'Respect the game': French Open bans Serena Williams' catsuit

Serena Williams has been taken to task by the French Tennis Federation over the black catsuit she wore at Roland Garros.

In a surprising piece of criticism on the eve of the US Open, the organisation’s president Bernard Giudicelli has revealed Williams – and other players – will need to be more conservative at future tournaments.

The French Open in May was Williams’ first appearance at a grand slam since giving birth to her first child in September last year.

In the months after her daughter was born, Williams revealed the significant issues she experienced in the delivery – including a long recovery.

“I almost died after giving birth to my daughter Olympia,” Williams wrote in a CNN article.

“First my C-section wound popped open due to the intense coughing I endured as a result of the embolism.

“I returned to surgery, where the doctors found a large hematoma, a swelling of clotted blood, in my abdomen. And then I returned to the operating room for a procedure that prevents clots from traveling to my lungs.”

Those problems were part of the reason behind the catsuit that shocked the tennis world when she appeared at Roland Garros for her first-round match.

Based on Giudicelli’s comments in the country’s Tennis Magazine this week, the American superstar won’t be allowed to get too creative at next year’s tournament.

“It’s a bit late because the collections are already designed but we are going to nonetheless ask the manufacturers to let us know what is coming,” Giudicelli said.

“I believe we have sometimes gone too far. Serena’s outfit this year, for example, would no longer be accepted. You have to respect the game and the place.”

Williams is yet to respond but fans have reacted angrily:

Williams had said in Paris that the catsuit – particularly the full-length pants – was to assist with her ongoing post-pregnancy issues.

“I had a lot of problems with my blood clots and, god, I don’t know how many I have had in the past 12 months,” she said.

“So it is definitely a little functionality to it. I have been wearing pants in general a lot when I play so I can keep the blood circulation going.

“It’s a fun suit, but it’s also functional so I can be able to play without any problems.”

Williams wore a standard white dress at Wimbledon – upholding their strict traditions – and will follow that up with a tutu-style dress at next week’s US Open.

The six-time champion at Flushing Meadows could meet sister Venus Williams in the third round.