Venus Williams, a prominent figure in both the tennis and fashion world, has often discussed the intersection of the two, emphasizing the importance of feeling confident and comfortable in one’s attire while playing. She and her sister Serena Williams have been trailblazers in tennis fashion, noting that what they wear impacts how they move and feel on the court. Back in 2023, when she was named fashion icon by the Council of Fashion Designers of America, she said in her acceptance speech, “In many ways, for me, the tennis courts became my runway, and the U.S. Open was my own New York Fashion Week.”

Just a couple of months ago, Venus Williams gave a candid interview with renowned fashion personality Ben Johnson. During that interview, she discussed how the most fashionable moments often occur in tennis. “Can you think of any other sport that has more fashion? More iconic moments? Like when you think about like classic sport it goes always back to tennis. We gotta keep it fashionable in tennis. We can’t just let it go down. We’ve got to let the next generation know that we did a good job with this,” said Williams. From sporting Tina Turner-style frills at Wimbledon to wearing lingerie-inspired ensembles at the Sony Ericsson Open, Venus has done her part in constantly pushing the envelope in tennis fashion. What does she have to say about how the tennis fashion has gone in the last few years, though?

Well, in a recent press conference with Mubadala Citi DC Open, Venus Williams admitted, “I think tennis fashion is going great, right? Umm, Serena and I came out and we were like doing these things, and it’s just kept on going, which is great. And tennis is a great sport too. There are a lot of sports where you got to wear the uniform, but here you don’t. So, people are taking that latitude to express themselves, and who they are, like Coco did a great thing with Miu Miu, and you see the people doing the things, and it’s very cute. I love it.”

Coco Gauff has grown up watching the Williams sisters rule the tennis courts with not just their tennis but also with their fashion statements. They have been one of the biggest reasons why she has fallen in love with this sport, and even now, Gauff never misses a chance to showcase her love and admiration for these two tennis legends. Talking about her learnings from both Serena and Venus Williams, Gauff once told The Guardian, “They taught me you could be yourself and still be intense on the court.”

Coming to Gauff, following their legacy on and off the court, just a few months ago at the Italian Open, the 21-year-old tennis star unveiled the first pieces from the tennis-inspired collab between New Balance and Milan-based designer label Miu Miu. The ensemble consisted of a dark navy dress complete with a white trim and a classic pleated skirt. According to Coco Gauff, looking good makes her feel good about herself, and this is what makes her feel more confident on court. Similar to the Williams sisters?

Well, Gauff feels it’s pretty “cool” to get the chance to be the muse for the New Balance x Miu Miu collab. Donning that stunning outfit, she had also made it to the final of the Italian Open this year. Speaking more of tennis, Venus Williams’ return to the Tour has now become the real talk of the town. What did she say about her comeback, though?

Venus Williams opens up on her return to the court

She may be 45 years old now, but she isn’t yet ready to hang up her rackets as she vows to put up a strong show against the youngsters at the upcoming tournament. Venus Williams was last seen in action at the 2024 Miami Open, but after that, she didn’t return to competitive tennis. However, just a few days ago, news broke out about her participation in the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open. She has accepted a wildcard, and this will be her first appearance in this tournament since 2022.

Venus Williams will be taking on her compatriot, Peyton Stearns, in her first match. While talking about this tournament, she said that there’s something truly “special” about D.C. She revealed that this city has always shown her love, and she can’t wait to compete there yet again. What are her expectations from this tournament, though?

“I think I know what I want to do, but I’m not always eager to talk about it. I’m just here. Who knows what’s next? I keep my plans close, but my focus is on the present,” said Venus Williams in her pre-match press conference. Her primary goal is now to have fun and live in the moment, instead of putting too much pressure on herself. She feels her results don’t define her success right now, and it’s more about building faith in her abilities and trusting the process.

What really pushed her back into the competitive mode, though? Love for the game, says the seven-time Grand Slam champion! “The fun of the challenge, the thrill of pushing through — that’s what excites me,” said Williams. Do you think she can bag a few more titles before putting an end to her illustrious career?