The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, London

Maria Sharapova will perform a Wimbledon striptease on Tuesday, but it will be in good taste and all in the name of fashion.

The Russian pin-up will walk onto Court One dressed in a cream tuxedo-style jacket and long trousers before stripping down to play in a white vest and shorts for the first time.

Sharapova, the 2004 champion, is familiar with daring outfits at the championships; she once played in diamond- encrusted shoes.

"I'm going with the traditional shorts," said Sharapova, who faces France's Stephanie Foretz in her opener.

"I've never worn shorts at a Grand Slam. Call it menswear, obviously. It's kind of like a tuxedo look, very simple lines, classic."

On Monday, five-time mens's champion Roger Federer and double women's title winner Serena Williams went head-to-head in the fashion stakes at the All England Club.

For the last two years, Federer strolled onto centre court wearing a cream blazer and the letters 'RF' flamboyantly stitched into his right breast pocket.

But this year, he has opted for a 1920s-style, herringbone- patterned cardigan instead.

"It was Nike. We've been talking, what could we do? I thought two jackets was enough. Let's move on to something a little bit different," said the Swiss after moving into the second round with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 win over Dominik Hrbaty.

"We thought about something nice, like a cardigan or a jumper. It's a little bit more easier to wear than the jacket, to be honest."

Not to be outdone, Williams, over on Court One, appeared for her match with Estonia's Kaia Kanepi in a trenchcoat despite the 25- degree temperatures.

"I probably have more coats than anyone. I'm always buying Burberry. I don't know why as I live in Florida so it doesn't really add up," said the American after her 7-5, 6-3 win.

"Now I have a wonderful white coat I can wear in New York on rainy days."