Nike switch from player-specific to generic

[Craig Sheppard]

Does anyone know when Nike switched from making player-specific lines of clothing to this generic stuff they have now? Was it when Pete retired?

It used to be that Nike had a Sampras line, an Agassi line, and then just a random line for their other players... So you'd never see Nike's top players wearing the same thing, and each had a different style. Sampras' was more conservative, mostly white, Agassi's a bit more flamboyant, etc... Now they're just all the same obviously.

Did they do this just for a uniform look, or didn't they think it was worth it to give Federer his own line? I mean clothing was one thing that made a player stand out--you knew the guy was important if he had his own line of clothes specifically for him... now it's all a mess...

 

[Nike Tennis2005]

hopefully Federer WILL get a Nike line...he deserves it.

 

[Slide]

I don´n think it has gone completely to generic. It seems NIKE has a group of players that wear the same and another group that wears another. Agassi, Federer using a more tradicional line of clothing and Nadal, Blake, Monfils, Moya, Lopez, etc using the more agressive line. I think that has to do with their own appearance and style of play. I have a NIKE contract and the Line i wear is the sleevless shirts etc. Mind you that my contract has NOTHING to do with those guys´ contracts. I don´t get paid to wear NIKE, they simply give me clothes to wear and i don´t have to buy anything.

 

[Rafa Nadal]

I think these big Swooshs are only at one or two Tournaments. I dont think that it is forever.

 

[Misiti99]

By the time you get one shirt ..the next week a whole new bunch of shirts come out...Someone mentioned that Nike comes out with 4 lines...
Australian
Spring (French)
Us Open line in July
Late Fall line
but why did this new line of cut sleeves just come out? with the Big Nike Swoosh on it?
I am done with nike...I used to like to stand out with the Moya clothes..but I think Diadora has nicer clothes now.....
anyone have any pix of Coria's new clothes?

 

[Rafa Nadal]

For me NIKE ist the best clothing company in Tennis

 

[Steve F.]

For me NIKE ist the best clothing company in Tennis

N*** needs market driven opinions like this. That and $125 every two weeks will get shoes you can still actually play tennis in, lol.

 

[Rafa Nadal]

No the Shoes were not often changed by NIKE.
But youre right i buy always the new clothes that Nadal wears.

 

[BreakPoint]

But youre right i buy always the new clothes that Nadal wears.

Well, I guess Nike's marketing works, and it was worth it for them to pay Nadal the big bucks to wear Nike clothes. Nadal's accountant and family thank you for your generous donation.

 

[Datacipher]

Does anyone know when Nike switched from making player-specific lines of clothing to this generic stuff they have now? Was it when Pete retired?

It used to be that Nike had a Sampras line, an Agassi line, and then just a random line for their other players... So you'd never see Nike's top players wearing the same thing, and each had a different style. Sampras' was more conservative, mostly white, Agassi's a bit more flamboyant, etc... Now they're just all the same obviously.
..

Don't forget Jim Courier's baseball/pinstripes line. In Nike's defense, perhaps the players today simply don't have enough unique identity ;-) So we get generic Nikebots.

 

[Rafa Nadal]

@BreakPoint, im a huuuuge Nadal fans, so its ok for me

 

[Steve F.]

In Nike's defense...

...Datacipher, You don't have to go there... Rafa Nadal here is happily bankrolling Beaverton's finest lawyers to do that :mrgreen:

 

[Thomas]

Federer definetly wears a completely different line of clothing from everyone else.

 

[Alex]

Does anyone know when Nike switched from making player-specific lines of clothing to this generic stuff they have now? Was it when Pete retired?

It used to be that Nike had a Sampras line, an Agassi line, and then just a random line for their other players... So you'd never see Nike's top players wearing the same thing, and each had a different style. Sampras' was more conservative, mostly white, Agassi's a bit more flamboyant, etc... Now they're just all the same obviously.

Did they do this just for a uniform look, or didn't they think it was worth it to give Federer his own line? I mean clothing was one thing that made a player stand out--you knew the guy was important if he had his own line of clothes specifically for him... now it's all a mess...

Hi Craig Sheppard, I know what you mean... I miss the good old day, when Sampras were the traditional tennis look outfit, simple and classic looking. Agassi with the unique outfit and rebelious pirate look, striking and eye catching. As a consumer, i see more personality and character in their clothing. And also give us more variety to pick the style we like. We can appreciate the designer hardwork.

Now, is like Team Nike versus Team Adidas .... Boring!!!

Think about it ... Hmmm Are the tennis players nowaday lack the personality and characteristic. Or are the apparel companies become lazy to design, just pick the color that goes well with each individual player and paste on them with the same clothing design.

 

[Craig Sheppard]

Hi Craig Sheppard, I know what you mean... I miss the good old day, when Sampras were the traditional tennis look outfit, simple and classic looking. Agassi with the unique outfit and rebelious pirate look, striking and eye catching. As a consumer, i see more personality and character in their clothing. And also give us more variety to pick the style we like. We can appreciate the designer hardwork.

Now, is like Team Nike versus Team Adidas .... Boring!!!

Think about it ... Hmmm Are the tennis players nowaday lack the personality and characteristic. Or are the apparel companies become lazy to design, just pick the color that goes well with each individual player and paste on them with the same clothing design.

Yeah, that's *exactly* what I'm talking about. It's like you've just signed up to Team Nike or Team Adidas...well put. It used to be that I could identify with the player... ("I'm wearing Sampras' duds!" or "I've got the SE Adidas stuff that Edberg wears!") to show support... Now you're just buying the company.

Nike & Adidas have taken the individuality out of the sport (at least clothing-wise). I mean it sort of supports their personalities... You knew Pete was pretty low-key...but when you have some wild gear on, people are like "whoa he must be a character!"

Now it's just blah blah blah blah...