Tennis is Fashion’s Favorite Sport
The search for 'tennis' and 'tennis core' has gone up 80%, and that's all due to it-girl and movie star Zendaya starring in Luca Guadanino's new tennis flick, "Challengers," alongside Mike Faist and Josh O'Connor. Although the movie isn't out yet, it has garnered a lot of excitement with its sexy trailer and intriguing storyline. And finally, people are seeing (what I already knew) that tennis is, in fact, an exciting and sexy sport. And in the last few years, fashion has been loving it as well.
While Zendaya is regarded as a fashion icon, her addition isn't the only reason tennis is so fashionable, especially in the film. The movie's infusion of style is primarily credited to the exclusive designs crafted by Jonothan Anderson and his creative direction at the fashion house Loewe.
Image Courtesy: Brendon Thorne / Getty Images
Loewe is known for its unique spin on regular clothing. Anderson said that inspiration was taken from John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States and a tennis fanatic.
It was an interesting choice for the film to exclusively collaborate with Loewe, especially considering the existence of another luxury sportswear brand, Lacoste. Established by tennis player René Lacoste in 1933, Lacoste has offered sporty clothing, shoes, and accessories for decades. Still, despite Lacoste's long-standing reputation in sporty attire, the intersectionality of tennis and high fashion has increased in the last few years.
One example is Miu Miu's tennis-influenced fashion show for the fall/winter '22 season. The collection, down to its preppy style and "Wimbledon" whites, was laced with tennis inspiration.
In September 2023, creative director Johnny Schwartz took his brand, YONY, to New York Fashion Week and the tennis courts. The Spring '24 collection was held at Manhattan's elite tennis club, Town Tennis, and had characteristics influence by the classy, charming aesthetic of the Kennedy era, 60's preppy style.
Image Courtesy: YONY NYFW SS24 / Aidan Gibney
In the same season, British rapper and Creative Director Skepta served with some tennis inspiration, transforming its venue at London Fashion Week into a tennis court and Wimbledon-inspired scoreboard. The models strutted sporty pieces such as Mains-branded tennis rackets and trainers.
In addition to designers taking inspiration from the global and beloved sport, many brands have enlisted players as brand ambassadors.
Jannik Sinner, an Italian player, became the poster boy for the Italian brand Gucci in July 2022. Since then, he has been wearing Gucci on the court when accepting trophies, like the cardigan he wore after winning the Australian Open, off the court on the cover of magazines, and when attending fashion shows for the brand.
At last year's Wimbledon, Sinner gave us one of the most iconic tennis and high-fashion moments by walking onto the court with his custom Gucci bag.
Image Courtesy: Zac Goodwin / AP
American player Taylor Fritz took some time off from playing to walk in the Hermes Winter Men's collection. Although the collection didn't have designs inspired by the sport, Fritz was the talk of the show during his runway debut.
Hermes is not the only high-fashion brand that noticed Fritz. He was recently endorsed by Hugo Boss, alongside Italian player Matteo Berrettini. Their partnerships with Hugo Boss transcend merely them wearing the Hugo Boss name on their kits but represent a profound synergy between the athletes and the brand. As brand ambassadors, Fritz and Berrettini personify the essence of modern masculinity and sophistication that Hugo Boss embodies.
We can't forget to mention the most iconic and greatest tennis player of our time, Serena Williams, who has given us countless looks on and off the court. In 2023, Williams received the CFDA's Fashion Icon of the Year award.
Image Courtesy: Taylor Hill / Getty Images
One of my favorite and incredibly underrated looks from another world great, Maria Sharapova, five-time grand slam champion, and her decision to wear personalized encrusted 24-carat gold Nike shoes at the 2005 Wimbledon Championship. As one of the best tennis fashion moments, set against Wimbledon's prestigious traditional backdrop, Sharapova's gold shoes left an indelible mark on tennis fashion and popular culture.
Image Courtesy: Rex Features; Dylan Martinez / Reuters
This collaboration between high fashion and tennis highlights fashion's versatility and adds a layer of cultural relevance and chicness to the sport, making it a statement beyond the court. Given the recent surge of interest in tennis, this furthers my conclusion that tennis is indeed fashion's favorite sport.
Strike Out,
Morgann Rhule
Boca Raton
Morgann (yes with 2 n’s) is the Web Director and a content writer for Strike Magazine. Her best friends describe her as a shopaholic bookworm who gives the best advice. Born in Jamaica, she wears it proudly with a beaded red, green, and gold necklace she never takes off. You can reach her on insta @morgannrhule or email morgannrhule@gmail.com
