Battles on the court at the U.S. Open, which started today, always provide athletic entertainment. But off the court, the fashion wars are heating up.
Nike is remaking Rafael Nadal, long known for packing his muscular frame into sleeveless shirts and capris, while Andy Roddick and James Blake are tripping over one another for the title of Best Dressed Metrosexual.
Now, as Mr. Nadal sets his sights on the U.S. Open, the hunky rebel known for his muscle shirts, capri-length pants and bandanna will morph into more of a traditionalist, starting with his on-court wardrobe. The shift appears part of a larger strategy by Mr. Nadal’s tight-knit management team to transform the sublime baseliner from a teenage heartthrob into a grown-up star.
Though in his defeat of Bjorn Phau today, Nadal wore a sleeveless blue Nike shirt. The only difference from his usual garb? It seemed tighter than usual and left little to the imagination, just like his recent topless spread in the New York Times Magazine. Good luck with that, Nike.
As for Roddick and Blake, they seem to be stuck in a bromance focused more on who looks better off the court.
“Have you seen what Blake is wearing?” Roddick says to a friend as he struts through the halls of USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Saturday afternoon wearing an “I love AZ” hat, khaki shorts and white tee. “He is wearing man Capris. They look like parachutes. I can’t believe it.” –Matt Hennie
Matt Hennie blogs on Atlanta’s sports scene at Gaytlsports.com.
on Aug 27th, 2008 at 12:19 PM
As far as I’m concerned, Rafa can wear anything he wants and look great….or how about nothing!
on Aug 27th, 2008 at 9:53 PM
Leave Nadal and his tight fitting capris that show off that bubble alone!!!!
on Aug 28th, 2008 at 7:02 AM
It’s bizarre that Nike would want to tone down the guy who has the most distinctive style in tennis. Everybody knows Nadal for his lanky hair, capri pants, sleeveless shirts (and massive guns). Do they really want everyone to dress like Roger Federer? As with other sports, like golf’s Camillo Villegas or Jesper Parnevik, it’s nice to see a male athlete with a sense of style.
on Aug 28th, 2008 at 8:09 PM
Perhaps Nike don’t like the fact that his left arm is twice the size of his right arm…
on Nov 18th, 2008 at 7:49 AM
The clothing or fashion market is a multi-billion-pound industry and the constantly changing styles that dominate it are largely dictated by well-known designers who showcase their new seasonal collections several times a year at fashion shows in cities such as New York, London and Paris so because it is something I am interested in I have been searching all the fashion blogs UK for different ideas and styles and where this one is a little different to what I am looking for it has been worthwhile reading about Rafa Nadals fashion shockers. Cool