Star’s Nike outfit sets tennis world abuzz

A TENNIS icon’s mum joined the chorus of confusion over one outfit that’s certainly turned heads on day one at Melbourne Park.

Grigor Dimitrov stood out on day one and not for his tennis abilities.

RAFAEL Nadal rocked his sleeveless tank top for the first time in nearly a decade in his straight sets win over Victor Estrella Burgos on Monday night, but he was beaten to the punch in creating the first fashion headlines on the opening day at Melbourne Park.

Nike has trotted some of its biggest stars out in a kit likely to help them stand out on the dance floor should they decide to hit the Melbourne nightclubs after their on-court duties are finished for the day.

Brit Kyle Edmund and World No.3 Grigor Dimitrov from Bulgaria both wore pink and black outfits that drew attention from the media, the crowd and even Andy Murray’s mum.

Kyle Edmund rocking the liquorice allsort outfit. @AustralianOpen pic.twitter.com/qz0RbmEcg8

— judy murray (@JudyMurray) January 15, 2018

I've found Grigor Dimitrov's inspiration for his #AusOpen outfit... pic.twitter.com/9agItM7DON

— Dejan Kalinic (@DejanKalinic) January 15, 2018

I get that Nike pays these guys a lot to wear their gear to drive sales, but they must look at all this retina searing pink and say, “Really? Anything in a blue this season??” #AusOpen

— James Nankivell (@JamesNanks) January 15, 2018

Judy Murray — Great Britain’s former Fed Cup captain — said Edmund looked like he was wearing something inspired by licorice allsorts as he surged to an upset 6-7 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-4 win over Kevin Anderson.

Clearly sheepish about his new get-up, Edmund could only laugh at himself when explaining he wasn’t the biggest fan of his loud threads. He also said he had no power in deciding what he wore, but was at the mercy of his sponsors.

“I don’t think pink suits me,” Edmund told reporters in his post-match press conference as the room erupted with laughter. “I think if you’ve got a better tan it might suit you.

“They want you to wear a certain kit for each tournament basically so that was the kit for this tournament.”

It's hot pink, now! Why Nike!

At least Dimi doesn't have the weird black swatchhttps://t.co/rBWlk2GXhK

— ZENIA D'CUNHA (@ZENIADCUNHA) January 15, 2018

Dimitrov wore the same clothes and took the commotion about his outfit in his stride when pressed on it after his 6-3 6-2 6-1 win over Dennis Novak. It became a hot topic among the Channel Seven commentators as John Fitzgerald pressed Dimitrov about it in his on-court interview.

“Some of them are going to know what colour that is. We had a debate. I said a combination of peach. Geoff Masters thought it might be pink but he also thought salmon,” Fitzgerald said.

Dimitrov played up to the vocal crowd, encouraging them to have their say.

I like Nike's pink vibe ! Maybe not the half pink / half black stuff though.

— Carole Bouchard (@carole_bouchard) January 15, 2018

“Pink? Pink? Lava colour?” he asked. “Whatever they want it to be. I don’t know, I’m so happy.”

Along with the sleeveless shirt, nobody was going to miss Nadal’s bottom half either as he strutted his stuff in bright pink shorts to go with pink sweatbands on his head and wrists.

Not wanting to be outdone, Nick Kyrgios decided to join the duo in rocking the standout pink Nike outfit as he donned the exact same combination of shorts and shirt as Edmund.

The choice in outfit does have one thing working in it’s favour so far as the two men both successfully advanced into the second round.

With Kyrgios still out on court, he’ll be looking to make it a perfect three from three for the eye-catching ensemble.

Kyrgios will be hoping to keep the pink clothing undefeated.