With the U.S. Open in the last few weeks of the summer comes plenty of excitement and commotion that takes place within the hardcourt. However, there is just as much happening off the court as the athletes revel in the opportunity to showcase mesmerizing fashion statements. From Adidas’ new collection celebrating the powerful past, to Venus Williams opening a door to a fashion-fueled tennis world with her pre-match look, consisting of a Maison Alaia dress and Willy Chavarria suit jacket.
Tennis has seen an evolution like no other, and it has become increasingly more common to see players express their voices. Adidas launched their new FW23 collection as a homage to that history by celebrating the 50th anniversary of arguably the most groundbreaking event in, not just tennis, but sports history: Billie Jean King’s victory over Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes. The collection is headlined by the SST Jacket, designed to match the era being celebrated. Athletic styles can be used to tell a story, highlight a moment in the eternally complex world of sports or just be a flat-out good looking collection. I believe the SST Jacket has perfectly displayed a strong commitment by Adidas to change the future for young female athletes in New York.
Another piece to note is the revamped Avacourt shoe, which is now tailored to look similar to the style Billie Jean King rocked 50 years ago. Adidas athlete Jessica Pegula displays her admiration for what this collection stands for as she commented in a recent Adidas article: “Tennis history shows that greatness is never defined by gender. It hasn’t always been easy to choose this path – players like Billie Jean King had to fight for the right to be on the same court as men and gain respect from fellow players. I’m proud to be an advocate for gender equality in sport – both on and off the court.”
Adidas’ new celebration of the past has certainly helped to highlight the previous evolution in sport, but you would have to turn to Venus Williams for insight into how the game of tennis can evolve in the future. Although common in leagues such as the NBA or NFL, it is rare for athletes to use pre-game walk ups to show off their style, but Williams has certainly broken the mold in tennis tunnel looks. Her stylist, Solange Franklin, is already well known for her unique fashion sense, and there are no exceptions with Williams’ outfit. Williams was styled with a stunning black blazer by Willy Chavarria, featuring a large flower on the left shoulder. The blazer is complimented by a white Alaia mini skirt. I believe the color contrast between black and white (along with her bright red Wilson tennis bag) is executed perfectly, as it succeeds in expressing Williams’ love for fashion in a normally mundane environment when it comes to style. I have always gravitated towards sleek and powerful pieces, and Williams’ blazer certainly fell under that category. Although I do not particularly feel like the red Wilson bag fits into the overall outfit, I do appreciate Franklin’s unique splash of color being utilized in something as seemingly trivial as a tennis bag. Williams has always been a heavy admirer of the fashion industry, as she shared the interest with her sister Serena. Wiliams continues advocating for a stronger relationship between the tennis and fashion industries as her clothing line, Eleven by Venus, aims to create stylish athletic wear for any female tennis player.
From Adidas’ celebration of icons who paved the way for tennis’ present to Venus Williams and her style paving the way for tennis’s future, fashion can be found everywhere in the 2023 U.S. Open. The Open has had its fair share of controversy throughout the games, but one thing that has remained is the undeniable evolution that the game is undergoing. Tennis is becoming more accepting of expression, inclusivity and fashion as the guiding force for the athletes to amplify their voice outside of the hardcourt.
Williams’ outfit might have been what made the news now, but I wouldn’t be so surprised if going forward, tennis players showing off their personal style becomes the norm.
