Zendaya and Law Roach chose to honor tennis legends Venus Williams and Serena Wiliams. Photo: Ernesto Casillas

Many thought Zendaya’s tenniscore wardrobe for the Challengers tour had come to an end after she switched up her style to a Vera Wang gown. However, Zendaya and her stylist, Law Roach, proved everyone wrong!

It could be argued that Zendaya’s Vera Wang dress at the Los Angeles premiere was a prelude to her latest outfit, a black-and-white striped Carolina Herrera dress. Both dresses featured a corset-like bodice and a princess-style flared skirt. But while the Vera Wang design seemed to have no connection to the tennis theme of the film, the Carolina Herrera dress marked an unforgettable moment in tennis.

Zendaya and Law Roach pay tribute to tennis prodigies Venus and Serena Williams

Photo: Ernesto Casillas

Carolina Herrera’s black and white dress had no tenniscore references whatsoever. However, the design was a nod to the sport’s respect for tennis legends Venus Williams and Serena Williams.

Venus Williams started playing professionally in 1994, and her sister Serena in 1995, although both sisters had already made impressive achievements in the junior tournaments in the US. Despite their meteoric rise to stardom, the two young athletes were often subjected to racism and body-shaming. They were called unfeminine and did not fit the elegant image of tennis players – a sport favored by the rich.

Overcoming these barriers, the sisters received recognition from the high fashion world when they appeared in Vogue magazine through a photo shoot by legendary photographer Annie Leibovitz, in 1998.

Venus Williams and Serena Williams in Vogue May 1998 issue. Photo: Annie Leibovitz

Stylist Law Roach paid tribute to the tennis sisters on Instagram: “A huge shout out to the legends Venus and Serena Williams. We appreciate everything you do!”

To recreate the image of the legendary tennis duo, Law Roach tasked Wes Gordon, Creative Director of Carolina Herrera, with the difficult task of recreating the evening gown worn by Grand Slam champions Venus Williams and Serena Williams. The large black and white stripes were extremely complex in structure, as they had to appear seamless between the bodice and the skirt, while still creating a corset element that cinched the waist.

Hair is the most special highlight of the photo series

Venus Williams and Serena Williams’ famous beaded braids. Photo: Jamie Squire /Allsport

If the black and white dress was visually appealing, the hair of Venus and Serena Williams in the 1998 photoshoot was culturally significant. Because the hairstyle highlighted their African-American culture.

During that time, women of color were stigmatized for wearing curly hair or cornrows. Therefore, a leading fashion magazine in the world promoted the natural beauty of women of color, creating a sensation. After that, the two sisters also continuously wore beaded braids in public.

The sisters’ mother, Oracene Price, would braid their hair before games, and the braids became a signature of the sisters’ court style for many years from the 1990s to the 2000s.

This hairstyle has even caused controversy on the court. During the 1999 Australian Open, a bead fell from Venus’s hair, leading to the referee awarding her opponent a point due to this unfortunate “incident”.

However, the Williams sisters have remained steadfast in their signature style. Serena has said emphatically: “Venus and I are proud of our braids. We are proud to be black in tennis. And that makes us special.”

Paying tribute to two athletes who helped change perceptions about black participation in a white-dominated sport, Zendaya made it a point to recreate the beaded braids of sisters Venus and Serena Williams, and she enlisted celebrity hairstylists Kim Kimble and Ursula Stephen to create her look.

Venus Williams backs tennis-themed film

Venus Williams arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of Challengers on April 17 in Vivienne Westwood couture. Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Venus Williams herself showed her support for the film by attending the premiere of Challengers in Los Angeles on Tuesday, April 16. There, the tennis prodigy attracted all eyes in a gray mini dress by Vivienne Westwood.

In a red carpet interview, Zendaya expressed her delight at the presence of one of the greatest tennis legends of all time. “When I heard Venus was at the premiere, I couldn’t believe it! It was magical. I know Serena saw the movie, but I was really nervous that Venus would watch me play tennis [on film],” the star shared.