René Lacoste
Jean René Lacoste (2 July 1904 – 12 October 1996) was a French tennis player and seven-time Grand Slam singles champion. Nicknamed “Le Crocodile,” he was a member of France’s renowned “Four Musketeers” of the 1920s. After retiring from competition, Lacoste founded the sportswear brand that bears his name.
Tennis career
Lacoste began playing at age 15 and turned amateur in 1919. He reached his first Grand Slam singles final at the 1924 French Championships and Wimbledon, losing both to Jean Borotra. Ranked world No. 1 in 1926 and 1927, Lacoste won seven major singles titles:
- French Championships: 1925, 1927, 1929
- Wimbledon: 1925
- US Championships: 1926, 1927
He also captured three major doubles titles and helped France win the Davis Cup in 1927 and 1928.
Business and legacy
In 1933 Lacoste launched his eponymous apparel company, introducing the crocodile logo. He later designed an innovative steel tennis racquet in 1963, used to win numerous major titles through the 1970s. Inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1976, Lacoste died in 1996 at age 92.
Grand Slam finals
Singles: 11 (7 titles, 4 runners-up)
| Year | Tournament | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1924 | French Championships | Jean Borotra | 5–7, 4–6, 6–0, 7–5, 2–6 | Runner-up |
| 1924 | Wimbledon | Jean Borotra | 1–6, 6–3, 1–6, 6–3, 4–6 | Runner-up |
| 1925 | French Championships | Jean Borotra | 7–5, 6–1, 6–4 | Winner |
| 1925 | Wimbledon | Jean Borotra | 6–3, 6–3, 4–6, 8–6 | Winner |
| 1926 | US Championships | Jean Borotra | 6–4, 6–0, 6–4 | Winner |
| 1926 | French Championships | Henri Cochet | 2–6, 4–6, 3–6 | Runner-up |
| 1927 | French Championships | Bill Tilden | 6–4, 4–6, 5–7, 6–3, 11–9 | Winner |
| 1927 | US Championships | Bill Tilden | 11–9, 6–3, 11–9 | Winner |
| 1928 | French Championships | Henri Cochet | 7–5, 3–6, 1–6, 3–6 | Runner-up |
| 1929 | French Championships | Jean Borotra | 6–3, 2–6, 6–0, 2–6, 8–6 | Winner |
| 1928 | Wimbledon | Henri Cochet | 6–1, 4–6, 6–4, 6–2 | Winner |
Doubles: 4 (3 titles, 1 runner-up)
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponents | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1925 | French Championships | Jean Borotra | Jacques Brugnon / Henri Cochet | 7–5, 4–6, 6–3, 2–6, 6–3 | Winner |
| 1925 | Wimbledon | Jean Borotra | John Hennessey / Raymond Casey | 6–4, 11–9, 4–6, 1–6, 6–3 | Winner |
| 1929 | French Championships | Jean Borotra | Jacques Brugnon / Henri Cochet | 6–3, 3–6, 6–3, 3–6, 8–6 | Winner |
| 1925 | French Championships | Jean Borotra | Jacques Brugnon / Henri Cochet | 6–2, 2–6, 0–6, 6–1, 4–0 | Runner-up |