Rio Report: Olympic Fashion Hits

A frequent fashion creator for the US Open, soon to take center stage in our sport, Ralph Lauren had the good pleasure of designing preppy-chic attire for American Olympians to wear at the opening ceremonies in Rio de Janeiro on August 5, one brief week back. Navy blazers, boat shoes, and tri-colored tops for all!

In truth, the U.S. delegation was trumped by an, ahem, under-dressed flag-bearer from the country of Tonga. (Nothing to do with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.) All hail, Pita Taufatofua:

It's high time that we get to the business before us: dishing on tennis' own sartorial delights from these Olympics. Diving and swimming pools may be turning green, but our top-notch taste makers all earn praise for donning such winsome garb, a lot of it in ruddy, navy and lily-white hues.

Best Dressed: A portrait of a player at ease in her own skin and on the surface and stage, Monica Puig has roused sports fans in her native Puerto Rico with an inspiring run to the Olympic singles medal rounds. Ad-in, Ellesse, who gave her a gorgeous red-white-and-blue dress for the occasion. Friends, in the fashion arena, this is your Rio champion.

Wonderful: Venus Williams, perennially decked out in her own EleVen by Venus brand, created a frock with a timely salute to Wonder Woman, a character soon making her way to the silver screen with a Gal Gadot–fronted reboot. "I want to pass on that feeling of inspiration and power in the dress," Venus has said. With its complementary paneling in requisite all-American colors, we have two words: Mission accomplished.

Heir Apparent: Even before raising a racquet in Rio competition, Venus claimed top honors in the follicle department:

Union Jack Attack: Andy Murray, Johanna Konta, Jamie Murray and more members of Team Great Britain have worn well a coat-of-arms–esque look replete with lion motifs. Needless to say, the Murray brothers' doubles notwithstanding, we have heard them roar. Their play in Rio is bold, as is their style, which stands out from more subdued styles other countries have trotted out in the same or similar hues.

No Aussie Bums Here: Samantha Stosur and, really, everyone in the Australian contingent—tennis playing and not—looks great in the Adidas laid out for them. Stosur forewent her standard Asics kit this time out, favoring the Aussie squad's at-large sponsor and appearing a pillar of confidence even in going out 6-0, 7-5 to Angelique Kerber (who is no slouch). That ubiquitous, so-called perforated skirt from Adidas doesn't quite pop as it does in some other colorways, but its fashion-forward vision remains.

Best Warmups: Members of Team France including Alize Cornet, Gael Monfils, Gilles Simon, and Tsonga look sleek and polished in their well-fitted jackets by (who else?) Lacoste.

Him Lines: Who wears short shorts? Rafael Nadal wears short shorts. Nike for the win, if for those bottoms alone. (Take a look atthis shirtless athletes listwhile you're at it. But by all means, blame Tommy Hilfiger.)

Holler at a Collar: Serena Williams bowed out from these Olympics entirely after a rough showing against Elina Svitolina—five double faults in one game will have that effect—and a desultory, first-round doubles loss alongside an ailing Venus. That said, her deep-blue dress from Nike was a winner, a continuation of her Wimbledon dress from a few short weeks ago.

Your Turn: As with the Daily Spin's style roundups at each season's major tennis events, fans can add their own takes on the fashions put in front of Summer Games viewers. Who are your best and—sure—worst dressed players on court in Rio?

Follow Jon on Twitter @jonscott9.