The Tennis Edit: Game, Set, Style!
Wimbledon-inspired fashion, gifts, books, and movies, plus a GIVEAWAY!
For tennis fans, few experiences rival the opportunity to attend Wimbledon, the world’s oldest and most prestigious tournament, played on pristine grass courts, and synonymous with decorum, classic style, and athletic excellence.
When I attended in 2018, stepping through the gates of the All England Tennis Club felt like being transported to a genteel, magical place, where the British summer sun shone gently on the immaculate grounds and spectators wearing their finest attire (women in elegant dresses and heels, men in proper suits). I sipped Pimm’s and marveled at the players’ prowess as the sound of racquet meeting ball mingled with the gentle pop of champagne corks.
This week has been my favorite kind of summer week: all-tennis-all-the-time!
I played in two tournaments, followed the Wimbledon action on television, and loved curating a collection of tennis-inspired art for
’s genius Buy Art newsletter. You can read it (and buy the art!) here.In honor of this weekend's Wimbledon finals, I've assembled a collection of ideas to celebrate what might be the most elegant (and sexiest!) sport and its most storied competition. Whether you're a lifelong player, shopping for someone who is, or simply racquet-sport-curious, consider this your invitation to the party!
Everyone Wins Giveaway!
I have two books to give away to one lucky reader: a copy each of The Stylish Life: Tennis and The Tennis Court. To enter, pop into the Comments and tell me what your favorite game is (sports, cards, board games, Wordle, whatever!). All free subscribers to Happy on Purpose may participate by submitting a Comment, and all paid subscribers are automatically entered twice into the draw. I’ll notify the winner on Thursday, July 17. Good luck!
Veronica Beard x Head tennis dress. My chic friend wore this to play in a member-guest tournament this week, and she was both comfortable and stylish!
Racquet bag. This is the bag I’m currently using: it’s lightweight and compact, with the racquet sleeve tucked inside. I also love this Ame and Lulu pouch for stashing hairbands, wristbands, sunscreen, and other accoutrements!
Polkadot midi dress. Here’s another great option!
Strawberries and Cream. Wimbledon is famous for serving strawberries and cream, and I eagerly looked forward to the treat during my visit. But, to my dismay, the berries came with a drizzle of plain, unwhipped cream: not what I expected! Do better at home, and serve up fresh whipped cream, or a dollop of traditional English clotted cream: yum!
Pimm’s Cup. Make a refreshing pitcher of the official drink of the tournament to enjoy while watching the finals!
The Tennis Court coffee table book. Don’t forget to leave a Comment to enter the giveaway to win a copy of this, plus The Stylish Life: Tennis!
Le Member Guest scented candle.
Lab-grown white sapphire tennis bracelet.
The Stylish Life: Tennis coffee table book. Comment below to enter the giveaway to win a copy of this, plus The Tennis Court.
Ball Boy scented candle. Who doesn’t want a personal (sweet-smelling) ball boy?!
Memoir & Essays
Late To The Ball: This entertaining memoir details a former New Yorker and New York Times journalist’s attempt—aged 60—to become a seriously good (amateur) tennis player.
Open: Andre Agassi's excellent memoir about growing up as a tennis prodigy and his difficult and ambivalent feelings about everything from tennis, his marriage to Brooke Shields, and life beyond center court.
String Theory: David Foster Wallace’s collected essays on tennis, a game he played competitively as a junior, including his 2006 homage to the beauty and grace of an all-time-great, “Roger Federer as Religious Experience.”
How To
Winning Ugly: Brad Gilbert’s indispensable guide to maximizing your strengths while exploiting your opponent’s weaknesses draws on lessons learned from his professional career. Fun fact: Gilbert taught Zendaya to play tennis for her role in Challengers.
The Inner Game of Tennis: Famously one of Bill Gates’ favorite books, the Inner Game is ostensibly about achieving peak athletic performance, but author W. Timothy Gallwey’s advice and techniques for quieting your inner critic and achieving relaxed concentration apply to every aspect of life.
Fiction
Apples Never Fall: Liane Moriarty’s thriller/family saga featuring the Delaneys, who have just retired as owners of a successful tennis club and coaching program. What happened to Joy Delaney, and did her husband, Stan, or one of her four children have something to do with it?
Wimbledon: an adorable Kristen Dunst plays a young American tennis pro falling for a washed-up former British champion (Paul Bettany) during his last-gasp attempt to win Wimbledon in this early 2,000’s romcom.
Challengers: Last year’s sexy drama starring Zendaya as a former tennis prodigy caught in a love triangle with her husband, who she has coached to professional success, and his childhood rival.
Battle of the Sexes: Set during the lead-up to the infamous 1973 Bobby Riggs vs. Billie Jean King match, it’s maddening yet ultimately inspiring to watch King (played by Emma Stone) and her fellow female tennis players working to further the standing, and pay, of professional women’s tennis; and of course, beating the big-mouthed sexist Riggs (played by Steve Carell) on the court.
King Richard is the incredible true-life story of tennis prodigies Venus and Serena Williams, their father’s extreme determination, and the sacrifices made by their entire family.
Match Point: This dark psychological thriller, starring Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, follows an ambitious former tennis pro who marries into a wealthy family, then becomes entangled in a dangerous affair…
Boom! Boom! The World vs. Boris Becker is a riveting documentary that follows the rise and fall of the German superstar who was jailed in 2022 for financial fraud. Becker speaks candidly about everything from his tennis wins, losses, and rivalries to his questionable financial and relationship decisions.
Break Point is a 2023 documentary showcasing the stars of today’s professional tennis tour. It’s an eye-opening look at what it’s really like to be a pro, from their romantic relationships, punishing physical regimens, peripatetic lifestyles, and the sheer amount of losing they contend with. It made me feel very satisfied with my lot as a casual player…
7 Days in Hell is a delightfully silly mockumentary inspired by the longest tennis match in history between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon in 2010. In this version, Andy Samberg and Kit Harrington play the tennis pros in an oddball plot that includes the Queen of England, a female streaker, and Engelbert Humperdinck. There are plenty of cameos by real players and commentators, and the trailer alone cracks me up.
Red Oaks is a comedy-drama TV series set at a fictional New Jersey country club in the 1980s. The costumes and 80s references are amazing, and this show will delight anyone who loves a coming-of-age story…
Apples Never Fall is the TV version of Liane Moriarty’s bestselling novel, mentioned above. Set in Florida, not Australia, and starring an excellent Annette Bening as the missing matriarch, there’s plenty of intrigue - and tennis drama - as the Delaney family’s secrets are gradually brought to light.
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My wife is a big tennis fan - I haven't been pulled into it yet, but she has pulled me very into hockey
I LOVE watching tennis- it’s one of my favorite things to do as a respite from summer sun to put on a match (any match) and my whole family gets into it. Favorite non sports game would have to be
scrabble 😊