Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Wimbledon 2018: Roger Federer's 'huge reveal' given green light by Championships' commercial director
Federer drew headlines when he walked onto the court wearing a Uniqlo outfit on Monday for his opening match after ending his decades-long partnership with Nike
Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing
Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news
Wimbledon’s commercial director has no issues with Roger Federer pulling off a marketing coup on Centre Court.
Federer drew headlines when he walked onto the court wearing a Uniqlo outfit on Monday for his opening match after ending his decades-long partnership with Nike.
It was the first time the eight-time Wimbledon champion had worn the brand publicly, but organisers said he didn’t violate any of their strict rules in regards to using the tournament for marketing purposes.
Every Roger Federer Nike kit at Wimbledon: RANKED and RATED
Show all 20
“I guess it was like a huge reveal, wasn’t it?” said Mick Desmond, the commercial and media director for the All England Club. “That’s absolutely fine. It’s obviously a marketing coup for Roger. We set the stage, he’s done a reveal.”
Desmond said he was not aware of Federer’s plans, though tournament staff check all players’ kits before the tournament to make sure they don’t violate any rules.
“Providing you’re adhering to the specifications in terms of the all-white rule and the amount of measurement in terms of branding, then that’s fine,” Desmond said. “It would have been checked by the club in terms of a technical perspective. From a commercial perspective, that’s his business.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies