“In many ways for me, the tennis courts became my runway, and the U.S. Open was my own New York Fashion Week,” Serena Williams once declared while accepting the Fashion Icon award from the CFDA in 2023, long after she’d stepped away from the court. That honor wasn’t just deserved: it was destiny. From the bold black catsuit at Roland Garros 2017 to the unforgettable trench coat at Wimbledon 2008, Serena rewrote the rulebook of court couture. Now, in a fierce twist of style legacy, Taylor Townsend is stepping into that space, as Serena Williams’ iconic US Open look steals the American Grand Slam champ’s heart.

Taylor Townsend recently lit up her Instagram stories with a fierce nod to the queen of court fashion, Serena Williams. Sharing a throwback post from The Tennis Look Book, Townsend captioned it with unapologetic flair: “OG IT GIRLLLL”, tagging Serena and letting the world know where her style allegiance stands. The original post, dropped a day earlier, was dripping with nostalgia and reverence for a fashion moment that broke all the rules.

The post read: “When I say I love tennis fashion, I mean Serena Williams wearing faux-leather boots at the US Open.” It came with a bold caption: “Are the boots a yes or no? 🖤 Serena Williams wore these custom Nike boots during the warm-up at the 2004 US Open. She paired them with different looks, including a studded ‘Serena’ jacket, a black leather jacket, and her famous denim skirt. 📸🎥: gettyimages, unknown.”

To give you a full picture, the post celebrates one of Serena Williams’ most iconic looks from the 2004 US Open: a fashion moment etched in tennis history. Picture this: knee-high boots, a black leather warm-up jacket, a pleated denim skirt, and a studded top. Serena didn’t just arrive; she stormed in, flipping the traditional tennis dress code on its head. Her 3rd-round look screamed confidence and rebellion, pairing a gladiator-style black Nike dress with bold boots that echoed biker-chic grit.

That wasn’t all. Warming up in a studded leather jacket, Serena made sure every inch of her ensemble hit hard. The look itself: a blend of early 2000s edge and athletic authority, was already unforgettable. But in true queen fashion, she cranked it up with black, slick boots modeled after the Nike Shox, then the hottest silhouette in sneakers. It also marked the debut of her official Serena logo, proudly displayed on her headband: a symbol of her evolving empire.

Even Nike Design Director Wilson Smith hasn’t forgotten the moment. He vividly recalls Serena’s desire to push fashion boundaries, saying, “What do you think about a tennis boot?” Her response? “Oh, I love the tennis boot.” That green light led Smith to design a one-of-a-kind shoe that was bold, fresh, and fearless. Though Serena didn’t intend to play in them, organizers quickly shut the idea down, deeming it “too over the top.” Still, the visual impact lived on, a moment that redefined tennis fashion forever.

In that same tournament, Serena also made denim a court-ready choice. Her outfit — a studded black Nike tank, black sneakers, and a pleated denim mini — was a fearless fashion statement. She wasn’t just serving aces; she was serving looks that would echo for decades. Her edgy transformation into the sport’s style disruptor came full circle under the New York lights.

And while Serena’s on-court charisma remains cherished by WTA stars like Taylor Townsend through social media posts, off the court she’s on a roll, as she recently shared an exciting personal update with her fans.

Serena Williams shares thrilling personal news with fans

Serena Williams has never been one to hold back, on or off the court. She believes in using her voice and platform to spark change, speak truth, and shine a light on what matters. “Now you just open up your phone and you can say something, or you can post something, or you can shoot a video. It can reach so many people and impact so many lives by just taking 10 seconds,” Williams explained, underlining the power of connection in the digital age. And now, she’s taken that connection to the next level with a brand-new offering on Instagram.

In a recent IG Story, Serena announced something special: “Hey, everyone, welcome to my subscriptions. I’m trying something new. So, bear with me. I wanted to give a few people like a different look and an exclusive look at little things behind the scenes. Some things that I do, some motivational things, some fun things.” With this personal message, she invited fans to dive deeper into her world by clicking the ‘Subscribe,’ button for exclusive content.

She’s already giving followers the inside scoop. Just days ago, Serena shared a playful clip where her daughters, Olympia and Adira, gave her a makeup session, and their makeover game has only gotten better. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s Serena, showing her fans the joys and chaos of motherhood with that familiar smile.

More recently, she shared a glimpse into her grind mode, an intense workout session, with the caption, “Working out and working on my angles.” But the real storm hit when she teased practice footage from the tennis courts, sending shockwaves through fans still clinging to hopes of a legendary comeback.

Though she may be retired from the tour, Serena’s impact continues to echo through today’s rising WTA stars. Her influence, her fire, and her fearlessness haven’t dimmed. One thing’s for sure: Serena Williams’ legacy will live on, even if she never steps foot on the court again.