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Serena Williams Responds To Catsuit Ban By Winning US Open Match In Tutu

Serena Williams Responds To Catsuit Ban By Winning US Open Match In Tutu

The tennis star made it clear that she will not let a dress code dictate what she wears on the court

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

Serena Williams wore a black catsuit when she played in the French open back in May to prevent blood clots following the birth of her daughter, Olympia.

But last week, the French Tennis Federation implemented a new dress code banning unique performance looks like Williams' all-in-one. The organisation's president, Bernard Giudicelli, said they 'would not longer be accepted'.

So what did Williams do in response? She dominated her first US Open match against Magda Linette from Poland.

And how did she do it? In style, wearing an asymmetrical Virgil Abloh x Nike tutu paired with sparkly silver sneakers from the same 'Queen' collection and compression fishnet tights, according to Page Six.

The 23-time Grand Slam champ wore the tights to prevent the same blood clots just like her Black Panther-inspired Nike catsuit was intended to do.

Talking of barring the outfit choice, Giudicelli told Tennis magazine: "You have to respect the game and the place."

In response to the decision, Williams said: "I feel like if and when they know that some things are for health reasons, then there's no way that they wouldn't be OK with it. So I think it's fine."

People have applauded Williams for wearing what she wants. One person posted on social media: "Serena Williams was told she wasn't allowed to wear her Black Panther catsuit back to the French Open because she had to 'respect the game'. So she showed up in a tutu."

Another said: "They didn't let Serena Williams wear her catsuit. She came out in a tutu. Yes Queen."

PA

And a third added: "You can't wear a catsuit to play [tennis]. Ok, I'll go with a tutu and fishnets then. Serena Williams is the role model even big girls needed. Williams is unflappable -- even in a tutu."

Williams discussed her US Open dress with Vogue last month, and explained that her newest outfit choice made her feel 'very strong and feminine'.

She said: "I felt so feminine in the tutu, which is probably my favourite part of it. It really embodies what I always say: that you can be strong and beautiful at the same time."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: SPORT, Serena Williams, US News, Community