Uniqlo has appointed Novak Djokovic, the world’s top-ranked male professional tennis player, as its global brand ambassador.

The five-year partnership will see Djokovic promoting the Uniqlo brand worldwide and include collaboration on future product lines, as well as co-developing the ultimate Uniqlo functional wear.

A preview of the collaboration’s first results will be seen at this year’s Roland-Garros French Open Tennis Tournament that starts on May 27, where Djokovic will debut his newly designed Uniqlo match wear to spectators in Paris and to a worldwide TV audience.

Tadashi Yanai, chairman, president and CEO of Fast Retailing, said Uniqlo was committed to using the most innovative fabrics and technologies to develop match wear that can contribute to the performance of a globally recognised and respected sports person like Novak.

Yanai added: “Uniqlo and Novak share a common, mutual desire to improve people’s lives and contribute to society. In addition to creating truly great clothing with new and unique value, Fast Retailing takes to heart our mission to enrich people’s lives through unique corporate activities and to grow our company in unity with society. We look forward to collaborating with Novak on a number of corporate social responsibility programs around the world.”

Djokovic said he felt “a natural connection” with Uniqlo.

“To me, Uniqlo is not fast fashion, and it’s not sports wear. Uniqlo is the ultimate functional wear, which is exactly what I need as both a sports person and an individual who leads a very active life. I look forward to collaborating with Uniqlo in the development of new products and to getting to know the global Uniqlo family better.”

GB