{{Short description|2013 single by Lorde}} {{Good article}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=February 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}} {{For|the Chainsmokers song|No Hard Feelings (Chainsmokers EP)}} {{Infobox song | name = Tennis Court | cover = Lorde Tennis Court.png | alt = A portrait of Lorde, featuring a faded background of a tennis court. On the upper right corner is the capital letter "L". | border = yes | caption = The Australasian vinyl release borrows its cover from ''The Love Club EP''.<ref>{{Citation |title=Lorde - Tennis Court EP |date=2013-07-22 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/4779003-Lorde-Tennis-Court-EP |access-date=2026-05-05 |language=en}}</ref> | type = single | artist = Lorde | album = Pure Heroine | B-side = "Swingin Party" | released = {{Start date|df=yes|2013|6|7}} | recorded = | studio = Golden Age (Auckland, New Zealand) | genre = {{flatlist| * Alternative pop * electronica * art pop * downtempo}} | length = {{Duration|m=3|s=18}} | label = Universal | writer = {{hlist|Ella Yelich-O'Connor|Joel Little}} | producer = Joel Little | prev_title = Royals | prev_year = 2013 | next_title = Team | next_year = 2013 | misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|D8Ymd-OCucs|"Tennis Court"}}|header=}} }} "'''Tennis Court'''" is a song recorded by New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde. She co-wrote the song with Joel Little, with production handled by the latter. Universal Music Group (UMG) released the song as the second single from her debut studio album ''Pure Heroine'' (2013) in Australia and New Zealand on 7 June 2013. On the same day, the label released an extended play (EP) of the same name containing three additional tracks throughout Europe. It combines alternative pop, art pop, and downtempo music over hip hop beats, minimalist synthesisers, and an electronic pulse. Inspired by Lorde's fresh insights into the music industry, the lyrics address her newfound fame and nostalgia for Auckland.

"Tennis Court" received positive reviews from music critics, with some highlighting the song's production and lyrical content. It was a commercial success in Oceania, reaching number one in New Zealand and number 20 in Australia. Elsewhere, the single achieved modest chart success throughout Europe and North America. "Tennis Court" earned platinum certification in Canada and triple platinum certifications in New Zealand and Australia. Joel Kefali directed the song's accompanying music video, a one shot in which Lorde stares at the camera throughout. "Tennis Court" was included on the set list of Lorde's Pure Heroine Tour (2013–14) and Melodrama World Tour (2017–18).

==Background and production== New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde (born 1996 as Ella Yelich-O'Connor) was interested in performing live at local venues around her home city of Auckland during intermediate school years.{{sfn|Brunt|Stahl|2018|p=72}} Scott Maclachlan, an A&R executive of Universal Music Group (UMG), discovered Lorde upon witnessing her performance at her school talent show when she was 12.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140604050638/http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview/opar/intrview_ScottM.html|url=http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview%2Fopar%2Fintrview_ScottM.html|title=Interview with Scott Maclachlan, Manager for Lorde|publisher=HitQuarters|date=21 January 2014|first=Jan|last=Blumentrath|url-status=live|archive-date=4 June 2014}}</ref> Maclachlan subsequently signed Lorde to UMG for development and paired her up with Joel Little, a songwriter and record producer.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/culture/performance/8654143/Lorde-NZs-newest-pop-star |title=Lorde: NZ's newest pop star |first=Tom |last=Cardy |work=The Dominion Post |date=10 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204145411/http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/culture/performance/8654143/Lorde-NZs-newest-pop-star|archive-date=4 December 2013}}</ref> In December 2011, the pair finished their first collaborative effort, a five-track extended play (EP) titled ''The Love Club''. Lorde then self-released the EP for free download via her SoundCloud account in November 2012.<ref name="NZMusician">{{cite journal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128191429/http://www.nzmusician.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/8/pi_articleid/3521/pi_page/2|url=http://www.nzmusician.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/8/pi_articleid/3521/pi_page/2|title=Joel Little – Rings of the Lorde|journal=NZ Musician|first=Richard|last=Thorne|volume=17|issue=9|date=October–November 2013|archive-date=28 January 2015}}</ref>

Upon completion of ''The Love Club'', Lorde and Little quickly collaborated again, initially planning to release another EP. The pair recorded materials at Little's Golden Age Studios in Morningside and started writing "Tennis Court" in January 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11126667 |title=Joel Little: Doing the Lorde's work |first=Lydia |last=Jenkin |work=The New Zealand Herald|date=19 September 2013|access-date=30 December 2013}}</ref> They also recorded several additional tracks and ultimately decided to work on a full-length studio album instead.<ref name="NZMusician"/> Little acted as the song's sole producer, using audio software Pro Tools.<ref name = "The Red Bulletininterview">{{cite web|last=Tighe|first=Robert|url=http://issuu.com/redbulletin.com/docs/1213_nz_lowres/44|title=December 2013|work=The Red Bulletin|date=3 December 2013 |page=44|access-date=19 January 2014}}</ref> Songwriting for "Tennis Court" was different from how Lorde usually writes songs; by and large, she would have a lyric forming before going into the studio to record. For this song, Little and Lorde first wrote the music and the beat, and the lyrics were built on the instant instrumental.<ref>{{cite AV media| people =Lorde | year =2013 | title =Lyrical Influences (VEVO LIFT): Brought to You By McDonald's | medium =video| url =https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCSFHsd7NWA | access-date =22 November 2013 | publisher =VEVO/YouTube |time=1:49| quote =I think my writing process with "Tennis Court" was quite different to how I normally write. Generally, I will have a lyric forming before I go into the studio. But with this one, we wrote the music and beat before we wrote anything lyrically}}</ref> Speaking to ''Billboard'' in November 2013, Little appreciated Lorde's developed songwriting skills on "Tennis Court", for which Lorde wrote the melody and the whole chorus, praising her as "an amazing songwriter".<ref name="SongWriting">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/lorde-co-writer-joel-little-looking-forward-to-making-more-songs-5778093/|title=Lorde Co-Writer Joel Little 'Looking Forward to Making More Songs'|magazine=Billboard|first=Chris|last=Payne|date=4 November 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131107012121/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/5778093/lorde-co-writer-joel-little-looking-forward-to-making-more-songs|archive-date=7 November 2013}}</ref>

==Release== On 7 June 2013, Universal Music Group released "Tennis Court" for digital download as Lorde's second single following "Royals" in Australia and New Zealand, where Lorde's cover of The Replacements' 1985 song "Swingin Party" serves as the B-side.<ref name = "iTunesSingleAU"/><ref name="Tennis Court-iTunes">{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/nz/album/tennis-court-single/657273441|title=Tennis Court – Single by Lorde|date=January 2013 |publisher=iTunes Store New Zealand|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131009010239/https://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/tennis-court-single/id657273441|archive-date=9 October 2013}}</ref> On the same day, an EP of the same name was released digitally throughout Europe. The EP contains three additional tracks—"Swingin Party", "Biting Down" and "Bravado"—all of which were previously included on ''The Love Club EP''.<ref name="iTunesEU"/> On 22 July, the EP was released as a 10-inch vinyl in the UK by Virgin EMI Records.<ref name="Vinyl">{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lorde-Tennis-Court-EP-Lorde/dp/B00DNVWRZE|title=Lorde – Tennis Court EP|publisher=Amazon.co.uk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110090336/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lorde-Tennis-Court-EP-Lorde/dp/B00DNVWRZE|archive-date=10 January 2014}}</ref> "Tennis Court" was later included as the opening track on Lorde's debut studio album ''Pure Heroine'', released on 27 September 2013.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108133713/http://getmusic.com.au/lorde/store/detail?id=190673|url=http://getmusic.com.au/lorde/store/detail?id=190673|title=Pure Heroine|publisher=Getmusic.com.au|archive-date=8 January 2014}}</ref>

In the US, "Tennis Court" was released as a 7-inch vinyl single on 27 August 2013.<ref name="USvinyl"/> Lava and Republic Records initially planned to service "Tennis Court" to US modern rock radio on 11 March 2014 and contemporary hit radio (CHR) on 8 April 2014 as the album's third US airplay single, following "Royals" and "Team".<ref>"Tennis Court" initial release schedule in the US:<br /> {{cite web|url=http://www.allaccess.com/alternative/future-releases|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6Nd1tRMkQ?url=http://www.allaccess.com/alternative/future-releases|title=Future Releases on Alternative Radio Stations|publisher=All Access Music Group|archive-date=24 February 2014}}<br />{{cite web|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6NdwEYDtk?url=http://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases|title=Future Releases on Top 40/Mainstream|url=http://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases|publisher=All Access Music Group|archive-date=25 February 2014}}</ref> Republic cancelled the scheduled release in favour of "Glory and Gore",<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5922997/lordes-pure-heroine-hits-1-million-in-sales |title=Lorde's 'Pure Heroine' Hits 1 Million in Sales |first=Keith |last=Caulfield |magazine=Billboard |date=28 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304061926/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5922997/lordes-pure-heroine-hits-1-million-in-sales| archive-date=4 March 2014}}</ref> which impacted modern rock radio on 11 March 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allaccess.com/alternative/future-releases|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713212901/http://www.allaccess.com/alternative/future-releases|title=Future Releases on Alternative Radio Stations|publisher=All Access Music Group|url-status=live|archive-date=13 July 2014}}</ref> The label also planned to service "Glory and Gore" to CHR, but instead serviced "Tennis Court" to CHR as originally planned.<ref name="chartbeat">{{cite magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140501110652/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6070135/chart-highlights-lordes-tennis-court-nets-adult-pop-songs-debut|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/chart-highlights-lordes-tennis-court-nets-adult-pop-songs-debut/|title=Chart Highlights: Lorde's 'Tennis Court' Nets Adult Pop Songs Debut|first=Gary|last=Trust|date=28 April 2014|magazine=Billboard|url-status=live|archive-date=1 May 2014}}</ref> "Tennis Court" ultimately impacted hot adult contemporary radio and CHR on 21 and 22 April 2014, respectively.<ref name="USCHR"/><ref name="USHAC"/> It was released to UK radio on 12 May 2014.<ref name="DSrelease"/>

==Composition== {{listen | filename = Tennis Court.ogg | title = "Tennis Court" | description = "Tennis Court" combines alternative pop, art pop and downtempo genres over hip hop-influenced beats. The song incorporates a minimalist production, utilising synthesiser and an electronic pulse. | pos = right }}

"Tennis Court" is written in the key of C major and has a moderate tempo of 90 beats per minute.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Key & BPM for Tennis Court By Lorde {{!}} Tunebat |url=https://tunebat.com/Info/Tennis-Court-Lorde/74fpNVAJrKGQuqHETi4WSt }}</ref> Lorde's vocal range on the song spans one octave, from G<sub>3</sub> to G<sub>4</sub>.<ref name=sheetmusic>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0121480&|title= Lorde 'Tennis Court' Sheet Music|date= 15 July 2013|publisher=EMI Music Publishing|via=Musicnotes.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305072914/http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0121480&|archive-date=5 March 2016}}</ref> It combines alternative pop,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/musicandnightlife/lorde-iggy-azalea-eminem-outkast-among-must-see-acts-at-lollapalooza-in-chicago-b99317936z1-269125141.html|title=Lollapalooza 2014|work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|first=Piet|last=Levy|date=30 July 2014|access-date=2 August 2014}}</ref> art pop,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.spin.com/2013/09/lorde-royals-debut-album-pure-heroine-stream/ |title=Stream Lorde's Full 'Royals'-Featuring Debut Album 'Pure Heroine' |date=23 September 2013 |work=Spin |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125065905/https://www.spin.com/2013/09/lorde-royals-debut-album-pure-heroine-stream/| archive-date=25 November 2015|first=Kyle|last=McGovern}}</ref> and downtempo genres over hip hop-influenced beats,<ref name="TheFourOhFive">{{cite web|url=https://www.thefourohfive.com/music/review/lorde-tennis-court-ep|title=Lorde – Tennis Court [EP]|work=The 405|first=Larry|last=Day|date=18 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222151915/https://www.thefourohfive.com/music/review/lorde-tennis-court-ep|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 February 2019}}</ref> minimalist synthesisers,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2014/07/21/diplos-new-remix-turns-the-lights-on-lordes-tennis-court/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151109160052/https://ew.com/article/2014/07/21/diplos-new-remix-turns-the-lights-on-lordes-tennis-court/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|title=Diplo's new remix turns the lights on Lorde's 'Tennis Court'|first=Miles|last=Raymer|date=21 July 2014|archive-date=9 November 2015}}</ref> and an electronic pulse.<ref name="Clash">{{cite web|url=http://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/lorde-pure-heroine|title=Lorde – Pure Heroine|work=Clash|first=Joe|last=Zadeh|date=11 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015233735/http://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/lorde-pure-heroine|archive-date=15 October 2013}}</ref> ''Billboard'' editor Jason Lipshutz commented that "Tennis Court" conveys a darker aspect of pop music.<ref name="Billboard">{{cite magazine| url= http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/5733177/lorde-pure-heroine-track-by-track-review| title= Lorde, 'Pure Heroine': Track-By-Track Review| last= Lipshutz| first= Jason| magazine= Billboard| date= 25 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613201009/https://www.billboard.com/articles/review/5733177/lorde-pure-heroine-track-by-track-review|archive-date=13 June 2018}}</ref> Nick Messtite from ''Forbes'' wrote that the track was reminiscent of The Postal Service's 2003 song "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/nickmessitte/2013/12/04/pure-heroine-we-found-lorde-in-a-hopeless-place/|title=Pure Heroine – We Found Lorde In A Hopeless Place|work=Forbes|first=Nick|last=Messitte|date=4 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628234139/https://www.forbes.com/sites/nickmessitte/2013/12/04/pure-heroine-we-found-lorde-in-a-hopeless-place/|archive-date=28 June 2018}}</ref> ''Clash''{{'}}s Joe Zadeh likened the song's production to The xx's 2013 song "Together".<ref name="Clash"/> Siân Rowe from ''NME'' compared "Tennis Court" to works by Lana Del Rey.<ref name="nme"/>

==Lyrical interpretation== [[File:Gregory Crewdson 2.jpg|thumb|The works by American photographer Gregory Crewdson (''pictured'') were a source of inspiration for the lyrics.]] The song's lyrics address Lorde's newfound fame.<ref name="Lyrics">{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rock-genius/10-reasons-why-lordes-pur_b_4006183.html|title=10 Reasons Why Lorde's Pure Heroine Is a Lyrical Masterpiece|work=HuffPost|date=30 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930174406/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rock-genius/10-reasons-why-lordes-pur_b_4006183.html|archive-date=30 September 2013}}</ref> In an interview with Spotify in May 2013, Lorde explained that "Tennis Court" was inspired by her friends and daily life in her hometown Auckland, saying that the song was a summary of the events she witnessed during the previous months of her life.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130903031154/http://news.spotify.com/us/2013/05/29/our-interview-with-lorde/|url=http://news.spotify.com/us/2013/05/29/our-interview-with-lorde/|title=Our Interview with Lorde|date=29 May 2013|publisher=Spotify|first=Candice|last=Katz|archive-date=3 September 2013}}</ref> On her Tumblr account, the singer elaborated on the tennis court imagery as "a symbol of nostalgia" that embodied memories of her hometown. Lorde also elucidated that the track reflected the changes in her life at the moment, when she had ventured into a career in music.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vh1.com/news/o70v93/lorde-tennis-court|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170328160629/http://www.vh1.com/news/51560/lorde-tennis-court/|publisher=VH1|title=Lorde Reveals The 'Grandeur' Behind 'Tennis Court'|date=17 September 2013|first=Meghan|last=O'Keefe|url-status=live|archive-date=28 March 2017}}</ref>

Lorde also took inspiration from "how superficial people can be" after having perceived the mechanism of the music industry.<ref>{{cite web|last=Iannacci|first=Elio|date=8 January 2014|url=https://www.macleans.ca/culture/lorde-the-grammy-underdog/|title=Lorde: The Grammy underdog|work=Maclean's|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701031945/https://www.macleans.ca/culture/lorde-the-grammy-underdog/|archive-date=1 July 2018}}</ref> Paul Lester from ''The Guardian'' opined that the song criticises the extravagant lifestyle of the rich,<ref name="TheGuardian"/> while ''Billboard'' writer Drew Fortune compared its songwriting to the works of American rock musician Paul Westerberg.<ref name="BB-mature"/> During the songwriting process, Lorde explained that she took an interest to the works of American photographer Gregory Crewdson due to his depictions of human life, suburbia and sense of loneliness.<ref>{{cite AV media| people =Lorde | year =2013 | title =Lyrical Influences (VEVO LIFT): Brought to You By McDonald's | medium =video| url =https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCSFHsd7NWA | access-date =22 November 2013 | publisher =VEVO/YouTube |time=2:25| quote =When I wrote "Tennis Court", I was looking at a lot of photography by this guy called Gregory Crewdson who, um, makes these huge, super intricate, really beautiful photographs. They kind of just, like, depict human life, and there is this an emptiness to them and there is a suburbia to them which I find really compelling. And so I was definitely thinking of that visually.}}</ref>

The track opens with Lorde questioning "Don't you think that it's boring how people talk?", which suggests "a frictional relationship with the high life",<ref name="TheGuardian">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/jun/07/new-band-lorde|title=New band of the day: Lorde (No 1,528)|work=The Guardian|date=7 June 2013|first=Paul|last=Lester|author-link=Paul Lester|access-date=12 January 2014}}</ref> and summarises ''Pure Heroine''{{'}}s central theme of Lorde's observations and critiques of mainstream culture.<ref name="Slant">{{cite web|last=Liedel|first=Kevin|title=Lorde: Pure Heroine – Music Review|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/lorde-pure-heroine|work=Slant Magazine|date=29 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930024614/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/lorde-pure-heroine|archive-date=30 September 2013}}<br />{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2017/06/album-review-lorde-melodrama/|title=Lorde – Melodrama|work=Consequence of Sound|first=Dan|last=Weiss|date=20 June 2017|quote=Her anti-teen pop, teen pop auteurism was apparent from the first line of 2013's [...] Pure Heroine: 'Don't you think that it's boring how people talk?'|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722221833/https://consequenceofsound.net/2017/06/album-review-lorde-melodrama/|archive-date=22 July 2017}}</ref> The refrain contains the lyrics "Baby be the class clown / I'll be the beauty queen in tears", which express underlying sorrow behind superficial beauty.<ref name="BB-mature">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/lorde-best-lyrics-pure-heroine-love-club-7581330/|title=Lorde's Top 10 Lyrics That Show She's Wise Beyond Her Years|first=Drew|last=Fortune|magazine=Billboard|date=20 November 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423151126/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7581330/lorde-best-lyrics-pure-heroine-love-club|archive-date=23 April 2018}}</ref> The follow-up lines "It's a new art form showing people how little we care / We're so happy even when we're smilin' out of fear" illustrate Lorde feigning disinterest when facing fame and adolescence.<ref name="Clash"/><ref name="NPR">{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2018/08/31/638897130/lorde-is-the-21st-centurys-author-of-adolescent-evolution|title=Lorde Is The 21st Century's Author Of Adolescent Evolution|first=Cyrena|last=Touros|date=31 August 2018|publisher=NPR|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902010239/https://www.npr.org/2018/08/31/638897130/lorde-is-the-21st-centurys-author-of-adolescent-evolution|archive-date=2 September 2018|url-status=live|access-date=21 February 2019}}</ref> In the second verse, Lorde wonders about her future music career,<ref name="TimeOut"/> therefrom expecting inevitable nostalgia of her non-celebrity lifestyle, "But my head's filling up with the wicked games, up in flames / How can I fuck with the fun again, when I'm known?"<ref name="DS">{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/review/a525574/lorde-pure-heroine-album-review-a-startlingly-confident-debut.html|title=Lorde: 'Pure Heroine' album review: 'A startlingly confident debut'|first=Robert|last=Cospey|publisher=Digital Spy|date=22 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230063536/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/review/a525574/lorde-pure-heroine-album-review-a-startlingly-confident-debut.html|archive-date=30 December 2013}}</ref> At the bridge, Lorde sings "I fall apart, with all my heart / And you can watch from your window", which ''HuffPost'' interpreted as a commentary on the breakdowns of teenage celebrities.<ref name="Lyrics"/>

==Critical reception== "Tennis Court" received generally positive reviews from contemporary critics. Siân Rowe from ''NME'' complimented Lorde's "strong pop vocals".<ref name="nme">{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/lorde/14604|title=Album Review: Lorde – Tennis Court|work=NME|first=Siân|last=Rowe|date=19 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725024418/http://www.nme.com/reviews/lorde/14604|archive-date=25 July 2013}}</ref> Emily Yoshida from ''Grantland'' labelled it a "murkily winsome, ever-so-slightly chopped ballad",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grantland.com/blog/hollywood-prospectus/post/_/id/88636/lordes-pure-heroine-is-a-pop-music-fountain-of-youth|title=Lorde's Pure Heroine Is a Pop Music Fountain of Youth|first=Emily|last=Yoshida|work=Grantland|date=1 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004113138/http://www.grantland.com/blog/hollywood-prospectus/post/_/id/88636/lordes-pure-heroine-is-a-pop-music-fountain-of-youth|archive-date=4 October 2013}}</ref> while Kyle Jaeger writing for ''The Hollywood Reporter'' commended the track's lyrical content and its "catchy" melody.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lordes-pure-heroine-what-critics-639933|title=Lorde's 'Pure Heroine': What the Critics Are Saying|first=Kyle|last=Jaeger|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=1 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002063119/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lordes-pure-heroine-what-critics-639933|archive-date=2 October 2013}}</ref> ''Billboard''{{'}}s Jason Lipshutz was favourable towards the song's "detached attitude" and minimalist production that evoked "something intoxicating" in the music scene.<ref name="Billboard"/> Sharing the same sentiment, Adam Offitzer from independent music blog ''Pretty Much Amazing'' regarded "Tennis Court" as a "[burst] of originality" in the mainstream music scene of "mindless hooks and dubstep anthems" for its minimalism and "clever" lyrics.<ref name="PrettyMuchAmazing">{{cite web|url=https://prettymuchamazing.com/reviews/lorde-the-love-club-tennis-court|title=Lorde – 'The Love Club' / 'Tennis Court'|work=Pretty Much Amazing|first=Adam|last=Offitzer|date=24 July 2013|access-date=21 February 2019|archive-date=29 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529074456/http://prettymuchamazing.com/reviews/lorde-the-love-club-tennis-court|url-status=dead}}</ref>

''Pitchfork'' writer Lindsay Zoladz applauded the song's narrative for "exposing irony and even hypocrisy without coming off as preachy or moralistic".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/18614-lorde-pure-heroine/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219010405/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/18614-lorde-pure-heroine/|title=Lorde: Pure Heroine|first=Lindsay|last=Zoladz|work=Pitchfork|date=3 October 2013|archive-date=19 December 2013}}</ref> In his review of ''Pure Heroine'', Jon Hadusek from ''Consequence of Sound'' selected "Tennis Court" as an "essential" track and highlighted its narrative lyrics.<ref name="COS">{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2013/09/album-review-lorde-pure-heroine/|title=Album Review: Lorde – Pure Heroine|work=Consequence of Sound|date=30 September 2013|first=Jon|last=Hadusek|access-date=13 January 2014}}</ref> ''Time Out'' editor Nick Levine similarly lauded Lorde's "compelling" songwriting ability despite her young age at the time and praised the song's composition as "glorious".<ref name="TimeOut">{{cite web|url=http://www.timeout.com/london/music/lorde-pure-heroine-album-review|title=Lorde – 'Pure Heroine' album review|first=Nick|last=Levine|work=Time Out|date=24 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105045118/http://www.timeout.com/london/music/lorde-pure-heroine-album-review|archive-date=5 November 2013}}</ref> AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine and ''The Independent''{{'}}s Andy Gill also picked "Tennis Court" as a standout track of ''Pure Heroine'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/pure-heroine-mw0002574004|title=Pure Heroine – Overview|publisher=AllMusic|first=Stephen|last=Thomas Erlewine|date=30 September 2013|access-date=13 January 2014|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-review-lorde-pure-heroine-universal-8901904.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220527/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-review-lorde-pure-heroine-universal-8901904.html |archive-date=27 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Album review: Lorde, Pure Heroine|work=The Independent|first=Andy|last=Gill|date=25 October 2013|access-date=22 February 2019}}</ref> while John Murphy from ''musicOMH'' complimented the track as "impossible not to sing along to".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/lorde-pure-heroine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210184955/https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/lorde-pure-heroine|title=Lorde – Pure Heroine|work=musicOMH|first=John|last=Murphy|date=24 October 2013|archive-date=10 December 2013}}</ref> In a less enthusiastic review, Evan Sawdey of ''PopMatters'' considered the song a "drawback" that does not "[suit] her well".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/175719-lorde-pure-heroine-2495719039.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103193353/https://www.popmatters.com/175719-lorde-pure-heroine-2495719039.html|title=Lorde: Pure Heroine|work=PopMatters|first=Evan|last=Sawdey|date=10 October 2013|archive-date=3 January 2018}}</ref> ''Paste'' ranked it number 34 on their list of the 40 Best Debut Album Openers of All-Time.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Paste Music Staff |title=The 40 Best Debut Album Openers of All Time |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/best-songs/best-debut-album-openers-lead-off-tracks/ |access-date=29 September 2020 |work=Paste |date=28 September 2020}}</ref>

==Commercial performance== "Tennis Court" debuted atop the New Zealand Singles Chart dated 17 June 2013, becoming Lorde's second number-one single on the chart following "Royals", which reached the top position in March 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/singles/2013-06-14|title=NZ Top 40 Singles Chart|publisher=Official New Zealand Music Chart|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927210007/http://nztop40.co.nz/chart/singles?chart=2215|archive-date=27 September 2013}}</ref><ref name="nz"/> It spent 21 weeks on the chart, six of which in the top ten.<ref name="nz"/> The single received triple platinum certification from Recorded Music NZ for exceeding sales of 45,000 copies in the country.<ref name="nzcert"/> "Tennis Court" was the 19th best-selling single of 2013 in New Zealand.<ref name="nzyearend"/> In neighbouring Australia, the single peaked at number 20 on the ARIA Singles Chart and remained on the chart for 22 weeks.<ref name="aus"/> It was certified five times platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).

Outside Australasia, the single achieved modest commercial success. It peaked at number 78 on the Canadian Hot 100 and remained for five weeks on the chart.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/lorde/chart-history/can/|title=Lorde – Tennis Court Chart History – Canadian Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|access-date=23 February 2019}}</ref> The track earned platinum certification from Music Canada, which denotes shipments of 80,000 copies in the country.<ref name="MC"/> The single had the similar position on the UK Singles Chart and was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for track-equivalent sales of 400,000 units, based on sales and streams.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/29530/lorde/|title=Lorde {{!}} Full Official Charts History|publisher=Official Charts Company|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625021810/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/29530/lorde/|archive-date=25 June 2018}}</ref><ref name="BPI"/> It also entered the top 100 of the German Singles Chart, where it reached number 83.<ref name="ger"/> Despite not entering the record chart of Norway, the song was certified platinum by IFPI Norway for exceeding sales of 10,000 units in the country.<ref name="NorCert"/> In the US, "Tennis Court" debuted at number 71, which was also its highest placement, on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart dated 19 October 2013.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2013-10-19|title=Top 100 Songs|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219205121/https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2013-10-19|archive-date=19 February 2018}}</ref> The single spent 18 weeks on the chart and had sold 355,000 copies in the US by April 2014.<ref name="hot100"/><ref name="chartbeat"/> It also reached number nine on the Hot Rock Songs, a ''Billboard'' auxiliary chart.<ref name="rock"/>

==Music video== [[File:Lorde - Tennis Court (video screen shot).png|thumb|right|200px|The music video is a one-shot in which Lorde looks into the camera, lip-synching to a repeated "Yeah!", but no other lyrics.]] The official music video for "Tennis Court" was directed by Joel Kefali, who previously worked with Lorde on the accompanying video for her debut single "Royals".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/videos/lorde/939254/royals.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130812095630/http://www.mtv.com/videos/lorde/939254/royals.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 August 2013|title=Lorde – Music Videos|publisher=MTV Networks|access-date=16 January 2014}}</ref> The video was filmed as a one-shot.<ref name="Seacrest">{{cite web|url=http://www.ryanseacrest.com/2013/06/24/watch-lordes-tennis-court-video-before-she-invades-u-s/|title=Watch Lorde's 'Tennis Court' Video Before She Invades U.S.|first=Kathleen |last=Perricone|publisher=Ryan Seacrest|date=24 June 2013|access-date=16 January 2014}}</ref> Lorde appears in "black clothing, braided hair, and dark lipstick."<ref name="Seacrest"/> It features Lorde staring into the camera as the song plays;<ref name="mtvnews">{{cite news |last1=O'Neil |first1=Luke |title=New Video: Lorde, 'Tennis Court' (NSFW) |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2304663/lorde-tennis-court-video/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307142936/http://www.mtv.com/news/2304663/lorde-tennis-court-video/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 March 2016 |access-date=29 September 2020 |work=MTV News |date=27 June 2013}}</ref> she does not lip sync the lyrics except for the word "Yeah!" after each verse and during the chorus.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nierenberg |first1=Jacob |title='Pure Heroine': How Lorde Gave Pop Music A Shot In The Arm |url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/lorde-pure-heroine-debut-album/ |website=uDiscoverMusic |access-date=29 September 2020 |date=27 September 2019}}</ref> The set lighting fades in and out throughout the video.<ref name="WashingtonPost">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2013/10/24/5-things-to-know-about-lorde/|title=5 things to know about Lorde|newspaper=The Washington Post|first=Bethonie|last=Butler|date=24 October 2013|access-date=11 January 2014}}</ref>

Writing for ''The Washington Post'', Bethonie Butler observed a discrepancy between Lorde's statement that "In a perfect world, [she] would never do any interviews, and probably there would be one photo out there of [her]", and the fact that, in the music video, Lorde is "front and center."<ref name="WashingtonPost"/> Butler viewed the video as "a metaphor for celebrity."<ref name="WashingtonPost"/> Writing for Ryan Seacrest's website, Kathleen Perricone complimented the "super simple" clip, which allowed Lorde's "voice and lyrics [to] really shine."<ref name="Seacrest"/> Lindsay Zoladz, of Pitchfork Media, compared the video to that for The Replacements' "Bastards of Young" (1985).<ref name="Pitchfork">{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/18614-lorde-pure-heroine/|title=Lorde: Pure Heroine|publisher=Pitchfork Media|first=Lindsay|last=Zoladz|date=3 October 2013|access-date=11 January 2014}}</ref> ''MTV News'' editor Luke O'Neil wrote that the "Tennis Court" video is "a bit unsettling at first, but eventually it starts to make sense. [Lorde is] trying to do things a bit differently, and so far it seems like it's working."<ref name="mtvnews"/>

==Live performances== [[File:Lorde Lollapalooza 2014 (5).jpg|thumb|left|Lorde performing at Lollapalooza 2014 in Chicago|alt=Lorde performing onstage against a background mixing shades of red and orange]]

To promote her works to American audiences, Lorde held her first US show at Le Poisson Rouge in New York on 6 August 2013 and performed "Tennis Court" among songs from ''The Love Club EP''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/lorde-hypnotizes-at-first-us-show-live-review-5638325/|title=Lorde Hypnotizes At First U.S. Show: Live Review|first=Jason|last=Lipshutz|magazine=Billboard|date=7 August 2013|access-date=16 January 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130811092245/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/5638325/lorde-hypnotizes-at-first-us-show-live-review|archive-date=11 August 2013}}</ref> She subsequently included the song on the set list for her debut concert Pure Heroine Tour, which ran from late 2013 throughout 2014 in support of her debut studio album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2013/10/lorde-concert-review-brooklyn-warsaw|first=Foster|last=Kamer|date=4 October 2013|work=Complex|access-date=2 January 2014|title=Live Review: Lorde Brings Brooklyn More Than a Chart-Topper|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131122112119/http://www.complex.com/music/2013/10/lorde-concert-review-brooklyn-warsaw|archive-date=22 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/chi-lorde-concert-review-20140318-column.html|title=Lorde reigns at Aragon|first=Greg|last=Kot|work=Chicago Tribune|date=19 March 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190126220821/https://www.chicagotribune.com/chi-lorde-concert-review-20140318-column.html|archive-date=26 January 2019}}</ref> On 13 November 2013, Lorde performed "Tennis Court" among five other songs from ''The Love Club'' and ''Pure Heroine'' on ''Live on Letterman''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-news/lorde-is-blissful-during-six-song-live-on-letterman-set-241281/|title=Lorde Is Blissful During Six-Song 'Live on Letterman' Set|magazine=Rolling Stone|first=Kory|last=Grow|date=13 November 2013|access-date=24 February 2019}}</ref> Six days later, Lorde held her first UK concert at Soho, London, where she performed several tracks from ''Pure Heroine'' including "Tennis Court".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/music-review-lorde-distinguishes-herself-from-manufactured-peers-at-first-uk-gig-8826593.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220527/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/music-review-lorde-distinguishes-herself-from-manufactured-peers-at-first-uk-gig-8826593.html |archive-date=27 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Music Review: Lorde distinguishes herself from manufactured peers at first UK gig|first=Chris|last=Mugan|work=The Independent|date=19 November 2013|access-date=12 January 2014}}</ref> She also performed the track during the "Almost Acoustic Christmas" event on KROQ-FM radio station on 9 December.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/phoenix-arcade-fire-lorde-prove-664330|title=Lorde, Arcade Fire, Phoenix win night two of Almost Acoustic Christmas|first=Emily|last=Zemler|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=9 December 2013|access-date=16 January 2014}}</ref>

Lorde performed "Tennis Court" at the 2014 ''Billboard'' Music Awards in May.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/events/bbma-2014/6084949/lorde-tennis-court-2014-billboard-music-awards |title=Lorde Aces 'Tennis Court' TV Debut at Billboard Music Awards |magazine=Billboard |date=18 May 2014 |access-date=19 May 2014}}</ref> The following month, she performed a medley of "Tennis Court" and "Team" at the 2014 MuchMusic Video Awards.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/06/15/mmvas-2014-winners-performers-photos_n_5497420.html |title=MMVAs: Lorde (and Her Lamp) Rule The 2014 MuchMusic Video Awards |first=Joshua |last=Ostroff |work=HuffPost Canada |date=15 June 2014 |access-date=17 June 2014}}</ref> Lorde also performed the song during several music festivals, including the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-coachella-lorde-20140413-story.html|title=Coachella 2014: Lorde makes Coachella debut|first=Randall|last=Roberts|date=13 April 2014|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=27 May 2014}}</ref> the Laneway Festival in Sydney,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11193929|first=Chris|last=Schulz|work=The New Zealand Herald|title=Concert review: Lorde, Silo Park, Auckland|date=30 January 2014}}</ref> Lollapalooza Brazil in São Paulo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/musicandnightlife/lollapalooza-day-one-reviews-lorde-iggy-azalea-eminem-b99319987z1-269638091.html|title=Lollapalooza Day One Reviews: Lorde, Iggy Azalea, Eminem with surprise guest Rihanna, and more|first=Piet|last=Levy|work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=1 August 2014|access-date=3 August 2014}}</ref> At the Lollapalooza Festival in Grant Park, Chicago on 1 August 2014, she performed the track among other songs from ''Pure Heroine''. ''Billboard'' picked Lorde's performance as the fifth best of the festival,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/festivals/lollapalooza-festival/6206906/lollapalooza-2014s-10-best-performances|title=Lollapalooza 2014's 10 Best Performances|magazine=Billboard|date=4 August 2014|first1=Jason|last1=Lipshutz|first2=M. Tye|last2=Comer |first3=Denise |last3=Warner |first4=Chris |last4=Payne}}</ref> while ''Rolling Stone'' deemed her set list the highlight of the event.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/40-best-things-we-saw-at-lollapalooza-2014-20140804/best-of-the-fest-lorde-20140804|title=Best of the Fest: Lorde|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=4 August 2014 |access-date=5 August 2014}}</ref> Lorde included "Tennis Court" on the set list of her Melodrama World Tour, which ran from September 2017 to November 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2018/03/14/review-lorde-is-better-than-ever-during-oakland-concert/|title=Review: Lorde is better than ever during Oakland concert|first=Jim|last=Harrington|work=East Bay Times|date=14 March 2018|access-date=14 March 2018}}</ref>

==Usage and remixes== "Tennis Court" was played during the 2013 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles Final by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/new-music/10296479/Lorde-New-Music.html|title=Lorde – New Music|work=The Daily Telegraph|first=James|last=Lachno|date=11 September 2013|access-date=16 January 2014}}</ref> "Tennis Court" was remixed by Australian musician Flume in 2014.<ref name="flumemtv">{{cite news |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1726770/lordes-tennis-court-gets-some-serious-balls-with-flume-remix/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502041658/http://www.mtv.com/news/1726770/lordes-tennis-court-gets-some-serious-balls-with-flume-remix/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 May 2014 |title=Lorde's 'Tennis Court' Gets Some Serious Balls With Flume Remix |work=MTV News |first=Brenna |last=Ehrlich |date=24 April 2014 |access-date=13 June 2014}}</ref> ''Noisey'' credited his remix as one of the earliest examples of a SoundCloud trend incorporating a "dizzy drop", described as "piercing flurries of stuttering synths and stomach-churning side-chain compression."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Garber |first1=David |title=How Flume's Signature Drop Became SoundCloud's Most Annoying Trend |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/flume-drop-op-ed-feature/ |access-date=14 December 2019 |work=Noisey |publisher=Vice |date=23 January 2017}}</ref> In July 2014 American producer Diplo released his version, titled the Diplo's Andre Agassi Reebok Pump Mix.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pitchfork.com/news/55335-diplo-remixes-lordes-tennis-court/ |title=Diplo Remixes Lorde's 'Tennis Court' |first=Zoe |last=Camp |publisher=Pitchfork Media |date=21 July 2014 |access-date=22 July 2014}}</ref> In 2014, "Tennis Court" was featured in the soundtrack of the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Microsoft Windows versions of ''Grand Theft Auto V''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pitchfork.com/news/57496-grand-theft-auto-v-reveals-expanded-radio-station-tracklists-for-game-relaunch/ |title=Grand Theft Auto V Reveals Expanded Radio Station Tracklists for Game Relaunch |first=Corban |last=Goble |publisher=Pitchfork Media |date=17 November 2014 |access-date=18 November 2014}}</ref>

==Track listings==

{{Track listing | headline = Australasian digital download and 7"<ref name="Tennis Court-iTunes"/>

| title1 = Tennis Court | length1 = 3:18

| title2 = Swingin Party | length2 = 3:42

| total_length = 7:00 }}

{{Track listing | headline = CD single<ref name="2trackde"/>

| title1 = Tennis Court | length1 = 3:18

| title2 = White Teeth Teens | length2 = 3:36

| total_length = 6:54 }}

{{Track listing | headline = New Zealand digital download<ref name="RoyalsTennisNZ">{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/royals-tennis-court-single/id867528817|title=Royals / Tennis Court – Single by Lorde|publisher=iTunes Store New Zealand|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140609065749/https://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/royals-tennis-court-single/id867528817|archive-date=9 June 2014}}</ref>

| title1 = Royals | length1 = 3:10

| title2 = Tennis Court | length2 = 3:18

| total_length = 6:28 }}

{{Track listing | headline = Tennis Court EP<ref name="EP">{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/tennis-court-ep/id657273465|title= Tennis Court – EP by Lorde|publisher=iTunes Store United Kingdom|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131009064047/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/tennis-court-ep/id657273465|archive-date=9 October 2013}}</ref>

| title1 = Tennis Court | length1 = 3:18

| title2 = Swingin Party | length2 = 3:42

| title3 = Biting Down | length3 = 3:33

| title4 = Bravado | length4 = 3:41

| total_length = 14:14 }}

==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}

===Weekly charts=== {|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- !scope="col"|Chart (2013–14) !scope="col"|Peak<br />position |- {{single chart|Australia|20|artist=Lorde|song=Tennis Court|refname=aus|access-date=13 January 2014|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Flanders Tip|4|artist=Lorde|song=Tennis Court|refname=fla|access-date=13 January 2014|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Wallonia Tip|28|artist=Lorde|song=Tennis Court|refname=wall|access-date=13 January 2014|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Canada|78|artist=Lorde|song=Tennis Court|refname="can"|access-date=10 July 2014|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Billboardcanadachrtop40|38|artist=Lorde|song=Tennis Court|access-date=6 August 2014|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Billboardcanadahotac|49|artist=Lorde|song=Tennis Court|access-date=6 August 2014|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Billboardcanadarock|41|artist=Lorde|song=Tennis Court|access-date=6 August 2014|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|France|193|artist=Lorde|song=Tennis Court|refname=fra|access-date=13 January 2014|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Germany|83|artist=Lorde|song=Tennis Court|refname=ger|songid=1156703|access-date=13 January 2014|rowheader=true}} |- !scope="row"| Iceland (RÚV)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ruv.is/persona/lorde|publisher=RÚV|title= Lorde Chart History| access-date=24 May 2017}}</ref> |align="center"|17 |- !scope="row"|Netherlands (Tipparade)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.top40.nl/lorde-3/tennis-court_24965|title=Lorde – Tennis Court|publisher=Dutch Top 40|access-date=10 August 2014|language=Dutch}}</ref> |align="center"|19 |- {{single chart|New Zealand|1|artist=Lorde|song=Tennis Court|refname=nz|access-date=13 January 2014|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|UK|78|artist=Lorde|song=Tennis Court|refname="uk"|date=20131027|access-date=16 November 2013|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Billboardhot100|71|artist=Lorde|song=Tennis Court|refname="hot100"|access-date=10 January 2021|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Billboardrocksongs|9|artist=Lorde|song=Tennis Court|refname="rock"|access-date=10 January 2021|rowheader=true}} |- {{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|23|artist=Lorde|song=Tennis Court|access-date=10 January 2021|rowheader=true}} |} {{col-2}}

===Year-end charts=== {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |- !scope="col"|Chart (2013) !scope="col"|Position |- !scope="row"|Australia (ARIA)<ref name="auyearend">{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-singles-2013.htm|title=ARIA Top 100 Singles of 2013|publisher=ARIA Charts|access-date=27 January 2014}}</ref> |align=center|72 |- !scope="row"|New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)<ref name="nzyearend">{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-singles/2013-12-31|title=Top Selling Singles of 2013|publisher=Official New Zealand Music Chart|access-date=9 June 2014}}</ref> |align=center|19 |- !scope="row"|US Hot Rock Songs (''Billboard'')<ref name = "usrockyearend">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/hot-rock-songs?page=2|title=Rock Songs: 2013 Year-End Charts|magazine=Billboard|access-date=27 January 2014}}</ref> |align=center|30 |- |} {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" !scope="col"|Chart (2014) !scope="col"|Position |- !scope="row"|US Hot Rock Songs (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2014/hot-rock-songs|title=Hot Rock Songs: Page 1|magazine=Billboard|access-date=10 December 2014}}</ref> |align="center"|21 |- |} {{col-end}}

==Certifications== {{Certification Table Top}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|artist=Lorde|title=Tennis Court|award=Platinum|number=5|relyear=2013|certyear=2025|access-date=2 September 2025}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Lorde|title=Tennis Court|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2013|certyear=2024|access-date=19 March 2024}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=single|artist=Lorde|title=Tennis Court|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2013|certyear=2017|access-date=23 July 2017|refname=MC}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Lorde|title=Tennis Court|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2013|certyear=2015|source=radioscope|access-date=15 November 2025|refname=nzcert}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Norway|type=single|artist=Lorde|title=Tennis Court|award=Platinum|relyear=2013|certyear=2017|access-date=20 October 2017|refname=NorCert}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|type=single|artist=Lorde|title=Tennis Court|award=Gold|relyear=2013|certyear=2014|certref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sys2.grammotex.se/netdata/grp006.mbr/artdata?sart=3388945|title=Lorde – Tennis Court|publisher=Grammofonleverantörernas förening|language=sv|access-date=21 April 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421150643/http://sys2.grammotex.se/netdata/grp006.mbr/artdata?sart=3388945|archive-date=21 April 2024}}</ref>}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Lorde|title=Tennis Court|award=Gold|relyear=2013|certyear=2026|id=14884-3846-1|access-date=25 February 2026|refname=BPI}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Lorde|title=Tennis Court|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=2023|access-date=29 September 2023}} {{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|noshipments=true}}

==Release history== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |- ! scope="col" | Region ! scope="col" | Date ! scope="col" | Format ! scope="col" | Label ! scope="col" | {{Tooltip|Catalogue no.|Catalogue number}} ! scope="col" | {{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference}} |- ! scope="row"| Australia | rowspan="3"| 7 June 2013 | rowspan="2"| Digital download | rowspan="3"| Universal | rowspan="3" {{n/a}} |align="center"|<ref name = "iTunesSingleAU">{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/tennis-court-single/657273441|title=Tennis Court – Single by Lorde|date=January 2013 |publisher=iTunes Store Australia |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930145925/https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/tennis-court-single/id657273441| archive-date=30 September 2013}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | New Zealand |align="center"|<ref name="Tennis Court-iTunes"/> |- ! scope="row"| Various | Digital download (EP) | align="center"| <ref name="iTunesEU">''Tennis Court EP'' releases in Europe:<br /> {{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/be/album/tennis-court-ep/id657273465|title=Tennis Court – EP |publisher=iTunes Store Belgium|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602102034/https://itunes.apple.com/be/album/tennis-court-ep/id657273465| archive-date=2 June 2014}}<br /> {{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/fi/album/tennis-court-ep/id657273465|title=Tennis Court – EP |publisher=iTunes Store Finland| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602102045/https://itunes.apple.com/fi/album/tennis-court-ep/id657273465| archive-date=2 June 2014}}<br /> {{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/de/album/tennis-court-ep/id657273465|title=Tennis Court – EP |publisher=iTunes Store Germany| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140501033022/https://itunes.apple.com/de/album/tennis-court-ep/id657273465| archive-date=1 May 2014}}<br /> {{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/no/album/tennis-court-ep/id657273465|title=Tennis Court – EP |publisher=iTunes Store Norway| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602102036/https://itunes.apple.com/no/album/tennis-court-ep/id657273465| archive-date=2 June 2014}}<br /> {{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/si/album/tennis-court-ep/id657273465|title=Tennis Court – EP|publisher=iTunes Store Slovenia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602102028/https://itunes.apple.com/si/album/tennis-court-ep/id657273465| archive-date=2 June 2014}}<br /> {{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/es/album/tennis-court-ep/id657273465|title=Tennis Court – EP |publisher=iTunes Store Spain| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602102032/https://itunes.apple.com/es/album/tennis-court-ep/id657273465| archive-date=2 June 2014}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| United Kingdom | 22 July 2013 | 10-inch vinyl (EP) | Virgin EMI | 3747360 |align="center"|<ref name="Vinyl"/> |- ! scope="row"|Germany |rowspan="2"|27 August 2013 |rowspan="2"|7-inch vinyl single | Universal | {{n/a|Unknown}} |align="center"|<ref name="German_Vinyl">{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.de/Tennis-Court-Vinyl-Maxi-Single-Lorde/dp/B00EJXWZSO |title=Tennis Court [Vinyl Maxi-Single] |publisher=Amazon.de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112214835/https://www.amazon.de/Tennis-Court-Vinyl-Maxi-Single-Lorde/dp/B00EJXWZSO| archive-date=12 November 2013}}</ref> |- !scope="row"|United States |{{hlist|Lava|Republic}} | B0018886-21 |align="center"|<ref name="USvinyl">{{cite web|title=Tennis Court [Single]|website=Amazon |url=https://www.amazon.com/Tennis-Court-Lorde/dp/B00EJXWZSO/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018101158/https://www.amazon.com/Tennis-Court-Lorde/dp/B00EJXWZSO/|archive-date=18 October 2013}}</ref> |- !scope="row"| New Zealand | 4 April 2014 | Digital download{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Double A-side digital download with "Royals"<ref name="RoyalsTennisNZ"/>}} | Universal |rowspan="5" {{n/a}} |align="center"|<ref name="RoyalsTennisNZ"/> |- ! scope="row" rowspan="2"|United States |21 April 2014 |Hot adult contemporary |rowspan="2"| {{hlist|Lava|Republic}} |align="center"|<ref name="USHAC">{{cite web |url=http://www.republicplaybook.com/track/lorde-tennis-court-3/ |title=Lorde 'Tennis Court' |publisher=Republic Records |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415070729/http://www.republicplaybook.com/track/lorde-tennis-court-3/|archive-date=15 April 2014}}</ref> |- |22 April 2014 |rowspan="3"|Contemporary hit radio |align="center"|<ref name="USCHR">{{cite web |url=http://www.republicplaybook.com/track/lorde-tennis-court-2/ |title=Lorde 'Tennis Court' |publisher=Republic Records |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416034428/http://www.republicplaybook.com/track/lorde-tennis-court-2/ |archive-date=16 April 2014}}</ref> |- !scope="row"|Italy |25 April 2014 |Universal |align="center"|<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.radioairplay.fm/RadioDate/PublicDetails/62126 |title=Lorde – Tennis court (Universal) |publisher=Radio Airplay SRL |access-date=26 April 2014 |first=Gabriel |last=Mompellio |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427031619/http://www.radioairplay.fm/RadioDate/PublicDetails/62126| archive-date=27 April 2014}}</ref> |- !scope="row"|United Kingdom |12 May 2014 |Virgin EMI |align="center"|<ref name="DSrelease">{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a563172/lorde-announces-new-uk-single-tennis-court.html |title=Lorde announces new UK single 'Tennis Court' |work=Digital Spy |first=Ben |last=Lee |date=8 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140412011030/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a563172/lorde-announces-new-uk-single-tennis-court.html|archive-date=12 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/this-weeks-new-releases-11-05-2014-3004/ |title=This Week's New Releases 11-05-2014 |date=11 May 2014 |publisher=Official Charts Company |first=Daniel |last=Lane| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140518095238/http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/this-weeks-new-releases-11-05-2014-3004/| archive-date=18 May 2014}}</ref> |- !scope="row"|Germany |rowspan="2"|30 May 2014 |rowspan="2"|CD single |rowspan="2"|Universal |rowspan="2"|0602537874958 |align="center"|<ref name="2trackde">{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.de/Tennis-Court-2-Track-Lorde/dp/B00K60V7YM |title=Tennis Court (2-Track) &#91;Single&#93; |publisher=Amazon.de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140609001346/https://www.amazon.de/Tennis-Court-2-Track-Lorde/dp/B00K60V7YM| archive-date=9 June 2014}}</ref> |- !scope="row"|Switzerland |align="center"|<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.exlibris.ch/de/musik/cd/lorde/tennis-court-white-teeth-teens/id/0602537874958 |title=Tennis Court / White Teeth Teens |publisher=Ex Libris |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140604050705/http://www.exlibris.ch/de/musik/cd/lorde/tennis-court-white-teeth-teens/id/0602537874958|archive-date=4 June 2014}}</ref> |}

==See also== * List of number-one singles from the 2010s (New Zealand)

==References== {{Reflist}}

'''Footnotes''' {{notelist-ua}}

'''Bibliography''' *{{cite book|title=Made in Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand: Studies in Popular Music|first1=Shelley|last1=Brunt|first2=Geoff|last2=Stahl|publisher=Routledge|year=2018|isbn=978-1-317-270-478}}

{{Lorde}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tennis Court (song)}} Category:Songs about nostalgia Category:2013 singles Category:2013 songs Category:Art pop songs Category:Downtempo songs Category:Lava Records singles Category:Lorde songs Category:Song recordings produced by Joel Little Category:Songs written by Joel Little Category:Songs written by Lorde Category:Universal Music Group singles Category:Alternative pop songs