Tennis fans reacted to Ben Shelton’s reported departure from Roger Federer-backed sportswear brand On to rejoin New Balance in a lucrative deal. While some supported the American’s decision, others used the news to call for Iga Swiatek to leave the Swiss brand as well.

According to Hard Court on Monday, Shelton is set to leave On and join New Balance in January. The reported agreement includes a fixed annual payment of $5 million, along with a $5 million bonus if he finishes the season ranked between World No. 2 and No. 10. The deal also reportedly includes a higher bonus of $3 million if he reaches the World No. 1 ranking, making the total contract worth $13 million for him.

The contract will also guarantee Shelton his own signature tennis shoe. He would become New Balance’s second tennis player with a signature shoe, joining fellow American star Coco Gauff.

The American signed a partnership with On in March 2023, alongside Swiatek. His reported move back to New Balance quickly sparked reactions online. One Reddit user defended his decision while criticizing On’s apparel:

“Don’t blame him, they keep dressing their players like disposable vapes and the fabric gets stuck to their bodies when they sweat.”

Another user on X suggested that it was now Swiatek’s turn to leave the Federer-backed brand:

“Now time for Iga.”

A third fan criticized On’s handling of its partnership with Shelton:

“ON really fumbled the relationship with Ben.” (Translated from Spanish)

Along similar lines, a few other fans chimed in:

Ben Shelton was last in action at the Paris Masters, where he lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the final on Nov. 8.

What did Roger Federer-backed brand On say about parting ways with Ben Shelton?

The Roger Federer-backed sportswear brand On released a statement to Hard Court addressing its split with Ben Shelton:

“We are very proud of our partnership with Ben and everything we have achieved together on and off the court over the past four years. Athlete partnerships in tennis are and will remain a core pillar of On’s approach. While we ultimately felt that the proposed terms and structure for continuing the partnership were no longer fit for On, we wish Ben nothing but the very best on his journey.”

Ben Shelton’s reported move to New Balance would mark a return to a brand he wore during his breakthrough at the 2023 Australian Open. The American reached the quarterfinals in Melbourne on his debut at the tournament, wearing New Balance apparel and FuelCell 996 v4.5 tennis shoes.

He continued wearing the brand through Indian Wells in March 2023 before signing a major partnership with On later that month. Nearly four years later, he is reportedly set to return to New Balance with a lucrative contract and his own signature shoe.