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.
