(a luggage tag ($3) and a weathered hat ($20).

No trip to the pool is complete without some basic creature comforts. The Nike Swim large hydro towel is designed to absorb more water than the regular towel ($17). You might also drop Ultraswim shampoo and conditioner in your duffel bag ($4.25 and $3.75). The unique formulation removes harsh chlorine and other chemicals from your hair. We bet Olympic trial frontrunners Michael Phelps, Dana Torres, Ian Crocker and Katie Hoff do.

The U.S. Open Tennis Tournament
Aug. 25 through Sept. 7

Go ahead and start warming up — the U.S. Open kicks off in late August in New York. Four-time defending champion Roger Federer will make a run for the title, while Rafael Nadal, who recently won the French Open for the fifth consecutive time, will likely give him a run for his money. On the gals’ side, Maria Sharapova is a frontrunner, as is Ana Ivanovic, the recent French Open champ. Always potential powerhouses at the event: Venus and Serena Williams.

If you’ve checked out Venus in action, you might want to check out her clothing line. Dubbed “EleVen,” the line, available at the Steve & Barry’s retail chain, features a mix of clothing and accessories to wear on and off the court. Among the hot, ultra low-priced gear: “Love” sneakers ($9), V-Court sneakers ($9) and Lurex fleece pants ($9). This deal is too good to be available online – you’ll have to find a store near you.

If you don’t get lost on Maria Sharapova’s Web site looking at posters and pretty pictures of her partying, you can buy some of her Nike clothing at the site’s store.

Anna Kournikova might be busier with boy toy Enrique Inglesias than with tennis, but she still makes time to pump tennis gear. Now she’s appearing in ads for K-Swiss Thin Classic shoes ($65; right). She also sports the knit sport short with a tennis ball pocket on the rear waistband for $42 (great gams not included).

On the guys’ side, the ATP Pros shows what Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal (left) will be wearing at the Open. In case you haven’t been paying attention, Nadal gets lots of comments on his long Capri-length shorts (left). You can buy the Nike-made pants ($55) plus lots of other Nadal-wear at his Web site store.

If watching all the high-quality tennis has got you in the mood to hit the courts, start with some self-instruction from USPTA pro James Jensen’s 10 DVD boxed set ($300). Among the lessons: “Utlimate Forehand,” “Ultimate

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