courtesy of ReutersLife & Culture / NewsLife & Culture / NewsSerena Williams’ ‘Black Panther’ catsuit is banned from the French OpenAnd people are madShareLink copied ✔️August 26, 2018August 26, 2018Text Thom Waite Serena Williams wore a tight black catsuit at the French Open earlier this year, which she said she calls her “Wakanda-inspired catsuit”, in reference to Marvel’s recent Black Panther film. But now Bernard Giudicelli, president of the French Tennis Federation, has announced that under the competition’s new rulings the outfit would be banned. Though he says he wouldn’t enforce as strict clothing rules as Wimbledon, where players can only wear white, Giudicelli told Tennis Magazine: “I believe we have sometimes gone too far. Serena’s outfit this year, for example, would no longer be accepted. You have to respect the game and the place.” In response, Williams didn’t explicitly agree with his decision, but told reporters that she was sure the two of them could “come to an understanding and everything will be OK,” adding: “It wouldn’t be a big deal. He’s a really great guy”. But others have weighed in on social media (ofc) with much more outraged responses. Some suggested that the ban on such clothing had racial overtones. Another case of racism disguised as a “dress code”. Bernard Giudicelli, head of the French Tennis Federation French Open, said Serena Williams catsuit was inappropriate. But white female tennis players are at the French Open with their whole ass out, and that’s ok pic.twitter.com/xYqnjHofJo— Tariq Nasheed (@tariqnasheed) August 24, 2018 While American sports/politics commentator Keith Olbermann called for an all-out boycott of the competition. This sexist, racist provincialism directed against Serena is very simply resolved. American sports media should and can immediately stop recognizing the French Open as part of the tennis “Grand Slam.” And players of both genders should decline to play. https://t.co/fEWtvZSCEd— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) August 25, 2018 Former World No. 1 tennis player Billie Jean King – recently depicted in The Battle of the Sexes – framed the ban as a feminist issue, saying the “policing of women’s bodies must end”. The policing of women’s bodies must end. 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. https://t.co/ioyP9VTCxM— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) August 25, 2018 Let’s hope Virgil Abloh’s Off-White collection for Serena Williams’ upcoming US Open games doesn’t cause quite so much of a stir. Escape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy Expand your creative community and connect with 15,000 creatives from around the world.TrendingMet Gala 2026: Dazed editors pick who they want to see on the red carpetFrom Michaela Stark to Gabe Gordon – and a classic McQueen showpiece – the Dazed team are manifesting these looks on the Met stepsFashionFilm & TVWhat do sex workers actually think of Euphoria?Oakley FashionGoing ‘field mode’ with Roger ScottLife & Culture‘She was secretly the landlord’: Readers on their housemate horror storiesLife & CultureLeah Williamson: ‘I will never, ever regret spending so long at Arsenal’BeautyNude awakening: Meet the young people embracing naturismArt & PhotographyThe most loved photo stories of April 2026Art & PhotographyIn pictures: Petra Collins’ dark, 00s popstar fantasyFashionTechno-fascist fashion: Why Silicon Valley is moving into menswearEscape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy