Look of the Week: Venus Williams’ fuzzy tennis racket case was a major serve

As soon as seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams stepped foot onto the court for the 2025 US Open, in the eyes of many fashionistas she had already won. On the day of her mixed doubles match alongside Reilly Opelka, Williams arrived dressed in a custom navy and white-trimmed tennis dress by the New York-based label Khaite. Later, for the Stars of the Open exhibition match — a series of charity games between tennis’ most eminent players — she wore a charcoal black merino-wool dress with a pleated skirt and a ruffled track jacket by rising American brand Luar.

But her greatest serve was yet to come. On Monday, Williams strutted to her place at the rearmost line of the court in a white tennis skirt, matching buttoned polo shirt and jacket, custom made by ERL, the label founded by Los Angeles native Eli Russell Linnetz. What really made her look sing was what looked like a chicken drumstick at her side — but was, in fact, a blonde, fuzzy tennis racket case with an aged leather strap and handles. The fun, fluffy accessory was decidedly retro, conjuring the kind of brightly colored dyed pelt bags sold by Blumarine or Juicy Couture in the 1990s.

By Leah Dolan

Full story at CNN