"Yugoslavia" and China (Starting to) Dominate Tennis?
Two players from the former Yugoslavia, i.e. Jelena Jankovic from Serbia, and Ivan Ljubicic from Croatia, wearing Anta and Li-Ning Chinese tennis clothing respectively, captured the women's and men's singles titles at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California. The
days of American and Western European tennis players and clothing brands dominating professional tennis appears to be ending or slowing at least...
Croatia has been a strong tennis nation for a couple decades producing Grand Slam champions such as French Open titlist, Iva Majoli, and Wimbledon Champion, Goran Ivanisevic, as well as a Davis Cup team trophy. Meanwhile, Serbia has recently produced two Grand Slam champions, i.e. Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open and Ana Ivanovic at the French Open, as well as a Number one ranked player, i.e. Jelena Jankovic. Given the continued success of Croatian players such as Marin Cilic and Serbia's recent Davis Cup victory over the United States and the new ATP tournament in Belgrade, one can expect a tennis boom in these countries to produce more top tennis players.
From a fashion standpoint, the "new kids on the block" from China, i.e. Anta and Li-Ning are starting to build their brands with striking outfits and smart styles worn by highly-visible players. Therefore, it may only be a matter of time before they move closer to the mainstream in tennis fashion circles around the globe.
This increased competition both on the court, as well as in the store for tennis titles and the attention of tennis fans, can only be good for the game. It should inspire others to play and compete while also helping companies realize the opportunities that exist in the marketplace.
Croatia has been a strong tennis nation for a couple decades producing Grand Slam champions such as French Open titlist, Iva Majoli, and Wimbledon Champion, Goran Ivanisevic, as well as a Davis Cup team trophy. Meanwhile, Serbia has recently produced two Grand Slam champions, i.e. Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open and Ana Ivanovic at the French Open, as well as a Number one ranked player, i.e. Jelena Jankovic. Given the continued success of Croatian players such as Marin Cilic and Serbia's recent Davis Cup victory over the United States and the new ATP tournament in Belgrade, one can expect a tennis boom in these countries to produce more top tennis players.
From a fashion standpoint, the "new kids on the block" from China, i.e. Anta and Li-Ning are starting to build their brands with striking outfits and smart styles worn by highly-visible players. Therefore, it may only be a matter of time before they move closer to the mainstream in tennis fashion circles around the globe.
This increased competition both on the court, as well as in the store for tennis titles and the attention of tennis fans, can only be good for the game. It should inspire others to play and compete while also helping companies realize the opportunities that exist in the marketplace.
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