Monday, the girlfriend of American tennis player Frances Tiafoe uploaded a video of a “fashion display” As he prepared for the Australian Open, Mr. Tiafoe, ranked 17th in the world, tested on a kit given to him by Nike, his sponsor.
His girlfriend, Canadian tennis star Ayan Broomfield, says, “It’s a lot, but I’m here for it” as Mr. Tiafoe approaches to a mirror to view his outfit: a sleeveless top and shorts covered in multicoloured waves, resembling an oil slick rainbow or lava lamp. (According to Nike, the design was inspired by the terrain of Australia.)
Mr. Tiafoe, who is sporting sneakers with a cherry blossom design, responds, “No, that’s amazing.” Ms. Broomfield is humorous.
She posted the video on Twitter the day after Mr. Tiafoe debuted the attire on the court, as a sort of tongue-in-cheek mea culpa in response to some fierce criticism from fans and analysts. Ms. Broomfield wrote, “I absolutely adored it on him, so you can blame me.” (She also attributed his footwear to Naomi Osaka.)
Mr. Tiafoe wore the multicoloured ensemble throughout the tournament, including Friday, when he was defeated in the third round. Despite the fact that his attempt to win the Australian championship was foiled, the style points he gained with the kit are not readily withdrawn.
With style reminiscent of a swimsuit from the 1920s, the costume initially seemed a one-piece to fans. The tennis newspaper Racquet referred to it as “the Big Faux Romper,” a reference to Mr. Tiafoe’s moniker, “Big Foe,” which he wears as a necklace. The style, according to a tweet from the publication, “invites you to abandon thought and embrace only happy emotions. Perfect summertime Australian hembo vigour.”
This is the type of message he can undoubtedly support. Mr. Tiafoe, 25 years old and raised in the era of sports memes, represents a new type of tennis superstar — at least when contrasted to the generation of passionate, dignified household names who rank above him, such as Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. Recently, Mr. Tiafoe attempted to pull another American player’s pants down during an interview.
He is absurd. He’s outspoken. And he realises that people enjoy expressing their ideas on the internet regarding fashion by posting about his Nike gear on Instagram. “what we believe about the fit… I ain’t furious at it.”
However, his sense of humour was significantly responsible for the outfit’s distinction, even among Nike-sponsored players wearing the same pattern on their shorts or skirts. (However, none wore a cabana-style matching set like Mr. Tiafoe did.) Caitlin Thompson, co-founder of the Racquet, remarked that the energy of his audience inspires his flamboyant approach to the game, and so a showy kit suits him.
Ms. Thompson opined that other Australian Open players wearing Nike appear more like they are wearing costumes against their will and “cowed into submission”
She remarked, “He’s not only such a goofball, but he also seems to be a very secure person, and I think that’s why he’s succeeding.” “He appears to be wearing it rather than it being worn by him.” (She said that the tank top “displays his firearms”).
The fashion industry elite have also taken note of Mr. Tiafoe. In September, shortly after he became the first American man in 16 years to reach the U.S. Open semifinals — where his square-neck pink Nike shirt served as a precursor to this year’s even brighter Australian Open kit — he was spotted in the front row of Tom Ford’s spring 2023 show, sandwiched between Russell Westbrook and Ciara.
On the opposite side of Ciara stood Anna Wintour, a known tennis enthusiast who has recruited three players as co-chairs of the Met Gala: Serena Williams, in 2019; Naomi Osaka, in 2021; and Roger Federer, who was just revealed as this year’s gala chair.
Did Ms. Wintour have an opinion regarding Mr. Tiafoe’s attire for the Australian Open? In response to an email request for comment, she stated, “As spirited as the man who wears it.”
