Tennis player Rene Lacoste was born on July 2, 1904, in Paris, France. He passed away on October 12, 1996.
He won the junior tournament held in Paris in 1921 and was selected for the French Davis Cup team in 1923. At that time, team captain Pierre Giroud promised Lacoste a crocodile suitcase if he won a certain match. This story was covered in newspapers and helped spread Lacoste's name. He was known for his tenacious playing style, but his relentless determination to stick to his opponents earned him the nickname "Alligator."
Later, the crocodile logo designed by his friend Robert Georges became Lacoste's trademark and was embroidered on his favorite tennis blazers. In 1925, he won the French Championships (now the French Open) and Wimbledon that same year. He went on to win the French Open singles title three times, Wimbledon twice, and the US Open twice. However, after winning the French Open in 1929, he suddenly announced his retirement. The cause was said to be tuberculosis, and he left the tennis world at the young age of 25. After his retirement, Lacoste began designing tennis apparel. His short-sleeved shirts made of lightweight, breathable pique fabric were extremely popular among tennis players of the time. After founding the Lacoste brand in 1933, the company's polo shirts became a favorite of star players like Jacques Kramer. Lacoste's trademark crocodile logo was embroidered on the chest. Lacoste then developed the steel tennis racket in 1963. In the same year, the company released its first tennis shoes, "Le Soulier LACOSTE," and gradually expanded its lineup. At the French Open in 1971, the company became the tournament's first official sponsor. Since then, the company has served as the official outfitter for various tournaments, nurturing numerous tennis players. In 1976, Lacoste was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, and in 1977, he was elected Honorary President of the French Tennis Federation.