Marin Cilic’s first match at this year’s ATP Finals has caught the attention of the tennis community, but it isn’t for the reason he expected.
The fashion police were out in full force once they saw Cilic walk onto the court at the O2 Arena wearing something that resembled swimming shorts. A combination of white, yellow and black colours, many saw the humorous side to the questionable shorts that he will be wearing throughout the entire tournament.
“I didn’t think anything special about shorts. Why not? It’s going to be a few colours. Under the lights it’s going to look good.” Said Cilic.
Unfortunately for the former US Open, the colourful piece of clothing failed to brighten up his performance against Andy Murray. In his first match of the John McEnroe Group, Cilic succumbed in straight sets to the world number one. The Croat still has a chance of progressing to the semifinals if he produces a duo of strong performances against Stan Wawrinka and Kei Nishikori later in the week.
Cilic is not the first player to make headlines for their on-court appearance. Another famous incident was Wawrinka’s stripey Yonex shorts during the 2015 French Open, which resembled a pair of pajamas. Even Wawrinka, who won the Roland Garros title wearing them, saw the funny side to it.
“I’m going to swim, play tennis and then sleep in them,” he joked with L’Equipe in 2015.
This is Marin Cilic’s ‘Stan Wawrinka shorts’ moment. pic.twitter.com/1lRoH8vy6o
— DavidLaw (@DavidLawTennis) 14 November 2016
The ultimate question now is which player has the worst shorts, Cilic or Wawrinka? Cilic was asked to muscle in on the debate during his press conference on Monday night, but the 28-year-old took a diplomatic route and sidestepped the question.
“Next question.” He said with a smile. “It’s for some fashion gurus to decide.”
It remains to be seen if Cilic’s shorts will bring him the same luck as the ones that did for Wawrinka last year.
How Twitter reacted
Did Marin pack his beach shorts for the off season by mistake?! #ATPFinals
— Jamie Murray (@jamie_murray) 14 November 2016
Really, really, really like Marin Cilic.
But what the hell are those shorts? pic.twitter.com/XM2NFLMU8I
— DavidLaw (@DavidLawTennis) 14 November 2016
Marin Cilic’s shorts though.
Please form an emergency corridor. pic.twitter.com/aPR5UIIgb4
— René Denfeld (@Renestance) 14 November 2016
Did Tomas Berdych give away his shorts to Marin Cilic?
— Dmitry Shakhov (@Shahovez) 14 November 2016
Omg Cilic shorts ! Omg no
— Carole Bouchard (@carole_bouchard) 14 November 2016
Serious Question – What do you think of Marin Cilic’s shorts?
RT if you would wear them.
LIKE if you wouldn’t. pic.twitter.com/k3zWbC2kyj— Live Tennis (@livetennis) 14 November 2016
