Serena Williams is never one to shy away from making a statement through fashion.
When the tennis great made the choice to wear a skin-tight catsuit to the French Open in 2018, she sparked fiery debate when it was deemed disrespectful by the French Tennis Federation.
Fans were livid, especially given Serena’s reasoning for choosing to wear the garment at the time – the style helped to fight off blood clots which she was experiencing as a result of having recently given birth to her baby daughter, Alexis Olympia.
As for Serena? Well, she took it all in her stride, telling media she felt like a “warrior princess”.
Now, 12 months on, the fashion-forward tennis legend has stepped out in yet another ensemble that’s made a strong public statement, and the mum-of-one is owning it like never before.
As she stepped out to play her first match at the French tournament, also known as the Roland Garros, Williams was wearing a black and white custom Nike outfit. The ensemble, created in collaboration with Off-White’s Virgil Abloh, took our breath away.
The bold two-piece ensemble included a cape, which featured the French words, “Mother, Champion, Queen, Goddess”.
We can’t help but applaud Serena’s subtle, yet striking statement.
Adorned with the French words for “Mother, Champion, Queen, Goddess”, Serena made an on-court statement like no other.
(Getty)Speaking about her collaboration with the designer, Serena told the Tennis Channel: “[The design] talks about me being a mom and me being a queen, as all women are. A champion. It’s positive reinforcement for me, and I kind of love that.”
And after winning her first round match against Russian player Vitalia Diatchenko, the words could not have rung truer for the talented player.
Serena has now progressed to the second round at the French Open.
(Getty)It’s certainly not the first time Serena has made a public statement through her on-court attire.
Shortly after the catsuit controversy last year, Serena stepped out at the US Open wearing a black tutu – a bold feminine statement that proved she still holds power when it comes to her sport.
Serena’s catsuit caused controversy at the French Open in 2018, but the brave and bold player didn’t let it get to her.
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In fact, the new mum stepped out just mere months later in a striking feminine on-court look.
(Getty)The tennis great has made headlines for more than one reason of late – a known close pal of Meghan Markle’s, Serena is understood to have visited the new royal baby, Archie Harrison, while en route to France for the tournament.
Serena even teased fans by sharing images from inside what looks like a very regal residence, sending the world spinning as they revelled in the fact that probably meant she and Archie had had their first meeting.
Meghan and Serena’s friendship stems way back to before her famed wedding to Prince Harry. Taking to her former blog, The Tig, Meghan wrote of Serena: “Taking pictures, laughing through the flag football game we were both playing and chatting not about tennis or acting but about good old fashioned girly stuff.”
WATCH: Serena Williams gets ready for the Royal Wedding:
