Shnaider Diana’s Unique Style Points at the US Open
Shnaider Diana’s Rising Status
NEW YORK — No. 18 seed Shnaider Diana is leaning into her growing status as a US Open cult favorite, her recognizable on-court look drawing in fans as quickly as her powerful lefty game.
The Signature Bandana
On a clear day, you can see Diana easily stand out in Flushing Meadows thanks to her signature polka-dot bandana scarf—an eye-catching element of her match kit dating back to her earliest days on the junior circuit.
Influence and Comfort
“I tried visors, I tried caps, but I just couldn’t see and I was feeling uncomfortable,” Shnaider told Baseline in Cincinnati, recalling her first outdoor matches at age nine or ten.
- Randomly, my mom found the bandana.
- It felt comfortable and covered my hair completely.
Path to Professional Tennis
The Tolyatti native dared to carve out her unique path in tennis—from her stylish headwear to moving from Moscow to Raleigh for a tennis scholarship at North Carolina State University. After just one year in the NCAA, she turned pro in 2023.
Handling Attention and Criticism
Shnaider acknowledges that her distinctive look grabs attention amid a sea of caps and headbands, and in today’s social media landscape, that awareness can be a double-edged sword. “I had a moment where I thought to stop playing in it because I felt anxious about people saying weird stuff,” she admitted. “But my parents encouraged me to keep wearing it.”
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