BEHIND THE DESIGN

Fit for the Queen. The Ten: Air Max 97 arrives designed by Virgil Abloh for Serena Williams to celebrate her return to the New York stage as she competes for her 24th major title. Bold accents and bright hues give the silhouette, and the “QUEEN” Collection as a whole, a never-before-seen look courtesy of Abloh’s unmatched eye for detail.

"With Serena, we have one of our generation's most powerful, inspiring athletes as the muse," says Abloh. "I was trying to embody her spirit and bring something compelling and fresh to tennis.”

The Ten: Air Max 97 serves as one of the boldest designs yet from Abloh. The shoes feature a bright pink and purple gradient midsole, while a bold, tennis ball-inspired zip tie stands out against the sneaker’s more neutral upper.

In honor of Serena and her unmatched greatness, the neon zip tie also features “Queen of Queens, NY” lettering as a direct nod to her dominance in the city that never sleeps.

To unite the collection and continue the lineage of The Ten, the medial side of the sneaker features Off-White and Beaverton, Oregon USA branding.

Overall, the “QUEEN” Collection, which also features the Ten: Blazer Mid, honors sport’s greatest athletes with an unforgettable mix of vivid colors, bold branding and exclusive Serena-inspired accessories.