This was published 11 months ago
The shirt, the sunnies, the refreshments and more: Tennis-inspired style hits
High and dry
You might not have quite the same topspin as that favourite player … but you can have a similar towel.
Buying the same tennis racquet as your favourite player probably won’t improve your serve, but copying their towel game should rub you up the right way. As part of its capsule tennis collection, the Australian Open’s official outfitter, Ralph Lauren, has added Player Towels to its range of bucket hats, crop tops and teddy bear T-shirts ($79). Unlike towels from previous years, currently enjoying retirement on beaches and at pools nationwide, these towels are the same design and fabric as those used by the players on centre court. The brand’s signature polo-horse logo is present, but the giant tennis ball and net are stronger symbols of your grand slam moment. BYO perspiration.
Bounce back
A ball for a ball at the NGV’s Mayfair Tennis Ball Exchange.
If pets were allowed inside the National Gallery of Victoria, the cry of “Fetch!” could cause untold damage to British artist David Shrigley’s installation for this year’s Triennial, which runs through to
April 7. More than 8000 tennis balls comprise the Melbourne Tennis Ball Exchange, a follow-up to the Mayfair Tennis Ball Exchange, which premiered in London in 2021 at the Stephen Friedman Gallery. Visitors to the NGV’s late-night program between January 19 and 28 are encouraged to bring used tennis balls and exchange them for new ones in the installation. In London, many added designs to their old balls, so here’s your opportunity to see your work, on bouncing display, inside a gallery.
Catch up on the tennis champ’s accomplished life and career before she returns to the courts.
Returning serve
Following a significant break and becoming a mother to daughter Shai in July, Japanese tennis champion Naomi Osaka is returning to the grand slam circuit and is set to begin a new chapter in her career. Tennis writer Ben Rothenberg is offering a recap of the 26-year-old’s life with his biography Naomi Osaka: Her Journey To Finding Her Power and Her Voice.
The book explores Osaka’s activism around race and openness about her struggles with mental health. Beyond the book’s final page, the two-time Australian Open champion continues rewriting tennis style as an ambassador for Louis Vuitton and Nike, with fans always eager to see her deeply personal on- and off-court outfits.
Hubble bubble
Piper-Heidsieck champagne, dating back to Marie Antoinette’s time. Just don’t lose your head.
Light-headed French queen Marie Antoinette is famed for the ill-timed quip “Let them eat cake,” but she was equally encouraging towards champagne. The last queen before the French Revolution became a fan of Piper-Heidsieck following Florens-Louis Heidsieck’s persistent attempts to impress her with the brand he founded in 1785.
At this year’s Australian Open, the public can sip like royalty at Le Kiosque, an addition to Melbourne Park’s Garden Square, where those without centre-court tickets can watch the action on big screens. The outpost of the Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Bar at Rod Laver Arena Terrace, where 24,400 glasses or 4066 bottles were sold at the 2023 Open, is inspired by a roadside French cafe (minus tourists dressed like Emily from the series, Emily In Paris).
Wrist trophy
Coco Gauff sporting her Rolex Oyster Perpetual.
Dressing in vintage clothing is popular with celebrities on the red carpet, but rarely seen in sport. American star Coco Gauff may have started a trend though, when she picked up her winner’s trophy at the US Open in September wearing a discontinued Rolex Oyster Perpetual with a grape watch face. The watch is no longer in production, but can be found via secondhand dealers.
It was the perfect choice, coordinating nicely with Gauff’s new, wine-coloured skirt from her sponsor, New Balance. All eyes will be on Gauff’s watch choice at the Australian Open, but they’ll have to wait until after the match – like most players, she prefers sweatbands to luxury timepieces while playing. Jenson Brooksby, Hubert Hurkacz, Donna Vekic, Barbora Krejcikova and Sebastian Korda are exceptions to the rule, preferring to check the time as well as the scoreboard.
For the LV of tennis
A set of Louis Vuitton’s monogrammed balls, which come with the luxury brand’s racquet holder.
Everyman swoops and stripes are in danger of being overrun by luxury logos on the tennis courts. Louis Vuitton’s monogram has joined the crush, with the French leather-goods powerhouse joining the Australian Open this year as its official trophy trunk partner.
There have been hints of the double act in recent releases, such as the Suzanne Etui racquet holder ($3050), which comes with a set of monogrammed balls. The new LV brand ambassador, Spanish champion player Carlos Alcaraz, might be the first to elevate accessory aesthetics at Melbourne Park.
The short straw
Grandstand sun safety, done in style.
The Australian Open is often compared to the Melbourne Cup as an international sporting drawcard but along with the horses, giant hats can be left at the racecourse. Follow the lead of Harry Potter actor Emma Watson and action star Jason Statham by sticking to simple straw hats while seated in the stands.
You want to be able to shield your face in style without attracting Serena Williams-style screams from the people sitting behind you. Australian label Jac + Jack’s simple straw “Rae” boater ($260) should draw admiring rather than admonishing glances.
The cover-up
An eyewear trend of 2024: go big or go home.
One of the few occasions when US Vogue editor Anna Wintour’s oversized sunglasses seem perfectly appropriate is at tennis tournaments. Wintour’s commitment to the sport and the accessory are beyond reproach, but while keeping your eyes covered at the Met Gala may seem pretentious, during a grand slam semi-final it’s encouraged. Take Wintour’s oversized approach with these generously proportioned frames from Chloé, utilising the Australian Open’s signature shade of blue ($540).
As well as shielding your eyes from the summer sun, no one will see you wince when your favourite player fumbles their second serve. Brad Pitt also decided to go big before going home in sizeable square gold frames from stealth-wealth eyewear brand Oliver Peoples (“Dresner” sunglasses, $577), while others in the frame for their tennis outings include Mr Bond himself, Daniel Craig, his actor wife, Rachel Weisz, and royal couple Prince William and Kate.
In the lines
Since the Duchess of Sussex, the blue stripe has become an unofficial uniform for tennis spectators.
Speaking of royals, one thing Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, got right as a working royal was the blue-and-white-striped shirt worn to Wimbledon in 2018. Since then, the style has become the uniform for men and women turning to a touch of tailoring to elevate their smart-casual ensembles.
At this year’s US Open, Mindy Kaling, Diane Keaton, Keith Urban, Debra Messing, Emily in Paris actor Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu and TikTok star Alix Earle all turned to stripes to make the simplest of statements. Official Australian Open outfitter Ralph Lauren’s shelves are filled with striped pieces, while eco-conscious New Zealand designer Maggie Marilyn has an oversized striped shirt in navy and pale blue ($295) if you’re looking for room to move. Men can line up in M.J. Bale’s “Castello” shirt with mandarin collar ($150) to stay cool.
Final serves
Not all matches run as long as 2022’s five-hour, 24-minute final between Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev but quite a few will see you leaving Melbourne Park after many restaurants have closed.
Here are some of our favourite late-night haunts, equally perfect for celebrating wins and forgetting losses.
Pepe’s Italian & Liquor
Why rely on a midnight fridge raid when you can fill up with a bowl of pappardelle with wagyu bolognaise at Pepe’s? Open Tues-Sun until late; 275-285 Exhibition Street, Melbourne.
Di Stasio Citta
Di Stasio Citta: an exponent of the restaurant as theatre.Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui
Peerless Italian style and food combined with video art at the top end of Spring Street, just a short stroll away from Melbourne Park – what’s not to love?
Open Mon-Sun until dinner service ends; 45 Spring Street, Melbourne.
Gimlet at Cavendish House
Gimlet: a venue for tha late-night martini, steak and fries. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui
Get into the martini mood at Gimlet. On Friday and Saturday nights, a supper menu from 10pm-1am supplies you with steak, fries and highly addictive gnocco fritto. 33 Russell Street, Melbourne.
Bar Lourinha
You’ll find fast and filling Iberian-inspired dishes from chef Matt McConnell at this eclectic restaurant at the Melbourne Park end of Little Collins Street. Open until 11pm Tues-Thurs and until 12am Fri-Sat; 37 Little Collins Street, Melbourne.
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