Thursday, September 17, 2020 - On this day in New York history: 1927 - René Lacoste wins his second consecutive U.S. National Championships - Forest Hills, New York.
René Lacoste in 1922 - National Library of France.
Are you wearing a polo shirt, and does it have a crocodile on it? If so, René Lacoste, the Frenchman who was ranked No. 1 in the world in 1926 and 1927, and was inducted to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1976, would be proud.
Lacoste, who earned the nickname “the Crocodile” for his hard-charging and tenacious playing style, refused to compete in matches in full-on button-down long-sleeved dress shirts and slacks, and instead, insisted on playing in polo shirts.
Although he didn’t start playing tennis until he was fifteen-years-old; he went professional at seventeen, then only seven years later, retired from the game at twenty-four. In his brief and glorious seven year career, he not only changed the standard attire for gentlemen who were sprinting up and down and across and over tennis courts everywhere; but also, through the use of the crocodile mentality, he won –––– a lot, or said otherwise, he cleaned up: 262 wins and only 43 losses; 24 career titles; as well as a bronze metal in men’s doubles at the 1924 Olympic games, which took places in his home country of France.
Although the video isn’t available, all reputable accounts have established that this is what happened: on a mid-September afternoon or early evening, or perhaps, morning, the twenty-three-year-old Lacoste, more than likely donning a polo shirt, walked onto the main grass court of the Westside Tennis Club in Forest Hills, NY; shook hands (perhaps) across the net with his opponent, the American, Bill Tilden; then walked back to his end of the court and examined the strings of his wooden racket one last time before the matches’ first point.
Although Tilden (“Big Bill”) was a tennis titan, as he was ranked No. 1 in the world from 1920 through 1925, Lacoste had won the tournament the year before. When it was all over, from the best out of five sets, Lacoste had won in three straight: 11-9, 6-3, 11-9.
Six years later, after having wound down his tennis career, Lacoste would form the clothing brand which shares his surname and features the crocodile logo. Since 1971, Lacoste, the clothing brand, has been the official sponsor of the French Open, the annual Grand Slam at Rolland Garros.
Per the tournament’s official store: “Lacoste dresses the referees and linesmen of the French Grand Slam. This year, Lacoste is also dressing the ball boy’s outfits: polo shirt, sweatshirt, shorts, pants and cap will be adorned with the famous crocodile.”
This year, from the men’s section, the Rolland Garros store features twenty-eight varieties of t-shirts; twenty-one different polo shirts; twelve unique pullovers and sweatshirts; and nine Lacoste-designed jackets and blousons. No dress shirts are for sale.
Lacoste at Wimbledon in 1925; the first time he won England’s Grand Slam.
