THE CURRENT popularity of tennis wear has ushered in a resurgence of the tenniscore street style trend. It’s athleisure‘s latest incarnation, but with a preppy spin. Tenniscore is the intermingling of modern streetwear with a bit of nostalgia, today’s athliesure looks with a vintage country club aesthetic. There may also be pop culture references mixed in, such as the 2001 Wes Anderson film, “The Royal Tenenbaums” and the music videos of artists like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Rihanna, who have incorporated tennis-themed elements into their visuals, such as tennis skirts, polo shirts, and tennis court backdrops. Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok have also played a significant role in popularising the tenniscore trend, with influencers and fashion bloggers sharing their interpretations.
Tennis is a sport known for its strictness when it comes to its uniform, with players being fined at Wimbledon for not adhering to the all-white rule on the court. The All England Club tournament is heavily embedded in tradition, with rules still in place from the first ever edition in 1877. Not only must tennis players wear all-white at Wimbledon, but the rules specify the specific shade, with tournament organisers even ensuring that any strips of colour are not wider than a single centimetre on headbands or shirt sleeves. In 2014, Wimbledon doubled down on the strict dress code: all underwear that was visible must also be white. This year, for the first time in 146 years, there has been a major rule change: female players are permitted to wear darker undershorts to alleviate period anxiety. (They still have to wear all white on the top half, and the shorts must not be longer than the tennis skirt.)
While all this official meticulousness around dress code may feel a bit outdated, traditional tennis attire can feel fresh and modern off the courts. Content creation and digital-age influence, paired with new product development is defining tenniscore, with the interpretation of tennis style being expressed through contemporary street culture while also looking back to the vintage history of traditional sport apparel. Today’s tenniscore aesthetic features cable knit sweaters, A-line and pleated skirts, classic polo shirts, loafers, tennis shoes, white sport socks, and even visors, which not only help create this sports-luxe look, but are also pieces in your wardrobe that can transcend seasons. Tenniscore has permeated various aspects of modern culture and continues to evolve in the realms of fashion, film, music, and social media.
A brief history of the sport
The history of tennis dates back thousands of years, originating from a ball game played by ancient civilisations, including the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. Initially, players hit the ball with their hands, eventually moving to rudimentary rackets or paddles. In the 12th century, a precursor to modern tennis called “real tennis” or “royal tennis” emerged in France. This indoor version of tennis was played in specially designed courts and gained popularity among European nobility during the Middle Ages. The modern version of tennis began to take shape in the late 19th century in England. Major Harry Gem and Augurio Perera are often credited with developing a game called “lawn tennis” on a croquet lawn in Birmingham around 1859.
In 1873, Major Walter Clopton Wingfield patented a version of tennis called “Sphairistike,” which introduced the net, rackets, and a standardised scoring system, marking a significant step towards the modern game. The first lawn tennis tournament, known as The Championships, Wimbledon, took place in 1877 at the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club (now known as the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club). It became one of the most prestigious and historic tennis events.
Tennis quickly gained popularity across Europe and the United States, and international competitions started to emerge. The Davis Cup, the world’s premier international team event in men’s tennis, was first held in 1900. The International Lawn Tennis Federation (ILTF), now known as the ITF, was founded in 1913 as the global governing body for tennis. In 1968, tennis transitioned to the “Open Era,” allowing professional players to compete in major tournaments alongside amateurs, a change that would lead to increased competitiveness and a surge in the popularity of the sport.
Over time, improvements in tennis rackets, strings, and court surfaces influenced playing styles. Players like Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, and Steffi Graf left their mark on the game during the 1970s and 1980s. Tennis has continued to grow as a global sport, with stars like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, and many others captivating audiences worldwide. Grand Slam tournaments (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open) have become the pinnacle of professional tennis. Today, tennis remains a widely popular and competitive sport enjoyed by millions of players and spectators around the world.
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