No need to rub your eyes; that’s not a blurry Nike logo you’re seeing. Instead, it’s the logo for a(nother) Chinese sporting goods company — the one with the largest share of the athletic shoe market in that country — Erke.
Erke made a splash last year by being a clothing sponsor to the North Koreans. And this year, they struck a deal with the ATP to become the Shanghai Masters Series’ official clothier beginning next year and through 2013. The license is worth about $14.6 million. E-window shopping: Browse the company’s Dutch website since the Chinese one isn’t user-friendly yet (surprise?).
We first saw the clothes on Yanina Wickmayer on Day 1 of the Pilot Pen Tennis tournament as she took down Tsvetana Pironkova 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 in a loooong qualifying final match. This gives the oft-snappy dresser (she used to wear Le Coq Sportif) a place in the main draw.
Everything in Yanina’s kit worked with the outfit: there was just enough blue (in her shoes, on her fingernails, on her Babolat racquet) to make the cap sleeve polo and the cuffed shorts radiate on the court.
The deets: a few more detail shots after the cut. Note the drawstring on the back of her polo, the polka dot texture on the fabric, the flaps on the shorts’ back pockets, and drop earrings that seem to be the lobe accessory du jour. Loves!
(photos by Erwin Ong)
Tags: pilot pen
tennis served fresh 
September 9, 2009 at 12:37 pm |
Hey! I want those shorts and I went to the Dutch site: if that site is user friendly I am Serena Williams…any ideas on how to get these shorts? I love them but they will never look as good on me as they do on Wickmayer. She played great today and I wish her LUCK and GREAT PLAYING in the semis.
September 17, 2009 at 1:09 pm |
Do not read so much. -:))
Your Dutch tennis player Sluiter is also with Erke.
September 17, 2009 at 1:08 pm |
Shoes are Asics, although Erke has great sport shoe collection.
October 17, 2009 at 6:13 pm |
[…] third outfit (see first and second) keeps with the same teal color scheme, but adds asymmetrical color blocking on that […]
January 26, 2010 at 1:00 pm |
Der Sir,
This is Aqeel Khan from Pakistan. I am Pakistan No.1 national player for the last 8 years. My International ranking is 612 and my best raking was 360 the year 2005. I have won two future tournaments in India and Pakistan last year. I would like to mention that I am the gold medalist in the 1st Islamic Games in the year 2004 at Saudi Arabia. I am the key member of Pakistan Davis Cup team and had won critical matches for Pakistan. In the year 2005 we played against Chile in the World Qualifying Play off Davis Cup tie at Chile. I am seeking for help ERKE for the product. We can wear your product and promote your product in many occasions in team and individual event opening ceremony of Davis cup etc
Future plan and tournaments
We have a Davis cup match against Hong Kong in March .We are three khan brothers representing a Davis cup team against Hong Kong
Our Davis cup teams are interested to wear your product and we can promote your product. We can wear your product on Davis cup matches and opening ceremony
We are playing futures in Asia and we have a second Davis cup tie against new Zealand or sirlanka in July.. After this we have an Asian games and common wealth games coming. This year…
If you need any further information please feel free for contact me at any time.
Looking forward rd to get a positive response.
With best regards,
October 30, 2010 at 9:47 am |
sporting goods that are china made are sometims of very good quality too *
July 9, 2011 at 11:13 am |
Good day! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my good old room mate! He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this post to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!
July 5, 2018 at 12:40 am |
Hello Dear, Nice articles . I’m very happy to read your website.