MUMBAI: International tennis icon Roger Federer has ended his 20-year association with Nike. Federer has now become the brand ambassador of Japanese outfit company, Uniqlo.

Neither Uniqlo, Federer or Nike had made any previous announcement about the deal and it was only during the Wimbledon match on Monday where he was seen without the Nike swoosh on his bandana and the RF logo on his jacket that the change was revealed.

In a statement issued on Monday, Uniqlo CEO Tadashi Yanai said, “Our partnership will be about innovation on and off court.”

Having Federer on board will boost Uniqlo’s global expansion plan, especially in Europe where the company is said to open new stores. The clothing company already has a strong presence in China, but may face challenge in markets where Zara, H&M and more are already established.

The winner of 20 grand slam titles, Roger Federer will represent the brand at all tennis tournaments for a year. According to ESPN, the tennis champion will earn $300 million from the deal over a period of 10 years.

In the past, Uniqlo endorsed 12-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic for a period of five years. Djokovic however moved away from the brand and signed Lacoste in 2017.

Federer signed his first contract with Nike in 1994 and continues to wear Nike shoes, as Uniqlo doesn’t make athletic footwear.