Wimbledon’s dress code may be all white, but these WTA players are still finding ways to express themselves on court.
Wimbledon’s dress code may be all white, but players like Donna Vekic are still finding ways to express themselves on court.
The 28-year-old from Croatia became the feel-good story of the tournament when made her first Grand Slam semifinal on Tuesday. As she ended the Cinderella run of Kiwi qualifier Lulu Sun, her own long-awaited fairytale was finally being written.
Read More: Donna Vekic overcomes doubts to find deliverance—and reach her first Grand Slam semifinal
And when all the emotions poured out after Vekic’s 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 comeback win on Court No. 1, eagle-eyed tennis fans noticed one detail on her match kit that showed maybe it’s all meant to be:
All fortnight long Vekic has been rocking a Wimbledon-themed manicure, with her short oval nails featuring the tournament’s signature green and purple in a modern twist on French tips. (See above)
We’ve seen many examples of great Wimbledon-themed nail art from WTA players over the years (and once, famously, from Andy Murray) and this year has brought out even more creative styles on the likes of Coco Gauff, Mirra Andreeva and more.
According to Gauff, it’s a way for players to express themselves despite the tournament’s strict dress code while still paying homage to tradition.
“Honestly at Wimbledon there’s not too much you can do in the color department,” Gauff told press about her New Balance kit earlier in the tournament. “…The cut (of the dress) is supposed to be like a crop top, but in an elegant Wimbledon type way.
“I just think of Wimbledon as a tradition. Even with my nails, I always get, like, French (tips) or white here just to match that elegance of it.”
Britain’s Katie Boulter also paid artsy tribute to her home Grand Slam event, going for the opposite of subtle with her own eye-catching nails. Featuring white, pink, purple and green, the design included strawberries, a tennis net and a nod to the tournament’s logo.
Vekic powered her way into the Wimbledon semifinals wearing Donnasport by Uomo—she helped launch the Italian sportswear brand’s first high-end women’s activewar line back in 2023—and Lacoste tennis shoes.
She completes the look with a F.P. Journe Élégante watch, which she wears even during competition. The timepiece features two rows of brilliant-cut diamonds and is mounted on an orange strap for one last pop of color.
Once a touted tennis prodigy, Vekic first made headlines as a 16-year-old when she reached the final of her debut WTA main draw event in 2012. But in the years since she has often been held back by injury, peaking at No. 19 and owning four WTA titles to date, including last year’s win in Monterrey.
“I think I’m a different person now compared to six years ago,” Vekic said of her previous best result at Wimbledon, a run to the fourth round back in 2018. “It’s definitely different. I don’t know about the level of tennis, but I feel like I’ve matured more. Maybe I’m enjoying it more.”
World No. 37 Vekic will face No. 7 seed Jasmine Paolini on Thursday for a spot in the Wimbledon final.
WATCH: Donna Vekic speaks with the media after her 2024 Wimbledon quarterfinal win | PRESS CONFERENCE
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