Tennis Moods Style: Patrick Rafter

When it comes to men's tennis fashion, things might seem a bit dull. After a burst of colours and patters in the early 90s, the trends changed at the turn of the new millennium, many of the top players opting for plain monochrome outfits, which failed to ignite the interest. Sampras has never been one to shine on the tennis catwalk and, following Agassi's spectacular transformation from the fashion rebel to the laid back, stripped mid-aged guy, Patrick Rafter established himself as one of the brightest, most interesting fashion figures on the ATP tour. 

The Australian rose to prominence in 1997 with a surprising run to the US Open crown. Relying on impressive looks, long dark hair and cheerful apparel, Patrick thrilled the crowds with his entertaining serve and volley display, quickly becoming a fan favourite all over the world. 

The most exciting era in his fashion journey was in the late 90s, when he stole the show with a unique mix of patterns and bold colours which created some memorable outfits. Among them I would highlight the two winning looks he wore at the Flushing Meadows, namely the stunning striped back of his 1997 T-shirt and my old time favourite, the baseball inspired 1998 garments. During the 1999 season he took a rather Hawaiian approach with his pink flowered bermuda shorts and matching tops.

Early years

@New Haven 1997

@US Open 1997

@US Open 1998 

During the 1999 season

In the latter years of his career, Rafter adopted a more stylish look, as his wardrobe started to include simpler pieces. Inspired by his late found love for the grass-courts at Wimbledon where he lost two heart-breaking finals (i.e. in 2001 to Sampras, respectively in 2002 to Croat Goran Ivanisevic), he started using white on a regular basis. He retained his edgy fashion sense though by wearing some trademark bold colours from time to time, the best example being at the 2001 Australian Open, when he showcased a stunning orange top matched with grey shorts. An injury might have cut his career short, but he exited the game in true fashionisto style wearing a black and neon lemon green garment for his final New York appearance.

@Wimbledon 2000

Early 2001

@Wimbledon 2001

@Montreal 2001

@US Open 2001

Although his time on the ATP tour was rather short lived, the two time Grand Slam champion Patrick Rafter will always be remembered as one of the sport's best dressed leading figures. I hope will style will continue to inspire the new generation of tennis players. I see a bit of his exuberance and his trademark bold, vibrant colour combinations in Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who looks determined to pull the men's tour out of the fashion boredomland it threatens to enter.

photos (top-down / left-right): GETTY IMAGES (x2), DPA, Ron Waits (x2), ? (x5), GETTY IMAGES, AP, CJ Gunther, AP (x2), ? (x2), AP, SI, Allsport, GETTY IMAGES,?, GETTY IMAGES, M. McCarron (x2), ? (x3), GETTY IMAGES