Djokovic opens up about split with some of his sponsors following Australian Open

| by Balasz Virag

Following his departure from the Australian Open earlier this year, Novak Djokovic has spoken out about his split with several of his sponsors.

The Serbian has revealed details of a phone chat he made with the CEO of one of his biggest sponsors, Lacoste, which is still supporting him. Since 2017, Novak Djokovic has partnered with Lacoste and he claims the company has been sympathetic to him in recent months.

“There are things I cannot talk about before public statements are made,” Djokovic told Serbian reporters ahead of the Roland Garros. “My main sponsors stayed with me and I am grateful for it, but some sponsors I no longer have. That is all that I can say - it is not my place to evaluate whether somebody should have stayed with me or left me.”

Djokovic facing huge rankings drop after ATP Wimbledon decision
Djokovic facing huge rankings drop after ATP Wimbledon decision

“We have been in regular contact, mostly Edoardo [Artaldi, one of Djokovic’s agents], but I have personally spoken with the head of Lacoste. They understood the whole situation, everything that was happening."

“As their global ambassador, I am important to them. But their position was not easy. They have told us that they have been under pressure from the media, from some clients that maybe weren’t happy with me staying with the company."

“Challenges always present themselves, so to say, but I think they made a good choice and I am grateful. I will try to represent the Lacoste brand just like I did up until now in the best possible way. After all, it is a brand with great tradition - one of the greatest in tennis. And I am proud to wear the crocodile on my shirt.”

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