"I think the way the business structure of tennis is set up breeds a sort of conservative culture, where everyone’s so scared to be different." Opelka speaks out against the "traditions" of tennis
ATP
American tennis player Reilly Opelka who was once fined at the US Open for carrying an unapproved bag bearing the name of his art gallery sponsor, revealed that his involvement in art and fashion made him "despise some things" about tennis, a traditional sport.
Opelka touched on how he has "come to hate tradition" in an interview with GQ during his first appearance at Paris Fashion Week.
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"I’ve come to hate tradition." revealed Opelka. "And, obviously, tennis is all tradition. Look at Wimbledon—that’s what it is. And it’s not for me. The more I’ve gotten into fashion and art, the more I’ve come to despise some things about tennis."
In last year's edition of the US Open, Opelka brought out to court a pink tote bag from his sponsor, Tim van Laere Gallery, whose logo exceeded the size limit as per tournament rules. This earned Opelka a $10,000 fine.
Opelka also noted how players wear the same kits in tournaments, thus depriving them of their uniqueness.
"The kits themselves, they’re all the same colors, they’re all so similar," he told GQ. "Every brand does their photoshoots at Indian Wells, so the vibe is the exact same. There’s nothing unique about it anymore, and it’s sad."
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Asked why tennis does not turn its "tunnel walks into mini fashion shows" like the NBA does, Opelka explained that the business structure of tennis cultivates a "conservative culture" which in turn makes everyone scared to be different.
"We’re a solo sport," added the 25-year old. "Anything goes wrong with us, there’s a direct effect. So I think the way the business structure of tennis is set up breeds a sort of conservative culture, where everyone’s so scared to be different."
Growing up in a household where soccer was king, my earliest memories are filled with chants from packed stadiums and the rhythm of a ball being passed across neighborhood streets. But somewhere along the way, the quiet elegance and raw emotion of tennis pulled me in. What began as a curiosity became a lifelong passion; not just for the sport itself, but for the stories it tells: of grit, of heartbreak, of improbable comebacks and human resilience.
As a tennis writer, I bring the observational lens of someone who didn’t grow up in the sport, but fell in love with it as an outsider; a perspective that lets me see both its technical beauty and its emotional depth. Over the years working with TennisUpToDate, I’ve had the privilege of reaching more than 3.5 million readers worldwide, with one of my features ranking among the site’s top three articles.
With a background in storytelling and a creative mind always searching for meaning beyond the scoreboard, I aim to craft narratives that go deeper than results and rankings. Whether it’s a rising star breaking through or a veteran fighting off Father Time, I try to capture the heartbeat behind the headlines.
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