27 Jun Nike PR Gold After Wimbledon bans Roger Federer’s shoes
Wimbledon officials told Roger Federer not to wear orange soled Nike shoes that apparently violated the tournament’s all-white dress code.
It’s a big shock that the most refined tennis player of his generation ran afoul of the Wimbledon fashion police. Federer not having proper decorum at the All England Club is as jarring as Prince Philip showing up to afternoon tea in jorts.
Wimbledon’s all-white rule can be loosely enforced at times. Other players wear bursts of color on their socks and shoes and raise no objection from officials. (Serena Williams’ arguably had more color than Federer’s). But the orange soles crossed the line, apparently.
Whether intentional or not*, it’s another brilliant marketing ploy by Nike. It’s not like the swoosh needs more ubiquity, but think of all the attention its getting with Federer’s shoe ban getting worldwide attention. That’s free publicity.
* The smart money is on intentional. Nike boasted that Federer’s Wimbledon kit would “make a bold style statement in London.”
It’s working too. As of 9 a.m. ET on Wednesday, the shoes were sold out on Nike’s online store.
Meanwhile, Federer’s warmup jacket remains at large.