“Carlos Alcaraz deserves better”; “I feel bad” – Fans outraged by Spaniard’s reportedly ‘disgusting’ Nike outfit for rest of 2025 season
Fan Outrage Erupts Over Carlos Alcaraz’s “Disgusting” Nike Outfit for Rest of 2025 Season
Tennis fans are in uproar after leaked images of Carlos Alcaraz’s new Nike kit for the remainder of the 2025 season surfaced online, with many branding the design “disgusting” and “the worst yet” from the apparel giant. The 22-year-old world No. 1, fresh off his eighth ATP title at the Japan Open and a £160 million Nike contract extension, is reportedly set to wear a light lime-green short-sleeve t-shirt with a subtle logo on the left chest, paired with matching shorts, for events like Paris-Bercy and the ATP Finals in Turin. The minimalist ensemble, shared by fan account “ola ! #A1CARAZ” on X, has sparked a backlash, with supporters lamenting that Nike is squandering Alcaraz’s star power on “boring” and “uninspired” gear.
The Outfit Leak: Lime-Green Minimalism Meets Fan Fury
The kit, part of Nike’s Fall Slam Collection, features a simple lime-green top with thin white piping and a small “CA” logo—Alcaraz’s new signature mark debuting at the ATP Finals. Paired with lime shorts and black Vapor 12 sneakers, it’s a far cry from the vibrant, dynamic designs fans associate with the Spaniard’s explosive style. The leak, posted on October 9, 2025, quickly amassed 200k views, igniting a firestorm of reactions. “Carlos Alcaraz deserves better”; “I feel bad” became rallying cries, with one viral post reading: “They get Ares incarnate as their ambassador and THIS is what they make him wear? Disgusting.”
The sentiment echoes earlier Nike controversies this year, including the “jail clothes” backlash at the French Open (thick black stripes on white) and “Power Rangers” mockery for the Australian Open kits. Fans have accused the brand of prioritizing “boring” minimalism over creativity, especially for Alcaraz, whose £160m deal—rivaling Federer’s £550m lifetime pact—positions him as Nike’s future face alongside Jannik Sinner. “Nike used to be a serious brand,” one Reddit user fumed in a 1k-upvote thread. “Now it’s just sad outfits for our kings.”
Alcaraz’s 2025: Dominance Undimmed by Design Drama
Despite the off-court noise, Alcaraz’s on-court brilliance remains unchallenged. His 67 wins (67-7 record) and eight titles—including Wimbledon, the US Open, and Japan Open—have locked year-end No. 1 status, with $16 million in prize money. The ankle tweak that forced his Shanghai withdrawal hasn’t slowed his momentum; he’s rested and ready for Paris-Bercy (October 27) and the ATP Finals (November 10-17). Alcaraz, who lives modestly with his family in Murcia, has stayed above the fray, but his silence on the kits speaks volumes—focus on the game, not the gear.
Nike defended the design as “bold and modern,” emphasizing Alcaraz’s “CA” logo debut as a nod to his legacy. Yet, the backlash highlights a disconnect: Fans crave outfits that match his flair, like Federer’s iconic “RF” line or Nadal’s bull-branded clay kits. “Why does Sinner get the fox logo and Carlitos gets lime green?” one X user asked, referencing Sinner’s signature mark unveiled at last year’s ATP Finals.
Fan Reactions: A Chorus of Disappointment
Social media has been flooded with memes and rants, from “Power Rangers reject” to “Nike’s allergic to color for Alcaraz.” A Reddit thread titled “Carlos’s 2025 Nike curse” garnered 2k upvotes, with users lamenting: “He wins Slams, Nike gives him Target clearance rack.” Comparisons to past Nike hits—like Federer’s Wimbledon whites or Djokovic’s ND line—only fuel the fire: “Prime Federer/Nadal days were peak Nike; now it’s meh.” Some defend the minimalism as “clean,” but the majority echo the query: “With a £160m deal, why not fire kits?”
| Nike Outfit Backlash Highlights | Tournament | Fan Quote |
|———————————|————|———–|
| “Jail clothes” | French Open 2025 | “Why is Carlos wearing prison stripes?” |
| “Power Rangers” | Australian Open 2025 | “Alcaraz and Sinner look like kids’ cartoon rejects” |
| “Boring scribble” | US Open 2025 | “Meh—adidas Wimbledon kits were better” |
| **Lime-Green Minimalism** | Rest of 2025 | “Disgusting… deserves better” |
The Bigger Picture: Nike’s Tennis Wardrobe Woes
Nike’s 2025 tennis kits have drawn consistent fire, from Sabalenka’s “boring” US Open look to Sinner’s “fox” logo delay. Alcaraz, Nike’s poster boy since 2019, bears the brunt, with fans arguing his £160m extension demands signature flair. The brand’s minimalist shift—prioritizing functionality over flash—clashes with tennis’s fashion-forward ethos, where outfits like Nadal’s bull or Osaka’s “NO” become cultural icons.
As Alcaraz rests his ankle before Paris-Bercy, the outrage underscores his pull: Fans don’t just want wins; they want wardrobe wins too. Nike’s response? Silence so far. With the ATP Finals looming, the “CA” logo debut could redeem—or reignite—the debate. For Alcaraz, it’s simple: The court is his canvas; Nike just needs to supply better colors.
