A picture is a secret about a secret. Such was the reality when Roger Federer appeared for a photoshoot, days before he announced his $300 million deal with Uniqlo in 2018. The Roger Federer Effect (2022) recollected the moments that preceded one of the biggest moves that stirred the tennis and business worlds. It involved the most recognizable face of tennis being smuggled into a studio.

Federer joining hands with Uniqlo after parting ways with Nike, his long-term partner, was a dramatic event. When he was shifting from Nike to Uniqlo in 2018, there were a lot of secretive events that took place. One was during the 2018 Wimbledon Championships.

Tennis photographer reveals the secretive shift of Roger Federer from Nike to Uniqlo?

The Swiss Maestro has a big influence on the world of sports. So, he could not be impulsive while making a shift during his partnerships. Hence, the ‘Roger Federer Effect’ co-authored by Simon Cambers reveals how he coped during his shift from Nike to a $300 million deal with Uniqlo.

Tennis photographer Ella Ling, who has also captured the iconic picture of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal crying at the 2022 Laver Cup, reveals her side of the story. In the book, she stated, “I was one of, God knows, like six people to know that he was going to Uniqlo.” Uniqlo contacted pregnant Ling before the start of Wimbledon. They wanted her to do the photoshoot even if the deal for the shift was not finalized yet. Amidst the uncertainties, the shoot happened but the crew had to take desperate measures to conceal him while he entered the studio.

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She prepared for the photo shoot. Recalling the events, she said, “No one knew about it, so he had to be smuggled in because there was an Adidas shoot.” Moving on, she added, “So they put this black curtain around him while he was getting out of the car and coming into the studio.” This was the level of secrecy that eventually led to the shift of Federer from Nike to Uniqlo. However, despite the seriousness of the situation, Federer did not leave his chivalry behind.

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Federer cared about Ling more than the shoot?

The Swiss Maestro has an amiable nature both on and off the court. And that is exactly what he did while doing a shoot with Ling. She narrated in the same book that it was the first time that the two had a conversation. She stated, “But there was nothing about photography, it was all about me being pregnant. And he was telling me about his kids and stuff like that.”

Federer made sure to make her feel comfortable and at home even while experiencing a nerve-wracking stunt like that.

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