The 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams does not want to resign herself to the announced dress code at the French Open in Paris.
Before the US Open in New York, Williams said she had already spoken to Bernard Giudicelli, president of the French tennis federation FFT, about her sensational catsuit. “I’m sure we can agree and everything will be fine,” she said.
The FFT had announced a dress code for next year’s tournament on Friday. “I believe that sometimes we have gone too far,” said Giudicelli: “The sport and the court must be respected.” Williams (36) had felt “like a superhero, a warrior, the queen of Wakanda” during her Grand Slam comeback at the end of May in a black catsuit.
However, she now explained that she had worn the one-piece suit mainly for medical reasons for blood circulation. Since the birth of her daughter Olympia a year ago Williams has suffered from circulatory disorders. But she only presented the full-body suit in Paris. Since then she has found “other methods” to stay healthy, including pantyhose.
Despite the negotiations with the French, the black catsuit will probably remain unique: “In the world of fashion,” joked Williams in New York, “you don’t want to become a repeat offender.