After facing ban on her cat-suit earlier, Serena Williams returns to French Open making another fashion statement

23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams’ on-court fashion choices have drawn attention for much of her career. But that did t deter her from making a bold statement yet again. 

“Champion,” ″queen,” ″goddess” and “mor.” Those were words, in French, printed on a black-and-white warm-up jacket that Serena Williams wore for her opening match at Roland Garros on Monday.

“Those are things that mean a lot to me and reminders for me and for everyone that wants to wear it,” Williams said. “Just remind everyone that y can be champions and are queens. So I love that about it," she ded. 

“It is a lot to carry, but so is being Serena Williams,” said Williams, who me her return to Grand Slam competition in Paris a year ago after missing five majors because of birth of her first child.

Williams took off jacket before match and played in a matching two-piece outfit, which was a collaboration between Off White’s Virgil Abloh and Nike. 

RE | Serena Williams vanquishes Vitalia Diatchenko in first round of French Open 

Last year, French Tennis Federation President Bernard Giudicelli said black catsuit with clot-preventing compression tights that Williams wore during 2018 French Open wouldn’t be accepted again at tournament.

She used catsuit as a form of inspiration for or moms, writing on Instagram, "Catsuit anyone? For all moms out re who h a tough recovery from pregnancy—here you go. If I can do it, so can you. Love you all!!"

She me her return to Grand Slam competition in Paris a year ago after missing five majors because of birth of her first child. Williams pulled out before fourth round because of an injured chest muscle, n was runner-up at both Wimbledon and U.S. Open.

Up against Vitalia Diatchenko, Serena looked uncharacteristically out of sorts, surrendering first set 6-2. At end, she let out her frustration, her cry seemingly reminding herself, Paris crowd and anyone else who was watching of who she is - mor, champion, queen, goddess - all of it. And simple as that, Williams righted herself: She won 11 of next 13 points, and 12 of 13 games rest of way, to come back for a disappointing-to-dominant 2-6, 6-1, 6-0 victory against 83rd-ranked Russian.

If Williams mans to clinch her 24th Grand Slam title, she will equal Margaret Court's all-time record of 24 Grand Slam titles.

(With inputs from AP)