16 Cute Tennis Hairstyles That Actually Hold Up During a Match

Pro Tip: Always secure your style with a strong elastic and finish with a light-hold hairspray before you walk on the court. It makes a bigger difference than you think when the rallies get long.

Tennis is one of those sports where your hair can genuinely mess with your game. One loose strand falling across your eyes at the wrong moment and you have lost your focus on the ball. The right hairstyle keeps you locked in from the first serve to the final point.

The good news is you do not need to spend a lot of time getting ready to have great court hair. These 16 styles cover every hair length, every court condition, and every schedule. Let us find the one that works best for you.

Table of Content

1. Classic High Ponytail

The high ponytail is the most iconic tennis hairstyle for a reason. Pull everything up tight, secure it with a strong elastic, and you are ready in under a minute. It keeps your face and neck completely clear so nothing gets in the way of your swing.

Wrap a small section of hair around the base to cover the elastic and give it a cleaner finish. This works on all hair types and lengths and is the perfect go-to when you just need something fast and reliable before a match.

2. Braided Ponytail

Take your regular ponytail and braid it all the way to the end before securing it. This one small change keeps everything much neater and tighter throughout a long match compared to a plain ponytail that tends to loosen up over time.

It looks polished, holds well through intense baseline rallies, and takes only a couple of extra minutes. If your ponytail always seems to fall apart by the second set, this is the upgrade you have been looking for.

3. French Braid

The French braid sits close to your head and holds every layer of hair securely in place. Start at the crown, add sections as you go, and keep everything pulled tight. Finish with a small elastic at the nape of your neck.

This is a fantastic choice for players with layers that always escape from a ponytail. It catches everything, stays smooth through long matches, and looks great on the court. A classic style that never lets you down.

4. Dutch Braid

The Dutch braid is the French braid’s cooler sibling. Instead of crossing sections over, you cross them under, which creates a braid that pops up off your head and looks really striking on the court.

Beyond the look, it holds incredibly well through intense play and fits neatly under a visor or cap. Once you get comfortable making it, this becomes one of the most reliable styles in your whole tennis routine.

5. Two French Braids

Part your hair down the middle and French braid each side separately. Two braids mean double the hold and zero flyaways, which is exactly what you want during a tough three-set match in the summer heat.

This style is popular with tennis players at every level because it keeps everything completely flat and in place for hours. If you have thick hair that always seems to escape everything else, two French braids are your solution.

6. Low Bun

Gather your hair at the nape of your neck and twist it into a firm, low bun. Pin it well and it will not move for the entire match. It is clean, simple, and keeps all the bulk off the back of your neck.

The low bun also works perfectly with a visor because there is no high bump to push the visor forward. If you play in hot conditions regularly, this style keeps your neck cool and your focus completely on the game.

7. Twisted Low Bun

Take your hair, twist it all the way down like a rope, then coil it into a low bun at the base of your neck and pin it securely. The twist adds extra tension which means the whole style holds tighter than a regular bun.

This is a small technique tweak that makes a noticeable difference during long matches. It takes about the same amount of time as a regular bun but holds so much better when things get intense on the court.

8. Fishtail Braid

Split your hair into two sections and alternate pulling small pieces from each side until you reach the end. The fishtail looks incredibly detailed but is honestly easier than it seems once you practice it a couple of times.

It holds well through active play, lays relatively flat, and adds a lot of personality to your court look. If you want a style that makes it look like you put in serious effort without actually spending much time on it, this is your pick.

9. Boxer Braids

Dutch braid each side of your head and secure both braids at the back with elastics. Everything stays completely flat, your visor fits perfectly, and this style holds from warm-up all the way through a long tournament day.

Boxer braids are one of the most practical options for serious match days. They handle sweat, wind, and intense movement without budging. Style them once in the morning and you are set for the entire day without a single touch-up.

10. Half Up Half Down

Pull the top half of your hair back into a small ponytail or bun and leave the rest down. Use bobby pins to secure any pieces near your face. Quick, easy, and done in under two minutes.

This works really well for players with shorter hair who cannot quite get everything into a full updo. It is best suited for casual practice sessions and lighter training days rather than high-intensity match situations where full security matters more.

11. Bun With a Visor

Pair a neat bun with your tennis visor and you have one of the most practical combinations on this entire list. The visor handles the front while the bun keeps everything secured at the back. Together they cover every angle.

Make sure your bun sits low enough that the visor rests comfortably on your head without tilting forward. This combo is especially great for outdoor matches where you need sun protection and hair control at the same time.

12. Sleek Low Ponytail

Smooth everything back with a brush, gather it low at the nape of your neck, and tie it tight. Run a small amount of gel along the hairline to keep baby hairs flat and wrap a section of hair over the elastic for a clean finish.

This style looks polished and professional on the court and holds up really well throughout a full match. It works on every hair type and takes barely any time to put together. Simple and always sharp.

13. Knotted Ponytail

Pull your hair into a regular ponytail then knot the length before securing it with a second elastic. That knot adds tension and keeps the whole style from loosening up during long points and intense baseline exchanges.

If your ponytail always droops by mid-match, this is the fix. It takes an extra thirty seconds and the difference in hold is genuinely noticeable. A small trick that makes your go-to style work so much harder for you.

14. Space Buns

Part your hair down the middle, pull each side into a ponytail, twist into a bun, and pin each one firmly. They sit high enough to work with a visor and hold up better than you might expect during active play.

Space buns bring a fun, energetic vibe to your court look and are a great choice for casual matches and team days. Once pinned properly they are surprisingly secure, especially when you finish them off with a little hairspray.

15. Cornrows

Cornrows braid completely flat against your scalp which means your visor fits perfectly and stays in place without any awkward bumps. They hold through sweat, long matches, and tournament weekend schedules without needing any maintenance.

Style them once and they last for days. For players with natural or textured hair who want a zero-effort solution for a busy match schedule, cornrows are honestly one of the best choices you can make before a big tournament.

16. Headband Plus Ponytail

Add a strong athletic headband before pulling your hair into a ponytail. The headband catches flyaways along your hairline and keeps sweat out of your eyes while the ponytail handles everything else.

It is the easiest two-step combo on this list and works for virtually every hair type. Go for a silicone-lined headband that actually grips and does not slide back during play. A small addition that makes your whole match so much more comfortable.

Final Thoughts

Great court hair does not have to be complicated. Pick one or two styles from this list that suit your hair type and keep them in your regular rotation. A little preparation before your match means zero distractions during it. Now go out there and focus on the game.