WHEN FASHION AND TENNIS COLLIDE

hristian Basnight, a former tennis player and current tennis content creator (with over 58,000 followers across Instagram and YouTube), was only eight years old when he saw Venus Williams step out on the clay court for the first round of the French Open in 2010. Williams was wearing a lace dress with a black and red bodice that she designed for her Eleven by Venus brand. She wore a flesh-toned spandex underneath, creating a nude effect.

Fifteen years later, Basnight still vividly remembers his reaction upon seeing the seven-time Grand Slam champion’s outfit. “It was really jarring to me, and that's one of the ways I was first introduced to Venus,” he said.

Williams’ dress made headlines that year for what the media deemed its “provocative” nature, but she wasn’t bothered. She had her vision in mind and was “having fun” with her designs. Speaking to reporters, she said, “What’s the point of wearing lace when there’s just black under? The illusion of just having bare skin is definitely, for me, a lot more beautiful.”

The Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, eventually became two of Basnight’s style icons growing up. “They kind of inspired me to take fashion more seriously,” he said. “Like, kind of planning my outfits and coordinating them whenever I would play tournaments.”

Fashion has found a way to intersect with sports and create culture-defining moments that impact its audience. Tennis, in particular, is in a unique position where no uniform is set—allowing players the freedom to express themselves and bring an extension of their personality to the court.

From Suzanne Lenglen’s revolutionary looks in the early 20th century (1910s–1920s), which broke away from the norm of women wearing uncomfortable corsets and floor-length dresses, to Björn Borg’s iconic Fila headbands, Billie Jean King’s striking kits, Chris Evert’s preppy style, and Andre Agassi’s denim outfits in later years, fashion has become a means to stand out.

Fashion has also been a gateway for new fans to enter the sport. With brand campaigns and social media easily making on-court looks go viral, a bevy of supporters has emerged from different parts of the world, eagerly awaiting what their favorite players wear next.

Today, players like Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka, Taylor Townsend, Jessica Pegula, Jack Draper, Lorenzo Musetti, Frances Tiafoe, and Carlos Alcaraz are at the forefront. Even luxury fashion houses—most notably Miu Miu, Dior, Bottega Veneta, and Burberry—have taken notice.

"Moving forward, I think fashion and tennis will be even more imperative for the sport, especially for the players. ... We've seen more brands rise like Wilson, Lululemon, Vuori really come up with some excellent pieces," said Basnight. “I think this is honestly a great thing for the players because they don’t have to split the sponsorship pool as much among other players who might represent the same brand. I think more designs overall will be showcased, and it will give more opportunities for different people to shine. Overall, I think it will make the tour far less homogeneous.”