Zendaya's 10 Most Iconic Tenniscore Outfits From Her 'Challengers' Press Tour

Her red carpet style was a Grand Slam.

Zendaya is the queen of method dressing. Whether it’s a Mugler robotic suit to promote Dune: Part 2 or a red-and-blue gown to channel her inner Spiderman, the actress knows that when it comes to red carpet glam, it’s best to get back in her characters’ skin.

That’s precisely the type of sartorial display the world has seen from Zendaya over the past few weeks amid her press tour for Challengers, the sultry (and perhaps soon-to-be) blockbuster in which she plays a top tennis player-turned-coach. With the help of her longtime stylist Law Roach, Zendaya has bounced around junkets, photo calls, and even tennis tournaments—like the Monte-Carlo Masters and the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells—in styles that put the concept of tenniscore on its head.

So far, she's delivered ace after ace (think: a custom pair of Loewe white pumps with tennis balls attached, an archival Carolina Herrera gown that mimics a 1998 photo of Venus and Serena Williams, and a cream sweater and skirt set from Brunello Cucinelli.)

And the runways have provided ample inspiration for the duo. Take Lacoste's fall 2024 collection, which included pleated mini skirts worn over pants and court-ready polo shirts; or Miu Miu’s spring 2024 lineup, which featured polo cropped shirts made for serving on-and-off court.

Then, there are the myriad of tennis fashion collaborations happening between players and brands, from world No. 2 Jannik Sinner’s Gucci partnership and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz’s Louis Vuitton campaign to US Open champion Coco Gauff’s New Balance kits. Not to mention, the Williams sisters, who brought trends like denim, lingerie, and corsets to tennis; Maria Sharapova, whose Nike tuxedo kit is one of the sport’s most iconic looks; and Chris Evert, whose ultra-feminine bow-clad and lace outfits earned her a spot in tennis fashion history.

As the press tour comes to an end, here are the best 10 looks Zendaya has worn to promote Challengers in style.

The Tennis Ball Shoes

Photos of Zendaya wearing this pair of custom Loewe tennis ball pumps spread like wildfire on the internet. And that’s because the look, which was topped off with a sparkly silver tennis dress, was as unique as it was puzzling. “How? Just how?” one may ask. Turns out Loewe, whose current creative director Jonathan Anderson worked on costumes for the film, is known for reworking heels to surrealist proportions with elements like soap, nail polish, and eggs. So, tennis balls on heels are just another day at the office for both Loewe and Zendaya.

The Neon Green Dress

Sure, Zendaya’s sporty side is shining throughout this press tour, but there are few movie stars that do glamour as effortlessly as the Emmy winner. For the Challengers premiere in Los Angeles, the actress stepped into a custom Celia Kritharioti halter neon green dress with a dramatic plunging neckline that resembled a tennis ball. What’s more is that the dress was actually topped off with a felt ball on her abdomen that gave the gown an athletic spin.

The Tennis Club Look

When you pull up to the Monte-Carlo Masters tournament, wealth oozes from the stands. So it’s no surprise that Zendaya tapped Brunello Cucinelli for a photocall at the annual tournament. The actress opted for a slouchy cream sweater with a matching maxi skirt featuring an asymmetrical slit that channeled a tennis club vibe.

The Preppy Dress

There was once a time when Grand Slam winner Chris Evert served at major tournaments wearing a bow-tied ribbon on her hair. So, when Zendaya wore a Thom Browne white halter dress and matching maxi bow to the Challengers U.K. premiere, it was like stepping back to the 1980s. It’s not like the tennis reference was subtle anyway: the custom gown featured a tennis racquet print all over, as well as a polo shirt neckline and athletic mesh fabric. If not for the pumps, the frock was surely court-ready.

The Checkered Dress

By now, the world knows that Zendaya can pull an archival outfit like no one else. And the Challengers press tour is no exception. For a photocall in Paris, the actress and Roach brought back a 2013 Louis Vuitton mini jacket dress in a checkered green-and-white print that once again leaned into the tennis ball reference. To top it off, a white bowtie headband gave the otherwise fashion-forward look a classic, feminine twist.

The Tennis White Kit

Roach and Zendaya often flex their historical nods. This outfit, which Zendaya wore to a match at the Monte-Carlo Masters tournament, may look simple, but it’s layered. It references the white tennis kit used by Althea Gibson, the first Black Grand Slam tennis champion in history. To recreate the look, Roach tapped On, the Roger Federer-backed label making big waves in the sneaker world.

The Red Carpet Serve

Zendaya opened up the press tour at the Australian premiere of Challengers with a serve… literally. The actress wore a custom Loewe green dress that featured the shadow of a tennis player mid-serve, making the gown look like an actual tennis court. Talk about meta. Yet, there was nothing “mid” about it. Roach styled the gown with matching seafoam green pumps and drop earrings for a glamorous take on the sport.

The Belted Gown

Not all tenniscore needs to be so literal, and this Louis Vuitton gown proves just that. Sure, the thick crossover belt adds a casual dress to the otherwise ethereal gown, but it’s easy to picture this on a real-life tennis player attending the Laureus World Sports Awards. While Zendaya’s Challengers character is forced to quit her tennis career, it’s clear the actress imagined her champion lifestyle—complete with a diamond necklace—to a tee.

The Skirt Set

Few outfits in the Challengers press tour are as realistic as this Tory Burch skirt set, which Zendaya and Roach styled with white-heeled pumps. Pulled from the brand’s sporty assortment, which also includes racerback tank tops, tennis dresses, and V-neck sweaters, it’s the ideal outfit to channel Zendaya’s inner tennis champion.

The Sporty Jumpsuit

Zendaya perfected the tennis player off-duty look with an On jumpsuit and sneakers in New York City. The outfit channeled the polo neckline common in tennis dresses, giving it a sexier twist with a plunging V-neckline. Add to that side slits and matching white sneakers that cemented Zendaya’s signature street style vibe.

Challengers is now in theaters.

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