Netjets US Summer 2023

OWNER’S PROFILE
“
NetJets allowed me to actually keep my travel supersimple
and easy: getting from A to B as quickly as
possible, avoiding transit, and saving enormous time.
director]—I think the players really love it. The fans enjoy it in Switzerland, it’s not so important to be an ambassador.
a lot and I think it’s also something that for a long, long time But I was able to sign on with the likes of Gillette and other
to come is that get-together between the past, present, and huge global brands and to start building a great portfolio
future—I think that’s great.
of partners and, with Tony, learned how to navigate through
everything, which has been really valuable.
SPEAKING OF THE FUTURE, YOU’RE NOW LOOKING AT
A LIFE BEYOND COMPETITIVE TENNIS. TELL US WHAT AND SO YOU’RE INVOLVED AND COLLABORATING
YOUR PARTNERSHIPS MEAN TO YOU?
WITH THE SWISS SHOE AND APPAREL COMPANY
For the people who know me, I always try to be the best ON AND THE LIKES OF UNIQLO. HOW IMPORTANT
partner—a creative partner who brings with them a good ARE THESE COLLABORATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS,
team and then services those with whom we work. I mean, I INCLUDING WITH NETJETS?
take this role very seriously. But, of course, it also needs to They’re hugely important. Obviously, entering the On
be fun, a “win-win” for both sides, and I think I was one of relationship has been something quite different. Being able
the fortunate athletes who was willing to wait sometimes to invest and then following them through the IPO and seeing
for a good sponsor to come along instead of just taking how the whole business is run. And then also embarking on
the first one. And I think that probably helped me a lot in this relationship with Uniqlo has been quite the mindbender,
the beginning. So, when Tony Godsick came and joined the but in a very positive way. I love working together with them
team, it was a white canvas. I remember back in 2004, I was because they believe in me in an incredible way. I mean John
world No 1 and I was playing the U.S. Open and people kept C. Jay [the President of Global Creative for Fast Retailing,
asking me, “Why don’t you have more global deals, more parent of Uniqlo] is a super-creative man. He said, “Roger is
sponsors?”, because that’s a big deal here in the States—who going to retire from tennis at one point, but he’s not gonna
you surround yourself with is who you are. Whereas in Europe, retire from life.” So, the best is yet to come. And to hear that,
as an athlete who is sort of on the back nine of his career, is
great—because we know athletes usually have a lifeline of
three years of deals, maybe five years, if they’re lucky. But
I’m fortunate in that we have 10-year deals, 15-year deals
with some of my partners. Like with NetJets, as an example—
and these long partnerships mean that we get to know and
become acquainted with the in-house teams and then be
friends with them—so much so that, in the end, it almost
doesn’t feel like work but it’s just enormous fun to be able to
create something super-special.
SPEAKING OF NETJETS, WHAT CONTRIBUTION DID
THE PARTNERSHIP MAKE TO YOUR CAREER?
Well, I’ve been with them for maybe 15 years, maybe longer.
And, if you look back and ask why did everybody retire, on
average, between the ages of 28 and 32— Sampras, aged 32;
Edberg, aged 30; Borg, aged 26—I believe it had a lot to with
travel and nutrition. Also, the prize money wasn’t so high yet,
STAR OF THE SHOW
Federer at the NetJets
Owners’ event in New
York; facing page: in
conversation on stage at
the Rainbow Room.
44 NetJets