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What's the story?
When the Australian Open took off on the 10th of January 2018, what really kick-started the event this year was the mixed reaction towards the all-new ensembles of some of Tennis' greatest names. Walking onto the court in bright pink, the likes of Rafael Nadal, Nick Kyrgios and Grigor Dimitrov came under the scanner for their choice of colour.
However, sponsors Nike spoke up for the players, explaining that the colour was chosen specifically in an attempt to bring back the era of the confident 90's style.
In case you didn't know...
Besides showcasing world class tennis from the best in the game, Melbourne Park has also been a platform to highlight the fashionable outfits of the stars.However, this year, Nike decided to opt for the uncanny and made sure its players stood out. Dressed in bright pink, the players definitely left no stone unturned in making a fashion statement, one way or the other.
The heart of the matter
The new ensemble of the players received mixed and hilarious reactions from fans, one of them even being Andy Murray's mother. One of the first to take to Twitter to express her feelings, she tweeted.
Comparing the colour to the likes of smoked salmon, highlights and liquorice, Nike stated that the whole point was to garner interest like never before. Apparel Design Director of NikeCourt, Sam Shipley, issued
A statement on the Nike website states, "We worked closely with the colour team on finding the best shades for the most impactful read off the incredible blue courts”.
He also said that the main goal of choosing pink was to garner interest from viewers overseas who might miss live broadcasts and would have to resort to social media posts. “We utilised dynamic geometric shape and flooded colour to grab the viewer’s attention," he said. Adding to this, he said that a little amount of strategy too went into play, as the colour would extend to the opponent acting as a sort of power play.
What's next?
With the Nike kit creating a buzz this season, there is no doubt that the Australian Open had a dramatic start. It is yet to be seen how the players perform at the event this year.
Author's take
The Tennis court has always been a platform for highlighting fashion trends and if Nike has taken it in their stride to promote an ongoing debate such as gender equality, then why not have pink for its male players?
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