- In May, Serena Williams wore a "Black Panther"-style catsuit at the French Open that she said made her feel like a "queen from Wakanda."
- Earlier this week, President of the French Tennis Federation Bernard Giudicelli said the outfit would no longer be allowed, sparking controversy.
- However, Williams doesn't appear to be offended, saying that she has spoken with Giudicelli. "Everything’s fine, guys," she said.
In May, Serena Williams made an impression when she wore a catsuit to compete in the French Open.
Earlier this week, the president of the French Tennis Federation controversially said that the outfit would not be allowed at future French Open tournaments. On Saturday, Williams addressed the decision, and it appears that she isn't offended by it.
Williams' catsuit made a statement in more ways than one
The black bodysuit was designed to help prevent blood clots, according to The Guardian. Williams told the publication that the "Black Panther"-inspired catsuit came with the added bonus of making her feel like a "warrior princess" from Wakanda, the fictional nation from the Marvel film and comic series.
She also wanted to inspire those who have faced difficult recoveries after pregnancy and show that it's possible to get back out there and do what you love.
However, not everyone was a fan of the catsuit.
Bernard Giudicelli, president of the French Tennis Federation, told France's Tennis Magazine that the outfit would no longer be allowed
Earlier this week, in a quote cited in a tweet by The New York Times sports journalist Christopher Clarey, Guidicelli said: "We are going to nonetheless ask the manufacturers to let us know what [outfits are] coming. I believe we have sometimes gone too far. Serena's outfit this year, for example, would no longer be accepted. You have to respect the game and the place."
Giudicelli's statement elicited a response from Nike — which shared a photo of Williams on social media along with a message: "You can take the superhero out of her costume, but you can never take away her superpowers" — and criticism from people who felt that Williams was being unfairly scrutinized because she is a black woman.
On Saturday, Williams downplayed the controversy in a pretournament conference at the US Open
The athlete said she and Giudicelli have a "wonderful relationship" and that there are no hard feelings, according to The Washington Post.
"I don’t know exactly what he seemed to say or what he didn’t seem to say or what. We already talked. Like I said, we have a great relationship. We talked yesterday, yeah. Everything’s fine, guys," she told reporters.
Still, Williams said she won't be wearing the catsuit again at the French Open. "When it comes to fashion, you don’t want to be a repeat offender," she said.
Williams is scheduled to play next in the US Open, which starts Monday at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York.
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