The parameters of tennis style continue to grow, thanks to the statement making appearances of top players.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka sealed a stylish win to make the second round of the French Open, draped in more than 100 carats of garnets and 15 carats of diamonds, while Naomi Osaka brought runway flair to Roland Garros.
Dressed in a black-and-red mesh outfit and wearing garnet and necklaces from Material Good, Sabalenka dismissed Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-4 6-2 before brushing off concerns about the added flourish by saying she was completely at ease.
“I like to challenge myself,” the Belarusian told reporters.
“But at the same time, the dress is super light … I don’t feel the dress on me. I was thinking it’s going to be super hot wearing black, but it doesn’t feel like black colour on me, I feel really comfortable.
“And the diamonds, I don’t really feel the heaviness of it, but I can imagine how it looks from the outside … for me, it’s important to look good. If I feel good looks-wise, I perform better and I feel great.”
Sabalenka hit the court in two dazzling necklaces set with a total of 122.12 carats of garnets and 13.93 carats of diamonds and matching garnet and diamond earrings. The necklaces are part of a suite of three similar pieces included in a collection designed for Sabalenka by the New York jewellery house.
“Crafted with over 200 carats of garnets and 23 carats of diamonds, the suite was designed to stack seamlessly and move with Aryna through every moment of the match,” the jeweller noted on Instagram.
Prior to the match the tennis star posted a selection of photos in the three stunning pieces, which the jewellery house said drew inspiration from the rich tones and intensity of red clay courts at the famous French Open venue.
The precious pieces include a dynamic arrangement of multi-shaped stones — including marquise, pear, oval, emerald-cut, and round garnets — said to “echo the fluidity, motion, and energy of Aryna’s performance on court.”
While Sabalenka set the tone, former world number one Naomi Osaka added a touch of Parisian flair as she walked onto Court Suzanne Lenglen in a sequined blouse and a black mesh floor-length train before unveiling a layered yellow-brown and gold match dress.
The tennis was equally sparkling as the 16th seed overcame tricky German Laura Siegemund 6-3 7-6(3) before hinting at the inspiration behind her match outfit.
“I feel like … you know the Eiffel Tower at night when it’s sparkly? I think I look like that a bit,” Osaka said.
Sabalenka said that though the two players had differing styles, she is excited about the display of personality on the court.
“This is sparkling. I love it. I love that she’s expressing herself. She feels confident. That’s the beauty of the fashion world. There’s space for anything. I love that she’s bringing it on court,” the Belarusian told TNT Sports.
