Serena Williams made a splash at Melbourne Park, and not just with her straight sets win against German Tatjana Maria. Her latest fashion statement―a jade green jumpsuit with fishnet stockings―grabbed eyeballs as she stepped into the Rod Laver Arena for her first round match.
Serena, who was warming up while wearing what looked like a black raincoat, revealed the figure-hugging lycra outfit, which looked like something between a jumpsuit and a leotard, before her match against Maria.
The striking outfit by Nike has a vertical white stripe, a horizontal white stripe across the middle of her torso and a triangle cut-out hole in the back.
ICYMI: After warming-up in a black raincoat, @serenawilliams reveals her 2019 #AusOpen outfit: a jade green jumpsuit complete with fishnet stockings. pic.twitter.com/byTyB4n8AG
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 15, 2019
When asked about it, Serena responded, “It's a Serena-tard.” For the next two weeks at the Australian Open, in her bid to equal Margaret Court's record of 24 grand slams, Serena will be seen wearing this attire.
She went on to explain that the 'Serena-tard' was designed to avoid deep-vein thrombosis (DVT). Following the birth of her daughter in 2017, Serena battled life-threatening clots in her lungs. She said she wore compression tights to help stop clots forming.
Serena Williams wearing a black catsuit at the 2017 French Open; sporting a tutu at the 2017 US Open | AFP
As far as making heads turn in the tennis court is concerned, this isn't the first time the 23-time grand slam champion has made a fashion statement.
Last year, at the French Open, Serena stunned spectators with her black catsuit that stirred up a debate on whether the spandex outfit could be allowed in the event. The president of the French Tennis Federation ruled that Serena won't be allowed to wear the catsuit in future events. However, in December, the WTA stated that players can wear leggings and compression shorts in tournaments.
Not long after, Serena, in an apparent clapback to the French Open's stand on the catsuit, boldly rocked the tutu at last year's US Open, refusing to let dress codes decide what she chooses to wear on court. With the tutu, Serena received the admiration of tennis fans, the internet and even fashionistas.
Serena Williams, it would seem, will continue to slay on court―be it against her opponents or with her fashion statements.
