Professional sportspeople are often likened to wild animals. They stalk their prey, tease them a little and, when the time is right, move in for the kill.
Now, the zebra is not really known for its killer instincts but try telling that to Nike, whose Australian Open players' uniform makes them look like an army of Equus quagga strolling through the Serengeti.
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Australian Open fashion hits and misses
This year, the fashion stakes are higher than ever, so let's take a look back at some notable winners and losers from Australian Opens past.
After several years of neon yellows and oranges dominating on-court fashion at the Australian Open, bold graphics and even some edgier designs are inching their way into the sport.
As the first tournament on the calendar, the Australian Open is a chance for sportswear manufacturers to set the pace for the year, or crash out in the first round.
Nike's Melbourne kit – the company creates a new line for every grand slam tournament – consists of striking black and white stripes resembling a zebra's coat, or piano keys, but intended to reflect the "extreme contrasts" and "shadows and lights" thrown by the weather conditions at Melbourne Park.
Roger Federer, who has returned to the circuit in Melbourne after six months off with a knee injury, said his fans were not used to seeing him in such bold prints.
"We've done neon the last couple of years, which is cool. I like bold colours, I like strong prints. The Melbourne-inspired print will be quite unexpected in Australia," he said.
Added touches for Serena Williams include arm stockings, while Canadian Eugenie Bouchard is sporting one of the few crop-tops seen on court so far, something Williams copped some criticism for last year.
Clothing endorsements are worth big money for players, even more if they appear in advertisements for the brands.
While the value varies from player to player, Maria Sharapova's deal with Nike was said to be worth $US70 million over eight years before her two-year doping ban. (Nike suspended its support for her but will resume its deal when she returns in April.)
But spare a thought for those players who are lower ranked and haven't yet clinched a deal.
Australian Casey Dellacqua famously wore crop-tops from Target that she paid for herself until the store signed her up after she became the country's top-ranked player in 2008.
Some players have quite a bit of input into their outfits, while others take what they're given.
French world No.18 Richard Gasquet meets with the designers at Le Coq Sportif at the start of each season to select his grand slam outfits.
"The idea is to tell a story through the whole season, with specific colours depending on tournaments, but always with a blue, red and white touch to remind the roots of the brand," he said.