Serena Williams sends an empowering message with her French Open outfit
Image via @virgilabloh/Instagram
Words by Maeve Kerr-Crowley
Without a catsuit in sight.
Serena Williams has never shied away from wearing unconventional activewear on the court.
At last year’s French Open, her black Nike catsuit – designed to help with blood clots Williams experienced after the birth of her daughter – sparked both controversy and a blanket ban on catsuits for future tournaments.
For her return to the Open this year, she pulled out all the stops with another striking look.
Custom-made by Off-White’s Virgil Abloh, Williams sported a black and white two-piece Nike set paired with a cape-like jacket.
Printed across the fabric were the French words for mother, champion, queen and goddess.
Williams told the Tennis Channel after the match: “It talks about me being a mom and me being a queen, as all women are. A champion. It’s positive reinforcement for me, and I kind of love that.”
Following her first win against Russia’s Vitalia Diatchenko, Williams will now advance to the second round.
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Let the Roland Garros begin. Here is my French Open look designed by @virgilabloh and @nike.