After a decade-long association with Nike, Emma Raducanu has moved on. Earlier this week, she was revealed as Uniqlo’s newest global brand ambassador at a ceremony in Tokyo, Japan. The British No. 1 has voiced her excitement about the start of this new partnership and reflected on many aspects of the association in an exclusive interview with Harper’s Bazaar.
Raducanu described the feeling of being the only female sports ambassador for the brand as “a great honor and a great privilege.” When asked which female athlete or loved one she would love to see in her creations, Raducanu named her mother, Renee Zhai. She called her a big inspiration in her life, who made many sacrifices so Raducanu could achieve her dreams.
“I think I would honestly love to see my mother in my clothes, because it would be such a full circle moment. Because this is what she sacrificed and dedicated a lot of her time [to] – her energy, her effort, all of the challenges, all of the hard work… this is what it was for, and for her to experience it is probably going to be really special. I’d say my mum is probably the number one,” Raducanu said.
Emma Raducanu is Excited to Work With a Renowned Fashion Designer
With her new sponsorship deal with Uniqlo, Raducanu will be working closely with Clare Waight Keller, a renowned fashion designer with years of experience in the sports-fashion industry.
“It’s a real honour to be working with Clare, who’s such an incredible designer with so much experience… it’s amazing for me to be able to speak to her and give my input, my feedback. “I saw some initial sketches and drafts – her creativity is amazing,” Raducansu said.
“From the conversations we’ve had, she’s already put together some really cool, inspiring looks that you just really want to wear. You know, you want to go out there and give those dresses, tops, and skirts airtime. So, it’s motivational for me as well. I think clothing is such a powerful tool to help you feel confident and put out a natural image of yourself,” she added.
The 2021 US Open champion is currently in California, where she has already begun preparations for the WTA 1000 Indian Wells Open. The tournament begins on March 4.
Also read:
Jannik Sinner At Indian Wells: Missing Coach & Secret California Training For World No. 2 Revealed
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in tennis, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
