The relationship between Roger Federer and Nike was unmatchable at one point. But somehow, after being sponsored for a long time, the Swiss Maestro eventually moved to UNIQLO. However, the former Nike Director Mike Nakajima believed that the 20-time Grand Slam champion should have never moved from Nike. 

Nike signed the former world number one at the age of 13 and ended their 24-year-old connection in the summer of 2018. When the 20-time Grand Slam champion moved to a Japanese clothing brand on a 1-year contract basis, it shocked everyone at Nike and even his tennis fan base. 

Former Nike director shared a disheartening statement about Roger Federer’s exit from the brand

The athletic shoe and clothing brand is associated with well-known athletes from a variety of sports. The three strongest adversaries from the tennis court—Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and the Swiss maestro—were grouped together and backed by the same company. In addition, they also endorse several well-known legends from many sports. LeBron James of the NBA and golfing legend Tiger Woods both have a long-standing relationship with the sports apparel brand.

In the book, ‘The Roger Federer Effect,’ there is a part where the former Nike director talked about the 20 times Grand Slam champion leaving Nike after such a long time. 

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He said, “That should never have happened. For us to let somebody like that go, it’s an atrocity. Roger Federer belonged with Nike for the rest of his career. Just like Michael Jordan. Like LeBron James, like Tiger Woods. He’s right up there with the all-time greatest Nike athletes ever. I’m still disappointed. But it happened. I have to get over it. It wasn’t my decision and I wasn’t there for it.” 

But the big question is why did the GOAT choose to walk away from his 24-year-old long sponsorship for a new Japanese brand? 

Why did Federer leave Nike? 

The major cause for the tennis legend’s departure from Nike was money. The Swiss Maestro secured a 10-million-dollar-per-year contract with the athletic company. Uniqlo, on the other hand, gave the former world number one three times the sum Nike had tied the sponsorship arrangement to.

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Additionally, the Swiss star claimed that this was the ideal time to embark on new projects, work on innovative approaches, and develop great athletic wear that is stylish and in line with the current trend.

What do you think? Was Federer leaving Nike the right decision? Let us know in the comments below.