Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer have met again on a court. It is not asphalt, nor grass, nor clay. The classic tennis colors have been transformed into the pristine white of snow, and the two great legends of this sport have become the protagonists of the new Louis Vuitton campaign.
This memorable chapter in the House’s history revives the Core Values ??campaign with two of the most successful champions in tennis history, Nadal and Federer, who are portrayed as they climb to the top of the Italian mountain range the Dolomites. With the slogan “Some trips become legends”, the campaign immortalizes both athletes on a journey of ambition, determination and discovery.
Through the lens of photographer Annie Leibovitz, and at 3000 meters above sea level, both put aside their differences to become adventure companions. A metaphor for his impeccable career of deep respect, quite a feat when it comes to one of the greatest rivalries in the history of sports.
With 20 victories, Roger Federer broke the Grand Slam record with unparalleled elegance on the court. Nadal, for his part, has won the competition 22 times, 14 of them at the French Open. Together, these athletes have lived parallel odysseys, going from promising youngsters to global icons whose impact has inspired countless people of all generations.
“I know how many important icons have been part of this campaign, so I am personally very proud to be part of it, especially to be able to share the experience with Roger; a person who has gone from being my biggest rival to a close friend. Throughout my career I have achieved more than I ever dreamed of, at the end of the day I have realized that legacy in human terms is the most important value,” explains Rafael Nadal.
“It’s a unique opportunity to work on this campaign with Rafa. It’s been great to start out as rivals and then, at the end of our careers, to be side by side in this campaign. And where we are here today, I think it also embodies everything: Being on top of the mountains is something meaningful and special for us,” says Roger Federer.
With nature as a backdrop, Leivobitz’s camera captures both athletes at the top of the mountain: Federer, with his classic Monogram Christopher backpack, a symbol of his timeless style, in line with his own legacy in the sport; and Nadal with his version of the Monogram Eclipse, which symbolizes his dynamism, his strength and his tenacity. Together they evoke the values ??that resonate in each and every Louis Vuitton design, as well as in the Core Values ??campaigns: a journey that goes beyond the physical, a commitment to excellence and an invitation to dream.
This latest campaign is more than a portrait of two men in front of the mountain; is a tribute to the values ??of the House, embodied by champions who have told their story just as they have wielded their rackets: with style, elegance and humility. With each step on those rugged peaks, with their trusty Louis Vuitton companions strapped firmly behind their backs, Federer and Nadal illustrate how every personal journey can reach legendary heights when undertaken with determination and pioneering spirit.