'Weirder and weirder': Tennis world in frenzy over Serena Williams' new outfit
Serena Williams is part tennis player, part advocate, part fashion icon no matter where she goes.
Yet nowhere is that more pronounced than in Paris at the French Open, where in 2018 she shook up sports talk and rules with her famous catsuit.
Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, revealed her 2019 look on Instagram over the weekend in a continuing Nike partnership with designs by Virgil Abhol.
Abhol of “Off-White” designed Williams’ look for the 2018 US Open.
His use of logo and quotations sparked an outcry over the tennis superstar’s GQ Woman of the Year cover.
The reveal prompted questions of if Williams would really play — and likely trip — on that long skirt.
She answered it Monday during day two by ditching the skirt once she walked on to Court Philippe Chatrier.
Fans were somewhat divided about the look and practicality of it though:
Just look at Serena’s outfit .. wow 😍
— Follow @OIFGhana (@Bridget_Otoo) May 27, 2019
Serena’s outfit is amazing 😍😍 #RG19
— Kate Salemme (@KateSalemme) May 27, 2019
I can’t believe there are some people on my timeline saying they don’t like Serena’s outfit... it’s absolutely amazing. Her best since her comeback! #RG19 pic.twitter.com/0gRY5uuGaz
— Marvel (@teamadele_wpg) May 27, 2019
Serena's outfits are getting weirder and weirder, why's no one else at Nike dressed like this pic.twitter.com/r0xEJAFzCY
— - 카와이를 응원해줘 - (@Juvelenah) May 27, 2019
The only thing worse than Serena's form today is the practicality of her outfit.
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) May 27, 2019
Serena's outfit. #RG19 pic.twitter.com/nq4Ql9ShMI
— V (@vanistrator) May 27, 2019
I think Serena Williams can wear whatever she wants to wear, but can I say I think the outfit she is currently wearing at Roland Garros is just plain ugly?#RolandGarros #RG19 pic.twitter.com/axRuTSCL4R
— Bas van den Beld (@basvandenbeld) May 27, 2019
Yuck Serena. That pretty much sums up her performance so far and what I think of her outfit.
— Andrew Camacho (@longbeachtennis) May 27, 2019
I don't like Serena's outfit 🥴
— Manu (@chainedtomaria) May 27, 2019
Am I the only one who likes Serena's outfit?
— Anna (@AnnaNono22972) May 27, 2019
Serena Williams in a off-white Zebra crop top and skirt.
I hope we see this outfit long enough as she's currently down 6-2 to Vitalia Diatchenko #RG19 pic.twitter.com/meP6QRmH2u— Latifat Adebayo Ohio (@Phatill) May 27, 2019
The competition-ready version featured the words "mother, champion, queen and goddess" in French as part of the print.
She dropped the first set against Russia’s Vitalia Diatchenko, 2-6, and committed 14 unforced errors.
She bounced back to win the second set, 6-1, and dominated the third, 6-0. It was her 800th career match victory.
Williams keeps Paris trends
Williams showed up at Roland-Garros in 2018 outfitted in a Wakanda-inspired catsuit that would fit in “Black Panther.”
She said she felt like a superhero in it, especially after becoming a mum. It was a fashion statement, but also a choice for her health.
Williams made a return at last year’s competition less than a year after giving birth to her daughter.
She experienced life-threatening complications from blood clots and the suit improved blood circulation during competition.
It drew the ire of French Tennis Federation president Bernard Giudicelli, who said the outfit would no longer be acceptable at the French Open.
"One must respect the game and the place," he said.
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) announced rule change in December that allowed compression shorts and leggings.
