There were audible gasps as Serena Williams went onto the court at the US Open in Flushing Meadows last night. The spectators was captivated not only by the appearance of the 23-time Grand Slam tennis champion in the final tournament of her career, but also by Williams’ brilliant and shimmering body, which was covered in crystals all the way up to her locks.
She created her own Nike set. It was inspired by figure skating gowns and included a gem-encrusted bodice with starry accents representing the night sky over the Arthur Ashe Stadium stadium and a tulle skirt with six layers to represent her past US Open victories. NikeCourt Flare 2 sneakers with a diamond-encrusted swoosh and gold deubré laces braided with 400 hand-set diamonds in conjunction with Serena Williams Jewelry completed the appearance. The outfit is the latest from Williams, who is known for serving significant on-court style moments, including as the asymmetrical black, pink, and red Nike unitard she wore at the opening of the Australian Open earlier this year (inspired by the late track great Florence Griffith Joyner).
Williams wanted her hair to reflect the dazzling accents of her dress. Nikki Nelms’ hairstylist pulled back her bouncy sun-kissed curls with a crystal-studded headband and spangled with an array of glittering diamonds. Williams’ 6-3, 6-3 triumph over Montenegro’s Danka Kovini was breathtaking from every perspective. “She’s been shining her whole life…her whole career,” Nelms wrote on Instagram. “Last night, her hair did as well.
Williams’s embellished ponytail may be her most memorable hair moment to date, since she is always making a case for next-level hair moments on the court. And the hair declarations didn’t stop there. Olympia, the pro’s four-year-old daughter with husband Alexis Ohanian, put white beads in her hair, an homage to Williams’ signature look when she won her maiden US Open in 1999.
Williams’ head-to-toe sparkling moment last night was appropriate for a spectacular evening, amplifying the electrifying energy within Arthur Ashe Stadium.
