Swiss sportswear brand On recently unveiled its collection for the first and much-anticipated Grand Slam of the season, the Australian Open. The label introduced two distinct designs for its men’s and women’s kits; however, the release did not receive a warm response from fans. Many felt the designs fell short of expectations for WTA World No. 2 Iga Świątek, but the men’s one was an ideal for Ben Shelton.
Fans React As Iga Świątek and Ben Shelton’s Partner On Launches Is 2026 Australian Open Collection
Founded in 2010 by former Swiss professional runner Olivier Bernhard alongside David Allemann and Caspar Coppetti, On set out to revolutionize running through innovation. The brand’s early experimentation, including prototypes made from garden hoses, laid the foundation for its now-signature CloudTec technology.
On’s rapid rise soon caught the attention of Swiss legend and 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer, who joined the company as a shareholder in 2019.
The Swiss brand has also been rapidly expanding its footprint in tennis, taking a significant step in the sponsorship market by partnering with six-time Grand Slam champion and current World No. 2 Świątek in March 2023.
The same year, On strengthened its presence by signing American rising star and reigning Canadian Open champion Ben Shelton, marking its second high-profile addition of the season.
As noted, the brand recently unveiled its men’s and women’s collections for the 2026 Australian Open. The men’s sleeveless jersey featured a white base accented by an all-black speckled pattern, lending it a concrete-like aesthetic.
The shorts, meanwhile, were kept entirely white, complementing the lower portion of the top, which carried a minimalist brand logo on the right.
The brand created another distinct look in the women’s clean, white sleeveless jersey, featuring a bold, navy vertical graphic that slices down the left side of the body, much like a dynamic brushstroke or a sound wave.
Several fans, however, didn’t receive the jersey with open arms, with one writing, “Here we go again.. Iga deserves better🥲.”
“So one’s been run over by a lawn mower, one’s been run over by a tricycle, got it,” one commented.
MORE: Iga Świątek Makes Her Feelings Clear on Thinking About Major Career Goal at Australian Open
One fan said they didn’t mind On’s patterns but felt the silhouettes and fabric lacked structure, drawing a comparison of their own.
“Weirdly, I don’t mind these patterns or the ones that ON uses generally, but I find that the silhouettes and fabric always look kinda meh. Like potato sacks that look like shiny garbage bags once the players get sweaty,” they said.
One fan weighed in, “Is the on team allergic to good designs???”
However, another chimed in, “Women’s is odd but I like the men’s kit.”
“Yeah I feel the same. The men’s one will probably look OK on Ben,” a fan echoed.
Świątek enjoyed a solid 2025 season, compiling a 62–17 win–loss record and lifting two titles at Wimbledon and the Cincinnati Open.
Shelton, meanwhile, claimed his maiden Masters 1000 crown at the Canadian Open. His momentum was later disrupted by a shoulder injury at the US Open, though he returned during the Asian swing and went on to qualify for his first ATP Finals, where he exited in the group stage.
