Following its sixth consecutive quarter of record-breaking growth, Swiss sportswear brand On celebrated its entry into tennis last week with a community-focused event at Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn, New York.
On Aug. 23, just days before the 2023 US Open, more than 1,000 local fans met tennis stars Roger Federer, Iga Świątek and Ben Shelton. On invited nearly 150 of the community’s most loyal fans, who kept moving throughout the day with 36 rotating doubles matches in On’s performance T’s and The Roger Pro shoes. Surprisingly, world number one Świątek and rising star Shelton joined fans for a few rallies, while tennis legend Federer took the microphone to officially announce the brand’s entry into the sport.
“We started with running, and as we continue to grow in footwear and apparel, we see a great opportunity to bring in a new generation of fans with tennis,” Marc Maurer, co-CEO of On, commented. “We’re partnering with the best in the sport. We bring innovative, high-performance footwear and apparel to a sport that craves novelty. We’re creating memorable experiences for our fans. And we’re just getting started.”
In March, On announced partnerships with Świątek and Shelton, as well as Brazilian standout João Fonseca. At just 22, 20 and 17 years old, respectively, these athletes underscore On’s investment in the future of tennis. Federer joined On in 2019 as an entrepreneur and catalyst for the brand’s move into tennis.
The Roger Pro – On’s first performance tennis shoe – was developed in close collaboration with Federer after two years of research and testing and launched in 2021. To date, On and Federer have added seven different models to the Roger collection, including the RogerClubhouse Mid, a retro-inspired lifestyle sneaker. In 2024, On will launch its first tennis apparel, which the brand announced at its event in Brooklyn.
