Serena Williams Knows She’s Been on ‘Worst Dressed Lists’ and Thinks It’s ‘Important’ — Here’s Why (Exclusive)

From her French Open catsuit to her sparkly ballet-inspired kit for her final US Open, Serena Williams always turned heads for her style on (and off) the court over her decades-long tennis career.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion, 42, recently looked back on that career for PEOPLE’s 50th Anniversary cover story, discussing her barrier-breaking wins and the legacy she created for her daughters, Olympia, 6, and Adira, 8 months. She also looked back at her fashion, pouring over her PEOPLE features through the years — including one from 2003 where Williams said at the time, “I’ve been on worst dressed lists and I don’t care.”
In 2024, Williams feels the same.

“Listen, I think being on worst dressed lists is important,” she says. “I’ve loved every style that I’ve made and you know, you don’t love them looking back all the time, but I appreciate them.”

The designer of S by Serena adds, “I think fashion is a way to express yourself and express your personality and express like who you are and what you are and sometimes it’s the only way the world can see you is through your style. And so for me, whether it’s the best list or the worst dressed list, it’s all kind of cool.”
“Hey, at least I made a list,” she says with a laugh.

Plus, Williams adds, the 2000s are “making a huge comeback.”
“Like, do I look through my closet?” she says, while considering her looks from that decade. “From back then, I don’t think I have anything. Well, not much. I do keep things, but, you know, my body might not fit the same things that it fit in… back then,” she laughs.

And good or bad, Williams says she has no fashion regrets.
“I’ve had a lot of outfits. A lot of on court outfits, a lot of off court outfits. I’ve had some amazing, amazing red carpet looks,” she says. “I’ve had a lots of different looks, but you know what, you can’t take any of it back. I’m leaning into all of them.”