they gotta pay ferrero to be seen on the side of court with Alcaraz at the slam finals in Nike though...
Sponsorship Changes for 2025
- Thread starter GetOutside20
- Start date
Rosstour
Talk Tennis Guru
And if Rafa were still playing it would def not be a problem for them to do it for him too.
yeah exactly, i just think Rafa in terms of being off the tour, and not coaching, not rly planning on playing etc... just being a businessman and moving into more lifestyle space... then yeah, not a huge amount for Nike to do with him and I see why they would not bother vs say paying a lot less to Ferrero so he is decked out like Alcaraz (Babolat also sponsoring him now too) and seen coaching/courtside
jmacdaununder2
Legend
Thought that the scuttlebutt was that he knocked back 150 mill & signed with Hoka instead?
nah, that is too logical.
bought two pairs of Zoom GP Challenge 1s from the Nike AU site/app after Christmas last year at the same time - they were shipped seperately, from the Netherlands, via somewhere i cant remember, then the UK, then Sydney. One pair was delivered a few days later, because it got to sydney, then made a de-tour to Melbourne, then back to Sydney.
crazy stuff, but i didnt mind as it was discounted - you'd thought Oz being one of the grand slam countries, Nike (and other brands) would at least stock some of their (popular) tennis gears/shoes in their physical stores. lol
Casey 1988
Semi-Pro
Hoka made some more normal shoes but were so poorly received Hoka people quickly stopped making the few models the brand had and went back to regular business. This is Different from Altra that has kept making the more normal heel drop shoes but using the new wide straight last the company has used since original owners sold the company on all models rather then a true anatomical foot shape, so most of the minimal/barefoot shoe brand or no drop shoe brands use a straight last with basically now only a few models from Xero Shoes or from Merrell the minimal models have the anatomical foot shape unless you count the toe never fits anybody Vibram Five Fingers, yes they are still made.
octobrina10
Bionic Poster
The article says: “Tennis legend Rafael Nadal, in the final year of his career, turned down a US$150 million contract renewal from Nike ...” The article also says that in 2018, Rafa signed a contract with Nike for five years.Nadal to.... Hoka?!!
Why Nadal turned down $150M contract with Nike - VnExpress International
Tennis legend Rafael Nadal, in the final year of his career, turned down a US$150 million contract renewal from Nike and instead went for a partnership with a lesser-known brand.e.vnexpress.net
The writer of the article brags that Federer signed a US$30 million a year contract with Uniqlo. The article also says “Both turned their backs on Nike, but while Nadal only earned very little...” But if you devide Nike’s US$150 million offer to 5 years, it’s US$30 million a year! If Rafa really turned down Nike’s offer, it means that he earns more from somewhere else.
The article says: “Hoka has their own niche market, and they do not really need Nadal to expand their business.” But one guy says on Instagram (see the screenshot below) that Hoka offered Rafa a US$600 million contract. So, why does Hoka pay him if it doesn’t need him.
The truth is that Rafa hasn't "turned his back" to Nike.
augustobt
Legend
I just have two cents to add about this:
I’ve always been curious about On Running shoes, and when Rogi got involved, I finally decided to pick one up. The Cloudsurfer became my favorite go-to shoe - I can even wear it for non-running activities, and the cushioning and fit are stellar for me. It's definitely my second favorite shoe brand these days, just a little behind Asics.
But I’ve got a deep love for my Hoka Bondi 8. It’s the most comfortable shoe I’ve ever worn - my perfect companion for concerts and other long-standing activities.
I’ve always been curious about On Running shoes, and when Rogi got involved, I finally decided to pick one up. The Cloudsurfer became my favorite go-to shoe - I can even wear it for non-running activities, and the cushioning and fit are stellar for me. It's definitely my second favorite shoe brand these days, just a little behind Asics.
But I’ve got a deep love for my Hoka Bondi 8. It’s the most comfortable shoe I’ve ever worn - my perfect companion for concerts and other long-standing activities.
Casey 1988
Semi-Pro
All I know is that the NBA and NBA D leagues as well as Olympics ban Hoka shoes and similar high stack models for use on court due to the height advantages, same with using a Carbon fiber plate or Nylon/Pebax Plate that is acting as a jumping spring lever not as a stability plate for the super foams under X Millimeter height as yes their are a few Basketball models with a super foam in them to be lighter using a carbon or nylon plate to mainly stabilize the foam, not acting like how they do in road running shoes or track spikes to propel the person forward that could be used to improve jumping. There is now a maximum midsole and rubber outsole height in Millimeters the shoe can be for use in the NCAA, NBA/NBA D league, or Olympics, possibly a few other leagues I am missing.
Verdi
Rookie
It’s not exactly the New York Times is it
D-Lite
Hall of Fame
Only just noticed this now! Damn that was so quick you're right. This mint green colour way looks great on the RG orange clay though!
Notorious_Junkballer
Hall of Fame
What is this Vuori? Heard the name for the first time only some weeks ago. Why I reacted is because vuori is Finnish and means 'mountain', or 'lining' (in clothes). Emil Ruusuvuori (Rose mountain).
The Aceserver
Professional
Newer athleisure brand competing with the likes of Lululemon and Athleta. Started in Southern California I believe. Marcos Giron was one of their first sponsored tennis player a couple of years ago, but Draper is next level. Looks like they’re going for a big push.
Dae18
Hall of Fame
Need to bring back Reebok, now that I can see Draper fitting with
AM75
Hall of Fame
They have money for that? Wow!
arthurli22
Semi-Pro
Wowww!
But probably Nike could not care less unless Draper goes to one of its major competitors like Adidas. Vuori is more the competitor of Lululemon?
And more likely than not that Nike will at least have one male sponsored athletes in the finals of every slam in the next 3-5 years.
What's more could Nike ask for?
mpournaras
Hall of Fame
McDonald has a gloss black squared off frame with bright blue grommets on it.... It isnt the Ultra haha
Yonex about to take another
Yonex about to take another
glad somebody else saw that. I thought i was seeing things with the shape. lol New Wabolot with wilson stencil.
mpournaras
Hall of Fame
The Ezone appealing to Blade and Prestige-like users from the past is an intriguing development at the pro level. Those mains are tight and I find it hits a good flat ball
Znak
Hall of Fame
Vuori and Lulu have to be some of the most blandest/overpriced single-coloured garments. Shame, I liked Draper in Nike. Tennis needs a shakeup, so far it seems like only Wilson/NB/Lacoste are trying. I hope Nike/Adidas wake up, because tennis is experiencing a subculture resurgence.
mavsman149
Hall of Fame
Eubanks racquet is blacked out now. Tecnifibre seemed to be surging with a lot more pros playing them, but Med and Eubanks are testing new racquets and Bublik already left. That’s too bad
mavsman149
Hall of Fame
Good to see him playing, really truly sad how injury prone he’s been as soon as he made the top 20. That was 8 years ago in 2017, and I don’t think he’s been healthy ever since
LiamMiguel
Semi-Pro
Is this on social media somewhere? I trust you and you are well trusted by the community, was just curious more than anything.
D-Lite
Hall of Fame
It would be a big signing that's for sure, just a shame it looks like Jack will be entering the USO with no warm up events due to injury. I like some of Vuori's stuff - they do have some nice colours and Giron rocked the yellow kit at IW imo which isn't a common look.
Jack the Hack
Hall of Fame
LiamMiguel
Semi-Pro
I also like Vuori stuff. We were given Vuori gear on our college team and it's been great quality. Definitely better than any of our Under Armour stuff or our old Nike stuff.
jimdontcare
Professional
I can’t afford it but I’ve seen Vuori athletic wear at REI and it seems really quite nice.
Mackie rolling with what looks like a blacked-out '25 EZone 98 in Washington – has the current blue headguard and grommets, so a dead give-away on the generation I would think... (click to enlarge):
Seems like he's having a bit of a rough time adjusting to it against Lehecka though. Definitely tagging a few fasters winners than normal, but a lot of erratic launches. Moving from the Blade probably hasn't been trivial. I bet he's added some lead at 12; would love to know his spec. I'm sure we'll find out soon enough if he commits to it; though, I would think a Percept 100D would be more his jam and possibly a smoother transition from a Blade. But I presume he tried both, and is going the EZ route probably for the extra pop. We'll see if it sticks!
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theaceproman
Semi-Pro
I believe blade v10 with a tapered beam, just like Colton smith and stisipad
GetOutside20
New User
Any idea what’s next? Vuori?
LeftyMagic
Semi-Pro
thank god
Dae18
Hall of Fame
Weird cause she has her own line with them but interested to see what’s next
Dae18
Hall of Fame
Wouldn’t be surprised to see her in Yonex or New Balance
brinkeguthrie
Hall of Fame
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Mr Backhand
Rookie
Draper in Asics shoes
