Andre Agassi redefined tennis style in the 1990s with a brash mix of acid washed denim, neon accents and geometric graphics. Kitted out in Nike Challenge Court apparel, his not so subtle jabs at country club convention brought a new energy to game. Agassi wasn’t just a tennis phenom, he was a pop culture juggernaut and marketing gold. Nike’s Challenge Court looks, propelled by advertisements extolling the virtues of playing loud, flew off store shelves.
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the collection, Nike is bringing back Challenge Court for its 2020 US Open apparel range. To get the look right, the design team dove deep into the Nike Department of Archives. Everything about the original collection challenged tennis convention – it was like the grunge response to ’80s snyth-pop. The Challenge Court logo itself was inspired by an accidental ink blot. Retaining the handmade feel of the logo and graphics – the ink blots, smudges – and swagger of the signature designs – spandex shorts, crop tops, neon, jorts – allowed the new apparel to feel both retro and modern.
The 2020 Challenge Court Collection launches August 24 on nike.com. Nike sponsored players – who make it to NYC – will wear the collection at this years US Open.
