Introduction
Every once in a while a coffee-table book lands that does more than just elevate your living-room aesthetic—it sparks day-dreams of grass-court summers, crisp polo collars, and jet-set itineraries.
The Stylish Life: Tennis (teNeues, 176 pp) is exactly that breed. Compiled by tennis insider and journalist Ben Rothenberg, the hardcover pairs 60 color and 60 black-and-white photographs with arch commentary on the game’s most glamorous arenas and personalities.
First published in March 2015 and still topping “best gift” lists a decade on, its appeal lies in the way it mingles fashion, architecture, travel, and culture into a single, irresistibly tactile package.
Available at Amazon.
A Visual Itinerary of Iconic Destinations
From the ivy-draped walls of Wimbledon to the terracotta drama of Roland-Garros and the yacht-spotted harbor of Monte-Carlo, each chapter reads like the itinerary of a well-heeled tennis nomad.
The book’s oversized format (22.3 × 28.7 cm) lets double-page spreads breathe, giving center court to famous venues without crowding them with text.
Instead, concise captions drop in historical tidbits—the year Centre Court debuted its retractable roof, or how the French Riviera tourneys birthed resort-wear chic.
Learn more at teneues.com.
Fashion & Form: Courtside Sartorialism
The series’ trademark is style, and this volume doesn’t disappoint. Vintage Fred Perry knits, Lacoste piqué polos, and Arthur Ashe’s aviators sit alongside contemporary interpretations from Thom Browne and Gucci.
Rather than cataloging gear specs, Rothenberg zeroes in on silhouettes and subtext—why the clean graphic lines of a tennis sweater still feel modern, how the stark contrast of tennis whites photographs so well, and what makes a simple headband iconic.
For the TheMenMen reader scouting wardrobe cues, the take-home is clear: minimalism plus performance heritage equals timeless.
People & Culture: From Legends to Leisure Class
Grand Slam legends—Rod Laver, Björn Borg, Serena Williams—share space with 1920s Riviera socialites, Studio 54 regulars, and even artists who mined the game for metaphor (think David Hockney’s court paintings).
This breadth is what elevates the book from sports photography to cultural chronicle. Each image quietly sketches the evolution of masculinity and leisure,
showing how a wooden-racket pastime morphed into a global luxury lifestyle.
Art Direction & Print Quality
teNeues’ reputation for print craftsmanship shows in the matte-finish paper and faithful color grading.
Grain in vintage frames is preserved rather than smoothed out, giving the visuals a gallery-print feel.
The hardbound spine feels solid enough to survive years of casual browsing—essential for a coffee-table staple.
Gift-Worthiness & Coffee-Table Impact
Whether you’re courting a design-obsessed friend or need a conversation starter for the office lounge, The Stylish Life: Tennis delivers instant cachet.
It suits men who appreciate refined sport culture without needing deep technical chops.
Place it next to a crystal decanter and a couple of Wimbledon-green coasters and you have a vignette that reads “cultured, competitive, and cool.”
Verdict
Rating: 4.5 / 5
The Stylish Life: Tennis succeeds because it’s less about topspin mechanics and more about the aesthetics, rituals, and rarefied air that orbit the game.
For men who track both GQ fashion spreads and Grand Slam scores, it’s a no-brainer addition to the library—and the coffee table.
