TURIN, November 18, 2023 (ATP Press Release)
ATP and Dunlop are proud to announce the extension of their global partnership, through 2028. Dunlop will continue as the Official Ball of the ATP Tour, a designation the Japanese brand has held since 2019. Dunlop has established itself as the No. 1 ball on the ATP Tour, with close to half of all tournaments proudly playing with Dunlop. Events include the Nitto ATP Finals, Next Gen ATP Finals presented by NEOM, and four ATP Masters 1000 events.
The extension will also see Dunlop become the Official Racket and Official Tennis Accessories (non-exclusive) of the ATP Tour. The brand will develop a dedicated ATP product line, including strings, grips, dampeners and racket bags, plus a special fan edition of the Dunlop FX racket as used by ATP Tour pro Jack Draper.
Making strides at Sofia Open 🇧🇬
Jack Draper, at 21 years old, is the youngest Brit to reach an ATP Tour final since Andy Murray back in 2009! 🇬🇧🎾
Not only that, but he’s also made an impressive climb of 21 places, the most by any player in the top 100 this week. 📈💪 pic.twitter.com/dgGp4oA3Tb
— Dunlop Tennis (@dunloptennis) November 13, 2023
In parallel with continuous product testing and innovation, the partners will focus on advancing sustainability in tennis. Dunlop is currently developing eco-friendly materials for its tennis balls, increasing the use of recycled materials and reducing plastic in packaging – impacting resource consumption and waste on the ATP Tour and for millions of recreational players worldwide. This sustainability focus aligns with the ATP Serves mission and commitments under UN Sports for Climate Action.
Massimo Calvelli, ATP CEO, said: “Tennis balls are at the very core of our game. The Dunlop ATP ball is a consistent top-quality product, backed by continuous R&D, which allows our players to perform at their best. We’re thrilled to build on our successful partnership with Dunlop and to continue innovating together. Our joint reach across all levels of the game has huge potential to positively impact players and the planet.”
Ken Yamamoto, Head of Racket Sports Business, Dunlop/Sumitomo Rubber Industries, said: “With 100 years of experience making the highest quality tennis balls, we know what it takes to produce a tennis ball that players can rely on. Dunlop has been dedicated to research, development and listening to player feedback to ensure the very best for all players and tournaments. It is a great honour for Dunlop to be partnered with the ATP Tour, who we share so many core values with. We’re excited to continue our partnership and build on our sustainability focus, supporting current and future generations in the sport that we love.”
The extended partnership builds on a long-shared heritage in tennis. In 2022, the ATP celebrated its 50th Anniversary, while Dunlop boasts more than 100 years of producing top quality sporting equipment.
