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The WTA is set to launch Style Unpacked, a new fashion series featuring players including Victoria Mboko and Camila Osorio, next week. Tennis and fashion have always been entwined, and with 'tennis-core' looks taking centre stage in recent years, the tours are trying to make the most of this long-standing sartorial relationship - especially when it comes to showcasing the athletes' off-court style, something that still happens too little in tennis.

For Style Unpacked, players will be paired with a "local fashion insider" to help them create looks and build their wardrobes for "major off-court moments". The first episode, launching on May 15 across WTA channels, including YouTube and socials, features world No. 83 Osorio, who had some help finding a look for the recent Laureus Awards, which took place ahead of the Madrid Open.

Andrea Neira fronts the episodes, and while in Madrid, stylist Antonia Payeras was brought in to help Osorio and fellow WTA stars curate their looks. The players are also photographed by Sheila Velasco before leaving the studio. In the first episode, which debuts on Friday, the Colombian discusses her own personal style before Payeras goes hunting for some dress options.

"My dream is... I will use long dresses to go to the supermarket. Why not?" Osorio laughs before being shown some gowns for the Laureus Awards red carpet.

While tennis style has been trending upwards in recent years, the players haven't always been a part of it. Influencers, tennis 'WAGs' and the like can turn up to tournaments in fun outfits, while the athletes are often only seen in their match and training kit. Even at press conferences, they're usually wearing casual clothes provided by sponsors like Nike and Adidas.

But the WTA and ATP are trying to give their players more opportunities to get glammed up and show another side of themselves, and Osorio enjoyed the chance to showcase her personality through Style Unpacked.

After featuring in the first video, the Colombian tennis star told Express Sport: "For me, Style Unpacked was a really special experience because it gave fans a chance to see a different side of who I am away from the court.

"We spend so much time in tennis clothes competing and training, so being styled for the Laureus Awards, especially for my first time attending an event like that, was exciting. Being able to work with a local stylist in Madrid and wear a dress by a Colombian designer made it feel even more personal and connected to the culture of the city as well as my own culture, which was really inspiring for me.

"I think tennis and fashion have always had a natural connection because there's so much individuality and style in the sport. Now players have more opportunities to show that side of themselves off the court too. I think fans feel more connected when they can see those personal moments and interests beyond tennis."

Victoria Mboko, Oskana Selekhmeteva and Xinyu Wang also filmed their Style Unpacked sessions in Madrid last month, with the videos to roll out over the coming weeks. The WTA stars will be dressed for everything from a fashion show to the airport. Plane 'fits are having a moment and tour travel is relentless - they may as well make the most of it.

And world No. 9 Mboko - who had some help finding an outfit for lunch with friends - was also happy to step out of her comfort zone. "Doing Style Unpacked in Madrid was very fun. It was really cool to do because I stepped out of my comfort zone having someone dress me - being introduced to things that I wouldn't normally wear, but also expanding my horizons when it comes to fashion. I think it brought out a different side of me," the reigning Canadian Open champion told Express Sport.

This isn't the WTA's first foray into fashion. A couple of years ago, the likes of Aryna Sabalenka and Qinwen Zheng were given a brief and arrived on-site at WTA 1000 events in Canada and Cincinnati in outfits of their choosing for 'Off Court Fits'. The women's tour also collaborated with Duke + Dexter on a capsule collection in 2025, and also partnered with The Cut and Spotify to host a 'Celebration of Sport and Style' ahead of last year's US Open.

But this new series has allowed the WTA to take advantage of the global nature of the tennis circuit by enlisting local designers to work with the players on their off-court looks. "The WTA brand sits at the centre of sport, entertainment and culture. Fashion, both on and off the court, plays a huge part in how our athletes bring the WTA brand, as well as their own personal brands, to life," Sarah Swanson, Chief Brand Officer of WTA Ventures, said.

"By pairing players with local fashion voices, Style Unpacked highlights personality, individuality, and the global influences of our WTA Tour. It's a fun and powerful way to connect tennis to a broader cultural lifestyle conversation."

The ATP has also been strengthening its fashion strategy and recently launched Athlete Arrivals, tennis' answer to a tunnel entrance or pit lane walk, which has seen the likes of Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz arrive on-site at Masters 1000 events in "styled, dedicated off-court looks".

World No. 1 Sabalenka loves the ATP's Athlete Arrivals photoshoots and recently shared her hopes that women on tour could have more opportunities to showcase their style. "It's so cool. I'd love it. I love to see that. I think it's so much fun. I feel like we have a lot of cool personalities nowadays, and a lot of girls are so stylish, and so, so cool with their outfits, so I think we would kill it," she said.

Although Style Unpacked won't be filming in Rome, where the Italian Open is currently taking place, the WTA will bring the series to other cities across the tour this season. This will come as welcome news to Sabalenka, a Gucci ambassador, who had her own fashion moment in Italy this week, taking to the court with a GG canvas Paparazzo handbag on her arm for her opening match.

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