The Dramatic Sports Story That Inspired the Tennis Bracelet

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The tennis bracelet is an enduring, elegant piece of jewelry that continues to transcend trends. Whether you’re a jewelry aficionado, a Wimbledon wannabe, or a casual diamond dabbler, the tennis bracelet looms large and acts as a staple for many a fine jewelry collection. It’s a classic design that usually consists of one singular, symmetrical row of diamonds or gemstones, set in either gold or platinum. You may have also come across the ‘tennis necklace,’ which has similar sensibilities. A single bracelet acts as a timeless go-to accessory to finish off any outfit; often, people will wear them stacked.

Before they were named tennis bracelets, this slender piece of jewelry would have been known as either a “line diamond bracelet” or an “eternity bracelet.” It was—and still is—often given as a gift to a loved one or a lover to signify endless love.

How did the tennis bracelet get its name?But why a “tennis bracelet?” Well, the jewelry’s origins unfurl into a dramatic sports story that kicked off at the 1987 U.S. Open. Elite tennis player Chris Evert, who was ranked number one in tennis from 1979 to 1987, halted a match to pick up pieces of her George Bedewi bracelet that had flown off of her wrist mid-game. This high stakes moment served up the tennis bracelet as we know it today.

Chris Evert in that fateful 1987 match.

Photo: Getty Images

While this was the episode that renamed and popularized the tennis bracelet, we can go all the way back to 1976 to see the proto-piece of jewelry on the court. Then a young actor and emerging pop culture phenomenon thanks to Charlie’s Angels, the iconic Farrah Fawcett was invited to a charity tennis match. In addition to her sports uniform, she wore a pair of a slender, delicate diamond bracelets.

Photo: Getty Images

Jewelry on—and off—the clayMany other women in tennis, across the decades, have been known for their passion for showcasing their style in-game, and that includes jewelry. For the 2002 U.S. Open, Serena Williams wore jeweler Harry Winston’s “Twelve to Twilight” diamond tennis bracelet, worth $29,000. Maria Sharapova also has a penchant for stacking tennis bracelets, and Croatian player Donna Vekić donned a tennis necklace and some delicate bracelets during her run at the 2025 Australian Open.

Serena Williams

Photo: Getty Images

Elsewhere, other prominent players love to wear sentimental pieces on the court. Coco Gauff has worn a pearl Vivienne Westwood orb necklace and an Olympic rings necklace which was gifted to her by doubles player Desirae Krawczyk. Emma Raducanu, as a brand ambassador for Tiffany & Co., has opted for diamond, platinum, and pearl teardrop earrings and a matching necklace from the brand’s Victoria collection during Wimbledon.

Donna Vekic of Croatia celebrates beating Diane Parry at the 2025 Australian Open.Photo: Getty Images

From the tennis bracelet to the tennis necklaceJewellers and designers have long innovated around the most classic designs. So next up from the tennis bracelet, came the tennis necklace. The diamond strand is lengthened to become a choker-like necklace, usually comprising of a gold chain. The pared back, quietly glamorous aesthetic of the original wrist adornment remains. Still, brands over the years have offered more variation on the theme: Colored diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires. You can look to the likes of Mejuri, De Beers, Tiffany & Co., Vrai, and more.

Instagram Hailey Bieber

Photo: Instagram (@haileybieber)

The tennis bracelet as a timeless pieceOff of the court, gifting a tennis bracelet is a meaningful gesture, perfect for celebrating important moments and memories, or a symbolic bond, thanks to its understated elegance. The beauty of the tennis bracelet lies in its versatility: precious but never ostentatious, light and discreet, so it can be worn every day.

The tennis bracelet has also had a bit of a renaissance among celebrities, on and off court. As should be expected, you can usually spy them on the wrists of the poster girls of quiet luxury—think Hailey Bieber and Sofia Richie Grainge—for which the tennis bracelet totally fits the refined aesthetic. Ready to serve up? There’s infinite choices, styling details, and stacking options that await you, even if you’re still working on your serve.

Below, a guide to the brightest and best tennis bracelets, on and off the clay:

Vogue’s Top Picks for Tennis Bracelets:The Under-$500 Tennis Bracelet: Mejuri diamond tennis bracelet, $3,000The Vintage-Inspired Style: Dorsey benedetta bracelet, $370The Multi-Color Tennis Bracelet: Adina Reyter sapphire & diamond tennis bracelet, $3,298The Everyday Tennis Bracelet: Vrai tennis bracelet, $1,800The Stackable Layer: Ring Concierge Classic diamond tennis bracelet, $4,448