At the 2004 US Open, Serena Williams didn’t just dominate opponents—she redefined on-court style with a bold, biker inspired ensemble that remains one of her most iconic looks. Designed in collaboration with Nike, the outfit featured a silver studded black dress with a pleated skirt. The dress’s bodice was adorned with silver studs, creating a striking contrast against the sleek black fabric, while the flared pleated skirt allowed for unrestricted movement during play. 

The pièce de résistance was the matching knee high gladiator style boots, a daring departure from traditional tennis footwear. Crafted by Nike designer Wilson Smith III, the boots featured a zip-off “spat” that transformed them into standard sneakers mid-match–-an innovation prioritising both drama and practicality. Williams completed the look with a studded leather jacket during warm-ups, with her name embellished in silver, highlighting the outfits rebellious spirit. 

While some Nike executives criticized the boots as impractical for tennis, fans and fashion critics celebrated the look as groundbreaking. It epitomised Williams’ fearless approach to blending high-octant sportswear with streetwear influences. As she later reflected, “Fashion should empower, not distract”, proving that tennis attire could be as fierce and unapologetic as the athlete wearing it. Decades later, the look remains a benchmark for boldness in sports fashion, a testament to Serena’s enduring legacy as a trailblazer both on and off the court.

2007: Maria Sharapova’s Red Carpet Dress

Sharapova dazzled at the US Open in a fiery red Nike dress adorned with 600 Swarovski crystals forming a stylised New York skyline. Designed with Nike’s Colleen Sandieson, the dress featured bonded seams with no stitching for enhanced comfort and a flared silhouette that moved seamlessly with her game. At night, the crystals shimmered under Arthur Ashe Stadium lights, while the daytime iteration featured a black and white negative print of the skyline. Sharapova described it as a tribute to her “favourite city”, blending athletic functionality with red carpet drama. Paired with red-soled Nike sneakers and a $5,000 Tiffany & Co. platinum and diamond earrings, the look cemented her status as tennis’ fashion innovator. 

2008: Maria Sharapova’s Tuxedo 

When Maria Sharapova strutted onto Wimbledon’s grass in a Nike-designed “tuxedo” ensemble—a sheer, sleeveless tuxedo inspired top with a gold accented bib front and wide leg shorts, paired with a tailored blazer for pre-match theatrics. Sharapova, then 21, leaned into her love of menswear, stating, “I wanted to do something classy and elegant…If there’s a place to experiment, it’s Wimbledon”. The shorts–her first in a Grand Slam–boasted a wide waistband and pin-stripe detailing, while the modified racerback design prioritised mobility. 

The look polarised critics and players alike. Her opponent, Alla Kudryavtseva, quipped, “It’s a little too much…but she’s brave enough to experiment.” Sharapova, ever the disruptor, leaned into menswear codes to challenge femininity’s narrow definitions. Despite the loss, the outfit became a cultural touchstone, challenging Wimbledon’s conservative norms and foreshadowing the rise of gender-fluid sportswear.

2018: Serena William’s Catsuit, Power in Black

Serena’s sleek black Nike catsuit with a striking red waistband became an instant icon in tennis fashion history. The form-fitting ensemble served dual purposes: a superhero-inspired fashion statement and a vital medical device. Engineered with zoned mesh for breathability and advanced compression technology, the catsuit was designed to enhance blood circulation and prevent life-threatening blood clots—a critical feature for Williams, who had faced severe postpartum complications after childbirth.

Williams drew inspiration from the blockbuster Black Panther film, even sharing, “I call it like my Wakanda-inspired catsuit…I feel like a warrior princess.” She dedicated the outfit to “all the moms out there who had a tough recovery from pregnancy,” transforming her return to tennis into an act of resilience. 

Despite  the catsuit’s critical medical function, French Tennis Federation President Bernard Giudicelli sparked international outrage by announcing the outfit would be banned from future French Open tournaments, stating, “One must respect the game and the place.” The decision drew widespread criticism, particularly from the tennis legend Billie Jean King, who argued that the “policing of women’s bodies must end.”

2024: Naomi Osaka’s Harajuku Bows:

Osaka’s green ensemble was a fusion of athletic wear with Japanese cultural elements, particularly drawing from Harajuku and Lolita fashion subcultures. The outfit was created through a collaboration between Nike and Japanese designer Yoon Ahn. Which features multiple layers, including a flouncy removable tulle tutu-style skirt for warm-ups and a white warm-up jacket with a tennis ball zipper and a massive green bow on the back. Even her Beats headphones were transformed into an elaborate “Lolita”-style headdress with pearls and bows, demonstrating attention to detail that extended to every accessory.

“When I step onto the court, I experience a transformative moment—it’s where I find my joy in playing. I want everyone who sees my outfit to connect with that powerful feeling,” Osaka revealed. This transformation concept draws inspiration from Japanese anime culture, specifically magical girl series like Sailor Moon, where characters undergo dramatic costume changes that mark their evolution into powerful alter egos. For Osaka, her tennis attire functions as a “super suit”—a symbol of empowerment that she hopes will influence women’s tennis broadly. Her vision encourages players to embrace their on-court clothing as an extension of their authentic identity and inner strength, transforming not just their appearance but their mindset when they compete.