If you’re a tennis player, you know that you usually bring two kinds of bags onto the tennis court for matches: Your racket bag, and a duffle that carries your change of clothes and anything else you might need for life outside of the court. Ever since the Tennis Channel launched in 2003, I’ve always enjoyed watching their special segments, particularly “Bag Check.” Because, who wouldn’t want to know the exact tools that players have for getting ready for their matches, from specific grips to ritualistic goodies that the stars of tennis have tucked away in their bags, only to be taken out when calling upon luck for a chance at victory. I’ve never seen a professional tennis player carry a designer handbag onto the tennis court - ever.
I suppose one of the main reasons comes down to sponsorship; I’d image MCM would pay the AP’s athlete of the decade, Serena Williams, oodles of money if she would commit to wearing one of their tote bags onto Centre Court in white decked out in rhinestones and studs instead of a standard Nike duffle. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion did wear the MCM-branded headphones during the 2015 US Open (that was a short-lived fashion statement).
Speaking of MCM handbags, my mom has been wearing one type of handbag for the past five years or so; it’s a mini backpack in rose gold that barely fits all of her essentials, but she manages. On the other hand, I change my mind about bags virtually every day. I have a mild (ok, major) obsession with handbags. What is it about them? Each bag can complement a different outfit; it’s like they take on a whole different personality and come to life when paired with the appropriate outfit. In all seriousness, though, it’s becoming somewhat of a problem. As a freelancer, I have been living way out of my budget - and it’s all because of this gosh darn handbag addiction. Can some of my friends, if you’re reading this, relate to my problem here? The only person, or character, I know of who has a handbag addiction “greater” than mine is Ms. Carrie Bradshaw; although, I doubt Carrie would bring a name brand handbag onto the tennis court.
In the summertime. I usually show up onto the tennis court with a handbag, towel, two rackets and a bottle of water. Even my opponents in matches would scoff, asking what I can put in that awfully tiny bag of mine. Since I’ve pretty much been playing a few amateur USTA national tournaments and country club tennis, I think it’s OK to do that, plus switch to a different handbag every time I play. No one else really does this, so I guess I’m unique in that regard. Sometimes I’ll dust off the bag from the sprinkles of har-tru “green clay” that sticks to the surface like panko bread crumbs does to a chicken breast. What kind of analogy is that? Well, what kind of tennis player is this obsessed with handbags - EXACTLY! Hats off to brands like Tory Burch that have made strides in sportswear and bags so that they combine fashionable and sporty aesthetics. If only there were a handbag brand deemed “appropriate” for professional players to wear on-court and overcome this idea that women can’t wear handbags on the tennis court that they would wear to a night out on the town, etc. Remember Lizzo’s little bag that could maybe hold a quarter but not even a lipstick? What if WTA players had a bag of similar size that would only hold their vibration dampener (that’s all that would fit in such a bag). I’d subscribe to that, no doubt. I’m leaving comments on this post in case anyone feels like weighing in. And if not, that’s fine so long as we go shopping in the future and can pick out my next handbag together. xx