Tennis Agents News Big And Small

Written by: Staff on 6th April 2014

Tennis Agents News Big And Small

epa04157111 Switzerland's Roger Federer celebrates after beating Andrey Golubev of Kazakhstan in their match of the Davis Cup World Group quarter final tie between Switzerland and Kazakhstan, at Palexpo in Geneva, Switzerland, 06 April 2014. EPA/SALVATORE DI NOLFI |

The exodus of agents and players from big-name agencies to smaller operations continued as Lagardere agent Nicolas Lamperin and clients Gael Monfils and Kristina Mladenovic joined “StarWing” sports management, a management company started by former IMG and Lagardere agent Laurence Frankopan.

Another French player, Mathias Bourgue, has also signed on.

Stanislas Wawrinka is the top name managed by the emerging agency, which also has the promising Borna Coric and Donna Vekic among its clients.

“They have proven in a very competitive area that they are the best in class and we look forward to enjoying and building on this success,” said Lamperin.

As part of the move, Lamperin will also open a management office in Dubai.

Once dominated by three agencies — IMG, Proserv and Octagon — tennis has seen an increasing number of other large management companies like Williams Morris and XIX enter the industry over past years, and now an increasing number of top male players are being represented by boutique-type firms.

During the past two years, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have also started their own operations after leaving IMG, and Andy Murray established ’77’ management with his former agency, XIX entertainment.

Tony Godsick, longtime agent of Federer, said last year that “small is the new big.” The two have established ‘Team8′ to not only manage the considerable off court activities of the 17-time Grand Slam champ, but also signed Juan Martin del Potro and Grigor Dimitrov.

Carlos Costa, who represents Nadal, has also expressed an interest in signing other players.

Other agents, however, have suggested that the model can work only for a few top names, who already have few problems attracting interested sponsors.

Content via Bob Larson

Topics: Andy Murray, Del Potro, Dimitrov, Federer, Gael Monfils, IMG, Laurence Frankopan, Nicolas Lamperin, Rafa, sports news, Stan Wawrinka, StarWing, Tennis