Maria Sharapova's iconic US Open outfit makes a return 13 years later at Australian Open thanks to 24-year-old qualifier

Australia's Destanee Aiava recently brought back Maria Sharapova's US Open outfit from 13 years ago while playing her first qualifying-round match at the 2025 Australian Open. The Aussie won her match in straight sets, ensuring the classic Nike dress sees another day in Melbourne.

Aiava's pursuits in pro tennis are limited to the ITF circuit, as her current singles ranking is well outside the women's top 150. The 24-year-old entered this year's qualifying event in Melbourne in red-hot form, though, having last won a W50 event in Brisbane in November 2024.

The Aussie began her campaign Down Under in convincing fashion on Monday (January 6), defeating former World No. 39 Ana Bogdan by a scoreline of 6-4, 6-2. She will next face Hungary's Panna Udvardy in the second qualifying round of the Australian Open.

While Aiava's dominance of her more experienced opponent was worth noting, her attire during the match drew attention on X (formerly Twitter), and for good reason. The World No. 165 wore Maria Sharapova's cherry blossom pink dress from the 2012 US Open, making many fans reminisce about the Russian's latter career years.

The 24-year-old, who was ranked as high as No. 147 in 2017, has made it to the main draw of the Melbourne Slam four times in her career (2017-19, 2021). She is also looking for a reversal of fortunes this year, having gone out in the qualifiers in her last three appearances at the tournament.

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Maria Sharapova's 2012 US Open semifinals loss

Maria Sharapova hits a backhand at the US Open 2012 - Image credits: Getty

Maria Sharapova, meanwhile, made inroads while sporting the above pink dress at the 2012 US Open. Seeded third, the Russian enjoyed smooth sailing in her first three matches at Flushing Meadows that year. She then had to eke out back-to-back three-set wins over Nadia Petrova and Marion Bartoli to reach the semifinals.

Sharapova eventually succumbed to then-World No. 1 Victoria Azarenka after having led by a set, going out with a scoreline of 6-3, 2-6, 4-6. The outing marked the former World No. 1's second semifinal result at the New York Slam. She achieved her career-best result at the tournament in 2006 when she secured her second Major title in scintillating fashion.

Maria Sharapova's last-four finish at the US Open set the tone for the rest of her 2012 WTA Tour season. After a surprise quarterfinal defeat to Samantha Stosur at the Toray Pan Pacific Open, she reached the title matches at the WTA Finals and the China Open, where she was denied by Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka, respectively.