"Adidas never respect players so not unexpected" - Tennis fans surprised by Elena Rybakina sporting Yonex and Red Bull sponsorships after Adidas split
Tennis fans were taken aback by Elena Rybakina's sudden change in clothing sponsor. Rybakina has switched from Adidas to Yonex.
Back in early 2020 the Kazakh signed with Adidas as her apparel and shoe sponsor, after being previously sponsored by Nike. Rybakina was even spotted in her Adidas attire while training for the ongoing French Open.
However, her clothing sponsor has now been updated to Yonex on the official Roland Garros app.
A fan shared an image of the World No. 4 wearing her new Yonex outfit, which also featured Red Bull as a sponsor, and expressed surprise at the move.
"Huh?? Saw on Roland-Garros app. Elena Rybakina is with Yonex instead of Adidas clothing and sponsored by Red Bull?" the fan tweeted.
Huh?? Saw on Roland-Garros app.
Elena Rybakina is with Yonex instead of Adidas clothing and sponsored by Red Bull ?😯 https://t.co/UZ7KQsiDRB
Several tennis fans were left surprised by the circumstances surrounding Elena Rybakina's sudden change in sponsorship. One of the fans, however, claimed that the move was not unexpected since Adidas had never shown the appropriate "respect" to the players they sponsored.
"Adidas never respect players so not unexpected same as Nike. Big blow by Adidas tbh," the fan posted.
Adidas never respect players so not unexpected same as Nike. Big blow by Adidas tbh twitter.com/sebsharfam/sta…
Another fan remarked that Adidas would have to wait a while to witness one of their sponsored players winning a Grand Slam. They have let go of Elena Rybakina, and their long-time partner Garbine Muruguza has decided to take an extended break from tennis.
"Yonex apparently snagged Rybakina for a clothing deal… with Muguruza nowhere to be found Elena was supposed to be adidas’ shining star. now they have to rely on Sakkari & Pegula to carry the mantle. adidas not seeing a slam for awhile i’m afraid," the fan tweeted.
Yonex apparently snagged Rybakina for a clothing deal… with Muguruza nowhere to be found Elena was supposed to be adidas’ shining star. now they have to rely on Sakkari & Pegula to carry the mantle. adidas not seeing a slam for awhile i’m afraid💀 https://t.co/TzqZDWrkzF
One user was left surprised by the suddenness of the move since they had spotted Rybakina practicing in Adidas as recently as May 28.
"It's really strange, i saw her practicing yesterday all in adidas," they commented.
@sebsharfam it’s really strange , i saw her practicing yesterday all in adidas
Here are some more fan reactions:
@sebsharfam Nike and Adidas just do not care abt tennis anymore huh
@sebsharfam Addidas never treated her and gave her the respect as a top player she's litterally one of the best and top addidas female tennis player she deserves a bigger deal and if there not giving her that she should find other company willing to
Its so strange seeing this..
Thats why she was never promoted by Adidas, contract was over..
ykw nevermind! She could slay any kits, so LFG!!!
No wonder she's not in the Adidas video.. but, how can you let this woman go😭 ykw nevermind! She could slay any kits, so LFG!!!🔥🔥 twitter.com/sebsharfam/sta…
happy that top tennis players are not only in Nike / Adidas anymore, cause they stopped doing custom kits anyway
at least we are a getting a whole new spectrum of kits and lets be real, some of these niche companies are making much better kits 😭 twitter.com/sebsharfam/sta…
so who becomes the face of adidas when its no longer muguruza nor rybakina ? sakkari? twitter.com/sebsharfam/sta…
Dont understand Adidas in this case..
But she added Red Bull in her port folio.
@sebsharfam I mean coco gauff has her own shoe deal from new balance and coco is not even half the tennis player elena is she deserves big deals shoe deals and endorsement the likes of raducanu is getting without even being a top 50 tennis player
@sebsharfam Adidas and Nike with the worst business decisions lately. It makes no sense
Unless Yonex had an unreal offer it’s crazy to let one of the WTA it girls go… it really feels like all the major brands are disinvesting from tennis twitter.com/sebsharfam/sta…
"If I play my best, I can beat anyone" - Elena Rybakina confident of her chances at French Open 2023
Having recently put together a title run at the Italian Open, Elena Rybakina exuded confidence ahead of her tournament opener at the 2023 French Open.
The reigning Wimbledon champion stated that while it was impossible to play well every time, she backed herself to beat any opponent when performing at her best, regardless of the surface.
“It's impossible to play every time good and feel great, but I feel for sure no matter the surface, if I play my best, I can beat anyone,” she said in her pre-tournament press conference.
Rybakina will begin her campaign at the claycourt Major against qualifier Brenda Fruhvirtova on Tuesday, May 30. This will mark the first-ever tour meeting between the two players.