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Even when people aren’t wearing Wimbledon white, they’re thinking about it.
Back then, her fitted Nike dresses weren’t common off the court.
Serena Williams’s retirement from tennis didn’t end her involvement with sportor with sport fashion.
The same mindset applies off the court.
After all, tennis fashion was always a lifestyle for hernot a trend.
Post-retirement, you’ve been investing in and mentoring up-and-coming talent.
I remember one person: Zina Garrison, who was a Black tennis player that I looked up to.
[Venus and I] were under 10 and we went to Houston to meet her.
First of all, that alone was a lot.
But she spent time with us and she hit with us, too.
And I remember thinking,Oh, I could beat her.
(I couldn’t even really hit with herI was so little.)
That always stuck with me.
I was like, wow, that’s really cool that she took out that time.
I never forgot that.
Now, how are you paying it forward for other young women who are getting started in tennis?
What does investing in them look like for you?
It’s not just tennis, right?
For me, it’s more sport.
Without even trying to, I was able to inspire a lot of women across all sports.
That was really humbling for me and kind of cool at the same time.
If you’re confident in sport as a woman, you’re “cocky.”
As a guy, you’re “confident,” you know?
That crosses the line of tennis [into] everything that I’ve done in business.
Serena Williams’s approach to tennis fashion came with inventive silhouettes and unexpected materials.
I love what you said earlier about being an example or inspiration for others without necessarily trying to.
I think that also comes through in your approach to style.
I mean, obviously, the cat suit [for the 2018 French Open].
Then I think another massive moment was the jeansthat was kind of crazy.
I wore this incredible jean skirt and boots.
Those two moments were huge.
They see us on the court or in the field or whatever we’re doing.
[Competing], that’s our moment to really shine.
That was my moment: I’m on stage, time to wear knee-high boots.
Her 2004 US Open outfit by Nike, including a denim tennis skirt and knee-high sneaker boots.
Where do you see your impact showing up in terms of sport and style, post-retirement?
Before as a lady athlete, you couldn’t wear makeup or else you weren’t taken seriously.
But it definitely changed women’s sports as a whole.
Also, [it’s] in business.
I think that whole narrative is a huge conversation and it goes beyond sports at this point.
And if you want to be glamorous, or if you don’t, it’s your choice.
I’m also curious about the ways that “tennis fashion” manifests outside of true sportswear.
As someone who knows the sport so intimately, what do you think fashion gets rightor wrongabout tennis style?
I literally live at home in my tennis skirt and I’m not even playing professional tennis anymore.
It’s so comfortable.
I like to multitask.
I don’t think you’ve got the option to do tennis fashion wrong.
I don’t think there’s a wrong way to do fashion.
Well, hard work.
As a full-time athlete, you have to dedicate your entire life to your sport.
You have to be very selfish.
As an entrepreneur, you have to have the same attitude.
Arguably an athlete works harder in a different way, because it’s more physical and you’re exhausted.
So as an entrepreneur, I’m more mentally exhausted some days, but I’m physically okay.
It’s just different.
You’ve learned that lesson that you learned from tennis.
Like how did I win that Grand Slam?
I worked two years to win that one Grand Slam.
So, how do you get your best investment?
I worked two years to get to that great investment.
I think that I’m looking at it the same way.
This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
Leave your ballet flats in your checked bag.
Uncle Harry for the gifting win.
Nothing could have prepared me for her new look.
Footwear designers are on a vintage kick, and I’m all for it.
No wonder she wears it constantly.
She’s so back.
It’s the most impressive accessorizing I’ve seen in years.
Paired with a printed Dior bag, of course.
Denim shorts on deck.
Celebrities will carry this bag truly anywhere.
