Interview

Photos courtesy of Nike/Antwan Duncan

Yesterday, three top tennis stars (chaperoned by John McEnroe) unveiled their US Open uniforms, each a collaboration with Nike. After all, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer can't show up on the court in the same gear. But what does each really signify?

Roger Federer's red polo with a black collar invokes a strong sense of Swiss patriotism. He is, after all the guard to the Swiss legacy, and probably the only Swiss person Americans have ever heard of. But it also has a more domestic comfort, like a Sunday shopping date with day shopping the Land's End catalogue.

Rafael Nadal's yellow polo is a slimmer affair, and after his injury, he looks a bit slim himself. His Majorcan interpretation of America is typically European—via American Apparel.

And then there's Serena Williams's magenta mesh dress with a cropped gumdrop sihouette. It says nothing more than "In McDonaldsland [and on the court] I am Grimace, your antagonist." And really, what else need be said at this year's US Open?