Brands
Nike Celebrates Rafael Nadal: A Legend’s Legacy in Tennis Greatness
Mumbai: Rafael Nadal, one of tennis’s most celebrated icons, has officially retired, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy of greatness. A Nike athlete since the age of 13, Nadal has captured the hearts of millions with his hallmark passion, energy, and resilience. As he competes in his final professional tournament, Nike honours the King of Clay with a brand film narrated by co-founder and chairman Emeritus Phil Knight, celebrating his incredible journey and unwavering commitment to excellence.
Nadal’s career speaks volumes of his relentless pursuit of greatness. With 22 Grand Slam titles, including a record-breaking 14 in Paris, two Olympic gold medals, and 92 career titles, he has set benchmarks few can match. Over his 23-year career, Nadal has played more than 1,500 official matches, winning nearly 1,100 of them, and has maintained an astounding 17-plus years in the top 10 rankings.
Phil Knight reflected on Nadal’s impact, stating: “Rafa has been the perfect representative for the brand. He’s embodied our mentality to never give up and is maybe the most ferocious competitor that’s ever lived.” Knight also lauded Nadal’s signature Raging Bull symbol, which has become synonymous with his unparalleled energy and strength on the court.
Nadal’s legacy transcends tennis statistics. His unbreakable will and ability to endure challenges inspired countless fans and athletes to embrace the sport. He taught generations that greatness is built on sacrifice, endurance, and perseverance. As Nadal himself said, “Enduring means accepting. Accepting things as they are and not as you would wish them to be, and then looking ahead, not behind.”
Beyond the court, Nadal’s contributions extend to philanthropy and education through the Rafa Nadal Foundation, which empowers youth through sport, and the Rafa Nadal Academy, which trains young athletes on and off the court.
As Nike celebrates his extraordinary career, Nadal’s impact as a global ambassador of resilience, sportsmanship, and excellence remains unmatched, cementing his place as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.
Brands
IndiGo names William Walsh CEO
Former IATA chief to take charge in August after Elbers exit, Bhatia steers interim
India’s biggest airline has moved fast and gone global. InterGlobe Aviation, which operates IndiGo, has tapped aviation heavyweight William Walsh as chief executive officer, subject to regulatory approvals, marking a sharp pivot as the carrier eyes its next burst of expansion.
Walsh, currently director general at the International Air Transport Association, will step down on July 31, 2026, and is expected to take charge by August 3. The appointment comes barely three weeks after Pieter Elbers exited the corner office, with Rahul Bhatia holding the fort in the interim.
The choice signals intent. Walsh brings decades of cockpit-to-boardroom experience, having led British Airways and later International Airlines Group, the parent of Aer Lingus, Iberia and Vueling. His tenure across carriers has been defined by hard resets, restructurings and cross-border consolidation—skills IndiGo may need as competition intensifies and scale becomes decisive.
Vikram Singh Mehta, chairman and non-executive independent director of IndiGo, said Walsh’s experience in managing large-scale airline operations and navigating complex market dynamics makes him well-suited to lead IndiGo in an increasingly competitive global aviation environment, adding that the appointment marks a new chapter as the airline scales in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets.
Rahul Bhatia said Walsh’s global perspective, operational expertise and customer-focused approach would be critical as IndiGo enters its next phase of expansion.
Walsh, widely regarded as one of the industry’s most influential figures, will oversee overall management and strategic direction, with a mandate spanning operational performance, network expansion, commercial strategy and customer experience. He is expected to work closely with the board and leadership team to sharpen IndiGo’s growth trajectory.
Walsh said IndiGo has a strong foundation and is well-positioned to capitalise on the evolving aviation landscape, adding that he looks forward to fostering a culture of excellence, innovation and sustainable value creation across the organisation.
A new captain, a bigger runway—and a market that rewards scale. IndiGo is lining up for its next take-off.
