Roger Federer received the 2007 Wimbledon trophy, the fifth of the eight he won, wearing a custom white suit designed by Nike
Roland Garros, Argentina, 1986.
Sorry if I confuse you, but what you are going to read has nothing to do with the trophy that Ivan Lendl rose after winning the final against the Swede Mikael Pernfors in three sets, or the one Chrissy Evert he won by defeating his eternal rival Martina Navratilovahis seventh in the Grand Slam Parisian.
I’m talking about a pair of sneakers that I asked for, begged and cried for my parents to buy me. A model of tennis shoes, aptly named Roland Garroslaunched by the brand with the three stripes in our country back in 1986, years before he picked up a tennis racket for the first time and never let it go again.
“But you don’t play tennis, and if we play on clay I’ll beat you 6-0, 6-0,” my classmate Juan P. del T. told me, with the arrogance and aggressiveness typical of a 10-year-old boy from the upper middle class protected by the protection and privilege of his parents. I didn’t care much. I loved my sneakers madly. The only pair I had. White leather, gray details, with reinforced internal toe to slip – and slip and slip – on that brick dust that I had never stepped onin which that JPDT would beat me up.
Yannick Noah wearing one of his classic Le Coq Sportif models, a brand that accompanied him throughout his career
I think tennis first entered my eyes. Not because of the perfect forehand of the great Ivan, or the beautiful backhand of our dear Gabyor the magical hand that Johnny Mac showed in each volley. When I say that it entered my eyes, I mean the little jacket Fila of Borgto the sets Adidas who wore the most elegant Stefan Edbergor the vertical striped sweater of Le Coq Sportif who wore the spectacular Yannick Noah. And, racket in hand, I fell deeply and forever in love with tennis the first time the Las Vegas Kid walked out on the court wearing his denim shorts. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, tennis is fashion. Always was, always will be.
Tennis has always been fashionable, but in recent years, I believe, the white sport has reached its “peak fashion”, particularly in 2024. Brands have always tried to launch collections that combine aesthetics and functionality, where looking good beyond the courts was almost more important than inside them. fashion sells. From the fluorescent excess in the Agassi of the 90s to the suit in which Roger stepped onto the grass of the holy seat of tennis, Wimbledon.
Roger Federer and a young Rafael Nadal, barely 21 years old, after the 2007 Wimbledon final. The Swiss and the Spaniard complied to the letter with the characteristic white of the English Grand Slam, but with different styles despite wearing the same brand
But in recent years it is no longer the usual traditional sports brands, but rather those from the fashion world that are making their foray into the most important racket sport in the world. From more niche brands like Kith collaborating with Wilson to launch a limited edition of their models Clash, Blade o Pro Staff, o Reigning Champ collaborating with Prince to reissue his ancient Graphite (the one worn by many of our people like Gaby, King David or the Wizard Coria) in white with green details, to the arch-mega-famous house of Gucci, first sponsoring his compatriot and number one in the world Jannik Sinnerand then launch an entire sneaker collection, at exorbitant prices.
Released earlier this year, the film Challengers of Italian Luca Guadagnino starring Zendaya put tennis-core in the stratosphere, achieving female audience (just as I did in 1986) dressed in tennis to move around the city without knowing what it feels like to open a tube of new balls. I live in New York and I live it day by day. The US Open cap is probably the piece of clothing I see the most on the streets of Manhattanand I find girls left and right in skirts and tennis tops from Lululemon, Boss, Gucci, On or Brunello Cucinelli without carrying any type of racket with them.
Naomi Osaka at the US Open 2024 in which she wore an extravagant outfit made for the occasion (Photo Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports)
let’s not even talk about Naomi Osaka y su outfit lolita-goth-styleinspired by the streets of Harajuku y Sailor Moonmade in collaboration by Nike and the Japanese brand Ambush. Thank God, Naomi won her first round and we were able to see her two outfits, daytime and nighttime, green and white and black and white respectively, for the benefit of all tennis and fashion publications around the world.
Naomi, unfortunately, did not make it past the second round. But that doesn’t matter so much. The important thing in tennis is to always look good. Whether on or off the field.
PS: JPDT, you sure beat me. But you didn’t have my sneakers.
