Women's Tennis Fashion Trends

Women's Tennis Fashion Trends

Perhaps supermodels and tennis superstars should soon swap their jobs, for the game is enthralled by fashion. Clothing sponsors for athletes are togging their stars in increasingly singular sporting couture, creating one-off, striking outfits for their stars.

Strutting into the court and upping the fashion stakes recently at the world's most famous tennis tournament were the American sisters Venus and Serena Williams. Boasting countless sporting accolades, the grand dames of tennis have gunned down top endorsements and sponsorship deals with sporting giants.

In her match with Estonia's Kaia Kanepi at the Wimbledon, Serena appeared on court decked in a dashing white trench coat by sporting giant Nike, despite 25 degree temperatures. The eye-catching, figure-hugging mini trench coat sparked a media furore that debated, among other things, the practicality of sporting fashion, her gameplay, as well as results of the tournament matches.

Glamour girl Maria Sharapova, who at age 21 is already the world's most photographed sportswoman, is no stranger to conversation-starting ensembles either.

Appearing in tournament whites with a dramatic take on the men's tuxedo, Sharapova, in a dusty pink and white “tuxedo-bib"chiffon top and sharp white men's shorts, eased past French opponent Stephanie Foretz 6-1, 6-4 with, honestly, her clothes impressing more than her game.

Post-match press conferences and tournament coverage were naturally dominated by discussions about Sharapova's choice of dress, no matter that the number 3 seed and tournament favourite went on to crash out of the tournament, losing against 20 year old Alla Kudryavtseva, ranked world number 154.

Modern preoccupation with the attire of female tennis players and the marriage of fashion and tennis is not a new phenomenon. They have gone hand-in-racket since the 1920s, from the time of Suzanne Lenglen, Coco Chanel and Fred Perry. Court couture from fashion houses across the ages has lent the sport an air of debonair sophistication.
The stage is not exclusive to off-the-court couture designers either. Roger Federer works closely with sponsor Nike to decide on a style that lends his court presence distinctive character.

Federer said he had been the inspiration behind the decision to leave behind the cream blazer with the letters 'RF' flamboyantly stitched into his right breast pocket which he has worn for the past two years.
With her own catwalk extravaganza, the Maria Sharapova Design Show, Sharapova is no stranger to fashion and design either. Tennis superstars like Federer and Sharapova are just two of the sporting superstars that have injected the game with a dose of fashionable individuality.

The exclusivity and pizzazz of fashion may be intended to raise the profile of tennis in a viciously competitive sports market. However, the loud fashion statements these tennis heavyweights flaunt lend an undeniable boost to their court presence as well.

These tennis superstars have not just transformed the playing field of women's tennis, but have led the change in tennis fashion and revolutionized the face of the sport.

But if proof were needed that a snappy outfit is not everything, Julia Vakulenko of Ukraine donned a double-breasted tunic to come onto court against 22nd seed Flavia Pennetta -- and promptly slumped to a 3-6, 4-6 defeat.