A year ago I interviewed Bethanie Mattek Sands about her favorite tennis outfit, her tattoos, her best friends on the WTA Tour, etc. This fall I had an opportunity to interview the American again and I asked her about her 2011 season, her leisure activities and of course her opinion on the on-court WTA fashion.

MARIJA: What will you remember the 2011 season for?

BETHANIE MATTEK SANDS: Even though my 2011 season ended early due to injury I was able to reach a career high ranking and still get some of my best wins to date. The win at Hopman Cup with my partner John Isner was an amazing start to my season and I really felt I was able to gain some momentum and confidence. Off the court I have to say the Wimbledon Player Party will always be memorable as I got to rock a custom Alex Noble dress on the red carpet.

MARIJA: How is your shoulder injury now? Will you be perfectly healthy for the start of the new season and the Hopman Cup?

BETHANIE MATTEK SANDS: I'm happy to say my shoulder has come along way from where it was. I've been able to practice the last couple weeks but the time off and rehab I was able to take really helped it heal up. I'm excited to be going back to Perth for Hopman Cup at the end of December. If it wasn't such a far flight I would be "down under" more often!

MARIJA: What was your favorite activity you had more time for during the rehabilitation process? I read that you enjoyed cooking? Read more »

New York and fashion go hand in hand, and tennis outfits are no exception, especially when we have a high-profile event such as the US Open. So let's see what the manufacturers of tennis clothes prepared for our WTA stars and there is no better way to start than with American Bethanie Mattek Sands who integrated patriotism in her attire.

Don't you love the American-flag tube socks and the accompanying red shoes? Bethanie looks awesome in her Under Armour outfit with accessories that perfectly match the US Open occasion.

Bethanie is known for her experiments with fashion and her most recent took place before and during Wimbledon, when she incorporated tennis balls in her player party and on-court outfits.

Venus Williams shocked with her EleVen US Open dress as much as she did with her subsequent abrupt withdrawal due to a long-undiagnosed syndrome.

Top seed Caroline Wozniacki and Stella McCartney absolutely failed to inspire with a white dress much more suitable for Wimbledon. Why not use colors for the US Open when you can?

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Wimbledon is the most traditional tennis tournament and that conservativeness is reflected in the white clothing rule. But the color restriction is not limiting players to express themselves and challenge the set rules.

Bethanie Mattek Sands is always attracting a lot of attention with her look and for Wimbledon 2011 she reinvented herself in cooperation with Lady Gaga's designer – the jacket adorned with white tennis balls may have challenged the officials, but it is likely to end up in the Wimbledon Museum (one Bethanie's Wimbledon outfit is already there).

Venus Williams' outfit for Wimbledon is the second biggest shocker of the tournament. Her EleVen zipper jumper with an open back is definitely unique, whether you like it or not. I like the piece for bringing something new (it's not a dress, it's not a shorts and a top), but it reminds of pajamas. Also, I don't appreciate the visible brown bra in the back.

Nadia Petrova's message still hasn't reached her sponsor Ellesse, they simply don't want to give up the fluffy outfits.

Let's move on to some good examples. Read more »

Bethanie Mattek Sands lost in the first round of Wimbledon to Misaki Doi 6-4 5-7 7-5 but that sole American’s match would be enough for her Wimbledon 2011 appearance to be remembered, definitely in the years to come (she is in the doubles draw, partnered with Meghann Shaughnessy). What else would be the reason than Bethanie’s famous fashion!

As promised, the 31st-ranked Mattek Sands appeared on the court in a daring design resulting from her cooperation with Alex Noble, who is the name behind some of Lady Gaga’s outfits. It was a fringed jacket adorned with white tennis balls. Bethanie left the heavy jacket on the chair and played in a tight dress with sleeves of different length. Also, her trademark tube socks were accompanying the look. Read more »

Bethanie Mattek Sands always grabs attention with her tennis clothes and the Wimbedon player party dress was not all the fashion fun she prepared for us this grass season. Her cooperation with Alex Noble, Lady Gaga's designer, is reaching the tennis courts as well, and its first showing will be at Wimbledon, the most strict and traditional tennis tournament. Bethanie will not cross the boundaries of the all-white clothing rule, but her outfit will be over-the-top.

We can expect white tennis balls to adorn her outfit, some sort of accessory, that's all we know now. Here's Bethanie's hint:

I have something of his that I'm going to wear onto the court, but I can't play in it. It's my big surprise for Wimbledon.

Additional info: Bethanie is having the seeding of No.30 at this year's Wimbledon and it's actually the first time she's seeded in a Grand Slam event. Bethanie's opponent in the first round will be Japan's Misaki Doi ranked No.133. (photo via lucas67, source: ESPN)