Remember last year’s Met Gala event when Serena Williams stole the show in a dazzling ‘Balenciaga’ creation? That jaw-dropping gown, crafted from 25 meters of Italian gold foil-laminated taffeta and inspired by Look 52 from the house’s 51st couture collection, took 150 hours of meticulous pattern-making. “It’s truly been an honor to collaborate with the talented Balenciaga team on such a memorable and glamorous piece,” the icon told Vogue, her look punctuated by an ethereal sash that flowed into a regal train. Fast forward to this year, and the tennis legend has done it again, owning the red carpet with another spellbinding ensemble that left Coco Gauff and Madison Keys speechless, dropping raw reactions of pure admiration! Wondering what did they say?
Over the past 3 years, Serena Williams has continued to make powerful statements at the Met Gala: fashion’s grandest fundraising spectacle. Since stepping away from professional tennis at the 2022 US Open, the 23-time GS champion has shifted her focus toward entrepreneurship, family life, and showing up in style at major public appearances. Despite welcoming her second daughter, Adira River Ohanian, in August 2023 and undergoing a lengthy postpartum recovery, the 43-year-old tennis icon continues to radiate elegance and strength, aging with grace and confidence.
At this year’s Met Gala in New York City, Williams turned heads once more in a striking ‘light blue Moncler gown’. She embraced the event’s “dandy” theme with a sleek rose-gold bob hairstyle that added a bold touch to her look. And fellow American tennis stars Coco Gauff and Madison Keys were visibly impressed by Serena’s fashion moment. While the 4th seed Gauff highlighted the historical inspiration behind the outfit, the reigning Australian Open champ praised its exquisite detailing.
The “Tennis Channel” recently posted a video on IG that captured the reactions of Coco Gauff and Madison Keys to Serena Williams’ stunning Met Gala look. Reflecting on Serena’s ensemble, Coco Gauff expressed her appreciation for the way the Olympic Gold medalist embraced the theme. “Serena looks really great. I saw her Instagram caption, ‘What’s a dandy without a gown,’ and I thought that she was definitely playing in the more feminine side of it,” Gauff told while referencing Williams’ post before the Gala. “People are saying it’s not on theme but if you look at a dandy, they’re usually with someone, a woman in a beautiful gown as well so I think she was perfectly on theme.”
Madison Keys echoed Gauff’s sentiments, praising the overall presentation of the legend. “I really liked the theme this year and I feel like a lot of people nailed it. I mean, Serena looks phenomenal, the hair, I love all the accessories, the color is gorgeous. I also like the kind of off the shoulders look. I think she looks phenomenal, I’m gonna say 10/10. 10/10! She looks fantastic,” Keys declared.
Serena Williams herself provided insight into the creative vision behind her look in an interview with ‘CR Fashion Book’, revealing the romantic period drama Bridgerton as one of the inspirations. “My Met Gala look was inspired by Bridgerton, blending Regency-era elegance with the bold spirit of Black dandyism,” she added. “Fashion for me is about reclaiming space and celebrating individuality, and this look is a nod to Black excellence. It’s about combining timeless style with a modern statement of defiance and power.”
Besides celebrating her own appearance, Serena also made her thoughts known about her sister Venus Williams’ stunning Met Gala ensemble, which reflected the rising “tenniscore” trend.
Serena Williams shares her views on her sister’s iconic Met Gala outfit
The Met Gala, an annual fundraising fashion spectacle held in NY City, brings together global celebrities for a night of bold self-expression through style. This year, tennis icon Venus Williams turned heads with a striking look that paid homage to both her sporty roots and high fashion. Stepping onto the red carpet in a ‘forest green’ ensemble, Venus embraced the event’s theme with flair and originality.
Her dress featured a sparkling, polo-style collar and a pleated skirt that delivered the perfect blend of elegance and athleticism, short in the front and extending into a flowing maxi length at the back. To complete the look, the 44-year-old layered a matching green coat, embellished with tassel fringe along the lapels and sleeve hems, adding texture and drama. Her footwear stood out as a hybrid between sneakers and loafers, staying true to her tenniscore aesthetic.
For her hairstyle, celebrity stylist Araxi Lindsey opted for a crisscross pattern that laid Venus’ hair flat, drawing inspiration from traditional African styles and vintage 1920s cuts. The look was adorned with dozens of metal clips, a stylish nod to the beaded hairstyle the 7-time GS winner famously sported in the early 2000s, an iconic moment in tennis and fashion history.
Highlighting her partnership with the brand, Venus shared a post on her IG account captioned, “#SuperfineStyle with my @lacoste family at the #METGala .” Her sister Serena Williams couldn’t hold back her admiration, commenting, “Wow love these poses and this lewk.” She wasn’t the only one impressed, tennis analyst Prakash Amritraj added, “Perfection ,” while Lacoste chimed in with their own appreciation, replying, “.” As always, Venus Williams proves she’s just as powerful in style as she is on the court.
Despite not being on the court, the sisters’ athletic style will continue to resonate both on and off the court at the Met Gala.
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