Federer – forget the bling and focus on the swing!

The Fed-Express in Gold Trimmed Insulation

Blatantly swiped from Alan Attwood, SMH, July 8, 2009

Why on earth does The Fed want to be a male model?

When he accepted his latest prize on Sunday (Wimbledon 09 … for those scratching heir heads) the gold of the Wimbledon trophy teamed beautifully with the gold trim on his custom-made cream-coloured jacket, which made him look like an extra from the Sergeant Pepper’s album cover. Or a hospital orderly.

On the shirt collar, subtle but still noticeable, was an “F”. Rod Laver, who witnessed the final from the royal box, has recommended that tennis fans watch Federer’s feet to appreciate his grace. Those who do will notice the monograms on Federer’s footwear.

But wait, there’s more: a cap with a monogram, regularly sighted at media conferences lest reporters need reminding of his name. Also a jacket emblazoned with a “15″, the number of major titles he has now won – more than any other male player. More than Laver; more than Bjorn Borg; more than Pete Sampras, whose record he surpassed on Sunday. All three of those former champs posed with Federer after the final, resulting in a photo that reminded us how much Borg now resembles a suntanned Gerard Depardieu.

Laver, Borg and Sampras were never into bespoke jackets – let alone having one run up before winning a title, which smacks of hubris. But all in that illustrious three were trendsetters in their own way. Borg was a boon to headband makers. Sampras pioneered daggy, baggy shorts, which men sniggered at until they realised how comfortable they were. And Laver was a fan of cabbage leaves under a floppy hat to keep him cool under the fierce Queensland sun.

While Federer’s fashionable side seems naff, he has shown a little more style than his valiant opponent, Andy Roddick of the United States, who wore his cap back-to-front for the trophy presentation after having it the right way round during the match. And the Swiss champ is good taste personified compared with Serena Williams, who confronted reporters after the women’s final in a T-shirt with the slogan: “Are You Looking At My Titles?”

Awesome! (Not!)

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