From incredible upsets and premature exits to grass allergies and flying champagne corks, Wimbledon has certainly served up a fantastic start to the championships. Us Brits have thus far enjoyed a record-equaling display of British tennis, the best since 1976 - momentous wins from rising names like Jack Pinnington Jones and Oliver Tarvet, with many more set to follow. It hasn’t just been tennis talent gracing the grass this year, however.
Only halfway through the first week and we’ve already relished in a great display of fashion statements making their mark on court. Players are equipped with a fierce fashion A-game giving the ultimate on-court advantage.
On Day 1, we cheered as British No. 1 Katie Boulter battled her way through a gritty three sets in Nike’s Summer London Dress by her side. She twinned against fellow Nike player and testing opponent, Paula Badosa, who had sported the same outfit. Nike stands for long-lasting elegance, and this design didn’t fall short in any way.
The brand remained loyal to timeless purity, opting for a racerback and pleated skirt which exudes the quintessential Wimbledon energy. The dress is by far my favourite from Nike of recent. Casting our mind back to Wimbledon two years ago, one might recall the perforated and eye-catching design which caused quite a stir then. ‘Unflattering’ and ‘impractical’ were the criticisms. Safe to say the 2025 replacement is both airy and chic in the summer blaze, making it a welcomed feature of this year’s slam fashions.
Image Credit: Paul Gillett from Wikimedia Commons
That’s not the only way Nike has aced it with styles this grass season. Alexandra Eala, the Filipino current world no.59, received a thoughtful and unique accessory from the brand of the national Philippines flower. Perfect for her first match on Centre Court, the gift carried a weighty message for the 20-year-old, which translated into "If you plant, you will harvest” - a quote to reflect her wonderfully blossoming career.
Meaningful jewelry has been all the craze of late, so perhaps the upward trend inspired this memorable Nike gesture. In the heat of the battle, an empowering accessory is a winner and may likely soon be a must-have for every tennis professional.
The second day of the Championships welcomed US number one Coco Gauff’s simply stunning New Balance fit. Although the world number 2 took an early first round loss, her outfit absolutely did not disappoint. The lace dress displayed exquisite 3D strawberry and butterfly embroidery, with complementary palm tree elements that reflected her upbringing in Delray Beach.
The dress held a refined and delicate aura, reminiscent of fellow American player Gertrude Moran who competed in the 50s and 60s. Moran’s short satin skirts and ruffles were plentiful in her fashion looks, with lace knickers often visibly shown beneath. Coco’s attire demonstrated a creative blend of past and present, tradition and modernism which characterises this fast-evolving sport.
Image Credit: Marc Di Luzio from Wikimedia Commons
Lorenzo Musetti, Italian former top ten player, has also been no stranger to the slam’s fashion flair. The artistic yet tactical shot maker made his way onto court 2 in a Bottega Veneta leather jacket. The tasteful garment made for a luxurious complement to his ASICS wear and set the scene to announce himself as a brand ambassador.
The fashion house presented a classic yet dignified piece, but with the recent heatwave, which has half blessed, half cursed the UK, leather seems a somewhat unviable option. Other than that, the composition is flawless, and hopefully we’ll see more creations like this on court in the future.
Marta Kostyuk, one of the most recognised players in Ukraine, has always been one to watch, not just for her fiery baseline striking but also her modish fashion. Last year, the 23-year-old talent played on the grass in a wedding-inspired dress that had hearts fluttering. Having worked with her sponsor Wilson, Kostyuk brought the vision to life employing lustrous silk and an open-back cut.
A few months prior, she had battled on the clay exhibiting yet another stunner, the Wilson Winning Tennis Dress, which is a personal favourite of mine. The sophisticated deep green hue and flattering low-cut front stole the show and stood out brilliantly against the distinct French clay. This Wimbledon, Wilson has continued full steam ahead on their winning streak - presenting an open-back dress which boasts criss-cross straps and goes hand in hand with a sophisticated pleated skirt. The side cuts are a particularly notable feature, bringing a fresh and flirty boldness to tennis wear.
Image Credit: Paul Gillett from Wikimedia Commons
Adidas has gone all out in launching its extensive 36-piece ‘London Originals’ collection specially for the grass court championships. Their 1970s inspired pieces have been influenced by players of that era including Billie Jean King and Stan Smith. The style revolves around open collars and prominent green accents which are immaculate accompaniments to the glossy, polished lawns.
Players like Jessica Pegula and Stefanos Tsitsipas have showcased the combination of sublime design and meticulous details. The new Adidas array even included a sleek, aerodynamic bodysuit worn by world no.33 Camila Osorio during her first-round match.
This year’s championships have shown player self-expression as beyond inventive play and passionate celebrations. Fashion is a feeling and our sporting heroes have raised their game, continuing to awe us with their powerful self-assurance through the big moments. In a ferociously fast-paced sport, players are constantly looking for an edge and this time it comes in the form of fashion.
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