The main thing that Serena Williams could succeed at more than tennis is picking essential outfits. Since the 23-time Huge homerun champ procured her most memorable significant win at the 1999 U.S. Open in her buttercup yellow Jaguar dress and beaded ‘do, it was clear the now-GOAT was both a game and style star.
She’s kept on demonstrating this genius status, wearing everything from wild catsuits and tank tops to tutus and denim on the court. Truth be told, it seems like the multi-join competitor, mother, planner and business visionary — who declared her retirement from the game in August 2022 — has essentially worn everything. There was the creature print number at the 2014 U.S. Open, the pink Nike overcoat at the 2014 Australian Open and the blue Nike gown that highlighted stylish patterns at the 2016 French Open — just to give some examples.
Adding an edge to the creased skirts and polo shirts so frequently connected with the game, Williams has never avoided flaunting her own taste (and breathtakingly fit build!) on the court, first through her organization with Jaguar and presently with Nike.
However, it’s not just about looking really great for this OG tennis star. A great deal of her boldest looks accompany areas of strength for a. For example, at the 2018 French Open, she wore a short-sleeve catsuit that she sincerely shared was to pay tribute to “every one of the mothers out there that had a touch pregnancy.” And despite the fact that it had utilitarian capacities like assisting with supporting blood dissemination, the competition coordinators concluded that no more styles like it would be permitted from here on out. So what’d she do? Stood firm the next year, wearing a plan by the late Virgil Abloh for Nike that highlighted words like “Champion,” “Sovereign,” “Goddess” and “Mother” written in French.
For the 2022 U.S. Open, which came half a month after the boss uncovered her choice to “continue on” from tennis, Williams finished what is maybe one of her last on-court minutes with a bang. She shimmered onto the court in a dark, sheer-framed Nike dress canvassed in shines. The dress highlighted a gem encrusted bodice and a six-layer skirt — a sign of approval for her six earlier Flushing titles, Nike uncovered in a public statement in front of the match. On her feet, Williams wore custom PE NikeCourt Flare 2 tennis shoes that were outfitted with a jewel covered Swoosh.
The Being Serena star opened up about her desire to say goodbye to tennis in the September 2022 issue of Vogue.
“I’m evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me,” she explained. “I’ve been reluctant to admit to myself or anyone that I have to move on from playing tennis. Alexis [Ohanian], my husband, and I have hardly talked about it, it’s like a taboo topic. I can’t even have this conversation with my mom and dad. It’s like it’s not real until you say it out loud.”
While Williams shared that she’s hoping to focus more time on her family, the idea of leaving tennis behind is “the hardest thing” she could “ever imagine.”
“I hate that I have to be at this crossroads. I keep saying to myself, I wish it could be easy for me, but it’s not. I’m torn. I don’t want it to be over, but at the same time I’m ready for what’s next,” she wrote.
Keep scrolling to see Williams’ best on-court fashion moments of all time:
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2022 U.S. Open
For what may be her final appearance in the New York-based tournament, Williams stepped out in a glittery dress inspired by “figure skating competition apparel,” Nike revealed in a press release.
The skirt of the frock included six layers — a reference to the Michigan native’s own legacy: her six prior Flushing times. For footwear, Williams rocked a custom PE NikeCourt Flare 2 sneakers that featured a diamond-encrusted Swoosh. She accessorized with solid gold lace deubrés designed by Serena Williams Jewelry.
Credit: James Gourley/Shutterstock
2021 Australian Open
To play her first match against Germany’s Laura Siegemund, which she won, Williams donned a black, pink and red catsuit from Nike. The unitard featured a funky design as it included one full-length leg and one bike-short length leg.
Following the match, Williams told reporters that the outfit was inspired by late track and field star Florence “Flo-Jo” Griffith Joyner, who famously wore a pink and white one-leg unitard during the 1988 Olympic Trials.
“I was inspired by Flo-Jo, who was a wonderful track athlete, amazing athlete, when I was growing up,” Williams said, The Guardian reported.
Credit: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
2019 French Open
After wearing a catsuit to the 2018 tournament, officials put a dress code in place prohibiting anyone else from wearing a similar style in the future. So what did the tennis star do? She showed up with an even more powerful message the next year. Designed by Virgil Abloh for Nike, Williams wore a black and white crop top and skirt combo that included a jacket, which featured words like “Queen,” “Champion,” “Mother” and “Goddess” in French.
Credit: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
2019 Australian Open
The best way to beat the Aussie heat? In a custom teal Nike spandex romper, of course, as the pro rocked in Melbourne. The one-piece design, which she paired with compression fishnet stockings (!), featured contrasting stripes and an open back.
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2018 U.S. Open
For her triumphant return to the U.S. Open for the first time since giving birth to her daughter in September 2017, Williams rocked two ballerina-inspired one-shoulder frocks (one black and one lavender) designed by Off-White’s Virgil Abloh in partnership with Nike.
Credit: Jean Catuffe/Getty
2018 French Open
Form met function on this Nike short-sleeve catsuit design that Williams emotionally shared was in honor of “all the moms out there that had a tough pregnancy.” It also had a practical purpose in working to decrease the risk of blood clots for the athlete, but the French Tennis Federation controversially decided after the tournament that such styles would not be permitted in future events.
Credit: Julian Finney/Getty
2016 French Open
While we’re used to seeing the GOAT in cool dresses (shoutout to the cutouts on this sky blue Nike frock), we love how she layered it over black capri leggings at the clay court event.
Credit: Graham Denholm/Getty
2016 Australian Open
What better way to flaunt your washboard abs than with a neon yellow Nike crop top as the athlete did Down Under?
Credit: Julian Finney/Getty
2014 U.S. Open
Sartorially showing off her fierce instincts, this animal-print number (she also wore a pink version during the tournament) was aptly named the “Nike Serena Dress.”
Credit: Darrian Traynor/Getty
2014 Australian Open
Work it, girl! Williams left little doubt who is HBIC in a pink Nike blazer and coordinating mesh-like dress.
Credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty
2008 Olympics
She didn’t win a singles gold medal until the 2012 London Olympics, but she took home the top doubles prize with sister Venus in Beijing wearing a patriotic red, white and blue ensemble.
Credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty
2004 U.S. Open
Who says you can’t play sports in jeans? In one of her most memorable outfits ever, the champ paired a denim Nike miniskirt with a studded crop top and matching sweatbands.
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2004 French Open
Williams was thinking pink from head-to-toe in a Nike bubblegum-colored zip-front top, fuchsia shorts, headband, sneakers and hoop earrings.
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2002 U.S. Open
Long before her 2018 French Open catsuit, the style star showed some leg in a black Puma romper with 𝚋𝚊𝚋𝚢 pink accessories.
Credit: Jamie Squire/Allsport
1999 U.S. Open
To pick up her first Grand Slam win, the then-19 year old rocked a colorblock yellow Puma mini and beaded ‘do.
