Here’s How to Ace Tenniscore in 2025
Madrid Open is in full swing, but can you ace Tenniscore like a pro?
By the time Carlos Alcaraz hits his first backhand winner and Alexander Zverev lobs his way into another final, the style game around the Caja Mágica is already halfway won. You see, tenniscore isn't just a trend anymore—it's a lifestyle, and in 2025, it's the best-dressed one this summer.
We’re not talking about sweatbands and sportswear you could actually play in. We’re talking preppy, polished, slightly smug, and very much off-duty. We’re talking sun-bleached polos, pleated shorts, retro frames, and that smug, just-won-a-private-membership-lottery kind of confidence.
And no, you don’t need to know the difference between topspin and backspin to pull it off. All you need is a good tailor, a respect for the classics, and an understanding that tennis style is less about sport, more about sprezzatura. Think country club flair without the generational wealth (though if you’ve got that, congratulations—go full Ralph Lauren).
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Here’s how to nail it like a pro, without breaking a sweat.
Start With the Holy Trinity: Polo, Pleats, and White Trainers
If you're going to invest in one thing this season, make it a knitted polo—like the kind you’ll find at Loro Piana. Nothing screams “moneyed and unbothered” like a polo that hugs your frame without trying too hard. For that slightly European, slightly smug edge, try Thom Browne’s cropped tennis polos or Ralph Lauren Purple Label for the timeless spin.
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Pair it with pleated shorts that hit mid-thigh. Jacquemus and Palmes Tennis Society are two labels leading the luxe-sport crossover, and they’ve perfected that old-money-on-vacation look. You’re not a gym bro, you’re a man of leisure.
Think white trainers on your feet. Common Projects, J.M. Weston, or Tod’s if you want something with just a whisper of flair. Keep them pristine. No one doing tenniscore right is scuffing their soles.
Layer Like a Wimbledon Regular
There’s nothing more tenniscore than pretending it’s 20 degrees cooler than it actually is. That means a cashmere jumper lightly draped over the shoulders, à la 1980s Ralph Lauren ad. Bonus points if it’s Brunello Cucinelli and tied just loosely enough to look accidental.
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For evenings, throw on a lightweight Harrington jacket or a suede bomber—Drake’s, AMI Paris, or Zegna are solid bets. Think preppy professor (or maybe, Talented Mr. Ripley).
Accessories? Restraint
This is not the moment for chunky chains or maximalist watches. Opt for a vintage Rolex Datejust or a Cartier Tank Must, ideally with a leather strap. Clean, classic, whispering wealth instead of yelling it.
And if you must wear jewellery, one tennis bracelet (yes, it’s allowed) is enough. Tiffany & Co. or FoundRae do ones that toe the line between sporty and sleek.
Bags can be a Goyard tote if you’re feeling flashy, a Mismo canvas duffel if you’re playing it cool. Personally, you can never go wrong with Bottega Veneta. Either way, you need to look like you’ve just walked out of a private club.
Final Serve
The new faces of tenniscore are Jannik Sinner in Ferragamo campaigns, Carlos Alcaraz in Louis Vuitton, and Jack Draper looking like he’s ready for both match point and a runway. Off-court icons like Jacob Elordi and Mike Faist are proving that tenniscore isn’t just for players—it’s for those who look like they could be players, if they didn’t have better things to do.
So yeah, tenniscore is croquet on Saturdays, cocktails at Soho House, and a wardrobe that doesn’t need to prove anything.
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So if you're wondering how to ace the style of the season, here's the answer: Tuck in your shirt, keep your whites white, and act like you’ve never heard of athleisure.