There shall be one thing completely different about Emma Raducanu when she takes to the court docket in Indian Wells.
Emma Raducanu is enjoying her first match as a Uniqlo athlete (Picture: Getty)
When Emma Raducanu takes to the court docket in Indian Wells on Friday, there shall be one thing completely different about her walk-on. Sure, she’s reunited with previous mentor Mark Petchey as she continues her journey with no full-time coach. However all eyes will even be on Raducanu’s match package after she signed an thrilling take care of Uniqlo, turning into the primary and solely ladies’s tennis participant on their books.
It’s the second main attire deal of Raducanu’s younger profession, having beforehand worn Nike on the court docket. However the transfer to Uniqlo has been particular for the British No. 1, who was eager to turn into one thing of an innovator for the Japanese model, being their solely ambassador on the WTA Tour.
Loads has been manufactured from Raducanu’s model offers since her historic US Open win in 2021 made her an in a single day famous person. Issues really feel completely different with Uniqlo, nonetheless. The world No. 24 will play an energetic function in creating her kits, and this appears like a long-term partnership that each events are enthusiastic about.
Uniqlo beforehand sponsored Novak Djokovic, and signed Roger Federer in 2019 when his Nike deal expired. Kei Nishikori and wheelchair stars Gordon Reid and Shingo Kunieda are additionally on their tennis roster, whereas snowboarder Ayumu Hirano, golfer Adam Scott, and actor Cate Blanchett make up the remainder of the worldwide ambassador checklist.
However Raducanu is the one feminine tennis star Uniqlo sponsors, and that comes with its advantages, particularly in comparison with her time at Nike. She continued: “All the things is tailor-made to you. You’re feeling particular, like there’s much more consideration to element. Simply with the ability to really feel like what you’re carrying is exclusive … you are feeling prefer it matches you, moderately than … not everybody has their very own package at Nike.
Emma Raducanu is the one feminine tennis participant sponsored by Uniqlo (Picture: Uniqlo)
“And I feel there are such a lot of gamers, that some wish to stand out — or they wish to have one thing that matches them or fits them somewhat bit higher — whether or not that’s garments, whether or not that’s the surroundings or the assist that you just get one-to-one.”
She’s not the one tennis star to maneuver away from Nike in recent times. Fellow British No. 1 Jack Draper moved to Vuori final summer time, and classy American Frances Tiafoe switched to Lululemon initially of 2025. Whereas Raducanu is “grateful” for every part Nike did for her, leaving the enduring sportswear model has its perks.
“Generally with bolder patterns or bolder colors and prints, it wasn’t essentially my model. So there’s just a bit little bit of friction possibly internally, however you continue to put on it and also you don’t suppose twice about it,” she mentioned.
On the current Australian Open, Raducanu wore the identical violet-and black gown as Amanda Anisimova and countrywoman Katie Boulter. Madison Keys and Mirra Andreeva had been amongst those that wore a really related neon model.
As for her new take care of Uniqlo, Raducanu added: “Since being in these garments, I really feel every part I placed on is synonymous with myself.”
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