The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour has announced that Peak Sport Products Co., a Chinese brand, will be the Tour's official shoe and apparel partner in Asia-Pacific beginning this summer. Look for the new co-branded apparel and footwear at the China Tennis Festivals in September, the China Open, at grassroots events and in player development programs working to grow tennis...in China.
This is great news for the WTA of course and for players who have been lacking the big sponsorships. “I am very excited that PEAK is becoming a partner of women’s tennis and will be supporting players through a new apparel program,” said Sony Ericsson WTA Tour World No.8 Agnieszka Radwanska. “China is an exciting growth market for the Tour and I am sure that PEAK will help us reach new heights.”
PEAK stands for Passion, Evolution, Achievement and Knowledge. At the moment it is not available in the US. Like Anta, another Chinese brand worn by Jelena Jankovic (below left) and Zheng Jie, or Li Ning, yet another Chinese brand, worn by Ivan Ljubicic (right), Peak will be available only in China and the Pacific region for now.
According to the WTA China currently has an estimated 10 million+ recreational tennis players. Contracts with star players garners attention for the brands inside China and of course outside but it looks like these apparel makers will hold on making their tennis apparel available to the outside world, at least for now.
Missed opportunity or smart business plan? I'd personally like to be able to buy some of Jelena's dresses.
