AO 2021 Fashion Aces: Serena wins best dressed title

Abiding all that the COVID-19 era has wrought, displays of form plus function reigned at the new year's first major. By and large, the fashion senses were looking up Down Under, setting the tone—or a wide set of tones—for the season upon us. This bodes well for the French and US Opens, and a Wimbledon return, yet to come.

First, let's here it for the boys. The gents on the ATP side did a banner job in turning out the fashion game in this event. Among them, 24-year-old Elias Ymer stood out among those who wore Nike's aqua-ish teal.

Sleeveless in Melbourne, Michael Mmoh rocked his black-and-yellow details in one of the event's literal fashion flexes. If one is gonna forego arm fabric, it's best to possess such gym-gained "guns." (Intuitive readers can expect more on this in the accompanying fashion-faults roster.)

Adidas' best use of a chosen green-and-yellow separates arrived on the person of Jessica Pegula, whose tan flattered the color combo, whereas these shades didn't work at all for some others who sported them. Even so, J-Peg's ponytail continued to steal the proverbial show overall.

Styled in a dress by compatriot designer Jan Cerny, Barbora Strycova made a splash that was as ebullient as her own personality. Always a subtle wonder when the two marry so well. (It's not that hard, y'all.)

Simona Halep in predominant purple, excelled in Week 1. This frock came correct, versus the reverse white-and-purple that some other players wore. The Nike fit was much more than legit for this multi-major winner.

What back problems? Continuing a supremely winsome streak of looks from the 2020 Roland Garros and ATP Finals showings, Rafael Nadal, who will turn 35 midyear, appeared rested and spry in bold colors straight out of Swooshville.

Yonex cast Casper Ruud's frame in a clean, timeless polo that might look good on especially anyone but that he especially rocked.

The tennis world will always be glad to see Svetlana Kuznetsova on the scene, and her reddish-hued sequencing with sponsor Qiaodan was likewise most pleasing to the eye.

Your loyal style scribe at first wanted to loath this look, but New Balance gave Coco Gauff a dress that delivered youthful shimmer and looked great on the go. Photographing well can be half the battle.

BEST DRESSED: WTA — Serena Williams simply continued to display her personal, seminal way of going semi-viral at every stop in her journey. In her latest with Nike, the color-blocking is perfection, giving the eyes a sense of motion even when stationary. It's a one-legged homage to Florence Griffith-Joyner, aka Flo-Jo, the fashion-forward, decorated track legend our world lost far too soon. (Trivia morsel: Flo-Jo herself designed the 1990s Indiana Pacers NBA jerseys that Reggie Miller, among other stars, sported.)

Gael Monfils didn't linger long in men's singles, but Asics outfitted him in pristine-but-playful colors that lent a sort of flattering shape to him and others the brand sponsors who lean, well, on the lean side.

Nike bedecked Elina Svitolina, Anastasia Potapova, and others in pleated eleganza, predominantly tan with navy complement. All class.

BEST DRESSED: ATP — This reviewer's favored purple can be done so right, and with elements of beige, teal, and electric orange, the trim and sleeve/shoulder panels made wardrobe winners of Karen Khachenov, Nick Kyrgios, and a few more in Nike's stable. The teal, or teal-tipped, sock game also came strong.

Outfitted in something lighter than Gumby-green, the fantastically elastic Novak Djokovic bent it like only he can in Lacoste and looked exceedingly classic doing it. His polo makes for a modern classic, and the trend of color-trimmed socks has rarely looked better to boot, simply elevating any look.

The style may not be particularly new, but it's forever balanced. Milos Raonic, decked out in New Balance, per usual, gave off classic vibes with a fresh, bright focal point—that pale orange.

Outside the lines, the No. 1 fan fashion award may be foisted upon one Alexis Ohanian, Sr.

As aforementioned, this list pairs well with the fashion-faults roster. You're welcome to sound off to @Tennis and yours truly at @jonscott9 on Twitter, if you spot glaring exclusions and/or inclusions in these wardrobe send-ups. For now, relish in the feats of major tennis on display for us all.