Behind the Design of the Wilson Sport Professionals Collection
Discover the design inspiration behind Wilson Sport Professionals – a modern tennis apparel line crafted for style, function, and peak performance on clay courts. Made for the highest level of sport and life.
WSP: Where Tennis Heritage Meets Performance Innovation
The Wilson Sport Professionals collection isn't just tennis apparel — it's a pinnacle collection based on pivotal moments in tennis. A tribute to the game’s golden eras, designed for today’s athletes. Inspired by iconic 1999 tennis fashion and tailored for the demands of the current clay season, this line delivers high-performance tennis wear that doesn't sacrifice style for function.
Every piece of this collection is made for sweat. From breathable tennis polos and shorts to court-ready dresses, every stitch reflects Wilson’s dedication to modern tennis fashion grounded in the sport’s rich heritage.
Scroll on and watch the video to explore the looks and go behind the design with Joelle Michaeloff, VP Design, Sportswear.
The Spark: A Trip to the Archives
Before the first fabric was cut, Wilson’s design team took a deep dive into the brand’s historic archive—and landed on a pivotal year: 1999. A season that blended swagger, grit, and raw energy across the tennis world. The late ’90s marked a turning point: legends were stepping away while new stars were rising, signalling the birth of modern tennis—and the rise of the sport as a global fashion force. That spirit lives on in the new Sport Professionals tennis clothing collection, reimagined with stealth performance fabrics and cutting-edge silhouettes built for today’s court and beyond.
Functionally Designed for Red Clay Realities
While heritage inspired the look, performance dictated the build. Wilson’s designers obsessed over the demands of red clay court play, tailoring each piece to deliver:
- Enhanced mobility and ventilation
- Breathability in heat and humidity
- Long-lasting durability for extended matches
- Stealth comfort that moves with you
“Our goal is to design sportswear with technology so stealth all you see is a style you want to wear every single day. Rather than have it scream technology, we hide performance tech — embedding it in everything we do, making every single item we create functional and ready to sweat.” says Joelle.
Each piece in the Wilson tennis apparel line is athlete-tested, including rising WTA star Marta Kostyuk, our player and ambassador, whose game and style helped inspire the designs.
The “Terre Battue en 1999” Colour Story
“This collection was really based on one amazing image — it had all the colours you're seeing in the collection. We used sun-kissed shades that look incredible on red clay. That was really the main goal, not just to pull from this historic moment, but to make sure that everything we do looks incredible on the red clay surface.” says Joelle.
Key Pieces from the Wilson Sport Professionals Collection
1. Pro Tour Polo – Nico’s Pick
Stay focused on every swing in the Wilson Pro Tour Polo, as worn by Nico Godsick. Built for warm days on court, this performance polo features a smooth, cool touch knit that wicks sweat and enhances airflow with targeted perforated zones. Designed with a classic fit and plenty of stretch, it moves with you—whether you're serving big or running down drop shots.
2. Uptown Court Dress – Marta’s Pick
A classic tennis dress with modern flair, the Uptown Tennis Dress is Marta Kostyuk’s go-to for matches that demand both elegance and edge. With deep side slits, back cutouts, and a high-low hem that elongates the legs, this dress is built to stand out. The compressive fit offers support and a held-in feel, while the interior shelf bra with removable cups keeps you ready for centre court.
3. Heritage Shorts and Skirts
Rooted in Wilson’s archival style codes, these Heritage silhouettes deliver sleek lines and distraction-free design. Lightweight and durable, they’re built for clay-court confidence—ideal for long rallies, fast footwork, and off-court wear.
SHOP WOMEN’S COLLECTIONSHOP MEN’S COLLECTION
From Designer’s Sketchbook to Match Day
Wilson’s team brought together industrial designers, textile engineers, and athletes to ensure this line answered one question:
Can performance tennis apparel also look incredible?
The answer is the Wilson Sport Professionals collection.
This isn’t retro for retro’s sake. It’s tennis gear engineered for movement, crafted with advanced materials, and infused with the spirit of 1999.
Why It Matters: Modern Tennis Fashion That Performs
Today’s players — from elite juniors to seasoned club competitors — demand functional and stylish sportswear. The Sport Professionals line is Wilson’s answer:
- Designed for athletes
- Inspired by history
- Built for every match day
Whether you're chasing a title or just chasing down a tough cross-court forehand, this is high-performance tennis wear that moves with you.
A Collection Designed for On-Court and All Day
“This collection was built for all the moments in a tennis player’s life. We're thinking about, not just the highest performance moments, but all the moments in between...where you can throw a jacket or a sweater on, even a pant that fits over your shoe because you just got to the court. So, this collection really has it all. And the colours all coordinate really cool too.” says Joelle.
ACE ACCESSORIES
Complete your kit with thoughtfully designed performance accessories inspired by the iconic terre battue en 1999.