Why Serena Williams's Catsuit Ban Is a Disgrace

last updated 26 August 2019

As both a fashion editor and tennis player, I loved Serena Williams's Nike catsuit at the French Open tournament back in May. She loved it too, calling it a dedication to fierce moms who have come back from tough pregnancies. It seems like the only person who didn't like it was the president of the French Tennis Federation, Bernard Giudicelli.

Per The Associated Press, Giudicelli says the French Open will now institute a new dress code for players. Historically, Wimbledon's all-white dress code has been the only outfit regulation at any of the four Grand Slams, where female players typically wear dresses, skirts, or shorts. "I think that sometimes we've gone too far," he told Tennis Magazine, referencing on-court outfits, highlighting Williams's catsuit in particular: "It will no longer be accepted. One must respect the game and the place."

Here's the problem, Giudicelli: It's not Williams's job to make you feel comfortable with her appearance. Maybe you missed the memo, but Williams's catsuit was not merely a fashion statement. In January, Williams told Vogue she almost died during childbirth due to complications from blood clots, and in May, she stated in a press conference that pants help keep her blood circulation going.

There is so much to unpack from his statement, but the fact that he deigned to use the word "respect" stood out to me. Indeed, there is a glaring lack of respect, but not on Serena's part. Where is the respect for a 23-time Grand Slam champion whose comeback undoubtedly raised ticket sales for the French Open? Where is the respect for a mother taking every precaution possible for her health? Where is the respect for an athlete who is allowed to wear whatever she pleases on her way to collecting a record-breaking number of trophies?

Giudicelli and the French Tennis Federation would be wise to get on the right side of history when it comes to arbitrarily policing women's clothing choices. In the meantime, I'll be rooting for her at every tournament—no matter what she's wearing.

Williams's Memorable Grand Slam Looks

U.S. Open, 2004

French Open, 2004

U.S. Open, 2002

U.S. Open, 1998

U.S. Open, 2016

Australian Open, 2007

Australian Open, 2016

Australian Open, 2017

Wimbledon, 2016

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Erin got her start as a Who What Wear intern over 14 years ago—back when the site only published a single story per day. (Who What Wear has since increased that number twentyfold.) She graduated magna cum laude from USC, which is how she ended up moving to Los Angeles from her hometown of San Diego. In college, she also interned at Refinery29, where she was promoted to editorial assistant and then assistant editor. After nearly three years at R29, she came back to WWW in 2016, where she currently holds the title of Associate Director of Fashion News (as well as the unofficial title of resident royal expert—in case you haven't noticed her numerous Kate and Meghan stories). She spends her days trying to incorporate her idols, Anna Wintour and Roger Federer, into as many stories as possible.