Today, elements of athletic aesthetics are increasingly finding their place in the daily rotation—catering to our collective obsession with comfortable and practical fits. For the past few years, tennis has remained one of the primary muses for designers. Everyone from streetwear heavyweights like Palace to the masters of Italian quiet luxury at Brunello Cucinelli has pledged their allegiance to the court.

Back in 2018, the late Virgil Abloh teamed up with Nike to design Serena Williams’s iconic "Queen" collection. Soon after, the sportswear giant tapped Naomi Osaka for a collaboration with designer Chitose Abe of the Japanese label Sacai. Meanwhile, Swiss legend Roger Federer took on the role of designer himself, launching a joint collection with Uniqlo. Rumor has it this partnership was blessed by none other than Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of American Vogue and a close friend of the athlete.

“Tennis has always been more than just a sport. It’s a celebration of tradition and sportsmanship on a global stage.” — Ralph Lauren

This favorite pastime of the British aristocracy dates back to the late 19th century, but the tennis aesthetic as we know it didn't truly solidify until the 1920s. We can thank French player René Lacoste for that—he’s the man who gave us the first polo shirt. His unofficial rival, Fred Perry, also played a massive role in popularizing the piece. To this day, the Lacoste and Fred Perry brands remain fiercely loyal to their heritage roots.