Upon Serena Williams’ return to the 2018 French Open shortly after the birth of her first child, her straight-sets victory over Kristýna Plíšková took a backseat to the buzz surrounding her attire: the instantly iconic superhero ‘catsuit.’ The outfit sparked a significant conversation, overshadowing much of the discourse around her performance on the court.
“I didn’t anticipate it having such a significant impact,” Williams explains to CNN Sport’s Amanda Davies. “At the time, I was simply focused on maintaining my health. As a new mother, I was just trying to be myself. It was an unexpected moment. I never imagined it would generate such controversy.”
Following the French Open, Williams faced a ban on wearing the catsuit in future tournaments after French Tennis Federation President Bernard Giudicelli announced the introduction of a dress code at Roland Garros. “It will no longer be permitted,” Giudicelli declared regarding the catsuit, adding, “One must uphold the integrity of the game and the venue.”
Giudicelli’s decision and remarks sparked widespread criticism, particularly from tennis legend Billie Jean King, who took to social media to assert that the “policing of women’s bodies must cease.”
Despite the controversy, Williams emphasized that the skintight outfit had a practical purpose, aiding in her blood circulation following a challenging childbirth.
Nonetheless, Williams expressed no objection to Giudicelli’s decision and comments.
The original design of the black outfit included a red band around the waist, although Williams disclosed that this wasn’t the intended look. “During the initial fitting, there was a red line, which was just a mark as they planned to change it to either dark silver or black, intending for it to be entirely black,” Williams explains. “But I insisted on keeping the red. It was so striking. Even though it was just a sample, I insisted that the final version must retain this color. I felt incredibly comfortable in it.”
Reflecting on the outfit, Williams expresses a sense of nostalgia. “Now I’m reminiscing, and it’s making me a bit sad because I miss it,” she remarks wistfully. “I’m longing to go home and put it on again, and, of course, I want to play and glide around on some clay. Such wonderful memories.”
Despite not having worn the outfit since the 2022 US Open, Williams acknowledges that she feels the need to revisit it. “I haven’t worn it since then,” she admits. “But I feel like I should.”
As a 14-time grand slam doubles champion and widely regarded as the greatest women’s tennis player of all time, Williams admits to being “obsessed” with the catsuit when she first wore it. It was a departure from the norm in tennis, a sport often perceived as traditional and conservative. Williams recalls feeling like a “warrior” or “a queen from Wakanda,” referencing the fictional nation in the Marvel movie “Black Panther,” while wearing the suit.