When we talk about the most impactful athletes of the last century, Serena Williams is basically the first name that comes to mind. But honestly, it's not just about the 23 Grand Slam titles or that serve that literally clocked in at over 120 mph. It is about how she moved. Specifically, how she looked while she was doing it. Looking for serena williams hottest photos isn't just a search for celebrity glamour; it’s a timeline of a woman who decided that the "country club" rules of tennis didn't apply to her.
She wore denim skirts. She wore a black catsuit that looked like something out of a Marvel movie. She wore tutus. And she did it all while being one of the most physically dominant humans on the planet.
The Evolution of the Serena Aesthetic
In the beginning, people didn't know what to do with her. You've got to remember the 1990s tennis scene—it was very "white polo and pleated skirt." Then Serena and Venus showed up with beads in their hair and a level of power that the sport hadn't seen.
But it was the 2004 US Open where things really shifted. She stepped onto the court in a black studded Nike top and a denim skirt. A denim skirt! People lost their minds. It was "risky" for the time, but for Serena, it was just Tuesday. That look is still one of the most referenced moments in sports fashion because it proved you could be a beast on the court and still care about a "fit."
The SI Swimsuit Shoots
Now, let's talk about the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Serena has appeared in it multiple times, most notably in 2003, 2004, and then again in 2017. The 2017 shoot in Turks and Caicos was a massive moment. She was 35 at the time, still winning slams, and she looked—kinda incredible.
She famously said in a behind-the-scenes video for that shoot, "I'm officially a thong girl now." She was talking about a cobalt blue one-piece that was cut way higher than anything she’d worn before. It wasn't just about "hottest photos" in a superficial way; it was about a woman who had spent decades being critiqued for having "too much muscle" finally saying, yeah, and?
Beyond the Court: Met Gala and Red Carpets
If the tennis court was her office, the Met Gala was her playground. Serena is a regular at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s big night, and she doesn't do "simple."
- 2019: The Sneakers. She co-chaired the event alongside Lady Gaga and Harry Styles. She wore a neon yellow Atelier Versace gown covered in pink butterfly appliqués. The kicker? She wore matching Off-White x Nike Air Force 1 sneakers underneath.
- 2021: The Cape. This was the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" year. She showed up in a silver Gucci lace bodysuit with a massive pink and black feathered cape.
- 2024: The Gold Taffeta. Looking like a literal trophy, she wore a custom Balenciaga gown in gold-coated silk taffeta. It was architectural, heavy, and totally commanding.
- 2025: The Modern Cinderella. Just recently, at the 2025 Met Gala ("Superfine: Tailoring Black Style"), she stunned in a sea-foam green gown by Moncler x EE72, paired with a massive puffer-style cape.
She uses these moments to lean into a hyper-femininity that people tried to deny her early in her career. It’s a deliberate choice.
The Politics of the Body
It’s impossible to talk about serena williams hottest photos without acknowledging the noise. For the first 15 years of her career, she was body-shamed constantly. People called her "masculine" or "too big."
In a 2025 interview with Porter, Serena reflected on how hard that was. She mentioned having "big boobs and a big butt" while every other athlete was "super thin." It messed with her head. She eventually stopped reading articles about herself entirely around age 17 to protect her mental health.
The photos we see of her now—whether she’s in a bikini on a beach or a high-fashion bodysuit for Essence—are a middle finger to that era. She’s not just "fit"; she’s powerful. And in 2026, the culture has finally caught up to the idea that strength is attractive.
Why These Photos Actually Matter
A lot of the "hottest" shots of Serena aren't the ones where she's posing for a photographer. They’re the ones where she’s mid-match.
Think about the 2018 French Open. The black catsuit. Nike designed it specifically to help with blood clots after her difficult pregnancy with her daughter, Olympia. The French Tennis Federation ended up banning it, saying she’d gone "too far."
Serena’s response? She showed up to the next tournament in a tutu.
That’s the core of her style. It’s reactive, it’s defiant, and it’s deeply personal. When you see a photo of Serena Williams today, you’re seeing a woman who has built a venture capital empire (Serena Ventures), a fashion line (S by Serena), and a legacy that transcends wins and losses.
Actionable Takeaways from Serena’s Style Journey
If you’re looking to channel that Serena energy, it’s not about the clothes. It’s about the mindset. Here is how you actually apply her "Greatest of All Time" energy to your own life:
- Own the Room: Serena wears sneakers to the Met Gala because she wants to be comfortable while she’s being iconic. Don't sacrifice your well-being for a "look" that doesn't feel like you.
- Ignore the "Form": She was told her body didn't fit the tennis mold. She changed the mold. If people tell you that you don't "look" like a professional in your field, prove them wrong with your results.
- Invest in Yourself: Serena didn't just stay a tennis player. She used her image to launch businesses. Think about how you’re building your personal brand for the long haul.
Serena Williams is no longer just a sports star. She’s a blueprint for how to exist in a world that tries to tell you you're too much. Whether she's in a Nike kit or a Versace gown, the "hotness" comes from the fact that she clearly doesn't care if you like it or not.