AUS Open 2026: On & Off the Court Fashion
The 2026 Australian Open was not only a stage for historic rallies and career-defining moments, but also one of the season's most talked-about fashion destinations. From celebrity appearances to boundary pushing design moments, Melbourne Park has firmly cemented itself as a must watch event on the global fashion calendar.
This year's first Grand Slam unfolded under a distinctly sun soaked sartorial lens. Across the ground, fashion leaned into summery silks, breathable lounge-chic silhouettes and a confident embrace of coveted designer labels, a seamless reflection of Melbourne's laid back luxury and the tournament's growing cultural pull.
On the court, two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka delivered one of the tournament’s most memorable style moments in a custom Nike kit designed by Robert Wun. Her sculptural, veiled jellyfish-inspired look featured an exoskeletal silhouette that blurred the line between couture and performance wear. Delicate butterfly embellishments atop her hat and parasol nodded to a viral moment from the 2021 Australian Open, when a monarch butterfly famously landed on Osaka mid match. The symbolism, rebirth and transformation, which particularly resonated as Osaka continues her return to the sport. Sports fan and graduated Student at AUP Matilda Marshall shared that she loved that Osaka is "always playing with fashion and function."
Fashion student at AUP, Lillian Healy also said this was her favorite look of the tournament. "I love that tennis has always been synonymous with high fashion in a way..." Healy stated. " I feel in a way that this is their fashion week."
Bright neon hues dominated the court, worn by players from Frances Tiafoe in Lululemon to America's sweetheart Coco Gauff in New Balance. Ben Shelton added to the electric palette in On, while Nike's latest kits brought even more bold color and energy to the lineup.
World No. 1, Aryna Sabalenka also made a statement, pairing her powerful on court presence with refined jewelry by New York based brand Material Good. In the final, Sabalenka wore an 8.02-carat sapphire and diamond earring set alongside a matching 18k gold necklace, an elegant contrast to the intensity of championship tennis. For the award ceremony, she added a Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked in blue ceramic, retailing at approximately $168,000.
Off the court, a strong showing of Australian brands emerged among players' partners, underscoring a growing appreciation for local fashion. Leading the charge was Morgan Riddle, widely regarded as the most influential woman in men's tennis, whose court-side looks spotlighted labels such as Beggining Boutique, Arcina Ori and Melbourne-based By Lucia Jewellery. A fashion influencer and girlfriend of American No. 1 Taylor Fritz, Riddle has fully embraced her role within tennis culture, balancing front-row style with digital influence. With over a million followers across Instagram and TikTok, and as a host of Wimbledon's official fashion series Wimbledon Threads, her presence felt both strategic and style-savvy.
Fellow fashion personality Paige Lorenze echoed the same theme, mixing Australian designers with polished summer looks from Chanel and sporty heritage pieces, including vintage Polo Sport by Ralph Lauren, reinforcing the Australian Open's postion as a crossover moment where sport, fashion and influence collide.
Hollywood was well represented, with Liam Hemsworth, Joseph Zada, and Joel Edgerton all sporting Ralph Lauren. Chloë Grace Moretz and former tennis pro Marat Safin wore Louis Vuttion for the Men's finals ceremony. Moretz had on a black crinkled vinyl set paired with white LV Knot heels.
Now that this year's Australian Open has come to a close, fashion fans can turn their attention to the next Grand Slam, Roland Garros in Paris, where style is sure to take center court once again.
