Champion wears garment for medical reasons at French Open and wins first grand slam match since having a baby

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Serena Williams considers the black bodysuit she wore at the French Open much more than a fashion statement.

The full-length, skintight outfit is designed to protect against blood clots. But it isn’t only practical.

The suit also contains a message that Williams wanted to send about self-worth as she returns to grand slam action with a first-round victory at Roland Garros on Tuesday, about nine months after giving birth to a daughter.

“It feels like this suit represents all the women that have been through a lot mentally, physically, with their body to come back and have confidence and to believe in themselves,” Williams said, after beating Kristyna Pliskova 7-6 (4), 6-4 at Court Philippe Chatrier.

“I definitely feel like it is an opportunity for me to inspire a whole different group of amazing women and kids.”

This suit represents all the women that have been through a lot mentally, physically, with their body Serena Williams

The outfit called to mind Williams’s black “catsuit” that she wore at the 2002 US Open. It also was reminiscent of the white bodysuit that the American player Anne White wore at Wimbledon in 1985.

Williams referred to what she wore Tuesday as the “catsuit — the new version, 2.0”.

“I call it, like, my Wakanda-inspired catsuit,” referring to the fictional nation in the film Black Panther.

“We designed it way before the movie,” she said, “but still, it kind of reminds me of that.”

Williams said she feels “like a warrior princess, kind of” when she wears the outfit.

“I’m always living in a fantasy world,” she added. “I always wanted to be a superhero and it’s kind of my way of being a superhero.”

Tuesday’s match was the first at a major tournament for the 23-time Grand Slam champion in 16 months.

She gave birth to her daughter Alexis Olympia on 1 September, then dealt with serious complications related to a pulmonary embolism. After her recovery Williams revealed that she almost died giving birth.

“I had a lot of problems with my blood clots, and, God, I don’t know how many I have had in the past 12 months. So it is definitely a little functionality to it,” Williams said.

“I have been wearing pants in general a lot when I play, so I can keep the blood circulation going. It’s a fun suit but it’s also functional, so I can be able to play without any problems.”

The suit garnered a lot of fans on social media, including Williams’s partner Alexis Ohanian Snr.

Alexis Ohanian Sr. 🚀 (@alexisohanian) Yes she is. And that superhero outfit. https://t.co/RQqGR6OHX8

Associated Press contributed to this report