I have enjoyed the Williams sisters' tennis from the beginning. However, Serena's garb has become ridiculous. The outfits she's worn in her last two rounds are so silly looking and belong at the ballet. What's up with one arm unsleeved? Silly. She is embarrassing herself. It detracts from her tennis.
28
Personally I prefer all white for tennis for many reasons, bodysuits refine, modern and functional ....no need for dresses & skirts but please get rid of the splashy prints and colors....white is easier to see and looks crisp & sporty.
6
I do not understand why in 2018 women are still limited in their clothing. Athletes of any gender should be allowed to wear whatever they want. It's a sport, not a tea party. All of these women are elite athletes and as such deserve respect and admiration, not derision and discussion of their clothes. Tell me about their skills NOT THEIR SKIRTS.
50
There's not much argument that Serena Williams is the greatest female tennis player of all time! Playing so well in that oufit, which reminds me of what Rothbart's daughter, Odile wears in Swan Lake, proves that!!!
9
The fact that everyone keeps calling it a catsuit and not a compression suit, which is what it was, tells you all you need to know. If Maria Sharapova, or any no name athlete who looks likes her, had worn a compression suit, I am certain there would've been no raised eyebrows. There would have been no bans. What's more, everyone would now be wearing them.
52
@JD
Exactly! They make it sound like some kind of over the top fetish gear. It's really no different than anyone in the real world would wear to the gym (and in many cases, I'd say Serena's getup is even more modest than that!)
11
Lest you think that there is no criticism out here in tennis fandom for Caucasian Sharapova, take heart. I would shut her shrieks out completely. The noise she makes is offensive, both to viewers and opponents. It renders her matches almost unbearable. Can someone in authority please shut her up, please!
20
WOW! here we go again about what we wear and why. I hear this voice in my head that says "this is what I should do to make who happy?". 1. Big Business is the bottom line! 2. Endorsements are always good for whatever woman are wearing on a big screen 3. As a recreational tennis player (I also have a career- Yikes! does this diminish my opinion?) I loved seeing all the dresses because I will buy them because I love them. I was in a league and when we bought our uniforms for matches as a team. Big business again. If you think those new venues with mechanical gadgets and more seats then they will fill ----ask yourself who paid for that? Leave the women out of this! Let us just enjoy tennis like everyone else.
4
Oh, for Pete’s sake, let the player wear whatever he or she chooses. (Wimbledon is the exception of course.) A professional athlete risks his or her health and/or career on a daily basis by making choices, one of which I guess, is whether or not a tennis outfit conforms with what the tournament authority deems appropriate. Sponsorships, egos, good decisions, bad decisions, good calls, bad calls, sexism, shirts on backwards, sheesh! Let’s play tennis!
11
@NinaMargo Why should Wimbledon be the exception? Let them all wear what they want to wear.
13
Sorry, not an attractive photo. BTW, tennis was a considered a 'polite' game so let's keep it that way. This is not MMA wrestling.
10
France is losing its edge as fashion capital if you can't push the envelope on simple tennis attire. A tennis player, I enjoy the outfits and look forward to seeing what's new on the court. Especially from Serena.
17
As an attendee of the US Open for the last 25 consecutive years, and a tennis fan for over 50, I can't understand what a big deal this has become. At least for me, it's a major distraction from the game. Nobody shows up to see what outfits are being worn - we show up to watch "Artists At Work."
Players are there to play tennis, plain & simple. If men want to wear a tux, or women want to wear ball gowns, they should be allowed to do so (although admittedly, those so dressed would probably have a Grand-Slam worthy game).
The more attention paid to the way players dress means less attention paid to the quality of play. And those that can't see past that are missing out on, & missing the drama of, one of the greatest sports in the world. For every "How could he/she wear that?" moment, a brush stroke (for lack of a better metaphor) is lost.
19
It is pure unadulterated energy to see the mind and body work in motion to create a beautiful form. I always thought the Serena sisters were nuts because they broke all barriers and showed the world of women of all races that mind and body is a controlled motion and I loved how she changed suits...pure form...hehehe:[)
10
I am huge fan of Serena's and have followed her career from the start. She is a great role model and a powerful voice in the sports world.
But enough is enough about this Catsuit. If this catsuit was so important for her, then why has she only worn it for this one tournament and not in another tournament she has been in since. I understand she couldn't wear it to Wimbledon, but she isn't wearing it at the Open and she didn't wear it in July at the two other tournaments she was in.
It was a fashion statement at best and she has moved on.
4
@JHL It was not just a fashion statement. The compression of the catsuit helped Serena to stave off the blood clots she struggled with frequently as a result of the complications from childbirth. Serena is also notorious for not sticking with a single look for too long, which is absolutely her prerogative.
18
I agree that it is time to get rid of the "womanly" requirement of a skirt. At the same time, I am not certain that an outfit that appears to be a bathing suit topped by a pair of swim trunks is applicable to tennis, rather than to platform diving. Maybe men and women should just play in their spandex underwear.
4
Serena is not the one complaining about comment about her catsuit. It’s the women outside who can clearly see that this dress code is sexist.
10
Well, baseball players wear pajamas.
15
@Geoffersonian- Yea, but they all wear the same pajamas and they aren't 'body conscience' spandex showing off all the curves of the male body.
2
Serena rocks and the tutu is awesome but as a runner and a tennis player, I prefer skirts and think they provide more freedom of motion, no chafing and no riding up (Sorry if TMI). To each his own. No need for binaries.
9
@Bluenote Shorts only ride up if they are too short. Try wearing shorts like the men do.
3
I’m going to Roland Garros next May and I plan to wear a catsuit. Who’s with me? #CatsuitsOfParis
11
Come on, folks, it's tennis. Watch the game, not the fashion show.
12
@Cone ... with that in mind, perhaps it is time to consider the players, regardless of gender, and give them the ability to decide what is appropriate dress for the court. Particularly ... how does the player appear to his/her opponent(s) across the net -- or to the partner on the same side? Is the outfit a distraction? Does it mask or distort the arc of the ball? In short, is the player's dress getting in the way of the play? I remember when white was the only color acceptable. That is no longer the case. It's time to adopt standards that all players can accept with equanimity and unanimity.
6
And while we’re at it, let’s equalize match length in the Majors. Either men play 2 out of 3 sets, or women play 3 out of 5. The marathon is the same length for both sexes, after all. Inequal matches — as well as inequal outfits, like skirts — SO last-century
29
The question is not whether some women prefer to wear skirts, as some readers seem to argue, but the very real fact that they are not allowed to choose what suits them best. If women wanted only to wear skirts and no one preferred shorts or catsuit, this would be a nonissue. But since wearing the "wrong" clothing can result, and HAS resulted, in athletes being sent from the court, Friedman's essay is entirely justified and timely.
29
@Jan Priddy I agree that women should be able to wear what they want. Catsuit and all. Lots of WTA players play in shorts but I know from the dozens of tennis players I know that lots of women DO prefer skirts/dresses. Wearing the wrong clothing also applies to men. Tennis has some pretty strict rules regarding dress code.
2
At 13 (a long time ago) I had a classic round-neck, sleeveless white cotton pique tennis dress by Teddy tingling, with the rows-of-lace-across-the-butt panties (more like a diaper cover, since one wore them over actual underwear). Otherwise I dressed was in jeans and a t-shirt, but I sure adored my grown-up, looks-official tennis dress. I swear it made me play better and feel more confident. I say women tennis players should wear whatever feels right!
38
I was a fit 76 year old woman. I hiked last summer in Yosemite and across the lava beds in Hawaii. I went for an outpatient operation on my knee in March and then suffered a pulmonary embolism resulting in cardiac arrest. In short, I died. The quick intervention of my husband and others saved my life.
Since then, I have done some reading about blood clots and have been horrified to find out the disproportionate number of women, particularly black women, who die after giving birth. The US is among the worst in the world for maternal mortality.
This is an outrage! This is not just a female issue, it affects the whole family! Thank God that Serena is speaking out not just with words but also by actions. Would that there were more like her.
My doctor asked me recently what I was going to do with my Life extension. Easy, fight for better Healthcare. Especially for mothers and children. If Russia, beloved by my congressman, can have universal healthcare and funded maternity care, why can’t the US?
Go Serena, I am your greatest fan!
136
@Josephine Golcher yes! Equal healthcare for women and children long overdue! Go out and be your beautiful self dressed to suit your best.
15
As a recreational tennis player, I absolutely love having a choice of what I can wear. I'm not very fond of the shorts, but I love the skirts and dresses. There are many items that you can choose from that won't make you're outfit look trashy. It's all about how comfortable you feel in your clothes. With regards to Serena, she should be able to feel comfortable with her choice of clothing. The catsuit was worn by her due to medical issues after pregnancy. I can see it making Bernard Giudicelli uncomfortable because men like himself are particularly uncomfortable with the bodies of black women in general. Maybe this issue wouldn't be as relevant if he chose his words wisely. At the end of the day, we have our differences. However, if you're gonna question the outfits you should've started a long time ago.
32
If I showed up on the courts of the tennis club wearing the dark soled shoes alone, I would be kicked off of the court. Not allowed. I would not attempt the tutu or catsuit either. My wife may not find it flattering when we're playing mixed doubles.
I think Ms. Williams may wear these outfits to be distracting to her opponents. Also for publicity purposes. Clearly working.
10
@JM Agreed. There's tennis clubs with just as strict dress codes as these Grand slams.
3
Great athlete = n
Great athlete with sex appeal (or explosive temper; or exceptional charisma; or once-in-a-generation talent) = n+1
Professional tennis is a market product. It -- the athletes, sponsors, organizers, and broadcasters -- will never leave (+1) on the table when it can be used to increase value.
Not defending the male gaze here; just pointing out that professional tennis is an entertainment product that swims in the cultural waters of it's audience.
5
Personally, I prefer Serena's catsuit to the tulle affair which makes her look like she belongs in a jewelry box.
But Garbine Muguruza's outfit is absolutely the most sensible thing a tennis player should wear. Go Adidas.
31
Oh please must everything conform to the fashion wackiness of the moment, as much as I often enjoy seeing it. Serena looked idiotic in her black swan outfit. She is playing at the US Open, not dancing with the Royal Ballet. It is a distraction. Will women's and men's basketball start allowing black tutus. I don't think so. Go back to white, you'll be cooler in all senses of the word. Shorts allowed for women and short skirts for men.
18
The story actually proves that women tennis players can wear most anything they want, from a catsuit to casual shorts to a frilly BLACK one-armed dress!
So the problem again is.....what?
28
Scanning the comments, I was surprised that little was mentioned about how uncomfortable it is to watch players of both sexes playing in such dark colors in 90 degree heat.
Surely their sponsors could have anticipated the likely
weather?
And calling out a woman player for changing her backward
shirt on court when the men routinely strip at will was
reminiscent of the Brandi Chastain incident.
57
@Donna Dark colors are the thing at the US open. Look at any of the items released by Nike or Adidas for the US open throughout the years. Just the same way that orange and teal are the general color scheme of clothing at the French open, and White at Wimbledon. My guess is the dark colors look really cool for the night matches that the big players are generally in through the later rounds of the tournament. The call on Cornet was stupid I agree. The men generally change shirts at their chair. The issue I do see was that she had just come off of a 10 minute break so out of respect to your opponent you should have that sorted out. She should have just been warned though rather than receive a violation because it was clearly not an attempt to rattle her opponent.
4
In Serena’s case, her style of play with the yelling and the anything but discrete attire, it is a very smart attempt to distract and make make it harder for the oponent to keep focused on the game.
16
Yeah, that's why she keeps beating people. They're distracted by the outfits.
16
Why limit this discussion to tennis? I wear dresses and skirts to work in a freezing cold office with mostly men. Does bearing my legs help my brain (my primary tool of performance in my workplace) function more adroitly? Probably not. But I love having more ways to use my clothes to express who I am. Couldn't it be the same for these amazing women tennis players?
10
Your brain wouldn’t work very well if you were not bearing your legs, since your legs pump blood back to your heart.
10
Do we forget athletes have a life off the court? (Serena is certainly reminding us of that #thismomma.) As a young tennis player, I tried to dress so the tan lines of my tennis outfits wouldn't interfere with how I looked off the court. Wearing short skirts or shorts or skorts in tennis (or golf) makes it so they don't have tan lines when they wear short dresses or other clothes. Now, about tan lines around the ankles, I always thought that was a dead giveaway.
6
@Cathy Haha. Hey, Man or woman us tennis players have those tan lines. I'd prefer to play in tall socks myself but there's no way I'm rocking those tall tan lines. Good point.
1
Watching players in tennis whites at Wimbledon had, and still has, a beauty all of its own. It's a tradition for that tournament and I don't know one reason why it should not be respected. (Moving on with the times is just not good enough as a reason.)
While I am not saying that should remain the norm for the entire sport, some conformity is not totally out of place. After all, while dressing for work has changed, nobody would go to the office in a swim suit and nobody would swim in a 3-piece (I hope). So I don't know why a tutu is right for a tennis court except as a silent statement of revolt.
For me, what works is preferably a pair of shorts (skirt or dress will do too) that allow for bending and reaching without compromising my dignity and pockets that allow for two balls and a handkerchief. (Really, why should women have to stick the balls in their underwear? Unlike pros, we don't have people to feed balls to us so regular clothes should allow for this comfort.)
As to colors, anything goes, except if a tournament has traditions it wants to maintain then players need to respect it or stay out of that tournament.
19
It is nothing less than shocking that men are telling Serena Williams how to dress at a tennis tournament. News Flash: if Williams is wearing it, than it’s fine. Women get to pick what women wear. We should boycott all the male events at the French open in retaliation. Why is it that dress codes are all about telling women what to wear?
76
This is a fun post, and completely agree with the premise - that tennis attire needs to be rethought - it needs to be even more creative, stylish and modern. I'm a tennis player and a runner and have a few thoughts:
1. For my money there is nothing more comfortable than a tennis skirt. Wish I could wear it all the time.
2. Professional tennis is great entertainment so I think things like the catsuit, the tutu, the tie-dye are fantastic. They look great, they're playful and eye-catching. Of course, there are going to some who dislike those choices - but isn't that part of the entertainment?
3. I think Bethanie Mattek- Sands should get some credit for bringing a color and flair to tennis attire (and btw, to commentary). She's shown up in leopard print, retro knee-high socks, a one-shouldered dress! So I say, to Halep and Williams, More tie dye and tutus, please. Actually, how about a tie dye tutu?
40
From what i'm actually seeing about female tennis dresses, i think the one of ms. Muguruza is the more troubling.
In fact her puffy thin-layered and extra-large (two measure up?) shortpant gets my attention as the most problematic to be watched by any young girl.
It speaks loudly even more by contrasting with her newly lanky figure she obtained ( i presume same horrible diet shared by ms Kvitova and ms. Svitolina, the first example of it ) in just a couple of months max.
For ms. Muguruza, this dressing choice is quite honestly projecting an image very wrong on health and diet habits to younger girls watching her, that slim is good in sport, and it's not. In fact as for mss. Svitolina and Kvitova as well their performance are not higher, they all are as fast as they were, have same stamina as before, and probably they have less powerful shot, at least for ms. Svitolina, while ms. Muguruza is struggling as usual to get to net on dropshot and ms. Kvitova has the slow start toward the ball as ever.
It's been about some tournaments that i'm following their performances so i can assure their performance are not dramatically improved ( for ms. Muguruza it's my first post-diet watch and i am comparing that with her pre-diet ones ).
I would urge the USTA; WTA and ITF to follow and track more closely these abrupt loss of weight (players get fitter by summer bacause of the heat and monthly practising/playing) and to support gradual diet planning, such as that of ms. Osaka, instead.
2
Alright, everybody following tennis female players knows about mrs. Wiliams' creativity, probably bolstered by her sister's personal line of tennis clothes.
On the far side of what might constitutes outraging dressing, i'm much more inclined toward the constant motion ms. Giorgi makes after each and every point of pulling down her skirt from the abdominal section where it raised after each swing. I felt subconsciously alert on why she doesn't protest to the maker, until i found out.... she's the model-maker!
On the male side it's even more blatant , yes i'm referring to the first part of Nadal's routine when serving, i have one word from an ex-athlete who had the same problem: boxer!
If you want to have a conversation about what might be the best prurient-inclined standard goes no farther than the recent ms. Bertens' one piece dress, sufficiently long to cover the sport underwear and enough large on its low border to make room for the, i presume, uncomfortable sliding under the underwear of tennis ball for second serve- unless you use the Ms. Williams' ( Venus ) tactic of requesting a second ball on the spot when first serve goes out ( i think there are 5 players in total following suit ).
Finally i am very worried about the diet some players have taken, yes i'm calling ms. Svitolina, Muguruza and Kvitova, whose abruptly lanky figures are going to project a bad image, and their performance are not even improved this way, to the young female watching.
4
Well the point is that there are women who prefere it. It doesn't matter if it doesn't look like "a real dress" for other people. Women should be confortable to wear whatever they like, as you said it yourself. Whether if is shorts, conventionally worn by men, or "weird" dresses. Nice points though. Its important to discuss.
13
Oh come on. Why do women tennis players wear skirts? Because they're women, and skirts, in most cases, are something women wear. (There's a guy who shops at my local grocery in a tennis skirt. Most of me says Ho hum, but there's just a little bit that says "eaugh!!")
It's no secret that women are more concerned with their appearance than men. It's ingrained into every culture, in many ways. Ms. Friedman, how many of your stories are about women's fashion, as opposed to men's? At the local department store, how much space is dedicated to women's wear (clothing and cosmetics) vs. mens? The world economy would go into a huge, world-ending depression if women, en masse, suddenly decided they didn't care what they looked like.
As for these tennis players, they're sponsored by clothing companies, so they're contractually obligated to wear whatever the companies provide for them. It's not a big deal, so long as they're comfortably playing in them. Serena's response is perfectly consistent with that. She knows her game, and it doesn't have anything to do with what she wears, so she might as well wear what tournaments find acceptable and focus on Other Things, like her opponent.
9
“It’s no secret that women are more concerned with their appearance”...well, I’d argue that in fact it is men who are more concerned with women’s appearance and this is how we got here. It’s ingrained in every culture because culture has been defined by men who only value women of a certain age and appearance and we’ve internalized the message to such a degree we think it is our own choice. Such powerful brainwashing! It would be such a relief to get away from the traditional cultural messaging about clothing. Let men wear skirts so they to can be cool (and learn what it is like to freeze for 10 hours a day) at the office and dear god, could we get past the idea that just because I’m not thin and nubile anymore, I am entirely dismissible? It is fascinating and disheartening to discover as I age how differently people treat me. I now see the world though my husband’s eyes when he describes people as rude and unhelpful in shops etc. I never used to feel that I had those experiences as frequently as he does, but apparently whatever attractive factor I was coasting on has evaporated and now I understand that most encounters seem to start with the assumption that you must be a jerk. If I’m wearing an old tee shirt even more so. As they say, mean people suck.
37
“The clothing equivalent of a vestigial tail”— I love it and a turn of phrase I won’t forget!
42
The endless complaints of clothing oppression... check your privilege women!
Women, as the author notes, can wear shorts or skirts as they wish. There is no rule requiring either.
As far as I know, the last man to wear a skirt in a well publicized tournament was Bobbie Riggs.
Was he the last man that wanted to? I doubt it.
I really don’t care what women wear to play tennis.
It would be nice if good taste was a bar to wearing, say a dinosaur costume or stilettos with a French maid outfit, but given women’s overwrought reaction to any dress standards whatsoever (patriarchy, oppression!), I certainly wouldn’t insist on it.
I’ll just sit and watch the game in a white sundress with a tasteful visor and some strappy sandals.
And if anyone complains that a man shouldn’t wear that, I’ll look for your support.
20
Ms. Williams recently had a baby and, as with many new mothers, has still not lost the weight she gained during pregnancy nor has she regained the muscular conditioning she had prior to pregnancy. This situation was visually accentuated by the catsuit.
I think this is all about the ladies' tennis clothing designers and sponsors who are looking for attention and media coverage. If any of the young or older female members of the tennis clubs I am familiar with showed up wearing tutus or catsuits they would be laughed--if not escorted--off the courts.
11
@Mon Ray Are you saying that the catsuit was offensive because you didn't think she looked good enough in it?
33
@Jessica A To re-phrase my initial comment, I think the catsuit accentuated (highlighted emphasized, called out) the fact that Ms. Williams had not yet lost all the weight she gained during pregnancy nor had she regained the outstanding muscular tone she showed pre-pregnancy.
I did not say, nor did I suggest, that she didn't look "good enough".
5
@Jessica A: Mon Ray is entitled to his own opinion. And Serena is entitled to wear whatever she darn pleases to wear!
4
My wife loves her tennis skirts and tennis dresses. She owns several, and considers them to be a classy, upscale look in comparison to everyone else's workout-focus athleisure look. She can wear them on the weekend and it doesn't look out of place at a nice restaurant for brunch, and certainly looks good on the court. While she wouldn't say it should be "required" to dress like this, she would be the first person to say it gives her a polished feel that is miles away from workout shorts. Certainly, some people would call that elitist: after all, tennis is typically popular with affluent, preppy people whom often have their own unofficial dress code. But, this is who she is and how she likes to dress. She also always wears a very cute skirt and top when golfing. Again, nobody should be required to be anything other than presentable, but if someone wants to put more thought into their appearance, more power to them.
48
By all means give women a choice of skirts or shorts. I suspect that the skirts and compression shorts give a lot of freedom of motion.
But the bigger question: why do makers of women's tennis wear never put in pockets? Players have spare tennis balls for the second serve tucked away in compression shorts, hidden under the lines of those skirts.
76
@Cathy
Excellent points and the idea of pockets makes nearly too much sense.
4
"Dress Gestures", lol. I agree, I don't understand the point of the tennis dress. Are they like high heels and made by men? I mean, what guy is not going to notice that every time a female tennis player serves, she reveals bloomers underneath 4 inches of fabric. I never understood the point. I wore men's tennis shorts. I love shorts, catsuits and anything else in the pant/short persuasion.
32
@DiaPat: I have a great idea!
Why don't people wear WHATEVER THEY WANT to play tennis in.....and then shut up about it?
Why is this even a subject for an article, when the photographic EVIDENCE shows female tennis players can wear a wide range of different clothing options?
7
Oh, you disapproving men & the women of similar fashion judgment comments about what those stellar tennis pro’s wear to play, why does it even matter to you folks? Why? Those Comments are hitting the net.
11
The article should have mentioned my famous, tennis star cousin Gussie Moran. She's credited with changing the outfits, particularly the dresses, female tennis players wore back in the Forties from ankle length to around knee length. She had the tennis world spinning over her bold new outfits. She told us that when she played at Wimbleton photographers were laying on the ground trying to get better shots of her legs.
The outfits will continue to turn heads - good or bad.
25
Disagree
Are you a tennis fan who attends matches?
1
When the conversation begins about men's tennis attire or their attire in any other sport for that matter, we can have a discussion. Otherwise, just stop talking already!
20
Why? Because women care more about their looks, that's why. I play tennis, and couldn't give a darn whether my top matches my bottom. The women with whom I play DO care.
Now, you can complain that women should not care about appearance as little as many men do, but they DO care. So let the women address the things they care about in the the way they care to address them.
Serena is an exceptional athlete, she has spoken for herself. I am satisfied with her take on this matter. I would rather she be concerned with her game rather than her outfit, and I expect that she is.
22
@Kam Dog Women don't actually care more about their looks, they are dictated, demanded, and forced to care more about their looks then men by our patriarchal society.
48
I couldn't agree with you more.
The men are allowed to dress comfortably.
The women are meant to expose their legs specifically for the purpose of arousing sexual interest. It has nothing to do with the sport.
Let everyone dress comfortably. If they want to wear catsuits, capri pants, Bermuda shorts, sweat pants: let them.
It should be about the moves, not the threads.
123
@Maria Ashot: I have never seen male tennis players in anything but shorts and a polo-type shirt.
Have you seen any MALE tennis players wearing LONG PANTS? really? that would be very uncomfortable, hot and constricting IMHO.
Therefore...male tennis players are EXPOSING THEIR LEGS! for the titillation of female viewers! OMG!!!
Or are you saying that women do not like to look at attractive, athletic men?
6
@Maria Ashot
"It has nothing to do with the sport."
Professional tennis is a sport, but it's not _only_ a sport. It's an entertainment product, competing with the NBA, Netflix, etc.
Some (pretty mild) sex appeal is part of the package, just as male status displays are part of men's sports entertainment (touchdown celebrations, baseball brawls).
These are enculturated gender roles, to be sure. But, again, they're selling a cultural product, not a pure tennis contest, which could be achieved in a closed gym.
5
When my oldest daughter was playing in a tournament at the age of 11-12 someone commented on her tennis skirt and belittled it by saying "I guess this is the only way to get girls out to play sports by letting them wear skirts.." Since then I have had another daughter play in our state tennis tournament and another one who is on her way to repeating that and I have asked them what is more comfortable to play in and they all say a skirt vs shorts. I am not going to apologize to anyone for my daughters wearing a tennis skirts! And by the way I am a runner and could not run in a skirt to save my soul but playing tennis is a different beast.
26
@Amy
Why is playing tennis a different beast? When we lived in the UK in the 70s, girls at school had to play all sports, including field hockey, basketball and lacrosse in skirts with sort-of underpants things underneath, regardless of terrain, weather or size and most of them were not too happy about it. It doesn't take a lot of wit to notice that muscular thighs rub together and chafe, for both men and women, which would definitely have an impact on performance. Otherwise wouldn't pro basketball players, both NBA *and* WNBA, wear skirts instead of long shorts, if they were so comfy? BTW, the girls always kicked the living daylights out of the boys when they got to play against them in field hockey!
Before Vika Azarenka had her baby she wore color coordinated shorts and top on the tennis court. I don't recall any woman in tennis wearing shorts prior to Vika. And how about equal time (fashion wise) for the men in tennis? Last night Rafa wore his muscle shirt (be still my heart!!!!!!).
7
I love this. Thank you. The tutu made me laugh. i
13
"It’s the clothing equivalent of a vestigial tail."
Another example of Ms. Friedman's wonderful writing.
19
@aelem Yikes. Surely you are joking.
3
@aelem I read that line aloud to my husband. Perfect!
1
I enjoy the tennis and I also enjoy seeing the tennis dresses, catsuits, tutus, etc. Right now, the women tennis players wear what they want to wear. What is unfeministic about that?
12
@jona
They wear "what they want to wear"?
Did you miss the paragraph about Serena being banned from wearing the catsuit at the French Open?
7
Debbie Thomas of figure skating fame once wore a similar catsuit, and was said to have lost points by the judges as a result. These efforts are a continuation of sexist attitudes, and should be abolished. It’s equally offensive when many women golfers still adhere to the “uniform”. Miniskirts and little pink bows in their hair. Please. Let’s appreciate these women for their true talent and not their wardrobe, and let those still wearing those pink ribbons, come to realize why they no longer should.
89
@Toh14m. When my daughter was a figure skater I detested the pressure to create the "costume." Why should they be judged on whose dress cost the most? I dreamed of all the girls wearing the same black leotards and tights, but I suppose that uniforms are only for team sports. Still I believe in less distraction on the court. Fans should be able to admire the bodies of elite athletes while they perform--the less froufrou the better!
13
The whole point of any kind of women's tennis attire is to sell thousands if not millions of copies to women who want to have that magic when they slog their way to and from the net.
8
thank goodness we live in a country where this trivial concern is something we actually talk about like it means something. imagine if we had real things to worry about.
6
@bored critic
Oh, we do, my friend. We do.
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@Trish If we did, this story would not appear. Compared to the 1960s you live in an undreamed of paradise. If you know any history at all.
@bored critic - yes. Notice how the NY Times never addresses any issues except fashion and movies. No politics, wars, natural disasters or humanitarian crises on the local, state, national, or international level...
Oh wait. They do cover those, but those articles are buried out of sight on the front page where nobody ever looks.
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I agree completely! And while we're at it, let's get rid of the requirement of bikinis for women's beach volleyball!
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It's not a requirement. It keeps the sand out of places that women don't want it to go. And they do not all wear bikinis. “When it comes to beach volleyball, we’re playing in 100-degree-plus weather. I think we’ve just gotta educate the public, take it with a grain of salt and make sure that we’re working hard and not playing up the sex appeal because it’s inherent anyway.” - Kerri Walsh Jennings.
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@Diva AND those skimpy kewpie-doll outfits, along with the glittery make-up, women gymnasts have to wear. These women are ATHLETES!
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A lot of women like dresses and skirts and if they can be fully compatible with their sport of choice, why not combine the two?
Especially when they're not part of a team and aren't representing an organization. It's their own likes and dislikes that should be determinative.
I disagree with this article to the extent that it insinuates that women who like traditionally feminine things are willingly taking part in their own oppression.
It's like the whole hijab ban controversy going on in in Europe at the moment. Just let women wear what they like. What's more oppressive, them wearing what they want or you telling them that they're backwards and wrong and playing into the patriarchy's hands?
15
Unless you are a sumo wrestler, most athletes are blessed with stunning bodies, which must be a dream for designers. Most guys could only dream of looking like Rafa or Roger Federer, and most women would probably kill for a well toned body like Simona Halep’s.
Who knows where the designer’s creative juices will end up? I’d say just leave it alone, and let the players follow their own preferences.
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I'm all for equality in tennis. How about making the men play in uniforms that show off their underwear?
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@Gary. Agreed. I'd like it if the men played topless!
4
I was aggrieved that the French Tennis Association decided to condemn Serena Williams for her black catsuit/unitard that covered her entire body. The issue was not women's clothing but Serena with her muscular voluptuous black body in an edgy, form-fitting, outfit.
I was puzzled by Serena's diplomatic, subdued reaction until she showed up in this black tu tu. I shouted, "OH!" and now I want a catsuit and a tutu in my closet.
Go Serena!!
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@AinBmore Thank you! I was scanning the comments looking to see who else thought this was about a black, powerful female body. Terrible. I agree, the black tutu is a great response.
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I'm sorry, but this isn't about making personal fashion statements and trying to look as eye-catching or attention- getting as possible. "Hey, everybody! Look at me!!" You can do that on your own time and via whatever social media outlets you employ. Rather, this is about abiding by whatever organization oversees the particular tennis contest. I for one don't see why wearing black would be feasible in France during warm weather months. And, women can indeed wear shorts; I haven't heard they've been outlawed.
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@Samantha Jane Bristol
Abiding by sexist rules? Don't be so naive.
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The commissioner choose the wrong words. He should have said it in a more chivalrous way, something like Ms Williams is a cherished and honored athlete in the world of tennis. We appreciate her fashion forward spirit and guts to blaze a new trail but we decided that we wish to take smaller steps regarding fashion choices at our events...blah blah blah. That’s the way you do it.
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"It’s the clothing equivalent of a vestigial tail." LOL!
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These Women wear what they want to. Get over it.
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@Bjh
So, you totally missed the part where Serena was banned from wearing the catsuit at the French Open?
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I get the impression this writer has never played tennis. A skirt or dress can be cooler to play in. Vents better. Less constricting. With a dress, you're not pulling and adjusting your shirt v. your shorts. How often do male players do that during a match? About every time they get a towel--after every point.
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@Raquette Totally. I much prefer a skirt over shorts.
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But seriously... Serena's dress is hideous! Her French Open bodysuit is awesome. Virgil Abloh's designs will at some point in the future be labeled as "Emperors New Clothes" hyped by paid celebrities to steal from the millennial hypebeast wannabes!
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You're right about the sexism inherent in requiring dresses, but it doesn't seem to be the only factor at play.
Many sports have clothing requirements and penalties when they are not followed. Some players enjoy breaking these rules, which is often how we learn the rules exist.
Tennis has other restrictive clothing rules, most notably whites at Wimbledon, that are not necessarily sexist.
Tennis is trying to sell itself to a wealthy audience as a genteel sport. Serena's catsuit, athletically appropriate, didn't look genteel. It's not what the French Open wants. But, how to write a regulation for that, without being sexist?
Would tennis' image be hurt if players were allowed to wear whatever they want? I'm going to guess that it might be. Tennis isn't going for a mass audience; like golf (which also has weird dress codes I don't understand), it wants upscale viewers.
Personally I don't care much about tennis and only find this argument intellectually interesting. I'd rather look at pictures of tennis players in creative outfits with vestigial skirts than in catsuits -- men or women. Does that aesthetic aspect matter? I think it probably does.
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@Wolf: in the photos here, one female tennis player is in a black sleeveless t-shirt and gray gym shorts. She lookks absolutely appropriate and totally comfortable!
But she surely did not get the attention of Serena in a catsuit or a tutu!
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My god, who cares what they wear? Just play tennis. If one wants to wear tutus or catsuits, more power to her (or him for that matter). Let’s see that serve !
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FYI. Serena Williams teamed up with Nike Lab and Virgil Abloh to create a new fashion line for tennis women that, I believe, includes the tutu.
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Thank you! As a tennis player myself, I am often frustrated by the lack of well-designed tennis shorts for women (with reasonable length and large enough pockets to hold 2 balls). Skirts are a throw-back and are not necessary for range of motion; their skimpiness feels much more directed at pleasing male spectators than comfort (or coverage) for the wearer. If Nike or some other sports clothing maker were to offer really great women's tennis shorts, they'd make a killing!
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Must this be such an elevated discussion? Come on - isn’t it time that women can wear shorts or skirts or whatever, in whatever color they want? Anything short of that smacks of the misogynistic attitudes it really displays.
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I have one daughter (8) who comes downstairs in shorts and a t-shirt every day. If she's in a skirt or dress, my jaw is on the floor in amazement.
I have another daughter (6). I tell her to go upstairs and put on shorts and a shirt for P.E., and she'll come downstairs in a skirt and blouse.
The cranky French guy needs to go. Everything else - the fashion, the style, the color, the fabric, the length, the whatever - should be up to the athlete. But it should stay.
Because as my 8 year old tells me with an eye roll every time she sees her sister in a dress, you just can't tell someone what to wear.
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Maybe is the photo, but Serena looks like taken out of a comedy movie and she plays the crazy lady who wears weird stuff all the time. She has an amazing body and she should look for different styles without looking like that. The other outfits that the article shows are much better outfits. That Tutu and the Catwoman outfit is a no no for me.. and she didn't look good on it. No woman would look good on those. But yes, hope the players bring more diversity in the outfits, I think it is great, just please do not go there again.
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She won’t.
@Smith
Serena was making a point, not trying to "look good".
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What if some or even most of these women tennis players actually like wearing skirts? Could that be a reason they still wear them, or are we certain it's due to 'shadows of older stereotypes'? How many women did the author actually ask?
What if some of these same women wear skirts when they go out to dinner? Should we also conclude that they're only doing so because of sexist, vestigal stereotypes and definitely not because they like the way it makes them look and feel?
Would it be possible to actually survey some of these women to find out why they wear skirts, or is paranoiac speculation simply the new standard of journalism?
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@Gabriel It would be interesting to know how many women wear these dresses out of preference. However, at her last event, Ms. Williams wore a cat suit which was immediately banned by the authorities as being inappropriate to the time and place and disrespectful to the game. It implies that only a standard tennis dress is appropriate for this game. This article challenges that notion and suggests that it's time to examine this requirement and perhaps open up the options. While some or most women might like wearing skirts, it's really irrelevant as to who likes dresses and who does not. What should matter is that women athletes should wear whatever their choice of clothing is that best serves their sport, be it a dress or a cat suit.
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Yes, it is absolutely important to ask women what they think. However, this comment completely misses the point of the article. The tennis associations *require* that women wear something that can be called a skirt/dress. It is that requirement that is in question, not whether women can or cannot wear a skirt. Let’s make sure we are fighting for the right thing - that women have the choice either way.
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@Winnie Lau-
Actually, according to the author, there is no such requirement. It’s merely something fun to be outraged about.
“After all, female players don’t have to wear dresses or skirts. There is nothing in the Grand Slam rule book that forbids simply wearing, say, shorts.”
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Women should wear what makes them feel good about themselves and helps them perform. They can wear a more modern sports attire or a beautiful dress. We don’t HAVE to get rid of anything. That is just changing the box you think someone should be made to fit into, but it is still a box nonetheless.
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Having never worn a skirt, short or long, I can't speak to their practicality for tennis. I can observe, however, that deference to the twin gods of tradition and utility while still moving fashion forward has led to some very interesting fashion innovations.
Frankly, I am impressed by the designers' skills (although not nearly as impressed as I am with the players' skills).
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I am a woman of a certain age who plays recreational and league tennis. I love the skirts as it's the only socially acceptable way for me to wear short skirts.
I have noticed though that female professional players wear shorts and leggings for practice. The skirts and dresses appear to be imposed on them by their clothing sponsors.
I agree with the writer that most of the tennis dresses and skirts available today are too short and often impractical.
Does anyone remember the debacle that was Nike dress from the 2016 Wimbledon championships? It flew up and billowed out exposing the players bodies and impeding their strokes.
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That looks really uncomfortable to play tennis in. But the athlete should be able to wear whatever they and their sponsor can agree on.
6
Love the tutu - was that a response to the catsuit critics? As to the catsuit - just as long as no one requires all the rest of us to wear one...
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As a former tennis player (and I raised two tennis players who are now adults), I see absolutely no problem getting away from the dresses/skirts. As the article mentions, today's modern sportswear is light years away from these antiquated models. Catch up with the times and move forward...
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@John L. Fairchild. Unfortunately it is not only tennis that sticks with styles from years past. Womens volleyball comes in two types; beach and indoor. Beach players wear bikinis, not a first choice of the many women who jog or bicycle everywhere. Indoor players wear long sleeved shirts (practical for forearm protection in beginners). Is that thought out or simply tradition?
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