While tennis news is by no means top of our priorities list, the sudden retirement of legends Serena Williams and Roger Federer has surely put the sport in the spotlight. Netflix is also giving some airtime to the racket sport with the release of the Break Point series, which gives a behind-the-scenes look into the exciting-yet-chaotic tennis world. With that, it seems that 2023 is set to be a big one for tennis.
Sportswear and fashion labels have been paying homage to the sport with contemporary footwear creations to wear on and off the court for almost a century now. But, with the explosion in the popularity of preppy style this past year, the tennis sneaker's retro shape has become a crucial piece for our daily rotation. The reason behind its hype is simple: it has a clean shape and is, therefore, supremely easy to adapt. Few sports make the full crossover into the lifestyle space. Of course, basketball has done it with finesse, dominating modern sneaker rotations, but behind basketball, tennis might be the next most popular sporting style. What’s more, while basketball pieces filtered into daily style during the ‘80s, tennis has been infiltrating everyday style for much, much longer.
Tennis influences in fashion date back to the ‘20s. Revolutionary designers such as Schiaparelli — whose legacy still looms large in today's fashion scene — took the sportswear culture and mixed it with couture bringing iconic creations like the divided skirt — AKA tennis culottes. But, when talking about tennis footwear, Jack Purcell's converse canvas sneakers were top-tier back in the day. Originally designed for badminton players, tennis players didn’t take long to bring the pair to the court.
Named after both tennis legends, the arrival of the adidas Robert Haillet — later changed to Stan Smiths — back in 1965, was the turning point of what today we know as lifestyle tennis sneakers. Despite their unique features for performance, it would be impossible to ignore the major impact they’ve had on the streetwear scene along the way. A couple of decades after its release, other sportswear brands started contributing to the rise of lifestyle tennis kicks by dropping all-time favorite items such as the Reebok Court Pump Fury or the Nike Air Tech Challenge II.
There’s no need to be a professional tennis player to wear a pair of tennis sneakers. The primary rule to rock some tennis kicks on and off the court is that the sole has to be flat. Any other feature can be rounded up to your style preferences. This last year we’ve seen some major drops, such as the Axel Arigato Dice Lo Sneaker or Autry’s Medalist Sneaker, making the choice decision hard to make. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best tennis kicks on the market for you to find the one that matches your tennis racket or your daily outfit.
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Where better to start our exploration into the best tennis sneakers than with the Stan Smith? Almost half a century has gone by, and the iconic silhouette continues to sell like hotcakes. The minimalist style of these is definitely the first thing to catch our eye, but the performance is also exceptional.
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A couple of years ago, ASICS sneakers were considered ugly marathon shoes. Now we are on the run for them. Even if the hype for some like the GEL-Kayano 5 still runs high, the EX-89 Trainers might be your new obsession. The classic tennis-inspired sneaker silhouette splashes a bright green colorway to make your all-white tennis gear pop.
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Tennis is also knocking on luxury fashion houses' doors. If you are a sucker for high-end labels yet still want that athletic essence of tennis sneakers, these Tom Ford kicks might be for you. The full-grain leather composition and all-black colorway will ease your daily styling choices.
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Well, if these are Roger Federer-approved, then the deal is sealed, right? The tennis GOAT and On explore the wide field of tennis-inspired gear and birth these white and red tennis court sneakers. Their CloudTec® technology and subtle detailing will surpass all your expectations as soon as you try these on.
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Founded in 1982 by Jim Autry himself, one of the eponymous brand's hottest creations is the Autry Medalist sneaker. The Texas-based name edited its athletic shape in 2019 to make the silhouette more lifestyle-ready. Their wide sole unit and soft leather material make them a super comfortable choice. There is no excuse not to invest a bit over a hundred bucks on these timeless kicks.
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André Saraiva riffs off of the classic ‘70s minimalist style with his signature graffiti motifs. Not only is this limited pair one to show off, but is also made out of recycled materials.
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Despite its skate-culture background, Palm Angels has also been tempted by tennis influences. The University Sneaker’s retro shape and colorways are characteristic of classic tennis shoes. This fusion between vintage and modern luxury is crucial for your sneaker rotation in 2023.
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If your closet is filled up with ‘90s straight-fit jeans and oversized vintage sweaters, then these Reebok Club C 85 retro kicks are the timeless addition you might still be missing. Originally launched in 1985, its purpose remains the same: its cushioned leather construction and off-white colorway are ideal to tackle the day or your match partner in court.
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With a 50-year-long history of tennis-inspired footwear, K-Swiss is one of the OG tennis sneakers to wear on and off court. Not only do these prioritize performance on the field, but also the tennis-inspired silhouette makes them ideal if you are going straight from the match to lunch.
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Axel Arigato is cheating on the modern luxury kicks with some retro-looking sneakers, and we are in awe of them. The Dice Lo sneakers take it back to the ‘80s with their shape and fun color palettes. The premium silhouette relies on its handmade craftsmanship and fine leather composition.
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