Why is Djokovic playing in China instead of Japan when he's sponsored by UNIQLO?

[tistrapukcipeht]

The reason is because ATP needs top players to support both tournaments.

[Andres]

Flawed logic.

Flawed logic everywhere.

[dr325i]

Originally Posted by BreakPoint

I doubt very many Chinese are buying UNIQLO or any other Japanese products right now. In fact, the locals have probably been trashing the UNIQLO stores in China recently, if they have any.

BTW, Sergio Tacchini may have Hong Kong investors, but it'll always still be an Italian brand. Just like Chrysler is still an American brand even though it was owned by Mercedes (German) and now by Fiat (Italian).

First of all, I would do the research before talking BS on the Forum.

1) UNIQLO is Made in China, not in Japan, I was surprised too knowing Japanese culture well. However, yes, it is all about the profits
2) China has more UNIQLO stores than the USA, and is a very popular brand over there due to prices. I have visited many of their stores in Shenzhen and Shanghai last month. Stores were attended well. You cannot imagine the size of the stores, though.
3) UNIQLO Djokovic is ONLY available at the NYC store, not in Japan, not in China...

[dr325i]

Originally Posted by Big_Dangerous

Because Murray is playing in Japan.

I believe he wanted to avoid Raonic...

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by Lemoned

He did a pretty much similar job in NY prior to US Open as the 'global brand ambassador'. Yes, that's how they call him.


Of course the deal itself was a big deal. But you don't know the details of the contract and the rest is just your assumptions. Again how you know what they wanted from him? I wouldn't rule out the possibility that they totally didn't mind him playing Beijing.


Munich tournament is called "BMW Open". Tokyo - Rakuten Open, not Uniqlo Open. By your logic, Nadal should play Seoul Samsung challenger as he's sponsored by KIA.

Of course, I don't know the details of his contract. I stated that in my OP. That's why I said I would have thought they would put into his contract that he has to play in the Japan Open. If I knew it was or wasn't in there, I wouldn't be speculating, would I?

"Not minding" him playing in China is not the same as preferring that he played in Japan.

As a major Japanese company and multi-million doallr sponsor of Djokovic, I'm sure they would prefer that he played in the Japan Open. I'm sure even if the tournament in Munich was called the "German Open", BMW would still prefer the players they sponsor to come to Munich and play in the tournament.

Nadal does not play in challengers anywhere in the world, but if he did, yes it would be a snub to his sponsor Kia if he chose to play in another challenger in Japan instead of the one in Korea that's happening at the same time.

[Mainad]

Originally Posted by dr325i

I believe he wanted to avoid Raonic...

Similar reason why Berdych chose to play Tokyo this year instead of going to Beijing to defend his China Open title: to avoid Djokovic.

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by dr325i

First of all, I would do the research before talking BS on the Forum.

1) UNIQLO is Made in China, not in Japan, I was surprised too knowing Japanese culture well. However, yes, it is all about the profits
2) China has more UNIQLO stores than the USA, and is a very popular brand over there due to prices. I have visited many of their stores in Shenzhen and Shanghai last month. Stores were attended well. You cannot imagine the size of the stores, though.
3) UNIQLO Djokovic is ONLY available at the NYC store, not in Japan, not in China...

1. What does where UNIQLO clothes are made have to do with anything? EVERYTHING is made in China these days. Most of Nike, Adidas, Fila, Under Armour, etc. clothes are made in China, too. But that doesn't make them Chinese brands. Nike is still an American brand. Just like Apple is still an American brand even though they make all of their iPads, iPhones, iPods, etc, in China.
2. The UNIQLO Djokovic stuff is only available in NYC because of the US Open and that's when and where they introduced it. They will probably roll out the Djokovic stuff in other countries once production ramps up. I doubt UNIQLO will want to make the same mistake that Sergio Tacchini did with their Djokovic stuff which was not available in most places where fans wanted to buy it.

[OverratedIvanovic]

On a sidenote, his outfit doesn't seem too appealing. The all black look of Sergio Tacchini was 10 times better.

[oy vey]

Originally Posted by Romismak

Beijing have more money than Tokyo and Nole probably got big appearance fees and he never played Tokyo -..

They said that Murray got an appearance fee in Japan. I wonder how much?

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by OverratedIvanovic

On a sidenote, his outfit doesn't seem too appealing. The all black look of Sergio Tacchini was 10 times better.

I am of the opposite opinion. I think Djokovic's UNIQLO clothes look 10 times better than any of the Sergio Tacchini clothes he wore. Some of that ST stuff was just bizarre and weird.

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by oy vey

They said that Murray got an appearance fee in Japan. I wonder how much?

My guess is at least $100,000. The top players need to get at least that much just to get out of bed and show up.

[OverratedIvanovic]

Originally Posted by BreakPoint

I am of the opposite opinion. I think Djokovic's UNIQLO clothes look 10 times better than any of the Sergio Tacchini clothes he wore. Some of that ST stuff was just bizarre and weird.

I guess its a matter of opinion then. Have a look below. We can atleast agree that both the outfits suck compared to Fedal's outfits

[okdude1992]

Djokovic looked best in Adidas. ST and UNIQLO are terrible imo.

[Lemoned]

Why? So they can have two title winners in the same week!
Uniqlo boys won Beijing and Tokyo respectively.

[Romismak]

o.k now Nole 3x champion in Beijing, wrote his name in mandarin on camera, he will be back in 2013 for sure. No way he will switch Beijing for Tokyo.

[kishnabe]

He was trying to avoid Nishikori.....his sponsorship was on the line if he had lost to the second qlo.

[SoBad]

They should open a store in Queens. Manhattan is boring.

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by Lemoned

Why? So they can have two title winners in the same week!
Uniqlo boys won Beijing and Tokyo respectively.

Yes, because UNIQLO knew last month before both tournaments started that Nishikori would win the Japan Open so that there was no need for Djokovic to be there so they told him to go play in China.

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by Romismak

o.k now Nole 3x champion in Beijing, wrote his name in mandarin on camera, he will be back in 2013 for sure. No way he will switch Beijing for Tokyo.

Mandarin is a spoken language (dialect), not a written one. So he wrote his name using Chinese characters, not in Mandarin.

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by SoBad

They should open a store in Queens. Manhattan is boring.

UNIQLO just opened a new store in the prime shopping area of San Francisco.