With Wimbledon, Euros and the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, this season has well and truly been a summer of sport and, with the US Open about to start next week, it looks set to continue. Of all the sports, tennis fashion has held a unique influence beyond its fanbase, reaching even those not especially interested in sport. But does that really come as a surprise? After all, there is no other sport that is quite as synonymous with style than tennis.
As someone who has hijacked the telly every summer to watch Wimbledon (and many, many other tournaments on the ATP and WTA calendar) since I was a child, I suppose it’s little surprise that I enjoy most things tennis-related, even just as a spectator. And in recent years, the sport has increased in popularity, a factor that has no doubt been helped by the microtrend popular on social media, tenniscore.
A Brief History of Tennis
The origins of tennis are uncertain; some say the sport originated from Ancient Egypt, while other evidence suggests it came from 11th or 12th century France and was invented by French monks. The game was initially played using only hands until the 16th century when racquets were developed.
Tennis was a favourite of sports-enthusiast Henry VIII who was said to have spent hours on the indoor court of Hampton Court Palace following its construction between the years of 1526 and 1529. In 1920, a tennis ball, believed to date back to the 16th century, was even discovered in the rafters of Westminster Hall, showing just how long this sport has been popular.
Lawn tennis developed in the 18th century when aristocrats built tennis courts outside (courts had previously been inside) on the grounds of their country homes. In 1877, the All England Club established an international tournament which became the oldest (and considered the most prestigious) tennis tournament in the world – the Wimbledon Championships.
Wimbledon was then followed by the US Open in 1881, the French Open in 1891 and the Australian Open in 1905.
What is Tenniscore?
Tenniscore joins a long list of add-core-at-the-end-of-everything-and-you-have-a-new-viral-trend dominating our social media feeds of late, but unlike some microtrends, tenniscore appears to be here to stay. The sporty and preppy aesthetic typically consists of pleated skorts, polo shirts and cable-knit jumpers, and can be accessorised with visors, crew socks and tennis bracelets, to name a few. Its simplicity and ease of wear is no doubt a major draw to its popularity.
Films such as Wes Anderson’s 2001 The Royal Tenenbaums and, more recently, Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers, starring Zendaya (whose press tour outfits alone served tenniscore after tenniscore hits) have fuelled enthusiasm for the aesthetic. Tennis has long been considered an elite sport, with the high cost of lessons and equipment inaccessible to many. But in an era when quiet luxury is a leading style influence, in a similar fashion, tennis wear serves as an accessible luxury. It’s open to everyone, not just professional players, including those not especially sporty (although, if watching tennis was a sport, I’d be a Grand Slam Champion).
Here are a few pieces I found while window shopping online that I think fulfil the tenniscore aesthetic:
Shop the Look
