Lacoste 2015 Fall/Winter "René Did It First" Capsule Collection

Everybody knows René Lacoste was the first to don a short-sleeved polo shirt on the tennis court — hence his association with the piece. But fewer know that the French great was also the first to build a steel tennis racket. He was also conceived of the first-ever tennis ball-throwing machine. Now his namesake label is paying homage to his many firsts — he was also the first French national to win the US National Championships and the Davis Cup — with the aptly named “René Did It First” collection. A capsule that’s a part of the label’s Fall/Winter 2015 collection, the ’70s-inspired line includes polos, sweats and sweaters — all emblazoned with “René Did It First.”

The nod to the tennis great can be found now at select Lacoste stockists.