Former Nike director of tennis Mike Nakajima believes Rafael Nadal never really wanted to reach the marketing heights that Roger Federer did. According to Forbes, Federer earned $90 from endorsement and marketing deals from him last year, while Nadal raked in around $25 million.
Like Federer, Nadal has always enjoyed a solid reputation and is considered one of the most likeable players in tennis history. But when it comes to marketability, Federer was always way ahead of Nadal.. “I’m not sure Rafa wants to be the highest paid sponsor in the world.
I don’t think you care. Rafa is Rafa, she has done very well and I don’t think she needs anything else. Roger wanted to be marketed, so he appealed to different brands, audiences, and consumer groups. And his management company has done an amazing job,» Nakajima said. CNN.
Nakajima: Federer and Nadal have very similar personalities
Off the court, Nakajima found Federer and Nadal to have similar personalities. But on the court, Nakajima found them «completely different» as Federer was a very calm and collected player, while Nadal always showed a lot of emotion and reaction..
“Roger and Rafa, they have very similar personalities. They are two of the nicest guys you will ever meet. But on the court, they were completely different. Roger plays as if he is walking on a cloud, with light feet.
Rafa is the complete opposite; the physicality of him is just brute force. Americans love rivalry, and we portray it. People love to take sides. Go Rafael! Allez Roger! And we had a lot of fun promoting those two,» Nakajima explained. At the end of September, Federer’s career came to an end at the Laver Cup.
In the last game of his career, Federer teamed up with Nadal for a doubles match. As Federer and Nadal played their doubles match at the Laver Cup, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray supported them from the outside.
After the match ended, Nadal also broke down in tears as Federer gave his retirement speech..
