Ralph Lauren becomes official outfitter of the Australian Open

By

Gabriella Lacombe

Published
Nov 16, 2020

Ralph Lauren Corporation has announced a new, global long-term partnership with the Australian Open, becoming the tennis tournament's official outfitter. 

As part of the deal, which will begin at the 2021 Australian Open, Ralph Lauren will outfit all on-court officials, including the AO ballkids and chair umpires, in a specially-designed collection of apparel and accessories.

Inspired by the spirit of the tournament, the outfits—which include polo shirts, shorts, skorts and caps—will also have a sustainable twist: all pieces will be made from yarn derived from recycled plastic bottles. The fabric will also have functional performance features like stretch, moisture-wicking properties and UV protection.

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“We are delighted to welcome Ralph Lauren to the Australian Open family and proud to partner with this prestigious global brand who have a role in some of the world’s biggest sporting events,” said Australian Open Tournament director, Craig Tiley.

“The Ralph Lauren style and sophistication will bring a fresh new look to the Australian Open and the uniform designs reflect the contemporary, playful and premium AO brand. Our shared commitment to excellence, innovation and creativity, along with a deep connection to history and tradition, form the base of this exciting new long-term partnership.”

According to the brand, the partnership supports Ralph Lauren’s strategy to "deliver sustainable growth and value creation, specifically supporting its priority to win over a new generation through high impact global events."

The deal is also set to help the brand in its goal to expose itself in key markets including Australia and Southeast Asia. Last year, the Australian Open’s global viewing audience reached 900 million homes daily across more than 215 territories. 

For the duration of the tournament, which runs from January 18 through January 31, Polo Ralph Lauren’s on-site store will feature the custom 'create-your-own' program for the first time in Australia, alongside an assortment of classic Polo icons, the brand said. Customers will be able to personalize products like polo shirts, pullovers and tote bags with their name or initials.

Previously, Ralph Lauren has outfitted other major sporting events including Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, and has had sports partners including the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams, the PGA of America and the PGA Championship, the US Ryder Cup Team, the US Open Golf Championship and American Junior Golf Association.