Tennis Style on Center Court

Tennis style is about more than serve and volley vs. baseline play or the choice between a one- or two-handed backhand – it’s about fashion. Tennis fashion has been short, long, baggy, and form fitting; there have been color splashes, wild hair, and, of course, the obligatory Wimbledon white. And through all of these tennis looks, there has been one constant; fashion is part of the game, and that doesn’t seem to be about to change anytime soon.
As fashion continues to grow as a major part of today’s tennis world, it has become an increasingly talked about part of tennis coverage during the four major tournaments.
“Fashion on the tennis court is often a big part of coverage for two reasons that I can think of,” says Patrick Carrow, assistant academic director for Fashion Design at The Art Institute of Philadelphia. “First, it is a great opportunity for designers to showcase him/herself to a vast number of people. The second reason, although it’s a sport, [the attire]’s a little different than a ‘standard’ sport uniform. [Plus it’s only]two to four players versus multiple players on the court.”
With fashion being such an integral part of the coverage of the major tournaments, tennis style and high fashion have had a tendency to influence and be influenced.
“I think lately there have been lots of parallels,” says Honor Ravoi, creator and editor in chief of GoToTennis.com, about the connection between the tennis and fashion worlds. “The preppy country club look is in right now. In some ways the fashion world is looking at tennis right now.”
Carrow agrees that there is a connection between the couture and the court.
“Tennis fashion mimics fashion trends through colors and silhouettes,” Carrow says. “Athletic apparel will mirror the same color stories that are apparent in street fashion. Footwear could also follow the same trend.”