Billie Jean King slams French Open’s ban on Serena Williams’ catsuit

Billie Jean King is defending Serena Williams’ right to wear whatever she wants on the court — black catsuit included.

The 39-time Grand Slam winner took to Twitter earlier this week to bash the French Open’s decision to ban Williams’ iconic black catsuit, which she wore to the tournament in May this year.

Williams, 36, previously explained that the catsuit, which completely covered her legs, helped her prevent blood clots as she returned to Grand Slam action about nine months after giving birth to her daughter Olympia, who is about to turn one.

Voice: Billie Jean King has spoken out against the French Tennis Federation’s decision to ban Serena Williams’ catsuit issue 

Speaking out: King (pictured at the US Open on Monday) has long advocated for gender equality

History: The athlete (pictured in 1965) won a famous Battle of the Sexes match against Bobby Riggs in 1973

Speaking out: King (pictured left at the US Open on Monday and right in 1965) has long advocated for gender equality

Purpose: Williams (pictured at the French Open in May this year) previously explained that the catsuit helped her avoid blood clots after giving birth to her daughter

Purpose: Williams (pictured at the French Open in May this year) previously explained that the catsuit helped her avoid blood clots after giving birth to her daughter

King, who was 29 when she won a history-making Battle of the Sexes game against 55-year-old Bobby Riggs in 1973, has long advocated for gender equality.

So it’s not surprising she didn’t take well to the news that French Tennis Federation president Bernard Giudicelli claimed Williams’ catsuit didn’t show ‘respect’ to tennis nor the Roland Garros Stadium, where the French Open is held.

‘The policing of women’s bodies must end,’ she tweeted. ‘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.’

King echoed the words of Giudicelli, who told Tennis Magazine about the catsuit:’It will no longer be accepted. One must respect the game and the place.’

Giudicelli announced last week that the tournament, which Williams has won three times, is introducing a dress code to regulate players’ uniforms because ‘I think that sometimes we’ve gone too far’.

He said Roland Garros’ new rules won’t be as strict as Wimbledon’s, which require that players wear white, but will ‘impose certain limits’.

Williams had previously explained that she wore the catsuit partly for health reasons. The aim of the skintight suit was to protect her due to past bouts with blood clots.

The champion gave birth on September 1 2017, then dealt with complications related to a pulmonary embolism — and the catsuit was meant to help with her circulation.

‘I had a lot of problems with my blood clots, and, God, I don’t know how many I have had in the past 12 months. So it is definitely a little functionality to it,’ Williams previously said.

‘I have been wearing pants in general a lot when I play, so I can keep the blood circulation going. It’s a fun suit, but it’s also functional, so I can be able to play without any problems.’

Message: Nike took Williams' side by tweeting a photo of her in the catsuit and writing: 'You can take the superhero out of her costume, but you can never take away her superpowers'

Message: Nike took Williams’ side by tweeting a photo of her in the catsuit and writing: ‘You can take the superhero out of her costume, but you can never take away her superpowers’

With the outfit, she also wanted to send about self-worth and feeling powerful as she returned to the courts after giving birth.

‘It feels like this suit represents all the women that have been through a lot mentally, physically, with their body to come back and have confidence and to believe in themselves,’ she said in May. ‘I definitely feel like it is an opportunity for me to inspire a whole different group of amazing women and kids.’

The outfit called to mind Williams’ black ‘catsuit’ that she wore at the 2002 U.S. Open. Williams referred to what she wore at the French Open as the ‘catsuit — the new version, 2.0.’

‘I call it, like, my Wakanda-inspired catsuit,’ she said, referring to the fictional nation in the film Black Panther.

Williams has since explained that she’s not worried about a new dress code at the French Open, and said she no longer needs the full-length catsuit to protect her health.

Besides, for someone with Williams’ style, going back to the same look would be a fashion faux pas.

‘When it comes to fashion, you don’t want to be a repeat offender,’ she said on Saturday. 

Williams said she had a strong relationship with the federation and had spoken with Giudicelli on Friday.

‘I think that obviously the Grand Slams have a right to do what they want to do,’ she said. ‘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 OK with it. So I think it’s fine.’ 

Williams said Saturday she no longer needs to wear the full-length leggings because she found that compression tights also work to keep her blood circulating. She wore tights at Wimbledon, when she made it to the final. 

Back: The outfit called to mind Williams' black 'catsuit' that she wore at the 2002 U.S. Open

Back: The outfit called to mind Williams' black 'catsuit' that she wore at the 2002 U.S. Open

Back: The outfit called to mind Williams’ black ‘catsuit’ that she wore at the 2002 U.S. Open 

Though Williams shrugged it off, the French Open decision drew strong reaction from inside and outside of tennis. Former U.S. star Andy Roddick tweeted that the decision was ‘so dumb and shortsighted it hurts,’ adding that ‘Sometimes it’d be nice if the sport got out of its own way’. 

On Twitter, many people took to the platform to blast the ‘terrible’ and ‘racist’ move.

‘Serena Williams, who wore an outfit specifically designed to help prevent blood clots because she almost *died* after giving birth, won’t be able to wear her catsuit again at the French Open because the tournament chief… doesn’t like it,’ one Twitter user wrote. ‘That’s literally the only reason.’

‘Please explain how this catsuit is disrespectful?’ another person asked. ‘Sit down dude.’  

Nike has also sided with the champion, tweeting an image of Williams wearing the catsuit during the French Open with the caption: ‘You can take the superhero out of her costume, but you can never take away her superpowers.’

Williams has returned to the US Open, dressed in a new power outfit designed by Louis Vuitton menswear artistic director Virgil Abloh, in collaboration with Nike.

She took to the court in a one-shoulder black dress with a tulle skirt, featuring one single long sleeve on her left arm.

The designs created by Abloh for Williams also include a white version of the dress, custom NikeCourt Flare sneakers, and a jacket for her to wear off the court.

On Monday, Williams marked her return to the US Open with victory as she embarked on her bid for a seventh title at Flushing Meadows.

She opened the night session on Arthur Ashe and proved too strong for Poland’s Magda Linette, winning 6-4, 6-0.

Twitter users blast French Open’s ban on Serena Williams’ catsuit 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk