They are two of the world’s best female tennis champions who will face off in a heated match during the Australian Open final.
But there is a startling difference between Romanian star Simona Halep and her Danish counterpart Caroline Wozniack.
While both athletes display similar precision and a steely resolve on the court, the ladies won’t be matching in one department.
There is a startling difference between Romanian star Simona Halep and her Danish counterpart Caroline Wozniack (pictured)
Simona Halep (pictured) will arrive at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena wearing no particular brand
As Wozniacki, 27, arrives at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena decked head-to-toe in blatantly sponsored Adidas apparel, 26-year-old Halep will be wearing a decidedly unbranded outfit.
Halep, who has been ranked number one for Women’s Tennis Australia with a multi-million dollar salary, has evaded sponsorship completely.
Most top-ranking athletes are quickly swiped by the likes of Nike, Adidas and Asics in lucrative sponsorship deals which ensure their logos are plastered on screens all over the world.
However Halep has preferred to take to the court wearing unbranded tennis skirts and even donned a black visor with the Australian Open logo on it – which can be bought at the arena gift shop.
The Romanian-born champion is not entirely above high-paying sponsorship – she recently parted ways with Adidas after a four-year contract which ended just before 2018.
As Wozniacki, 27, (left) arrives at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena (right) decked head-to-toe in blatantly sponsored Adidas apparel, 26-year-old Halep will be wearing a decidedly unbranded outfit
Halep (pictured) has preferred to take to the court wearing unbranded tennis skirts and even donned a black visor with the Australian Open logo on it – which can be bought at the arena gift shop
According to Tennis.Life, Halep’s management tried to secure her a deal before the Australian Open kicked off, and even tried to sign on with Adidas again, but with little success.
Her simply red tennis dress attracted plenty of attention from sports fans who were quick to notice the lack of a prestigious logo.
‘Yeah, my people are working for me on this stuff. They are talking. But the conversation has just begun. I have no contract now. I’m still with no brand clothes,’ Halep said before her first round match. news.com.au reports.
She told journalists the red dress was a spur-of-the-moment online purchase from China.
‘I chose the model. But it’s plain, come on. Nothing special there. It looks good, in my opinion. I like it,’ she added.
According to Tennis.Life, Halep’s (pictured) management tried to secure her a deal before the Australian Open kicked off, and even tried to sign on with Adidas again, but with little success