The ‘Kate effect’: How the Princess of Wales is changing the rules for tennis spectators

CROWNING GLORY

Hats were once eschewed as accessories for match watchers, with regulators more preoccupied with obstructing views than the dangers of sunburn. This year, at Wimbledon, an undeterred Catherine, Princess of Wales, brought brims firmly back into play. Here are three hats that will improve your form.

TIME, PLAYERS

If you were a tennis champion, what would you spend your earnings on? Centre court has become a horology playground with more and more players spotted wearing limited-edition timepieces with grand slam price tags. At Wimbledon, Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz sported a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona “Tiffany” in 18-carat yellow gold with a turquoise dial (pictured, above and inset), which would’ve put a serious dent in his runner-up earnings if he weren’t an ambassador for the brand. At a retail price of $63,100, the watch is a steal compared to the Daytona worn by Paul Newman, which sold at auction in 2017 for nearly $US18 million. Actor Russell Crowe also wore the Cosmograph at Wimbledon, but if your budget isn’t quite gladiator-sized, consider the Rolex “Oyster Perpetual 36mm” ($10,750), which has a fleet of different dial colours including, most recently, beige, lavender and pistachio.

BEAR NECESSITIES

With Ralph Lauren now the official outfitters of Wimbledon, the US Open and the Australian Open, the brand’s polo symbol has become a familiar sight on tennis courts around the world. So, too, its active Polo Bear, which first emerged in the 1990s and is now highly visible on jumpers and tennis merch - at the US Open, for instance (in short sleeves, about to deliver a powerful serve), and now our own tournament (sun-smart, in long sleeves, elegantly returning play with a left-handed forehand). Meanwhile, an off-court rollneck jumper features two bears in black tie ready to celebrate; we may as well just call it a draw.

• “US Open Polo Bear” T-shirt, $139, and “Australian Open Polo Bear” T-shirt, $149. Rollneck knit, $1245.

ADVANTAGE, STYLE

New York fashion label Kith is reprising its winning partnership with American sports brand Wilson. Favoured by Alex de Minaur, Roger Federer and Serena Williams, the equipment and apparel manufacturer already had a strong game but is now rocketing up the fashion rankings, thanks to its latest serve of super-cool tennis dresses – think sheer skirts and cutouts – and highly desirable separates in performance-enhancing fabric. It’s now possible to look as stylish on court as off it.

• Kith Women For Wilson “Winning Tennis Dress”, $275.

BITING BACK

Tennis champion René Lacoste may have launched the polo shirt back in 1933 but, until now, there’s been little room for the eponymous brand, and its enduring crocodile logo, at Melbourne Park. (Relative newcomer Ralph Lauren, which sold its first polo shirt in 1972, is now in its sixth year as the outfitter for the Australian Open.) Now, though, Lacoste has taken to the Yarra River with Le Club Lacoste Melbourne at the restaurant Afloat, until February 1. As this artist’s impression (above) shows, it will feature a 20-metre tennis court, a French-inspired menu and a merchandise store. Tennis fans who think that Novak Djokovic walks on water can test the theory: the brand ambassador’s name is at the top of the guest list.

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