Another tennis tournament, another Williams sister shocking style moment. At the Australian Open on Wednesday, Venus Williams defeated Sandra Zahlavova—but more eyes were arguably on her revealing latticework, Alice in Wonderland-inspired outfit and token flesh-colored undergarments than on her swing and footwork. “It's kind of about a surprise, because when Alice goes down the hole, the rabbit hole, she finds all these things that are so surprising,” Williams said of her ensemble before stepping on the court. “This outfit is about having a surprise in tennis a dress, and kind of, you know, showing some skin and then just having a print. Prints don't happen that often in tennis. So it's called the Wonderland dress. It was fun."
Mark Kolbe / Getty Images; Mark Baker, AP Photo
Venus Williams showed off some back in her self-designed, red sequined dress-turned-top during a U.S. Open match against Shahar Peer in New York on September 5. Two days earlier, she wore a black version of the form-fitting number in her match against Mandy Minella. The outfit has since caused controversy, but Williams stands by her look, which “was supposed to be about New York. It's like bursts of fireworks," she said via the New York Daily News. The fashionistas have been less than impressed. “She says, ‘Boo-tay.’ We say ‘Boo,’” exclaimed the BET.com’s unofficial fashion police.
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Nadia Petrova sported this candy-striped confection during her first round U.S. Open match to Andrea Petkovic on August 31. Announcers John and Patrick McEnroe of ESPN2 seemed to have a bigger problem with Petrova’s outfit than her shoddy play, deeming the dress “ too loud; she really needs to seek out some help.” Petrova lost in an upset to Petkovic, and also lost out on style points according to fashion guru Carson Kressley, who wondered, “How could you possibly keep your eye on the ball when your staring at this outfit? Brilliant strategy or tragic outfit. Your call.”
John G. Mabanglo / Landov
Danish beauty Caroline Wozniacki has donned the same black Stella McCartney Adidas dress over a bold bright yellow sports bra for every one of her U.S. Open matches. The 20-year-old athlete, who is the face of McCartney’s sporty line, coordinates her outfit with a black/yellow racket, yellow-painted fingernails, and her shining blonde tresses. Wozniacki believes, according to the New York Daily News, the short dress will “get a lot of male fans.” She added, “For me it's important to feel good on court and, of course, to look good.”
Evan Agostini / AP Photo
Maria Sharapova paid homage to Mad Men’s Betty Draper in a purple, black-collared Nike dress during her U.S. Open match against Iveta Benesova on September 2. Earlier this year, tennis’s reigning endorsement queen signed an eight-year, $70 million sponsorship agreement with Nike, according to Bloomberg. “Everything about the Open, from the size of the stadium to the night matches, adds a little more drama, and we like to use that in our designs and to go a little further from tradition,” Nike Global Tennis creative director Janice Lucena told USA Today.
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Serbian beauty Ana Ivanovic wore a pink two-toned Adidas adilibria dress – complimented by her signature Adidas visor and pink and white Adidas adilibria shoes – during every one of her U.S. Open matches, which was no surprise since she reportedly has a lifetime contract with the company. Unfortunately, the third time she donned the dress was apparently not the charm for the former world number one—last year’s tournament champion, Kim Clijsters, sent her packing in under an hour.
Kathy Willens / AP Photo
Jelena Jankovic opted for an unflashy purple dress by Anta during all three of her U.S. Open matches. Kaia Kanepi eventually defeated her in straight sets (a loss Jankovic blamed on the wind). Just last year, the Serbian tennis star signed a three-year $5.1 million deal with Anta, making her the “highest-profile global athlete to back one of China's emerging athletic companies,” according to Sports Business Daily.
Paul J. Bereswill / AP Photo
Venus Williams scandalized crowds in her ultra-revealing corset dress during the women's singles first round match at the French Open on May 23.
Julian Finney / Getty Images; Michel Spingler / AP Photo
Bethanie Mattek opted for leopard print separates during the women's doubles quarterfinals during day nine of the 2007 U.S. Open at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 4, 2007.
Clive Brunskill / Getty Images
American tennis star Anne White stayed true to her name at Wimbledon in 1985.
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Not one to let her sister get all the glory, Serena Williams warmed up for a match with Patty Schnyder during the 2004 U.S. Open wearing a schoolgirl-style outfit and knee-high sports shoes.
Kathy Willens / AP Photo
Wearing one short sleeve and one long, Martina Hingis tosses her racket in disgust after her loss to Jennifer Capriati during the Australian Open Tennis Championship in 2001.
Rick Stevens / AP Photo
Maria Kirilenko of Russia wears a buoyant skirt in the final match of the 2008 Hansol Korea Open.
Ahn Young-joon / AP Photo
Andre Agassi wears jean shorts during a match in 1989.
Tim de Frisco, Allsport / Getty Images
Serena Williams wears a pleated denim skirt during her match with Jennifer Capriati during the 2004 U.S. Open.
Kathy Willens / AP Photo
Bethanie Mattek pairs a gilded jumper with a matching gold headband during a match with Madison Brengle at the 2007 U.S. Open.
Seth Wenig / AP Photo
Rafael Nadal wears below-the-knee pants on Arthur Ashe Kids Day before the start of the 2005 U.S. Open at the USTA National Tennis Center in Queens, New York.
Bryan Bedder / Getty Images
Maria Sharapova of Russia wears a flouncy print vest over her tennis duds during a first-round match against Maria Kirilenko during day one of the 2010 Australian Open.
Clive Brunskill / Getty Images
Maria Kirilenko wears a layered skirt during her match against Aravane Rezai at the 2006 U.S. Open.
Ann Heisenfelt / AP Photo
