When
Serena Williams returned to the
2018 French Open shortly after welcoming her first child, there was minimal chatter about her straightforward victory over Kristýna Plíšková.
Instead, the focus primarily revolved around her attire: the now legendary superhero 'catsuit.'
And oh, did discussions ensue.
"I didn't anticipate such a resonance," Williams shares with
CNN Sport's Amanda Davies. "Here I am, simply striving for wellness, navigating new motherhood, and embracing my identity. It was a remarkable moment. I didn't foresee it causing such a commotion."
Williams found herself prohibited from sporting the catsuit at future French Open events following French Tennis Federation President Bernard Giudicelli's announcement of a dress code implementation at Roland Garros.
"It shall no longer be permissible,"
Giudicelli declared regarding the catsuit. "One must uphold the integrity of the sport and the venue."
The ruling and Giudicelli's remarks sparked widespread backlash, notably from tennis legend Billie Jean King, who took to social media stating that the "regulation of women's bodies must cease."
The form-fitting ensemble also served a significant purpose, Williams explained at the time, aiding the 23-time grand slam singles champion's blood circulation post a challenging childbirth.
Nevertheless, Williams expressed no qualms about Giudicelli's decision and remarks.
The ebony ensemble featured a crimson band encircling the waist, but Williams disclosed that the original concept didn't resemble its final form.
"When I initially tried it on during the fitting, there was this red stripe, merely a placeholder because they intended to switch it to either deep silver or onyx. However, I insisted: 'No, we must retain this red. It's essential.' It was striking. I know it's a 'prototype,' but we must produce more, and they must retain this hue. And I felt utterly at ease."
"Oh, gosh, now I'm reminiscing and feeling nostalgic because I miss it," she reflects wistfully. "Oh no, now I'm yearning to return home and don it, and naturally, I yearn to compete and glide across some clay. Such cherished memories."
Williams, absent from competitive play since the 2022 US Open, admits she hasn't donned the attire since that time. "But I ought to," she remarks.
The 14-time grand slam doubles champion — widely regarded as the preeminent women's tennis player in history — confessed she was "captivated" by the catsuit upon first wearing it because it was "so distinct" from anything seen in tennis, a sport often characterized as traditional and conservative.
At that moment, Williams expressed feeling like a "champion" in the outfit or "a monarch from Wakanda," alluding to the fictional realm in the Marvel film "Black Panther."
While initial discussions centered around the attire's fashion and its suitability for tennis, little attention was paid to how the catsuit was engineered to aid Williams physically.
In a
CNN opinion piece penned in 2018, Williams recounted her harrowing childbirth experience with daughter Olympia, nearly succumbing to complications from blood clots.
The 42-year-old reflects that she wishes the functional aspect of the catsuit's design had received more consideration at the time.
"I adore wearing skirts," she states. "Let me be clear, they're my go-to, my tennis frocks, but I prioritized ensuring my blood circulated freely, especially after facing a life-threatening ordeal.
"So, I believe there should have been — and perhaps there was, but regardless, I was committed to it — recognition of the whole ensemble's functionality."
She lauds Nike, her apparel sponsor, for their knack for generating dialogue and commends them for truly grasping the needs of an athlete.
"In that instance, I truly needed to feel understood," she explains. "I had just become a mother. I think my baby was merely a few months old at that point — why I even took to the court, I can't say — and naturally, I battled numerous blood clot issues.
"They comprehended what I required at that juncture, and it was remarkable. So, acknowledging my perspective, heeding my voice, and observing the discourse that followed the catsuit incident, it was genuinely extraordinary — and surprising, too."
Nearly half a decade since donning the catsuit on the clay courts of Paris, Williams acknowledges that motherhood has taught her to "be gentler with myself."
She mentions she has consistently cultivated that compassion in her daughter as well, imparting the lesson that what one tells oneself – and others – holds significant weight.
"I'm gentler concerning body perception, I'm more lenient," she remarks regarding herself. "And beyond that, it extends to how I converse with my daughter. I consistently advise her: 'Find something kind to say. Can you think of something kind about this girl?'
"Because my aim is for her to always harbor positive sentiments towards others too. Because harboring negativity and grappling with mental well-being isn't conducive.
"So, I believe it's about fostering positivity from a tender age, encouraging constructive perspectives and affirmations that emanate from your mouth."
