By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
Kim Clijsters' surprise win at the U.S. Open has promoted the image of FILA.
The Belgian former No. 1 on the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) ended her two-year retirement last month and in her third tournament at Flushing Meadows in New York, the 26-year-old claimed her second grand slam title.
Her success, along with local golfer Ji Eun-hee's victory at the U.S. Women's Open, is expected to provide a boost for the South Korean sporting goods brand all over the world, especially because of the interest in those sports in the United States and Europe.
FILA signed a sponsorship deal with Clijsters in 2003, and she will earn a $300,000 bonus for last week's win.
After her win, there has been an increase in interest in what she wears and the equipment she uses from consumers in the United States. Many have also rushed to sign up for a tennis tournament organized by FILA Korea on Nov. 5. The tournament has already seen a 90 percent increase in registrants from the same period last year.
Along with Clijsters, Agnes Szavay of Hungary is also sponsored by FILA.
The company is devoted to improving tennis in Korea, sponsoring the Hansol Korea Open, the only WTA Tour event in Korea, and holding tennis club events.