“Joining a list of stars who have worn the brand, that includes Muhammad Ali and David Beckham, is an honour. I’m in no doubt that this deal will help me both on and off the court.”
-- Murray on going Barricade
So begins a five year, £10M deal, entitled “Competition and Barricade colourways”. Whatever that means.
We’ll get a glimpse of those ‘colourways’, when he takes to court with Laura Robson at the Hopman Cup next year. I can’t wait.
(Photo: Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)Except Murray’s not about colour. Nor is he that colourful, for that matter. But that’s not the only objection I have.
I’ve had my criticisms of some of his decisions over the years, and I’m not about to shoot him down for leveraging upon what might turn out to be the most bankable period in his career, but I always thought that signing up with Fred Perry was one his savviest moves yet. Then of course he parted ways with Gilbert and assembled Team Murray.
It wasn’t just the vintage appeal of the iconic brand, and I wasn’t always a great fan of some of their more bland colour combos.
But it was understated, in a way which is all British; certainly more than any of the more jetsprayed lines Adidas and Nike have rolled out over the years. It also happened to suit Murray’s wry, somewhat abrasive, tell-it-like-it-is persona, to a tee. Qualities which make his pairing with Robson next year, all the more compelling.
It’s still too early to form any strong opinion one way or the other, for which we’ll need to get a look in at exactly how colourful those colourways are.
But my gut instinct says that Nole is a better fit with Adidas and that colour isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be.
BTW Murray came through his opener in Valencia in straights yesterday. A field that includes Nikolay, Tsonga and Verdasco.
The appetite for London, of those last two seems undimmed. But where is Big Rob?
6 comments:
Big Rob's minorly injured I believe. As is Tsonga. Provided Verdasco's body doesn't just die on him (which it actually might), he looks fairly cert for the WTF.
I gotta say, when I heard the news of the adidas deal, I had a mental image of Murray in the cheetah outfit that Verdasco wore at the US Open.
Holy....
I guess I wouldn't mind much if either one of Robin or Verdasco made it to London - they're both responsible for some of the most captivating tennis we've had this year.
I just get a sense that Nando may have fizzled out - though if Big Rob's injuries are bad, it may be preferable to have Nando there instead.
As for Murray in giraffe skin outfits, I share your concern.
Let's just say that Adidas are going to have to come up with something totally unique for Murray to make it work. Nothing I've seen in their offerings this year leads me think that'll happen.
OK TS, I do agree that the current Addidas apparal looks won't work on Murray... could be I'm so used to seeing him in either white or black that merely imagining him in orange or blue gives me a headache. I like the FP look with the RBS logos... and I will miss them.
Hi Debs!
There's no reason Adidas can't personalise their offering around Murray, in the way they've managed to do so with Nole.
My concern is they won't be brave enough to break new ground, which is arguably what Murray needs, and we'll end up with what looks like a tame compromise virtually indistinguishable from anything Tsonga or Nando have been wearing.
Hi guys! [wakes up from hibernation]
I thought Nole wears the same stuff as Nando and Jo-Willy...
They have all worn that green n black pukey bile shirts with white shorts. And the bumble bee combinations. Not forgetting the (trademark?) Adidas kit for Wimby, white with red trim...
[goes back to sleep]
Hey 2Hander!
Nole, as far as I know , gets his own line, like the other 'star players'.
Seems they're set to do the same for Murray, though I'm worried now that you've mentioned white with red trim, (which I think of as Liverpool FC away kit).
They can surely come up with something more imaginative than that.
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