PRESS RELEASE                                                                                                                

Melbourne, January 25th, 2010

LACOSTE signs thirteen new tennis players from nine different countries in 2010

LACOSTE is proud to welcome thirteen new players to the crocodile family.

Among the women are Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) 34^th player in the WTA, Vera Dushevina (RUS) 40^th player in the WTA, Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) 52^nd player in the WTA, and Mallory Cecil (USA) 495th player in the WTA. 

Among the men are Dudi Sela (ISR) 1^st Israeli player and 40^th player worldwide, Julien Benneteau (FRA) 45^th player in the ATP, Thierry Ascione (FRA) 151^st player in the ATP, Gaston Gaudio (ARG) 164^th player in the ATP, Federico del Bonis (ARG) 195^th player in the ATP, Jesse Huta Galung (NL) 275^th player in the ATP, Milos Raonic (CAN) 371^st player in the ATP, David Souto (VEN) 702^nd player in the ATP, and Julien Obry (FRA) 1074^th player in the ATP. 

All of these players will represent the brand on and off the tennis courts. They will join the already large crocodile family and will become ambassadors of LACOSTE’s values in their respective countries and around the world along with other champions from more than 25 different nationalities such as Andy Roddick (USA) ranked 7^th in the ATP, Stanislas Wawrinka (SWI) ranked 19^th in the ATP, Sam Stosur (AUS) number one Australian player and ranked 13th in the WTA, and Dominika Cibulkova (SLO) ranked 22^nd in the WTA. With a strong and unique heritage in the world of sports due to its origins and to its founder, the famous "Crocodile" tennis champion René Lacoste, LACOSTE today implements an active sponsorship policy.  The brand also sponsors junior players that have a potential to be future champions, such as Daniel Berta (SWE) and Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) who are both number 1 junior players. LACOSTE also has a strong presence at prestigious international tennis events such as the Australian Open, Roland Garros, and the ATP World Tour Finals which together add up to over 2 billion potential TV viewers.

 “As a worldwide known brand, we have naturally chosen players that will enhance our visibility around the globe. All of our players have a responsibility to perpetuate the values of our brand internationally and we are confident that these new players, young and experienced will do their best to continue the brand’s legacy.  LACOSTE welcomes them into the “Crocodile” family and we wish them the best of luck during the following years”, says Christophe Chenut, CEO of LACOSTE.

About LACOSTE:

Symbol of casual elegance since 1933, the Lacoste brand, built on its genuine sporting roots, offers a unique and original universe through a wide range of products for men, women and children. LACOSTE SA, animates, controls and coordinates nine worldwide licenses granted to various industrial partners: apparel, footwear, fragrances, leather goods, eyewear, watches, home textiles, belts and mobile phones. The LACOSTE brand has achieved a wholesale turnover of 1.5 billion euros in 2008. In the 113 countries where the brand is present, two Lacoste products are sold every second through LACOSTE boutiques, corners in department stores and a selective distribution network.

For more information, please visit www.lacoste.com