A look back at the history of the tennis bracelet

With Wimbledon in full swing, we revisit the story behind one of tennis’s most enduring and iconic symbols: the tennis bracelet

Its story began in 1987 at the U.S. Open. Known for her chic on-court attire of delicate lace dresses paired and elegant accessories, Chris Evert was one of tennis’s biggest fashion icons. Her signature accessory was an eternity bracelet: a flexible, serpentine design of diamonds that moved gracefully with her, even through powerful serves and winning backhands.

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During an exceptionally long rally, Evert's diamond eternity bracelet snapped mid-game. Refusing to continue playing until her bracelet was recovered, officials halted the game till, at last, it was found. Evert went on to win in straight sets against fellow American Pam Shriver. When later asked about the hold-up, she explained, “Oh, that was my tennis bracelet”, instantly naming the style forever.

While the name was new, the design was not. Popular since the 1920s, this elegant bracelet was worn by fashionable women at the time, who would stack them in multiples on their wrists. Even before Evert’s bracelet’s on-court appearance, it had already been spotted in the tennis stands, most notably on actress Farrah Fawcett at a 1976 charity match. Since then, they’ve become commonplace among the tennis elite, seen on the wrists of stars from Serena Williams to Maria Sharapova. Evert herself even worked with designer Monica Rich Kosann on a tennis bracelet line in 2022.

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Its appeal lies in its simplicity and versatility. Originally crafted from brilliant-cut white diamonds, the tennis bracelet has evolved over the decades to include coloured gems and enamels. Some designs even graduate the stones to create gentle undulating waves of brilliance, while clever goldsmiths have introduced flex and stretch designs that slip easily over the wrist. It can be worn alone or stacked, and pairs as easily with shorts, a graphic tee and sneakers as it does with a lace dress for dinner. And there’s no setting where the dazzling wristpiece doesn’t belong. While they’re, of course, primed for weddings, dinner parties and anniversaries, they’re also just as fitting for a walk in the park, Sunday errands or a quick coffee run.

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The beauty is in not saving it for special moments, but letting it become part of your daily rhythm. After all, the most important factor is that the tennis bracelet exudes your personal expression. The right tennis bracelet should feel like it’s always belonged to you – an extension of your style, not just an accessory.

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