Zheng sparks golden age of tennis products

Paris 2024 women's tennis singles gold winner Zheng Qinwen of China has fueled a nationwide trend in tennis sportswear and related fashion.

As the "tenniscore" trend takes hold, sportswear and fashion brands have ramped up their focus on tennis apparel.

Global activewear leader Lululemon has launched its 2024 Tennis Club collection, featuring retro-colored tennis dresses, skirts, shorts and tanks. The tennis series has become one of Lululemon's important product lines, the company said.

The brand first ventured into tennis gear in April 2022.

Wilson, a tennis-focused sportswear brand, introduced the Marta dress — a white tennis dress priced 1,690 yuan ($236) — during Wimbledon in July. The dress quickly sold out in the Chinese market.

During this year's 618 shopping festival around June 18, Taobao saw a 256 percent year-on-year increase in online searches for tennis skirts, with transaction volumes up by 158 percent year-on-year. Searches for Lululemon's tennis skirts alone surged by 95 percent year-on-year.

Data from Meituan indicated that since July, tennis-related online searches have jumped by over 60 percent, while tennis-related orders have skyrocketed by 172 percent.

Zheng's Olympic victory further fueled this trend, with online searches for tennis dresses on Taobao increasing by 240 percent within a week.

The surge in popularity of racket sports has coincided with a proliferation of tennis events across China. The China Open in Beijing, the Rolex Shanghai Masters, and the recent ATP Tour in Chengdu, Sichuan province, and Zhuhai, Guangdong province, alongside digital broadcasts of grand slams, have all contributed to this tennis boom.

Wen Liyuan, who runs a leading tennis training camp in Beijing, noted a significant rise in interest among children and their parents. "Many kids are inspired by Zheng's win and are eager to learn tennis. Those who had previously quit are now looking to resume their training," Wen said.

She also said that livestreamed tennis events have garnered numerous reviews and comments from enthusiastic fans, while some commercial real estate projects are beginning to explore tennis-related developments.

Ren Jing, a sports influencer in Beijing, recently returned to the court, attributing her renewed interest to the growing popularity of tennis. "Wearing tennis apparel enhances my performance, especially in terms of agility and mobility," Ren said.

"Tennis-focused brands such as Wilson, Lacoste and Nike have continually updated their apparel and shoes to improve the on-court experience."

Ye Fei, a manager at a tennis store near the National Tennis Center in Beijing, has also observed a surge in foot traffic and sales. "In the past, customers would buy a single racket. Now, entire families are coming in, each member purchasing his or her own racket," Ye said.

He also noted that children who previously practiced other sports are now keen on switching to tennis after watching Zheng's matches.

Off the court, "tenniscore" has risen to prominence in the fashion world, with luxury brands eager to tap into the market. Mia Kong, a fashion influencer based in Shanghai, attributed the trend's success to its resonance with the lifestyle of middle-income families. "Tenniscore is here to stay.

The pleated skirt easily blends into daily wear and fits the vintage aesthetic that has dominated fashion in recent years," Kong said.