It appears that Frances Tiafoe, one of American tennis’s brightest stars, might be gearing up for a sponsorship shakeup. The 2024 US Open semifinalist has been spotted wearing New Balance shoes in recent appearances, hinting at a possible transition from his long-time sponsor, Nike.

In a recent Instagram story, Tiafoe was seen mixing brands—sporting Nike apparel paired with New Balance shoes. Such combinations are often a telltale sign of an athlete in the midst of renegotiating or switching sponsorships.

Frances Tiafoe’s on-court performance continues to shine, with his second semifinal appearance at the US Open solidifying his status as a top American tennis player who would one day win a grand slam. However, his fiery personality led to controversy this year, as he faced a $120,000 fine for an outburst directed at an umpire.

Nike, once synonymous with tennis dominance, has gradually scaled back its presence in the sport. In recent years, prominent players like Andrey Rublev, Sloane Stephens, and Belinda Bencic have parted ways with the brand. Despite these departures, Nike remains invested in the sport with rising stars Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner anchoring its tennis roster, likely ensuring its relevance for years to come.

Zheng Qinwen was featured on the cover of the Vogue magazine. She is the first athlete to be on the cover of Vogue China. It’s not surprising since she had a great 2024 season and has been China’s dominant tennis player this year.

One of the highlights of her year was reaching the finals at the Australian Open.  Following this success, she went on to clinch the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, further cementing her status as a future grand slam winner.

Zheng’s journey to success has been fueled by her admiration for Li Na, the only Chinese player to win a Grand Slam singles title. Li Na’s accomplishments have served as a source of inspiration for Zheng, who has openly expressed her desire to follow in her footsteps.