There are few things that feel more quintessentially Melbourne than the Australian Open. One of only four Grand Slams in the world, the tournament has become a defining fixture of the Australian summer, drawing players and fans from across the globe for a front-row seat to the action on Melbourne’s iconic blue courts.
It’s perhaps only fitting, then, that Nike chose this stage to debut its Nike Surf Symphony Kit. Unveiled at the 2026 Australian Open, the collection brings together summer-soaked design and high-performance innovation — a visual tribute to both the city hosting the tournament and the athletes competing at its highest level.
“Surf symphony is inspired by two things,” EKIN training specialist, Anna Burdekin, tells RUSSH. “The vibrancy of Melbourne as a city, and the electricity that you find through the tennis crowds at this time of the year. And then mixed in with that is Australia's surf culture, which is really at the roots of Nike's DNA.”
Drawing from the rhythm and motion of the sea, the Surf Symphony Collection features curved lines and wraparound silhouettes that echo ocean waves, paired with vibrant Australian summer colour blocking. And the reality of just how high those summer temperatures can climb has also been considered, with archival nods to Nike’s Aqua Gear era that sit alongside Dri-FIT II fabrics designed to keep athletes cool and focused through long, hot, and high-pressure matches.
That philosophy extends into the finer design details. Laser-cut seams are positioned to reduce distraction on the hem of Aryna Sabalenka’s dress, while a magnetic zipper at her chest locks into place for uninterrupted play. For menswear, it’s things like an extra-deep pocket in AO champion (and Grand Slam history-maker) Carlos Alcaraz’s pocket, so no tennis balls go astray during game play.
It’s also not just the matches themselves that Nike is honing in on. The brand recently embarked on an entirely new direction with the launch of Nike 001 and 002, a world-first neuroscience-backed footwear innovation designed to help athletes feel mentally prepared — long before they step on the court.
“We have a lot of products out there that you can train in, that you can compete in, that you can recover in,” says Burdekin. But this new shoe is about preparation. “It’s about helping the athlete feel grounded, present, and increasing and heightening that focus for them, so that when they're out on the court, they're ready to go.”
The Nike Surf Symphony collection is now available to shop online.
