When Andy Roddick and Andy Murray take the court in their semi-final Wimbledon matchup — both will be wearing throw backs to the old-school glamour of tennis style and sporting labels of former Wimbledon champions as they try to create a little history of their own.
Andy Roddick will sport the famous Crocodile logo in honor of Jean René Lacoste.
Lacoste, known as the Crocodile, won Wimbledon and the U.S. twice, the French three times and became a member of the Four Musketeers, the scourges of the tennis world in the 1920s. He was in the World Top Ten six straight years from 1324, No. 1 in 1926-27.
Lacoste was a self-made champion, a player who won world renown through sheer hard work and devoted application rather than through the benefit of natural talent. It's seems only fitting that Roddick, another hard-working and devoted player, is wearing this label today.
Across the net, Andy Murray will sport the equally famous Fred Perry laurel wreath logo.
Perry, Britain's greatest tennis player was born in May 1909. In celebration of the centenary year of Perry's birth, Murray's Wimbledon outfits have combined elements of the classic Fred Perry look from the 1950s and 1960s — white shorts, a bit shorter than shorts we've seen the past few years, collared shirt and a cable knit sweater, all bearing the Fred Perry laurel wreath that has been the company’s logo since 1952, and Murray’s initials.
Murray, who won his first grass tournament at Queen's Cup, is the world No 3 and goes into the Wimbledon Championships as the highest ranked British tennis player since Perry, who won three Wimbledon singles titles from 1934-36.
Andy and Andy, trying to rewrite tennis history in a class all their own.
For more information go to lacoste.com or fredperry.com.
