Tennis has long featured in our everyman get-up. And it’s been an evolving beautiful beast, influenced by the best in the game, from the renegade style of Andre Agassi and John McEnroe who, together, nudged the boundaries with bright, bold and structured, to the pared back, effortless style of Roger Federer, right up to today with the new crop of stars including Coco Gauff, Francis Tiafoe, and Jannik Sinner. Court style has permeated mainstream dressing for decades, and this new collaboration is no exception. In fact, we’re so taken with it, we’ve cherry picked 6 of our tennis-cum-street-style favourites, and how best to style them on and off the court:
Coco CG1
Navy, red, ginger lemon. More is absolutely more with these unisex sneakers that bounce between court pow to sidewalk wow. Whether you’re pairing these with your tennis ensemble (classic white top, A-line tennis skirt or shorts) and letting the shoes speak for themselves, or you’re angling for everyday use with a pair of jeans and a tee, it’s a proclamation of style, harking back to 90s aesthetics and basketball silhouettes. Take note too, due to their NDurance rubber technology these kicks are designed for durability and will last the distance.
BB480
Timeless, clean, simple – the BB480 blends form and function, incorporating soft full-grain leather and an Ortholite insert for comfort. On the court, choose louder colours on top – patterns, sets, you name it – for an understated look on the bottom. And in terms of street style, women can pair them with a frill sock and skirt, while men can settle on chinos for smart casual.
Australian Open Logo Graphic T-Shirt
If you’re going to merch, you’re going to merch hard, right? And that’s the flavour of the moment, with influencers and celebrities alike donning sporting paraphernalia in everyday life. So, fall in step with the zeitgeist and opt for this crew neck graphic tee. On the court, pair it with a pair of New Balance shorts. For everyday use, men and women can similarly pair the graphic tee with a denim pant or skirt. Classic.
Sportswear’s Greatest Hits Coaches Jacket
For our money, this is the pick of the bunch. The bold colour and flawless design makes this coaches jacket a crucial and versatile piece for any wardrobe. In summer, pair with a polo, or in winter with a hoodie in a contrasting colour.
Coco Gauff Melbourne Skirt
Aus Open hysteria usually leads to a tidal wave of tennis proactivity on and off the court each January and if you’re on the bandwagon (who isn’t?) then this sleek tennis skirt is a front-runner. While playing, pair it with the FuelCell 996v5 because you’ll feel faster simply by looking at them, and in your downtime, go the whole hog with a prep-cum-street vintage over-sized jumper and some classic sneakers (ahem, please refer to items 1 and 2).
Australian Open Cargo Bucket Hat
Classic Australiana meets new age cool, a bucket hat needs to be in everyone’s 2024 wardrobe. Keep things simple here, pairing the bucket hat with a plain white T or singlet. (Only available at the New Balance pop up at the AO.)
To browse more of the Australian Open New Balance collection, head to the site here.
