Sergio Tacchini

If you're drawn to retro Italian tennis style, Sergio Tacchini delivers it at the source rather than as an imitation. The brand grew out of an actual tennis champion's wardrobe and built its name on elegant, colourful sportswear, so the heritage is genuine. Treat it as a style buy rooted in 1970s and 1980s court culture, and pick the cut and colourway that speaks to you.

The label earned its reputation in the 1970s and 1980s as one of tennis's defining names, worn by stars from John McEnroe to Martina Navratilova. The founding ethos was elegant, stylish tenniswear, and that DNA still shapes the line today. As with many heritage brands, it's worth reading reviews on the specific piece you're after to set expectations on fabric and fit.

They were the two great Italian rivals of tennis sportswear. In the 1980s, Tacchini and Fila led the sport in sponsorship before Nike and Adidas moved in and took the lead in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Both trade on vintage tennis heritage, so the choice is largely about which house's aesthetic and athlete history you connect with.

The Dallas tracksuit, issued in the mid-1980s, is the design most associated with the brand's golden era. It captures exactly what Tacchini was about: colour and styling at a time when white dominated the courts. It remains a touchstone for collectors of vintage tennis and terrace wear.

Sergio Tacchini, born 2 September 1938, is an Italian former professional tennis player turned sportswear designer. He turned pro at 17 when he entered the Tennis Club of Milan in 1955, and in 1960 he won the Italian Championship over Nicola Pietrangeli. He also competed in the Davis Cup before founding the company that carries his name.

In 1966, Sergio Tacchini founded Sandys S.p.A., which was renamed after himself a few years later. The initial idea was to experiment with colours and fabrics to create elegant, stylish tenniswear at a time when white dominated players' clothes. The project soon expanded into ski, fitness, golf, sailing, and leisure wear.

The firm bearing the founder's name is based in Bellinzago Novarese, in Novara, Italy. That northern Italian home reflects the brand's roots in the country's sportswear tradition. The Italian identity has always been central to how the label presents itself.

An impressive roster. Stars of the 1970s and 1980s including Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Ilie Năstase, Mats Wilander, Martina Navratilova, Pete Sampras, Gabriela Sabatini, and Martina Hingis all wore the brand. Goran Ivanišević was sponsored when he won Wimbledon in 2001, and Novak Djokovic when he took the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2011.

The firm went into bankruptcy in 2007 and was purchased in 2008 by Hong Kong businessman Billy Ngok, owner of Hembly International. The acquisition came with plans to expand the brand's retail footprint, particularly in mainland China. It marked a new chapter well beyond the brand's Italian origins.

Yes. The brand is a sponsor of the ATP Monte-Carlo Masters, keeping its name tied to the professional tour that built its identity. It's a fitting continuation for a label founded by a Davis Cup player. Tennis remains the heart of the Tacchini story.

Djokovic signed a 10-year deal with Tacchini in November 2009, when he was ranked fourth in the world with one Grand Slam title. By 2011 he had become world No. 1, wearing the brand as he won the Australian Open and Wimbledon. The deal famously included revenue shares and incentive bonuses, though their association ended in May 2012.