Serena Williams has insisted that everything is ‘fine’ between her and the French Tennis Association after being criticised over the outfit she wore at the French Open.
The 23-time grand slam champion played at Roland Garros in a black catsuit in what was a break away from the traditional clothing players wear on the tour. Williams said the outfit helped her cope with the issue of blood clots and made her feel like a ‘superhero.’ Although there will be no chance of the American wearing the same type of outfit next year in Paris after the chief of French Tennis recently announced a ban.
“It will no longer be accepted,” Bernard Giudicelli told Tennis magazine.
“I believe we have sometimes gone too far. You have to respect the game and the place.”
Giudicelli‘s criticism has attracted backlash from numerous figures in the world of sport. WTA founder Billie Jean King wrote on Twitter ‘criticizing what she wears to work is where the true disrespect lies.’ Meanwhile, Nike, who made the catsuit, also hit back at the criticism.
You can take the superhero out of her costume, but you can never take away her superpowers. #justdoit pic.twitter.com/dDB6D9nzaD
— Nike (@Nike) August 25, 2018
Williams spoke about the topic for the first time on media day at the US Open on Saturday. Despite the high-profile debate the comments have generated, she has dismissed its significance. Saying that the French Open ‘has the right’ to change their policy when they like.
“I think that obviously the Grand Slams have a right to do what they want to,” Williams told reporters.
“I feel like if they know that some things are for health reasons, then there’s no way that they wouldn’t be OK with it.”
The 36-year-old has also confirmed that she has recently held talks with Giudicelli following his comments. Describing the relationship between them both as ‘wonderful.’
“He’s been so easy to talk to,” she said. “My whole team is basically French so, yeah, we have a wonderful relationship. I’m sure we would come to an understanding and everything will be OK. It wouldn’t be a big deal … everything’s fine, guys.”
Heading into the final major of 2018, Williams will not be wearing a catsuit. Instead, she will be wearing a Nike outfit specially designed by Virgil Abloh. Abloh is the current artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s men’s wear collection.
Virgil X Serena for the Open. The collection includes a dress for both day and nighttime play, a bomber jacket, a bag, the NikeCourt Flare 2 and limited editions of The 10: Nike Air Max 97 and The 10: Nike Blazer Mid SW. pic.twitter.com/ojb4m3aWsM
— Josh Benedek (@The_real_Jobby) August 13, 2018
Another tournament, but more fire
Williams spoke to reporters two days before the start of the US Open. Seeded 17th in the draw, she will be bidding to equal Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 major titles. Williams last triumphed in a grand slam at the 2016 Wimbledon Championships. Since then she has given birth to a baby girl.
“If anything, I have more fire in my belly,” The six-time US Open champion said.
“It’s very hard to describe. I thought after having a child I would be more relaxed, but I’m not.
“I work just as hard, if not harder actually. I feel like I take it just as serious, if not more. That’s been really surprising for me.”
Whilst the confidence is there, Williams’ results heading into New York has been far from perfect. In San Jose she could only win one game against Johanna Konta before pulling out of the Rogers Cup due to personal reasons. Then at the Cincinnati Open, Williams breezed past Daria Gavrilova before falling to Petra Kvitova. The slump in results followed her run to the Wimbledon final earlier this year.
“It hasn’t quite happened,” she reflected. “It’s been just really a few months into me playing after having a baby. I feel like I have to be nice to myself.
“I feel like I have to just be happy, continue to work hard. I’ve been working incredibly hard. I feel like it will for sure pay off eventually.”
Williams will play Poland’s Magda Linette in the first round at the US Open. In her section, she could play sister Venus in the third round followed by world No.1 Simona Halep. Williams has never lost before the third round at the tournament.
