Iga Swiatek fans openly lambasted Roger Federer-backed ‘On’ over the Pole’s kit for the upcoming French Open. At the same time, there is some acceptance for the combination of lilac and white colours. However, the stripes have left the fans hurt and deeply disappointed.
The former World No. 1 is currently engaged in the Italian Open and is set to kick off her campaign against Caty McNally on Friday. On the eve of the six-time Grand Slam champion’s tournament opener, a picture of an On-designed kit grabbed the attention of fans on social media.
The kit primarily features lilac and white, but the stripes in the centre have led to comparisons to the animal zebra. The recent backlash evokes the memories of the similar response that the Swiss-backed brand received for Swiatek’s ombre-design kit at last year’s Australian Open.
While ‘On’ has a history of being criticised for its designs, this time, fans have shown no hesitation to express their frustration as one user wrote on X:
WEŹCIE TO SPALCIE JA PIERDOLĘ CO TO ZA GÓWNO BOŻE
“Getting a migraine looking at those stripes”.
“This is hideous,” another user wrote.
“TAKE THIS S**T AND BURN IT, WHAT THE F**K IS THIS CRAP, GOD,” a user vented out his/her frustration.
“Is this some kind of AI? ‘Cause I don’t believe it,” a user remarked.
“Can Federer’s money laundering scheme just collapse already, I beg you,” a user took a jibe at Federer and his brand.
“The Swiss might make good watches, but they can’t design clothes,” another user wrote.
Iga Swiatek classifies her campaign at the Madrid Open as “literally sh**”
Before the kit backlash and the Italian Open, Iga Swiatek endured a torrid run at the recently concluded Madrid Open. The 24-year-old, considered to be a clay specialist, began her campaign with a commanding win over Daria Snigur.
However, her campaign soon derailed, and she was left in tears after falling prey to a stomach infection outbreak in Madrid. During her clash against Ann Li, Swiatek felt unwell and had her vitals checked by medics when she was trailing 0-2 in the third set.
Li won the next game, which led to Iga Swiatek retiring from the contest and leaving Caja Magica in tears. The 24-year-old revealed that she didn’t leave Madrid immediately but took a couple of days to rest and recover.
“My Madrid tournament was tough. It was really, like… s—–, literally. So yeah, I was completely off, like, day before the match. The day I played also I was not good, like no energy at all,” Iga Swiatek said during her pre-tournament conference in Rome.
“Honestly, day after it was a bit better, but still I don’t think I would be able to play normal. But in two days I was already fine. I recovered. I had some time to stay there and not really travel because I don’t think it’s safe to travel when you’re so, like, fragile,” the Pole explained.
After putting behind her days of food poisoning in Madrid, Iga Swiatek will look to go beyond the quarter-final stage for the first time this year and lift her fourth title in Rome.
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