Wimbledon champion brutally dropped by Nike and forced to play in unbranded kit

Marketa Vondrousova lifted the Wimbledon trophy while wearing an unbranded tennis kit after Nike dropped her during her injury layoff.

Marketa Vondrousova won the Wimbledon title in an unbranded kit with only the logos of her sponsors on show after being brutally dropped by Nike last year. The 24-year-old became the first unseeded woman in the Open Era to lift the trophy at SW19. And she donned old Nike wristbands, a visor and a jumper after the match despite no longer having a contract with the sportswear band.

Vondrousova downed Jabeur 6-4 6-4 to win her maiden Wimbledon title at the age of 24. It comes just a year after the world No 42 underwent wrist surgery and skipped last year’s Championships because she was in a cast.

During her injury layoff, the Czech player was also dropped by Nike after being sponsored by the clothing giant for four years – including during her run to the 2019 French Open final where she lost to Ash Barty. And it meant that she won the Wimbledon title in an unmarked white vest and skirt, with the logos of two of her sponsors across her chest.

Vondrousova did use some of her old Nike stuff, including a NikeCourt pullover that she wore during the trophy ceremony. But the newly-crowned champion confirmed that she was without a sponsor ahead of the final. “Yeah, the contract finished last year,” she said after beating Elina Svitolina in the semi-final