Style Points: Australian Open Fashion Review
From the vibrant and colorful kits to the scene-stealing footwear, here’s some of the most memorable looks to hit the court in Melbourne Park.
WATCH: The Break: Adidas unveiled a floating tennis court off the coast of Australia.
Who wore what? Style Points breaks down the latest collabs, kits and fashion statements from around the tennis world.
For Northern Hemisphere tennis fans, watching the Australian Open is a welcome escape from the early nights and frigid winter temperatures. The first Grand Slam of the year is always a highlight of the Melbourne summer calendar, and all the top players brought their best summer looks to the big stage.
From the vibrant and colorful kits to the scene-stealing footwear, here’s some of the most memorable looks to hit the court in Melbourne Park.
The 2019 and 2021 champion’s custom pink and purple kit set her aside from all other Nike players in Melbourne. The bright color palette made ensured she stood out from head to toe — including her pair of custom Nike's Court Air Zoom GP Turbos paying tribute to a viral moment from her title-winning run last season.
Last year, Osaka was playing against Ons Jabeur in Melbourne when a butterfly landed on her leg and later on her face. The Japanese player took it as a good omen, and carefully removed the butterfly before making sure it flew to safety.
Her shoes come in an orange, brown and black ‘Monarch butterfly’ inspired colorway, as well as a pink, white and blue version to coordinate with Osaka’s kit.
Nike’s other top athlete in Melbourne, Rafael Nadal was outfitted in a violet v-neck t-shirt with white piping along the collar and sleeves and mint accents. His coordinating shoes spell RAFA on one heel, while the other commemorates his 2009 title.
Players like Aryna Sabalenka, Grigor Dimitrov, Taylor Fritz and more were outfitted in Nike’s 2022 Melbourne Collection, marked by its signature red colorway and asymmetric details.
Check out Elina Svitolina’s Instagram unveiling:
According to Tennis-Point, the collection draws its inspiration from Nike’s signature Windrunner jackets, and “features asymmetrical strips of mesh and tape in a nod to the iconic 80s design.”
Adidas’ Melbourne Collection took its inspiration from the Great Barrier Reef, and featured a summery swirl of coral red and sky blue on a watercolor print. Garbine Muguruza sported a racerback dress in a custom blue and orange colorway.
The collection is also available in brown and peach pink. In line with Adidas commitment to cut down on plastic and preserve oceans, all the items are made from recycled ocean plastic.
Asics also decided to go with a watercolor inspired print, worn here by Iga Swiatek. The lilac, blue and yellow dress looked like a cotton-candy dream in Melbourne, and it’s all made with recycled materials.
Check out Caroline Garcia’s Instagram unveiling:
There’s no place like home for World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty, and she’s got the ruby slippers to prove it. Well, make that the “ruby sneakers”.
The Aussie launched Fila’s Foul Line collection at her home Slam, and she’s paired the white and navy printed dress with a pair of red-hot Axilus 2 Energized tennis shoes.
For the men’s World No. 2, Lacoste unveiled a special collection named after Daniil Medvedev, highlighted by an open-collar polo in pale green jacquard stripes.
Bidi Badu may not be the first name that comes to mind when we think of tennis apparel, but the German sportswear brand certainly made its mark in Melbourne.
When Liam Broady took the court against Nick Kyrgios, he paired Bidi Badu’s Melbourne Styles with white Nike sneakers featuring rainbow laces. The Rainbow Laces initiative, a campaign by British charity Stonewall to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport.
“I just kind of wanted to send the support. I know obviously within men’s tennis — is it a taboo? I don’t think it’s really a taboo, but I’ve seen questions before about why there aren’t any openly gay men on the tour, and I just wanted to kind of voice my support in that kind of general area,” Broady said in his post-match press conference.
A few new names on the scene made their big move into the tennis market at the Australian Open, highlighted by bohemian fashion brand Free People and Canadian sportswear giant Lululemon.
Former Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin wore a kit by Free People Movement, the brand’s activewear spin-off which launched in 2012. The American recently announced a multi-year deal as their first-ever brand ambassador in tennis.
Leylah Fernandez also helped Lululemon make the leap into the sport with her own global brand ambassador deal. The reigning US Open champion wore Lululemon both on and off the court in Melbourne.