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Serena scores big time with bold fashion statement
Paris, May 27: A year ago, Serena Williams left the French Open in tears. On Tuesday, she walked on Center Court to hearty applause.
Paris, May 27: A year ago, Serena Williams left the French Open in tears. On Tuesday, she walked on Center Court to hearty applause.
Whether the crowd was cheering her fashion bravado, Williams wore an all-fuschia ensemble, or easing her return to the scene of bad memories is no matter.
"It was really exciting to come back out there," said Serena, who won her first-round match against Iveta Benesova 6-2, 6-2.
Parisian fans turned against Williams last year when she questioned calls during a semifinal loss to eventual champion Justine Henin-Hardenne. They jeered her and applauded her mistakes. This time the mood was friendly.
"I got out there and I got nice applause," said Williams, seeded No. 2 behind Henin-Hardenne. "It was interesting. I didn't think anything about the semifinals. I just thought about playing my match."
After the victory, there was more talk about her clothes than her tennis.
Always ready to make a bold fashion statement, Williams said she comes to Paris feeling compelled to turn it up a notch.
"You have to when you're in paris," Williams said. "It's just a one-of-a-kind city, and you need to have one-of-a-kind outfits."
The ensemble "fuchsia with red hints," she said was a two-piece miniskirt outfit with matching headband, a pompom-like ponytail holder and huge hoop earrings.
“It's not a style just anyone can pull off, said No. 7 Jennifer Capriati, who beat Yulia Beygelzimer of Ukraine 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.
"You've got to give her credit for being confident and wearing what she wants to wear," said Capriati, "and not caring what anybody says."
Serena says she's inspired by Paris. "I've really been influenced by the Parisians and the way they dress," Serena said. "The women here have very, very classy taste."
Bureau Report
Whether the crowd was cheering her fashion bravado, Williams wore an all-fuschia ensemble, or easing her return to the scene of bad memories is no matter.
"It was really exciting to come back out there," said Serena, who won her first-round match against Iveta Benesova 6-2, 6-2.
Parisian fans turned against Williams last year when she questioned calls during a semifinal loss to eventual champion Justine Henin-Hardenne. They jeered her and applauded her mistakes. This time the mood was friendly.
"I got out there and I got nice applause," said Williams, seeded No. 2 behind Henin-Hardenne. "It was interesting. I didn't think anything about the semifinals. I just thought about playing my match."
After the victory, there was more talk about her clothes than her tennis.
Always ready to make a bold fashion statement, Williams said she comes to Paris feeling compelled to turn it up a notch.
"You have to when you're in paris," Williams said. "It's just a one-of-a-kind city, and you need to have one-of-a-kind outfits."
The ensemble "fuchsia with red hints," she said was a two-piece miniskirt outfit with matching headband, a pompom-like ponytail holder and huge hoop earrings.
“It's not a style just anyone can pull off, said No. 7 Jennifer Capriati, who beat Yulia Beygelzimer of Ukraine 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.
"You've got to give her credit for being confident and wearing what she wants to wear," said Capriati, "and not caring what anybody says."
Serena says she's inspired by Paris. "I've really been influenced by the Parisians and the way they dress," Serena said. "The women here have very, very classy taste."
Bureau Report