words & image // Zack Schlemmer
As the weather keeps warming up and summer approaches, many tennis players will be hitting the courts as tennis season comes into full swing (no pun intended!). Although Nike's tennis line is full of amazing shoes, it is often overlooked in favor of the basketball, running, and training lines. Any true Nike collector knows that some of the tennis models of the 1990's rank right up there with the best sneakers the brand has ever designed.
The most popular models of Nike's tennis line are Andre Agassi's Tech Challenge shoes from the early 90's. Nike created loud shoes for a loud player. All Tech Challenge models like the original Air Tech Challenge seen in this ad came in vibrant neon colors, and with clothing to match. There was no mistaking Agassi on the tennis court with his blonde mullet, bandana, and neon tennis gear. Other Tech Challenge models followed like the Tech Challenge II, Air Tech Challenge 3/4, Air Challenge Huarache, and Air Zoom Challenge...but this is the one that started it all back in 1989.
Andre Agassi in the Air Tech Challenge
