Editor’s Note
**Editor’s Note:** This article explores the unexpected origin of the tennis bracelet, tracing its rise from a wardrobe malfunction at the U.S. Open to becoming a timeless fashion staple.
A Historic U.S. Open Wardrobe Malfunction Gave Rise to Today’s Must-Have Accessory
Learn the fascinating story behind the tennis bracelet.
By Rachael Burrow Rummel
Published: Jun 01, 2026 8:00 AM EDT
Bracelets and necklaces featuring a simple line of diamonds have been popping up everywhere recently—and it turns out the style had quite the athletic beginning. While the design itself has been around since the 1920s, the term “tennis bracelet” entered the jewelry lexicon during the 1978 U.S. Open when tennis star Chris Evert lost her diamond bracelet while playing on Center Court. Play was stopped while Evert searched for the piece; similar designs have been called “tennis bracelets” ever since.
While there has been a resurgence in the classic style that works just as well for everyday wear as it does for evening wear, only one jewelry brand has tapped the tennis champion herself for design inspiration. Monica Rich Kosann, the New York-based jeweler, teamed up with Evert a few years ago to craft a line of thoughtfully designed bracelets with details that cheekily nod to that fateful match.
The collection from Evert and Kosann features more colorful stones like peridot, aquamarine, and green tourmaline. Several bracelets even boast rock crystal cut similarly to how an old mine diamond would have been cut, and many feature jewels set in Riviera settings, which allow more light to pass through. The bracelets feature a green emerald that signifies the color of the court, as well as a dangling diamond that references Evert’s “bead of sweat” from her 1978 match.
Whether you’re a player or a spectator, these timeless yet thoroughly modern bracelets and necklaces are super chic when paired with tennis gear or with a straw hat and button-down. Ace? Yes, we think so.
