Andy Murray shuts down Roger Federer link during Hylo Athletics campaign as fans question new rivalry beyond tennis courts (Image via Getty)
Roger Federer’s business move is now facing a fresh twist, and this time it comes from a very familiar name, Andy Murray. Back in 2019, Roger Federer made a smart business decision when he invested in the sportswear brand On.
He reportedly took about a 3% stake, and today the company has grown into a multi-billion-dollar brand, competing closely with giants like Nike and Adidas.
Now, years after their intense on-court battles, Andy Murray has stepped into a new space that brings their rivalry back into conversation, but in a very different way. On April 1, Murray appeared in a promotional campaign for Hylo Athletics, and the timing, tone, and message quickly grabbed attention.The video looked like a press conference, but things did not go smoothly. There were small mistakes, awkward moments, and even parts of the stage breaking. A cameraman appeared on screen, and someone in the background looked half-asleep. It all felt messy on purpose, almost like Murray was making fun of how big announcements usually happen.
Andy Murray shuts down Roger Federer rivalry talk during Hylo Athletics campaign launch
During the mock press conference, reporters kept linking Murray’s new deal to Federer’s success with On.
One question directly connected his move to their past rivalry.Murray quickly stepped in and stopped it.“This has nothing to do with Roger’s success in the running industry,” he said clearly.Even when reporters pushed again, asking if this was a new kind of rivalry after retirement, Murray stayed firm.“I want to make this very clear, it’s not about him,” he said, before giving a small smile that suggested he understood why people were asking.
Their history explains the curiosity. Federer leads their head-to-head record 14-11, and he won all three of their Grand Slam final meetings. But Murray had his own big moment at the London 2012 Olympics, where he beat Federer to win gold.Looking back, Murray admitted building a close bond with a direct rival at the top level was never easy.“We had some good matches. I like to think I did alright. I mean, I did win Wimbledon and the Olympics,” he said.
Andy Murray focuses on eco-friendly Hylo Athletics project while exploring padel and post-retirement business ventures
While the video was fun and chaotic, the product behind it carries a serious message. Hylo Athletics is focused on making running shoes using natural materials like castor beans, corn, and seaweed.The brand says each pair creates about 19.84 pounds of carbon emissions. That is lower than many traditional running shoes, which can go above 30 pounds. This eco-friendly idea is what sets the company apart in a crowded market.Murray is also not alone in backing the brand. Footballer Patrick Bamford is also involved, showing that interest in the project is growing.Since retiring after the Paris 2024 Olympics, Murray has stayed busy. He has invested in different ventures, including Game4Padel, and has spent more time playing padel himself.In fact, when asked who he would like to partner with in padel, Murray gave a simple answer, Roger Federer.“I play more padel than tennis now. So it’s got to be padel,” he said earlier this year, explaining how much he enjoys the sport because it is social and keeps him active.Even away from tennis, their connection continues to show up, sometimes as rivalry, sometimes as respect, and maybe next time, as teammates.
