Serena Williams Explains 'Powerful Statement' Behind 'Serena-tard' Worn At Australian Open

Serena Williams is a sporting legend. At 37-years-old, the mum-of-one and 39-time major title winner has never been afraid to express herself on the court: be that through her choice of shots, words or outfits.

The seven-time Wimbledon winner got off to a winning start at the Australian Open, beating Tatjana Maria in the first round while donning a mint green leotard.

The match was over within fifty minutes, with Williams crushing her opponent 6-0 6-2, and speaking after the game, she said her outfit was designed to showcase how mums can be super fit - as if her performance didn't quite shout that loudly enough.

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According to the Metro, she said: "We design really far in advance at Nike. I knew that I have been working really, really hard in the off-season to be incredibly fit and incredibly ready.

"You know, I took a year off, and, you know, just get back with still trying to get 12 months under my belt of playing, actually.

"I wanted to be fit. I came back. Nike always wants to make an incredibly strong, powerful statement for mums that are trying to get back and get fit. That was basically it for me."

Asked if the get-up had a name, she replied jokingly, saying it was a 'Serena-tard'.

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Fair play it does look good, though a 'Serena-tard' looks as though it's probably one of those things you buy online, only to find it doesn't quite look as good on you.

Williams made headlines last year after the French Tennis Federation banned unique performance clothing such as her compression catsuit, which she wore to help tackle blood clots following the birth of her daughter.

Unperturbed, Williams rocked up to her first US Open match against Magda Linette from Poland and smashed it. This in itself was nothing unusual, but her choice of outfit was - namely a big black tutu.

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Speaking to Vogue about the outfit in August, 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."

Williams was widely praised on social media for her response to the federations clothing ban.

One person said: "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."

Topics: News

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey