Defending champion Roger Federer has won his opening match in Wimbledon and completed part one of his “Mission Number Nine”. But after the 6:1, 6:3, 6:4 three-set victory against the Serbian Dusan Lajovic, everything revolved around the new outfitter for the Swiss. The emperor’s new clothes – and a lunatic million-dollar sum.
By Ulrike Weinrich from Wimbledon
Roger Federer could have felt provoked by the Italian journalist, who is known for his enjoyment of the joy of asking these questions of direct nature. “I don’t know what else to congratulate you on: To your victory today – or the $300 million deal over ten years with equipment supplier Uniqlo…?”
But the Swiss is a true gentleman – and that’s why the answer of the world star with a down-to-earth attitude also had class. A return of the Federer brand. Hard as nails, but with charm. “It’s interesting that you know my contract. Or you really have no idea and just talk something about it,” said the Grand Slam record champion, adding with a smile: “I’m happy about both!”
In recent weeks there had already been speculation about whether the felt inseparable connection between Federer and the US sports equipment manufacturer Nike would soon come to an end. Now it was time.
19 years after he was allowed to play on the holy turf for the first time in 1999 at the age of 17 – and lost in five sets against the Czech Jiri Novak in the first round. Equipped by Nike, the brand that would become his loyal companion on the small and big stages of the tennis universe for almost two decades.
At his matches in Stuttgart and Halle/Westphalia, the 36-year-old wore the “swoosh” on his top, trousers and shoes and headband. But at the All Access Hour on Sunday in the jam-packed Main Interview Room of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Federer sat on the podium in a fine suit and a white shirt.
The rumor that Federer was going to play his game against Lajovic on Monday at the most famous of all Centre Courts with a new outfitter spread like wildfire on the World Wide Web minutes before the match began.
And then he came, the master of almost all classes. And the lettering of the Japanese brand, once signed by Novak Djokovic, was clearly visible. The spectacular change was complete. But some already believed in a bad omen when Federer was trailing 0:40 on Serb serve and after two Unforced Errors in the first game.
But the emperor’s new clothes, they fit. After 1:19 hours the world number two had solved his compulsory task in the tennis cathedral on Church Road. All four children sat together in the box: The twin girls Myla and Charlene (8) and the twin boys Leo and Lenny (4). “That means everything to me,” Federer enthused, “It was another special day in my life.”
Certainly because the cat was finally out of the bag. And the speculations about the outfitter deal finally came to an end. However, there are still open questions. Nike still holds the license rights to the RF logo.
“But eventually it will pass to me. I hope sooner than later. They are my initials, they belong to me,” emphasized the 20-time major winner, who was still wearing Nike shoes on Monday. The explanation: “I still don’t have a new shoe contract.”
According to reports, Uniqlo’s ten-year deal with Federer is worth about $30 million a year. The Japanese, whose annual turnover is expected to be around five billion euros, are probably pursuing a special strategy.
“Above all, they care about the time after my career. The wonderful phase when I turn from a tennis player to a non-tennis player”, brand ambassador Federer reported: “Actually, they are interested in what happens after my career.
Negotiations on future plans are still in full swing. In Zurich, at any rate, there is not yet a single Uniqlo business, as the “Maestro” noted. That is about to change. Nike was obviously not happy at last that Federer took longer breaks from competition. This would have resulted in limited marketing and sales opportunities.
But perhaps the change is also an indication that the “FedExpress” is still flirting with a start at the Olympic Games 2020. These take place in Tokyo. And who better ambassador than Roger Federer, the gentleman who doesn’t let provocative questions lure him.