Taylor Fritz has said tennis players who make fashion statements on court risk looking “really stupid”.
The American World No 7, who appeared in a bespoke white suit and matching headband on the second day of The Wimbledon Championships, said it “looks so bad” if a player loses after wearing elaborate clothing.
Speaking after beating Dusan Lajovic in straight sets on Tuesday, Fritz said that walking out on to Court 1 wearing a full Hugo Boss ensemble, which drew comparisons on social media to Roger Federer’s 2007 suit, was not his idea.
“I think Boss came to me with the idea of wanting to do it, and so we did it…I wasn’t 100 per cent sure how I felt, but after seeing the pictures after the match, I feel like it looked alright,” he said.
Asked whether the sartorial choice made him “more nervous” to walk out in SW19, he responded: “Oh, absolutely, yeah.
“Maybe not more nervous, but you show up in a full outfit and get snipped in the first round, you kind of look stupid. You look really stupid, honestly.”
The 28-year-old tennis pro added that he “doesn’t know” where he stands on statement walk-out court-fashion for players, saying that he prefers to keep it “low key”.
“I think people are going to be torn. I think some people are going to like it and some people are going to think that anyone who is dressed up to walk out is doing too much,” he said.
Fritz also joked that he “couldn’t really back out of it” because Hugo Boss, his sponsor, “wanted me to do it”.
It comes after Naomi Osaka made a statement by stepping onto the grass courts on the opening day of The Championships in a white full-length kimono.
She has gained attention for her adventurous outfit choices, including wearing a jellyfish-modelled look at the Australian Open and an Eiffel Tower-inspired gold dress at Roland Garros.
Osaka previously told British Vogue: “I like to use fashion as a medium for storytelling. Every walk-out is an opportunity to bring people into my creative world. The fact that people care about it and are excited to see what’s next is also pretty cool.”
Her ensemble on Monday, made by Hana Yagi, a Tokyo-based designer, was entirely in white to adhere to the All England Tennis Club’s (AELTC) strict no-colour rules. However, it raised eyebrows among some Wimbledon fans and veteran club members.
Clodagh Roche-Kelly, 55, a project manager from London, said: “It’s a bit pretentious. Who does she think she is? She’s here to play tennis.”
Meanwhile, Georgie Wilson, 37, who is in the military, added: “I do like a bit of tradition. It’s a bit OTT.”
The Telegraph understands that there was also disapproval of Japan’s four-time major winner’s outfit among senior members of the AELTC.
However, Osaka also received praise for showcasing her heritage, with some fans suggesting it could help bring a younger and more diverse audience to the sport. She also received cheers and applause as she walked on to Court 3.
“It’s her own culture, she should celebrate it,” said Sheila Hutchins, 77, from Cornwall. “It’s certainly a statement.”
Gemma Fleming, 41, a teacher from Scotland, added: “She’s right to assert her individuality. She’s not doing any harm.”
She continued: “There’s a lot of conformity at Wimbledon, and it can be nice to step away from that, within reason. So long as she’s being respectful.”
When Fritz was asked whether he planned to do it again, he said he “thought so”, but added during his press conference: “I really like to keep it low key.
“But I was having this conversation with Frances the other night, because he always had a bit of an outfit, as well. We were making the joke [that] you can’t walk out with an outfit and go out in the first round. It just looks so bad.”
On Monday, World No 1 Novak Djokovic walked on to Centre Court wearing a custom Lacoste blazer over his tennis kit.