NEW YORK—Roger Federer celebrated his 18th US Open appearance with a black-out.
The five-time US Open champion stepped on Arthur Ashe Stadium court carrying an all black Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 Autograph racquet rather than the "tuxedo cosmetic" of the stick his long-time racquet sponsor unveiled in June.
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Federer's prior cosmetic added classic white accents at the three and nine o’clock positions, which Wilson said introduced the design concept of performance-enhancing graphics to the brand’s performance racquets.
Federer, who famously sported the all-black "Darth Federer" apparel in New York years ago, said he made the switch back to black for two reasons:
1. He feels comfortable with the all-black stick.
2. He hinted at a special racquet cosmetic for next month's Laver Cup in Chicago.
"Same like the old one. I just felt like I wanted to have that one again," Federer said. "Played so well with it. Even though the black and white one also was great, and I'll switch back to it probably after the Laver Cup, because I have something different in the works for the Laver Cup, but I don't know, I just felt like black for the US Open at night, just felt like the right thing to do. I can't explain."
Last month, Uniqlo announced it signed Federer as global ambassador as he walked on Wimbledon's Centre Court. The Japanese brand will reportedly pay Federer $300 million, quadrupling Federer's annual apparel pact with Nike.
Federer was earning about $7.5 million annually with Nike.
While Federer fans all over the US Open grounds sport his trademark "RF" baseball cap, Federer himself cannot use the RF branding on his apparel until he acquires rights from Nike.
Federer, who still sports his customized size 12EEE Nike shoes complete with the RF logo on the back, says agent Tony Godsick is negotiating for the rights to the RF branding.
"Down the road maybe. For the moment, no, not yet," Federer said of acquiring the RF logo. "It was never going to happen overnight. We have to speak. I think Tony's got meetings here as well just to see what's up.
"Obviously I'm aware that the fans want it. I would love it. There is a process you have to go through. It's all good, you know. I hope time will solve that problem, if it is one. For me it's okay."
Photo credit: @US Open