Ciao Adriano, what’s up? I know, I know. Them Sinner and Alcaraz kids, they got nothing on you. Don’t feel bad about it. The hair? Nothing compares to yours. The dancing? He’s clearly never been to Jackie ‘O, nor boogied with Loredana. And the polo shirts? Where has the gentle caress of pique cotton gone? What has it been of Fila White Line’s glorious pinstripe? Good guys don’t wear white, you’re right. Perhaps that’s why you never bothered winning Wimbledon.
The tennis court is a performance stage, used to say McEnroe. I hear you Adriano, the performative ones now are the PRs, no more room for mavericks, like yourself.
That’s why we cared about putting together a book about you and those like you, who could play and – most of all – dress. And we wouldn't be thinking of tennis like we do if it wasn't for you lot, and
@filaeurope of course.
It’s called Fila: Timelapse and it's published by
@rizzolibooks .
@poeticallypunk curated it and comes with over 300 pages of archive gems and writings by yours truly and many other exquisite connoisseurs, like
@frances_mrt @galluzzo.michele @antonelligram @unicamens and
@silviaventurinifendi . The design is from Milanese dons
@francescovaltolina and
@nicola_narbone at
@cabinet_milano . Oh, there’s Damon Albarn too. Never heard of Blur? Never mind, it’s all about Oasis these days anyway.
It came out over a year ago, you say? You’re right, guess I was too busy collecting Pimm’s cups to return to Wimbledon’s bar for cashback. Anyway, it’s a marvellous book, which goes well beyond tennis. Game, set, match.
