Bianca Andreescu walks back Nike criticism after U.S. Open wardrobe mishap

Bianca Andreescu defeated Harmony Tan 6-0, 3-6, 6-1 on Monday in her 2022 U.S. Open first-round match but generated some headlines for reasons not directly related to that result. 

As Jaclyn Hendricks noted for the New York Post, wind gusts during Monday's encounter caused Andreescu's outfit produced by Nike to become a problem that impacted her play to the point that she asked the chair umpire for permission to swap clothes mid-match.

"But can this not count as one of my changeovers? I mean it’s not my fault, it’s Nike’s fault," Andreescu was overheard mentioning during the television broadcast. "This dress is so, so bad… I need to go, this is really bad." 

The chair umpire ultimately obliged, and Andreescu returned wearing clothes better suited for the conditions. After her win, the 22-year-old seemed to walk back the not-so-kind words she said about her sponsor while speaking with media members. 

"I meant no disrespect with what I said to the umpire," Andreescu explained. "I was trying to convince him to not take away that washroom break, cause I know we only get two. He was very nice to say it was totally okay.

"I could have definitely used a different choice of wording. So I apologize to anyone I disrespected. I love Nike and I hope I can be with them for the rest of my life."

The situation somewhat mirrors what happened earlier this month when Casper Ruud found himself in hot water over a specific rule related to a player using the restroom after requesting a bathroom break during a match. 

As for Andreescu, she will next face Beatriz Haddad Maia in the tournament's second round on Wednesday.