Serena Williams reveals underwear drama at 2021 Australian Open

Serena Williams has revealed she is nervous about her undies at the Australian Open after an oversight in her dramatic new outfit.

Serena Williams has revealed she is nervous about her underwear at the Australian Open as a result of her dramatic new catsuit.

The 23-time grand slam champion made a bold splash as she made her entrance at the first major of the year, revealing a striking, one-legged catsuit.

The outfit has divided commentators as both a powerful statement and a tacky one-piece and Williams has now admitted she has also had doubts about the ensemble as a result of a small oversight in her plans to rock the colourful threads in Melbourne.

The 39-year-old has giggled when revealing the last-minute design of the outfit meant she was unable to road test it before parading onto Rod Laver Arena on Monday.

She said in her post-match press conference on Wednesday after cruising through to the third round with a 6-3 6-0 win over Nina Stojanovic that some see-through elements of the outfit were overlooked.

Serena Williams on Day 3.

Serena Williams vs Nina Stojanovic on Rod Laver Arena.

Williams revealed she has learned that she can only wear skin-tone coloured underwear — or risk showing the world exactly what her undergarments look like.

“This outfit was last minute, to be honest,” she said.

“I just felt like the design that we had before wasn’t as Serena-esque, and so the Nike team went back and created something very Serena-like and didn’t have time to put it in retail.

“It was definitely more of a last-minute outfit. It’s light. If you look up close, it’s actually breathable and it’s perforated, so it’s actually super light to a point where I need to make sure I’m wearing underwear. Nude colour, though.

Williams said on Monday the outfit has been inspired by former American Olympic champion Florence Joyner Griffith, who also wore a one-legged figure hugging outfit in the 1988 Olympics.

Serena in full flight.

“I was inspired by Flo-Jo, who was a wonderful track athlete, amazing athlete when I was growing up,” Williams said.

“Watching her fashion, just always changing, her outfits were always amazing.

“This year we thought of what can we do to keep elevating the Serena Williams on the court. The Nike team actually thought of this design of inspiration from Flo-Jo. I was like, Oh, my God, this is so brilliant.

“That’s where we started. Obviously we made some changes and tweaks to it. It became this.”

Williams has courted controversy with her revealing outfits in the past, but has not been deterred by some negative comments.

Her black catsuit at the 2019 French Open stunned the world.

She did the same thing at last year’s Australian Open where she stripped down before her first round match to reveal a jade green, figure-hugging jumpsuit, matched with fishnet stockings.