It was a long and prosperous marriage - one full of gleaming tennis whites and more than a few trophies - but now, Roger Federer has left Nike after a 20-year partnership.
The Swiss champ instead stepped out at Wimbledon yesterday wearing Uniqlo during his win against Dusan Lajovic, with a plain white bandana replacing the usual 'RF' motif. His new sponsorship deal with the Japanese high street chain means Fed is unable to wear the same logo again, as it remains copyrighted by Nike proper.
The differences between the two kits are subtle, sure, but they're still there. Federer's new Uniqlo kit enlists a Mandarin collar as opposed to the classic polo, with only a logo box of red to the shirt replacing twin stripes. Everything else falls in line with classic, conservative tennis whites, such are the rules of Wimbledon play.
The new deal doesn't mean a total Kramer vs. Kramer-level divorce, though. The 36-year-old still enlists Nike for his footwear, telling reporters: "They have shown interest to have a shoe deal with me, as well. Ties are not broken there. I have deep roots with Nike. I’ve had a great relationship over the last 20 years."
All of which is true, but the loss of an ambassador as prolific - and successful - as Federer is undoubtedly a blow for the American outfit, with other labels keen to flood the lucrative sportswear market. Plenty more fish in the sea and all that, Nike.
