Russian tennis Champion Maria Sharapova is gracing the December 2008 cover of GQ Spain.
The lanky tennis star is wearing a black teddy which is very, very similar to the teddies that pop icon Madonna is so fond of wearing on her tours.
Sharapova is following in the footsteps of fellow Russian tennis player-turned model Anna Kournikova. The difference between the two players, however, is that Maria is a true champion who has won several Grand Slam tournaments. Kournikova, on the other hand, has never had such success.
It's a good thing for Kournikova that she had modeling to fall back on.
The last image in the gallery is of Madonna wearing one of her trademark bodysuits.
Tennis Champs as Cover Models
Maria Sharapova Channels Madonna for GQ
Trend Themes
1. Athletes as Models - Athletes are increasingly becoming models for magazines, presenting opportunities for fashion and sports industries to collaborate.
2. Crossover Success - Athletes leveraging their success to enter industries such as modeling, fashion and entertainment can create disruptive innovation opportunities.
3. Champion Vs Celebrity - The success of athletes such as Maria Sharapova who balance their athletic achievements and mainstream celebrity can disrupt traditional notions of what it means to be an athlete or celebrity.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion - Athletes as models provide greater brand diversity for the fashion industry and can create new and innovative campaigns.
2. Sports - Sports brands can use successful athletes from various fields to represent their brand and create unique marketing opportunities.
3. Entertainment - Successful athletes can enter the entertainment industry as models or actors, creating innovation opportunities at the intersection of sports and entertainment.