Grand Slam fashion is more versatile than ever. I can’t find a common element that seems to be a must-have in women’s tennis apparel of today. There are numerous brands, each with their own approach to style. Still, if I had to pick some trends at the 2021 French Open, I can notice that iridescent fabrics, sparkly details, tie-dye prints, and see-through overlays are popular, together with timeless designs such as pleated skirts.
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World number two Naomi Osaka has a ton of obligations both on and off the court, but fashion design is one of her first loves, so it was a pleasure for her to collaborate with NikeCourt lead designer Carly Ellis on her custom dress and shoes for Roland Garros.
For the first time since Osaka earned the privilege of having her own Nike look, both her dress and sneaker are accessible to tennis fans worldwide, as they can be purchased at Tennis Warehouse USA and Tennis Warehouse Europe. 
The Nike Naomi Dress is made from super-stretchy fabric that reduces cling. Mesh panels in high-heat areas such as the waist, chest and back are there to maximize breathability. Textured design gives a stylish iridescent look. Criss-cross back straps and pleats provide extra mobility.
The subdued black-and-white dress is paired with the Air Zoom GP Turbo Naomi Osaka shoes, whose tie-dye pattern and Swarovski crystals spice up the outfit.
The highest-earning female athlete also rocks her Tag Hauer watch during matches. It’s a women’s Aquaracer model on a blue rubber strap.
Serena Williams turns 40 this year, but the legend continues to dominate the tennis fashion scene even after more than 25 years in professional sport. Her latest custom Nike outfit grabs attention with striking green tones. The American paired a long-sleeve top with matching shorts and a diagonal mock skirt over it.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion’s shoes feature drawings of the Eiffel Tower, a tennis ball, and motivational quotes such as “never stop fighting” and “je ne m’arrêterai jamais” which translates from French as “I will never stop.”
Nike’s main collection is elegant and sexy, almost suitable for a dinner date or an evening cocktail in Paris. The collection’s centerpiece is the Nike Summer Advantage Slam Dress that we can see here on Petra Kvitova. The dark-colored piece seduces with details and textures such as pleats on the right side of the skirt, diagonal open-knit sections in the upper back and chest, as well as an extra stretchy triangle inset in the high-heat area of the waist.
The Czech’s shoe is the Nike Air Zoom Vapor Pro, which takes the best features of the model it replaces (the Vapor X) and adds a new upper for the speediest Vapor yet.
Belinda Bencic is rocking the Nike Summer Advantage Slam Tank, featuring a sensual asymmetrical mesh overlay, and the Nike Summer Advantage Slam Skirt, unique for its origami-inspired pleats.
Defending champion Iga Swiatek is wearing the Asics kit introduced earlier in the clay-court season: the Spring Match Graphic Tank, Spring Match Skirt and Gel Resolution 8 Clay Shoes.
The 20-year-old Pole came to Paris equipped with Tecnifibre T-Rebound 298 IGA tennis racquet created specifically for her style of play.
Adidas proudly advertises their clay season collection for its minimal impact on the environment. Maria Sakkari‘s black Adidas Prime Dope Dye Dress features glittery Y-back straps. The model also exists in scarlet with contrasting straps.
The most refreshing silhouette is Adidas’ Prime Blue Dope Dye Bodysuit worn by Garbine Muguruza. It has a snug fit that won’t move around. Its iridescent sheen appears to change color with every movement on court. The bodysuit’s perfect match is the Adidas Prime Dope Dye Match Skirt.
Last year’s runner-up Sofia Kenin stands out in a colorful print from head to toe. It’s a new Fila collection created in cooperation with MSGM and their creative director Massimo Giorgetti.
World No.1 Ashleigh Barty prefers classic sporty designs, so Fila provided her with the Celestial Point collection in a color palette of celestial blue, turquoise, black and white. Here we can see the 2019 French Open champion in the High-Neck Racerback Tank and the 13″ Skort.
Kiki Bertens promotes the Celestial Point Dress which includes color-blocking at chest and upper back, illusion mesh front and back, and a subtle, yet defining mandarin collar finish.
Venus Williams is bringing disco vibes with iridescent white pieces from her EleVen Glow Up collection: the EleVen Glow Up Venus Starr Dress and Fly Away Jacket.
Seventeen-year-old Coco Gauff is wearing a custom New Balance dress that combines olive and black with vibrant yellow accents.
K-Swiss went for a yellow ombre look. Their Ajla Tomljanovic is sporting the K-Swiss Summer Hypercourt Speed Tank and Hypercourt Pleated Skirt.
Christina McHale debuted white and yellow Lacoste separates that feature both the crocodile and Roland Garros logos. The American wore the Lacoste Spring RG Tank, featuring striped stretchy V-neck, and the Lacoste Spring RG Skirt, an all-around pleated design with a single yellow stripe at the hem.
Yonex surprised with lavender dominance. Clara Tauson wore the Yonex RG Tank, a classic top with a ribbed collar and armhole, and the Yonex RG Skirt, a solid-colored pleated-hem design.
Lauren Davis opted for Neptune Athletics‘ FTT Action Tank in sky blue and FTT REPREVE® Skirt in white with navy waistband.
Veronika Kudermetova sports the Tennis Jersey Fleece Dress by Emporio Armani. It’s a navy design with a white diagonal block at chest and touches of pink.
Oceane Dodin is promoting Bidi Badu‘s 2-in-1 Daria Tech Dress, a pure black design with a striking fire graphic on the front.
Tie-dye prints are increasingly popular is women’s tennis fashion. Ellesse also went for that pattern, in the colors of the sky, as we can see on Johanna Konta.
Kristyna Pliskova represents Mizuno in a timeless combination of black and white. The front features a print that resembles shadows. The back features crossed thick mesh straps.
Chloe Paquet‘s Le Coq Sportif RG Performance Dress is all about the colors of the French flag.
Tamara Zidansek sports simple orange and white Joma separates.
Ever since Agnieszka Radwanska retired, Lotto seems to be fading away from the tennis fashion scene. They used to be one of dominant brands. Now they don’t seem to reach the media as often and their collections are not as available as before. However, they still have quite a few top representatives, including Michaela Buzarnescu.
Now that I’ve given you a comprehensive overview of women’s apparel at the 2021 French Open, what do you say, how stylish are on-court looks this year and which outfits are your favorites? Tell me in the comments below.
What’s with all the black? I like the Nike designs but I think they would have been better with a more contrasting colour instead of the dark blue. They’re not going to a cocktail party! Otherwise, my favourites are Swiatek’s Adidas, Muguruza’s Adidas, Kenin’s Fila, Lauren Davis and chloe Paquet. The Lacoste dress is nice but looks plain among all the other stuff. Better for Wimbledon.
My favorite has to be Serena, this lime/venom color looked so much better on her than the pink she wore back in clay court warm up tournaments. I think Serena always rocked the short sleeve outfit (’16 AO, ’16 RG).And I believe Rafa is also supporting the same color. Love that 2 of the top Nike court users are supporting the same vibrant color.
Worst look, probably ever created is definitely Kenin’s, omg my eyes hurt, that is too much print and tie dye color, and Fila chose heavy purple/violet for the color, it would’ve worked had it been soft color, but this purple looks suffocating and hot. I feel sorry for Kenin that she had to wear that thick outfit, she should’ve gone back to Nike!
Medium, unexpectedly I didn’t find Osaka’s dress to be glamorous, it looked very sport, something that other Nike clans would’ve worn. But her shoes is screams bold and luxury!
Zidansek is in the Joma kit, which until her, I have only seen it on Spanish players (both women and men). I first remember Sara Sorribes Tormo wearing this exact kit when she won the Guadalajara tournament earlier this year. Speaking of Spaniards, does Paula Badosa wear the same Nike Summer Advantage Slam Dress as Petra Kvitova pictured in this blog? In Belgrade she had a solid black Nike dress with no blue as in the Slam dress.
Love Venus’ outfit, Gauff’s outfit is nice too. Not a fan of any of the others.
Serena’s outfit is kinda confusing to me, but I like how the color looks on the clay.
Jim, Czech Marie Bouzkova also wears Joma. During Roland Garros, Paula Badosa has worn both this dress that you can see on Kvitova and separates from the new Nike collection launched in Paris. In Belgrade she wore a black Nike dress with a collar.
My favourite is probably Serena’s outfit! That colour looks really good on her.
Venus’s was also quite nice, but I feel like ot would have been more suitable for Wimbledon.
Thought I would like the Nike black outfits, but getting a bit sick of it, because of the lack of variation between the players.
Coco’s outfit is ok.
I don’t like Kenin’s the print is not flattering on her!