Few sports are as fashionable as tennis. From the impeccably dressed crowds at tournaments like Wimbledon and the US Open to the on-court dresses of pros like Chris Evert and Serena Williams, the centuries-old sport has long provided its fans with memorable fashion moments.
While athletes have sported everything from shorts to catsuits on the court, it’s the tennis dress that constantly delivers as a sartorial protagonist. An unlikely hero of on-court performance, tennis dress styles have come a long way since they were first sported back in the 1900s, when long skirts were the rule. Over the past century, hemlines have shortened and skirts have transformed into skorts as the tennis dress becomes a vital part of the sport, as well as an athleisure essential for non-tennis players.
Ahead, 12 dresses in tennis history that serve as fashion inspiration now and forever.
Chris Evert, 1971
American champion Chris Evert showed that playing tennis and looking fashionable are not mutually exclusive at the 1971 US Open. The 18-time Grand Slam winner showed up to the tournament in an all-white lace mini dress with a ribbon hair accessory—an it-girl look, if you ask me.
Billie Jean King, 1973
Billie Jean King showed Bobby Riggs who's boss during the famed "Battle of the Sexes" match in 1973. She did so wearing a buttoned-up collared baby blue dress with royal blue embellishments and matching Adidas sneakers.
Monica Seles, 1995
During an exhibition match in New Jersey, Monica Seles sported a white tank dress with A-line skirt that featured red-and-blue squares all over, matching the Nike logo. She accessorized the look with a white gauzy scrunchie.
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Venus Williams, 2002
Seven-time Grand Slam-winner Venus Williams sported a white-and-navy halted dress at the 2002 US Open. The dress's geometric design and color palette gave the otherwise simple style a patriotic spin. While Williams lost the final to her sister Serena, the look was a winner.
Serena Williams, 2004
23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams made a statement at the 2004 US Open in a rocker-chic tennis dress by Nike. The outfit featured studs throughout the neckline and metal closures, as well as side pleats on the skirt. Williams accessorized the outfit with studded wristbands and silver hoop earrings.
Maria Sharapova, 2005
Then-defending champion Maria Sharapova pushed the limits of Wimbledon's strict all-white dress code in a white tennis dress with contrasting orange lines. The drop-waist number by Nike featured a racerback silhouette on top and pleated skirt.
Victoria Azarenka, 2008
Two-time Grand Slam winner Victoria Azarenka kept it classic in a navy-and-white tank dress by Nike. The traditional number also included a white hem panel that gave the look a bold twist.
Venus Williams, 2010
Ever the on-court fashionista, Venus Williams sported a black-and-red dress at the 2010 French Open. The look, which was made by Williams' own brand Eleven, was no ordinary tennis dress, though black lace made to look like a corset via red lines with a flouncy ruffled skirt. It's not hard to guess why it's one of the most memorable outfits in tennis history.
Sloane Stephens, 2013
American Sloane Stephens was hard to miss at the 2013 French Open, thanks to her glow-in-the-dark look. The neon yellow tank dress included a contrasting Under Armor blue logo, matching wristbands, and a visor. The outfit proved the power of color on the court, leading Stephens to the tournament's fourth round.
Caroline Wozniacki, 2014
Danish former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki sported a beige dress at the 2014 Toray Pan Pacific Open. The Adidas number featured contrasting panels of brown and beige, as well as a side ruffle that added some flair to an otherwise classic look.
Naomi Osaka, 2021
Naomi Osaka made her Olympics debut in 2021. The Japanese-Haitian player, who is a four-time Gland Slam winner, wore a ruby red Nike dress with contrasting scarlet panels and a matching visor. Osaka sported a red scrunchie on her hair for a nostalgic twist, which matched her braids.
Maria Sakkari, 2021
Greek tennis player Maria Sakkari reached the 2021 WTA Finals in a floral dress from Adidas' collaboration with the Finnish label Marimekko. The black-and-beige floral print also featured splashes of orange, taking the traditional dress into fashion-forward territory.
Aryna Sabalenka, 2024
Sabalenka took home her second Grand Slam trophy in a fiery look by Nike. The 2023 and 2024 Australian Open champion wore a red tank dress, which opened into a flouncy A-line skirt, featuring wavy side lines in neon green. She accessorized the look with scarlet sneakers.