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You don’t have to be a budding pro to have heard about the latest trend dominating the collective consciousness: tenniscore. From fashion to film, the aesthetic du jour is the latest in a line of culturally-inspired trends that flourish online – its predecessors including the rural escapism of cottagecore and the fizzy fuchsia of Barbiecore.
As modern trends often do, the aesthetic gained traction on TikTok, where there are currently 92.5 million posts (and millions more views) devoted to #tenniscore. These include high-street shopping hauls that emulate courtside chic, hair tutorials that teach viewers how to achieve the perfect swishy pony-plait, and slideshows of archival imagery of players like Anna Kournikova and Serena Williams. Elsewhere online, Pinterest searches for “tennis aesthetic” have reportedly increased by 37.5 per cent in the last year alone, retailer Net-a-Porter has noted a 314 per cent increase in searches for ‘tennis’, and fashion resale app Depop has reported that searches for tennis skirts have risen by more than 50 per cent in recent months.
Fashion has a long-held love affair with tennis, but it’s reached new heights of late, with polo tops, skorts and riffs on other court-ready classics showing up in collections from major fashion houses including Miu Miu and Celine. This year also marked Lacoste’s return to Paris Fashion Week, which was held at Stade Roland-Garros and was inspired, according to new creative director Pelagia Kolotouros, by the brand’s tennis heritage. Meanwhile, classic brands like Fred Perry and Ralph Lauren have enjoyed a moment in the spotlight, alongside modern athleisure brands like Alo Yoga, Lululemon and Varley. The latter has an entire collection described as “an elevated take on court-to-club”, featuring pleated skorts and racquet-adorned caps.
Then there’s the effect of Challengers, the recently released film from director Luca Guadagnino, which follows a former tennis prodigy turned coach played by Zendaya. The actor’s press tour outfits had fans – and the internet at large – enraptured, presenting a masterclass in elevated tenniscore with floor-length crisp white gowns and splashes of tennis-ball lime. A glossy adaptation of Liane Moriarty’s bestselling novel Apples Never Fall, which centres on a tennis-obsessed family in West Palm Beach, is bringing the trend to the small screen via Apple TV. And with Wimbledon on the horizon, plus the continued rise of pickleball (a racquet sport that has attracted high-profile fans including George Clooney and Taylor Swift), tenniscore shows no signs of slowing down.
In our book, by far the best way to live out tenniscore fantasies is to check into a hotel with top facilities. From glamorous European hotspots to bucolic countryside staycations, tropical tennis and even courts hidden away in the city, there are plenty to choose from. Remember, you don’t have to be able to actually play the game to ace the trend – in fact, courtside posing and Pimm’s sipping is actively encouraged.
Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Cap d’Antibes, South of France
For tenniscore with a touch of timeless Slim Aarons glamour, head for Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, known for hosting the great and the good for long, languid summers on the Côte d’Azur. There are five clay courts here, surrounded by Aleppo pines and fragrant rose gardens and open until the early evening so guests can enjoy games at golden hour. The hotel has also hit a sartorial master stroke by launching its debut collection of chic sportswear with Lacoste.
The Boca Raton, Palm Beach, Florida
Still fresh from a recent $200 million makeover, this sprawling South Florida hotspot is a palm-fringed, sun-soaked, flamingo pink, vintage American tenniscore fantasy incarnate. The facilities trump the usual hotel tennis court with a fully serviced Racquet Club, complete with 16 tennis courts, six pickleball courts, a dedicated tennis concierge and a clubhouse for post-match cocktails. Soon, there will be even more reason to linger, with the reopening of the Boca Raton Beach Club hotel.
La Residencia, A Belmond Hotel, Mallorca
Belmond’s Mallorcan property is infused with artistic spirit, with its own gallery hosting a series of roving exhibitions. But for all its bohemian beauty, the hotel’s partnership with top coaching company LUX Tennis means it’s also a place of athletic activity too, with courts shaded by the mighty Tramuntana Mountains and tailored coaching available to suit all levels. There’s even a practice hitting-wall for perfecting your serve, and a pro-shop in which to stock up on supplies.
The Retreat at Elcot Park, Newbury, UK
This 55-room hotel’s quaint, cosy aesthetic has earned it a firm place on the UK staycation circuit, despite having only opened in 2022. The pristine tennis court in the sprawling grounds is sponsored by Bollinger, adding a welcome touch of sybaritic indulgence to any sporting endeavours. As well as toasting from the sidelines and exploring the bakery and wine store in The Courtyard, guests can also book one-on-one coaching with tennis professionals Barry and Lorna Cowan.
Amanyara, Turks & Caicos
There’s plenty of space for sport at Amanyara, on the secluded shores of the tropical Atlantic in an 18,000-acre nature reserve. Amid the thriving greenery and silk-sand beach, there are four floodlit courts from Har-Tru, the gold standard in clay tennis court construction. The hotel’s Legends programme has seen tennis clinics led here by top players including Maria Sharapova, and this November will see the arrival of former pro John Isner, who will host a series of masterclasses.
Villa d’Este, Lake Como, Italy
The landscaped Renaissance gardens of Villa d’Este, Lake Como’s most beloved grande dame, are rightfully famous. But among the gleaming grottoes, towering Italian Cypress trees and unfurling jasmine, there are eight lakeside tennis courts where guests can soak up the cinematic views, perhaps cooling off with a dip in the pool that floats on the lake. Who knows who you’ll rub shoulders with at this playground of rockstars and royalty, where pickleball fan George Clooney is a regular.
Puente Romano, Marbella, Spain
When it comes to facilities that have attracted the pros, it’s hard to top Puente Romano on the sunny shores of Marbella. The resort’s 10 premium courts (including clay, floodlit, paddle and hardcourts) have been graced by the likes of Boris Becker, John McEnroe, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. There’s a similarly star-studded year-round calendar of tennis camps and tournaments, making this a great spot for travellers who are serious about upping their game.
Beaverbrook Townhouse, London, UK
Hotels with tennis courts in London are hard to come by, but the charmingly eccentric city outpost of Surrey favourite Beaverbrook has a trick up its elegantly cut sleeve. Its prime position on Sloane Street means it’s opposite Cadogan Gardens, a classic Chelsea garden square with its own courts. Guests of Beaverbrook Townhouse can enjoy a game anytime during their stay, with the hotel’s host team on hand with racquets, balls and even picnics to enjoy on the manicured lawns.
