If there's any positive aspect for the end of the summer, the beginning of the last seasonal Slam is undoubtedly one of them. We are talking about the US Open, usually scheduled between August and September on the American hard court of Flushing Meadows, in the green of New York's Queens. Considered the most unpredictable tournament of the four Majors (seven different winners in the last ten editions), has just begun under a climate so incredibly hot that has already forced many retirements but for Italians is already to be considered unforgettable, because of the 8 players in the men's draw, a record.
The tournament, but above all its particular atmosphere, also inspired David Foster Wallace who dedicated one of the two chapters of his 'Tennis as a religious experience': something totally different from the other three Gland Slam events that maintains a fascination undeniable, which has managed to survive even the change of the surface. Until 1978, in fact, it was played on grass and then on clay, before changing the fields by applying the famous DecoTurf. The edition number 138 has been open for a few hours and before to focus in the pure competition it's time to take a look at the strangest and singular outfits seen in action: trying to forget the controversy about Serena Williams' look (her catsuit will be banned by the next Roland Garros, and Nike is now rushed to defend her by dedicating a maxi poster in the Manhattan centre) here, unlike Wimbledon, there is no particular dressing code to be respected and so it's common to stumble across colorful and imaginative kits, which make the tournament even more fascinating.
Andre Agassi, 1990
If we are talking about the craziest outfits of the American tournament, could not mention 'The Kid'? Here during the 1990 edition when he reached the final before losing against his eternal rival, Pete Sampras. In his outfit signed by Nike the main color is yellow: we find it on the sleeves of his slightly oversized shirt and under the shorts to make a pendant with his thick hair.
Tim Henman, 1996
The most passionate tennis fans will surely remember 'Timbledon' as the greatest performers of 'serve and volley', but never so much competitive at certain levels. In New York, where he managed to hit the semi-finals only once, in 1996 he showed himself with an adidas t-shirt in perfect Juventus style.
Serena Williams, 2004
Defeated in the quarter-finals by compatriot Jennifer Capriati, Serena Williams also found a way to let people talk a lot about herself during the 2004 edition, wearing two of the most controversial outfits of her entire twenty-year career: two aggressive dresses that mixed black, studs and denim, remembering a convinced harleyist or a metal rockstar. The gem? Without a doubt the shiny boots.
Bethanie Mattek-Sands, 2007
Famous for wearing very showy clothes during her career without any particular sharp points, after presenting herself with an entirely gilded suit during the 2006 edition, the following year the American Bethanie Mattek-Sands chose something at the limits of the vulgarity that drove the photographers crazy. Seeing is believing.
Venus Williams, 2012
Like her sister Serena, even Venus Williams in her career has worn a tide of absolutely original dresses, 'specializing' over the years in floral patterns. Choosing only one of them was difficult but we wanted to reward the design of the 2012 edition body.
Serena Williams, 2014
It was practically impossible to limit ourselves to mentioning only one Serena Williams' outfit: that of 2014, for example, is without doubt unforgettable. This is another 'brave' dress, entire and leopard, also made in the pink version. Just wow!
Tomas Berdych, 2015
A tennis kit sponsored by H&M? This was also seen on the US Open courts and especially during the 2015 edition, when the Czech Tomas Berdych played with two different and colorful outfits produced by the Swedish brand. The last appearance of Berdych with this brand on, moreover, since it would soon be moved to adidas.
Maria Sharapova, 2017
More than a simple black outfit that worn by Maria Sharapova during the 2017 edition (that of her return to NY after the inhibition) can be considered a real high fashion masterpiece: designed by Riccardo Tisci for Nike and embellished with small Swarovski, is combined with an equally precious jacket.
Alexander Zverev, 2017
Last year the German brand put a very interesting collaboration with Pharrell Williams, partner of the collection in which took part Dominic Thiem, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Angelique Kerber and Garbine Muguruza. Among the adidas testimonials there was also the young German prodigy Alexander Zverev, who differently from his colleagues did not wear colored t-shirts but a really stylish kit inspired by the 70s.
Fabio Fognini, 2018
The 2018 edition already has an absolute winner in terms of looks: it's Fabio Fognini with his Harlem Globetrotters outfit signed by Hydrogen, reminiscent of the kit recently worn by Lleyton Hewitt at the Australian Open 2016 and which was also chosen by his double partner, Simone Bolelli. The stars and stripes inspired by the American flag at the moment have really conquered everyone.
