When you hear terms like “Hot Girl Hobby” and “That Girl’ Workout,” racket sports are probably not the first thing that spring to mind. Chances are you’re thinking of people doing Reformer Pilates decked out in Lululemon, or These TikTok videos where people show off the stylish outfits they wear to adult ballet classes. It’s very popular these days to adopt a fitness routine or play a sport for leisure, especially where there’s a great emphasis on dressing nicely while working up a sweat. More recently, however, racquet sports like padel, pickleball, racquetball, and tennis—along with their accompanying “tenniscore” aesthetic—seem to dominate the space.
Having the ability to back up your style (and vice versa) is a great flex, but the trend is more for people to find a way to train that’s equal parts effective and fun.
Although “That Girl” on your TikTok seems to have just discovered her, racquet sports are nothing new. And while they have an undeniable connection to the upper class, racquet sports are for everyone. Many public community parks have seats on a first-come, first-served basis, and anyone with a gym membership can realistically reserve racquets and game time. But add in the pressed polos, crew-neck sweatshirts, and pleated white skirts, and suddenly playing racquet sports becomes a status symbol associated with old money and country club exclusivity. The preppy outfits that come with racquet sports have been around for decades, but it’s only recently that they’ve taken center stage with a larger audience. What used to be exclusively sportswear has now been transformed by designers like Couture Miu Miu and Sak’s Fifth Avenue. Even tennis companies Wilson Collaboration with a luxury streetwear brand Kith to launch a collection of equipment and sportswear. And celebrities like Bella Hadid, Beyonceand Hillary Duff I’ve worn it everywhere from dinner in Santa Monica to lunch on the subway. How did racket sport become a fashion statement?
Grace Thomas, Founder and Head Stylist of Gracefully built, says it was actually the result of two separate trends gaining momentum at the same time. “The rise of tennis really started during COVID, as people looked for ways to train and socialize while keeping their distance,” Thomas tells POPSUGAR. “As the trend for this type of exercise grew, early 2000s and late ’90s fashion began to take off.” The fortuitous intersection of racquet sports resurgence and Y2K looks ultimately brought to life what Thomas dubbed the “Court Fashion”.
@dreamfashionaesthetics love this vibe #tennisgirl #tennis aesthetics #pinterestfashion2022 #mydreamstyle #pinterestitgirl #sportaesthetics
♬ I’ve never been there – ♊︎
The fact that tennis players are rising in fame for more than just their playing skills has helped keep the tennis core aesthetic relevant since it first started trending in 2021. Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka, for example, are revered as style icons for their clothing both on and off the pitch, as well as important voices in collective discussions about motherhood and mental health. Their influence on popular culture can be seen in TV shows and films like Do Revenge and The Summer I Turned Pretty, where white tennis shoes are as much a fashion statement as a sporty uniform. But while fashion is an undeniable driving force behind interest in racquet sports, there’s a bigger reason people are ultimately becoming wholeheartedly devoted to the hobby.
We don’t often get opportunities to run, jump and play. This trend triggered this need in many of us.
According to fitness expert and personal trainer Becky Codi, By nature, racquet sports are extremely social, especially if you’re playing doubles or mixed doubles. The social element of racquet sport not only makes the workout fly by, it also keeps people coming back for more. “We don’t often get the chance to run, jump and play. This trend has created this need for many of us,” Codi elaborates. Most people would rather play tennis or pickleball with their friends than engage in a traditional workout at the gym, and the games can be as leisurely or intense as you’d like.
Of course, racquet sports aren’t the only fitness trend making exercise more enjoyable. For the same reasons, people still choose activities like dance cardio and yoga. However, when it comes to racquet sports, Codi points out that they offer something more unique: friendly competition. “There’s a sense of accomplishment that you don’t get from standard exercise classes,” she says. Getting a solid workout is rewarding in itself, but when you add in the prospect of winning a match, it’s easy to see why racquet sports have remained so popular.
@arina.negishi Played tennis for the first time with @swingvisionapp & Apple Watch🫶🏻🎾 #thegirlaesthetics #a day in the life #this girl #HealthyLifestyleDiary #to you
♬ Original sound – 06/16/2022 🫂
In the past, tennis was the most popular racquet sport, but now more and more people are gravitating towards other games like pickleball and padel. The main reason, Disco country club Founder Alyssa Carroll says is accessibility. While court fashion is proof enough that you don’t technically have to play tennis to experience it, people still want to get in on the action and do it in the most beginner-friendly way possible. “Games like Pickleball are easy to learn and can be enjoyed by people of a range of athletic abilities, so they’ve become extremely popular fastest growing group of new pickleball players are actually under the age of 35, and that’s because the game is so active and fun, Carroll tells POPSUGAR. “You can play it for fun with a drink in hand, or make it as competitive and challenging as you like.” The smaller courts and lighter racquets and balls allow players to focus more on the recreational and social aspects of racquet and paddle sports than just the athletics. This combined with the affordable equipment and free public courts makes it an accessible way to partake in tennis culture.
No matter what racquet sport you play, there’s so much more to it than bouncing balls back and forth over a net. With the reputation they’ve garnered in the fashion world of late, racquet sports have quickly become one of the trendiest ways to stay active. And as people discover more accessible racquet sports like pickleball and the preppy dress code goes mainstream, it’s easier than ever to jump on the trend and actually incorporate it into your lifestyle. If you want to change up your usual workout routine, turn it into a social activity, or just want to try tennis core, playing a racquet sport is pretty much the best way to do it.
Having the skills to underpin your style (and vice versa) is a big flex, but the trend is more about people finding a way to train that’s equal parts effective and fun — it’s a bonus that it will help you look good on and off the court.
Image Sources: Image Sources: Getty / Jennifer Smith / Julia Kuzenkov / Wendy Wei and Photo Illustration: Aly Lim