Fiona Embleton
Wimbledon is serving up more than just impressive drop shots this year. Courtside, celebrities have made Wimbledon’s ‘tennis mom’ hair a major talking point of the tournament, too.
Alongside some desirable fashion looks, the likes of Keira Knightley, Salma Hayek and Rebel Wilson have been delivering a masterclass in soft, relaxed waves that manage to look simultaneously effortless and expensive, sporty and rich.
It’s been an even greater feat given the less-than-summery weather, which has meant seeking shelter from torrential downpours while ensuring the curl doesn’t drop out altogether.
So what exactly is ‘tennis mom’ hair? The style is defined by its long or shoulder-skimming strands, glossy finish and a cooler, more modern spin on the classic blow-dry.
“It’s not got loads of volume,” says hairstylist Luke Hersheson, who has worked with Keira, Emily Ratajkowski, Dua Lipa and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, to name but a few. “Enough to make you feel a bit more pulled together, but not so much that it looks like you’ve just walked out of the salon.”
After all, your tennis mom wants to look polished but not like she’s spent hours off court, coiffing and preening (there’s Grand Slams to cheer on!).
How to get Wimbledon’s ‘tennis mom’ hair
The main reason Wimbledon’s ‘tennis mom’ hair is so popular is that it’s relatively easy to create.
“I recommend using our hairdryer with a round ceramic brush,” says Luke. While product is minimal with this blow-dry, you will need to lean on a light, non-sticky mousse “to give a bit of hold and volume without going over the top,” he adds. Hair By Sam McKnight Cool Girl Volume Foam, Hershesons Zhoosh Foam, and Moroccanoil Volumising Mousse are all excellent options.
After sectioning the hair, “use the brush to act like a roller so you get some movement and a polished wave but still maintain that feeling of being kind of effortless,” Luke advises.
In other words, the hair is chunky-ended and has bounce through the mid-lengths, but not so much that the style could have been lifted straight from Kate Middleton‘s Wimbledon mood board. It’s safe to say, the title for ‘most elegant, high-key hair in the Royal Box’ will always by won the Princess of Wales.
Wimbledon’s ‘tennis mom’ hair also works well with different partings. Nicole Scherzinger and Amelia Dimoldenberg chose a side swoop, ensuring their waves cascaded over just one shoulder. While Jameela Jamil and Mischa Barton opted for a centre part to make a highlight of their cheekbones.
Even after the finals this weekend, Wimbledon’s ‘tennis mom’ hair is the wavy hair refresh you need to try for summer.