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World No. 1 Rafael Nadal is one of the few athletes who looks fashionable in neon pink. Maybe the bold choice was supposed to make a statement as he bounced around ahead of his first-round match against Dusan Lajovic on Tuesday.

Rafael #Nadal is pretty in pink as he begins his quest for a third US Open title against #Lajovic. pic.twitter.com/c1Fpp6HwEW
— Live Tennis (@livetennis) August 29, 2017

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Nadal with the hot pink trying to blind his opponent out there. Savvy veteran move. pic.twitter.com/dnRRvmYynN
— Pseudo McEnroe (@McEnroeTweets) August 29, 2017

The Spaniard trailed by a break in the first set and took more than one hour to escape in a tiebreaker against Lajovic’s inspired play. All the while, his devoted fans must have been in agony, seeing shades of the disastrous 2009 French Open.

why pink? he lost to Soderling in pink.
— Ricky Dimon (@Dimonator) August 29, 2017

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Nadal in pink? Nothing to worry about. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/wObCoIfVK8
— Ed McGrogan (@EdMcGrogan) August 29, 2017

More than eight years have passed since Nadal famously lost his fourth-round encounter against the big-hitting Robin Soderling. It was his first defeat at Roland Garros after winning the French Open from 2005-08.

At least one fan was in denial about Nadal wearing pink, opting to see his shirt as a shade of orange.

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The ultimate bomb was dropped when it was revealed how many majors Nadal has won while wearing pink.

No, Rafa, NOOO! Nadal’s won exactly ZERO of his 14 Slams wearing pink. It doesn’t bode well that he starts 2017 US Open in pink. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/ZJ7BG4ccVc
— The Karate Kid (@HapaKarateKid) August 29, 2017

Some followers might argue that Nadal’s 2012 French Open title was claimed in a pink shirt, but a closer look shows that it was more of a fuchsia.

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Here's a look at what Rafael Nadal will wear during the 2012 French Open tournament. RT if you like it! pic.twitter.com/VXoaxbLH
— Rafael Nadal Fans (@RafaelNadalFC) May 2, 2012

In New York, the 15-time Grand Slam champion picked up momentum to close out his 7-6 (6), 6-2, 6-2 victory over Lajovic, but his performance will be colorfully considered as he moves ahead to the second round.

World No.1 @RafaelNadal advances to R2 in NYC...and we think he's pretty stoked about it. 👊 🙌 #USOpen @MBUSA pic.twitter.com/lfCUPK65JA
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 29, 2017

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Will Nadal’s pink attire underscore a third US Open title, or will it become the scapegoat in defeat?

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