Brandon Nakashima awaits a huge test.
A test that stands at a hulking 6 feet 11 inches with a 140mph serve.
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Reilly Opelka and Nakashima will face one another on ThursdayCredit: Getty
Reilly Opelka stands in front of Nakashima as the two Americans are set to do battle against one another in the second round at Wimbledon.
The 23-year-old Nakashima is no stranger to advancing in the sport’s illustrious Grand Slam event.
The furthest he reached was back in 2022, when he fell to Nick Kyrgios in a classic five-set affair in the fourth round.
However, that match is more remembered for what Kyrgios chose to wear, than what actually took place on the court.
The Australian star wore red and white Air Jordan trainers on Centre Court, which prompted a lot of questions afterwards, as the All England Club has a strict all-white attire policy.
The Wimbledon rule explicitly states that, “Competitors must be dressed in suitable tennis attire that is almost entirely white and this applies from the point at which the player enters the court surround. White does not include off-white or cream.”
Kyrgios wore vintage red Jordans after the match while on the court.
When asked why he chose to ignore the rule and wear the red Air Jordans, Kyrgios gave a blunt answer.
“Because I do what I want,” he said.
However, he did clarify he didn’t mean any wrong by doing so.
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Kyrgios wore his red Air Jordans after his match against NakashimaCredit: Getty
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Nakashima is looking to advance to the second round of Wimbledon for the second consecutive yearCredit: Getty
“No, I’m not above the rules,” Kyrgios added. “I just like wearing my Jordans. I’ll wear some Triple Whites tomorrow.
“Even after Wimbledon, no one else really walks with Jordans on the court. I don’t moan [about criticism]. I love it.
“More attention for me. What’s that saying? Any publicity is good publicity, right?”
It was a classic Kyrgios response. The now 30-year-old star has been known to be brash and unforgiving at times, seemingly always marching to the beat of his own drum, for better or for worse.
However, it was revealed that the All England Club had actually abandoned its rule that year to show solidarity with Ukraine after Russia’s invasion.
The all-white attire policy has since been reinstated and reinforced.
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Kyrgios did not participate in Wimbledon this year, due to injury, but still found a way to make himself heard, specifically on the dress code, even suggesting a radical change.
“I think it’d be cool to mix it up. I think everyone should wear all black,” Kyrgios said.
“I think it would contrast the grass well and the white lines. I think that would be. It’d be a good change. I think one year they should just do it.
“It would look super clean on the court and on TV. It would look amazing.”
That is all but guaranteed to never happen, but you can’t blame Kyrgios for throwing it out there.