Serena Williams of the U.S. returns a shot against Krystyna Pliskova of the Czech Republic during their first round match of the French Open tennis tournament. Photo / AP
Serena Williams of the U.S. returns a shot against Krystyna Pliskova of the Czech Republic during their first round match of the French Open tennis tournament. Photo / AP
Serena Williams will no longer be allowed to wear her skin-tight black catsuit at the French Open.
The French Tennis Federation president, Bernard Giudicelli, says the tournament that Williams has won three times is introducing a dress code to regulate players' uniforms because 'I think that sometimes we've gone too far'.
In an interview in Tennis Magazine's 500th edition, Giudicelli singled out the figure-hugging black suit that Williams wore this year at Roland Garros and said made her feel like a superhero.
'It will no longer be accepted,' Giudicelli said. 'One must respect the game and the place.'
He said Roland Garros' new rules won't be as strict as Wimbledon's, which require that players wear white, but will 'impose certain limits'.
However, the superstar's backers soon took to social media to blast the decision, pointing out that the outfit was far more than a fashion statement and was designed to prevent blood clots, which almost killed Williams during a complicated childbirth last year.
"Just ridiculous. Serena has done nothing BUT respect the game. Serena Williams is almost always singled out in tennis. This comes down to what they feel is "acceptable" on a tennis court. It's not her job to make you feel comfortable. Also, the suit helps her combat blood clots," wrote New York-based reporter Taylor Rooks.
Just ridiculous. Serena has done nothing BUT respect the game. Serena Williams is almost always singled out in tennis. This comes down to what they feel is “acceptable” on a tennis court. It’s not her job to make you feel comfortable. Also, the suit helps her combat blood clots. https://t.co/gR2XqJLi3j
Acclaimed writer Roxanne Gay added her voice to the debate, posting: "What incentive would Serena Williams, GOAT, have at this point in her career to play the French Open when the tournament is being blatantly disrespectful to her?"
Giudicelli said Roland Garros' new rules won't be as strict as Wimbledon's, which require that players wear white, but will "impose certain limits."
Many player uniforms for 2019 have already been designed but Giudicelli said the FFT will be asking manufacturers for an advance look at them.
In May, Serena had made it clear that the black bodysuit she wore at the French Open was much more than a fashion statement to her.
Serena Williams returns to Petra Kvitova, of the Czech Republic, at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
There was a practical reason for the full-length legs on the skintight outfit: The aim was to protect her because of past bouts with blood clots.
With the outfit, she also wanted to send about self-worth and feeling powerful as she returned to Grand Slam action about nine months after giving birth to her daughter Olympia Ohanian, now 11 months old.
'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 at the time. 'I definitely feel like it is an opportunity for me to inspire a whole different group of amazing women and kids.'
The outfit called to mind Williams' black 'catsuit' that she wore at the 2002 U.S. Open. It also was reminiscent of the white bodysuit that American player Anne White wore at Wimbledon in 1985.
Williams referred to what she wore at the French Open as the 'catsuit — the new version, 2.0.'
'I call it, like, my Wakanda-inspired catsuit,' referring to the fictional nation in the film Black Panther.
'We designed it way before the movie,' she said, 'but still, it kind of reminds me of that.'
Williams said she feels 'like a warrior princess, kind of,' when she wears the outfit.
'I'm always living in a fantasy world,' she added. 'I always wanted to be a superhero, and it's kind of my way of being a superhero.'
The champion gave birth on September 1 2017, then dealt with complications related to a pulmonary embolism — and the catsuit was also meant to help with her cirdculation.
'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. So it is definitely a little functionality to it,' Williams said.
'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.'
Williams is about to return to the US Open next week. She will do so in a new power outfit designed by Louis Vuitton menswear artistic director Virgil Abloh, in collaboration with Nike.
