Tennis Atlantic

Doubles Finalist @TimSmyczek on @AthleticDNA

Milwaukee’s Tim Smyczek is a pretty quiet guy, but he wears some pretty loud and distinctive looking gear from Athletic DNA on court.

The Seattle-based apparel company has picked up some of the hardest working players in the business as their brand ambassadors–guys like Brian Baker, Rajeev Ram and Tennys Sandgren. Smyczek was a perfect addition to that list. Athletic DNA even gives their brand ambassadors a small share in the company, something that would have made Nike, Adidas, Fila and Under Armour sponsored players billionaires by now.

He shares his thought on the affiliation in a brief interview. I guess my daughter, Annabel, was inspired by the Hewitt kids getting so much attention in Newport, because she just had to get in the scene.

Smyczek and Rhyne Williams have been waiting for two days now to find out who’ll they’ll face in this afternoon’s doubles final at the Hall of Fame Championships. They’ll have to wait a little longer. The semis match of Mahut/Roger-Vasselin vs. Sa/Demoliner was pushed back until after the men’s final, since Mahut advanced to the singles final. It’s a tailor-made scouting opportunity for Smyczek, Williams and their coaches this afternoon.

—S. Fogleman