If there’s one factor Serena Williams is not brief on, it is fashion.
The 23-time main champion has lengthy been a trend-setter on- and off-the-court, routinely sporting the best silks and cloths as she vanquished participant after participant all through her legendary profession.
From beads to skin-tight clothes, Williams has at all times been one to make a style assertion.
And he or she made robust one on Monday evening, pulling as much as Arthur Ashe Stadium dressed to the nines for her first spherical match with Danka Kovinic.
Williams breezed to a straight units victory over Kovinic (6-3, 6-3). However it was her outfit that grabbed onlookers’ consideration when she first made her stroll to heart courtroom.
MORE: Serena Williams vs. Danka Kovinic outcomes
Williams took the courtroom in a surprising all-black gown. The satan was within the particulars, although; Williams’ gown was adorned with glistening diamonds.
Now that’s an entrance, @serenawilliams.#USOpen pic.twitter.com/vpdNSWcTes
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 29, 2022
It wasn’t simply an outfit. It was an expertise. From head to toe. Actually. Specks of diamonds had been meticulously positioned in her hair. It appeared the right solution to bookend Williams’ legendary historical past of hairstyles. She got here on the scene with beads and is ending her profession with diamonds.
Serena: began with beads
ended with diamonds pic.twitter.com/QO1uprD3Wv— WTA Tea (@WTATea) August 29, 2022
Serena’s footwear was equally drippy. Similar to her gown, her footwear had been dotted with jewels. First rule of style: Ensure the footwear match the outfit.
Williams’ sneaker choice was equal elements style and performance. The tongue was lined with the phrase “Queen Mama”, a nod to Williams younger daughter, Olympia.
Serena Williams unboxes her Nikes with customized “Queen Mama” and “SW” diamond lace locks forward of the US Open.
“I’ve by no means worn higher footwear for the Open,” she says. pic.twitter.com/xx1mSyvBDV
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) August 29, 2022
Talking of Williams’ daughter, it appeared Olympia bought in on the motion as nicely. Perched excessive within the household field subsequent to her dad and grandmother, Olympia was dripping out, as nicely. She rocked an identical all-black outfit that featured diamonds all throughout the torso.
And her hair? Properly, that was nostalgia at its most interesting; Olympia wore some ghost-white beads on the ends of her plaits, paying homage to the coiffure her mother and aunt employed once they had been first making their title within the tennis world.
And her daughter wore beads pic.twitter.com/TEu9GIx4pT
— Leslie McG (@LeMcGinty) August 30, 2022
MORE: Serena Williams by the numbers
There will likely be numerous issues tennis followers will miss as soon as Williams’ hangs up her racket for good. However for all the opposite accomplishments she’s obtained over the course of her legendary profession, one factor is for sure: she’s among the many best-dressed gamers to lace ’em up.
And Serena made that crystal clear on Monday evening.
Serena Williams greatest on-court outfits
Serena Williams has made it a behavior to put on trendy outfits on the courtroom. Listed here are a few of her most iconic on-court seems to be through the years:
Williams began her profession in fashion, actually, sporting white beads throughout her early-career main triumphs. It was a alternative that meant the world to legions of Black ladies, a call that has put the game in a greater place because of this.
Illustration issues.
I like Serena Williams as a result of once I was 16 yo athlete, right here got here this black woman/lady who seemed like me, had hair like me (beads had been in, do not decide) had a physique kind like me AND she was profitable AND she was proud to be black. pic.twitter.com/tROTRXMPok
— Ann Odong (@AnnOdong) February 9, 2018
It might set the stage for a fashion-fueled profession not like some other. I imply, who can overlook the all-black cat go well with she sported on the 2002 US Open? Serena was too clear right here.
2002 US Open 1st Spherical:
Serena Williams debuts her authentic all-black catsuit
The catsuit made headlines the world over and is named one of the well-known tennis outfits of all-time
This was her 1st US Open as top-seed and world #1 pic.twitter.com/Ww7bEVHLIh
— Tennis Historian (@HistorianTennis) August 28, 2022
Instances could have modified. However Williams’ appreciation for nice style by no means left, as she showcased whereas sporting an Off-White x Nike collab through the 2018 US Open. This is style:
Leiiii 😍😍 Finest outfit ever! I would like your gown sis💃🏻💃🏻 @serenawilliams pic.twitter.com/MMm2PJr9GL
— Fulvia Fognini (@Fulvia_Fognini) August 30, 2018
She went again to the Off-White x Nike nicely for the 2019 French Open. It proved equally efficient that point round, too:
Serena Williams is again on the French Open and debuting her newest Off-White collaboration with artistic director Virgil Abloh #RG19 (Reuters/Getty) pic.twitter.com/MfYvV3M5pM
— Uche Amako (@UcheAmako) May 27, 2019
You possibly can’t speak about Serena and never point out Wimbledon, both. Her willingness to indicate ambition with the all-white outfit simply added to her legacy. And the proof is within the pudding; Williams has seven Wimbledon titles and 98 profession wins on the legendary garden; that is the second-most profession victories on the All-England Tennis Membership garden (behind Martina Navratilova’s 120).
Here is an outfit she frequented over the previous few years: An all-white gown with one arm sleeved and one arm sleeveless.
The most effective outfit in virtually a decade… queen @serenawilliams #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/yjosjCo9lk
— MOSES IMMAN (@themosesimman) June 29, 2021