Donna Vekić Is Building More Than a Tennis Career
Most people know Donna Vekić for her power from the baseline and her comfort on the biggest stages in tennis. But lately, another side of her game has been shining, one that doesn’t involve rackets or scoreboards.
“I just recently launched my jewelry brand called Dash Diamonds,” she shared with a smile at the WTA Philippine Open. “We just made a collection of three tennis bracelets for Australian Open.”
Yes, tennis bracelets, designed by an actual tennis player. And not as a casual side hobby, but as a fully realized creative project.
The debut collection features lab-grown diamonds and blue sapphires, along with matching pieces, including a necklace from the Dash Diamonds line. The designs feel elegant yet sporty. Refined, but still rooted in movement and performance. Very much her.
Prices range from $1,200 (PHP 70,834.80) to $23,500 (PHP 1,387,181.50). And if you’re wondering whether these are just meant for photoshoots or special occasions, the answer is simple: they’re meant to be worn.
“Yeah, of course,” she said when asked if she would wear the pieces during a match.
The name behind the brand carries personal meaning as well. Vekić co-founded Dash Diamonds with her friend Ashna Ruia.
“Dash Diamonds because I made it with my friend, her name is Ashna and it’s Donna and Ashna, so Dash.”
Simple, but intentional — a blend of friendship and identity, much like the brand itself.
For Vekić, this venture isn’t just about fashion. It’s about balance. Life on tour can be relentless: travel, training, matches, recovery, repeat. Having something beyond tennis shifts the rhythm.
“Yeah, it’s nice but you know it’s not also easy, it’s a different kind of pressure so it’s interesting to balance the two but it’s definitely something different and it’s fun.”
It’s a reminder that athletes don’t switch off ambition when they step off the court — they redirect it. Building a business comes with its own demands: creativity, decision-making, responsibility. It’s pressure, yes, but of a different kind. And sometimes, that difference is exactly what helps.
There’s also a deeply personal layer. Vekić has long had a distinct sense of style, and for her, fashion is a form of self-expression, especially in a sport where most days are spent in training gear.
“I mean I think for my opinion is that it’s important, everyone is different though, some people don’t like to dress up, to wear jewelry and that’s absolutely fine but for me it’s you know 90% of my time I spend in sports clothes so if I can wear some jewelry to be a little bit more stylish, a little bit more elegant, it’s nice.”
That’s what Dash Diamonds ultimately represents. Not just sparkle, but identity. A way to feel like more than just an athlete, even while fully embracing being one.
Between matches, travel, recovery, and competition, Donna Vekić is building something else quietly, piece by piece. And whether it’s a backhand down the line or a bracelet catching the light mid-serve, she’s showing that strength and elegance don’t cancel each other out.
Sometimes, they shine best together.
