French Open: Ash Barty and Serena Williams set up third round meeting after wins
SERENA Williams has donned some wacky outfits during her incredible career. But the skin-tight black catsuit at the French Open overnight has the tennis world abuzz. Here’s why she wore it.
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ASH Barty is plotting Serena Williams’ French Open downfall after the comeback queens steamed into a Roland Garros blockbuster.
Queensland’s Barty and grand slam titan Williams, contesting her first tournament since childbirth last year, will square off for a place in the third round.
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Williams stunned in her opening round win over Czech Kristyna Pliskova by wearing a black catsuit.
The 23-time grand slam winner revealed the outfit was as much about functionality as style.
“The catsuit, I had a lot of problems with my blood clots, and, God, I don’t know how many I have had in the past 12 months,” she said.
“So it is definitely a little functionality to it. I have been wearing pants in general a lot when I play so I can keep the blood circulation going.
“It’s a fun suit, but it’s also functional so I can be able to play without any problems.”
There is also a symbolism about it, too.
“It feels like this suit represents all the women that have been through a lot mentally, physically with their body to come back and have confidence and to believe in themselves,” she said.
“I definitely feel like it is an opportunity for me to inspire a whole different group of amazing women and kids. It just kind of expands that, and I really, really embrace it.”
The design was inspired by a character in the Black Panther movie.
“I call it like my Wakanda-inspired cat suit. It’s really fun,” she said in reference to the fictional African nation which features in the Marvel comics and was the centrepiece of the Black Panther movie blockbuster.
“I feel like a warrior princess. I always wanted to be a super hero.”
Barty, who returned to circuit after an 18-month hiatus last year, can’t wait to test Williams when the pair meet in the second round.
“You want to play the big names and you want to test yourself against the best, and I think any opportunity you can do that is good,” she said.
Williams and Barty have played only once previously, with the American posting an easy win at the 2014 Australian Open.
“It’s been a few years now. And I think I’ll have to use those experiences, both the good and the bad from that match, going into my next match,” Barty said.
“But I think I’m in a very different place. I think Serena is also in a very different place.
“And I think just what an opportunity. She’s a genuine champion.
“What she’s done to be able to get back, along with Vika (Azarenka), as well, and a lot of the other girls who are coming back after pregnancy is a pretty amazing thing.”
Williams was equally effusive about Barty.
“Well, she’s playing unbelievable, and she’s had such an amazing year last year and this year, as well,” Williams said.
“She’s continuing her amazing rise since she came back and been so focused on tennis.
“So it will be a really good, another good show for me. She does everything great. You know, I’ll be excited to go out and see what I can do.”
Barty was the first to reach the second phase, showing no sign of back soreness in demolishing Russian Natalia Vikhlyantseva 6-3 6-1.
Competing at her first grand slam match since winning the 2017 Australian Open, Williams then survived Czech Kristyna Pliskova 7-6 (7-4) 6-3.
Using a protected ranking to compete, Williams was contentiously overlooked for a seeding — leaving her at the mercy of the draw.
Officially ranked 451, and chasing a record-equalling 24th singles major, Williams was predictably below her best against world No 70 Pliskova.
But as the match wore on, and rust fell from the American’s game, she single-mindedly imposed her will.
Originally published as French Open: Ash Barty and Serena Williams set up third round meeting after wins