Swiss tennis icon Roger Federer has explained that his decision to end a two-decade association with Nike in favour of a new agreement with Japanese clothing company Uniqlo came as a result of the latter’s commitment to continue working with Federer after his retirement from the sport.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion ended speculation over his future with Nike when he entered Wimbledon’s Centre Court in Uniqlo kit on the first day of the tournament.
Although the financial terms of the arrangement were not announced, reports have claimed that the new deal is worth US$30 million per year, three times what Federer was paid by Nike.
However, the 37-year-old has explained that the faith placed in him by Uniqlo post-playing days was pivotal in his decision to finish his relationship with Nike, with whom he had created the RF logo.
Speaking of a conversation with Uniqlo chief executive Tadashi Yanai and executive creative director John Jay, Federer said: “John Jay in New York, where I had an event there, said it very nicely: ‘One day I will retire from tennis but I will not retire from life’.”
He added: “Life will go on and Uniqlo and Mr Yanai believed in me very strongly as being very important to their brand, even though maybe my playing days are going to come to an end at some point.”
Federer, who has been made a global ambassador for Uniqlo, has been incorporated into the brand’s LifeWear range, giving a clear indication of plans to utilise the Swiss athlete on and off-court.
Overall, the 2018 season has been successful for Federer, with his 20th Grand Slam title coming at the Australian Open, where he defeated Marin Cilic to clinch his sixth Melbourne title.
Swiss tennis icon Roger Federer has explained that his decision to end a two-decade association with Nike in favour of a new agreement with Japanese clothing company Uniqlo came as a result of the latter’s commitment to continue working with Federer after his retirement from the sport.
Swiss tennis icon Roger Federer has explained that his decision to end a two-decade association with Nike in favour of a new agreement with Japanese clothing company Uniqlo came as a result of the latter’s commitment to continue working with Federer after his retirement from the sport.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion ended speculation over his future with Nike when he entered Wimbledon’s Centre Court in Uniqlo kit on the first day of the tournament.
Although the financial terms of the arrangement were not announced, reports have claimed that the new deal is worth US$30 million per year, three times what Federer was paid by Nike.
However, the 37-year-old has explained that the faith placed in him by Uniqlo post-playing days was pivotal in his decision to finish his relationship with Nike, with whom he had created the RF logo.
Speaking of a conversation with Uniqlo chief executive Tadashi Yanai and executive creative director John Jay, Federer said: “John Jay in New York, where I had an event there, said it very nicely: ‘One day I will retire from tennis but I will not retire from life’.”
He added: “Life will go on and Uniqlo and Mr Yanai believed in me very strongly as being very important to their brand, even though maybe my playing days are going to come to an end at some point.”
Federer, who has been made a global ambassador for Uniqlo, has been incorporated into the brand’s LifeWear range, giving a clear indication of plans to utilise the Swiss athlete on and off-court.
Overall, the 2018 season has been successful for Federer, with his 20th Grand Slam title coming at the Australian Open, where he defeated Marin Cilic to clinch his sixth Melbourne title.
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