Serena Williams Makes a Case for the Casual Tutu With Her 2018 US Open Outfit
Serena Williams made it clear she isn’t letting anything cramp her on-court style.
For the stylish 23-time Grand Slam champion’s first match of the 2018 U.S. Open, Williams sported a one-shoulder black athletic tennis dress with a ballerina-esque tutu skirt. The outfit was created by Louis Vuitton and Off-White designer Virgil Abloh in collaboration with Williams for Nike’s “Queen” collection, which she accessorized with a pair of shimmery silver sneakers, a leather jacket with a utility strap, and a matching tennis bag that was appropriately labeled “AKA QUEEN” with Abloh’s signature quotation marks.
A post shared by Off-White™ (@off____white) on Aug 27, 2018 at 10:37pm PDT
Williams, who emerged from her first round of the US Open victorious, made headlines for her on-court fashion just days earlier after French Tennis Federation president Bernard Giudicelli told Tennis Magazine that the catsuit that Williams wore to the tournament this year will “no longer be accepted…one must respect the game and the place.”
Williams was quick to address this in a video shared by ESPN, saying “obviously the grand slams have a right to do what they want to do, but I feel like if and when or if they know that some things are for health reasons then there’s no way that they wouldn’t be okay with it.” After noting that she wears tight designs to prevent the blood clots she’s been experiencing after giving birth to daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian last year; she said they would “come to an understanding.”
Tennis greats like Billie Jean King and Chris Evers supported Williams.
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
Williams’ US Open tutu garnered top scores from tennis and fashion enthusiasts alike, many of whom took to the Internet to share their feelings about the matter.
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
While the French Open exposes the extent of elitism in tennis @serenawilliams is rocking a tutu at the US Open. ?????? pic.twitter.com/3YEA06wzkz
— Jo Poultney???? (@dodgee_brummie) August 28, 2018
Serena Williams was told she wasn't allowed to wear her “Black Panther” catsuit back to the French Open because she had to "respect the game."
So she showed up in a tutu. ????https://t.co/WifbS5iDpk— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) August 28, 2018
Aspire to be as badass as Serena Williams winning the first round of the U.S. Open in a tutu.
????????????https://t.co/8iHxy9ptt0— Jenna Amatulli (@ohheyjenna) August 28, 2018
Serena Williams rocked a tutu at her U.S. Open comeback match, days after French Open officials criticized her clothing.
(She won, btw ????????) pic.twitter.com/mfbHazXlQW— AJ+ (@ajplus) August 28, 2018
#SerenaWilliams walked into her first round match at the #USOpen tonight rocking a whole one sleeved bodysuit tutu and a leather jacket, all designed by #VirgilAbloh for #OffWhite. Chick slayed, easily winning this first match. Congrats! #BlackExcellenc… https://t.co/gSa9NLOI0N pic.twitter.com/iQlHPPTWBM
— YBF CHIC (@TheYBF) August 28, 2018
Serena Williams responded to Catsuit ban by competing in a tutu - A Queen ???? pic.twitter.com/rPSNqvpjAE
— ????????????? ????????????????????????????? ? (@ruddizzle_) August 28, 2018