Serena Williams dons iconic denim skirt at US Open 20 years after debuting Andre Agassi-inspired outfit in New York
Serena Williams returned to the US Open this year wearing a denim skirt. This comes 20 years after she debuted a Nike kit inspired by Andre Agassi's denim shorts from 1988.
On Saturday, August 31, six-time US Open champion Williams returned to Flushing Meadows. She was in a jolly mood wearing a denim skirt and a denim jacket. The New York Major's official X account posted about Williams' return with a video captioned:
"The Queen is back in Queens 🤩"
Her denim skirt look at the Flushing Meadows comes 20 years after she debuted an iconic denim skirt Nike kit. Williams joined forces with Nike in 2003 in a then-record $60 million contract after ending her partnership with Puma. She placed her 'jean skirt' wish in front of Nike and the American brand made it come true at the 2004 US Open.
In a recent appearance on an episode of 'Hot Ones', the 23-time Grand Slam winner recalled how Agassi's jean shorts in 1988 was a fashion statement. It inspired her to create one of her 'favorite outfits ever'.
"One of the most iconic moments in tennis for me was when Andre Agassi wore jean shorts and I was like how do we do that? How should I be able to wear a jean skirt? And, again, I said it could be jeans... I will wear jeans on the court," Serena Williams said.
"They're like no, we're going to make it like a fabric that actually works. So, that was my modern version of what Andre actually did and bringing that into tennis and it was literally one of my favorite outfits ever," she added.
Williams was in attendance at the Arthur Ashe Stadium watching World No. 1 Jannik Sinner play his third-round match against Christopher O'Connell.
A look back at Serena Williams' US Open career
Out of 23 Grand Slam singles titles won by Serena Williams, six were at the US Open. Her first Grand Slam title was won at the Flushing Meadows as a 17-year-old in 1999. She defeated the likes of Martina Hingis, Lindsay Davenport, and Kim Clijsters to win the title.
The American icon won her next five US Open titles in 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, and 2014. She also finished as runner-up in 2001, 2011, 2018, and 2019. Notably, she participated in 21 main draws at the New York Major from 1998 to 2022.
The 42-year-old's consistent and long-lasting performances have helped her create multiple records. She has reached the most US Open finals (10) among women. She also holds the record for the longest gap between the first and last US Open titles (15).