Serena Williams has been banned from wearing her “Blank Panther” inspired catsuit at the French Open in future with the tournament set to introduce a stricter dress code.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion made her return to Grand Slam tennis following the birth of her first child last year and wore the eye-catching outfit, inspired from the Marvel Comics film, at Roland Garros.
Williams, who said she felt like a “warrior princess” in the outfit, insisted it was not a fashion statement but to help prevent blood clots. However, French Tennis Federation president Bernard Giudicelli has ruled out it being allowed in the future.
“It will no longer be accepted,” French Tennis Federation president Bernard Giudicelli told Tennis magazine.
“I believe we have sometimes gone too far. You have to respect the game and the place.”
Giudicelli did not reveal the new rules but said they will not be as restrictive as at Wimbledon, where players must wear all-white outfits.
He added that although most player uniforms for 2019 have already been planned, the FFT is asking manufacturers to share the designs.
