Roger Federer’s Agent Tony Godsick Reveals Real Reason Why Swiss Maestro’s Partnership with Nike Ended

Roger Federer signed a $300 million deal with Uniqlo after ending his partnership with Nike.

Roger Federer’s Agent Tony Godsick Reveals Real Reason Why Swiss Maestro’s Partnership with Nike Ended

Roger Federer, Tony Godsick (Image via X/Tennis Channel)

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Roger Federer is no longer a part of the ATP Tour as he called time on his illustrious career at the 2022 Laver Cup after playing doubles with his longtime rival, Rafael Nadal. Four years ago, Federer played at Wimbledon donning a T-shirt from the Japanese clothing brand Uniqlo.

He signed a 10-year, $300 million deal with the brand that year after ending his partnership with Nike. It was not Federer, however, who left Nike, as it was the other way round, as the Swiss maestro’s agent, Tony Godsick, revealed the whole story behind the end of the collaboration during Andy Roddick‘s Served podcast.

He didn’t leave Nike. Nike left him. We were trying to re-sign, and they chose not to re-sign. He would have stayed. It’s true. The contract was ending in February 2018, a 10-year deal we started in 2008. I spent one whole year, all the way until it ended, trying to renew it.

Federer has now become a billionaire, as per Forbes, and has a net worth of $1.1 billion thanks to his stake in Swiss brand On. He was the highest-paid tennis player for 16 consecutive years and is just one of the seven athletes to cross the $1 billion mark.

Yes, I understand that it’s hard to decide or place a value on someone who is already branded and 36 years old. Most people don’t play past 30 or whatever it is, and here he is at 36. But we had history, and we did a lot of great things together. I thought I would show up on campus at Nike in January 2017 to try and begin what is in essence a 13-month process to get a new deal.

Tony Godsick added

Nike had paid Federer approximately $150 million over a couple of decades, and Godsick was quite surprised when he failed to renew the deal. It was the former editor-in-chief of Vogue, Anna Wintour, who helped Godsick connect with Uniqlo CEO Tadashi Yanai.

Roger Federer on why he cannot coach his son Leo

Daniil Medvedev, who was previously defeated by Learner Tien in the Australian Open second round, as well as the China Open semifinal (Medvedev gave the walkover) this year, finally took his revenge with a three-set win after toiling for hours in the fourth round of the ongoing Shanghai Masters. The Russian’s next-round opponent is Alex de Minaur, who went past Nuno Borges in straight sets.

Roger Federer (2)
Roger Federer (Image via X/Dinora RF)

While Medvedev and Tien were clashing in the fourth round of the ongoing Shanghai Masters, the camera panned toward two children enjoying the match. Those kids were the twin sons of Federer, Leo and Lenny.

Federer, however, was not with them. But he at present is in Shanghai, where twice he clinched the title, in 2014 and 2017. Federer is in Shanghai for the ‘Roger & Friends’ celebrity doubles match, scheduled to take place on October 10th. The exhibition event includes Hong Kong filmmaker Donnie Yen, Chinese actor Wu Lei, and fellow retired tennis ace Zheng Jie, a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist.

Federer, during an On event, admitted that he cannot become a good coach to his son Leo. The 44-year-old also explained the importance of junior coaches.

Everybody thinks I’m equally good as a coach for an 11-year-old, but I’m not. So that’s where I need to rely heavily on the junior coaches, who do amazing work. I’m always here to thank all my former coaches and junior coaches, who are so important in inspiring kids. Having great coaches when you’re young is really important to feel the love for the game, and that’s where Leo has had great coaches so far.

Federer retired with 20 Grand Slam titles. His last singles match was against Hubert Hurkacz in the Wimbledon quarterfinals in 2021.

Also read: Aryna Sabalenka Seeks Credit From Novak Djokovic for his Heroic Performances in Shanghai