Simona Halep is close to signing with Nike apparel for 2018. The World No.1, formerly with Adidas for four years, will reportedly make $1.7 million annually, considerably more than the $1 million per year she was paid by Adidas.
U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens also joined Nike in January, after parting ways with Baltimore-based company Under Armour.
"My people are working for me on this stuff," Halep told reporters in Melbourne. "They are talking. But the conversation has just begun. I have no contract now. I'm still with no brand clothes. I just want to make sure that I will choose what I like, and also the brand to like me. It's really important to have a nice outfit and to feel good in the clothes. So I'm not rushing. I will wait what future gives me."
There are still some rumors that Halep could potentially sign with Lacoste, and a deal with Nike isn’t expected to be made official until after the Australian Open.