Serena Williams told not to wear her "Black Panther" catsuit - So she showed up in a tutu. 💯

[kpete]

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/serena-williams-hits-tennis-court-in-tutu-amid-catsuit-ban_us_5b8547d4e4b0511db3d1b39a?bh9

Link to tweet

Updated to add something i just found:

Link to tweet

[Sanity Claws]

1. a tutu with sparkles

Haha.

You go, girl.

[bigtree]

2. right on!

...

[SweetieD]

3. How was her old outfit considered a black panther suit. It was just a catsuit. I really

Dont like that the author added that little embellishment. It is not funny to me.

[demmiblue]

8. Serena Williams said the 'Black Panther'-style catsuits she wears to play make her feel 'like..

Serena Williams said the 'Black Panther'-style catsuits she wears to play make her feel 'like a warrior princess'

Serena Williams romped to a straight sets victory over Kristýna Plíšková in the 2018 French Open on Tuesday.

It was her first major tennis match since triumphing at the 2017 Australian Open while eight weeks pregnant— and she won while wearing a "Black Panther"-style catsuit that made her feel "like a warrior princess" from Wakanda, the fictional nation from the Marvel Comics film.

The outfit was more than a fashion statement as it is designed to help prevent blood clots, according to The Guardian.

But it also has the added advantage of making Williams feel like a superhero from "Black Panther."

https://www.businessinsider.com/serena-williams-felt-like-a-warrior-princess-at-french-open-2018-5

[SweetieD]

15. In her fulk statement she said she felt like a queen from wakanda not black panther.

Black panther is a man. They could have easily called it a warrior princess outfit or a queen outfit . She was not trying to look like Black Panther.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

24. movie, not party?

I kept racking my po' lil brain trying to remember if the Black Panthers had uniforms back in the '60s. Didn't know there was a movie.

Maybe the French Open prez would prefer Serena show up in an 1890s outfit, barefoot, pregnant, and bowin' an' scrapin'.

Can we stop regressing yet?

[RhodeIslandOne]

29. I think you're confused

Black Panther is a Marvel comics superhero. A movie came out last winter that was a huge hit. That’s what this is about.

[RhodeIslandOne]

30. None of the warrior women in Black Panther wore that suit

All the article is trying to say is it looks like the suit from the movie.

If Serena dresses like the women in Wakanda when they fought, they’d be even more apoplectic.

[bettyellen]

35. it can be gender bending as well. But I think being sleek black and powerful makes it a tribute to

The spirit animal. Have you seen the movie? It fits to me.
It’s very empowering and political more than having to do with any gender.

[RhodeIslandOne]

41. I liked the movie

I agree with you. I don’t understand what the poster is objecting to. The suit may have been worn by a man but there’s nothing wrong with a woman saying she could identify with it while still maintaining a feminine persona as a queen instead of the king.

[BumRushDaShow]

55. I am not really a comic fan but in the "Black Panther" comic the character's sister "Shuri"

is in the royal line to be Black Panther should something happen to her brother and apparently in the Marvel comic's "Black Panther Vol. 5" series of comics & storylines, she did become Black Panther when her brother (T'Challa) was incapacitated-

[C Moon]

79. I agree with you. Since Trump, I don't trust these rich white a-holes.

[panader0]

59. You guys make me feel old.

I've never heard of the movie, but I remember well Huey Newton
Bobby Seales and Eldridge Cleaver. 'Soul on Ice' by Cleaver was
required reading back when.
Go Serena!

[iluvtennis]

76. Trailer for the Black Panther movie - if you get a chance, check it out on - good and fun movie.

[MineralMan]

4. You go, Serena!

[demmiblue]

5. OMG... she is awesome!

[MagickMuffin]

6. "She has to show respect for the game"

Now that's rich!

[Lotusflower70]

51. Screw that

To old white dude that said that about Serena. He needs to show respect to her because she is the game.

[CrispyQ]

7. Winning 23 grand slam titles is what shows respect for the game.

Love the tutu! Love the attitude!

[mythology]

32. Not always. Lance Armstrong won a bunch of Tour de France races while cheating

That said, the people making the decision about her clothing are idiots.

[ProfessorGAC]

9. Not Sure The French Open Rule and The US Open Thing Works

The US open didn't try to tell her what to where. That was Roland Garros that did that.

I do think the French Open folks were silly, but this seems to be lumping the Flushing Meadows folks into the same pile.

[planetc]

10. Oh, she respects the game, all right.

The question is, does anyone besides her opponents respect her?

She has used the rules of the game to master it and dozens of opponents.

And the president of the French Tennis Federation didn't like her outfit? How many tournaments has the prez won? Eh?

Do spectators turn out to watch the prez seated in his or her box? No?

Lead, follow, or get out of the way.

[mythology]

34. She also used hard work and natural talent

Serena Williams is a beast. She didn't rules lawyer her way to victory.

[JHan]

11. Love it. K&R

[Mosby]

12. You can buy that outfit yourself for only $500.

https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Style/serena-williams-wear-500-dress-tutu-us-open/story?id=57156003

[Aristus]

13. Good for her!

You can't say she ignored the request...

[Guilded Lilly]

14. The French Open President can stuff their concept ...

of femininity up their tight ass, wrapped in a tutu.

Serena rules.

[spicysista]

16. She kicks butt, no matter what she's rockin'!

She's the G.O.A.T.!

[iluvtennis]

77. Indeed, she the GOAT.

[ismnotwasm]

17. I love this so much...

[mcar]

18. This is awesome!

I love this amazing athlete.

[nolabear]

19. She wins the entire damn day.

[Liberty Belle]

20. Since the outfit was for medical reasons to prevent clots she should fightthis in court.

It's about more than just how it looks, and the tutu while an in-your-face jab back at the idiot French officials does not resolve her health problem.

[sarah FAILIN]

26. Obviously her health isn't as big of an issue as was claimed

A tutu dress is far from what she claimed she needed medically.

[gollygee]

50. If she chooses not to follow medical advice

that means she's willing to take chances to play the game, not that it isn't medically necessary.

[GreenEyedLefty]

52. If you look closely she is wearing dark brown compression tights

and sleeves. She also wore them at Wimbledon.

[Codeine]

62. Never, ever, ever

on the right side of an issue, are you?

[Boomer]

67. No, you're missing part of the story

Serena clearly stated that she had found other ways to deal with her medical issues. She's wearing compression tights as well as the tutu.

[LenaBaby61]

21. LOVE her ....

Hang in there Serena. Here's to hopefully bagging #24 and tying Margaret Court

#THISMOM

[superpatriotman]

22. That's so great

AND she won handily, of course.

[LiberalFighter]

23. Looks like Bernard stepped in a whole lot of dung.

[AllyCat]

25. I love her!

She is a fantastic spokesperson for women's and POC's rights.

[Anon-C]

27. Avec elan!

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[niyad]

28. snort!!!!!!

[Duppers]

31. Is this what they objected to?

[TlalocW]

48. I saw a shot of her

Where it looked like she had on what one considers "normal" female attire for tennis - a white shirt and skirt, and the "catsuit" over it. Any see-through-osity of the suit showed the normal outfit, just pressed against her body. I didn't get what the big deal was.

TlalocW

[uponit7771]

49. She looks like some Marvel Hero Character in that shot, they should've let her wear it

[sarah FAILIN]

57. They did from what I understand

This whole brouhaha is because a future event, the French Open, said it would not be allowed there.

She is just trying to sell these suits imo. I have worn similar and never will again because you have to get almost totally naked for a potty break. If you have gotten even slightly sweaty, heaven help you getting it back on.

[Marcuse]

80. No Velcroed flap in the back?

?1324749534

[iluvtennis]

78. Watched the French open. Serena wore the catsuit for two weeks and no one said sh*t about it

until two weeks ago. She fills those arenas, let he wear what she wants.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

33. Question for tournament officials...

What if she had worn a white or pink catsuit?

Love the statement she's made......

[Honeycombe8]

37. It would depend on the dress code rules. I doubt catsuits are allowed.

Tennis rules go back to the "game for ladies and gentlemen" days, so the dress code is pretty rigid, I think. I don't view that as a problem. It's the game that counts.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

42. Yes, I agree and I'm old fashioned regarding decency.

So long as the rules are not discriminatory or unreasonable. And, we must show respect for other cultures and their norms when we visit their lands.

For the sake of good journalism, HuffPo should have provided at least a summary of the applicable dress code......

[July]

81. IIRC, Serena has worn something like a catsuit before.

I think it was at the US Open several years ago. I believe it was black and form-fitting but didn't have long sleeves or full leg coverage.

[July]

82. 2002 US Open.

There's an article at vox.com about criticisms of the Williams sisters' appearance that has a picture of what the caption calls a "short catsuit." Sorry, couldn't link it because I'm technologically challenged, but it's dated 8/28/18.

[Honeycombe8]

84. The catsuit she wore this time was at the French Open, I think.

It's confusing, but they all have different rules.

I think the French Open didn't have a rule against "catsuits," in particular, but is adding that to the rules, after this. They don't have a rule against everything anyone might wear, since some things aren't foreseeable, and there's a general caveat about showing respect for the event and such, I'm sure.

Whatever. I don't have a problem with dress codes. I worked with dress codes for decades, working for professional law firms & going to court (as a trial paralegal). Then at school back in the day that girls couldn't wear dresses (now that was stupid & sexist...it gave the boys lots of opportunities to see up your dress). But dress rules are a minor thing to me. So minor.

[sarah FAILIN]

58. I found out today something about that.

The woman people keep tossing into this conversation that wore a white catsuit to Wimbledon back in the 80's was actually told to change for the rest of her game and never wear it again. People made fun of her pretty bad for wearing it. If she was told to change, nobody has room to complain imo.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

61. Sarah, then you're saying this type outfit does violate their dress code?

That's what I would look at first. Regardless of what we say, Serena certainly should have been very familiar with the code and willing to follow the rules prior to any games. If an outfit was questionable, she or her team could ask the officials before play.

[sarah FAILIN]

68. Actually, not exactly

She is currently playing at the US Open the way I understand it. I don't think they have a problem with it this year. The people complaining about it are with the French Open and are saying it will not be allowed on their courts when Serena comes there to play. Their courts, their rules which we have not even gotten to yet. For all we know, Serena may have a perfectly acceptable to dress code outfit ready for the French open. People are just borrowing trouble that may not even exist at this point from the way it sounds to me.
Where this white cat suit comes in is that there is is a meme going around claiming that nothing was done to the other woman who wore a white cat suit to Wimbledon and it brings up racial accusations paired with outright lies. Honestly I feel like if I put this text on here, I would get deleted. Anyway, these people are saying Serena as a player has been banned when it is really just these catsuits.

Here is the link to the story of the reaction to the other woman. People are comparing the reaction to both catsuits and claiming nothing was done about this one because the lady was white and that is not true.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

71. Thanks for those clarifications.

I wish her well and will be checking the news from Europe next year. Not a big fan of tennis but my ears perk up when I sense some form of prejudice in the air. Don't think that's the case here and as you said, the concern is very preemptive.

Here's an updated take on the situation: https://nypost.com/2018/08/25/why-serena-williams-may-get-french-opens-catsuit-ban-lifted/amp/

.........

[sarah FAILIN]

73. You're welcome

I also wish her well and good health.

I was sidetracked and forgot to add this link to the story on the white catsuit, which points out how unbearably hot they are. My problem with them is going to the bathroom.. just try getting those things back on if you are slightly sweaty.

[link:https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1985/06/29/bodysuit-bites-the-dust/e602f07d-2402-44ca-98f2-76f65326566b/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.a6593c1cd0b8|].

[KY_EnviroGuy]

74. LOL, that reminds me of...

1.) the dust suits I used to wear in my work inside very hot industrial systems and they stuck to my skin like glue, and

2.) now that I'm retired, I have some great long rubber gloves I put on to wash our dishes. But, just to get them on and off, I have to first put baby powder my dry hands (envision a 70YO man with big long pink gloves, LOL).

I would guess they need assistance (and perhaps powder) to get those suits on and off as well.

Have a great Wednesday!.....

[Codeine]

63. Wimbledon and the French Open are

entirely separate events. What happened at one thirty-plus years ago doesn’t mean much at the other now.

[Honeycombe8]

36. As long as it's within the dress code, it's fine. The catsuit was not w/in the code, apparently. nt

[Ilsa]

53. I think her catsuit provides compression

to avoid blood clots. I think she should get a doctor's prescription for it.

Otherwise, she will need to wear those compression leggings under her tennis skirt. Those are not very attractive, either.

[Honeycombe8]

56. And in Wimbledon, the outfit has to be mainly white.

All the tournaments have dress rules. Pro tennis comes from the Country Club/aristocratic set way back when, when dress for everything was strictly regulated, informally or formally. Some of those rules still exist, for the purpose of keeping it classy, I think.

They don't always have to wear skirts. It depends on the tournament and location.

Catsuits are pretty revealing and not especially classy, IMO. Although wearing those short skirts is sexist and flashes everything to the world, so... I don't care what they wear.

Catsuits look very uncomfortable to me. Something tight like that sequeezing your whole body. Like a long legged girdle.

[fishwax]

69. The catsuit was within the code

Serena wore the catsuit at the French Open. It was fine, and did not violate any dress code.

The other day an interview came out in which the director of the French Open said that next year there will be a code because Serena's outfit (among others, but he called hers out specifically) went too far.

Serena shrugged off the controversy and wore the tutu to an entirely different tournament--the U.S. Open, which, like most tournaments these days, does just fine without a stuffy dress code.

[Honeycombe8]

70. I don't have a problem with dress codes.

Never have. Just like when you go to church or court, yu are supposed to dress "respectfully." It adds to the decorum and shows respect for the place and the event.

[Me.]

38. Love This To Death

she wins, they lose

[Submariner]

39. Leave the woman alone for chrissakes

With all the crapola going on in the world, were all still here, so let her play her game the way she wants.

It wouldn't be stuffed shirt white men doing the bitching about a cat suit, would it?

Yeh, I thought so...

[LuckyCharms]

40. I don't get why the "catsuit" is objectionable.

Looks fine to me.

[procon]

43. Maybe this fetching outfit is more like they had in mind? nt

[smb]

45. Shame On You For Subjecting Up To That!

[procon]

46. It's such a classic, I couldn't resist! nt

[Scurrilous]

47. ...

[Totally Tunsie]

44. The important "bits" were covered, right?

So what was the problem?

[BlancheSplanchnik]

54. She's hilarious! 😆

In your face, judges!

[VA_Jill]

60. Best "FU" EVER!

You go, Serena! Those silly old queens are just jealous.

[peggysue2]

64. Love this!

Shows spirit, confidence and a sense of humor. As far as respect for the game? With the number of wins Serena Williams has under her belt, I think the game owes her respect.

Awesome!

[ailsagirl]

65. God, she's glorious!!

[AlexSFCA]

66. they should be happy she'll bring more viewers

[efhmc]

72. What idiot thinks they can tell this powerful woman

what she can and cannot wear?

[iluvtennis]

75. I love Serena for the stances that she takes. GOAT of women's tennis - u go girl! nt

[malthaussen]

83. OK, girl you rock. n/t