What are some of Serena Williams’ best and most iconic tennis outfits?
During her 27 years in professional tennis, Serena Williams has wowed the world with her game, just as much as with her style.
In nearly three decades of playing tennis, Serena Williams made headlines not only in the sport, but also in fashion and activism.
Since turning professional in 1995, Williams and her older sister Venus, reshaped the sport, especially for black athletes. They weren’t just dedicated, talented and driven. They were also fearless, unique and weren’t afraid to show their creative personalities with their uncommon looks.
With Williams’ career approaching its end, the 40-year-old has collected four Olympic gold medals, and over 20 major singles titles to her name. Considered one of the best tennis players of all time, if not the best, Williams has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, winning the U.S. Open, Wimbledon and Australian Open at least six times respectively.
Related: How to watch Serena Williams’ final matches ahead of retirement at US Open
Let’s take a look at some of Williams’ best and most memorable outfits and looks throughout her professional tennis career:
First match at the 2021 Australian Open, Williams rocked a one-legged catsuit
Williams wore a black, red, and pink asymmetrical catsuit designed by Nike for her first match in the 2021 Australian Open. The catsuit was inspired by the late US sprinter Florence Griffith Joyner, who loved bright colors and asymmetric designs.
In addition to the blue headband, signature hoop earrings, Williams topped off her look with a “Queen” necklace from her own jewelry line.
2018: Williams’ return to tennis in a black Nike catsuit at the French Open
After giving birth to her daughter in 2017, Williams returned to the court a year later for the French Open in a compelling black catsuit that made headlines. Not only was the suit protecting her against blood clots following a difficult pregnancy, but it also symbolized “all the moms out there that had a tough pregnancy,” as Williams posted on social media. Some questions were raised and conversations got heated when the president of the French Tennis Federation announced a ban on Williams’ outfit and similar styles from future French Opens, indicating “it will no longer be accepted…. One must respect the game and the place.”
2014: Williams competes at the U.S. Open in a leopard-print dress
Williams’ 2014 U.S. Open outfit spoke SERENA WILLIAMS. No other outfit had screamed Williams’ personality as much as this leopard print style, in pink! Williams received so many compliments for this dress, including an ESPN commentator who told Williams she looked “phenomenal.”
2013: Williams suits up for Wimbledon in a Nike blazer
Even with Wimbledon’s all-white dress code, Williams has found ways to be as creative as ever at the Wimbledon Championships. In 2004, she wore a pleated Nike dress accented with a gold print along the torso and a car wash skirt. In 2008, the Michigan-native arrived at Wimbledon in a sleek white summer trench over her tennis dress, being the first tennis player ever wearing a trench coat at a tournament. Williams went on with the white creativity again in 2013, starting the tournament in a classic white Nike dress, and finishing it with a matching white blazer.
2004: Williams wears a denim skirt for Kids’ Day at the U.S. Open
Denim in tennis. Serena Williams made that possible. At the 2004 U.S Open, the legend arrived to the court wearing a James Dean-inspired outfit with a denim skirt and a street-style look that turned heads around once again. This time, however, was not a tennis player’s first time to wear denim. Andre Agassi, who was considered a fashion icon with all the different ways he wore his heart on his patterned sleeves, gets that honor.
2004: Williams wears a biker take on tennis dressing at the U.S. Open
This gladiator look screamed tough at the 2004 U.S. Open. Williams defeated Tatiana Golovin in the third round of the event in her studded leather jacket and pleated skirt. A memorable one to say the least.