As American actor Zendaya graces red carpets and talk show sofas for the premiere of the film “Challengers,” her fashion choices have sparked a new trend: tenniscore. From shoes with tennis-ball heels to dresses adorned with racket patterns, Zendaya’s outfits offer a chic homage to tennis, mirroring the style of the Luca Guadagnino film.
While wearing a floor-length neon dress decorated with tennis balls may not be practical for everyone, the influence of tennis on fashion is undeniable this season. Search trends on secondhand fashion resale app Depop reveal a surge in interest for tennis skirts and polo shirts, indicating a growing fascination with traditional sports-inspired looks. Moreover, the upcoming glossy Apple TV series “Apples Never Fall” and recent collections from fashion houses like Miu Miu and Celine further solidify tennis as a muse for designers.
The relationship between fashion and tennis is not new. In the 1920s, French player Suzanne Lenglen became a fashion icon by sporting Jean Patou designs on the court. Throughout history, tennis stars like René Lacoste, Fred Perry, and Stan Smith have lent their names to enduring clothing and footwear lines.
The sport has also witnessed iconic fashion moments, from Billie Jean King’s button-through dress at the “battle of the sexes” match to Serena Williams’ bold catsuit at the French Open. Stuart Brumfitt, editor of tennis style magazine Bagel, attributes tennis’s elevated fashion status to its glamorous settings and affluent clientele.
Tennis’s association with wealth and glamour has also attracted the attention of fashion houses, with players like Emma Raducanu and Jannik Sinner securing lucrative brand partnerships. Despite their stylish endorsements, tennis players must adhere to strict dress codes, as seen in controversies like the French Open’s ban on catsuits.
Yet, tennis’s influence extends beyond the court. Young players like Coco Gauff and influencers like Morgan Riddle are shaping the intersection of sport and fashion, bringing tennis to new audiences and inspiring a wave of personal style expression.