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CENTRE COURT is a new french brand of tennis clothing created by a lover of the sport who experienced the blessed days when the "Rebel attitude" was at its peak.

Some players had long bleached hair, others wore earrings, neon colors or denim shorts. Their games, characters and behaviors were explosive. Opponents on the court during the day, they could meet in the evening after their matches to play music together in bars. Like a bunch of friends, and during tournaments.

They did the show on court, but also outside, and we were talking about them all over the world.

They were real rock stars.

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Totally unthinkable today.

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They had succeeded in breaking codes, shaking up traditions, and making this sport even more attractive than before.

They had become role models for fans, inspirations for club players, idols for children. Thanks to their game and their achievements of course, but also thanks to their outfits, some of which, several decades later, have become cult, even iconic.

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Discovering the players' new outfits at the start of each season or tournament was as exciting to me as watching a grand slam final. Wearing them was a privilege, a pride, like an adrenaline rush.

Much like when a Superhero puts on his costume, put on my tennis outfit (preferably fully coordinated), galvanized me and made me feel like I was invincible. Or almost !

I was at my modest level, ready to go face my opponent of the day, in a friendly match or in competition, armed with my racquet, my balls and my multicolored "oversize" polo shirt.

Win or lose, but in style!

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It was later that I started to take an interest in the outfits of professional players, but with a more technical perspective. All those crazy designs, legendary logos, incredible colors and increasingly revolutionary materials that we saw on the courts fascinated me, and led me to study the history of textiles, design and sewing.

I started drawing dozens of tennis and sports outfits in general, and filling out binders with my designs, for fun and just for myself.

But inside, I hoped to make it my job one day.

We were in the mid-90s, I had my life ahead of me.

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30 years later, after many adventures, I realized that the passion was still there, intact.

I definitely couldn't put this project aside, and I especially didn't want to disappoint or betray the passionate teenager I was at the time.

It is for all these reasons and many others that I am proud to present to you today, my tennis clothing brand, CENTRE COURT.

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Gregory Eche

Designer and founder of CENTRE COURT

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