Venus Williams stunned French Open fans May 23 with her
racy tennis outfit that resembled sexy lingerie and flesh-colored
underwear that made her look naked. (AP Photos/Laurent Rebours)
U.S. tennis star Venus Williams shocked fans at the French Open May 23, when she wore an outrageous outfit that resembled lace lingerie and flesh-colored underwear that made her appear nude.
WHISTLES AND WHISPERS
Williams, 29, drew whistles and whispers from the crowd at Roland Garros Stadium in Paris when she first walked onto center court with a short, black, corseted outfit that prominently displayed her seemingly naked backside.
Venus, who is ranked No. 2 in the world, easily won her first-round match against Switzerland's Patty Schnyder, 6-3, 6-3. Afterward, Williams, who has her own clothing line, told reporters the lingerie-inspired outfit was all "about illusion."
Venus said she's not sure if she'll wear this particular outfit again during the remainder of the French Open, noting she typically comes to the tournament with eight to 10 outfits.
Williams, who dominated Sunday's match with her remarkable power and footwork, is confident about her prospects for victory.
'I WANT TO BE NO. 1 AGAIN'
"I always believe I can win," said Williams. Venus, who's ranked below younger sister Serena, 28, is eager to recapture the No. 1 spot after suffering a series of injuries, personal setbacks and professional losses from 2003 to 2006. 
"When [Serena and I are] on the court, competing against each other, it's competition," Venus said. "Both of us feel that: May the better player be the best."
Venus, the reigning Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open doubles champion, has won 20 Grand Slam titles to date.
OPINIONS SPLIT
Meanwhile, her off-the-wall outfit has fans buzzing about whether French Open judges should have forced Williams to change before resuming her match.
Here's a sampling of comments from around the blogosphere:
Looked more like Uranus Williams.
It's really a shame that a player with such talent has to dress so provocatively. There really should be some sort of dress code for the sport. I don't want to sound like a prude but it really takes away from the game when people dress like they're at a night club and not the court.
Absolutely disgusting and her mother should have told her so. Should not be allowed in tennis or any other public gathering , maybe a brothel or strip joint. 
I like it. I would totally wear it around. It looks like a comfy form of corset and ruffly skirt!
Have you ever been to a gym? I go all the time and roughly half the women wear spandex as part of their outfits - mostly shorts. You people are acting like she dropped her panties on the court or something. No wonder our society is so screwed up. Too many of you are beyond uptight.
I would have expected this dress from Sharapova but not Venus. What a surprise! Go Venus!!!
Comments
Hello, what about the tiny bikinis the beach volleyball players wear? Those games are in the Olympics and televised during prime time. Let's get over this antiquated notion of judging women by their clothes. Venus has a great body, her butt is bootylicious so leave her alone, haterz..
woof
I am a white/amercan indian, And have been married 2 time's 1 was a Jamaican, her sister ran in the Olympics I was younger than . 2 nd was a African, and I think she is very bootylicious to. but as I am geting old know and not in the shape I was. I WOULD LOVE TO DATE HER,BUT SHE WOULD KILL ME, I MEAN YOU WOULD HAVE A FULL TIME JOB TAKEN OF HER. I WOULD DIE TRYING TO KEEP HER HAPPY. what a way to go thought.
but you could bounce a quarter off her behind. Dang!
ew
venus outfit is in bad taste. She does not appear comfortable while playing in it as she is constantly adjusting the bodice. Venus let your tennis do the talking.
Sounds like Venus just wanted some attention, which is sad for someone so talented. Agree with Clare. The outfit is in very bad taste. It looks like lingerie, and cheap ones at that! She looks desperate and tacky. Every woman esp. one in the public eye is aware how she comes off in certain outfits. Flesh colored underwear? Gimme a break!!! Venus definitely wanted ppl to talk about her and her ugly outfit. Ive lost respect for her.
nice ass
Yes, her ass looks great but why show it off? We know Venus is in good shape. The outfit just is not cute. sorry
Between the Williams' sisters, (women's) tennis has beyond suffered. If it isn't their mean-spirited, arrogant, imperious undignified, animal and vicious-thug nature, then it's their outright disrespect unto (pragmatic) decorum via their dress. These two hustlers have always been and shall ever be a raging pox, a puss filled boil oozing its absess upon all before them.
This latest "episode" comes as no surprise. What's that old saying...., "You can't polish a t_rd....". So aptly applies to the Williams.
Agree with John. The Venus sisters have never shown good sportmanship of the kind that inspires hero worship. They are arrogant and obnoxious and do pull ridiculous PR moves like the ugly, inappropriate outfit to call unnecessary attention to themselves. All this nonsense makes a mockery of women's tennis (and of themselves).
This display is revolting and should NEVER have taken place on the tennis courts of a grand slam event or any other place for that matter. They may win some of the tennis tournaments, but the behavior both sisters have exhibited is simply disgusting on all levels.
i THINK YOU SHOULD CENTRE ON ONE WHO HAS WRONGED RATHER THAN IMPLICATING BOTH OF THEM
Pathetic critics (bashers), especially John. You wish your woman's body looked as toned.
NICE VENUS,ALL YOU BITC.....STOP HATEN !!!VENUS KEEP IT UP WITH YOU ALL THE WAY.
MIKE
Sorry, but here it is not about the body, it is about the outfit that is not, at all, appropriate for this kind of event. Anyone who has been at the french open, even just as a tourist walking around will know how much these guys try to keep a fancy image of this tournament!
I agree with the commenter below who said it - it's not about whether venus has a great body. She does, that's fine. But her taste in clothing for a prestigious Grand Slam tournament was tacky and cheap and didn't do justice to the event or her, for that matter!
If u want fashion go to a fashion show or event this is surpose to be about tennis. They show no decency or respect for others in what they wear, and what they wear is trashy. And they will be judged by their clothes as long as they wear that kind of style.
"If it isn't their mean-spirited, arrogant, imperious undignified, animal and vicious-thug nature, then it's their outright disrespect unto (pragmatic) decorum via their dress. These two hustlers have always been and shall ever be a raging pox, a puss filled boil oozing its absess upon all before them."
John, take a chill pill and get some anger management. Your over the top rude comments smacks of something that begins with an "R." Yes, her outfit was inappropriate, tacky and shameful. Anyone with taste knows that. However, stereotyping the sisters in that manner, considering all of the other athletes who have displayed unsportsmanlike behavior nearly EVERY DAY says more about how classless you are, than them.
The outfit was horrible and inappropriate. But I agree there is no need for the over the top vicious attacks on Venus or her sister. Yes, i wish my butt looked like that, but even if it did, I wouldnt be caught dead wearing that tacky lingerie outdoors.
The sistaz bring taste to the game. Imagine a grandslam without them. Go galz
look i love the williams sis and i love the outfit if i had the body i would put it on and her game was gooooooood so let everyone look at that and stop looking at what she have on but girl i wish i had that butt i dont have much lol u go girl and i would like u 2 b #1 but but but i love love ur sis game better
look i need to get off b/c the more i read the more u guys make me mad the williams sis work hard and ur putting S.W and this now am really mad her outfits r good and i love everyone now venus may have fool u b/c some of u guys didnt think she had anything under there but she did and it didnt look that bad but b/c she is good at what she do and her sis is 2 thats my girl ur always finding something 2 say if she lost u will have something 2 say about that get a life
Wow people really need something to talk about!!
Look all the outfits worn by the women tennis must be approved by the WTA,if Venus Williams were allowed to enter the court with her french maid lingerie outfit then it was approved end of story.
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