As long as Hollywood is around, you can count on every summer delivering a blockbuster that takes over the pop culture world—especially if Zendaya has anything to do with it. Last year we got to experience the world of Greta Gerwig's Barbie and all of the Dream House inspo that came with it; this year we have Challengers.
A tennis thriller-of-sorts that also stars Mike Faist and Josh O'Connor, it's no surprise that Zendaya (who's as much of a style icon as she is an A-list actor) leaned into the sporty aesthetic during the press tour. Naturally, it's only a matter of time before tenniscore decor becomes a hit, too. She stepped out in maximalist, full-on preppy looks, styling high heels with real tennis balls on them and dresses with a sequin outline of a tennis player.
If you’re not sold on decorating your walls with framed rackets, know that it doesn’t need to be that literal: Take your cues from country clubs, crisp lines and tennis whites, and the cheerful colors of warm summer days. This style, after all, isn’t really about a sport—it’s about channeling an active, energetic lifestyle and a fresh take on the classic East Coast resort tropes.
So if you want to put a little (top)spin on preppy, now is the time to give tenniscore a try. Get ready to ~serve~ with these expert tips.
Kendra Nash is the principal designer at Nash Design Group, an interior design firm based in California.
Turning Tenniscore into a Home Decor Hit
"Tenniscore isn't going anywhere, and it's not just for your country club wear," says Kendra Nash, principal designer at Nash Design Group. "We love using the aesthetic in decor, too."
In a few words, the look is a playful take on prep—in fashion and the home.
As with trying out any new interior design style, start with the color palette. Use classic hues like navy, white, and green as a base for grounding your design. This allows you to bring in more over-the-top styles and shades as accents to make the tennis-inspired elements pop.
Nash also recommends splashes of neon yellow that "stand out like that bright ball being spotted on the court," she says. "It's a crisp, preppy, playful way to incorporate tennis into your everyday life."
You can also bring the court to your space with patterns and textures. Give a nod to racquets with woven materials, and mimic the feel of a tennis ball with boucle (which has been on trend for over a year now).
"And don't forget lattice patterns, which give preppy vibes and mimic the details of fences around the court," Nash says. "We also love chinoiserie as it plays with the lattice details and is seen all over the country clubs."
But really the only rule of tenniscore is to not take it too seriously—tennis is a game, after all. (Although Zendaya's character in Challengers would disagree.) Give your space a lighthearted appeal without getting too kitschy with eclectic wallpaper or a preppy statement piece to serve as a focal point.
And you can't forget that accessories are key players: Crisp white frames are perfect for setting off family pictures or bright pop art. You can even channel tenniscore through your tableware.
"After a day of running around the court, you'll want to settle down with an Arnold Palmer or a crisp glass of Pinot Grigio, so having the right drinkware is essential to the tenniscore attitude," Nash says. "All of these aspects are a mix of fresh and bright while playing to the old-school prep."