Tennis legends, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, have bagged a number of deals with fashion powerhouses because of their incredible on-court achievements. However, some sports fashion giants have also thrown slight criticism toward them in the past. It all started when the former tennis director of Nike, Mike Nakajima, said that he believes Djokovic somehow often finds himself in hot water as there is always a “dark cloud” around him.
Following the sharp remarks made by Nakajima, the CEO of Lacoste came to defend their brand ambassador. In the process, Thierry Guibert also revealed that their brand would never prefer Nadal as their ambassador. These comments, made by both Nakajima and Guibert, sparked a social media debate among a slew of tennis fans as they defended the Spanish tennis legend.
The tennis community reacts to the recent criticism towards Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The marketability of both tennis greats has been put into question by the high-ranking officials of the fashion powerhouses. Nike’s former tennis director’s criticism of the Serbian tennis player has become a hugely contentious issue for the entire tennis community. To exacerbate the whole situation, the CEO of Lacoste has now stepped in on the matter.
While defending Novak Djokovic, he made some disparaging remarks about his ambassador’s archrival, Rafael Nadal. Taking note of all this, the Instagram tennis page, ‘Set and Smash’, shared the controversial news in one of their posts.
They stated in their caption, “Lacoste CEO Thierry Guibert 🇫🇷 has come to Novak Djokovic’s 🇷🇸 defence and revealed the French clothing brand “would never choose Rafael #Nadal 🇪🇸” to be their ambassador.”
View this post on Instagram
A slew of fans stormed to the comments section to react to the same while defending the Spaniard.
Here’s what fans have to say about the recent controversy surrounding Djokovic and Nadal,
“this type of statement coming from Lacoste’s CEO just shows how Lacoste is miles away from the sport environment and context….I bet he doesn’t even know how tennis works… total shame”
“Saying he would never choose Rafa is like saying he would never choose Jordan. Ridiculous.”
“And Rafa would never choose Lacoste”
“So, are you announcing that you are Pro-Covid Fleet! I think I’ll Sail with Rafa”
“Ye that Nakajima dude forgot to tell that Nike tried twice to get Novak but he rejected… He got a dark cloud in his head”
“I respect Novak and what he stands for.”
“Nike might consider giving attention to the dark cloud they created around their brand.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“I would never choose Lacoste periodt. felle And since they have Djokovic, what even is Lacoste?”
“Wow I’d very very very much rather choose Rafa of Roger or Andy or Botic or Gijs or Tallon or Tim”
While Nakajima has made some criticizing remarks about Djokovic, he might have a different viewpoint toward other tennis greats. Notably, he recently showered praise on the American tennis legend, Andre Agassi’s fashion sense, and his brash attitude on the tennis court.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Watch this story – ‘Why Is His Brother Taking a Video..Sweet Home Alabama?’ – Tennis Fans React Hilariously to Unearthed Novak Djokovic Underwear Photo
What do you think of the recent controversy surrounding Djokovic and Nadal? Let us know in the comments section.