1. Ana Ivanovic - SRB
2. Jelena Jankovic - SRB
3. Svetlana Kuznetsova - RUS
4. Maria Sharapova - RUS
5. Serena Williams - USA

Maria Sharapova	7	6	2
Dinara Safina	6	7	6

Scots designer hits back at Maria's tuxedo critics

June 29th, 2008

21 Comments

Posted by: Senia

A SCOTS designer who created tennis star Maria Sharapova's outfit for Wimbledon has hit back at critics.
Colleen Sandieson is a senior designer for sports giants Nike and her clothes have amazed the crowds at the tournament this week.

She fashioned Sharapova's tuxedo-style jacket and sheer top, as well as her controversial shorts.
But when Sharapova crashed out of Wimbledon on Thursday, her opponent revealed her dislike of her outfit had spurred her to victory.

The No3 seed was defeated by fellow Russian Alla Kudryavtseva - whose world ranking is No154. Kudryavtseva said: "It's very pleasant to beat Maria. I don't like her outfit. Can I put it this way? It was one of my motivations to beat her."

But yesterday, Colleen, 45, who was raised in Paisley, hit back.

She said: "I was quite shocked when I heard she had been saying this about the outfit. I didn't think it was very sporting. The outfit is 100 per cent functional for tennis, although it has a glamorous look.

"I shouldn't say too much about it in case it starts trouble.

"Both girls are Russian and there will be a fierce competition there.

"I have seen Kudryavtseva's outfit and without going into it too much, I would describe it as understated."

don de la jollla Jun 29, 2008 at 15:46

like the designer suggests, the outfit makes a creative and distinctive fashion statement without impairing movement. a pity it was overshadowed by the loss which the designer had no control over. maria has excellent taste.

Diana Jun 29, 2008 at 17:32

Masha!-THE BEST EVER! :*

Charlie Jun 29, 2008 at 17:47

Can we say...
We don't like Kudryavtseva outfit ,either.MaSha is the best player.

wht Jun 29, 2008 at 18:01

oh my god,,Kudryavtseva is very uncomely. incivility talk,,let me feel repugnant. maria,,support you forever^^

se1220 Jun 30, 2008 at 07:37

alla is such a bad girl!!!!!!!!!! she's basking in her victory but i think it's not nice to say bad things about your opponent. she knew that maria or any opponent will feel sad about defeat so no purpose at all to say bad things anymore

Jack Jun 30, 2008 at 12:35

I don't know what all this is about. Maria looks great in what every.

flower Jun 30, 2008 at 16:24

Don't be sad, Maria. I know that you are the great champion, great competitor and you don't want to lose any single match. Today is not your day. You have 19 titles and 3 of them are grand slams. I believe that you will be back the greatest tennis player again in the near future. Love you forever !

zorang Jun 30, 2008 at 16:49

Wimbledone 2008 Dear Maria It*s been two months since the WTA incident.You then asked your fans for their opinion,what to do and how to go on.That was the right decision to make,knowing how narrow-minded characters are those from the WTA red-tape.I think the time has come for us,fans,to say something about your unfortunately poor performances lately.I shall try to add my modest contribution to the whole situation.Masha,you are not in your prime.I see that,and all of us who have been supporting you and who love your with all our hearts.Bad things are happening.We cannot wait to see you in one of the tournaments.Especially Grand-Slam.The time break between regular tournaments is between 14 to 20 days,in proximity.Sometimes more.For a Grand-Slam it takes months.When we finally see the day of such a tournament we expect to see you in 90% of the cases in finals.I,personally,expect to see you every time in finals of any tournament and to triumph.Unfortunately it has not happened in the last months.When your won the Australia Open ,I believed this would be your year,that you would not face any problems at Rolland Garros,nor at Wimbledon,that you would win all four Grand-Slams.Unfortunately,you have stumbled in the early phase of both tournaments,Rolland Garros and Wimbledone.I hope that everything would be all right at the Olympics and the US-OPEN .I hope.But let*s go back to Rolland Garros ,and especially Wimbledone.What is happening,Maria?What I am personally curious about is where do so many double service faults come from?I can understand that it happens for a month of two,but this has been going on in continuity for a longer period of time.At Rolland Garros you have made in four natches about 40 double service faults??????This is impossible and incomprehensible.What seems to be the reason for it?Mother of God,what has gone wrong?Your are 1,88 cm tall,hence predisposed for an extremely strong and precise service.But what I have been watching is completly opposite to me expectations. I simply cannot believe.I cannot think of any tennis player who makes so many douple service faults per match.Is it not possible to overcome such problem by three to four months strenuous training?What have your trainers been doing?I shall be candid and also say this:I was flaberghasted by the indolence of your expert team,when you played a match against Kudravceva.They watched the match as if it had not been of their concern.As if your had been scoring 6:0 first set,and 3:0 the second,as if you had been playing perfectly,and there had been no reason to panic.Why such attitude?Their indolence banged against your head,showing great irresponsibility of your expert team.I wrote in my comments long ago that you had all predispositions for the strongest and most precise service,stronger that sister Williams*and Ana Ivanovic.It*s your hight that gives me the right to thing likewise.And your tennis talent,which is without limits.Your hight can be used only by a great expert,who would reveal you the secret of a good and strong service.And I personally believe that Michael Joyce does not belong to such elite.Otherwise you would not face so many service problems,and in the past three years you should have collected,under his guidance,at least 7-8 Grand-Slam titles.You have only got two(US-OPEN and A.O,not including Wimbledon 2004 when you were trained by Robert Lantrop).No tennis expert can convince me that sister Williams and Ana Ivanovic are better talents that you.However,your talent has been underused.It has to change in the future.Maria,your are 21 and it high time you started winning tournaments without interruptions,that is in continuity.But with an expert who would care for your carreer and your success,who would not be indolen to your bad performance.You need a trainer who would be your best friend out of tennis court,and on tennis court and when your train your worst enemy,hypothetically speaking.I think that Michael Joyce,with all due respect,is not a good trainer,and there are a lot better experts.If you have had enough of tennis,withdraw for some time,think it over,then come back refreshed ready for new victories.Your withdrawing would be a hard blow for me,since tennis without you is one great nothing.With you it makes sense.But if itwould be for your good than I could handle the blow.Personally I believe you should change the trainer, since,as I said before,Michael Joyce is not the best expert.Sometimes I think Good itself sends us two Marias,the one as in Australian Open and FED CUP in Israel,and this Maria.I wish I could walk trough the time gate and watch the excellent Maria,the faultless Maria.I live in hope that my wish would come true,and I would see the invincible Maria.To you and your fans worldwide many greetings from the Republic of Srpska and your Zoran.Respectfully and good luck!

hüseyinmaria Jul 01, 2008 at 01:27

aşkımmmmmmmmmmmmmm benimmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

SEF Jul 01, 2008 at 09:30

Alla is sick! I really couldn't believe what she said about Maria's outfit! It is a motivation factor to beat her? Pretty lame, i say. Maria is a great player. She is a 3-time Grand Slam champ at a young age. She is the most-recognized, most-paid, most-photographed female athlete in the world! And those are facts! These accomplishments are enough reasons why Alla is so jealous of her! And one more thing, they're both Russians living in the US, somehow, she should know how to respect her compatriot!

Stef Jul 01, 2008 at 09:35

The dress looks stunning on Maria. And maybe the reason why Alla hates it, is because it won't look good on her because Alla is ugly!!! Alla is classless, has a big mouth, and doesn't have a good fashion taste! I am so happy you lost in the 4th round! That's karma, pal!

Angelo Jul 01, 2008 at 11:49

hi beby
I love maria !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bye angelo

ragamala Jul 01, 2008 at 16:12

I think the outfit that maria wore was one of the most stylish outfit ever worn in wimbledon.alla should not comments at anyone's personality.she is really rude and alla's outfit just sucks

joy Jul 02, 2008 at 08:20

u alLa better shut ur mouth,..
the outfit of masha is sonice it was so glamorous and elegant!!!
if i would comment on your outfit i would say it was so bad it wasnt pretty like her face!!!hahaahaa
shes ugly!!1

Marcus Jul 03, 2008 at 18:01

beautiful design María, I love, you look beautiful, was very original now you design

carlos scheel Jul 04, 2008 at 03:16

Es una lastima que María no haya ganado en wumbledon, pero a ella yo y muchos le perdonas todo, or ser tan hermosa y buena tenista.
carlosdeviña, chile

Imanol Jul 05, 2008 at 21:17

I hink that girl was too excited about beating Maria that's why she said that about her outfit, the fact that Kudryavtseva won doesn't mean she is better than Maria, she is just a silly girl, don't worry maria

Steevn Jul 06, 2008 at 02:07

Maria, it's a really ovely ESPY's picture of you! Especially your eyes and smile- they're shone off nicely!

Leihla Tan Jul 06, 2008 at 02:31

Yeah, you are very right Colleen, I don't understand why there are people who keeps on criticizing whatever outfit Maria will wear, they should admit that Maria has a great fashion sense, and I think they are just jealous, cause whatever she wears, the crowd goes, woah, she's beautiful. I got really mad at Alla, for she said such things to Maria, and the truth is it's just her luck to defeat Maria, I said it's just her luck because she didn't even won the championships. And who ever criticized Maria's outfit is envious because whatever she wore it always looks amazing and beautiful to her. Good luck Maria I will be expecting great outfit on US Open! Cheers.

I'll be waiting for all the signs to Serbia, although I still say Spain has earned it Jul 07, 2008 at 05:04

9 Maria, 9!

boots norel jayme Jul 09, 2008 at 13:21

hello maria...i love you always