Article by Emil Evtimov
A rather unusual deal in the tennis world has occurred with Roberto Bautista Agut signing a contract with one of Spain’s top football teams – Villarreal CF.
The collaboration aims to bring more attention to the club through the tennis star, who was a youth player in the Yellows Academy and had to choose between football and tennis for his future.
“I have been linked to the club for more than 20 years. I am very happy to be part of the Villarreal family, to join their brand a little more and wear their shield wherever I go,” the world No.12 told the Spanish-language branch of atptour.com.
During the next two-and-a-half seasons (until the end of 2022) Bautista Agut will wear the badge of the football club on the sleeve of his playing kit in all of his matches. He will also represent Villarreal CF in public events and use facilities such as the medical services of the club.
The official confirmation of the collaboration took place in front of Villarreal CF president Fernando Roig, who handed the tennis player from Castellon a personalised Villarreal shirt.
“Roberto is the most important athlete in the province of Castellón, one of the best tennis players in the world,” said Roig. “We have been presented with the opportunity to collaborate with him. For Villarreal it is an honour to have someone who is a 10 as an athlete and as a person.
Bautista Agut produced a strong 2019 season by reaching ninth place in the ATP rankings. He reached the Wimbledon semifinal and won the Davis Cup with Spain.
Villareal paid tribute to the 32-year-old during their last Endavant Esports Gala in December 2019, where the club gave him a golden badge and the Endavant Award for Sporting Merit. The same week he took the “honorary kick-off” ahead of the game against Atletico Madrid.
Bautista Agut’s 2020 season began with 6 wins from 6 matches. At the Australian Open he reached the third round, where he lost to Marin Cilic in five sets. His last official match was in Dubai, where he lost to Jan-Lennard Struff in the first round. The Spaniard’s name is on the entry list for the 2020 Western & Southern Open, the first tournament to be played since the ATP Tour was suspended in early March.
