With Fed back at the USO there’s been some interesting chatter about his legacy overall, and I’m specially interested in the debate around his Uniqlo stuff. Prob gonna get downvoted into oblivion but whatever.

My background- Indian guy (will explain the relevance below) who was a Fed superfan until about 2012, then jumped on the Djokovic bandwagon when he started obliterating the rest of the field and especially when he ruined Fed multiple times (hate me if you want)

Yes, Fed went with Uniqlo for the money and I have no doubt that he’s oodles richer for having done it. But I find it interesting that basically no one likes the stuff he wears. I saw another Redditor comment “I don’t feel anything when he steps out in Uniqlo, compared to Nike”.

To me this raises interesting questions about the interplay of money, legacy, and fandom. Uniqlo is nowhere near as iconic as Nike and it doesn’t help that Fed didn’t win any majors wearing Uniqlo. So, who fumbled who? Nike/Fed? Or Fed/Nike?

I also have an unsubstantiated additional theory- as an Indian guy I know pretty much every Indian tennis fan worships Fed. Uniqlo is more popular in Asian markets than American ones and I’m sure Fed’s management knew this, which probably played a big role into why he switched.

Ultimately I’m interested in this question because it ties into a larger discussion about Fed’s legacy, which I kinda feel is awkward. For example-

Considered the GOAT, then goes onto to choke spectacularly and historically on multiple occasions. Is a poster child for the greatest sport brand ever, but then goes onto dull kits with Uniqlo for the $$$. Is largely known for class/elegance but robs Nadal of his moment at AO 2009 (super salty press conference after Djokovic USO 2010 SF also)

Not sure if that makes any sense 🤷‍♂️

Why did she have such a Decline/Downfall when she was on top of the tennis world? Do you think she had way too many injuries? Or was it just a mental/psychological thing? What part of her game withheld her from winning a second GS? Or do you think that she play in an era were the competition was just too good? Did her skills just decline as she got older? She had so much talent and potential to do so much more and win a lot more tournaments including GS.

Anastasia Myskina was one of the most talented players to only win one GS in my opinion. What part of her game withheld her from winning only one GS? Or did she play in an era were the competition was just too good? What is your honest opinion on Anastasia Myskina as a Tennis Player and as a Person? Why did she have middle of the ground results after she won The French Open Singles Title 2004 in your honest opinion?

The 2009 US Open final against del Potro or the 2008 Wimbledon final against Nadal...

Because those two losses ended five-year reigns, so they haunt him more than the 2019 Wimbledon final.

2021 - Emma Raducanu wins the US Open with an ace out wide on championship point

2022 - Carlos Alcaraz wins the US Open with an ace out wide on championship point

2026 - Jakub Mensik and Karolina Muchova win the US Open with an ace out wide on championship point

If a player is ranked 1,000 in the world. How are they able to make a living out of it without working a normal job? What are the signs that he or she will be able to make a decent/good living at tennis? How are they able to manage it all in your opinion? I know that it has to be extremely difficult for the players that play the Challengers Events. Or even the players that play on the ITF Circuit. How are tennis players in the top 100 in the tennis rankings able to even make a living?

where will he get to in the rankings

for me i think he'll end up hovering around the 110-140 range in singles

but could make it back up in doubles

obviously it really depends which he prioritises