Arguably the best tennis player of all time, Serena Williams flaunted a tutu at the US Open. The move was in response to the French Tennis Federation's decision banning her blood clot-preventing catsuit.
The new mom had earlier compared her super look and new attire to the fictional nation from Marvel – Wakanda. She said she came straight from Marvel Comics’ Black Panther. “I call it like my Wakanda-inspired catsuit. It’s really fun,” she said.
French Open: The catsuit is inappropriate and does not meet our oppressive, paternalistic standards of femininity. @serenawilliams: Watch me dominate the court in a tutu. pic.twitter.com/yWaGtz7n5E
— Aisha Alexander (@AishaThinker) August 28, 2018
However, she was unfairly scrutinized for her physical appearance in the costume. The constant criticism of being "shapely", "muscular," and "masculine" body have followed her like shadows, and her clothing was widely shamed too. But our superstar knows how to handle the body-shaming with confidence.
So, when the French Open banned her badass Black Panther-inspired catsuit, Twitterati came back in the best possible way, supporting the tennis ace in her best look.
Anne White wore a catsuit in 1985.
— Simon Hedlin (@simonhedlin) August 25, 2018
Serena Williams is not allowed to wear one in 2019. pic.twitter.com/maSMckXo26
Having had multiple pulmonary embolisms, Serena Williams is not allowed to use a specially designed black catsuit that helps prevents blood clots from developing in the legs. Because the French Open doesn’t like how it looks. That’s racist, sexist, and dangerous.
— Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) August 24, 2018
For a number of insecure people, the suit is obscene. For Serena, the bodysuit represents comfort and medical assistance. Besides making her look cool, the outfit served a medical purpose. "I’ve had a lot of problems with my blood clots," Serena revealed, speaking to reporters at the French Open, vt.co reported. "God, I don’t know how many I’ve had in the past 12 months. I’ve been wearing pants in general a lot when I play, so I can keep the blood circulation going."
The catsuit helps her deal with bloodclots she suffered when giving birth.
Catsuit anyone? For all the moms out there who had a tough recovery from pregnancy—here you go. If I can do it, so can you. Love you all!! pic.twitter.com/xXb3BKDGNF
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) May 29, 2018
Bernard Giudicelli, president of the French Tennis Federation, announced a strict dress code for future games, singling out Serena's outfit choice. In a recent interview, he announced that the compression bodysuit "will no longer be accepted".
"One must respect the game and the place," ordered Giudicelli, according to the Associated Press.
Responding to the unfair declaration, tennis legend and women's rights activist Billie Jean King defended Serena Williams. "The policing of women’s bodies must end," wrote Billie Jean on Twitter on Saturday.
"The 'respect' that's needed is for the exceptional talent Serena Williams brings to the game. Criticizing what she wears to work is where the true disrespect lies."
READ: Fed Cup Doubles: Serena Returns with Sister, Olympia Watches Mum
The policing of women’s bodies must end. The “respect” that’s needed is for the exceptional talent @serenawilliams brings to the game. Criticizing what she wears to work is where the true disrespect lies. https://t.co/ioyP9VTCxM
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) August 25, 2018
"The policing of women’s bodies must end": Tennis legend and activist Billie Jean King slams the French Open's catsuit ban and defends Serena Williams https://t.co/PyHMLQ8HPb pic.twitter.com/8Mi4He3P1z
— CBS News (@CBSNews) August 28, 2018
And, Jesse said it!
Yeah, I'm pretty sure Serena Williams shows "respect" for the game by playing it better than, you know, everyone ever.
— Jesse Wente (@jessewente) August 25, 2018
Interestingly, Serena took the discouragement playfully and on her US Open debut, the tennis champion stunned the trolls with her new outfit: a single-sleeved dress with a black tulle tutu, looking absolutely badass.
Serena Williams rocked a tutu at her U.S. Open comeback match, days after French Open officials criticized her clothing.
— AJ+ (@ajplus) August 28, 2018
(She won, btw 💪🏿) pic.twitter.com/mfbHazXlQW
"
Let us all celebrate Serena's fitting reply:
You can take the superhero out of her costume, but you can never take away her superpowers. #justdoit pic.twitter.com/dDB6D9nzaD
— Nike (@Nike) August 25, 2018
Feature Image Credit: REUTERS