By Randy Walker
@TennisPublisher
As the U.S. Open is about to start in New York City, the French Open became embroiled in controversy in the news when it was revealed that French Tennis Federation President Bernard Giudicelli revealed that the “catsuit” outfit worn by Serena Williams last year will not be acceptable attire at the tournament starting next year.
“I believe we have sometimes gone too far,” he said to French Tennis Magazine. “Serena’s outfit this year, for example, would no longer be accepted.”
The statement was met with mostly outrage on social media and from tennis observers, many commenting that Serena’s outfit was used to help her blood circulation, following previous health scares for the all-time great with blood clots.
Speaking from the Invesco Series QQQ event in New Haven, Connecticut at the Connecticut Open, John McEnroe cautioned the French Tennis Federation saying, “They might turn her off from playing. They better be careful. I’m surprised. The French, to me, they embrace that. That doesn’t make sense to me.”
This episode remains savvy and long-time tennis observers back to 1990 when the then flashy-dressing Andre Agassi was scolded for his “hot lava” pink tights he wore under faded black tennis shorts at the 1990 French Open. The excerpt from June 1, 1990 of my book “On This Day In Tennis History” is as follows:
Following a 6-3, 6-2, 6-0 third-round French Open victory over Arnaud Boetsch, Andre Agassi labels French Tennis Federation and International Tennis Federation President Phillipe Chatrier as a “bozo” after Chatrier and tournament officials issue a statement during Agassi’s match criticizing the attire of certain players – presumably Agassi who sports faded black shorts and “hot lava” pink tights. “There is growing concern about this issue,” Chatrier says in the statement. “If players go too far in their attire, then something will have to be done.” Responds Agassi in his post-match press conference, “Those bozos will look for anyone to talk about. Let them talk. It’s some dull guys sitting behind a desk.” Continues Agassi, “Tennis players are different. It isn’t a team. It’s you. I think you should have freedom to express what you feel. Wearing colors is what tennis needs. It adds a little something. Without colors I’d still be me, but I’d be more boring.”
Tennis fans will also be reminded of happenings on June 27, 1985 where an all-white version of a catsuit was on display at Wimbledon by American pro Anne White, as excerpted below from the “On This Day in Tennis History” book.
Anne White turns heads at The All-England Club when she sports a white body stocking in her first-round match against Pam Shriver at Wimbledon. White wears all-body leotard-like outfit to keep her warm during the chilly day in London and splits sets with the No. 5 seeded Shriver before play is suspended due to rain. Wimbledon referee Alan Mills later calls the outfit not appropriate tennis attire and forbids her from wearing it again in the tournament. White returns the next day, without her all-white body suit and dressed in a traditional white tennis skirt and blouse, but loses the third set and the match 6-3, 6-7 (7), 6-3. Says White the following day, “I’m a little aggravated I couldn’t wear it today. But it’s their tournament and I don’t want to do anything to upset them or hurt their feelings. I mean, I don’t want people spilling their strawberries and cream because of me.”
