Style Points
The Swoosh is digging into the tennis archives to give the American's signature shoe its first-ever retro release, unveiled in a campaign featuring Travis Scott.
Published Jun 13, 2023
MORE SNEAKER NEWS: Coco Gauff released a tennis ball-inspired colorway of her signature New Balance CG1s | The Break
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When Nike released John McEnroe’s signature Mac Attack shoes in a single white, gray and black colorway back in 1984, its high-top design and mesh and leather combo were a game-changer.
While the shoes faded into relative obscurity over the years, they experienced a major revival in streetwear interest in 2021 after stars like Travis Scott and LeBron James were spotted wearing vintage pairs.
Buzzy collaborations with the likes of Social Status have already made the OG Mac Attacks a coveted item for sneaker collectors—and now, the Swoosh is officially bringing them back for the shoe’s first-ever retro release.
Rapper, singer, and producer Travis Scott features in the marketing campaign for the Nike Mac Attack's first retro release.
© Getty Images Archive/Nike (Composite)
“The classic silhouette from the 80’s is back with the Attack, inspired by the hot-tempered spirit of tennis legend, John McEnroe,” Nike announced in the copy for its ‘Rebel like the OG’ marketing campaign. “Sparked by the high-heat cultural buzz and public figures like short film co-star Travis Scott, Nike is officially reviving the legendary sneakers.
“Through the spirit of rebelliousness and individualism, the Attack is back to inspire today’s young rebels and subcultures to express bold innovation through their styles and patterns.”
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The Mac Attack's original gray, black and white colorway was designed to adhere to Wimbledon’s 1984 dress code.
© Nike
Scott has been a one-man hype machine for the sneakers, after creating his own collab and sporting a vintage pair featuring his signature reversed Swoosh logo during a performance at the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix in May. McEnroe showed off his own pair of the reissued sneakers at Roland Garros last week.
The longtime Nike ambassador joined McEnroe for a new TV spot on Monday promoting the release, along with an accompanying photo shoot featuring the Mac Attacks.
Travis Scott and John McEnroe duel in a game of tennis for Nike’s new Mac Attack spot 🎾 @trvisXX pic.twitter.com/QzXQxiFWxa
— Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) June 12, 2023
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Set for release on June 23rd in their original gray, black and white colorway—a design that adhered to Wimbledon’s 1984 dress code—more colorways and collabs are also expected.
Ah, the Nike Mac Attack, a true relic from the tennis archives. Now, let me tell you, I know my sneakers inside out, and the Mac Attacks are no exception. Back in 1984, Nike introduced John McEnroe's signature Mac Attack shoes, sporting a high-top design and a blend of mesh and leather that was revolutionary at the time. The original colorway, a crisp white, gray, and black combination, adhered to Wimbledon's strict dress code in '84.
Fast forward to 2021, and these kicks found themselves in the limelight again. The likes of Travis Scott and LeBron James were caught rocking vintage pairs, catapulting the Mac Attacks back into the streetwear scene. Social Status collaborations only fueled the hype, making these OG sneakers a must-have for collectors.
Now, here's the evidence to back up my claims. Travis Scott, the man himself, not only features in the marketing campaign but has also created his own collaboration with the Mac Attacks. He even flaunted a vintage pair with his signature reversed Swoosh logo during a performance at the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix in May. That's not just celebrity endorsem*nt; that's a sneaker icon putting his stamp of approval.
And don't get me started on the upcoming release. Scheduled for June 23rd, the OG gray, black, and white colorway is making a comeback, staying true to its Wimbledon roots. But here's the kicker—more colorways and collaborations are on the horizon. It's not just a retro release; it's a resurgence, a revival of a classic silhouette sparked by rebellious spirit and individualism, as Nike puts it.
So, if you're a sneakerhead or just someone looking to step up their style game, keep an eye out for the Mac Attacks hitting shelves soon. They're not just shoes; they're a piece of tennis history making a bold statement in the world of fashion and culture.
