If you really look at it, you can find inspiration everywhere, and Nike proved the statement with the recent release of its men’s tennis top, NikeCourt Dri-FIT Slam. The kaleidoscopic design was inspired by Australian terrain. Nike sent the kit to tennis star Frances Tiafoe, who flaunted the look during his Australian Open match.
The overall look paired with cherry blossom design sneakers became the grist for the gossip mill. Frances Tiafoe’s outfit put him in the spotlight even though his bid for the Australian title ended in a third-round match. In this article, we discuss the inspiration behind Tiafoe’s outfit choice.
2023: An Amazing Year For Tiafoe
The kid of immigrants from the African nation Sierra Leone is now crushing at his career as a tennis player. Frances Tiafoe ranks as high as the world No. 14 in singles and world No. 160 in doubles as of March 2023. He started playing early, but 2023 could be his best year yet.
Frances started the year by winning the 2023 United Cup by defeating Italy. He also made his top 15 debuts, rising from No.17 to No. 15 following the 2023 Australian Open, and reached the third round.
Apart from all the accomplishments 2023 brought to Tiafoe, one memorable one arrived during his third round with Karen Khachanov. He became the talk of the town, not for his unfortunate defeat or his tennis match but for what he wore. His interesting choice of the attire could be the highlight of this year for Frances.
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Frances Tiafoe’s Outfit Choice For Australian Open 2023
Tiafoe is the future of American men’s tennis. He rose to prominence after the biggest win of his career against Rafael Nadal. Following the victory, Frances experienced overwhelming responses from tennis lovers worldwide. But this time, he isn’t in the spotlight for his game but for his clothes.
In the Australian Open 2023 match against Khachanov at Kia Arena, Frances appeared wearing what looked like a one-piece at first glance, which drew spirited reactions from the fans and commentators. He wore a sleeveless top and shorts covered in a multi-colored asymmetrical wave pattern.
The outfit designed by Nike wouldn’t have garnered this level of attention had Frances worn them individually instead of pairing them as a set. But to the least, from a marketing point of view, this worked as an advantage for his sponsor, Nike.
Behind The Scenes Of Frances Outfit Trial
After the mixed opinion of the people on the internet, Frances Tiafoe’s girlfriend, Ayan Broomfield, took to her Twitter to share a behind-the-scenes of the pair’s interaction while the tennis star was checking the whole fit in the mirror.
soo shocked that y’all don’t like the fit! we literally had a fashion show to see which kit looked the best last night and I absolutely loved it on him..so y’all can blame me 😂 @FTiafoe also the Japanese cherry blossom shoes are beautiful @naomiosaka @Nikecourt @AustralianOpen pic.twitter.com/Q9PntIfhPr
— ayan broomfield (@AyanBroomfield) January 16, 2023
Broomfield explained how she loved the fit of her boyfriend and asked fans to blame her for the buzz-creating attire. The tennis player appeared confident in his attire and carried the look with credence.
Francis is also well-known by his nickname “Big Foe,” and in connection with his moniker, the tennis publication Racquet called Frances Tiafoe’s attire “the Big Faux Romper.” Also, learn about the Romania-born tennis player Maria Mateas‘ Boyfriend
Mixed Reaction About The Outfit
The internet was filled with their respective opinion regarding Frances Tiafoe’s attire in Australian Open. The reactions were mixed. Some complained about the outfit choice, saying Tiafoe deserved better, while some complimented him for absolutely pulling off the look.
The Racquet co-founder Caitlin Thompson said Tiafoe is known for his flamboyant personality and approach; hence the flamboyant kit suits him. Likewise, the editor-in-chief of Vogue, Anna Wintour, also approved of the look.
A Fashion Icon Apart From Tennis Player
Tiafoe has shown time and again that he doesn’t wear an outfit against his will, cowed by submission of having to wear it. Whatever he wears, he wears with confidence. The Australian Open 2023 wasn’t the first time Frances Tiafoe’s outfit received the spotlight.
On September 9, 2022, Frances appeared in a polarizing attire for his match with Carlos Alcaraz. He wore a maroon shirt with a neon orange zipper along with neon orange shorts. Back then, Frances Tiafoe’s apparel, designed by Nike, caught the attention of tennis fans.
Apart from all this, Frances is on the way to becoming a prominent figure in tennis history. He has been ascending since the beginning of his career, and we hope to see him achieve further success in the coming future and praise him for his unusual sense of fashion, which he pulls off every single time.
