ATP review sponsor logos
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ByEurosport
Published 08/05/2005 at 07:12 GMT
The battle of the sportswear manufacturers heated up at the Foro Italico in Rome this week, with a number of tennis players sporting oversized logos on their clothing. Eurosport's James Buddell asked Nicola Arzani, the ATP Director of Communications for E
Eurosport
Image credit: Eurosport
Normally the governing bodies of tennis - the International Tennis Federation (ITF), the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) - observe a strict code.
The ATP's rulebook states: 'Clothing designs will not be interpreted as manufacturer's logos and such can be incorporated into the clothing design.'
So it came as quite a surprise when Rafael Nadal, Carlos Moya and other NIKE sponsored players stepped out of their warm-up tracksuits sporting the oversized 'swoosh' of the American giants.
Historically German manufacturer's adidas, who sponsor among others Australian Open champion Marat Safin, have been allowed to use its three stripes in manners that do not comply with the ATP clothing rules.
But in recent weeks the ATP have reviewed their policy.
Arzani explained the tour's stance, saying: "The ATP is allowing, on a temporary basis, clothing to have protected design marks in sizes larger than normal.
"Though [the ATP] will not be allowing any competition clothing or warm-ups with big brand lettering in sizes that exceed measurements set out in our rules.
"As you know, NIKE players in Rome wore apparel with an oversized 'swoosh' logo.
Nadal and Moya both wore oversized logos on their shirts and shorts throughout the clay-court tournament.
While top seed Andy Roddick, who recently switched from a Reebok to Lacoste sponsorship agreement, wore what is deemed a traditional-sized logo of the 'crocodile'.
So is the ruling a chance for the heavyweights of sportswear manufacturers alone?
No, insists Arzani.
"In order to be fair and to avoid putting players in a difficult situation while we [ATP] are evaluating our apparel identification rules, we are allowing all manufacturers a similar exception to our current rule.
"For example, this does not apply just for NIKE, but other manufacturers as well.
"We are taking this position because historically adidas has been able to use its three stripes in manners that do not comply with the size restriction in ATP's rules.
"However, adidas has never been able to use its name in ways that exceed the restriction."
Bill Babcock of the International Tennis Federation adds: "The situation clearly needs addressing, and it is being addressed by us, the ATP, the WTA and the Grand Slams."
The ATP, ITF and WTA are to meet again during the second week of Roland Garros to decide upon the details of a rule change proposal.
But Babcock believes, "A decision seems likely before the championship begins a fortnight tomorrow."
Arzani concluded: "In the end, we hope to achieve a joint approach across the sport, a result that would apply equally to all manufacturers, and a result that would be in the best interest of the game of tennis as a whole."
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