Venus Williams Stuns in Lacoste Tennis-Core Gown at Met Gala 2025 — See the Show-Stopping Photos

Venus Williams is serving notice that her influence extends far beyond Centre Court. The seven-time Grand Slam champion has signed on as a studio analyst for TNT Sports’ inaugural French Open coverage, a blockbuster deal that cements her transition into broadcasting while keeping her firmly in the tennis conversation just weeks before Roland-Garros begins on 25 May 2025. TNT Sports, which paid a reported $650 million for a decade of U.S. rights to the clay-court major, is building a “super-panel” to rival its iconic NBA show. Williams will share the desk with legends Andre Agassi, John McEnroe and Chris Evert, plus rising voices Sloane Stephens and Caroline Wozniacki, giving viewers an unprecedented mix of era-spanning insight. Her presence also helps TNT court a key demographic: fans who grew up watching the Williams sisters rewrite tennis history and now stream matches on Max. The move instantly reignites speculation about Williams’s playing future. At 44, she has repeatedly brushed aside retirement talk and hinted that a limited singles schedule is still on the table for 2025. By anchoring TNT’s whip-around show, she can remain in Paris—even if rehab or wild-card math keeps her out of the main draw—and keep her competitive instincts sharp. Expect Williams to provide first-hand breakdowns of Iga Świątek’s title defense, Carlos Alcaraz’s quest for a double-double and the latest on-court fashion trends she once helped pioneer. Speaking of style, Williams generated her own viral moment at the 2025 Met Gala. Dressed head-to-toe in custom Lacoste, she turned the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” theme into a crystal-studded ode to tennis-core, complete with a pleated skirt train and beaded braids that echoed her 1990s debut look. The fashion cameo trended across social platforms, driving fresh search interest in both Williams and her long-time sponsor just as Lacoste unveils its spring capsule. Brand strategists already view the one-two punch—Met Gala buzz followed by the French Open commentary gig—as a masterclass in cross-industry marketing. Williams captures high-intent fashion audiences on Monday, then retargets them with live sports content two weeks later, funneling millions of casual browsers toward TNT’s primetime broadcasts and Max’s streaming tiers. For Williams, the TNT deal also dovetails with her growing business ventures. The entrepreneur recently expanded her interior-design firm V Starr and athleisure label EleVen, and media visibility during a grand slam offers premium real estate for subtle product placement. In short, Venus Williams’s next set won’t be played with a racket. By stepping behind the microphone in Paris while dazzling the red carpet in New York, she is scripting a post-peak career that keeps her at the epicenter of tennis, fashion and pop culture. Search interest is surging, advertisers are circling, and fans will soon tune in to hear a voice that has already dominated every big stage—now amplified for a whole new era.