By Rick Horrow and Karla Swatek
June 14, 2013
Tennis’ top endorsers are also its top players—Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and on the women’s side, Maria Sharapova. All went deep into the second week of the French Open, with Nadal and Sharapova reaching the Finals. But who has most successfully penetrated Wall Street?
Federer has long been tennis’ embodiment of luxury and class, with sponsorship deals comprising NetJets, Rolex, and Mercedes-Benz, and tailored Nike ensembles, most often modeled at Wimbledon, that have caused some to accuse him of being a dandy. Nadal endorses Richard Mille watches that cost over $500,000, but has balanced out his portfolio with deals for Kia and PokerStars.
Sharapova, who earns around $20 million annually off court, promotes Cole Haan, Samsung, and Tag Heuer, and just signed a deal with Porshe as their first ever global endorser.
That leaves Djokovic. While he failed to reach the French Open final, Djokovic is the indisputable luxury goods champion, with a portfolio including Audemars Piguet, whose priciest watch is $1.3 million, and airplane maker Bombardier, whose Global 7000 jet costs $70 million.
