Lacoste CEO defends Novak Djokovic amidst criticism from Nike while affirming never to choose Rafael Nadal as a brand ambassador 

French brand Lacoste's Director Thierry Guibert expresses pride to have Novak Djokovic as their brand ambassador despite the negative perception of the Serb.

Lacoste CEO defends Novak Djokovic amidst criticism from Nike while affirming never to choose Rafael Nadal as a brand ambassador 

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal

Serbian tennis legend Novak Djokovic got some solid words of support from the CEO of Lacoste. The French firm, which was founded in 1933 by tennis player René Lacoste, signed a deal with Djokovic in 2017. And now the CEO Thierry Guibert has stood by the Serb amidst some criticism from rival apparel brand Nike. 

The whole saga revolves around the negative perception of Djokovic despite proving himself year after year. Earlier this week, Nike tennis director Mike Nakajima made some comments about the same making it clear that the bad press associated with the 35-year-old makes him a lesser favorite for the big brands. Guilbert responded to the viral statement. 

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“Lacoste is so proud to have Nole and would never choose Nadal (with all due respect to him). Thanks, @NDjokofan for the English translation,” Guilbert wrote on Twitter. 

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The reference to Rafael Nadal by Guilbert comes after the Nike director made it clear that he would prefer to go with an athlete with ‘a squeaky clean image’. Which, according to him, Djokovic lacks due to his streak of controversies. 

Related: Daria Kasatkina cites Novak Djokovic’s example as stratagem to progress and win in big tournaments

Djokovic has dark clouds around him, as Nakajima stated earlier 

Novak Djokovic

The Nike director made some comments about Djokovic referring to recent incidents. “He could well be the most successful tennis player ever. But there’s always a dark cloud around him. It’s like he brings it upon himself. He hits the lineswoman at the US Open (in 2020) and gets disqualified? It happens, I guess.” he CNN earlier. 

“But why does it always happen to Novak? Or the whole controversy about the Covid-19 vaccination. Now, as a brand: do I want to be behind somebody who always has controversy around him? Or do I want to go with an athlete with a squeaky clean image?” Nakajima continued which forced Lacoste’s head to respond. 

Djokovic, who is known to not waste his time and energy on this type of trivial matter, hasn’t reacted to the comments made by Nakajima. He is currently focused on continuing his dominating form of the season. Going past his rival Rafael Nadal is his top goal this year. 

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