Destanee Aiava has turned heads at the Australian Open qualifying tournament this week by combining her love for tennis and fashion, using the courts as her personal “fashion runway.”
The 24-year-old Australian has embraced a unique approach to her wardrobe, donning vintage dresses that were made famous by tennis legends Maria Sharapova and Ana Ivanovic. Aiava has been purchasing replicas of these iconic outfits online and wearing them during her matches in Melbourne.
On Thursday, Aiava wore a pink Adidas dress that Ivanovic famously sported at the 2010 US Open, and it paid off. She defeated 23rd seed Eva Lys 6-1, 2-6, 6-4, earning a spot in the main draw of her home Grand Slam for the first time since 2021.
When asked about her outfit choices for the first round, Aiava joked, “I found one on Facebook yesterday before my match. I might go pick that up. It’s only $35, which is a steal.”
Earlier in the tournament, Aiava wore a light pink Nike dress similar to one worn by Sharapova when she reached the 2012 US Open semifinals. Aiava, who has cited Sharapova, Ivanovic, and Serena Williams as fashion inspirations, explained her affinity for these vintage styles: “I just loved what they wore. I think some of the things designers are creating now are quite ugly. I like to wear what I think looks good, and I don’t like wearing the same thing as everyone else.”
Aiava, who dreams of pursuing a fashion design degree, will face Belgium’s Greet Minnen in the first round of the Melbourne major, which kicks off on Sunday. Despite her focus on style, she believes her fashion choices have helped elevate her presence on the court: “I didn’t think it would make any impact at all, but I’m glad I did it. It’s been fun bringing these outfits back. Even if you lose, it’s still kind of a fashion runway when you’re on the court.”
Although Aiava is still seeking a sportswear sponsor, she is enjoying the freedom of not being tied to a brand. “I’m hoping to get a sponsor. I’ll probably have to wear the same thing as other people. But for now, I love picking whatever I want to wear and buying whatever I want.”
Aiava’s combination of style and sportsmanship is making her a standout on and off the court as she prepares for her first-round match at the Australian Open.
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