France and Australia show up in style for official dinner

By Jordaan SanfordPublished November 07, 2019

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Astra Sharma (@astrasharma)

The Fed Cup final's official dinner took place on Thursday with both teams stepping out in matching, and almost matching, looks. Australia will host France in Perth, with matches starting on Saturday.

Australia has won the Fed Cup title on seven occasions, but the last triumph for the Aussies was nearly 45 years ago. Four of the seven came from when Margaret Court dominated the game, with the 24-time Grand Slam champion claiming all 20 of her Fed Cup matches.

This weekend, world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty will be looking replicate the past and end the title drought with a win over France.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 07: Ash Barty of Australia is introduced into the reception during the 2019 Fed Cup Final Official Dinner at Frasers on November 07, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

Getty Images

The top players enjoyed a full glam session given by professional hair stylist and makeup artists ahead of the traditional team outing.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 07: Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia has her hair and makeup done before the 2019 Fed Cup Final Official Dinner at Frasers on November 07, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

Getty Images

Barty wore an all-black fitted dress, and was joined in black-and-white combinations by captain Alicia Molik and teammates Ajla Tomljanovic, Priscilla Hon, Astra Sharma and Samantha Stosur (who holds the record for most Fed Cup singles wins by an Australian).

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 07: Sam Stosur, Ajla Tomljanovic, Alicia Molik, Ash Barty, Priscilla Hon and Astra Sharma of Australia together with Kristina Mladenovic, Caroline Garcia, Fiona Ferro, Pauline Parmentier, Alize Cornet and Julien Benneteau of France pose on arrival during the 2019 Fed Cup Final Official Dinner at Frasers on November 07, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

Getty Images

France is coming in hot to try to crash Australia’s party. They will be playing in their sixth final since 1997. Kristina Mladenovic, Caroline Garcia, Fiona Ferra, Pauline Parmentier and Alize Cornet wore matching red dresses to the gala in Perth, alongside captain Julien Benneteau.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 07: Kristina Mladenovic, Caroline Garcia, Fiona Ferro, Pauline Parmentier, Alize Cornet and Julien Benneteau of France pose on arrival during the 2019 Fed Cup Final Official Dinner at Frasers on November 07, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

Getty Images

Although only one team can come away the champion, both teams aced their off-court looks on Thursday night.