Ashleigh Barty returns to the pro circuit with a familiar ally and new logo.
Fila announced it has extended its apparel and shoe partnership with the world No. 1. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
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The brand has sponsored Barty since 2016 and watched the 24-year-old Australian rise to the World No. 1 ranking, capture her maiden Grand Slam title, and become one of the most well-recognized ambassadors for the sport.
“Fila has been by my side through the most exciting times of my career, and I could not be more delighted that they will continue to support me in my tennis journey,” Barty said in a statement. “They have been an integral part of my success on the court, and I am honored to continue to represent such an iconic brand with a rich heritage in tennis and beyond.”
The brand is celebrating with a Barty party and a new logo for the 2019 Roland Garros champion.
Fila will commemorate the re-signing of its global superstar by creating the “Barty Bundle” to celebrate Barty’s achievements and impact both on and off the court.
The Barty Bundle will be an exclusive, limited promotional offering from Barty and Fila, available to female junior tennis players at various tennis academies in Australia and the United States, as well as via Barty’s social media channels.
The gifting will include a custom-made Ash Barty practice tee and a face mask. Both pieces will leverage Barty’s brand-new “AB” logo.
Barty finished 2020 with the No. 1 ranking for the second consecutive year, in an abbreviated season that was disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before the suspension of play, Barty was off to another strong start to the 2020 season, winning the title at Adelaide and reaching the semifinals at the Australian Open where she fell to fellow Fila endorser Sofia Kenin.
Barty’s breakout season in 2019 catapulted her into the elite ranks of the WTA. She captured her first singles Premier Mandatory title (Miami) and her maiden singles Grand Slam title (Roland Garros), became the second Australian to ascend to the world No.1 ranking following in the footsteps of her mentor and former FILA athlete Evonne Goolagong-Cawley, and capped off her career-best year by winning the WTA Finals.
Barty has won eight singles and ten doubles titles in her career, in addition to being a three-time winner (2017-2019) of the coveted Newcombe Medal, which recognizes Australia’s most outstanding performer in the sport of tennis.
Photo credit: Fila