The Diadora Davis trainer takes us back to an era of speedy clay courts, sportswear, Swedish champions & Diadora's dominance on the elite tennis circuit.
It was 1985, A-HA had just released 'Take on me' & Marty McFly went 'Back to the Future'. It was also the same year that Sweden beat West Germany in the 74th edition of the prestigious tennis tournament, the Davis Cup. Going head to head in the final at the Olympiahalle in Munich each team boasted a roster of elite tennis champions with the likes of Boris Becker,
Mats Wilander & Stefan Edberg all flying the flags for their home nations. It wasn't just the level of talent on display that tournament though it was also the trainers on show. Each player was either sponsored by Diadora or adidas as the performance brands also battled it out on the courts of the major tournaments. The Davis Cup in 1985 was no different. As Sweden were presented their winners trophies, it wasn't just the huge silver trophy that stood out, it was the fact that the majority of them were wearing Diadora trainers. The Diadora Davis trainer takes us back to 1985 with an era of speedy clay courts and the Italian sportswear brands' dominance on the elite tennis circuit.
Above: The Diadora Davis Leather Trainer in dark blue/super white now available from 80s Casual Classics.
It was back in the 1970s that saw the competition to create the greatest tennis shoe really heat up following on from the success of the Stan Smith from adidas. It was all about performance, comfort, breathability, traction & speed. Diadora went all in with the introduction of the Elite trainer in 1976. Originally worn by the likes of Guillermo Vilas the Elite played a pivotal role in Diadora's success on the tennis world. The Borg Elite from 1981 marked the next chapter for Diadora with its flamboyant gold branding and the fact it was worn by the "Ice Man" himself, Bjorn Borg. With a unique carbon injected sole & a self adjusting speed lacing system, the Borg Elite was one of the most expensive trainers available on the market at the time. Moving into the early 1990s Diadora teamed up with the West German tennis champion with the Diadora Boris Becker trainer from 1991. 
Above: The Diadora Davis Leather Trainer in dark blue/super white now available from 80s Casual Classics. Although not an original silhouette from the archives, the Diadora Davis trainer takes us back to the colourful sportswear era of the mid 1980s. With archive inspiration & a nod to the original court styles from the Italian sportswear label, the Davis trainer is a premium tennis that is sure to go down a storm with fans of the original tennis trainers from the 80s era. Featuring premium leather uppers with a special waxed treatment & perforations to the toe vamp the Davis trainer reminds us of the original 80s styles worn by the tennis greats. Finished off with an OG inspired midsole & Diadora branding to the tongue the retro release is now available to shop at 80s Casual Classics via the links.
