'Personal insult': Roger Federer's 'French Open outfit' causes a stir
In an unlikely sporting crossover, Roger Federer will seemingly channel the New Zealand cricket team for his French Open return.
The Swiss superstar ended his three-year break from clay-court tennis with an appearance at the Madrid Open last week.
Federer reached the quarter-finals before deciding to continue his preparation for Roland Garros at the Italian Open in Rome this week.
But while his eyes are on a first-round match between Frances Tiafoe and Joao Sousa that will determine his second-round opponent, tennis fans are looking towards Paris.
Specifically, they’re looking at what the 37-year-old will be wearing after what appear to be pictures of Federer’s Uniqlo kit leaked on social media.
An additional photo showed the gear on shelves at a Uniqlo store believed to be in the US.
Federer was shown wearing the outfit in a promotional image above the shirts and matching shorts.
The striking colour options and design are a departure from the plain and light-coloured outfits he has worn in recent months.
It also looks vaguely like the New Zealand cricket team’s 1980s ODI kit, famously worn as a retro version in the first ever Twenty20 international in 2005.
But it did not go down well with tennis fans.
While many were relieved to see the two-tone design, the colour choices were poorly received:
I'm not even a Fedfan but all I'm saying is if I was Roger I'd be taking that as a personal insult 💀 https://t.co/2m7hdpsAyK
— it's a start ✌️ (@bellezzavitale) May 13, 2019
why does Uniqlo hate Federer? https://t.co/kuAyUT70VX
— Adam_Addicott (@tennisbanter) May 13, 2019
Paris is a very fashionable city, or so they say. https://t.co/v1k4nxiV9r
— DV (@takematchpoints) May 13, 2019
At least given it's clay he won't be wearing it for long?
— Shego (@LadyBellatrix) May 13, 2019
The brown-and-cream look is in stark contrast to what has leaked from Nike.
Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios will reportedly be among those wearing a colourful floral design, while the women’s range features a bee design.
Nike's outfit for Dimitrov, Kyrgios etc. for Roland Garros.
It almost makes me like Federer's hideous Uniqlo outfit #whateverhappenedtoNike pic.twitter.com/3ncV9e0LCa— Saba Saeed Sheikh (@sabassheikh) May 13, 2019
Here are some up close and personal pictures of one of the shirts from #NikeCourt for 2019 #RolandGarros. Yes, that’s a zipper. #Nike #NikeTennis #SloaneStephens #MadisonKeys #SimonaHalep #BelindaBencic #NaomiOsaka pic.twitter.com/BRRweCWiI6
— Dimichard (@Dimichard_) May 13, 2019
Tennis fans left furious over Federer ‘rip-off’
The Italian Open sparked controversy this week by doubling ticket prices after Federer’s decision to play at the tournament.
One day after his three-set loss to Dominic Thiem in Madrid, Federer announced he’d changed his plans and would be taking part in Rome.
While fans were initially overjoyed at the prospect of seeing the Swiss legend back in action, their joy soon turned to outrage.
Just hours after Federer’s announcement, Italian Open organisers revealed they’d bumped up ticket prices from €60 to €132 ($96 to $212).
And their justification only made people angrier, with many calling it a rip-off.
“We want to reward fans who had bought tickets before they knew Federer would play,” the Italian Tennis Federation said.
