Looking back, the 2007-2017 period stands out as a golden era of tennis fashion, with players like Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivanovic, and Serena Williams setting trends on the court. Their iconic outfits—from Sharapova’s custom Nike dresses to Ivanovic’s chic Adidas ensembles and Serena’s bold Nike statements—remain etched in the memories of tennis fans worldwide. Fast forward to 2025, and 24-year-old Destanee Aiava is bringing this fashionable nostalgia back to life in an extraordinary way at the Australian Open.
The Australian player, who has fought her way through three rounds of qualifying to secure a spot in the main draw, has turned heads with her unique choice of attire. The world No. 165 transformed the fact that she doesn’t have a clothing sponsor into a positive circumstance, as her unique choice of iconic dresses from the past allows her to stand out in a sea of modern, often uniform designs.
Fun archival fashion moment:
Destinee Aiava is wearing the same pink Nike dress design for her 2025 #AusOpen qualies match that Maria Sharapova wore way back at the 2012 US Open. pic.twitter.com/iWMr5GQ8M6
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 6, 2025
In her first qualifying match against Ana Bogdan, Aiava made a statement wearing the light pink Nike dress Sharapova famously wore at the 2012 US Open. In the second round of qualifying, she paid homage to Ana Ivanovic, sporting the bold pink Adidas dress the Serbian star sported at the 2010 US Open (shown below, photos by Neal Trousdale).
Playing against Eva Lys in the final round of qualifying, Aiava sealed her spot in the main draw while wearing yet another Ivanovic classic—a striking purple dress with an asymmetrical neckline and dropped waist, first seen at the 2009 Australian Open.
Local hope @destaneeaiava outlasts Eva Lys to win a place in the main draw! It’s her first #AusOpen appearance since 2021 and fifth overall.
The Aussie got the better of her German opponent 6-1 2-6 6-4#AO2025 pic.twitter.com/zJGIUkZklg
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 9, 2025
When asked about her wardrobe choices, Aiava shared her motivation:
“I just loved what they wore,” she said, referring to Sharapova, Ivanovic, and Serena Williams. “I think some of the stuff that is being designed today is quite ugly. I just like to wear what I think looks good. I don’t like wearing the same thing as everyone else.”
When asked about her outfit for the upcoming first-round match against Greet Minnen in the Australian Open main draw, Aiava revealed: “I found one on Facebook yesterday before my match. I might go pick that up. It’s only $35, which is a steal.”
Her creative approach to tennis fashion has drawn praise from fans and commentators alike, many of whom appreciate her ability to bring back the elegance and individuality of past eras. Aiava, who aspires to pursue a degree in fashion design, admits she didn’t expect her clothing choices to make waves:
“I didn’t really think it would make any impact at all, me wearing the dresses. But I’m glad I did. Yeah, it’s been fun bringing them back.” (source: BBC)
