Adidas convinced a senior judge to rule against the sport’s governing bodies who had wanted strict limits to the amount of branding on player gear in a bid to prevent them turning into ‘walking advertising hoardings’.
An injunction blocking the proposals by the ITF and organisers of the four Grand Slams was subsequently issued.
Adidas, who sponsor a string of big names, claimed the ITF’s demands could not be accommodated in time for Wimbledon which gets underway later this month and that enforcing them to comply with the rules at both Wimbledon and the US Open would have inflicted a significant adverse effect on its sales.
The ITF said last night: “The Grand Slams and the International Tennis Federation have been advised that our application for an immediate dismissal of the entire adidas claim before trial was not granted by the High Court in London.
“We acknowledge the court's decision and appreciate its willingness to schedule an early trial on the merits to compensate for maintaining the status quo."
Sportswear giant adidas has won a High Court battle to prevent restrictions being imposed on the amount of branding worn by stars at this year’s tennis Grand Slam Wimbledon.
