A sparkling performance: Tennis stars who've dazzled us with their on-court jewellery

Tennis kit? Check. Sweatbands? Check.

Diamonds...?

While the thought of wearing jewellery worth thousands – if not millions – to play sport is unthinkable to us mere mortals, many of the world's top tennis players love to bling up before they hit the court.

We're talking pearls, diamonds and other precious gems that deliver serious sparkle as the ball flies back and forth over the net.

During the Australian Open, Aryna Sabalenka's beautiful sapphire, diamond and gold earring-and-necklace set has been catching the eyes of fans – and commentator Jelena Dokic, who joked she was "going blind" from the sparkle.

Watch the video above.

This isn't a new phenomenon, however – Sabalenka is part of a long tradition of women (and, yes, men, but we're focusing on the ladies) who love a bit of razzle-dazzle in their on-court outfits.

READ MORE: All the stars we've spotted at the 2026 Australian Open

READ MORE: Why this stylish Aussie is turning heads at the tennis

READ MORE: The big 'test' your outfit needs to pass before a day at the AO

Here are some of the most memorable tennis jewellery moments from over the years.

Chris Evert

It might not be the biggest piece of jewellery we've ever seen on court, but it's one that's had a lasting impact.

We have 18-time Grand Slam winner Chris Evert to thank for the tennis bracelet – a design comprising a single symmetrical row of diamonds – being known by that name.

Previously called an eternity bracelet, it won its sporty new name thanks to the American athlete, who often wore one during her games.

Evert's bracelet famously broke during the 1978 US Open, prompting game officials to pause the match until she could find it.

"I just dropped my bracelet on centre court at the US Open, and that's when they called it the tennis bracelet," Evert told AOL in 2018.

View gallery

Best on-court style moments through the years

Serena Williams

The tennis bracelet had a starring moment once again during Serena Williams' run in the 2002 US Open.

Williams sparkled throughout the tournament in a Harry Winston diamond and platinum bracelet – a nine carat design with a reported worth of $US29,000 at the time, which is approximately $42,000 now.

It's one of many times she has drawn attention with her on-court jewellery (not to mention crystal- and diamond-studded accessories) throughout her career.

The 23-time Grand Slam winner has often worn pieces from her own jewellery line, including a diamond-encrusted nameplate necklace reading QUEEN during the 2021 Australian Open.

Anna Kournikova

Many women won't even do the washing up in their engagement rings, but Anna Kournikova had no qualms about playing tennis in her whopping sparkler.

In 2004, the Russian athlete took to the court at the World Team Tennis event in the rare 11 carat natural pink diamond ring she received from partner Enrique Iglesius.

While it was worn on Kournikova's engagement finger, the athlete and the singer have never confirmed an engagement and have not married.

At the time, the ring's worth was estimated to be £4 million, which would be $7.9 million today.

Aryna Sabalenka

Aryna Sabalenka's love of jewellery is no secret; she once declared it "one of [her] biggest guilty pleasures".

She's worn diamonds, emeralds and tourmaline jewellery – usually custom-made pieces – during several events, including the 2025 US Open.

However, she's certainly taken her sparkle to the next level for the 2026 Australian Open.

The Belarusian athlete worked with US brand Material Good to create her striking earrings and pendant necklace, the design inspired by Melbourne's coastal locale.

"Jewelry is a way that I express myself, both on and off the court," she said as she revealed the set on Instagram.

Venus Williams

The Williams sisters have always shone on the court, in more ways than one.

Like Serena, Venus has worn some eye-catching jewellery on court over the years, and seems to have a penchant for earrings, whether they're large hoops or something a little more dangly and elaborate.

A particularly memorable pair was the large teardrop earrings the US athlete wore for the 2008 Australian Open.

In 2023, Williams' love of jewellery was cemented when she released her very own line, the Diamond Match collection, in collaboration with Reinstein Ross.

Emma Raducanu

When Emma Raducanu made history with her US Open win in 2021, she did so in Tiffany and Co jewellery.

The achievement led to the British tennis star being named an ambassador for the company later that year.

So, when she hit the court at Wimbledon in 2022, it was no surprise to see her decked out in roughly $60,000 worth of Tiffany jewellery.

She wore pearl and diamond earrings and a matching pendant, featuring cultured South Sea pearls set in platinum, teamed with a diamond bracelet.

Coco Gauff

From a string of pearls with a sparkling pendant to her Olympic rings necklace, Coco Gauff has worn plenty of stunning pieces while zipping around the court.

However, it was a pair of earrings that proved her most headline-making jewellery choice.

While playing Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska in the first round of Wimbledon 2025, one of the US athlete's Missoma hoop earrings fell off without her realising.

It was Yastremska who spotted the stray earring on the grass court midway through the second set.

After holding it up to confirm it belonged to her opponent, she placed it on Gauff's bench before resuming play.

FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.