- FP Movement (Free People’s activewear line) has signed American tennis star Emma Navarro, currently world No. 15.
- Navarro will wear and help design on-court looks; FP Movement is launching two new tennis sets tied to the partnership.
- The move reflects a broader shift toward challenger activewear brands offering athletes customization and higher compensation.
- FP Movement reports an 18% year-over-year increase in its tennis category as it leans into the sport.
H2: FP Movement adds a top-ranked WTA player
Free People’s performance line, FP Movement, announced the signing of American tennis player Emma Navarro, the world No. 15 who has spent time in the top 10. The deal makes Navarro the brand’s highest-ranked tennis player and signals a strategic push into tennis as a core growth area.
H3: Athlete input and new on-court styles
Navarro—who grew up and still trains in Charleston, South Carolina—said she welcomed a partnership that allows her to add a personal touch to her kits. “I’ll be wearing outfits that I worked on designing — outfits that I’m really excited to wear and feel like myself in,” she said during her first FP Movement shoot at the LTP tennis center.
FP Movement is launching two tennis styles tied to Navarro’s looks: the Crossover Set (a periwinkle racerback tank, black skirt, and half-zip vest Navarro will wear at the Australian Open) and the Comeback Set (a classic white T-shirt with a ruffled navy-detailed skirt). Navarro will also be featured across FP Movement marketing, social content, community events, and tennis clinics throughout the year.
H3: Sponsorship landscape is shifting
Navarro’s move from Fila to FP Movement highlights a broader trend on the WTA: newer activewear brands such as FP Movement, Lululemon, and Vuori are gaining ground on legacy sportswear labels. According to industry sources, these challenger brands often offer athletes higher compensation, greater creative control, and opportunities to build a personal style—key benefits for players looking to grow their off-court profiles.
H2: Local roots and community reach
FP Movement’s presence in Navarro’s hometown of Charleston—where the brand operates a King Street store and has hosted events during the Charleston Open—adds a homegrown element to the partnership. Reynolds, FP Movement’s chief marketing officer, emphasized that the players help position the brand as a leader in women’s sport and act as product testers for performance lines like run and studio.
H3: Business impact and next steps
FP Movement reports an 18% year-over-year rise in tennis sales, driven by fan-favorite styles such as the Advantage Set and the Smocking Hot Dress. While tennis still ranks behind broader active categories like studio and outdoor performance, the brand says it will judge the Navarro partnership on long-term brand equity: product credibility, audience reach, and whether designs for elite athletes resonate with everyday consumers.
Navarro also recently signed a one-year footwear deal with Asics. Her move to FP Movement followed contract renegotiations with Fila and was eased by shared representation—her agent at GSE Worldwide also represents FP Movement athletes Sloane Stephens, Danielle Collins, and Sofia Kenin.
H4: What this means for fans
For fans and young players who train where Navarro practices, the partnership offers immediate visibility—both in seeing what she wears on court and in being able to buy similar styles locally. For FP Movement, the signing reinforces an ongoing strategy: marry performance with feminine design and year-round storytelling to grow its sports footprint.
Image Referance: https://www.vogue.com/article/fp-movement-signs-tennis-star-emma-navarro-boosting-its-sports-roster
