Speculation among fashion fans at the Australian Open is that American luxury brand Ralph Lauren has lost its contract as the official outfitter of the grand slam event.
Well-placed fashion sources have advised this column that the preppy brand with its iconic polo horse logo will be replaced by another high-fashion brand at the Australian Open.
Ralph Lauren has dressed the Open’s 4000 staff, including umpires and ballkids, for the past six years along with a roster of celebrities it invites as guests.
This year, Olympian Ian Thorpe, TV star Samantha Armytage and restaurateur Chris Lucas have attended the Open decked out in Ralph Lauren clothing for a pre-match meal in its blue and white Hamptons style marquee.
Both Tennis Australia and Ralph Lauren declined to comment on whether the brand’s era at the Open was coming to an end.
However, talk about Ralph Lauren’s future at the event is even reaching the ballkids: the young volunteers are getting a heads-up that this year’s kit will be a commemorative keeper as the deal finishes.
Ralph Lauren’s sponsorship deal with the Open started in 2020 in what was described at the time as a “long-term partnership” with a six-year contract. There has been no announcement that the deal has been negotiated to continue beyond this year.
Ralph Lauren replaced former local apparel sponsor Country Road in 2020. Now talk has turned to who will replace Ralph Lauren.
Some fashion pundits are backing a high-fashion brand within the LVMH stable to take over the contract because it is already the official trophy case sponsor for the tournament. Imagine the ballkids decked out in Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Fendi or Loewe.
But the smart money appears to be on the German luxury label Hugo Boss. A spokesman for Hugo Boss said: “I can neither confirm nor deny that is the case”, when asked whether Hugo Boss was the new apparel sponsor for the Australian Open.
The Australian Open was the third of four grand slams sponsored by Ralph Lauren including Wimbledon and the US Open. Sounds like fans of Ralph Lauren’s Australian Open-branded caps for $109 or windbreaker jackets for $579 should stock up now.
Sneaker sore point
Not everyone will be upset to see Ralph Lauren replaced as the official apparel sponsor for the Australian Open, should it happen as the chatter suggests.
Open Season has heard a few complaints from ballkids about the Ralph Lauren-supplied sneakers that make up part of their kit.
The “Polo Ballperson Sneakers” in bright blue and yellow, with a Hawaiian-style flower stripe, are available for purchase by the public for $369, but are given to the ballkids as part of their uniform.
Unfortunately, the sneakers have proved to be more high fashion than high function, and the ballkids have been cutting a fast track to the physio with sneaker-induced injuries. Ralph Lauren declined to comment.
Let’s hope the next Australian Open apparel sponsor focuses more on a comfy cushioned shoe for the hard-working ballkids.
Olympians, a retail kingpin and real estate chatter
It’s no secret that Chemist Warehouse co-founder Mario Verrocchi has been riding high since the company made its way onto the Australian stock market early last year, thanks to a reverse takeover of the pharmacy player, Sigma.
The deal, which valued the combined companies about $34 billion, has already offered plenty of upside. Verrocchi and his co-founders, Jack and Sam Gance, reportedly offloaded $729 million worth of shares in the company last August, on the heels of a bumper earnings result. Not a bad start.
But for Verrocchi, the benefits have extended beyond cash. The lifestyle that comes with it isn’t bad either.
On Wednesday, the retail kingpin was among a crop of executives and athletes, hosted by Hamish McLachlan, who descended on Chemist Warehouse’s sponsored terrace at the Australian Open. Perched above the retailer’s pop-up shop next to Rod Laver Arena, some of Australian sport’s biggest names trickled in for an early sip – though most of them gave the champagne a miss – and some nibbles.
The corporate contingent was represented by Verrocchi, Chemist Warehouse deputy chief executive Mario Tascone and Tony Bassaly, who, following the merger, was promoted to be managing director of Sigma’s franchise brands.
The suits could be seen pressing the flesh with a high-profile cast of sporting names, who turned out to make the most of Chemist Warehouse’s corporate hospitality, which has extended to all manner of sporting tie-ups.
Along with McLachlan, some of the names to turn up included the Australian lightweight boxer and media personality Harry Garside, Olympic gold medallist Noémie Fox, former AFL player Dale Thomas and Olympian Peter Bol.
For good measure, there was also a decent showing from the NRL. Their contingent included NRLW stars Kezie Apps and Jess Sergis, and former Roosters player and NSW coach Brad Fittler. Chooks chairman Nick Politis was also seen around the grounds on Tuesday, and was spotted watching Alexander Zverev face off against Learner Tien, but was not to be seen the following morning.
While McLachlan was on hosting duties, it was Fittler who was holding court in the corner of the terrace, which overlooks Grand Slam Oval. Among those keen to keep his company was Bassaly, who, like Fittler, is a Sydneysider – and the semi-recent buyer of a $25 million mansion in the harbour city’s gilded eastern suburbs.
Of course, the pair could be overheard talking Bronte real estate. What else? You can take the boys out of Sydney, but even the Open couldn’t distract them from beachside developments.
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John Buckley is a CBD columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Connect via email.
