With no ladies’ singles matches on schedule this Wednesday, I had enough time to prepare a comprehensive overview of women’s tennis clothes that made our WTA stars comfortable and confident at the most prestigious tournament, the almighty Wimbledon.
Rare are those who would not agree that world number one Serena Williams is the best dressed WTA player at this year’s Wimbledon. Her NikeCourt Premier Dress sets an example for what a modern tennis dress should look like: a classic racerback top to ensure comfortable movements and pleated skirt with cute two tiers at back that add vibrancy and flirtiness to the all-white look. The high collar is another nice touch, a new aesthetic in the American’s on-court style.
I’m ready for your attacks in the comments, but I actually find appealing the controversial NikeCourt Premier Slam Dress, better known as the nightie. I don’t know if or what Nike did to alter it following the supposed non-compliance with Wimbledon’s standards of decent clothing, but the baby doll design looks on-point on Eugenie Bouchard, Lucie Safarova and most other players wearing it. It isn’t lifting all that much and the new silhouette enriches the variety of cuts in women’s tennis fashion, although I do admit that styles that follow the shape of the body are much more convenient as sports clothing.
Speaking about Nike, I have to mention that Maria Sharapova also had a dress ready for Wimbledon (just in case tennis gods save her from the doping ban!). The Nike Lawn Premier Maria SW19 Dress is unique for its pleated layers in a chevron pattern at the bust and back and its rounded bottom hem.
Unlike at Roland Garros where all eyes were on the zebra herd, at Wimbledon Adidas’ players blended into the crowd with simple outfits. Ana Ivanovic‘s short Wimbledon appearance happened in the Adidas Fall Climachill Dress, while Angelique Kerber has progressed deep into the draw in a classic ensemble (the Adidas Fall Climachill Tank + Adidas Fall Climachill Skirt), which prides itself on a high-performance mix of 3D aluminium-cooling spheres, mesh-like micro fibres and SubZero flat yarns, all working together to help players feel comfortable in hot weather and during draining matches.
Perforated fabrics have been Stella McCartney’s leitmotif for most of the 2016 season and the Wimbledon collection is indulging in laser-cut holes more than all its predecessors. My favorite thing about this line is the shape of Garbine Muguruza‘s skirt, while I also appreciate the mesh elements and holes that bring texture and performance-enhancing characteristics to the design. Caroline Wozniacki‘s Adidas Fall Stella Barricade Primeknit Dress is another standout piece, tragically, exposed only in the first round of the tournament.
Thirty-six-year-old Venus Williams is through to the semifinals, becoming the oldest player to make it so far at a Grand Slam since Martina Navratilova made the final at Wimbledon 1994, but besides being a tennis force, the five-time Wimbledon champion is also a superb fashion designer for EleVen by Venus, making tournament successes in her own tennis dresses. This time she’s sporting a dress from the Club collection, a simple design with cap sleeves and subtle rounded binding at waistband. The light silver V logo at center chest is the only color this classic features.
The Lacoste Spring Tank Dress is unarguably a wonderful design, but it seems that it’s been around for years. Tournament after tournament Lacoste’s players look the same and this fortnight Dominika Cibulkova and Elena Vesnina boosted the dress’ exposure with their deep runs at Wimbledon. OK, I don’t mind too much because the dress is a modern classic, but something fresh would be welcome.
Agnieszka Radwanska‘s Lotto Nixia Dress is highlighted by a huge mesh panel at back, used for increased breathability, just like all the other mesh elements in women’s tennis clothing. Thin straps connect the mesh to the front section, which extends into a drop-waist pleated skirt. Apologies for the inappropriate photo featuring injured Ana Konjuh lying on the ground, but it was the best pic of the back of Aga’s dress that I could find.
Another style that’s been with us for most of the year is by New Balance, but despite the fact that we’ve seen it so many times, it’s one of my favorites this Wimbeldon. Heather Watson was among players rocking the New Balance Spring Tournament Tank alongside its matching skort whose mesh trim at hem nicely matches the top’s same detail at neckline.
Jelena Jankovic was supposed to wear Marion Bartoli’s Trophee collection, but instead we saw her sporting the Fila Spring Lawn Dress characterized by pintuck detail at the side waistline, while Yaroslava Shvedova, who was supposed to headline the Lawn collection, wore the Fila Spring Lawn Dress during her first-round victory, only to later switch to more classic Fila designs.
Sloane Stephens‘ Under Armour dress is a typical look for the American. I’m generally a big fan of her outfits, but this one would be my least favorite so far, because of the double straps, i.e. her bra section being exposed in an unflattering way.
As we can see on Samantha Stosur, Asics is staying true to their classic approach to tennis fashion, although they made sure that the company logo pops on the white background.
Barbora Strycova‘s Sergio Tacchini dress is another excellent piece for all those who don’t like to venture into tennis fashion experiments.
Svetlana Kuznetsova was her usual sporty self at Wimbledon 2016. Besides her Qiaodan logo, the Russian also rocked her own SK red logo at her head tie and skirt.
Ellesse and Monica Puig always bring that retro feel to the tennis courts, but refreshed with a touch of youthfulness.
Do you agree that Serena’s the best dressed WTA player at Wimbledon 2016? Tell me your favorites!
My favourites: Serena, the Stella Macartneys and Venus. The Lacoste is ok but I am bored with it too. The nightie dress is horrible. And I don’t really like anything with spaghetti straps – it looks too insubstantial. I remember one year Venus has a dress with spaghetti straps and she was pulling them up between every serve like they weren’t holding things up properly. That said, I don’t mind Sloane’s look which at least is a little bit interesting.
I saw the nightie dress on a regular person (not 6′ tall) and it looked great. However, as it does not close properly on the sides it flies up , open and around when running around which must be incredibly annoying to play in.
I think all nike are the best this year at wimbledon, including the nighttie dress, i think the dress is super lightweight n make it easier for the players to move around the court. I also like Maria dress, its a fresh new design just wish there was a representative at the court for wearing it. Though serena has the best dress because the high collar really made her outfit edgy n super cute..
My least fav would be Lacoste and Adidas Stella McCartney. Lacoste has boring same design, n the skirt of the dress looks too tight for movements around the court, while adidas recycle skirt is just so unflattering with that holes at the bottom…
For once, I have to say that Nike have come out on top with Serena’s dress – normally I prefer the Adidas ones but Serena’s dress looks amazing particularly when she’s in action, the movement of the pleats is so pretty.
Serena’s dress is so elegant and feminine. It showcases her beautifully sculptured shoulders and upper physique; it’s simply perfect for her body type.
Sharapovas dress was worn by a player , whittoefht wore it
Roberto, it’s not the dress that was supposed to be worn by Maria at Wimbledon, but it is from Maria’s Nike collection. It’s the Nike Lawn Premier Maria Dress.
Nice roundup! I definitely agree about Serena being best dressed, along with the Stella players! One line that I think was overlooked though; the sofibella on Bondarenko! It was a simple shirt, but with a nice v neck and mesh back, with a ruffled skirt. Looked really cute in all white! I also really liked the back details on the asics outfit, and the open back of Belinda Bencic’s dress
Ga, and I agree with you that Stella’s designs take the second position! Oh yes, I skipped Sofibella and Yonex this time. There are so many companies that I sometimes overlook certain outfits.
Serena is def the best dressed this year. Although I like stella’s clothes I think it’s kind of getting repetitive. I wish she had changed at least pattern of holes or maybe use different shaped holes or something like that. Her separates however do look really good on Muguruza.
Marija I think you should overlook lacoste next time because it’s always the same dress with slightest possible change lol 😛 Yonex has been doing decent job with Belinda I think
Sru, oh well, Lacoste is still a big name so I can’t skip them, plus their Cibulkova and Vesnina really went far at this Wimbledon, but I totally understand you 😛 I’ve enjoyed Belinda’s clothes throughout her cooperation with Yonex. As for Stella, I don’t find her repetitive. Their are some features that go from one collection to the other, but not too much and I even like it that she has her signature elements.
Serena’s dress was too perfect, it was her best Wimbledon look since the strawberries and cream from 2010. If I’m not mistaken, this is also the Olympic dress she’ll be wearing, but in navy blue. I thought Svetlana looked the best she’s ever looked in her outfit.
Durand, I haven’t seen Serena’s Olympic dress yet, but I’d love her to wear this same design. I agree about Svetlana.