Serena Williams' bold fashion choices returned to the spotlight alongside her long-awaited reunion with her sister, Venus Williams, at the 2026 U.S. Open.

While the legendary duo's first-round doubles match against Maya Joint and Chan Hao-ching ended in a heartbreaking three-set defeat (6-3, 6-7, 7-6), Serena's choice of attire captured significant attention from the fans.

In a video clip shared by espnW on X before the match, Serena Williams was seen warming up inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.

It captured Serena on the court during her pre-game warm-up, wearing a custom Nike bomber jacket that looked almost like a trophy case.

The jacket had a dark body with gray sleeves and black-and-white striped details around the collar, cuffs, and bottom.

Her last name, 'WILLIAMS,' was written on the back in large varsity-style letters. The sleeves also carried embroidery celebrating all of Serena Williams' U.S. Open title years.

Beneath the jacket, she wore a white skirt and top, paired with clean white sneakers and a navy headband.

"Serena's jacket is so tough . It has all the years that she won a singles and doubles title at the US Open ," espnW captioned the post on X.

Venus Williams also matched the special occasion in a white outfit, and the sisters carried bright pink tennis bags as they walked onto the court.

Fan reaction to Serena Williams' fashion choice

Some fans loved the idea behind the jacket.

"A jacket with that many titles should have its own security team." added one fan.

The joke made sense. Serena Williams has six U.S. Open singles championships, two U.S. Open women's doubles titles with Venus Williams, and one mixed-doubles crown at Flushing Meadows.

That's why another fan sarcastically added: "In case she forgets".

Not everyone was impressed, though.

"Who practices with their jacket on? Next, we will see Osaka practicing with the tents she wears when entering the arena," added one fan.

The comment also took a jab at four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka alongside Williams. Osaka is famous for dramatic walk-out outfits featuring oversized capes, giant bows, and tiered ruffles

The debate also spilled beyond fashion and into tennis itself.

"The Williams sisters need to give it up. Just retire again and go away to irrelevance. They had their time. These retired athletes unretiring is getting old and not worth reporting," added one fan.

However, most of the fans defended the 44-year-old icon.

"She has every right to be proud of her accomplishments and her sponsor is proud too. Like the jacket," wrote a fan.

Indeed, she has. Nobody can take away what Serena Williams has accomplished.

With 23 Grand Slam singles titles, 14 major doubles crowns, undefeated in finals with Venus Williams, two mixed doubles titles, and four Olympic gold medals, she has nothing left to prove to anyone.

Written by

Md Saife Fida