Tennis Prose




Jan/18

25

How the heck does Halep not have a shoe and clothing sponsor?

shoes
By Scoop Malinowski

Simona Halep is the no. 1 ranked player in the world. She’s won all six of her matches in the Australian Open and is two sets away from winning her first major title.

She’s the best in the world at what she does – but Simona Halep does not have an shoe or clothing sponsorship contract with any company.

Lindsay Davenport said on Tennis Channel that Halep and her previous sponsor or many years, adidas, could not reach an agreement on a renewal contract.

No other company has stepped up to seize the opportunity to link their brand with the best female tennis player in the world. Not one of Nike, Babolat, Head, Diadora, Athletic DNA, Yonex, Tonic, Mizuno, Prince, Victor Estrella Deportiva, Lacoste, Asics, Le Coq Sportif, Joma, Under Armour, Sergio Tacchini, Fila, Li Ning, Ellesse, New Balance, Lotto, or even Wilson (Halep’s racquet sponsor) have struck a deal with the Romanian dynamo.

I can’t recall a number one ranked player in the world ever being without a sponsorship deal for shoes and attire.

Is it a fluke coincidence of bad luck for Halep? Is there some kind of political or religious bias against Halep? Is it a sign that the tennis industry is losing power and influence in the sports industry? Or is it a sign that women’s tennis on it’s own, just does not have the selling power or ability to sell products like the men’s tour?

It’s a bizarre situation when even twelve year old juniors have shoe, clothing and racquet deals – but the no. 1 WTA player in the world has to pick her tennis attire off a store rack.

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12 comments

  • Joe Blow · January 25, 2018 at 7:18 pm

    Think she hooked up with Cahill through Adidas, he just stopped wearing Adidas too. Wore a blue cap with nothing on it last few matches.

    They showed a close-up of her shoes, and she was wearing Adidas shoes, no 3 stripes..Cahill might be out as well, or showing support for Halep.
    Adidas has Kerber, Woz and Muguruza.

  • Duke Carnoustie · January 25, 2018 at 11:22 pm

    I have forgotten that life has changed for Caro since she got engaged to NBA champion David Lee. Now she too can become a champion. Plus her recent history against Simona.

    It all looks like Caro’s time. Then again, I had Osaka beating Simona.

    I feel that Angie was in good spirits after that loss. Had to be difficult.

    Boris Becker’s troubles continue to be sad. What a mess the guy is.

    Has Sandgren pulled out of Dallas next week? Fritz will be the top seed. Round two of Fritz-Rubin this year tomorrow.

  • catherine · January 26, 2018 at 1:44 am

    Martina was without a clothing contract for a while when she was a No 1 player.

    I’d be interested if anyone on this site who has access to German media could find out what is going on with adidas, whether the company is becoming cautious because of growing international finanical instability, or whether it is just an issue about Simona and the amount her management is asking. Maybe Cahill is included in the deal, which would confuse matters.

    As I wrote on a previous thread,I doubt the decision has anything to do with Simona’s religious beliefs, which are hardly unorthodox, but may have something to do with how adidas see Simona’s general worldwide appeal in marketing terms.

    I’m waiting to see which way the cat jumps, so to speak, if she wins AO.

    Joe – you also had Keys blowing Angie off the court if I recall 🙂

    How Angie copes with losing is going to be important for her this year.

  • catherine · January 26, 2018 at 3:52 am

    I may have missed her, but I didn’t see Simona in any of adidas’ pre-AO advertising new lines, and that must have been done a while ago.

  • catherine · January 26, 2018 at 9:44 am

    New topic – old pairing. Federer/Cilic to re-run their W’don final. Shame for Chung. Maybe he needs different shoes, better foot care ?

  • Duke Carnoustie · January 26, 2018 at 10:54 am

    Fed laps the men’s field yet again. Nobody can compete with him. I’d say I am surprised but I am not and neither are you. He is simply playing a different sport.

  • Chazz · January 26, 2018 at 11:12 am

    Federer is not human. I hope to witness #20 this weekend, which may never be topped.

  • Chazz · January 26, 2018 at 12:21 pm

    To not lose a set in his first 5 matches at AO at the age of 36 is just mind blowing.

  • Duke Carnoustie · January 26, 2018 at 2:25 pm

    You mean no sets lost in six matches.

    Could he make it look any easier?

  • Chazz · January 26, 2018 at 2:29 pm

    Yes, 6. I missed the first one against Bedene.

  • Thomas Tung · January 26, 2018 at 3:51 pm

    I’d like to see Wozniacki win, but I have nothing against a Halep win, either. Should be one of the more interesting women’s finals in some time.

    One thing’s for sure: lots of Danes and Romanians watching that match — a win by either player would do a lot for tennis in both those countries (probably more for Denmark than Romania, which has an established tennis pedigree/tradition).

  • Scoop Malinowski · January 26, 2018 at 5:52 pm

    Halep’s win over Kerber was one of the most impressive feats I’ve ever seen by a woman player. Three Match points in a row to Davis, erased. Two more to Kerber, erased. She really raised her level at the end there, when she could have just got frustrated and semi tanked it because Kerber was a beast and desperately wanted it. I can’t see how Halep loses this final. She is walking on air right now, she is unbeatable. Whatever is thrown at her she handles it and comes out on top. Halep in this tournament has shown extra special qualities that we rarely see. Most women slam winners just win their matches with power and win the title, nothing really memorable. But Halep’s run has been memorable and so dramatic and exciting and mesmerizing. If Caro wins it will be a huge shock for me at least.

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