Serena Williams is not worried about a dress code at the French Open.
Her skin-tight black catsuit will not be welcome, but Williams had already put it back in the closet.
She no longer needs a full-length outfit for health reasons and would not be wearing it again at the US Open.
Photo: AFP
Besides, for someone with Williams’ style, going back to the same look would be a fashion faux pas.
“When it comes to fashion, you don’t want to be a repeat offender,” she said on Saturday.
Williams downplayed concerns that were caused this week when the French Tennis Federation president said in Tennis Magazine that the outfit Williams wore this year in Paris would no longer be accepted.
“One must respect the game and the place,” Bernard Giudicelli said.
Williams said she had a strong relationship with the federation and spoke with Giudicelli on Friday.
“I think that obviously the Grand Slams have a right to do what they want to do,” she said. “I feel like if and when, or if they know that some things are for health reasons, then there’s no way that they wouldn’t be OK with it.”
Williams was not just trying to make a fashion statement when she wore the outfit that she called her “Wakanda-inspired catsuit,” referring to the fictional nation in the movie Black Panther.
The full-length leggings were for health reasons. In what was her first Grand Slam tournament since giving birth to her daughter on Sept. 1 last year, they were a precaution after her health scare related to blood clots.
Williams said she no longer needs to wear them, because she found that compression tights also help her blood circulation.
She wore tights at Wimbledon, when she made it to the final.
Although Williams shrugged it off, the French Open decision drew strong reaction from inside and outside of tennis.
Billie Jean King wrote on Twitter that “the policing of women’s bodies must end,” while former US star Andy Roddick tweeted that the decision was “so dumb and shortsighted it hurts,” adding that “sometimes it’d be nice if the sport got out of its own way.”
The catsuit controversy briefly overshadowed Williams’ return to the final Grand Slam tournament of the season. Serena is the No. 17 seed and could play sister Venus in the third round. Top-ranked Simona Halep could be an opponent in the fourth round.
Serena said she had not even looked at what opponents she could face as she hopes to win a 24th Grand Slam singles title, and seventh in New York.
She is one of the favorites, despite some struggles since returning to the tour.
“That I would be the favorite at this point, almost a year after having a baby, is quite interesting,” Williams said. “You know, I don’t know my draw, but I feel like I’m going to have to play — if I want to be the best, I’m going to have to start beating these people anyway.”
Williams has not lately, losing three of her last four matches, dating to her loss to Angelique Kerber in the Wimbledon final, but, at 36, she remains respected by her rivals, whatever her results.
“She’s one of the greatest players to ever play, if not the best of our generation,” defending champion Sloane Stephens said.
Williams said everything in her life feels different as a mother, saying that this first US Open since giving birth would feel fresh.
However, there is one thing that has not changed. Williams wants to win as badly as before.
“If anything, I have more fire in my belly,” she said. “It’s very hard to describe. I thought after having a child I would be more relaxed ... but I’m not.”
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and