When Serena Williams stepped out onto the tennis court at the French Open in an all-black bodysuit, the world applauded. Here was a woman who had given birth just nine months ago, and was back on the court looking stronger than ever.
And she knew exactly what she was doing; ‘It feels like this suit represents all the women that have been through a lot mentally, physically, with their body to come back and have confidence and to believe in themselves,’ Williams said of what she called her Wakanda-inspired suit which was also designed to protect against blood clots.
And now, Williams wants to create another iconic moment with fashion at the U.S. Open as she has teased what she’ll be wearing on the court. Working with Off White CEO Virgil Abloh, Nike have created The Queen Collection just for Serena Williams.
‘With Serena, we have one of our generation's most powerful, inspiring athletes as the muse,’ says Abloh in Nike’s official release. ‘I was trying to embody her spirit and bring something compelling and fresh to tennis.’
‘What I love about tennis is the gracefulness. It's an aggressive and powerful game, but it takes touch and finesse,' says Abloh.
‘So the dress is feminine, but combines her aggression. It's partially revealing. It's asymmetrical. It has a sort of ballerina-esque silhouette to symbolize her grace. It's not about bells and whistles and tricks. It's just about it living on the body, and expressing Serena’s spirit with each swing of the racket.’
It may have been designed for swinging rackets, but we can guarantee when this collection (which consists of a dress for both day and nighttime play, a bomber jacket, a bag, and three pairs of trainers) goes on sale later this year, it will be seen beyond the courts.
READ MORE: 10 Of Serena Williams' Best Quotes
Serena Williams - Grazia
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'Luck has nothing to do with it, because I have spent many, many hours, countless hours, on the court working for my one moment in time, not knowing when it would come.'
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'People want more fit arms, but my arms are too fit. But I'm not complaining. They pay my bills.'
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'Everyone's dream can come true if you just stick to it and work hard.'
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'I'm not used to crying. It's a little difficult. All my life I've had to fight. It's just another fight I'm going to have to learn how to win, that's all. I'm just going to have to keep smiling.'
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'Tennis just a game, family is forever.'
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'I don't have regrets. I don't live in the past. I live in the present and learn not to make the same mistakes in the future.'
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'Venus told me the other day that champions don't get nervous in tight situations. That really helped me a lot. I decided I shouldn't get nervous and just do the best I can.'
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'I’m really exciting. I smile a lot, I win a lot, and I’m really sexy.'
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'I’ve had people look past me because the colour of my skin, I’ve had people overlook me because I was a woman, I’ve had critics say I [would] never win another Grand Slam when I was only at number seven - and here I stand today with 21 Grand Slam titles, and I’m still going...'
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'I've always considered myself the best and the top. I never considered that I was out of it.'