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Posted: 2019-05-28T08:51:48Z | Updated: 2019-05-28T16:23:39Z Serena Williams' Fierce French Open Outfit Is Fit For A 'Goddess' | HuffPost

Serena Williams' Fierce French Open Outfit Is Fit For A 'Goddess'

The tennis star made a bold statement after officials banned her from wearing a "Black Panther"-inspired catsuit.
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Serena Williams made a real fashion statement with her French Open outfit on Monday, one year after angering organizers by wearing a black catsuit to help prevent postpartum blood clots. 

The tennis star wore a cape emblazoned with the French words for “champion,” “queen,” “mother” and “goddess” while warming up on court at Roland Garros in Paris ahead of her first-round victory over Russia’s Vitalia Diatchenko.

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Jean Catuffe via Getty Images
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Jean Catuffe via Getty Images
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Jean Catuffe via Getty Images

She removed the cape for the actual game.

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Williams had previewed her outfit, which was designed by Virgil Abloh and Nike, on Twitter the day before.

Williams famously wore a black catsuit  at the 2018 French Open, her return to Grand Slam tennis after almost dying giving birth to her daughter, Alexis Olympia, in 2017.

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

“I feel like a warrior in it, like a warrior princess kind of, [a] queen from Wakanda,” Williams said at the time, referring to the box office hit “Black Panther.”

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

However, the outfit was singled out by French Tennis Federation President Bernard Giudicelli in August when he announced a new dress code for the sporting event.

“It will no longer be accepted,” he reportedly said. “One must respect the game and place.”

Williams wore an Abloh-designed tutu  days later in the first round of the U.S. Open:

Later in the tournament, she followed it up with this lavender tutu:

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Williams’ latest on-court fashion choice made waves on social media.

Williams chairs the board of advisers for HuffPost’s parent company, Verizon Media. 

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Before You Go

Serena Williams' Style Evolution
November 1998(01 of15)
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Here's Ms. 17-year-old Serena at the Chase Championships in New York City. All about the beads. (credit:Clive Brunskill, Getty Images Sport)
July 2001(02 of15)
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Wimbledon. 'Nuff said. (credit:Getty Images)
August 2002(03 of15)
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Serena the Power Ranger plays Corina Morariu during the US Open at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. (credit:Getty Images)
August 2002(04 of15)
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Serena rocks a Harry Winston diamond bracelet worth, oh, $29K. Ain't no thang. (credit:Getty Images)
July 2003(05 of15)
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Looking super chic in black for the Wimbledon Ball at Savoy Hotel in London. (credit:Getty Images)
November 2004(06 of15)
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At the film premiere of "After The Sunset" -- what? Does anyone have any recollection of this film? (credit:Getty Images)
September 2004(07 of15)
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Belly baring at the Tommy Hilfiger show during Olympus Fashion Week Spring 2005 in Bryant Park, New York. (credit:Getty Images)
September 2004(08 of15)
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Walking in her big black boots at the 2004 U.S. Open. (credit:Getty Images)
September 2006(09 of15)
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Playing Amelie Mauresmo of France during the 2006 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. (credit:Getty Images)
August 2007(10 of15)
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Channeling Chanel at MTV's Total Request Live at the MTV Times Square Studios in New York City. (credit:Getty Images)
September 2008(11 of15)
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Very Grace Kelly at The 60th Anniversary of the State of Israel honoring producer Arnon Milchan at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles, California. (credit:Getty Images)
September 2008(12 of15)
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At the Zac Posen Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Bryant Park, New York. (credit:Getty Images)
September 2009(13 of15)
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Looking dope at the premiere of "Whip It" in Los Angeles, California. (credit:Getty Images)
September 2010(14 of15)
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Super sophisticated at the Rodarte Spring 2011 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City. (credit:Getty Images)
September 2011(15 of15)
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Looking her plum best at the New Yorkers for Children Fall Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. (credit:Getty Images)