Serena defuses catsuit controversy

NEW YORK – It took Serena Williams only to the first question of her preUS Open news conference to defuse the controversy about the catsuit costume she wore at the French Open this year.

French Tennis Federation President Bernard Giudicelli announced recently that Williams wouldn’t be permitted to wear the all-black bodysuit in the future: “You have to respect the game and the place. We are going to ask the manufacturers to let us know what is coming. I believe we have gone too far.”

Williams donned the specially designed compression outfit to help prevent blood clots, which is a health issue she’s dealt with on a number of occasions, including post-delivery of her daughter, Alexis Olympia, last Sept. 1.

“I think that obviously the Grand Slams have a right to do what they want to do,” said Williams, who will begin her quest for a seventh US Open trophy against Magda Linette of Poland on Monday. “I feel like if they know that some things are for health reasons, then there’s no way that they wouldn’t be OK with it. So I think it would be fine.

“The president of the French Federation, he’s been really amazing. He’s been so easy to talk to. My whole team is basically French, so we have a wonderful relationship. I’m sure we would come to an understanding and everything will be OK.”

Not surprisingly, the issue of a Williams catsuit ban at the French Open quickly went viral. Media columns were written around the globe, and fans weighed in on social media.

Even 2003 US Open champion Andy Roddick, a close childhood friend of Williams’s, offered his opinion on the subject via Twitter, saying, “This is so dumb and shortsighted it hurts. Sometimes it’d be nice if the sport got out of its own way.”

Williams, however, wasn’t overly concerned about the whole brouhaha because as a fashionista she wouldn’t consider making the major faux pas of wearing the same outfit at another Grand Slam tournament anyway.

“When it comes to fashion, you don’t want to be a repeat offender,” she said, laughing, adding she’s found an alternative to stem the problem of blood clots.

“I wear (fishnet-styled) tights that keep everything going with my blood, make sure that I’m staying healthy out there. I found a new solution.”

Williams says she hasn’t made a check to see how her US Open draw could play out. Hopefully she doesn’t keep abreast of news sources, who’ve all noted Williams is on course to potentially face sister Venus in the third round if they both advance. The winner of that encounter is likely to meet top seed Simona Halep in the fourth round.

This is the 36-year-old Williams’ 18th US Open appearance, and a victory here would tie Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles. Thus far, since her return to the game this winter after maternity leave, Williams’ best result was reaching the Wimbledon final, where she had little in reserve to combat Angelique Kerber’s aggressive play.

Despite experiencing a slow comeback to the game, many are pointing to Williams’s résumé as a reason for picking her to win the trophy.

“That I would be the favorite at this point, almost a year after having a baby is quite interesting,” she said. “I don’t know my draw, but I feel like I”m going to have to play — if I want to be the best, I’m going to have to start beating these people anyway.

“If anything, I can just continue to strive,” Williams added. “That’s the message I’ve been preaching to women and people, that we face those obstacles. Whether you get through them or not, there’s always another chance to get through them. You just have to continue to work hard and believe in yourself. Things don’t always go your way, but continue to climb that mountain.”

As someone who characterizes herself as “a high-strung person,” Williams is working on becoming that better-balanced person who yearns for success but can also take time out to just relax and enjoy.

“I feel like I have to be nice to myself,” she said. “I feel like I have to just be happy, continue to work hard.”

“I think that obviously the Grand Slams have a right to do what they want to do. I feel like if they know that some things are for health reasons, then there’s no way that they wouldn’t be OK with it. So I think it would be fine.” Serena Williams

SUSAN MULLANE/USA TODAY SPORTS Serena Williams says the catsuit she wore during this year’s French Open was a one-time thing: “When it comes to fashion, you don’t want to be a repeat offender.”