The start of 2023, hasn’t been great for Nike and its former endorsed players. Sloane Stephens and WTA tour players, Donna Vekic, Marta Kostyuk, and Marketa Vondrousova are no longer a part of the Nike family. Andrey Rublev has also cut relations with the clothing corporation in favor of establishing his brand, Rublo. Fans are worried that tennis stars like Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu, might suffer the same consequences.

Outrage over the Nike controversy surrounding Emma Raducanu and Naomi Osaka

Nike’s contracts usually contain large reductions. For players to accept high remuneration that is boosted by incentives, they must fulfill their commitments. Ranking, participation in major events, and tournament are just a few of the performance variables that could significantly lower the value of a substantial endorsement deal. Reily Opelka and other well-known athletes have expressed their disappointment with Rublev’s choice to end ties with Nike.

Opelka tweeted, “Rublev is top 8 in the world tho.. also plays every single week.” Rublev since then has launched his clothing brand, Rublo. The company is titled after Rublev’s last name. He wants to propagate the idea of love and equality through his brand. The 25-year-old wished his company’s influence would be greater and that it would change the path of human history.

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Fans were disappointed to see the Nike deal break down for Rublev. One adamant fan tweeted, “Guy is Top 10 player plays almost every week & his personality & stance on the world is a bonus #ATP.” According to Forbes, three female athletes of Asian heritage, Emma Raducanu, Eileen Gu, and Naomi Osaka, reportedly rose to the top five on Forbes’ list of highest-paid female athletes in 2022.

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Despite sustaining many injuries this year, the Japanese and American tennis star continues to have a long list of sponsors, including Dior, Nike, Nissan, Airbnb, and Nippon Airways. Fans worry about the tennis star’s future. Here are such reactions on Twitter:

It has many fans wondering if the company truly cares about the well-being and success of its sponsored athletes.

Some are calling for a reevaluation of the company’s sponsorship policies and greater support for athletes.

One fan was quick to tweet, ” wow incredible bull s**t, well done Nike.” While the details of Raducanu’s sponsorship deals remain largely unknown, it is clear that she is a talented and dedicated athlete who has faced challenges in her career. Furthermore, it will be interesting to see how this controversy affects her future sponsorship opportunities and whether other companies will step up to support her as she continues to rise in the world of professional tennis.

The Swiss tennis ace once detailed the reasons he left Nike

Roger Federer, one of the most successful and former Swiss tennis players left Nike in 2020. He later joined the Japanese clothing company Uniqlo as a global ambassador. This move was seen as a surprise by many, as Federer had been with Nike for over two decades and had helped to popularize the company’s products through his successful career on the tennis court.  Federer’s sponsorship deal with Nike reportedly paid him $10 million annually, but the pact with Uniqlo reportedly promised him three times that much for ten years, giving him a potential lifetime income of $300 million. Additionally, Federer might have thought he could have a greater impact on the brand’s future. It appears that Federer’s desire for new experiences, as well as financial considerations, influenced his decision to leave Nike for Uniqlo.

WATCH THIS STORY: Million Dollar Endorsements, Emma Raducanu Signed after US Open Glory

Nike’s relationship with Raducanu and Osaka has been somewhat controversial. The company has faced strong criticism for its handling of the athlete’s deals. However, Nike seems committed to supporting players and helping them achieve success on and off the court. Share your thoughts on Nike’s actions in the comments below.