggressive baseliner 

Favorite Shot: Forehand 

Best Singles Result: Quarterfinals of the Australian Open - 2010 

Best Doubles Result: Final of the French Open with partner Nadia Petrova - 2012

Maria was chosen in 2006 to be the face of Adidas Stella McCartney tennis line, but she was replaced by Caroline Wozniacki in 2009 - in our opinion…a big mistake!

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Haute of the Month: Urszula Radwanska

"She is sound in just about all areas, and she knows what to do with the ball, she seems to have an understanding, a little like Martina Hingis.”

- Andrew Castle on Urszula’s tennis ability

Born: December 7, 1990
Birthplace: Ahaus, Germany
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 126 lbs
Current Residence: Cracow, Poland
Play: Right handed, two-handed backhand
Year Turned Pro: 2005
Tennis Idol: Roger Federer
Coach: Dad - Robert Radwanski
Favorite surface: Grass

Urszula Radwanska is a Polish tennis player and the younger sister of top-20 tennis player, Agnieszka Radwanska.

As a junior player, Urszula won the 2007 Wimbledon girls’ singles title and finished the year as the number one girls’ junior. This launched Urszula’s professional tennis career, and she has been competing in WTA tournaments ever since.

Although Urszula has been ranked as high as number 62 in world rankings, she was out of action for most of 2010 due to spine surgery and dropped more than 130 places in the WTA standings.

FAVORITES...
THING TO DO - Travel
ACTOR - Jim Carrey
THINGS SHE CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT -  mini skirts, jelly sweets and a flat iron

Fact - At this year’s US Open Urszula lost in the first round 2-6, 3-6. Her opponent: Her sister, Agnieszka (gulp)!

Agnieszka and Urszula Radwanska

Agnieszka and Urszula Radwanska, DOHA WTA SONY ERICSSON 2009

CASUAL HAUTE!	FORMAL HAUTE!

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Haute of the Month: Mardy Fish

The United States has a new top-ranked male tennis player by the name of Mardy Fish. Due to a loss in the 2^nd round at the Miami Sony Ericsson Open, Andy Roddick dropped six spots to #15 and Mardy soared to #11 after a meeting in the Sony Ericsson semi-finals, which he lost to Novak Djokovich. Needless to say, this is a career high for Mardy at the tender age of 29!

Born in Edina, Minnesota on December 9, 1981, Mardy Fish is the son of a tennis teacher and a housewife.  Picking up a racquet at the age of two, he was able to hit the ball from the baseline over the net!  In 1986, the Fish family relocated to Vero Beach, Florida, and Mardy attended Saddlebrook Academy for his sophomore year.  He then moved to Boca Prep in Boca Raton, Florida for his junior and senior years where he attended high school with classmates Andy Roddick and Jesse Levine.  In 1999, Fish moved in with the Roddick family, and in addition to pals, he and Andy were basketball and tennis teammates. 

One of several promising young tennis players of the 21^st century, Mardy Fish turned pro in 2000 at the age of 18 and spent the first couple of years playing Challenger and Futures tournaments - the “minor league” of tennis.   He won his first ATP tour title in 2002 playing doubles in the U. S. Men’s Clay Court Championships with Roddick.  Fish has won five tournaments on the ATP tour and has made it to the final in three Masters Series events, two at Cincinnati and one in Indian Wells.  

Highest ATP Ranking:  #11

Current ATP Ranking:  #11

Career Titles:  Five

Grad Slam Results:  
Australian Open - Quarter Final (2007), 
French Open - 2^nd Round (2008, 2010), 
Wimbledon - 3^rd Round (2003, 2006, 2009), 
U. S. Open – Quarter Final (2008)

Fish lost over 25 pounds in six weeks with a healthier diet.  Food he misses the most:  PIZZA!

As is the case with many professional tennis players, Mardy Fish is not just handsome and talented, but also a philanthropist.  He established a foundation in his name to support youth in Indian River County. The Foundation has sponsored after school programs in thirteen schools in the Indian River County School District and it supports other youth organizations, which include the Vero Beach Boys & Girls Club and the Youth Guidance Foundation, which helps kids in Indian River County through a positive mentoring program.  We are proud of Mardy for this effort, and when it comes to future matches the photo below says it all…

 

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Haute of the Month: Gisela Dulko

Gisela Dulko was born January 30, 1985, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to mother, Ana and father, Estanislao (now deceased).  She reached her career-high single’s ranking of #26 in the world in 2005 and now stands at #47.  Currently ranked by the WTA as the world’s#1 female double’s player, Gisela recently won her first grand slam double’s title at the 2011 Australian Open with Italian double’s partner and best friend, Flavia Pennetta.  

 

 26-year-old Gisela is the picture of beauty and grace on the tennis court.

Preferred Playing Surface:  Clay

After watching her brother Alejandro, Gisela’s interest in tennis was piqued at the tender age of seven.  Now Gisela’s coach, Alejandro travels with her on tour.  A dog lover, Gisela has three:  Nicole, Goran and Guga…sound familiar? 

 

  FAVORITES…

FOOD – Pizza!

    MOVIES – Pearl Harbor and Good Will Hunting

ACTORS – Josh Hartnett and Keanu Reeves

MUSICIAN – Alejandro Sanz

PLACES – Buenos Aires, Paris, Hawaii

At 5 feet, 7 inches and 123 pounds, Gisela looks as fabulous off the tennis court as she does running, swinging and serving!

 

 

     

For all those Dulko admirers out there who wish they had a chance…sorry fellas!  Gisela is dating Argentine soccer player, Fernando Gago, and you cannot deny – they make a HOT couple!!!

 

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