Outfit goes Gaga at Wimbledon

Decked out in a Lady Gaga-inspired jacket festooned with real tennis balls, Bethanie Mattek-Sands stepped onto Court 14 at Wimbledon and noticed a tour official, walkie-talkie at the ready. “I’m not hitting any balls in it. Don’t worry,” she assured the official. “It’s too heavy to wear.” The news was transmitted back to the base. Crisis averted. Wimbledon’s rule book stipulates that “any competitor who appears on court dressed in a manner deemed unsuitable by the Committee will be liable to be defaulted.” Mattek-Sands, famous for her unusual fashion taste, had given due warning. “Wimby has never seen something like this!” she announced to her Twitter followers earlier in the day. It certainly didn’t contravene Wimbledon’s “predominantly white” ruling. The only color on the jacket was the silver of the studs on the sleeves. In between were 12 half tennis balls. It also featured white fringe and a wide, pointed lapel. – AP