If any player helped a brand take off, it was Rafael Nadal. The rise of the equipment manufacturer Babolat in the international concert against brands like Wilson and Head in particular is more than linked to that of the Spaniard.
So yes Clijsters and Moya had started the work but it was Rafa who boosted sales and allowed Babolat to significantly increase its notoriety and turnover.
In an article published by our colleagues at the Team, Jean‐Christophe Verborg, responsible for player relations, explains with great precision the work carried out with the left-handed Manacor.
He also talks about this departure which changes things a little: “It took a little while to realize when he announced his career end. But we stay with him, especially with his academy. The current contract continues, we remain with him whatever his choices. »
In his time, upon his departure, Wilson had signed a lifetime contract with Roger Federer, a contract which makes perfect sense since the American firm under the Chinese flag launched an RF “franchise” in August with a 100% Roger Federer range. .
This could give ideas to the Lyon equipment manufacturer which has been quite reluctant in the past to launch ranges marked by the signature of a player before “giving in” for Rafael Nadal. A marketing obviousness but which was surely not a wish of the player whose ego lies elsewhere.
An important page is therefore turning for Babolat which will now focus on another genius, Carlos Alcaraz, the brand's sole representative at the Turin Masters which brings together the eight best players in the world.
Published on Thursday November 21, 2024 at 09:24
