After roughly four years away from the sport, Serena Williams confirmed on Monday that she will officially return to the tennis court. The 23-time grand slam champion verified rumors that she was planning to play doubles at the Queen’s Club Championships, beginning June 8.
During her three-decade tennis career, Williams broke barriers not only in the sport, but also in fashion and activism. WWD takes a look back at some of Williams’ most memorable tennis outfits and kits to celebrate her return.
2022 US Open
Serena Williams competes at the 2022 US Open.
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Williams co-designed her 2022 US Open tennis kit alongside Nike’s lead apparel designer Carly Ellis. The tennis dress was cast in a black tone with sheer fabric on the sleeves and neckline. The kit was embellished with a bevy of sparkles, creating a star motif that Williams matched with the crystal details in her hair. Her skirt was tiered and pleated, and her custom Nike sneakers included her initials.
2021 Australian Open
Serena Williams competes at the 2021 Australian Open.
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At the 2021 Australian Open, Williams paid tribute to the late track and field star Florence Griffith Joyner, also known as Flo-Jo, by donning a one-legged, long-sleeved catsuit in bright pink and black. The ensemble featured asymmetrical details with a long legging contrasted by a shorter, thigh-high hemline on the other leg.
2018 US Open
Serena Williams competes at the 2018 US Open.
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In the 2018 U.S. Open, Williams wore a few custom Off-White tennis outfits designed by the late Virgil Abloh himself. The styles included a one-shouldered top and tulle tutu skirt in black and blue. Asymmetrical sleeves were also a part of the kits.
French Open 2018
Serena Williams competes at the 2018 French Open
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The tennis champion collaborated with Nike on her 2018 French Open catsuit. The black, short-sleeve kit featured compression material to help the athlete’s blood circulation and prevent blood clots following the difficult birth of her first daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., who Williams welcomed with husband Alexis Ohanian on Sept. 1, 2017.
2014 US Open
Serena Williams competes at the 2014 US Open.
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Williams channeled her wild side in a pink leopard Nike tennis kit at the 2014 US Open. The athlete’s kit was a sleeveless dress with a scoop neckline, formfitting top and slightly flowing skirt for ease of movement. Her Nike tennis shoes included pops of pink to coordinate with the dress.
2004 US Open
Serena Williams competes at the 2004 US Open.
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Williams co-designed her 2004 US Open kit in collaboration with Nike. The kit included details like a pleated denim skirt, crystal studded black tank top and custom calf-high sneaker boots. The look was inspired by Andre Agassi’s jean shorts from the 1989 US Open.
