The 2026 Met Gala will have tennis excellence in attendance, as Serena Williams, Venus Williams, and Naomi Osaka are all set to hit the red carpet on what is widely considered “fashion’s biggest night out.” Beyond showcasing her style for the “Costume Art” theme, Venus is also co-chairing the event alongside Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and former Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour on Monday, May 4.
Serena Williams, Venus Williams, and Naomi Osaka Enjoy New York Ahead of the Met Gala
Serena Williams recently made a splash at the F1 Miami Grand Prix, where she reunited with close friend Caroline Wozniacki and relished her time with Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. The 44-year-old quickly jetted off to New York afterward to take part in the festivities leading up to the Met Gala.
The former world No. 1 made a striking entrance at Anna Wintour’s pre-Met Gala dinner, posing in a glamorous red sequined gown with a thigh-high slit.
Venus Williams arrived with her sister, stepping out in a dazzling black-and-red gown while showing off her fresh blunt bob with bangs. She was accompanied by her husband, Andrea Preti, who complemented her look in a classic black suit.
In contrast, Naomi Osaka was spotted arriving at The Mark Hotel in New York in a casual yet stylish look, featuring a chic pink Louis Vuitton bag. While the likes of Iga Świątek, Elena Rybakina, and Alexandra Eala, among others, have reached the Italian Open venue in preparation for the WTA 1000 event, which begins on May 5, Osaka has delayed her arrival in order to attend the Met Gala.
Osaka was last seen in action at the Madrid Open, where she suffered a 6-7(1), 6-3, 6-2 loss to Aryna Sabalenka in the fourth round. Sabalenka spoke highly of the 28-year-old after their blockbuster showdown, emphasizing how inspiring it is to see Osaka perform at such a high level after returning to the sport following the birth of her daughter, Shai.
“She’s such an inspiration. Coming back after pregnancy in a sport like tennis is not easy at all. To see her back in top 20, for sure she’s going towards top 10. It’s incredible. It’s inspiring. She gives all of us hope that we can go for a baby and we can come back and still play that level of tennis. It’s inspiring,” Sabalenka said.
MORE: Naomi Osaka’s Daughter Shai Present in Madrid After Time in USA: ‘I Don’t Have Complaints’
Osaka was accompanied by her daughter in Madrid and opened up about how much she loves watching Shai explore the world during their travels. The Japanese star also spoke about how fulfilling it was to fully embrace being a parent to the 2-year-old before embarking on the European clay-court swing.
