Hi {{first name |there}},
The women’s storyline at Wimbledon this week has been one of improbable feats and fairytales-in-the-making: Serena Williams played her first pro singles match in 4 years, aged 44, while her two young daughters watched. She lost to 20-year-old Maya Joint, whose victory ended an 11-match losing streak and was the first Wimbledon win of her career. Joint was then knocked out by Alexandra Eala, the first Filipina player ever seeded at Wimbledon!
There’s also been much fashion-related excitement: from Naomi Osaka’s jaw-dropping entrance in a full-length white kimono, which she unzipped to reveal a (sold-out) Nike dress adorned with flowers—to Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe in tear-away trousers!
With style in mind, this week’s fashion edit is in honor of America’s 250th Independence Day. Fittingly, last week’s most-clicked link was for these adorable, scalloped performance shorts, which happen to come in red, white, and navy blue! Scroll down for Americana-inspired apparel and accessories, both on court and off.
We're also going deep on doubles strategy: specifically, why "down the middle solves the riddle" is the highest-percentage play in recreational doubles, and when to place your shots in the center of the court.
🏆Finally, here’s a trivia question with an eye-popping answer: Roger Federer won 20 Grand Slam titles during this 24-year career. What is the daily habit he credits most for his remarkable success? You’ll find the answer in the link list below…
Welcome to the club, we’re so glad you’re here!
Team Tennisette
P.S.: lob this email to your most stylish tennis friend!🎾
Serena and Venus Williams
Down the Middle Solves the Riddle: Why It Works and When to Use It
Every doubles player has heard it: down the middle solves the riddle. It's the oldest piece of advice in recreational doubles, and the data backs it up. Here are the 4 most important strategic reasons to use the middle of the court:
The net is lowest in the middle. The net is 6 inches lower at the center strap than at the sides. Every ball hit down the middle clears a lower net than a ball hit wide—which means more margin for error on every single shot.
It forces a communication breakdown between opponents. When the ball goes between two players, both must instantly decide who takes it. At the club level, that split-second hesitation produces more errors than almost any other tactic.
It removes angles. A ball hit wide gives your opponents options. A ball hit through the middle takes those options away. Given the difficulty of creating an angle from the middle of the court, a center ball is most likely to return through the middle, which means net players can better anticipate and move to intercept it.
It forces difficult volleys. A low ball across the center strap typically lands at the opposing net player's feet or shoelaces—forcing her to volley upward rather than punch down. That upward volley becomes an easy put-away for your team. And the team that controls the net wins 80% or more points.
When to Go Down the Middle — And When Not To!
Of course, not every shot should be hit to the middle of the court. Avoid the middle when you have a clear opening on a wide ball and can execute a high-percentage angled volley or confidently hit a groundstroke wide or down the line.
You should choose the middle when…
Red, White, and Blue: 25 Chic Pieces for Match Play, Picnics & Parties!
The Fourth of July weekend is always a fun-filled celebration in the United States, but this year’s semiquincentennial promises parties, fireworks, parades—and a celebrity wedding—of epic proportions!
To honor the once-in-250-years event, here are 25 chic red, white, and blue options—with stars and stripes galore—for every occasion, from tennis court to cocktails!
ON COURT
Tank and skirt with red-blue detail
Midriff top and matching leggings
Cap-sleeved dress with navy collar
Navy performance midriff top with red-and-white scallop detail: $98. Quick-dry, with removable cups. Matching leggings: $118
Cap-sleeved white tennis dress with navy collar: $170. Adjustable navy tie waist. Undershorts not included.
White “Americana” skirt with red and blue piping: $128. Includes undershorts.
Adorable, scalloped performance shorts: $98. With two pockets and compression lining. In red, white, blue, or black.
Classic navy tennis dress: $118.99 (on sale!) In ultra-dry stretch jersey. Also available in white. Includes 2-ball pocket undershorts.
Navy tennis skirt with red-and-white waistband detail: $88. Includes built-in shorts.
Classic cotton open-knit v-neck sweater: $130. Equally at home over tennis gear or on a sailboat!
Lightweight blue puffer racquet bag: $149. Monogramming available. Also comes in snazzy silver or white/green.
“Strawberry Red” 2026 Wimbledon Championships bath towel: $65. This year’s iconic tournament towel, in a fitting red!
OFF COURT
Smocked, drop-waist silk-cotton dress
Embellished neck white tee
Smocked voile maxi dress with poppy print
Blue silk cotton smocked bodice drop-waist dress: $440. Adjustable shoulder straps and asymmetric hem detail.
White cotton T-shirt with red beaded neckline detail: $195. Be the best-dressed guest at the cookout!
Smocked white voile maxi dress with red poppy pattern: $99.50 (on sale!). Removable straps. Perfect for a heat wave!
Stars-patterned blue-and-white maxi dress: $360. Standout in this stunning dress with an embroidered starfish bodice and playful open-back.
Red linen maxi dress with blue abstract star pattern: $450. Painterly-detail A-line with adjustable spaghetti straps. Available in 2 other patterns.
Sleeveless stretch poplin mini shirt dress in red stripes: $345. Tie-waist with an elastic back for a softly cinched, flattering shape: $345. Available in 2 other colorways.
Red linen button-down shirt: $42. A classic that comes in many other colors + stripes. Perfect for casual get-togethers, and iconic with ultra-stretch white jeans: $258.
Blue plaid collared short-sleeved mini shirt dress: $268. Can be dressed up or down, with ricrac trim and side pockets.
Classic white linen halter neck maxi dress: $450. With eyelet-lace trim on the hem.
Belted blue-and-white one-piece swimsuit: $227.50 (on sale!) With a nautical braided white rope belt.
Red cord necklace with blue and white heart charms: $150. Dress up a plain white tee with this “happy” necklace! Comes in 6 colors.
Leather multi-strand wrap bracelet: $150. Blue or red.
Blue point-toe flat: $149. Recycled and machine-washable. Available in 7 colors.
Denim blue wedge espadrille: $180. Add height without sacrificing comfort! Available in 4 other colors.
Shop the Story
Red linen maxi with stars pattern
White skirt with red-blue piping
Lightweight racquet bag
Blue plaid mini dress
Open-back maxi dress
Leather bracelet
Roger Federer
In Case You Missed It…
How to make your own electrolyte drink with all natural ingredients. Essential during a heatwave!
👜Shop every Tennisette fashion pick—for on court and off—here!
What Pro Players Won't Tell You About Mental Strength. Strategies for mental resets between points, visualization, self-talk, and pre-match nerves.
🕵️♀️TRIVIA ANSWER: Federer slept 11-12 hours every day throughout his career: typically, 10 hours overnight, plus a two-hour afternoon nap. "If I don't sleep 11 to 12 hours per day, it's not right," he said. "If I don't have that amount of sleep, I hurt myself."
Iga Swiatek (Champion) and Amanda Anisimova (Finalist), Wimbledon 2025
Tournament Calendar
Wimbledon is in full swing! Here’s the scoop on what comes next…
29 June to 12 July: Wimbledon, Grand Slam, Great Britain
13 July to 18 July: Plava Laguna Croatia Open, ATP 250, Umag, Croatia
13 July to 19 July: Nordea Open, ATP 250, Bastad, Sweden
13 July to 19 July: EFG Swiss Open, ATP 250, Gstaad, Switzerland
20 July to 25 July: Generali Open, ATP 250, Kitzbühel, Austria
