Roger would be classified as classy. sampras is quiet and lets his racket do most of the talking which might portray that image but he is far from classy. He's known to be an a-hole off the court and to fans
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Why were Sampras' Nike clothes sooooo ugly????
- Thread starter pabletion
- Start date
Roger would be classified as classy. sampras is quiet and lets his racket do most of the talking which might portray that image but he is far from classy. He's known to be an a-hole off the court and to fans
teachingprotx
Legend
My 1st answer is it was the 90’s but if you look at the Lacoste guys of the same era they all looked super smart so.. Nike is to blame and all the others except the croc
liftordie
Hall of Fame
That's ONLY your OWN point of view.
socallefty
G.O.A.T.
European brands like Lacoste and the Italian brands always had a better fit that is not too baggy as that’s how most European clothes are for men including business and casual clothes. When European brands like Sergio Tacchini and Fila were sponsoring the top players in the 70s/80s, tennis clothing was more fitted. Then we had the terrible baggy fits from US brands including Nike during the Sampras/Agassi/Courier generation similar to general men‘s fashion in the US particularly during the Nineties decade.
Once the top players became European again (like the Big 3) in the 2000s, they probably wanted better-fitting clothes and Nike and Adidas obliged them. Even now if you buy the premium lines sponsored by Roger, Rafa, Andy etc. for Nike and Adidas, they are much tighter fits like European brands compared to the less-expensive, standard lines from Nike and Adidas. I can wear Large for Nike/Adidas, XL for RF line/Lacoste/Fila, but have to buy XXL for other European brands like Ellesse, Sergio Tacchini, Diadora, Lotto etc.
Once the top players became European again (like the Big 3) in the 2000s, they probably wanted better-fitting clothes and Nike and Adidas obliged them. Even now if you buy the premium lines sponsored by Roger, Rafa, Andy etc. for Nike and Adidas, they are much tighter fits like European brands compared to the less-expensive, standard lines from Nike and Adidas. I can wear Large for Nike/Adidas, XL for RF line/Lacoste/Fila, but have to buy XXL for other European brands like Ellesse, Sergio Tacchini, Diadora, Lotto etc.
California
Semi-Pro
I didn't know Sampras was a jerk off court? My comment was also to the marketing by Nike at the time, preppie vs rebel, old school vs new school, etc... classy vs trashy was to the looks of the clothes. Classy, traditional, could be used off court vs aggressive, wild colors, non traditional materials.
I do agree Roger is very classy, best of the current players by far, and almost as classy as Edberg!
King No1e
G.O.A.T.
Your description matches Sampras's personality more than his attireYou hush! Sampras dressed with the subtlety of a dude who would quietly come trash you in beer league 6-1, 6-0 and refrain from talking smack. Class is not the right word... but restraint (compared to Agassi's Nike and modern Nike)
White and grey/blue... a pop on the collar. Oscillates would complete this picture. 100/100
jmacdaununder2
Legend
I used to buy into this as well, but Roger, as generally classy as he/his persona appears, has had a few pretty narky on court moments over the years - haven’t we all lol!? I’ve come to believe Nadal is probably the most ‘genuine‘ current goat. I could be wrong, but for instance it didn’t seem that the shots of him helping with the floods in Majorca were merely a ‘Trumpesque’ photo op.
chinobambino
Rookie
Oh I remember that and him wearing US flag over the Nike logo at AO 2002 (but later was back with the swoosh). Basically his contract had expired and dispute was over the amount of money Nike wanted to invest in him to renew his contract. From rumors of the time, Phil Knight himself stepped into the dispute and resolved it all..pistol retired at the USO that year wearing the Nike logo..
Another side story is that Nike ended up naming a building after Sampras, which angered Agassi, who felt he did more to represent the brand - hence his departure for the Adidas desert for a few years until he made his way back to the Swoosh post retirement.
pabletion
Hall of Fame
Hey... Im not saying Petes clothes were ALL bad, there are some GREAT polos of his, which actually couldve fit Fed (from 99 onward). But yeah I think you all agrer on that 96-97 era mostly with those ugly striped shorta that looked like boxers. Was browsing around just now searching for some olive-green shorts & shirts of him...... thosw were FUGLY!
Like I said, theres some good stuff, most of them dull ( kinda like the man himself!), a few pretty cool.
But still cant get over those fugly ones, specially coming from nike....
inpho.ie
That polo barely seems like a Nike polo...... horrible stuff! Beckers outfit on the other hand, top notch!
Like I said, theres some good stuff, most of them dull ( kinda like the man himself!), a few pretty cool.
But still cant get over those fugly ones, specially coming from nike....
21/5/1996: Pete Sampras of the USA volleys the ATP - 1882 | Inpho Photography
Inpho Sports Photography Ireland - 21/5/1996: Pete Sampras of the USA volleys the ATP Tour World Championships.
inpho.ie
That polo barely seems like a Nike polo...... horrible stuff! Beckers outfit on the other hand, top notch!
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Crazy Finn
Hall of Fame
The 90's was not a high fashion era. "Grunge" was a thing. People wore flannel in HS, form fitting was not a thing. I was there.
How much of Sampras' lame outfits were Nike, how much was Sampras, how much was just the 90's?
How much of Sampras' lame outfits were Nike, how much was Sampras, how much was just the 90's?
WYK
Hall of Fame
Pretty much the same style right here right now, really.
mpournaras
Hall of Fame
They went hand-in-hand
danbrenner
Legend
Because he has no style
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
oman, best outfit in golf. Go StanfordLook at Tiger Woods in the 90s. His nike clothes were big and baggy.
What he wears now fits him much better which I think looks nicer/classier.
WYK
Hall of Fame
Back in the day, I just assumed he was a smartly and conservatively dressed tennis pro.
I mean, it could have been worse, look at Jim Courier. I love the guy, but he had a terrible penchant for dressing like an NBA referee.
I grew up in the baggy era stateside buying my first clothes myself. To this day it's still loose Polo shirts, sneakers/trainers and 501's that need a belt.
And 501's are stupid expensive in Europe
I mean, it could have been worse, look at Jim Courier. I love the guy, but he had a terrible penchant for dressing like an NBA referee.
I grew up in the baggy era stateside buying my first clothes myself. To this day it's still loose Polo shirts, sneakers/trainers and 501's that need a belt.
And 501's are stupid expensive in Europe
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TheGhostOfAgassi
Talk Tennis Guru
I loved Sampras style back then. Little baggy clothes and very attractive 
Much nicer than any player of today.
Much nicer than any player of today.
jackie.tan
New User
That was the style back then, baggy and loose.
WestboroChe
Hall of Fame
It was the 90s! That’s why! Try looking up some 90s soccer shirts and see how they compare. I don’t think Sampras outfits were ugly. Maybe just dull. But that went with his personality.
jackie.tan
New User
even Beckham back then wore baggy Man Utd and Real Madrid jerseys!
RNBABOLAT
Professional
Those shorts looks like underwear from gap. The other white polo and blue/purple shorts looks good but I like tailored so that might be my only requestWhat do you mean ugly?
I'll have you know Nike made an amazing blank polo + striped skirt combination here!
FedLIKEnot
Professional
Not so bad especially for the times.
Love this as I am squarely in the white crew socks club.
But do wish he wore non white shirts more...haha.
brian anderson
Semi-Pro
not mostly true. it’s simply true and still selling 30 years later!
The sad thing, is this is pretty big news and it took several hours to show up on Tennis.com. Haven't seen anything yet show up on Tennis Channel or ESPN/ESPN2.
Unfortunately with tennis being a individual sport, it is hard to prevent the structure from being top heavy and favoring the top players. A team can finance supporting players--you need the for a team to play the sport. The general public has no interest in very few people outside of the big three. Tennis fans probably have minimal interest of players outside of the top 20. If you create a structure that advocates for the top 500 (I think this is good in many ways), where do you take it from--top players vs. tournamnets? Is there a way to significantly market even the top 50 to the general public? If you could make the top 500 fairly popular sponsorship could boom and go a long way for financial stability. But I think that would be really hard to do.
Unfortunately with tennis being a individual sport, it is hard to prevent the structure from being top heavy and favoring the top players. A team can finance supporting players--you need the for a team to play the sport. The general public has no interest in very few people outside of the big three. Tennis fans probably have minimal interest of players outside of the top 20. If you create a structure that advocates for the top 500 (I think this is good in many ways), where do you take it from--top players vs. tournamnets? Is there a way to significantly market even the top 50 to the general public? If you could make the top 500 fairly popular sponsorship could boom and go a long way for financial stability. But I think that would be really hard to do.
airchallenge2
Hall of Fame
The most bada$$ shirt that Pete ever wore:
HBK4life
Hall of Fame
I have that racket. Played with it as a kid.The most bada$$ shirt that Pete ever wore:
Design was really bad, almost no design.
Did he ever play with it?
HBK4life
Hall of Fame
Not that I know of. It’s a 110 wide body. So I doubt it.
the green god
Professional
Are those 501's tight rolled?Back in the day, I just assumed he was a smartly and conservatively dressed tennis pro.
I mean, it could have been worse, look at Jim Courier. I love the guy, but he had a terrible penchant for dressing like an NBA referee.
I grew up in the baggy era stateside buying my first clothes myself. To this day it's still loose Polo shirts, sneakers/trainers and 501's that need a belt.
And 501's are stupid expensive in Europe
WYK
Hall of Fame
It's always confused me why straight guys would want to walk around dressed like girls.Are those 501's tight rolled?
I blame Oasis.
EllieK
Hall of Fame
Kind of like how they did Federer. Looking at Nike current designs I’d say Roger got out just in time
After Parting With Nike, Sampras Optimistic About His Future
Pete Sampras, "insulted by Nike's multimillion, multiyear renewal offer," contacted Nike CEO Phil Knight "to debate the deal but did little to coax an improved offer," according to Andrea Leand of USA TODAY. Sampras had "also threatened to leave" his management group, AMG, "but acquiesced after...www.sportsbusinessdaily.com
nike tried to lowball sampras in his new contract during his last year...
very different than how they treated agassi and i think sampras resented that...
A lot of slandering around here on a retired HOF... “jerk off the court”? “No backhand”? Dude was a class act and the best the game has ever seen. That one handed backhand was flat and old school but more reliable than shapovalov’s that break down during crucial moments of games. Young grass hopper that favor Shapovalov’s backhand don’t have a clue.
Pete’s attire was fine. I’m sure oscillates are among the top selling shoes of all time or they would not release retros every so often. His Nike court polos and shorts were simple and timeless. Those who want flamboyant style can stick to their Agassi line which only look cool every 20-30 years. Pete’s style looks appropriate in any era, very fitting for a legend.
Pete’s attire was fine. I’m sure oscillates are among the top selling shoes of all time or they would not release retros every so often. His Nike court polos and shorts were simple and timeless. Those who want flamboyant style can stick to their Agassi line which only look cool every 20-30 years. Pete’s style looks appropriate in any era, very fitting for a legend.
beltsman
G.O.A.T.
Flat BH? But Sampras was all about looping that topspin BH.
Cashman
Hall of Fame
Sampras’ outfits weren’t ugly, they were just boring.
The one aspect that was a bit ugly was how super baggy they were, but that was just the ‘90s.
Fashion from all eras looks a bit weird 30 years later. I think history will probably regard Sampras’ fashion sense as better than (say) Nadal’s. Those culottes and muscle tees were pretty cringeworthy.
The one aspect that was a bit ugly was how super baggy they were, but that was just the ‘90s.
Fashion from all eras looks a bit weird 30 years later. I think history will probably regard Sampras’ fashion sense as better than (say) Nadal’s. Those culottes and muscle tees were pretty cringeworthy.
Sampras had some topspin but i feel it was flatter and less whippy than the modern one handed backhand we see from shapovalov. Sampras played with a small frame and had 70lb tension on them strings so it makes sense his shots were more flat. The fact he could generate any spin or power was one of the amazing things about his game.
Dae18
Hall of Fame
His 2nd serve alone has more action than his groundstrokes, right up there with Nadal’s forehand I believe. If I remember correctly, Sampras and Agassi had around 1,500-1,800 RPM on average with their forehands.
beltsman
G.O.A.T.
He had a loopy BH though! It was part of his game plan!
D
Deleted member 771911
Guest
The Sampras shorts were popular with other kids I played with in the 90s. They were nice and baggy and kept you cool in Summer. Really comfy, too. None of us were into fashion. We would not have been seen anywhere near the Agassi stuff or anything tight.
WHAT?!! Look, I love Pete, but his backhand was all timing. If he was on, watch out, but he didnt play with the margin or spin of a Shapo, tsistsipas Thiem or even fed. Underpressure it was not great. Luckily he had one of the best first serves ever and the best second serve ever. Of anyone i saw in person he had the best timing ever as well. I just dont get the Shapo slander, he's just a kid anyway.
Dae18
Hall of Fame
That person you are replying to is also a kid, a teenager I should say if you want to be more in depth. Got his account deleted for posting too many, I believe, then made a new one with the word Sinner.
Yes, I just joined and cant believe the number of trolls there are on here. whack
Under pressure it was not great? The thing I love most about Pete is how he thrives under pressure. Yes he has big serves and was an absolute magician at net but his baseline game was solid. The one handed backhand wasn’t as strong as other aspects of his game but I don’t recall his backhand crumbling under pressure. I can’t say the same for Shapovalov. Kid is super talented but I don’t think it’s slander to say his game crumbles under pressure. Often I see him play spectacularly only to crumble at crucial points of the game. That whippy loose playing style doesn’t work very well when his muscles get tight. His backhand is very stylish but more consistent than Pete it is not.
NickJ
Professional
Interesting. Wilson Pro Staff shoes in the first pic, whited out over the logo. Maybe his Oscillates weren't ready that day.
Not so bad especially for the times.
Love this as I am squarely in the white crew socks club.
But do wish he wore non white shirts more...haha.
airchallenge2
Hall of Fame
The Oscillates showed up few years later, if I remember correctly.
Dae18
Hall of Fame
That was ‘95 AO when he wore the Wilson PS shoes. The shoe was made in ‘96, but Tinker still had to convince Pete to wear them through a game of basketball. He didn’t wear the Oscillates till ‘97
I agree it didnt crumble under pressure, his backhand was fantastic in many finals, but his technique wasn't fantastic and if there was a part of his game that would break down, that would be it. If Pete was on, which he often was in his biggest moments, the backhand was great. Sharpalov's back hand IMO is a more solid stroke and is a strength of his. Pete's weakness was his backhand. Lets not get it Twisted: Pete is far and away the superior player, Shapo's back-hander is one of the best one handers ever. Pete's Serve, Volley and running forehand are GOAT strokes
