Berdych to Head, Dimitrov to Wilson!!

Babolast

Legend
Can't believe how many players Nike is dropping!

What is going on?

What is the future for Nike tennis?!
 

dimeaxe

Semi-Pro
Are you sure it's not a racquet deal?:)Maybe, after all they want to sign No1vak:mrgreen:
 
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tistrapukcipeht

Professional
Let's be honest, Nike $ucks, low quality shoes and apparel. Not even for free I wanted their stuff.

Berdych/Del Potro/Dimitrov aren't going to dominate ATP so Nike is actually being smart and dropping them.

Another fact is, these guys come from small countries and may not be marketable enough. Nadal and Federer are from small countries as well, but they dominate the Tour unlike the others, who buys stuff because of Berdych and Del potro, Dimitrov.

I'd be surprised if they don't drop Tomic, Tomic might go to Yonex as well.
 

Bobby Jr

G.O.A.T.
Not surprised at all really. It's a combination of brands do assessments on public awareness of a player and what they wear - which will also factor in what they've achieved in recent years and their ages. For Berdych and Dimitrov that amounts to basically nothing in the bigger scheme of tennis.

Other factors also include a recovering retail market in some regions, especially the Asian/mid-east markets and a positive outlook over the next five years globally. This is an opportunity for newer or fringe brands to make their mark renew their presence. Wilson, for example, seems to be more popular in their clothing lines than I ever recall - they might see this as an opportunity so shore up more players who already use their racquets. It's easy pickings (Wawrinka etc).

Nike would not even bat an eyelid when these guys come to the end of their contract with them and are made offers by another company - they're probably happy to see the back of them in some cases (not worth the effort or money). That's why players basically never have long-term contracts until they've achieved something special. Nike have rarely ever put effort into "me too" players on the tour and will be on the hunt for the next Sampras/Agassi/Federer/Nadal who is still under 20 at this stage. They can sign 20 of them for the amount of money Berdych would think he's worth for another two years.
 
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Here's a tweet
Wilson Tennis ‏@WilsonTennis
We're only 6 followers away from 30,000. Let's do this!!
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1h Tennis Connected ‏@TennisConnected
@WilsonTennis We're hearing Grigor Dimitrov is joining Wilson as an apparel player as well. True or false?
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15m Wilson Tennis ‏@WilsonTennis
@tennisconnected hmm, where did you hear that rumor? Grigor is currently with Wilson tennis rackets and accessories.
Hide conversation Reply Retweet Favorite
6:45 AM - 9 Nov 12 · Details

11m Tennis Connected ‏@TennisConnected
@WilsonTennis Insider told us that he's making the switch. I guess we'll keep an eye out.
 

cluckcluck

Hall of Fame
Here's a tweet
Wilson Tennis ‏@WilsonTennis
We're only 6 followers away from 30,000. Let's do this!!
Expand
1h Tennis Connected ‏@TennisConnected
@WilsonTennis We're hearing Grigor Dimitrov is joining Wilson as an apparel player as well. True or false?
Expand
15m Wilson Tennis ‏@WilsonTennis
@tennisconnected hmm, where did you hear that rumor? Grigor is currently with Wilson tennis rackets and accessories.
Hide conversation Reply Retweet Favorite
6:45 AM - 9 Nov 12 · Details

11m Tennis Connected ‏@TennisConnected
@WilsonTennis Insider told us that he's making the switch. I guess we'll keep an eye out.

You think the social media manager would know these kinds of details from such a large company? Doubtful. If this is actually going to happen (the switch), then the higherups would now long before social media.
 

Bobby Jr

G.O.A.T.
Just wait until 2013 and then you can eat your words....
To be fair.... you've had a clanger in the past with regards to Djokovic. I wouldn't tell people to get ready to eat their words unless you're prepared to do the same. :twisted:
 

Babolast

Legend
To be fair.... you've had a clanger in the past with regards to Djokovic. I wouldn't tell people to get ready to eat their words unless you're prepared to do the same. :twisted:

Mate I'm prepared to do the same. Deals are DONE. Just thought il pass it on to fellow TTW members.

As regards to Djokovic I said it was a "big rumour" these deals are confirmed.
 

Ico

Hall of Fame
Looking to the future, there aren't many Nike players past Federer and Nadal. I suppose Janowicz and Goffin are the future of Nike Tennis?
 

jepriy

New User
Grisha would fit perfectly with Wilson apparel. He's not quite the top player yet so this is good opportunity for him to get more dough from the sponsors.

Tomas I just cant imagine out of Nike. He's solid and seems to be promoting the brand well.

Nole should not move to Nike.
 

Bobby Jr

G.O.A.T.
Looking to the future, there aren't many Nike players past Federer and Nadal. I suppose Janowicz and Goffin are the future of Nike Tennis?
That's because Nike have 100 people on their 'keep watch' list who you've never heard of yet. Mainly because they're under 20.
 
Dimitrov isn't getting dropped by nike... They just recently did something with him for the nike flame line. They are still going to be signing him. He won't be going anywhere
 

T21D

Semi-Pro
My question is "why does it matter whether Berd or Dimi go on to other brands?" Do those players players influence you to buy their products or pay their salaries? Personally, it doesn't matter to me. When Andre moved on to adidas, I thought, good for him. The dude is still getting paid after all these years.
 

gplracer

Hall of Fame
Let's be honest, Nike $ucks, low quality shoes and apparel. Not even for free I wanted their stuff.

Berdych/Del Potro/Dimitrov aren't going to dominate ATP so Nike is actually being smart and dropping them.

Another fact is, these guys come from small countries and may not be marketable enough. Nadal and Federer are from small countries as well, but they dominate the Tour unlike the others, who buys stuff because of Berdych and Del potro, Dimitrov.

I'd be surprised if they don't drop Tomic, Tomic might go to Yonex as well.

I like Nike. What would you call a "high quality" brand?
 

Rjtennis

Hall of Fame
I'm suprised by Del Po. He is still young and will probably win more slams. I'm sure Nike wanted to keep him, but didn't want to match other offers.
 

NLBwell

Legend
I'm never surprised about players changing sponsors (unless they have a "lifetime contract" - even these don't seem to last a lifetime). Doesn't need to be a conspiracy theory, just the best package available - money plus any other things that can be packaged.
 

Roforot

Professional
I don't think Nike cares as they have Federer and Nadal.
I find their Dryfit clothing to be high quality even after several washes. Their shorts were weird w/ their drawstring, but now I like the simplicity. These shorts vent well and again have survived several washings w/out losing form/texture/softness.
 

El Nino

Rookie
Will Dimitrov now just be another tennis player and less Fed comparisons will be made? He wasn't compared to Fed When he was wearing Adidas Clothing. The Fed comparisons were made manly due to the Nike clothing.
 

フェデラー

Hall of Fame
Will Dimitrov now just be another tennis player and less Fed comparisons will be made? He wasn't compared to Fed When he was wearing Adidas Clothing. The Fed comparisons were made manly due to the Nike clothing.

I think it was more of the fact that he pretty much has copied his style, uses the wilson racket, same strings, etc..
 

dr325i

G.O.A.T.
Dimitrov isn't getting dropped by nike... They just recently did something with him for the nike flame line. They are still going to be signing him. He won't be going anywhere

You must be correct. Ah, wait, I remember the Adidas Falcon line...
 

Vertiz

Rookie
I don't think this is real but Nike HAS been pursuing some major athletes that would require a large amount of money. Rory for Nike Golf and Novak for Nike Tennis. If both come to Nike, the brand would certainly be shelling out major bills.
 

Babolast

Legend
30mrh9l.jpg
 

JSouza

New User
This is tough to believe. The Dimitrov part I mean. Because I just saw on twitter, that the Dimitrov Fans account posted pics of him in the US, Chicago I think, doing a Nike photoshoot on the Nike campus....He was also at the Wilson lab last week.
Dimitrov is a crazily talented player, and people who talk about his weak backhand, well, Wayne Ferreira is quoted as saying that back in 1999-2001, federer had one of the worst backhands on tour. So he can work on that. If he can do that, then no way should Nike drop him. With his variety and flair there's gotta be a place for him in the top 20. Hes quite popular now, imagine what a fan fave he could be then.
 

Clarky21

Banned
This is tough to believe. The Dimitrov part I mean. Because I just saw on twitter, that the Dimitrov Fans account posted pics of him in the US, Chicago I think, doing a Nike photoshoot on the Nike campus....He was also at the Wilson lab last week.
Dimitrov is a crazily talented player, and people who talk about his weak backhand, well, Wayne Ferreira is quoted as saying that back in 1999-2001, federer had one of the worst backhands on tour. So he can work on that. If he can do that, then no way should Nike drop him. With his variety and flair there's gotta be a place for him in the top 20. Hes quite popular now, imagine what a fan fave he could be then.



He's so talented he's never even managed to win even one singles title on tour at 21 years old. Dimitrov is the very definition of overrated.


And he's only popular because he's a Fed copycat. If he didn't try to emulate Fed and copy his style no one would give a crap about this guy.
 

rafafan20

Professional
Yonex (anything), Lacoste (clothing), Sergio Tachinni (clothing), Asics (shoes), Mizuno (shoes).

I can't say about Mizuno and Asics' apparel though.

Lacoste clothing is cheaply made junk that falls apart.

Nike is the premium brand in tennis apparel/shoes in my opinion
 

Blitzball

Professional
Lacoste clothing is cheaply made junk that falls apart.

Nike is the premium brand in tennis apparel/shoes in my opinion

It just sucks how overpriced their apparel is. And the prices go up EVERY YEAR. But I agree, the quality and designs are always great.
 

tistrapukcipeht

Professional
Lacoste clothing is cheaply made junk that falls apart.

Nike is the premium brand in tennis apparel/shoes in my opinion

It must be premium in third world countries where they're controlled by the Nike super marketing, to me is pure crap, too much sweat is held in the shirts.

You have to wash Nike by hand, otherwise it will be gone after 5 washes.

My YY's shirts are worn every week, still they look like they're new, Lacost and Tachini are very good as well, but Yonex ones are the ones for the summer, i never wring my shirt in the summer like I used to.
 
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