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By Dennis Bray                     
 
 Photo Credit: Corleve 
 
(May 23, 2012) Japanese company UNIQLO announced today that World No. 1 Novak Djokovic will step in as global brand ambassador, leaving Sergio Tacchini. The partnership, which begins today, will be a 5-year tenure.

The move comes as Sergio Tacchini reportedly has had financial problems and just could not afford to pay the top-ranked player in the world.

A Sergio Tacchini spokesman admitted that Djokovic “has outgrown the Italian brand” and that it is "offering Djokovic the opportunity to take on new challenges and new sponsors who can keep pace with him in his fast-track career.”

Djokovic was more than appreciative of the Italian company, adding "I am proud to have been their brand ambassador for the past couple of years. We had great success together and I have only good memories of working with its team of people. Sergio Tacchini is a company with great tennis tradition.”


As Djokovic moves forward in his already illustrious career, he seems excited about signing with UNIQLO. “I am honored, and also very excited, to have been appointed as the UNIQLO global brand ambassador. UNIQLO is a cool brand with strong roots in Japan, a country whose culture and way of life I respect. I have a personal philosophy which I call ‘Be Unique,’ and this is based on my strong passion, drive and eagerness to keep improving myself. I am passionate about being the best possible tennis player, as well as the best possible person, and I have a continuous desire to help people, especially children, who have been less fortunate than I.”

Djokovic seems to be getting just what he wants out of the new line, which he describes as “functional wear.”

“I feel a natural connection with UNIQLO. To me, UNIQLO is not fast fashion, and it’s not sportswear. UNIQLO is the ultimate functional wear, which is exactly what I need as both a sports person and an individual who leads a very active life. I look forward to collaborating with UNIQLO in the development of new products and to getting to know the global UNIQLO family better.”

While the scintillating Serbian star may be switching apparel brands, he will continue to don adidas footwear.

The French Open begins this Sunday, May 27 on ESPN2, where Djokovic will be debuting his new UNIQLO attire.
 

 

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