From The Hard Court to An Evening Event: Get Ready with Tennis Player Kemal Karagozoglu

August means the arrival of New York City’s most exciting tennis season, bringing its players and fans together to see the biggest names in the sport play for a winning title.

For tennis player, trainer and model Kemal Karagozoglu, this time of year is particularly special. After leading his college tennis team and continuing to play recreationally around the city, Karagozoglu has come to deeply appreciate how the tennis community has shaped his personality and style, both on and off the court.

To celebrate the season, Karagozoglu walked Hypebeast through his tennis-inspired styling approach for this year’s festivities – starting with an all white look for a quick match and ending with a more street casual outfit for the star-studded ASICS & ACES’ event that had appearances by Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz.

Karagozoglu reflects ASICS Tennis’ belief in “the power of sport,” and the latest apparel collection he dons allows him to stand out from the crowd. His own personal ethos follows ASCIS’ focus on shaping the tennis community and building a growth mindset.

We had a moment to sit down with Karagozoglu to learn more about how tennis impacts his life, living in New York and how he styles his ASICS shoes.

What role has tennis played in your life? What do you like most about tennis culture in New York City specifically?

I mean, tennis. Tennis is my life. I wouldn’t be who I am. I wouldn’t know the people I know without tennis. Everything I’ve done has been because of tennis. Specifically in the city, it’s been amazing because there’s a sense of everyone grinding all the time in the city, even outside of tennis. People are at the courts at 5:30 in the morning, ready to wait for three hours in line just to play for 30 minutes. Everyone has this mutual respect for each other and the sport, which brings us a little closer. Every time I go to the courts, I meet 5-6 new people every time. It’s amazing.

What’s your typical style on the court? How is it off the court? What’s the difference?

On the court, I still like to have some sort of style but I like to keep it pretty simple. I want to be a little different from everybody, but not too different to a point where I completely stand out. I love a slightly oversized t -shirt, and maybe a nice design – something you wouldn’t see from too far, but once you get up close, you could see those little details that set me apart from everyone else.

Off-court, I like to add a little more personality. Most athletes like to just wear sweatpants and a hoodie, which I think is cool at times, but I like to spice it up a little. Throw on some baggy jeans, a cropped shirt, or ribbed tank. I like to layer a little more, maybe a collared camp shirt.

What do you look for in a tennis outfit? You’ve spoken a little bit about your affinity for patterns.

I like a little design, like something you wouldn’t see from too far away, but once you get up close, you see the material and design. I like it to be pretty comfortable, sporty, athletic, but I want some class in it, too. Maybe even a little bit of cotton. I know some people might not agree with that, but, you know, I like just a little bit more thickness.

Nayqyan Shuler / Hypebeast

What’s your approach to accessorizing?

I love to add jewelry. If you see me on court, I always have a ring on. I’ll have my two chains on. Even though most athletes won’t agree with that, I like to be a little different. I’ll even throw on a headband. I love wristbands, a backwards hat, just anything to add a little more.

What would you look for in a good tennis shoe? How does the ASICS shoe measure up?

I like it to be sturdy, because I slide like crazy. I go through shoes like once a week, so sturdy and safe on the ankles with some ankle support. Most athletes end up twisting their ankles all the time, so I think it’s important to have that.

I love the Skyhand OG. I think it’s super sleek, and I kind of feel like a superhero when I put it on. Does that make sense? I feel like I could run through anything. You feel that support and that comfort has always been the biggest thing about ASICS. Most tennis shoes, you have to wear the shoe for a week to get used to it. With ASICS, I could put it on the first day and I’m ready to go, which is a big thing as a tennis player.

Talk us through the outfit that you put together with ASICS.

I started with the all white, the classic clean look, which is one of my favorites. I mean, you can’t really go wrong with that. It was very simple, clean, easy fit. I love how it’s soft, but at the same time has that athletic feel. I felt very comfortable in it and still felt like a little bit of a superhero, which is clearly a big thing for me.

Then we put on the all blue. That texture on the using the Actibreeze Short Sleeve that you wouldn’t see from a distance, when you come up close, you really see. It’s a unique style that with little holes and the touch of the green, the neon adds a little bit of color, not too much. I think ASICS did that perfectly.

Nayqyan Shuler / Hypebeast

What’s the energy of New York Like this time of year for tennis enthusiasts, players, lovers?

It’s amazing to see that these people actually love the sport you grew up playing. I think it’s special, because sometimes it feels small, but around this time of year, you see that it’s actually very big, and everyone enjoys it. It brings different people together, which is why I love it.

Shop the latest ASICS Tennis apparel collection now available in-store and online at ASICS.com.