Taylor Fritz, the US men’s tennis player ranked seventh in the world, has expressed skepticism about elaborate fashion statements made by players on court, suggesting they risk appearing “really stupid” if they do not perform well. Fritz made the remarks following his first-round victory over Dušan Lajović at the Wimbledon Championships.

On the second day of the tournament, Fritz appeared on the No. 1 Court dressed in a bespoke white suit paired with a matching headband, an outfit designed by his sponsor, Hugo Boss. The ensemble drew comparisons on social media to a similar look worn by Roger Federer during Wimbledon in 2007. Fritz said the idea for the outfit was initiated by Hugo Boss rather than himself.

“I wasn’t 100 percent sure how I felt, but after seeing the pictures after the match, I feel like it looked alright,” Fritz commented on his appearance. When asked if the distinctive attire increased his nerves before the match, he replied that while it did not necessarily make him more nervous, walking out in a noticeable outfit and losing early could lead to appearing “really stupid.”

Fritz, 28, conveyed ambivalence about the trend of players making sartorial statements during walkouts. He acknowledged that opinions would likely be divided, with some fans appreciating the style while others might view it as excessive. He said he personally prefers to keep his on-court fashion “low key.”

The player also noted he felt somewhat obliged to wear the suit due to his sponsorship arrangement, stating he “couldn’t really back out” because Hugo Boss wanted him to participate in the fashion initiative.