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The Evolution of Wimbledon Tennis Kits: Lea Pericoli’s Rose-trimmed Skirt, Serena Williams’ Regal Train and More Outfits Through the Years
By Julia Teti,
9 days ago
The Championships, Wimbledon, is one of the most storied Grand Slam tournaments in tennis. The event is known for its long-standing dress code for players, who are required to wear tennis whites on the court . But over the course of the last several decades, players have put their own twist on their Wimbledon tennis kits.
Ahead, see the evolution of Wimbledon tennis kits and outfits from the 1950s to the early 2020s, featuring looks from Steffi Graf, Anne White and Venus and Serena Williams .
1952
Maureen Connolly of the United States before the Women’s Singles Final match against compatriot Louise Brough at the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championship on July 5, 1952.
In 1952, Maureen Connolly fashioned traditional tennis whites on the court during Wimbledon. The American athlete wore a pleated white tennis skirt and paired the look with a white sweater, which included playful buttons in a shade of blue.
1965
Italian tennis star Lea Pericoli wearing a rose-trimmed tennis dress designed by British sportwear designer Teddy Tinling at Wimbledon.
Former Italian tennis player Lea Pericoli was known widely for her fashion statements on the tennis court. In 1965, the tennis star wore this white tennis dress, which featured a rose-trimmed skirt designed by Teddy Tinling, during Wimbledon.
1985
Anne White of the USA prepares to serve in a revolutionary one-piece tennis outfit at the Wimbledon Championships in June 1985.
American tennis player Anne White made waves when she wore this all-white catsuit on the court at Wimbledon in 1985. White was later told to change her attire when play was stopped for the day due to inclement weather. Decades later, Serena Williams wore her own iteration of the catsuit during the French Open in 2018.
Steffi Graf of West Germany prepares to serve during the Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon in London.
Steffi Graf of Germany is one of the sport’s greatest legends. Her style followed trends throughout her career and she always aced whatever look she fashioned. At the 1990 Wimbledon tournament, the Grand Slam champion wore a tennis skirt with an oversized Adidas polo shirt and added a bandana headband to complete the look.
2010
Venus Williams of the USA in action during her first-round match against Rossana De Los Rios of Paraguay on Day One of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships on June 21, 2010.
Making fashion statements on and off the court has always been part of Serena and Venus Williams’ legacy. In 2010, Venus wore a tennis dress that featured a tiered fringe skirt and floral design on the bodice of the kit.
2021
Serena Williams of the United States walks onto center court ahead of her Ladies’ Singles First Round match against Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus during Day Two of The Championships – Wimbledon on June 29, 2021.
Serena Williams returned to Centre Court at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club for the 2021 Wimbledon Grand Slam tournament wearing a custom Nike kit. Upon taking the court, it was revealed that Williams’ kit featured a detachable long train. Her on-court outfit featured a flowing skirt and one long sleeve.
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