Andre Agassi recently shared insights about his unforgettable Nike outfit from the 1990 French Open, where he finished as runner-up after a five-set loss to first-time finalist Andres Gomez. The American star revealed that he initially felt frustrated by tennis fans mistaking the vibrant color of his attire for pink, despite his personal admiration for its design. The incident adds new layers to the widely discussed Andre Agassi hot lava outfit story.

Agassi’s career on the ATP Tour spanned nearly 30 years, during which he secured eight Grand Slam titles and held the World No. 1 ranking for 101 weeks. Notably, he achieved the rare Career Golden Slam, winning all four major championships and securing the Olympic gold medal in men’s singles. His retirement came in 2006 at his home tournament, the US Open, following a third-round defeat against Germany’s Benjamin Becker.

Agassi revisits the bold ‘hot lava’ look on social media

After several years away from the spotlight, Agassi returned to public attention in the 2020s, partly by championing the sport of pickleball. Now 55, he frequently shares reflections on Instagram, including a recent video highlighting his striking hot lava-colored polo and bandana from the early 1990s.

“[I] kind of got upset that they thought it was pink. Because I helped design that, like, we picked the color and I wanted hot lava. I like hot lava. It’s like, it looks like it’s moving a 1000 miles per hour but it’s just kind of trickling down.” —Andre Agassi

He also discussed his fondness for the hot lava compression shorts that were part of the same outfit.

“I remember being so thrilled that with the spandex, I didn’t have to worry about packing underwear when I played,” he added. “Because it was very form-fitting and did it’s job, plus dude, it just kind of helped with feeling the compression around your moving hips and joints.” —Andre Agassi

Agassi’s favorite career outfits and their unique styles

In April, Agassi revealed his top three favorite looks during an Instagram reel, paying tribute to his famous “pirate look” from the 1995 Australian Open, his iconic jean shorts from the 1988 US Open, and the hot lava kit from the 1990 French Open. While he had emotional ties to the latter, he admitted that he preferred the first two outfits more for several reasons.

“1995 Australian Open, it’s kind of referred to as the ‘Pirate Look.’ Baggy shorts, baggy shirt, bandana, hoop earring, goatee, it was like Pirates of the Caribbean kind of stuff,” Andre Agassi said in an Instagram reel about his maroon bandana look from Australian Open 1995. —Andre Agassi

“Then I would have to probably shift to the original jean shorts. Tennis hadn’t quite seen somebody wearing anything but white with their shirts tucked in,” he added. —Andre Agassi

Throughout the 1990s, Agassi was well known for his long blonde hair and occasionally used wigs. However, by the late 1990s he chose to shave his head completely.

The lasting impact of Agassi’s distinctive style on tennis

Andre Agassi’s bold fashion statements, including the hot lava outfit, helped redefine tennis apparel in the sport’s traditionally conservative environment. His embrace of vivid colors and unconventional attire challenged established norms, influencing later generations of players to express individuality on court. The revelation about his involvement in designing the hot lava outfit offers fans a deeper appreciation for its significance in tennis history.

As Agassi continues to engage with followers through social media and promote new sports endeavors, his past styles remain a key part of his enduring legacy, emphasizing how fashion and function can merge in elite athletic performance.