WTA stars' "off-court 'fits" stand front and center in Toronto

Style in the 6ix! The "off-court 'fits" of WTA stars were front and center this week at the National Bank Open.

Inspired by the NBA and WNBA's pre-game 'fit checks (which saw tennis influence thanks to Cameron Brink and Coco Gauff earlier this summer), the biggest names of the women's tour showed off their streetwear looks in a behind-the-scenes photo series that made its debut during the WTA 1000 event in Toronto.

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"I think it's really cool. It gives a different vibe," 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu, who was snapped looking cool in gray sweats and a black chain purse, told the WTA website.

"Obviously, we are athletes, but we have a personality outside of the court, and we're human at the end of the day, so showcasing more of that helps."

The debut was long overdue, said Gauff. Gauff has made the unveiling of her custom New Balance kits for Grand Slam tournaments on social media something of a habit over the last year, and she says that it's only natural for tennis to follow in the lead of other sports that are exploring the intersection of athletics and lifestyle.

"I'm the one who said we should do this!" Gauff said. "It is something that I think will grow the sport because people love fashion and sports, and ... it'll be cool to do it."

Aryna Sabalenka, Naomi Osaka and Ons Jabeur were some of the biggest names to show off their off-court style, as Jabeur made a point to highlight Kayanee, the Saudi-owned fitness and lifestyle brand that became her on-court sponsor this year.

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Marta Kostyuk, the face of Wilson on court, and Leylah Fernandez, who is the tour's chief lululemon ambassador, also joined in.

But players weren't the only ones walking the proverbial runway. Anastasia Potapova and Alycia Parks were joined by their furry friends.

As the tour winds towards the year's final Grand Slam tournament in New York, one of the fashion capitals of the world, there's no doubt more serves to come.