Mirza's partner shows wild side with Open leopard outfit
Thursday, 6 September 2007
NEW YORK, Sept 5 (AFP): If Sania Mirza's few fundamentalist critics back home in India did not like her wearing tennis dresses, they must have been stunned at the leopard-like US Open outfit her US doubles partner wore Tuesday.
Mirza and Bethanie Mattek were eliminated from the women's doubles event at the year's final Grand Slam tournament as Taiwan's fifth-seeded Chan Yung and Chuang Chia-Jung took a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 triumph.
But the most compelling thing about the match was Mattek's clevage-revealing leopard apparel, another bold statement in the flashy fashion fight that often accompanies women's events at the year's final Grand Slam event.
"New York is crazy. It's always cool to do something here," Mattek said.
"It's just keeping up with what the crowd likes. People are so vocal about it. Some love it or hate it. If they love or hate it, they'll come see it. I think it helps tennis."
Mirza, who wore a red top and white skirt, found out shortly before the match how Mattek would be clad.
"She said, 'I have leopard skin today.' I said, 'Oh, animal print. Cool,'" Mirza said.
The 20-year-old from Hyderbad has faced some Islamic criticism for modern dress, but Mirza was fine with her partner's flamboyant costume choice.
"She can do what the hell she wants. It really doesn't matter to me. I can do what I want for that matter," Mirza said.
"I haven't really been home in two months. I don't know what the reaction will be. I'm sure some people will have something to say."
Asked if she might have considered wearing a similar leopard outfit, Mirza smiles and said, "I'll pass on that one."
Mirza and Bethanie Mattek were eliminated from the women's doubles event at the year's final Grand Slam tournament as Taiwan's fifth-seeded Chan Yung and Chuang Chia-Jung took a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 triumph.
But the most compelling thing about the match was Mattek's clevage-revealing leopard apparel, another bold statement in the flashy fashion fight that often accompanies women's events at the year's final Grand Slam event.
"New York is crazy. It's always cool to do something here," Mattek said.
"It's just keeping up with what the crowd likes. People are so vocal about it. Some love it or hate it. If they love or hate it, they'll come see it. I think it helps tennis."
Mirza, who wore a red top and white skirt, found out shortly before the match how Mattek would be clad.
"She said, 'I have leopard skin today.' I said, 'Oh, animal print. Cool,'" Mirza said.
The 20-year-old from Hyderbad has faced some Islamic criticism for modern dress, but Mirza was fine with her partner's flamboyant costume choice.
"She can do what the hell she wants. It really doesn't matter to me. I can do what I want for that matter," Mirza said.
"I haven't really been home in two months. I don't know what the reaction will be. I'm sure some people will have something to say."
Asked if she might have considered wearing a similar leopard outfit, Mirza smiles and said, "I'll pass on that one."