Athletic DNA
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sportswear, Tennis apparel |
| Founded | 2007 in Seattle, United States |
| Founder | Mike Calkins, Dan Willman, Karl Wiersholm |
| Headquarters | Seattle , United States |
| Products | Tennis apparel for juniors and adults |
Athletic DNA (ADNA) is a U.S.-based sportswear brand specializing in tennis apparel. Established in Seattle in 2007, the company initially focused on training young tennis athletes before progressing to sponsor select Junior Tennis competitors and producing clothing lines for both youth and adult tennis players. Over time, ADNA has broadened its reach to professional tennis by supporting athletes on the ATP Tour and WTA Tour.
Origins
The leadership team at Athletic DNA includes Mike Calkins, a former tennis player at the University of Illinois, Dan Willman, who represented New Zealand in the Davis Cup and played for the University of Idaho, along with Karl Wiersholm, whose son Henrik Wiersholm is a nationally ranked junior player. The company’s roots trace back to a junior tennis academy in Seattle founded by Calkins and Willman, which produced four top-ranked players within five years. Observing the dedication and character traits these athletes exhibited—qualities he termed their Athletic DNA—Wiersholm was inspired to name the brand accordingly. Identifying a gap in apparel options for younger players, ADNA began creating specialized clothing for juniors and supporting promising young athletes through sponsorship.
ADNA produces apparel lines catering to both junior and adult players,[1] introducing a dedicated women’s tennis collection in January 2012.[2][3]
ADNA Select Athletes
With a strong foundation in tennis coaching and competition, ADNA prioritizes investment in its sponsored athletes’ development. The Select Program offers sponsorship opportunities and apparel discounts to junior players ranked within the top 500 globally; currently, it supports more than 200 juniors and accepts applications from aspiring candidates.
Style
ADNA’s apparel is crafted specifically for athletes requiring high performance. While early designs emphasized a palette of red, black, and white, recent collections have introduced a broader range of colors and patterns featuring the signature ADNA “double helix” emblem. The brand focuses on delivering comfort, functionality, and a striking aesthetic that departs from conventional “country club” style.
Sponsored Players and Coaches
In addition to outfitting over 500 junior players, ADNA’s clothing is worn by professionals on the ATP circuit. Among the notable current and former ATP athletes sponsored are Lleyton Hewitt, Brian Baker, Alex Bogomolov Jr., James Duckworth, and Rajeev Ram. The company also supports coaches including Nick Fustar, Tim Mayotte, and Brad Stine.
In 2013, ADNA enhanced its market presence by partnering with the United States Tennis Association Collegiate Team, providing backing for players such as Jarmere Jenkins, Dennis Novikov, Nicole Gibbs, and Lauren Embree.