By Adrianna Outlaw
Photo Credit: Vanity Fair
(June 14, 2010) They have yet to step on each other's toes in a mixed doubles match, but Serena Williams has stepped into John McEnroe's shoes — or at least an updated version of them — as she prepares to defend her Wimbledon crown.
World No. 1 Serena was in New York City, McEnroe's hometown, last week to promote Nike's launch of its Air Max Trainer One, a cross-training shoe for women, which the company describes as a descendent of the Air Trainer cross trainer McEnroe popularized on court. That shoe was actually built for running, weight-lifting and working out, but McEnroe wore it on the tennis court and it caught on. Nike has now updated the shoe and launched a version for women. Serena told Vanity Fair writer Jessica Flint she was always a fan of the McEnroe shoe.
"I said, ‘These are John McEnroe’s shoes!’ I remember when I was younger watching tennis—I was always into fashion—and he wore this super-cool shoe," Serena told Vanity Fair. "I was like, 'Wow, those aren’t like a tennis shoe.' I’m a really big part of everything I wear on the court."
McEnroe dropped by Serena's promotional appearance and told her he thought she would leave Paris with her second French Open singles championship. Williams, who held a match point before falling to Samantha Stosur, 8-6, in the third set of their quarterfinal, shared that sentiment.
"I thought I had the singles title in my hand. I’m still recovering from that loss," Williams said. "I was able to win the doubles, but it just wasn’t the same. But I’m hoping I can take over the Wimbledon singles."
She will come dressed for success. Williams, who says she's been training on court for two hours a day followed by a one-hour gym workout, told VF she brings seven dresses to Grand Slam tournaments — knowing it takes seven wins to capture a major singles title.
"I’m a really big part of everything I wear on the court," Williams told Vanity Fair. "Because I’m confident that I’m going to play seven matches, and for doubles, I have six outfits—six because you play six matches."