French luxury sports brand Lacoste recently faced embarrassment after mistakenly releasing a tracksuit meant to celebrate Novak Djokovic’s anticipated 25th Grand Slam victory. The premature launch occurred due to a technical error, resulting in the tracksuit being listed for sale on Lacoste’s US website before Djokovic had achieved this milestone.
Djokovic and Lacoste have had a partnership since 2017, which was extended until 2025 last year. The special edition tracksuit, priced at $350, features a fleece design with the number ‘25’ prominently displayed along with Lacoste’s signature crocodile logo. This design implied Djokovic had already secured his 25th Grand Slam title, which would surpass Margaret Court’s record of 24 singles titles.
However, Djokovic has struggled to win his 25th title since his 24th Grand Slam victory at the 2023 US Open. He suffered a semifinal defeat at the 2024 Australian Open to Jannik Sinner and had to withdraw from the French Open due to a knee injury, which led to his eventual surgery. As a result, the release of the tracksuit was not only premature but also a reminder of his recent challenges.
Lacoste’s CEO Thierry Guibert took to social media on June 20 to apologize for the error, attributing it to IT issues. Guibert emphasized that the mistake was unintentional and expressed regret for any confusion it may have caused.
Due to his recent knee surgery, Djokovic is expected to miss the Wimbledon Championships as he recovers. Meanwhile, the Olympic Committee of Serbia has confirmed his participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics, indicating a hopeful return to the sport later in the year.
In a related note, Djokovic remained discreet about any potential custom designs for a celebratory jacket marking his 25th Grand Slam victory. He expressed gratitude for the positive reception of previous custom designs by Lacoste, which have become popular among fans. This ongoing collaboration underscores the strong relationship between the tennis star and the iconic brand.
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