Having seen three of this year’s World Cup winners wearing Lotto football boots, the Italian footwear and technical clothing company is now focusing on its tennis business.

The company recently signed a sponsorship deal with Spanish tennis player Juan Carlos Ferrero, ranked 27th in the ATP ratings. He will be wearing Lotto footwear, apparel and accessories in all his tournaments and will also contribute to the development of performance products.

Mr Ferrero has enjoyed world-wide success: a dominating figure at the Davis Cup in 2000; victory at the Dubai, Estoril, Barcelona and Rome Tournaments in 2001; winner in Hong Kong and Montecarlo in 2002; 2003 winner at Roland Garros; a finalist at the 2003 US Open and, in the same year, number one ranking from ATP.

The company has also become the Official Technical Sponsor of the Juan Carlos Ferrero Equelite Tennis Academy, a tennis school for young tennis players.  The sponsorship deal, which will run until 2009, will supply footwear, apparel and accessories for all of the school’s instructors.

The company will also be the Official Technical Sponsor at the Valencia ATP Tournament in April 2007 and will supply staff, referees, linesmen and ball boys with products for the next three years.