Months after American tennis great Serena Williams made a head-turning appearance in a black catsuit at Roland Garros, chiefs at French Open have decided to ban her from wearing the ‘superhero’ inspired outfit again. Describing the outfit as "going too far", French Tennis Federation president Bernard Giudicelli told Tennis magazine that "It will no longer be accepted." The 36-year-old had made a successful comeback to tennis post-life-threatening experience with childbirth and maternity leave in year’s second grand slam in Paris this year. Serena was seen in a body-hugging outfit that she said was inspired by the 'Black Panther' movie and made her feel like a 'warrior princess'. However, Twitterati is not happy with the ban on Serena’s outfit and calling it an act of racism under the guise of French Open 2019 ‘dress code’! Serena Williams Sizzles in Black Monokini on Harper's Bazaar UK Cover, a Day After Slaying in a Catsuit at French Open 2018 (See Picture).

In May 2018, Serena Williams made a winning return to Grand Slam tennis wearing a memorable body-hugging black catsuit in the first round. She beat Kristyna Pliskova of the Czech Republic 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 to register her first victory at the majors since her 2017 Australian Open triumph. However, it was her outfit, which caught everyone’s attention. Serena Williams Reveals Sister Yetunde Price’s Killer Behind Worst Career Defeat to Johanna Konta! Read Shocking Time Magazine Cover Story.

Serena Williams, a tennis legend who also happens to be excellent fashion icon chose to wear the catsuit because firstly it was comfortable to wear. Secondly, it was functional, which Williams insisted helped her prevent a return of the blood clots that had put her life in danger after giving birth to daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr last year. The third reason was the catsuit made Serena feel like a warrior - "I feel like a warrior wearing it, a queen from Wakanda [referring to the Black Panther movie] maybe" she said.

However, the French Tennis Federation (FFT) insist that the outfit or anything similarly eye-catching will not be welcome at Roland Garros in 2019. "I really believe that sometimes we have gone too far," FFT president Bernard Giudicelli told Tennis Magazine in remarks reported by French media. "The outfit of Serena this year, for example, will no longer be accepted. You have to respect the game and the place. Everyone wants to enjoy the showcase." Of course, the act of singling out Serena Williams has not gone down too well with tennis fans and in general as netizens are labelling the ban as ‘racism’.

Serena Williams fans are in no mood to take this decision lightly.

Blast from the past!!

It is great to express your feelings about racism, but putting other players in such bad light is not cool!

Giudicelli has further added that there will be "certain limits" on clothing for the 2019 French Open although he admitted it might be difficult to be too hard line. Though he does not signal it to be as restrictive as at Wimbledon, where players must wear all-white outfits, but one expects certain rules and regulations to fall in place. "For 2019, it's a little late because the collections are already designed, but we will still ask the equipment manufacturers to communicate them to us," he said. (Inputs from agencies).

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 25, 2018 02:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).