Relating to spectator style, Morgan Riddle doesn’t fault. Or faff about, for that matter. In Melbourne for the 2025 Australian Open, we meet the 27-year-old influencer and associate of American tennis participant, fourth seed Taylor Fritz, at a GRAZIA X Ralph Lauren soiree. Visitors had been invited to attend a styling suite previous to the occasion, with most taking their candy time to mull over many an outfit earlier than deciding on a glance.
However not Riddle.
“I walked straight into the styling suite and stated, ‘That’s what I need to put on,” says Riddle of a cream Polo Ralph Lauren boilersuit, her manner assured and candy. “I believe I’m much more low upkeep than individuals suppose. It’s additionally been a loopy week [with the California wildfires] and outfits haven’t been on my thoughts as a lot as possibly they’re at different tournaments.” (This yr, Fritz donated his first-round prize cash—a complete of $132,000—to LA wildfire aid funds.)
It was on these very courts in Melbourne in 2022 that Riddle started posting movies of her outfits to TikTok, an virtually interest that gained followers so shortly that it grew to become larger than her company job in media. Out of the blue, tennis followers can be rocking as much as matches to see Fritz on the courtroom and Riddle within the stands. Right now, she’s a W.A.G. by commerce—and pleased with it—and is wise, vivacious, and right down to earth. And sure, she is greater than conscious of the assumptions she will draw at first look.
“I knew going into this {that a} blonde, feminine influencer who’s making movies about her match outfits in a male dominated sport—like, yeah, no sh*t, I used to be going to get hate,” she says.
However it didn’t matter. Eighteen months later, Riddle was branded the “most well-known girl in males’s tennis” by the New York Times.
However how did she do it? Forward, the making of Morgan Riddle.
GRAZIA: Your profile skyrocketed in 2022 if you started attempting on outfits for the Australian Open and posting them to TikTok. Since, you’ve deftly carved out a advertising and marketing plan to take care of traction of your profile/private model. Was that all the time the plan? How has this unfolded?
Morgan Riddle: To be trustworthy, it form of began as a solution to share my life and my love for style and love for tennis as I used to be nonetheless comparatively new on the tour. I didn’t know something about tennis once I began courting Taylor. I used to be like, “Oh my gosh, the gamers need to pay for all their very own journey?” and “That is how the rating works?” I used to be so fascinated by it. I wished to share the curiosity I had across the sport. I didn’t actually have a plan to start with, however additional time because it’s grown into my private model and my enterprise, I’ve change into actually intentional about aligning with alternatives and types that match authentically with my pursuits and character. It’s been fairly natural, I wouldn’t say it ever was like, “I need to be an influencer.”
GRAZIA: You may have returned serve (so to talk) tipping the “plus-one” ideology on its head. Do you suppose you’ve redefined what a W.A.G, is within the sporting world?
MR: I believe W.A.G.s have all the time had a destructive connotation to them. I believe W.A.G.s themselves don’t like being referred to as W.A.G.s. I’ve all the time embraced it. I knew going into this that individuals had been all the time going to confer with me as a W.A.G. so I didn’t need to consistently be going, “Don’t name me that.” I simply needed to embrace it to keep away from the inevitable negativity that will come if I didn’t. I’ve all the time used my platform to point out my love for tennis and different issues I’m authentically inquisitive about: the fan tradition, travelling to new nations, attempting new meals, assembly individuals from totally different components of the world. If that’s modified how individuals understand W.A.G.s, then I hope that it’s only a reminder to those who there’s not a ‘one dimension suits all’ definition.
“All of those girls have their very own lives and tales—they usually simply occur to be with a associate that performs sport and sweats for a residing. I don’t suppose individuals must be so judge-y about it.”
GRAZIA: Are you able to inform GRAZIA readers how a lot planning and work goes into your wardrobe forward of a event?
MR: [Taylor and I] reside in LA so we’ve spent [a lot of this tournament] checking on family and friends [amid the wildfires]. I lately began working with a stylist. She is one in every of my childhood associates, her identify is Emily and he or she works on Jared Ellner’s group who styes Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo and Emma Chamberlain. Emily and I grew up in Minnesota collectively. For Wimbledon, we put out a moodboard of shapes we cherished and designers we felt had been prime tier and suited to the event. We checked out matches Princess Diana attended within the 80s. I ended up carrying a very implausible Tod’s piece and we added a strawberry appeal onto the belt as a nod to the strawberries and cream conventional dessert served at Wimbledon. We additionally sourced this 2008 Chanel gown which was pink and white. I actually wished to channel the strawberries! A variety of thought goes into sure tournaments. However we’re on the street for 40 weeks a yr so if I used to be placing that degree of particular-ness into each one in every of them, I believe I might lose my thoughts.
GRAZIA: How do you go residing out of a suitcase and calling in garments to totally different accommodations around the globe?
MR: I’m not somebody to look to for minimalist packing recommendation! I’ve, like, two 32-kilogram obese checked suitcases. The minimal carry-on for 3 weeks isn’t for me! So, how do I pack for these? Not frivolously!
GRAZIA: Publish a sport, what sort of hours go into modifying content material to your socials?
MR: The platform that’s the most work is YouTube. I’m very specific about how I edit my movies and discovering the proper font and track to seize the vibe of wherever I’m at. I’ve a lot enjoyable with it. It’s actually the one and solely factor the place I can get right into a circulation state the place eight hours can go by—I simply completely adore it. “Get Prepared With Me” TikToks could be 5 minutes. However YouTube could be 5 to 10 hours.
GRAZIA: Relating to “spectator fashion”, what are your prime three style guidelines?
MR: I’ll say that is recommendation I give those who I don’t observe myself! [Laughs] Snug footwear are necessary. The grounds are huge. I’ve seen lady strolling out of the Australian Open with their heels of their arms as a result of their toes damage. So, if you will put on heels, strive a kitten heel you could stroll 10,000 steps in. Now, I do put on heels to matches and so, I put on orthopaedic gel inserts [in my shoes], little heels pads and hydrocolloid Band-Aids over my toes to keep away from blisters. It’s intensive however I need to put on heels!
GRAZIA: That’s so humorous. Taylor might be taping an damage and also you’re taping your heels and toes!
MR: I undoubtedly have requested his physio for tape and Band-Aids earlier than! You gotta do what you gotta do! [Laughs] The opposite piece of recommendation I’d give is put on no matter goes to make the expertise extra enjoyable. 4 years in the past, I started dressing up for Taylor’s matches as a result of I love to decorate up. I might put on vibrant clothes and heels and it made the expertise extra enjoyable for me. However put on no matter you need. If that’s a t-shirt and tennis footwear, that’s superb, too.
GRAZIA: How do you suppose the Australian Open fashion is totally different to different tennis tournaments around the globe?
MR: It’s so scorching most days so linen and breezy outfits are rather more widespread in Australia than different locations. Additionally, whilst you guys have so many manufacturers, Australian style may be very distinct. I can have a look at somebody’s outfit and simply know, “Oh, that’s an Aussie model.”
GRAZIA: Are you able to inform us about your post-match magnificence routine?
MR: I maintain my skincare very, quite simple. I used to have pimples and used a cleanser referred to as PanOxyl. It’s the one factor that retains my pores and skin actually good. I additionally love the Hailey Beiber Rhode skincare line. I used to be sceptical at first however it’s completely implausible. This yr, I began getting micro-needling with PRP (platelet-rich plasma). I’ve carried out each skincare remedy underneath the solar and this was one of the best factor I’ve ever carried out for my pores and skin. I attempt to get it carried out each six weeks.
GRAZIA: You appear to reside such a glamorous life-style. However what’s the most difficult/non-glamorous half about travelling around the globe with a tennis star?
MR: It could simply get exhausting. I’ve an aura ring and it simply hates me with the fixed jetlag. Probably not having a circadian rhythm is absolutely onerous. It can be lonely and isolating. I could be in Shanghai for 2 weeks and I don’t know anyone there and it may be fairly troublesome. Fortunately, I’m a reasonably unbiased individual and I like spending time on my own.
“After I first began travelling, one thing that was actually onerous was the shortage of routine: you’re staying in accommodations, you’re consuming out on a regular basis. It actually began to take a toll on my bodily and psychological well being.”
Now, I’ve a really strict morning routine. Each morning, I am going on an outside stroll, I exploit ClassPass to e-book a Pilates or Barry’s class, and I attempt to eat as wholesome as doable. It retains me grounded and sane.
GRAZIA: How do you take care of destructive feedback on-line?
MR: I might say fairly effectively! We’re all human and a few issues can damage my emotions, for certain. However I believe I’ve all the time been fairly resilient and had fairly thick pores and skin. I labored within the company world earlier than this, so it’s not like I began in social media at 15 years previous. I grew to become an grownup and had a reasonably sturdy sense of self earlier than all of this which has helped me navigate the panorama a bit bit extra. I’ve numerous associates who do comparable work and we lean on one another. I knew going into this that this blonde, feminine influencer who’s making movies about her match outfits in a male dominated sport—like, yeah, no sh*t, I used to be going to get hate. I knew that from the beginning.
GRAZIA: You met Taylor on Raya. Do you could have any on-line courting ideas for GRAZIA readers?
MR: I don’t know if I may give any ideas as Taylor is the primary man I met on there! I’ve numerous associates who’ve met their boyfriends/husbands/fiancés on-line, although, so it could possibly occur! I do know the apps get a nasty wrap however it’s undoubtedly doable, and within the US, it’s fairly frequent.
GRAZIA: Off the courtroom, what’s your favorite factor about Taylor?
MR: Each night time earlier than mattress, he performs with my hair to make me go to sleep. It will likely be for like, half-hour, whereas he’s watching a present. He’s carried out that each night time for four-and-a-half years. I do know he doesn’t need to do this however he is aware of how a lot I like it. That’s very nice as a result of sleep is tough if you’re travelling this a lot.
GRAZIA: Lastly, what’s subsequent for you?
MR: Issues have been altering so quick for me. This time final yr, I used to be considering, “Oh, I’d actually prefer to get into F1, it will be so cool to supply comparable form of content material.” Two month later, I used to be internet hosting the Australian Grand Prix and I went to 4 or 5 extra races all year long. I’m preserving my choices open and can maintain doing what I’m doing and belief that the proper alternatives come to me.
