René Lacoste

Won his first French Championships at 21. Kept detailed notebooks analyzing every opponent's weaknesses. He tracked return percentages, serve patterns, net approach angles. Other players relied on talent. Lacoste relied on data.

Won the first of his two consecutive U.S. Championships and helped France win the Davis Cup from the United States. The press nicknamed the French team "The Four Musketeers." Lacoste was called "The Crocodile" for his tenacity on court.

Retired from competitive tennis at 25 due to respiratory illness. Won seven Grand Slam singles titles and five Davis Cups in just six years of top-level play. Then pivoted.

Founded La Chemise Lacoste with Andre Gillier. Replaced the stiff long-sleeved tennis shirt with a breathable short-sleeved cotton pique polo. The small crocodile logo on the chest was one of the first visible clothing brand emblems.

Patented a steel tennis racket design that became the basis for the T2000, later used by Jimmy Connors to win the U.S. Open three times. Lacoste was an inventor as much as an athlete.