World number one Aryna Sabalenka made a striking entrance at Wimbledon, adorned with jewelry valued at more than £185,000 (approximately $240,000 USD). The custom-made set, featuring emeralds and diamonds from New York designer Material Good, includes a necklace, matching earrings, and an anklet.
These pieces, totaling 64 carats, were worn for Sabalenka's opening match against Teodora Kostovic. The necklace alone, crafted from 18-karat gold with fancy brown diamonds and heart-shaped emeralds, is valued at nearly £125,000. The matching stud earrings are worth close to £35,700, and the emerald anklet costs £24,700.
Sabalenka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, has previously worn Material Good jewelry at the Australian Open and French Open, and plans to do so at the upcoming US Open. The designer stated the pieces are inspired by Wimbledon's grass courts, with the emeralds reflecting the court's color and the brown diamonds symbolizing the earth.
This display of luxury comes shortly after Sabalenka participated in a media boycott alongside other top players to protest prize money structures in tennis. Players have been pushing for Grand Slams to allocate more than 15 percent of their revenue towards prize funds. Sabalenka has emphasized that this fight is for lower-ranked players who struggle financially, stating it is not about her personal gain.
Despite her high-profile participation in the prize money discussions and limited media appearances ahead of the tournament, Wimbledon's dress code allows for jewelry. Sabalenka is aiming to reach her first Wimbledon final, having experienced a significant collapse in her quarter-final match at the French Open last month. The winner at Wimbledon this year will receive £3.6 million, while players eliminated in the first round will take home £80,000.