Thursday, March 28, 2024

French Open: Serena Williams Advances in a Twitter Trending ‘Black Panther’ Catsuit

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Serena Williams of The United States serves during her ladies singles first round match against Kristyna Pliskova of Czech Republic during day three of the 2018 French Open at Roland Garros on May 29, 2018 in Paris, France.
Serena Williams of The United States serves during her ladies singles first round match against Kristyna Pliskova of Czech Republic during day three of the 2018 French Open at Roland Garros on May 29, 2018 in Paris, France.

*At the French Open on Tuesday, Serena Williams won her first grand slam match since the birth of daughter Alexis Olympia, and managed to do it in a black Nike “catsuit” that got as much attention online as her 7-6 (4), 6-4 first round victory.

“It feels like this suit represents all the women that have been through a lot mentally, physically, with their body to come back and have confidence and to believe in themselves,” Williams said, after beating Kristyna Pliskova at Roland Garros.

Never mind the real medical reason for the full-length, skintight outfit, which is designed to protect against blood clots.

Serena Williams of The United States competes during her ladies singles first round match against Kristyna Pliskova of Czech Republic during day three of the 2018 French Open at Roland Garros on May 29, 2018 in Paris, France.

To Serena, the “catsuit” delivers a message about self-worth that she wants all women and children to take in.

“I definitely feel like it is an opportunity for me to inspire a whole different group of amazing women and kids.”

After the match, Williams referred to what she wore Tuesday as the “catsuit — the new version, 2.0” following a similar one worn at the 2002 US Open.

“I call it, like, my Wakanda-inspired catsuit,” referring to the fictional nation in the film “Black Panther.”

“We designed it way before the movie,” she said, “but still, it kind of reminds me of that.”

Williams said she feels “like a warrior princess, kind of” when she wears the outfit.

“I’m always living in a fantasy world,” she added. “I always wanted to be a superhero and it’s kind of my way of being a superhero.”

Tuesday’s match was the first at a major tournament for the 23-time Grand Slam champion in 16 months.

She gave birth to her daughter Alexis Olympia on Sept. 1, then dealt with serious complications related to a pulmonary embolism. After her recovery Williams revealed that she almost died giving birth.

“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. So it is definitely a little functionality to it,” Williams said.

“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.”

Serena’s husband Alexis Ohanian was of course among the catsuit’s stans.

Serena’s next French Open opponent is Australia’s Ashleigh Barty on Thursday (May 31) at 5 a.m. EST on the Tennis Channel.

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