Rafael Nadal has been associated with Nike even before the start of his professional tennis career back in 2003. Today, Nadal is the biggest name in tennis who is on the payroll of the American sportswear giant. Just weeks before the Australian Open 2024, which will be the first big tournament for Nadal in a year, Nike has already finalised the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s outfit for the Australian summer.
The tennis community on social media gave their verdict about Nadal’s outfit for the Australian Open. The Spaniard, initially in his career, made the sleeveless look with three quarter shorts, extremely fashionable around the world, and not just in professional men’s tennis. However, it seems Nadal has mellowed down and that is why he and Nike have opted for an all blue shade with yellow shoes for the Australian Open 2024.
Rafael Nadal’s 2024 Australian Open outfit
@cal1tennisR pic.twitter.com/cwtstb2Q7V
— Olly (@Olly_Tennis_) December 20, 2023
Some fans liked the outfit and were impressed by it, while others criticised Nike for lacking creativity and an eye for color. Perhaps, blue is too light for hard courts. Many believe that Nadal would have looked and felt better playing in a brighter and warmer colored outfit in Australia. Meanwhile, some fans expressed their delight just at the fact that Nadal is returning after 12 months after a career-threatening injury and didn’t give much importance to the outfit.
Blue is great for clay but not for the hard court swing, wish it was a bright, warm, contrasting colour!
— Jojo Kay (@_JojoKay) December 21, 2023
Nice! Rafa has not worn blue in melbourne as far as I remember. Blue is usually reserved for French or American summer.
— Ravi Shankar (@ravists2002) December 20, 2023
Eh. A wee bit monochromatic for my Rafa taste, 4/10
— Sam Reale (@SamGillianReale) December 20, 2023
Oh I suddenly love men’s tennis again
— Jules MUFC (@ihotunem) December 20, 2023
Dull. 3/10
Wanted something brighter for Rafa, considering the importance of this comeback.
His face lights up in bright colours.
— KabhieNaKabhie (@KKabhie) December 21, 2023
He doesn’t wear that new shoe model, he still wears an older model. not sure why he rejected these new vapor cages
— Scoop Malinowski (@scoopmalinowski) December 21, 2023
He will blend in with the court
— Anna Zofia Niezgodzka (@Anna_Niezgodzka) December 20, 2023
boring
— Dallas Sub (@texansub) December 21, 2023
Awesome
— Burak Dikici (@burakkdikicii) December 20, 2023
Rafael Nadal tennis kits over the years
Rafael Nadal is known for his stylish kits over the years. The Spaniard has the ability to pull off any outfits designed for him. Over the years, the fans have been impressed by Nadal‘s tennis kits while participating in big tournaments.
Here are some of the most iconic kits from Rafael Nadal over the course of his career. It is likely that the 2024 Australian Open kit might look similar to the one Nadal wore in the 2009 tournament, during his day matches. In 2009, Nadal won the title Down Under for the first time in his career, making it a good sign for him.
Rafael Nadal’s kit for Wimbledon 2013 wow wow wow pic.twitter.com/XCHVY3FO2V
— Raj (@07reddevilz) June 12, 2013
Rafael Nadal, Nike, Australian Open 2009 (Day and night kit) pic.twitter.com/OAvmZtFT98
— Tennis kits daily (@tenniskitsdaily) October 13, 2022
GOAT Rafael Nadal with the greatest Nike kit.
‘will he play every point like that?
.. Yes ofcourse ‘
. pic.twitter.com/70z4wdrNh5— S.S (@write2Swag) February 16, 2023
Rafael Nadal QF match against Stefanos Tsitsipas in his Nike kit
Down Under pic.twitter.com/JvDy2Av8QM
— TennisPoint (@TennisPoint) February 17, 2021
Congratulations to Rafael Nadal, who appears to have won something while wearing Northampton Town’s fairly terrible 1992/93 home kit https://t.co/xwPiRUGr3w
— Dan’s wardrobe furnished by Botany 500 (@GrumpyGreyhead) January 30, 2022