Tribute Spot Features Sports Icons Serena Williams, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, John McEnroe and Pete Sampras
BEAVERTON, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 5, 2009--
Nike (NYSE:NKE) today introduced a 30-second video celebrating tennis
great Roger Federer’s record-breaking 15th Grand Slam title.
The tribute, broadcast on various networks around the world and posted
on www.niketennis.com,
features sports icons Serena Williams, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, John
McEnroe and Pete Sampras.
With a win over Andy Roddick at Wimbledon, Federer moved past Sampras
who held the record for seven years with 14 Grand Slam titles. The
victory came just a few weeks after Federer collected the first French
Open title of his career. Over the course of the past six years Federer
has won the Australian Open three times, the U.S. Open five times,
Wimbledon six times and the French Open once.
Ironically, the only time Sampras and Federer ever faced one another in
tournament play was at the 2001 Wimbledon tournament. At the age of 19,
Federer defeated Sampras ending his 31-match winning streak at Wimbledon.
The athletes in the tribute video have been intertwined with Federer
both on and off the court throughout his career.
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In terms of titles, Sampras was considered the best tennis player of
all time before Federer passed him with the 15th Grand Slam
title.
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McEnroe was one of the most prolific tennis players of all time with
seven Grand Slam titles, and has announced many of Federer’s matches
on network television.
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Williams is the most successful women’s tennis player of her era with
22 Grand Slam titles (11 singles, 9 doubles and 2 mixed doubles).
Coincidentally, she won her third Wimbledon title 24 hours before
Federer.
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Jordan and Woods, though not known for their tennis are also
considered to be the best that their sports of basketball and golf,
respectively, have ever seen. Woods, with 14 Majors titles in golf,
and Federer have developed a strong personal friendship over the years.
Nike is giving consumers the opportunity to celebrate Federer’s historic
feat with a collection of signature “RF15” tees and hats that will be
available at Nike retail around the world while supplies last.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Imagery, video and information about the Roger
Federer tribute spot and his Wimbledon looks are available at www.NikeMedia.com.
For a broadcast quality version of the video please contact the Nike PR
manager in your region or call the Nike Media Relations line
212.367.4447.
NIKE, Inc.
NIKE, Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading
designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear,
apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and
fitness activities. Wholly-owned Nike subsidiaries include Cole Haan,
which designs, markets and distributes luxury shoes, handbags,
accessories and coats; Converse Inc., which designs, markets and
distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; Hurley
International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports
and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories; and Umbro Ltd., a
leading United Kingdom-based global football (soccer) brand. For more
information, NIKE’s earnings releases and other financial information
are available on the Internet at www.nikebiz.com/investors.
For more information, including multi-media materials, please visit: www.nikemedia.com
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6000456&lang=en
Source: NIKE, Inc.
New York Media Relations
212-367-4447