Serena Williams ditches nail polish at Wimbledon 2026 and opts for an unexpected, sparkly alternative
Nail polish has long reigned supreme on tennis courts and red carpets. Yet, in early July 2026, an unexpected trend has taken hold on the nails of the world’s most-photographed women—and it comes from a surprising source: jewelry boxes.
When Diamonds Replace Nail Polish on the Courts at Wimbledon
It was on the grass courts of Wimbledon—which runs from June 29 to July 12, 2026—that the trend first caught people’s attention. Serena Williams, the former world No. 1, made her big comeback on the court after a four-year absence from the tour. She played a singles match against Maya Joint, the Australian who defeated her.
However, people were just as focused on her nails as they were on her game. That’s because Serena Williams chose to skip the nail polish and instead adorn her manicure with fake diamonds. This detail, captured by photographers, immediately went viral on social media.
Before Wimbledon, Serena Williams had already competed in the WTA 500 tournament at Queen’s in London from June 8 to 14. Her return to the British courts thus took place in two stages, and her manicure accompanied each stage of this much-noticed comeback.
Jewelry: A Central Passion in Serena Williams’ Style
To understand this choice, you have to look at her passion for jewelry. Serena Williams wears, for example, an engagement ring that sets the tone: a 14-carat oval-cut solitaire. This love of gemstones is now reflected in her nails as well.
The faux diamond manicure is thus part of a holistic approach to style, where delicate accessories complement every detail of the look. By wearing faux diamonds where others would have applied classic nail polish, she redefines what a sports manicure can be.
Furthermore, Serena Williams has made a name for herself far beyond the world of tennis, appearing at the Met Gala, on runways, and even on billboards as a muse for designers. Her relationship with fashion is therefore far from trivial: every stylistic choice conveys a powerful message.
Margot Robbie takes it a step further: no more nail polish—it’s time for real gemstones
While Serena Williams opted for fake diamonds, Margot Robbie took it a step further. At the world premiere of *Wuthering Heights*, the Australian actress adorned her nails with real diamonds and rubies. Traditional nail polish certainly had no place that evening.
This film, directed by British filmmaker Emerald Fennell, brings together Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi to bring Emily Brontë’s gothic romance to life. The evening was all about absolute glamour, and every detail of the actress’s look reflected that.
But Margot Robbie didn’t stop there. That evening, she wore a vintage piece that had belonged to Elizabeth Taylor—a diamond necklace. Her nails, adorned with precious stones, further extended this dialogue between past and present, between jewelry and manicure.
- Serena Williams: Fake Diamond Manicure at Wimbledon 2026
- Margot Robbie: Real Diamonds and Rubies on Her Nails at the Premiere of *Wuthering Heights*
- Serena Williams: A 14-carat oval-cut solitaire engagement ring, paired with her manicure
- Location: Wimbledon takes place from June 29 to July 12, 2026
- Piece worn by Margot Robbie: from Elizabeth Taylor’s personal collection
The nail ring: the first step toward this jewelry trend
This trend didn’t come out of nowhere. The nail ring had already paved the way by placing jewelry directly on the finger rather than on the metal of a signet ring. The gemstone manicure is therefore the next, more radical step.
This trend actually marks a redefinition of what nail polish has come to represent. For decades, the color applied to the nail was the only style statement there. Now, gemstones have taken its place.
What This Trend Says About Our Current Attitude Toward Beauty and Nail Polish
Nail polish remains, of course, a staple of the daily beauty routine for millions of women. Yet seeing icons choose diamonds over colored polish says something specific about the evolution of luxury. Beauty is becoming jeweled.
This idea—that a manicure can become a piece of jewelry in its own right—is changing the status of the nail in a woman’s wardrobe. Indeed, the nail is no longer just a canvas for nail polish; it has become a precious space for self-expression, in the literal sense of the word.
Consequently, the question posed by Serena Williams and Margot Robbie is simple and straightforward: what if nail polish became optional? The answer, on the courts and red carpets of 2026, seems increasingly clear. Gemstones—real or faux—are emerging as a new way to pamper your hands, bring luxury to your fingertips, and turn every detail into a style statement as precise as a 14-carat ring. Nail polish hasn’t disappeared, but it now shares the spotlight with something even more dazzling.
