Bootylicious Serena

Bootgirl: Serena at Flushing Meadow

14 April 2012

Serena Williams has never been content simply to let her tennis do the talking.

But even by her own fashion standards, her latest "rebel-look" outfit is remarkable in the extreme.

The former Wimbledon champion strode into her first match of the US Open wearing knee-high black boots, a denim miniskirt, a studded black tank top and chandelier earrings.

A far cry from the tennis attire of days gone by, to be sure, but then again, Williams' powerful strokes bear little resemblance to the way the women's game used to be played.

"It's great that Serena has so much confidence to stand out and do something different. She goes beyond tennis," said 1979 and 1981 US Open champion Tracy Austin.

"Tennis needs that." After warming up, Serena had to switch to a pair of trainers for the match against Czech opponent Sandra Kleinova after officials ruled the boots didn't meet the "customary tennis attire" rule.

The switch evidently did the job as she advanced to the second round with ease by overwhelming Kleinova 6-1, 6-3.

After the match, which lasted just 53 minutes, Kleinova commented: "Her outfit? I tried not to look at it. It's her style."

Williams, who claimed her look had been inspired by James Dean, said: "I'm just so excited to be out here again in New York. It's been a while."

It is far from the first time that the American has caused a stir with her outrageous sense of style.

In 2002, she sported a black wetlook catsuit, while she has also worn outfits including a Pocahantas-style skirt with shredded strips of fabric and satin-effect hotpants.

Williams, who has a £30 million, fiveyear deal with Nike, said she had planned a special outfit for Wimbledon earlier this year - but it was rejected by the All England Club. "I had something really, really super sexy but they wouldn't let me wear it. I won't describe it.

"Maybe they'll let me wear it next year," she said.

Defending her unique style, she once said: "I'm a really attractive person. I'm pretty, I'm sexy and I'm very smart."

Although she had a word of warning for would-be copycats: "If you don't have a good figure they're perhaps not the best outfits to wear."

Britons taking part in the US Open put in rather less eye-catching performances than Williams. Greg Rusedski crashed to a first round defeat in five sets after missing a match point to Cyril Saulnier, while Alex Bogdanovic went down to Alex Calatrava. Tim Henman plays today.

Bootylicious Serena

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