Lotto Sport Italia has announced an agreement with Wimbledon, the world’s most prestigious tennis tournament, to become the ‘official footwear supplier’ for the next four years. Lotto will exclusively use the Wimbledon brand, with its famous green and purple logo, in the production and marketing of its footwear.

Lotto’s commitment to tennis stretches back 30 years. On this occasion, the partnership also includes high-profile co-operation with the ATP (official partner and licensee of the brand) as well as with several national tennis federations.

The Lotto-Wimbledon collection is made up of four models: the ‘Precise Wimbledon’ model includes supple-leather uppers and thermoformed EVA insole, featuring both a special grass-surface sole. There is also a style for clay and synthetic courts. The DTO (Double Traction Outsole) tread, with differentiated traction on the inner and outer areas, ensures excellent grip in varying conditions, the company says. To complete the 2003 collection are, for men; ‘Talent Wimbledon’, for ladies ‘T-Core Wimbledon Lady’, and for children ‘Talent Wimbledon Junior’.

Distribution is scheduled to begin with the spring-summer 2003 collection, though styles from the collection are available from the ‘Pro Shop’ at the tournament. As the agreement also entails both brand licensing and technical sponsorship, the shoe is being supplied to the 550 ball boys and girls, and other staff involved in the tournament, which takes place June 24 to July 7 2002.