Patrick Zweig’s tennis attire throughout Challengers is lived-in, sweaty, and casual compared to Art Donaldson‘s crisp, sponsor-heavy kits. His wardrobe reflects a player living out of his car between low-tier challenger tournaments, relying on simple athletic staples rather than pristine tennis whites. Recreating his look centers on athletic tournament wear, disheveled curly hair, and an authentic court presence.
Because Patrick’s tournament matches and practice sessions feature a few distinct shirt options—ranging from vintage-style striped tees to collared polos and sleeveless training tanks—you have flexibility in which match appearance you want to recreate. The common thread is always a worn, functional tennis aesthetic paired with dark athletic shorts and a racket.
Shirt Options Across the Matches
In the film’s earlier scenes and casual practice rallies, Patrick frequently wears a green and white horizontal striped crewneck tee. It has a slightly relaxed cut with a ribbed collar that sits loosely around the neck. A standard cotton or poly-blend striped shirt works well here, particularly if it has a slightly faded, broken-in feel rather than a stiff brand-new finish.
For his tournament appearances, Patrick alternates between a solid blue polo and an athletic red and black tank top. The blue polo leans into traditional court wear with a soft spread collar, short sleeves, and a two-to-three button placket left partially unbuttoned. The red and black tank top represents his later, grittier match appearance, cut with deep armholes and an athletic racer-style trim. If you opt for the tank, lightweight athletic mesh or moisture-wicking synthetic fabric drapes cleanly while allowing full movement.
Court Shorts and Fit
Patrick pairs his tops with simple black athletic shorts. Unlike vintage tennis shorts from earlier decades, his sit just above the mid-thigh with an inseam around five to seven inches, allowing freedom to sprint and slide across the baseline. An elastic waistband with an internal drawstring keeps them secure, while flat-front lightweight synthetic fabric matches modern tournament apparel.
Steer clear of overly baggy basketball shorts or heavy sweat shorts. The silhouette needs to appear clean and built for tennis, with side slant pockets deep enough to hold a tennis ball if you want an extra touch of realism during photos.
The Tennis Racket and Court Gear
The red and black tennis racket is Patrick’s primary prop and ties the athletic pieces together into an unmistakable sports outfit. Standard modern tennis frames feature an oval head with black synthetic stringing and a cushioned grip wrap around the handle. If your racket comes with a synthetic leather or white overgrip, wrapping a worn black or red grip over it matches the darker color scheme seen during his matches.
Carry the racket naturally by the throat or resting across your shoulder between photos rather than stashing it in a protective cover. A standard tennis ball tucked into your shorts pocket or held in your off-hand adds an immediate prop interaction without adding bulk.
Hair, Scruff, and Court Details
Patrick’s signature physical trait is his unruly, textured dark curly hair and light stubble. If you have naturally curly or wavy hair, work in a matte sea salt spray or texturizing paste to give it definition without making it look overly styled or stiff. For straighter hair, a short textured wig styled with light curl cream will establish his recognizable silhouette.
Because his matches are grueling physical battles, light sweat simulation on the forehead and collar enhances the realism. A fine-mist spray bottle with water or a dab of glycerin on the temples creates a realistic post-match sheen that holds up well during a shoot.
