Although Polo Ralph Lauren might beat out Lacoste by becoming the leading apparel sponsor for the US Open, Lacoste replied by announcing its cooperation with 22-year-old tennis star Andy Roddick. It was confirmed that the athlete will join Lacoste’s roster of sponsored sportsmen by signing the five-year-old contract. The terms are not known, but it is said that the deal is about $5 mln. per year. This contract will help rise the Lacoste reputation on the tennis arena – Roddick is the only athlete of such class that is sponsored by the company.

Roddick has previously been sponsored by Reebok – his contract expires on May 1. Some sources also reported that Nike was seeking to work with the tennis player, but French fashion empire was the first one.

Roddick seams to like to “crocodile” company calling Lacoste "an excellent company with a great tennis history and awesome clothing."

The Reebok contract was singed by Roddick in May 2000. This year the company decided not to renew it without giving any concrete explanation, and just saying that it was “a business decision”.

"Throughout our relationship, Andy has always been a loyal ambassador for the brand and has continuously proven himself to be a player capable of bringing intense energy and excitement back into the sport of tennis, with a talent and charisma to forever change the game," Reebok said in a statement.