Serena Williams’ daring French Open outfit no longer acceptable

SERENA Williams won’t be able to repeat her daring fashion statement after her stunning French Open outfit came under fire.

James Matthey

@jamesmatthey

3 min read

August 24, 2018 - 11:01AM

Serena Williams stole the limelight in Paris.

NOT only did Serena Williams make her return to grand slam tennis after a lengthy break at this year’s French Open, she also auditioned to play Catwoman alongside Christian Bale in the next Batman film.

The 23-time major winner, who gave birth to daughter Olympia in September last year, turned up to the clay courts of Paris rocking a black, skin-tight ensemble punctuated by a red band around the waist. But it may never be seen again if French Open organisers have their way.

We’ve been reliably informed by people much better versed in the art of fashion than us the outfit was a “short-sleeved catsuit”. Minus the pointy ears and tail.

There was more to the daring new look than just aesthetics, though. Williams said at Roland Garros the outfit was designed to prevent blood clots, reminded her of the fictional country Wakanda in the film Black Panther and represented strong women everywhere.

“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,” Williams 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.

“I call it, like, my Wakanda-inspired catsuit. We designed it way before the movie, but still, it kind of reminds me of that.

“I’m always living in a fantasy world. I always wanted to be a superhero and it’s kind of my way of being a superhero.”

Serena took Roland Garros by storm.

The catsuit’s life ended unexpectedly when Williams was forced to withdraw from the French Open because of injury before her highly-anticipated round of 16 clash against Maria Sharapova. But if the tennis world was awaiting its comeback in 2019, it’s going to be sorely disappointed.

French Tennis Federation president Bernard Giudicelli said outfits similar to Williams’ catsuit would not be tolerated in the future, declaring all fashion statements needed to be respectful of the sport and the prestige of Roland Garros.

“It’s a bit late because the collections are already designed but we are going to nonetheless ask the manufacturers to let us know what is coming,” Giudicelli told France’s Tennis Magazine.

“I believe we have sometimes gone too far. Serena’s outfit this year, for example, would no longer be accepted.

“You have to respect the game and the place.”

The get-up even got a run during her doubles matches.

Normally it’s Wimbledon kicking up a fuss about players’ fashion choices. The All England Club has a strict all-white policy and has been known for telling stars to change their attire for offences as simple as wearing coloured undergarments.

In 2017 Venus Williams was forced into an embarrassing mid-match clothing swap because the straps of her pink bra were clearly visible and Australian John Millman became the first victim of Wimbledon’s famous dress code this year.

Millman has said he was warming up for his match with No. 13 seed Milos Raonic when tournament officials informed him his colourful undies were a violation of the all-white policy. He then had to send his dad Ron scrambling to an apparel store nearby to pick-up some less conspicuous jocks so he wouldn’t be in danger of receiving a code-violation during his round of 64 match.

French Open organisers now look to be taking a leaf out of Wimbledon’s book and enforcing stricter rules to prevent against any further fashion crimes.

Fierce.

Judging by the reaction to Williams’ catsuit earlier this year, a legion of tennis fans will be feeling betrayed it will have to stay in the closet when she returns to the French capital in 2019.