Williams also had a warm-up cape with "mother, champion, queen, goddess" emblazoned on it in FrenchGETTY IMAGES
Serena Williams is back at the French Open "making another bold fashion statement" one year after her catsuit "stirred up controversy" at Roland Garros, according to Scott Gleeson of USA TODAY. Williams was "dressed in a zebra-striped outfit designed by Nike" for her first-round match on Monday. The black-and-white athletic dress also "featured a warm-up cape with the words, 'mother, champion, queen, goddess' emblazoned on it in French -- as a nod to her hosts" (USA TODAY, 5/28). Williams said the words on her warm-up jacket are "things that mean a lot to me and reminders for me and for everyone that ... wants to wear it." Williams: "Just remind everyone that they ... can be champions and are queens. So I love that about it" (TENNIS.com, 5/27). The Nike outfit was designed by Virgil Abloh, and Williams said, "I was really excited because he's the hottest designer right now and he's amazing." The pair previously collaborated ahead of the U.S. Open last August ("French Open," Tennis Channel, 5/27). All three of the network morning shows today commented on Williams' outfit, with CBS' Gayle King noting Williams and Abloh "have a thing going" together ("CBS This Morning," 5/28).
ANOTHER FRENCH TWIST: Williams at last year's French Open "wasn't only trying to make a fashion statement when she wore the outfit that she called her 'Wakanda-inspired catsuit,' referring to the fictional nation in the film 'Black Panther.'" The full-length leggings were also "worn for health reasons." In what was Williams' first Grand Slam tournament since giving birth nine months earlier, they were a "precaution after a health scare related to blood clots" (ESPN.com, 5/27).
