Tennis-Core Is the Preppy Summer Aesthetic That’s Got Everyone Rallying

You don’t have to own a tennis racquet—or know what “deuce” means—to embrace the interior design trend that’s volleying back into the spotlight: Tennis-Core. Think quiet luxury meets preppy nostalgia. This isn’t your dad’s man cave with a framed Wimbledon poster. It’s sporty but sophisticated, playful but polished.

"We’re in a trend toward general health, wellness, and better work/life balance where fewer people are tied to a desk all day," says designer Cece Bowman of Cece Bowman Interiors. "With this change, there is a growing community around tennis and other outdoor social sports. It's the updated 'golf course,' and everyone is invited."

Tennis-core is the natural evolution of the -core wave that’s swept fashion and interiors like cottage-core, animal-core, and most recently, fisherman-core. But instead of floral-patterned cafe curtains and sardine motifs, we’re seeing crisp whites, clubhouse vibes, vintage racquets, and just a hint of neon. Blame (or thank) Challengers for launching this look into the pop culture stratosphere, but just like the sport itself, tennis-core has legs far beyond Zendaya’s spicy love triangle. With personal ties to Wimbledon—her husband was born and raised nearby—Bowman credits the namesake tournament for the trend. "The nostalgic grass courts and dapper but casual dress of the spectators were original to the Wimbledon tournament and are being replicated in all areas of life," she adds.

As the founder of racquet sport brand Spence and former creative director of Serena & Lily, Amanda Greeley, credits the trend's resurgence to the beauty of the sport. "Tennis is a very aesthetically pleasing sport—perhaps the most aesthetically pleasing of all," says Greeley, "Tennis courts are so photogenic. In a culture that’s become so visual, it’s hardly surprising that the relevance of tennis extends beyond the sport itself."

What is Tennis-core?

Tennis-Core is the perfectly pressed lovechild of East Coast prep, retro sports nostalgia, and clean, minimalist design. Greeley pegs this trend as newer, but with deep-rooted origins in country club decor. It borrows from the classic look of the tennis world—green courts, netted textures, and crisp pleats—and spins it into interiors that feel fresh, elevated, and decidedly summer-ready. Greeley agrees, associating the trend with "green and white awnings, white benches and lawn furniture, grid patterns that evoke the net, and the use of old racquets." It’s not kitsch. It’s not costume-y. It’s a lifestyle. (Or at least, the illusion of one.)

"If you are bringing tennis into the home, you have to be clever," Bowman advises. Below, we break down exactly how to style it without ending up looking like your guest room is sponsored by Wilson. Because if we’re doing sports, we’re doing them in linen, lacquer, and vintage. Game. Set. Decor.

Play With The Color Palette

A crisp white with a contrasting pop of green, as shown in this bedroom by E&A Interiors, is a subtle way to nod to the classic tennis color palette without incorporating actual tennis memorabilia.

There's a clear color palette that comes to mind when you think of tennis, thanks to the sport's iconic imagery of crisp tennis whites, freshly cut grass, clear blue skies, terracotta clay courts, and, of course, acidic yellow tennis balls. The aesthetic is bright and playful while remaining classic.

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Unlike maximalist color drenching or pattern mixing, this trend is all about refinement and restraint. Much like the courts players play on, when planning your paint choices, be sure to stick within the lines. "Don't get so literal with it," advises Greeley. "Lean into green and white, like the you would see on awnings stripes or another color combo pulled from the courts." That restraint doesn't mean you can't have fun, though. Go bold with flashy yellows and Kelly Greens, get creative with preppy color blocking, or evoke your moodier side and cover a room in a warm clay color.

Curate Vintage Pieces

In the bedroom of an accomplished teen tennis player, designer Alaina Michelle Ralph chose to highlight a vintage tennis racket gallery.

No trend is complete without a few good vintage pieces, and tennis-core is no different. Due to the clubhouse aspect of the sport, this trend shines best with a few antiques mixed in. Use this as an opportunity to incorporate texture, natural materials, and darker colors and tones.

Source vintage tennis rackets to incorporate into a custom gallery wall or create a bespoke art installation. Add depth by curating a selection of rattan accents like trays, side tables, and bar carts, or dark wood pieces like trunks and campaign chests to complete the look. Retro tennis lifestyle photography is another cool way to ace this trend. Enlarge and frame your favorite image to make a bold statement over a console or credenza.

Don't Overdo It

Opt for one large print depicting a subtle reference or a cute tennis motif throw while leaving the rest of the space classic. Designer Tammy Randall Wood of Interior Archaeology lets the art speak for itself in this California bedroom.

Like other designers embracing the trend, Bowman is down to incorporate a blatant, on-the-nose tennis piece here and there, as long as it's done with a little humor. "I would stick to a classic needlepoint pillow with a good tennis joke or having a funny nod to the sport in a single bathroom accessory," she says. "Too many references, though, and you'll cross the line into something overdone."

When it comes to incorporating elements of this trend, you must know when to call the match. "We had a client a few years ago who wanted to paint a court onto the floor of a room instead of using a rug," says Bowman. "This did not come to fruition, but it would have been a good party trick!"

Final score? It’s a 40-love from us. Whether you're fully redecorating or just swapping in a striped throw and calling it a day, tennis-core is the trendiest way to play the home game. Just don’t forget to serve with style.