This sleeveless shirt was worn by Tommy Haas onto the court at the 2002 US Open tennis competition but he was not allowed to play while wearing this shirt. His sleeveless shirt was deemed not to conform to the 'Official Grand Slam Rule Book' of 'clean and customarily acceptable tennis attire'. He unsuccessfully protested saying that short sleeves restrict his swing, left the court and returned wearing a shirt with short sleeves. At the same tournament Serena Williams was allowed to play wearing her shape-revealing catsuit.

The media had a 'field day,' decrying the apparent double standard being applied to men's and women's tennis dress rules and stories often were accompanied by prominent photographs of Serena Williams in her catsuit and Tommy Haas in this sleeveless shirt.

The shirt was displayed in the 'Sport: more than heroes and legends' exhibition (September 2003 - July 2004) in the tennis showcase next to an example of the Serena Williams' catsuit to illustrate an oddity of contemporary tennis dress standards.

Written by Erika Dicker
Assistant Curator, 2007.

The product label sewn into the shirt has no information as to where the shirt was made. There is no label with care instructions.

This sleeveless shirt was worn by Tommy Haas onto court at the 2002 US Open tennis competition but he was not allowed to play while wearing this shirt. He unsuccessfully protested saying that the short sleeves in other shirts affected his swing. He left the court and returned wearing a shirt with short sleeves.

T-shirt, sleeveless, cotton blend, made by Nike, United States of America, 2002, worn by Tommy Haas at the US Open, Flushing, New York, United States of America, 2002

This is a mens loose fitting, sleeveless white cotton t-shirt with a high round neckline. The NIKE 'tick' symbol is embroidered on the left chest. The t-shirt is machine sewn and unlined.

Made: Nike; United States of America; 2002


Used: Hass, Tommy; New York, New York, USA; 2002

The Nike symbol is embroidered on the left chest. The maker's label is stitched at the neck. The label has the letters "L G G" and this might indicate the size 'large'.

2007/201/1

2002

480 mm