Tennis player Stan Smith was born on December 14, 1946, in California, USA.
He attended the University of Southern California and won the men's singles title at the 1968 US Collegiate Tennis Championships. He was selected for the Davis Cup team that year, and the US team, including him, achieved the historic feat of winning five consecutive championships. He also won the Australian Open in 1970, the US Open in 1971, and Wimbledon in 1972.
He also partnered with Bob Lutz in doubles during his student days, winning the US Open four times since 1968. He won back-to-back Davis Cup doubles titles in 1978 and 1979, making him the most decorated Davis Cup player in history.
He preferred to wear Adidas Hi-Lite shoes in official matches, and from 1971 onwards, this model was officially called the "Stan Smith." The shoes, with their simple design, slim silhouette, and elegant white leather texture, were praised not only on the court but also on the street. They were recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's best-selling sneaker, and created a huge boom in Japan in the 1990s. Production of the shoes was suspended in 2012, but sales resumed in January 2014. Since then, they have collaborated with numerous brands, including RAF SIMONS, Pharrell Williams, and mastermind JAPAN.