Solidifying a relationship that began at age 10, Roger Federer has signed a lifetime agreement with Wilson for rackets, string, tennis balls and tennis accessories. Ranked #1 in the world, Federer has competed with Wilson rackets since day-one, signing his first professional agreement with the Chicago-based athletic company in 1997.

Federer, who is in Miami for the 2006 NASDAQ-100 Open, officially signed the contract today with his agent Tony Godsick of IMG and Wilson Tour Director Michael Wallace present. Wilson did not disclose any of the financial terms of the agreement.

In honor of this tremendously successful partnership, Wilson will issue a commemorative Federer poster to be released in April.  As an ambassador to the Wilson brand, Federer joins a legacy of past Wilson Hall of Famers and multiple Grand Slam winners including Jack Kramer, Pete Sampras, Chris Evert, Steffi Graf, and Billy Jean King.

“I’ve literally grown up with a Wilson tennis racket in my hand,” said Federer, whose mother gave him his first Wilson racket at age 10. “Having come this far, I can’t imagine competing with anything else. Wilson and I share a commitment to advancing tennis and fostering athletics, and I’m very happy to extend our relationship.”

“Roger Federer embodies everything we admire in an athlete,” said Wilson Sporting Goods President Chris Considine. “He’s the epitome of athleticism and professionalism, and he’s among the nicest, most sincere people with whom our company has ever worked with. We’re truly honored to have him as a lifetime ambassador to the Wilson brand.”

A fan of Wilson nCode technology, Federer debuted the first nCode racket at Wimbledon in 2004 and went on to win the Wimbledon title. Since then he has competed with a Wilson nSix-One Tour exclusively. The racket is a favorite of skilled players and ranks among Wilson’s top sellers. With Federer’s help, Wilson has also developed and marketed a successful line of Federer recreational and junior rackets.

“Roger will continue pushing the limits on the court, and we’re thrilled he’ll be doing it with Wilson.” said Brian Dillman, General Manager of Wilson Racquet Sports. “Wilson nCode racket technology has had a tremendous impact on Wilson players and their performance, and Roger is the ultimate example of this success.”

Born August 8, 1981, in Basel, Switzerland, Federer lives in nearby Oberwil.  He turned pro in 1998 and has set numerous records and established new standards for his sport ever since.  The international superstar is not only celebrated for his victories, but also for his style and grace on and off the tennis court.

In January 2006, he won the Australian Open, his seventh Grand Slam title.  He is the first man in almost 70 years to win both Wimbledon and the US Open in consecutive years equaling Don Budge in 1937-1938.  He won 11 tournaments in both 2004 and 2005, another record.  Federer now has won 36 career titles; second most among active players behind Agassi’s 60.

Wilson Racquet Sports is a division of Chicago-based Wilson Sporting Goods, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of sports equipment. A division of Amer Sports, Wilson designs, manufactures and distributes advanced equipment that helps players improve performance. Wilson’s core categories include Football, Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Bats, Volleyball, Soccer, Youth Sports, Uniforms/Apparel, Golf, Footwear, and Racquet Sports (Tennis, Racquetball, Squash, Badminton and Platform Tennis).