Tennis idols went from the court to the catwalk earlier this week as they attended the 2021 Met Gala. American Independence was the evening’s theme and some of the most popular gowns came in red. The Met Gala is also referred to as the Costume Institute Gala or Met Ball. Equivalent to the Oscars for the fashion industry, it’s an opportunity for designers to rub elbows with Hollywood elites, and iconic athletes. Politics were intertwined with fashion, but it was all for a good cause.
Met Gala Price to Attend
The cost to attend this year’s Met Gala was $275,000 per table. In other words $30,000 per ticket. Compared to 1948 when a ticket was $50. The fundraiser was established by fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert. Eleanor was looking for a way to support the newly-founded Costume Institute. The gala quickly became one of New York’s most charitable events. Likewise, the attendees were members of high society and fashion gurus. This year’s event was held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Past venues included the Waldorf-Astoria and Central Park. Due to the pandemic, the 2020 gala was canceled.
Champions Among Them
Some of the biggest legends in the game of tennis turned in their racquets for a chance to walk down the red carpet. Recent 2021 US Open Champion Emma Raducanu, was among them. Emma wore a printed monochrome dress designed by Chanel. The British teenager made her debut at the US Open. She was the third unseeded female player to do so behind Sloane Stephens (2017) and Kim Clijsters (2009). However, Raducano is the first singles qualifier to ever reach a major final, let alone win one. She defeated Leylah Fernandez in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3 to claim the title.
Leylah was also at the Met Gala. The 19-year old Canadian tennis prodigy wore a stunning black-and-white dress by Carolina Herrera. During her quest for the 2021 US Open title, she beat some pretty big names. Players like Naomi Osaka, Angie Kerber, Elina Svitolina, and Aryna Sabalenka. Leylah was also unseeded.
We can only imagine how the lives of these two young athletes have changed since last Saturday’s match. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing a lot more of Emma and Leylah in the very near future.
There were also a few ATP players in attendance like Felix Auger Aliassime. Rumor has it Felix loves playing the piano. He would choose to be an artist if he weren’t such a tennis sensation. I know we’ll be seeing more of this 21-year old, who ironically shares the same birthday with his idol Roger Federer.
Greatest Of All Time
Also in attendance was Serena Williams. Serena may have stolen the show in her superhero-inspired Gucci feathered cape over a snakeskin patterned bodysuit. Serena holds 23 Grand Slam singles titles. That’s the most held by any player in the Open Era. It’s also the second-highest of all time, behind the legendary Margaret Court. In fact, Serena holds the most Grand Slam titles in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles of any active WTA player. Meanwhile, her sister Venus Williams also made an appearance at the Met Gala. Venus holds seven Grand Slam singles titles, 16 Grand Slam doubles titles, and four Olympic gold medals. She is also the founder of Eleven, a fashion-forward tennis clothing brand.
Many other notables tennis pros were also seen at the gala including Maria Sharapova. Maria was ranked #1 on the WTA in 2005. She has finished in the top 10 eleven times.
Matteo Berrettini also made an appearance with Ajla Tomlijanovic. The pro tennis players have been cheering each other on since the 2019 US Open. Recently Berrettini lost to Novak Djokovic at the US Open in the quarter-finals. Ajla lost to Pliskova in the third round.
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