Issue link: http://itf.uberflip.com/i/366594
ITFWORLD SUMMER 2014 9 www.itftennis.com T he Japanese clothing company became title sponsor of what is now the UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour and also of the year-end wheelchair doubles finale, now the UNIQLO Wheelchair Doubles Masters. Uniqlo also signed as an international sponsor of the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters, the year-end singles event. The partnership was announced ahead of Wimbledon at a press conference in Stoke Park, near London, attended by Uniqlo's three global brand ambassadors, Novak Djokovic, Kei Nishkori and fellow Japanese star Shingo Kunieda. "It's a milestone day in the history of wheelchair tennis, which is one of the fastest growing Paralympic sports and is played in over 40 countries around the world," said ITF Executive Vice President Juan Margets at the announcement. "The corporate mission of Uniqlo and their parent company is to enrich the lives of people everywhere and this sponsorship certainly gives the opportunity to expand that mission." Uniqlo's parent company, Fast Retailing, has as its mission statement 'Changing clothes. Changing conventional wisdom. Change the world.' Starting in Japan and now a global brand, Uniqlo has 1300 stores in 16 countries. Fast Retailing Chairman, President & CEO Tadashi Yanai said, "We are extremely pleased to have partnered with the International Uniqlo and the ITF started a three-year sponsorship agreement for the ITF's major wheelchair tennis properties in June. Tennis Federation as the title sponsor of the Wheelchair Tennis Tour. Shingo Kunieda, Japan's two-time Paralympic champion and wheelchair world No. 1, seven-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic and Japanese No. 1 Kei Nishikori are already Uniqlo Global Brand Ambassadors, and we wish to use the sponsorship of the Wheelchair Tennis Tour to help increase the popularity of the sport worldwide." "To me as a tennis player watching Shingo and watching all the wheelchair tennis players it's like watching heroes," said Djokovic. "Their desire, their will to play, the determination, their discipline, just the general positive energy that they bring on the court is tremendous, it is something that is definitely leaving its mark on the sport. I'm really privileged to be here and be a part of this great event announcing a partnership that will, hopefully, bring a lot of success to the sport." Djokovic and Nishikori, who joined Kunieda for a hit at Stoke Park, have both tried wheelchair tennis and admitted they found it hard to adjust to the new demands it placed on their bodies and skills. ITF Wheelchair World Champion Kunieda said, "I have been working with Uniqlo since 2009 and I have been receiving tremendous support from them. I am very delighted they are supporting wheelchair tennis and like to raise the level of tennis overall." UniqlO spOnsOrs wheelchair tennis "It's a milestone day in the history of wheelchair tennis, which is one of the fastest growing Paralympic sports and is played in over 40 countries around the world." - Juan Margets, ITF Executive Vice President Netherlands' Marjolein Buis on court with Uniqlo signage Uniqlo Ambassadors Kei Nishikori, Shingo Kunieda and Novak Djokovic with British wheelchair players, left to right, Louise Hunt, Gordon Reid, Lauren Jones and Andy Lapthorne UNIQLO