Fans criticize the ATP's new merchandise at the Mutua Madrid Open, calling it dull. They suggest more creative designs after a recent controversy involving unauthorized artwork at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.
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Tennis merch has been a hot button issue recently for the ATP and WTA Tours.
At the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, Ukrainian artist Yana Boyko made a convincing social media case that her artwork was being sold, without her consent, on t-shirts in the onsite store. (Her issue is yet to be resolved with the powers-that-be.)
Now the ATP sends out what it thinks is a splashy social media post debuting ATP merchandise sold at the Mutua Madrid Open onsite store. Fans think the pictured merchandise looks dull and suggest something better.
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The shirts are plain. They mostly showcase the ATP letters in small print. There is no creativity. They look like generic iron-on designs.
Knowing how well jerseys sell, many people on the internet have suggested that the ATP and WTA Tours should design and sell jerseys for the top players.
It would require buy-in from the players and probably a revenue sharing deal. It would be worth it because the product would fly off the shelves.
The ATP and WTA Tours could work together and utilize one supplier, or each could pursue it independently. Or perhaps the clothing ambassadors for the players could design them, for example, Nike could design Aryna Sabalenka, Jannik Sinner, and Carlos Alcarazâs jerseys.
Ukrainian artist Yana Boyko claimed her artwork was sold on t-shirts without her consent during the event.
Fans find the ATP's new merchandise uninspired and are suggesting more creative alternatives.
Yana Boyko is a Ukrainian artist who accused the ATP of using her artwork without permission for merchandise at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.
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Unlike jerseys from team sports, there could be different color schemes and designs for each player, highlighting qualities of the playerâs personality and game.