The Serve & Style Life

By Sydney Sadick

Tennis? Check. Fashion? Check. Content creation? Check. Madison Appel is the Hamptons girl who’s doing it all—with a killer backhand and even better taste.

Who first put a tennis racquet in your hand?

My tennis journey began when I was 4, in the Hamptons actually! My older brother played, as well as my parents. They were the first ones to introduce me to the sport and it stuck ever since.

Where are you from, and how did you end up in the Hamptons? 

I was born in Manhattan, then my family moved out to Long Island when I was a kid. My mom grew up in Southampton, so I came here every summer my entire life. My grandparents and great grandparents were always out here, too! My dad built our first house here when I was 2, so I’ve been a Hamptons girl my entire life.

You had a standout collegiate career. How did playing at Indiana University shape you as an athlete and a person?

Playing for Indiana was super fun for me competitively. Playing for a team shaped me in a lot of ways, but it was the first time I was competing for something much greater than just myself and it gave me a motivation I hadn’t had before. I also loved being able to share my experiences with my teammates and to be able to have a group of girls supporting one another. 

What does your current tennis routine look like? Do you still train or play competitively?

My current routine consists of me playing with mainly my clients and teaching tennis rather than competing. I stopped playing pro tournaments a couple years ago, so any sort of competing I do is definitely just for fun! 

You teach lessons to Hamptonites and you’re also an influencer. How do you balance and blend tennis with fashion?

Teaching tennis in the Hamptons while also being a full-time content creator was the best thing I ever did for myself. It allowed me to blend my passion for tennis and also showcase my personal lifestyle. It is truly the most authentic part of me, so it’s fun being able to share that online. Fashion on the other hand is something I’ve always loved. I used to pick out all the outfits for my teammates at Indiana, but I always felt a connection to fashion off the court as well. I think tennis fashion has bloomed over the years, on and off the court. Tennis clothes are not only on the court while playing but also walking around town and running errands. I love how “tennis core” is also a lifestyle, so being able to blend both is what my real passion is. 

How do you describe your style?

My style is definitely a blend of athleisure tomboy and chic. I am 100 percent a sneaker girl through and through, but you won’t catch me out to dinner without a pair of heels on. I like to say I’m a chic and girly tomboy. I love wearing something super extra and dressing it down, or something super casual and dressing it up. 

What’s your process like when creating content. Do you plan ahead or go with the flow?

I would love to say I sit here and plan every piece of content that I make, but I definitely go with the flow a bit. I do have a great team behind me who helps suggest ideas and give strategy and advice, which has been super beneficial to me. But I’m definitely the girl who tries to keep up with the trends and blend them into my everyday life as well.

How do you deal with being recognized in the Hamptons?

It’s something I definitely was not used to… ever. Now it feels fun and cool to meet people who actually engage with my content and who feel like they know a part of me. I honestly have become friends with people who have stopped me saying they watch my tennis videos! 

What’s next for you once the summer is over Out East?

I will be moving back to NYC full-time. I’m typically a snowbird, but I feel like where I’m at with work right now it makes the most sense for me to be back in New York, and I will definitely be going down to Florida a lot in the winter.

Anything else we should know? 

I don’t think people realize that I come from a big family with four brothers! Once people meet me and understand my personality, it starts to make sense. I think most people feel I’m just a girly girl who plays tennis, but growing up with brothers, that’s where my tomboy side comes from.