The Nike SB Tennis Classic XL Brings Back Mid-2000s Shape

September 18, 2026

Nike SB is dialing things back to the mid-2000s with the debut, or return, rather, of the Nike SB Tennis Classic XL, an earnest retro of the Nike Air Classic SB featuring a true 2000s shape.

The Nike SB archive is rife with models largely forgotten to the sands of time, many of them imperfect pre-SB skate shoes developed as the sub-brand was getting its footing, plenty of them true cult classics that 2000s skaters would love to see brought back for the modern day. The Nike Air Classic SB is a member of the latter camp, owning a short-lived run in the mid-2000s before being discontinued to clear space for the more successful SB Dunk and Blazer.

Like many Nike SB models, the shoe has seen more than its fair share of names. It originally released in the 1970s as a tennis shoe referred to as the “Wimbledon,” then entered the Nike SB canon as the Air Classic SB in 2005, that version arriving with a new chunkier, padded construction. The model has more recently returned under Nike Tennis Classic and Nike SB Tennis Classic designations, but the modern skate silhouette, as seen via multiple recent releases including a collaboration with Rassvet, is more in line with the slimmer tennis/sportswear version.

The Tennis Classic XL marks a return to the 2000s build, dialing things back to the first Nike SB iteration with an overall wider silhouette and padded tongue. Baroque Brown suede forms the upper of this pair, complemented by a Sail leather Swoosh and Gum Light Brown outsoles. Opinions are subjective of course, but given the history, the promise of decent materials that Nike SB implies, and the simple fact that these look fire, this immediately becomes one of the Beaverton brand’s best shoes in the $100 or less range. It could also prove to be a major win for Nike SB in an increasingly fragmented and competitive skate shoe market, a necessary one given Converse has plans to sunset its CONS skate line.

The Nike SB Tennis Classic XL “Baroque Brown” releases Fall/Winter 2026 via Nike and skate shops, priced at just $95. Check out official images below if you’ll be going for a pair.