Breaking news: Leylah Fernandez leads Lululemon’s tennis invasion with new signature collection

September 21, 2024 247insightz other 0

When Lululemon chose Leylah Fernandez as a global brand ambassador, it came just after the announcement of their inaugural tennis collection. By selecting the US Open finalist to lead their tennis initiative, Lululemon not only honored its Canadian roots but also capitalized on the sport’s global stage. Fernandez has been showcasing Lululemon apparel since the start of the Australian season and throughout her victory in Monterrey.

“I felt like it was a dream come true when I learned that Lululemon wanted to break into tennis, and I was overjoyed that they reached out to me,” Fernandez told TENNIS.com’s David Kane. “This opportunity inspired me to work even harder and represent the brand to the best of my ability.

“They are not just a Canadian brand; their values resonate with mine—particularly their commitment to giving back and their drive for continuous improvement and excellence.

Style Points: Leylah Fernandez leads Lululemon's tennis invasion with new signature collection

“We’re embarking on a great partnership, and though we’re just getting started, I’m excited to see us both reach new heights together.”

According to Lululemon, the Spring ‘22 Tennis Collection “applies both elite athlete research and guest feedback to create insight-driven pieces that solve for every player’s need.” The collection includes an assortment of apparel and accessories for men and women, delivering four-way stretch, “advanced wicking” and quick-drying fabrics.

Ahead of the March 29 launch, Fernandez took the court in Miami wearing the new collection. Although her opening-round exit at the hands of Karolina Muchova didn’t allow for an extended look, the Canadian showed off Lululemon’s new Court Crush Dress in Vivid Plum during the match, as well as a variety of training gear throughout the week in Miami and Indian Wells.

With Lululemon also debuting a line of footwear in March, the question was if Fernandez would also rock the new Blissfeel shoes on court—up until now, she had been wearing former sponsor Asics shoes along with her new Lululemon apparel. But in Miami, Fernandez completed her look with a pro version of “The Roger” sneakers by Swiss footwear brand On, which were co-created with and promoted by Roger Federer himself.

The rest of Lululemon’s footwear collection is set to drop this summer, so only time will tell if the Canadian will go full head-to-toe Lululemon—and how the brand’s new footwear will perform under the strain of a professional tennis match across various surfaces.

The Spring ‘22 Tennis Collection will be available online and in select stores in North America on March 29, with additional pieces to be released this summer.