Serena Williams has cemented her place as a tennis legend — and a style star
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999x359:1001x361):format(webp)/serena-williams-best-fashion-1-b6c9081314ff4981a10d805e3a140a05.jpg)
Photo: Julian Finney/Getty ; Tim Clayton/Corbis ; ANDREW YATES/AFP
Serena Williams went pro in 1995 when she was just 14 years old, jumpstarting her journey as a tennis icon. It wasn’t long after that she became a style star either, showing up to matches wearing bold and innovative looks.
Over the course of her 27-year career, the athlete’s tennis outfits often reflected her personal style, including many bright colors, patterns and unexpected silhouettes. The 23-time Grand Slam champ has taken to the court in everything from catsuits and color-block dresses to statement jewelry and coordinated sneakers, pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable in the world of tennis (which has not been without controversy).
When the tennis legend retired after the 2022 US Open, she went out with a style bang. For one of her matches, she wore a Nike figure skater-inspired look decked in crystals. She paired the dress with custom diamond-encrusted NikeCourt Flare 2 sneakers emblazoned with a golden “SW” on the side.
Her older daughter, Olympia, has also been known to twin with the athlete, and has even paid homage to some of Serena’s most memorable tennis looks!
Here’s a look back at some of Serena Williams’ best fashion moments on the court.
Serena Williams at the Australian Open in 2020
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(693x0:695x2):format(webp)/serena-williams-best-fashion-44-d4e4454c9b0f4a84bb4996bac942e099.jpg)
In a head-to-toe purple outfit, the tennis player brought back her signature free-flowing dress silhouette with this leopard-print Nike number. While she coordinated her accessories — sneakers and a headband — with her ensemble, the finishing touch was her koala manicure, a nod to her host country.
Serena Williams at the US Open in 2020
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(697x0:699x2):format(webp)/serena-williams-best-fashion-45-3214ea1b90934395b36f517abfcf248d.jpg)
A rare fashion moment, Williams opted for a neutral color scheme at the fourth round match of the 2020 US Open. However, she couldn’t resist adding a small pop of color to the beige outfit with a set of red wrist sweatbands.
Serena Williams at the French Open in 2021
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999x0:1001x2):format(webp)/serena-williams-best-fashion-46-ab72e8a1db15439f899af0896d66bfe6.jpg)
Swapping neutral for neon, the athlete’s outfit for the 2021 French Open was highlighter green from top to bottom. The Nike dress had a subtle black pattern and an asymmetrical strap for an eye-catching look that wasn’t too over-the-top. Look closely and you’ll see the personalized inscriptions on her sneakers reading “Serena Willy” and “queen.”
Serena Williams at the WTA 500 Yarra Valley Classic in 2021
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999x0:1001x2):format(webp)/serena-williams-best-fashion-47-a19224d60cea49caa0ae6e3cf446de2f.jpg)
A classic look with a modern twist, Williams brought back the pleated skirt for her quarterfinals match against Danielle Collins at the 2021 WTA Yarra Valley Classic. The hot pink Nike ensemble included a tank top, a pleated skirt with a black waistband, matching sneakers and silver jewelry.
Serena Williams at the Australian Open in 2021
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(629x0:631x2):format(webp)/serena-williams-best-fashion-48-b299a306ee5549dcb0ec248380d0df39.jpg)
Williams made waves once again with her asymmetric, color-blocked, one-legged catsuit at the 2021 Australian Open. The pink, red and black Nike ensemble was worn as a tribute to track star Florence Griffith Warner who famously ran in one-legged catsuits.
“I was inspired by Flo-Jo, who was a wonderful track athlete, amazing athlete when I was growing up,” the player said after the match, according to ESPN. “Watching her fashion, just always changing, her outfits were always amazing.”
“This year we thought of what can we do to keep elevating the Serena Williams on the court. The Nike team actually thought of this design of inspiration from Flo-Jo. I was like, ‘Oh, my god, this is so brilliant,’ ” she added.
The player completed her striking look with a blue headband, blue-and-pink sneakers and a “queen” necklace from her own jewelry line.
Serena Williams at the Internazionali BNL D’Italia in 2021
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999x0:1001x2):format(webp)/serena-williams-best-fashion-49-5eac652b453840ca941e487a7a641963.jpg)
The tennis legend wore a pastel pink outfit during a match in Rome. Social distancing laws prohibited fans from entering the venue, but the athlete still created a noteworthy look featuring a short-sleeve shirt that was knotted in the front, a pleated skirt with a black waistband and matching accessories.
Serena Williams at the US Open in 2022
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(601x0:603x2):format(webp)/serena-williams-best-fashion-50-c8aacfe99602445393dfee4be457b8b2.jpg)
Williams pulled out all the stops for the last tennis competition of her illustrious career. She took to the court at the 2022 US Open in a figure skater-inspired look by Nike that included a crystal-embellished dress with sheer sleeves and diamond-encrusted NikeCourt Flare 2 sneakers with “SW” embossed on the side in gold.
An outfit fit for a tennis legend, she accessorized the dazzling look with Swarovski crystals in her hair, a crystal-studded hairband and silver jewelry.
