Game, set, match! Zendaya is bringing the spirit of tennis to fashion and we can trust the star to make heads turn. With the highly anticipated release of Challengers, a romantic sports film in which Zendaya plays a tennis prodigy who pivots to coaching after a career-ending injury, the star has been merging tennis and fashion in an unexpected merger. Dressing according to a film’s theme is an art that Zendaya and her stylist Law Roach have clearly mastered. She gracefully took on (and nailed) the challenge to embrace tennis fashion with touches of quiet luxury. Opting for a colour palette of green and white and sporty fashion elements like collars, jerseys, and pleated skirts, every look screamed TENNIS.
Can we say Tenniscore is officially a trend? With such looks, we surely think so and these are Zendaya's Best Looks From The Challengers Press Tour! From Loewe's custom shimmering goddess gown to the vintage Thom Brownehe white sleeveless collared dress with embroidered tennis racquets to the neon gown designed by Celia Kritharioti, featuring a tennis ball at the bottom of the deep V-neck, the baby pink custom Jacquemus dress, and the iconic Loewe custom made tennis shoes with a tennis ball on the heel. Here are our favourite looks that prove that Zendaya and her stylist Law Roach have mastered the art of tenniscore.
Vintage Vibes, Ralph Lauren
When it comes to sportswear, Ralph Lauren often steals the limelight. Channelling a soft-vintage vibe, Zendaya opted for a collared white Ralph Lauren once worn by Cindy Crawford on the runway in 1991. teamed with soft voluminous waves, she was giving subtle yet chic retro vibes. A timeless look that was indeed fit for the occasion.
It's An Ace, Thom Browne
This ought to be one of the looks that created a whole lot of buzz. Thom Browne's creation went viral given the embroidered tennis racquets on the fully sequins embellished dress. The Wimbledon-inspired white drop-waisted gown with a polo-shirt style neckline featured a high slit and red and navy stripes at the bottom— was covered in a tonal tennis racquet print that gave a nod to the Wimbledon logo. Mixing fabrics and using pleats and mesh with classic tricolour detail at the bottom further gave the look an athletic edge. As for the hair, makeup and jewellery; the braids, bold red lip and minimal jewellery worked like a charm.
A Bold Move, Celia Kritharioti
Neon may have whizzed past us as a fad, but Zendaya has revived the trend with this striking and bold Celia Kritharioti creation. Once again paying homage to her tennis star character, Zendaya sported a custom tennis ball gown featuring a halter design and plunging neckline. The floor-length gown featured a thigh-high slit and the waist cinch was accentuated with a tennis ball at the bottom of the deep V-neck. With such a daring colour, no jewellery is a definitive winning look.
From the archives, Vivienne Westwood
One of Zendaya's best fashion moments for the Challengers press tour was when she pulled out a vintage piece from Vivienne Westwood’s most memorable collections: the spring-summer 1994 collection. She continued with tennis-inspired fashion for a Challengers photocall in London, donning a sporty striped two-piece. Contrary to the only green and white colour palette, the colourful striped waistcoat and matching skirt were refreshing. But the highlight was the feather tail which ensured the look went viral online.
A Vision in White, Louis Vuitton
Moving away from the sporty-chic aesthetic, Zendaya opted for a chic white Louis Vuitton dress for the premiere in Paris. Embracing Wimbledon whites it was a gown with a strapless corset bodice, a sweetheart neckline and a sweeping sheer skirt with a lettuce hem. In short, she looked straight out of a fairytale.
Laidback Savoire-Faire, Brunello Cucinelli
How to make a casual look classy and red carpet-savvy is an art. For the tennis tournament Monte-Carlo Masters, the actress wore a white cream knitted sweater and a long skirt from Brunello Cucinelli’s tennis-inspired fall-winter 2024 collection, with pointed high heels. The formal appeal of the satin finish skirt was juxtaposed with the warm, fuzzy jersey.
Check Mate, Louis Vuitton
Preppy, boxy, tennis-themed and of course chic, in Paris, Zendaya donned a boxy checkered mini dress by Louis Vuitton from the fashion house’s Spring/Summer 2013 collection by Marc Jacobs archives—specifically. The piece featured long sleeves, a button-up construction, structured shoulders, and a collar. In tune with her sporty references, the colours of the dress were reminiscent of a tennis court.
Bold Move, Calvin Klein
Zendaya opted for a bold and baring custom white Calvin Klein blazer for the occasion paired a long white maxi skirt. She went sans top with her jacket, to spotlight on the dazzling Bulgari snake necklace. It was powerful and high-impact!
Fresh Feeling, custom Jacquemus
Just when you thought she'd ticked all the boxes, Zendaya strikes back in a custom Jacquemus. The pastel pink ab-baring dress was a mix of a polo tee and a ballgown. The A-line skirt has a garter-like clip attached to the cropped polo giving it a sartorial spin. And we, are sold! She styled the look with a retro-inspired blowout and pastel pink pumps with a bow.
Deuce, Loewe
It was double the party when Zendaya stepped out in a custom shimmering Loewe dress. With a plunging neckline, drop waist and pleats, it was a subtle nod to the tennis court.
But the Loewe heels that featured a tennis ball on the point white pumps caught everyone's attention instantly! The heels are white pointed-toe pumps with a sharp stiletto spike threaded through a literal tennis ball. Take a look.
If that wasn't enough browse through some more of the stars iconic looks!
