Wimbledon is the new runway: Tenniscore is here to serve!

If you're drawn to an athletic aesthetic, there's a standout trend you should be eyeing this season: Tenniscore. 

As Wimbledon kicks off and the weather cooperates, Zendaya's stylish Challengers wardrobe offers endless inspiration for embracing centre-court chic.

Tennis enthusiasm isn't limited to sports enthusiasts anymore. StockX reports a 35% year-over-year increase in trades of tennis shoes, and Parisian fashion brand Casablanca, known for its tennis-inspired designs and country club aesthetic, gained significant traction in the last few months. 

Originally launched as an in-store campaign with retail giant Nordstrom, the initiative was so successful that it became the central imagery for Casablanca's website and social media platforms.

On Depop, classic court-side brands like Ralph Lauren, Slazenger, Fred Perry, and Adidas Stan Smith are generating significant buzz. Depop data shows searches for brands such as Slazenger and Adidas up by more than 90% this month, with specific items like tennis skirts and polo shirts also seeing a rise of over 50%. The Instagram account Data, But Make It Fashion highlights an 80% increase in the popularity of tennis style, while Pinterest trends show a surge in searches for ‘black tennis skirt outfits,’ ‘tennis skirt outfits,’ and ‘v-neck sweaters.’

@databutmakeitfashion on Instagram ran a sentiment analysis on hundreds of online posts referencing tennis style and compared average popularity levels one month ago versus today (March 1 - March 29)

Lacoste made a striking comeback on the Paris Fashion Week runway this season, unveiling its latest collection under new creative director Pelagia Kolotouros at the renowned Roland Garros Stadium. The show celebrated the brand's iconic sporty style, blending pleated miniskirts and tennis-inspired greens with sophisticated polos and knitwear. Meanwhile, other high-fashion houses like Miu Miu, Celine, Chanel, Brunello Cucinelli, and Dior have also showcased their own interpretations of court-ready attire, featuring skirts, skorts, polo tops, and dresses in recent runway presentations.

Lacoste on the PFW runway. Image via Hypebae.

Miu Miu’s Spring/Summer 2024 collection embraced a broader interpretation of the trend, highlighting subtle details inspired by classic sportswear and poolside aesthetics.

Zendaya undeniably deserves credit for the soaring popularity in tenniscore recently.  Luca Guadagnino’s recent film, Challengers, where she stars as a former tennis prodigy turned coach, has become one of the year's biggest cinematic successes. This success is as much due to its steamy love triangle plot as it is to its covetable elevated athleisure wardrobe, designed by the renowned Jonathan Anderson.

Zendaya's press tour looks for 'Challengers.'

Moreover, Zendaya's press tour looks have been nothing short of spectacular, perfectly themed to match the film. Her outfits have ranged from a plunging Celia Kritharioti gown in vibrant tennis-ball green, complete with an actual tennis ball on the front, to a custom Thom Browne dress embroidered with rackets. She has also embraced classic court-side staples like pleated dresses, mini-skirts, and chunky varsity knits in white, navy, and green.

The good news is that you don't need a designer budget to achieve this look. Brands like Mango, Free People, H&M, Casablanca, Sporty & Rich, Longchamp, Savage x Fenty, and Varley have all nailed the tennis-inspired collections, heavy on the preppy retro vibes. For those seeking performance-oriented attire, elevated sportswear brands like Lululemon, Alo Yoga, Sweaty Betty, and Lactose are perfect choices.

The rise of this trend can also be attributed to an evolution in activewear and athleisure. It offers a middle ground between the casual dressing loved during lockdown and the more tailored clothing we are now gravitating towards. Tennis fashion fuses the best of both worlds, providing comfort-oriented dressing with a touch of elegance.

Brunello Cucinelli's take on tennis whites is crafted for those who embrace tennis as a way of life, elevating the classic style to a level of unparalleled luxury.

Trend forecasting company WGSN notes that the resurgence is linked to a continued interest in sports, which gained popularity during the pandemic. Tennis, with its naturally socially-distanced nature, became particularly popular. Additionally, the growing collaborations between athletes and fashion brands, such as Dua Lipa and Evian, or Emma Raducanu and Tiffany & Co., have further propelled sport-oriented trends.

If you want to rock the Tenniscore vibe on or off the court, check out this tennis-inspired fashion that's perfect for nailing the trend. Racket optional!