‘Haven’t Seen King Richard..’Ex-Nike Director Dishes Out Crucial Logic Behind Signing Multi Millionaire Athletes Like Serena Williams, Roger Federer, and Maria Sharapova

Over the past few decades or so, the sports apparel brand, Nike has partnered with a number of big names in the tennis community. The list includes both WTA and ATP legends like Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Maria Sharapova.

Ever since they were in the early phase of their journey, the tennis superstars signed a whopping endorsement deal with Nike. Speaking about their collaboration, the former Nike director, Mike Nakajima opened up about the company’s strategy to acquire young talented athletes.

Mike Nakajima opens up about Nike’s collaboration with tennis legends like Serena Williams and Roger Federer

The former director of Nike was recently featured in the ‘Talking Tennis’ show in which he talked about the company’s massive influence in the sporting community. The sport of tennis has always been popular in the United States given the number of athletes picking up a racket. Notably, the sports apparel powerhouse has often targeted some of the top American tennis stars as its brand ambassadors.

Speaking of their marketing strategy, Nakajima said, “We were thin for a while. and of course, you know, you graduate to some of the couple that few Americans you know, James Blake, you know, even though we didn’t have Andy Roddick, have good relationship with him.”

The game of tennis is not confined to the spheres of the United States as a number of talented players from other parts of the globe have also made their mark on the court. Notably, Nike has also acquired some of the young rising stars from other parts of the entire sporting realm.

Nakajima added, “You know the many of the young Americans today but you know, of course, he got the Rogers and Serenas and Rafas. Maria Sharapova and then you got the guys today, you know Madison Keys and Sloane Stephens Yeah seems like I have the privilege to work with many of those athletes”

Nakajima was also reminded of a similar endorsement deal depicted in a tennis movie

The popular movie titled, ‘King Richard’ also depicted a similar endorsement deal that was offered to a young Venus Williams after the stellar display of her prowess. Notably, Nakajima was asked to give an insight into how this relationship begins at an early phase.

He answered by saying, “Yeah, it does begin early. I haven’t seen King Richard. So many people told me that it’s a great, great movie. One day I’II watch it but I haven’t. I haven’t seen it. But yeah, you have to build relationships when they’re young.”

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Nakajima later revealed how they also focused on teenagers aged 11, 12, 13, and 14 years old as they realized their potential to win various major titles. He said, “Then you build a long-term relation, you know, contract with them that along with that comes with that and that’s something that we’ve always wanted, especially with somebody has an opportunity to win Grand Slams.”

WATCH THIS STORY: Serena Williams pays tribute to Roger Federer.

What do you think of Nike’s strategy of signing young tennis players? Let us know in the comments section.