Tennis fashion steps up its game

In a sheer camisole top with a pale blue skirt featuring built-in lace underwear, fashion influencer Morgan Riddle nailed WAG style on Thursday in an outfit worthy of the Brownlow Medal.

The problem? It’s the off season for the AFL and, as the girlfriend of US tennis player Taylor Fritz, Riddle is a TWAG (tennis wife and girlfriend) rather than WAG, who was heading to centre court at the Australian Open and not a football knees-up.

Riddle’s lingerie look marks a shift away from the locker room, through the boudoir and into uncharted territories for tennis wear inspiration.

“Last year the outfits we were seeing at the tennis were a lot more practical,” says Lisa Bean, senior buyer for online retailer The Iconic. “This year, that’s gone out the window.”

Sightings of stilettos, midriffs and court-scraping skirts are becoming more common than face-painted fans attempting the Mexican wave. You wouldn’t see this much skin and imitation silk at Wimbledon, but fans in Melbourne are turning to the runway for tips.

“This is the new Fashion Week,” Bean says. “Fashion has evolved outside the traditional space of fashion weeks and festivals and is merging with sport. The same thing is happening with the Grand Prix.”

Riddle has already been sighted at Melbourne Park in a cherry red maxi-skirt and tank top from Australian label I Am Delilah, and a white halter midi-dress.

“There appears to be a greater opportunity for self-expression at these sporting events,” Bean says. “In the past it was more about quiet luxury, but we’ve moved on and that’s exciting.”