S
ummer is the season for tennis with its green lawns and strawberries and cream. And if rain happens to pause your Wimbledon viewing, why not take a moment to consider your sporting jewellery?
Tennis bracelets are a classic option — slim lines of gemstones to wear on tanned tennis-playing arms. According to a 1923 advert for “Bracelets for bare arms” — “when fashion dictates the short sleeve, it is a good opportunity to display a dainty bracelet”.
Line or eternity bracelets became inseparable from tennis in 1978 when Chris Evert’s diamond bracelet fell off during a match, halting play while it was retrieved. When she was asked what had caused the delay, she explained, “It was my tennis bracelet”, giving the jewel its new name.
Suzanne Lenglen (1899-1938), the winner of Wimbledon and the Olympics
