The best tennis brands circle in and out of the fashion conversation with Federer-like grace. For decades, the two disciplines have been loosely intertwined. On the pro circuit, players like Nick Kyrgios and Serena Williams have pushed the boundaries of the on-court uniform, accruing fines and prompting dress code upheavals in the process. Off the court, tennis gear has never been hotter: Kith’s ongoing link-up with Wilson continues to sell out; Loewe’s collaboration with On put American racquet prodigy Ben Shelton front and center; and Challengers—with a little help from Zendaya, Jonathan Anderson, and two particularly sweaty Rodent Men—catalyzed a run on short shorts that has yet to abate.
Fashion’s love affair with jeu de paume isn’t unrequited. In 2024, there’s a growing appreciation for the comfort, ease, and unmitigated swagger of old-school tennis gear—a marked shift away from the anodyne mesh stuff you’re apt to find at country club pro shops. A couple of years ago, the team behind Rowing Blazers introduced Arthur Ashe, a new line of preppy, tennis-adjacent clothing that pays homage to its namesake’s legendary ‘70s-era style.
Tennis’s legacy acts have finally cottoned onto the treasure trove of mood board inspiration in their archives. Nike just brought back John McEnroe’s 30-year-old Attack shoe—and followed it by re-releasing Andre Agassi’s cult-loved Air Tech Challenge 2. Even Prince and Wilson have gotten in on the action, collaborating with a who’s who of indie menswear favorites. Sure, you can still buy a pair of swishy poly-blend shorts or a sweat-wicking nylon polo, but given the opportunity, wouldn’t you rather suit up like Richie Tenenbaum or cop a graphic tee inspired by Matisse?
If your answer to that question was an emphatic, unequivocal YES, you’re in the right place. After the jump, you’ll find tennis brands pushing the sport to stylish new frontiers, from born-again household names to next-gen upstarts. Clear a little closet space, snag a Honey Deuce, and hop on the closest train to Flushing: the game just got a heckuva lot more exciting. —Will Porter
Read more for the best tennis brands to shop right now.
