Honestly, I think at this point Venus Williams is just going to generate controversy no matter what she wears for a tennis match. Previously, she’s really pushed the “appropriate” envelope and worn what looked like lingerie, as well as disturbingly “nude” tennis shorts, amongst other unfortunate looks. For her singles match on Friday, the “nude” shorts made their triumphant return, but most people are discussing the little fuchsia outfit she wore to defeat Shaher Peer of Israel a few days ago. You know what, though? I think it’s one of Venus’s better choice.
Of this outfit, Venus said: “This outfit was supposed to be about New York. It’s like bursts of fireworks.” It’s very slimming too – Venus has always been the “skinny” Williams sister, but this style, with the neckline and close fit on the bust, does wonders to streamline her figure. Plus, it doesn’t feel like we’re looking at tennis-themed pornography. That’s a plus in my book. Here’s the pick thing from the back… okay, it’s a little pornographic. But I still prefer it to her other outfits.
Venus Williams at the U.S. Open. Credit: WENN.
Her outfits are ridiculous. They aren’t clever, fashion forward, or even remotely cute.
CBS had a tug count on how many times she tugged at that dress during her match, and at last count that I saw it was in the 40’s.
As a tennis player, I wish people, during matches would stick to tennis whites. There is something to be said for tradition.
You don’t have to dress like Margaret Court, but a modicum of decency would be nice.
Cheap and pointless. Detracts from their superb game. sigh.
I like them, I don’t see porn in them. I mean, watch a football game and the cheer leaders are more porn-ish than this! 🙂
I guess I’m old school and wish the Tennis Federation or whatever it was called would just make a rule that players outfits must be at least 80% white and no more than 20% of a different color. That includes tops/bottoms/dresses and anything showing – including undershorts. I’d like to see them outlaw glitter, sequins, sparkles, and all that.
I guess Venus wants to make a statement and stay in the press for her outfits. I’d rather she save the fashion statements for off the court and let her skills do the talking while on the court.
I don’t think their bad dresses, I think th@ playing tennis in these dresses that are clearly for club wear is silly, her body looks good, shes an athlete but i wish she would show a tad more discretion 2 her outfits of choice so they won’t ride up and expose her spankies which are shorts but still tmi venus
I think she and her sister both have bizarre fashion sense. I get that they both are trying to appear more feminine, but the cheap crap they keep parading around in make them look all the more tranny-ish.
I’m sitting here laughing at Williams’ critics who think everything about a tennis game should be white, including the ball, the outfits, and the people wearing them.
As long as she’s winning, I don’t give a f*** what she’s wearing. 😉
@Cheyenne- OH PLEASE! It is about tradition and distraction from the game, not about race.
As usual,someone has to bring race into it! If it were Maria Sharapova wearing the same outfit, I would say the same thing! And I have, as some of her outfits are stupid too!
The outfits are ugly and the tugging distracts from her tennis. But, whatever . . .
Venus does not have a clothing contract with a major sport company and so she “designs” her own outfits and is trying to sell them. Her line is called eleVen and I’ve not seen them in stores. She was designing and selling them at Steve&Barry’s before they went bankrupt. I don’t know where they can be bought now. Serena wears Nike and her outfits are far more conservative than they used to be.
Whatever, I plan to enjoy the rest of the USOpen so I don’t care what she or anyone else wears.
Ugh I am glad they aren’t boring and wear fun tennis gear. They breathe some damn interest in tennis. I love them, keep kicking ass Venus.
Ahhh, I love these girls for what they do for women. Bitch can wear whatever she wants. She’s a bad ass, push yourself to edge athlete adn she makes me sooo happy, her and her sister. I would love to watch her whip the pants of Roddick or Nadal or Fedderer.
I will continue to love the Williams sisters no matter what. They bring fun to tennis.
“Her outfits are ridiculous. They aren’t clever, fashion forward, or even remotely cute.”
agree completely. I don’t think they need to be white, but they could be a little bit more attractive. you can be a little bit different and still be traditional. (for example, my friends in Catholic schools had uniforms – kilts and sweaters – but they made the uniform their own with a little bit of accessorizing.)
and please, point it out to me…who has said that the players should be white ONLY? or even IMPLIED as such? the only criticism I’ve read so far is for her fashion choices, not her skin color.
“I would love to watch her whip the pants of Roddick or Nadal or Fedderer.”
me too! that would be fun…a Billie Jean King/Bobby Riggs take two!
As a long time tennis follower, I find these outfits ridiculous. I mean she can wear whatever she wants to wear, but come on… It looks trashy. I’ve never perceived Venus as insecure, but those ensembles scream insecure girl seeking for attention.It’s vulgar and unnecessary, and not at all fashion forward.
Stella McCartney had excellent collection few years ago for Adidas, and in my opinion that is the way modern tennis player should look like
I thought that white was only compulsory at Wimbledon?
I remember her playing Roland Garros way back when she just started out as a pro and wore a little silver dress. Hasn’t changed much, so why the hassle now?
And Federer wouldn’t stand a change against her.
Those don’t look any more skimpy to me than the outfit Wozniacki wore to beat Sharapova yesterday. I wasn’t sure why she even had on a tennis dress since she had her bright yellow bunhuggers showing the entire time. I liked the outfit though.
What ever happened to just wearing cute tennis skirts?
She looks ridiculous. It would be one thing if the outfits were actually CUTE, but they look like something from the end of summer clearance at Forever 21.
What are they made of?
Looks like the kind of fabric that would make you sweat more…
I think at Wimbledon they are only permitted to wear white( or let me say it used to be like that) and I have to say that I think white looks great but more than that,half of the outfits they wear are cut way too skimpy for them-they would look OK on waifs but these girls have big athletic bodies.
OOO She looka like a man!
wear what you want, but the purpose of athletic wear is to allow the athlete to perform well without being obstructed by their ‘uniform’. If she is pulling at her outfit then it defeats the purpose.
The outfit is rather ugly but most importantly it looks uncomfortable, which again defeats the purpose of athletic wear
If there’s no rules on outfits, what’s the big deal? It’s something else to look at other than the back and forth of the ball. Love tennis, huge fan. Seriously boring to watch. I want outfit changes between every point. 😛
I LOVE THE WILLIAMS SISTERS and am not bothered by what they wear. If I never see another W.A.S.P.-y waif playing tennis again, it’ll still be too soon. Venus and Serena FOREVER!!
Love the Williams girls, but WEAR SOME DAMN CLOTHES.
I’m surprised there aren’t more stringent rules about what pro tennis players can wear. What’s wrong with a (respectable/respectful) little skirt and a polo or tank?
Venus is a great player with a fabulous body, so why not wear something that’s actually flattering, especially if your trying to hock your outfits to the masses? It’s like watching Christina Aguilera – who’s got an amazing voice – grinding in black PVC trying to be Lady Gaga.
Noting private is exposed, I wouldnt wear it, but as long as they are winning I dont really care what they have on.
i don’t care what she or anyone else wears, but for the love of god, wear something that covers your crotch! why do i have to look at that?
I agree with Hellen… It does look like clearance from Forever 21…Vulger and tasteless!!
The outfits aren’t cute but she isn’t naked! If it was some skinny hungry looking woman it wouldm’t be such a big deal to you gys but since she has curves and a body people have so much to say. Atleast she won! And @Victoria, just don’t look, change the channel. Big deal! You don’t have to watch the game, if you want to know the score get online like you’re doing now and check it out.
IMO, Venus is just an exhibitionist freak at this point, with her game apparently in second place. Very sad for Tennis.
“clearance from Forever 21”. LOL!!
i love tennis, and i don’t care what the players wear.
It’s just ill-fitting. And these shorts are longer and darker in color than the ‘flesh-colored’ ones from earlier in the season. I play tennis and other sports and having to always fidget with that outfit after every point would drive me insane. I also think it was/could be a distraction to her opponents. The black outfit with the silver sparkles sparkled like crazy under the lights and you don’t need that when you’re trying to play her.
That said, the ‘dress’ was more of a long shirt and as such, it seemed ok to me since the shorts underneath were a bit longer.
And *that* being said….I can’t really stand frou frou outfits. It’s a damn sport not the Ice Capades. This dress in particular didn’t bother me so much as others in the past. Sharapova is a big one to go overboard with the girly-looking stuff. Again, it’s a damn sport you’re playing – dress appropriately.
Ridiculous would be an understatement.
Well maybe she thinks if she distracts her opponent with her tacky clothing.. 😉
I’m all for a great tennis outfit but this looks uncomfortable, impractical and inappropriate.
Flash photography’s not allowed at night but she’s allowed to be dressed like a Christmas tree, excellent!
I have noticed that a number of the skirts/dresses are cut higher at the back than the front… patently ridiculous, if they want to show off their asses, just wear shorts!
Venus has no taste in clothing and it’s playing out on the world’s stage. She won’t win the Open either but it has nothing to do with the dress.
It doesn’t look like sportswear, athletic wear or a uniform. It’s lingerie.
I just feel really bad for her. She thinks she is a designer. It would look cute if she were not playing, but the fabric is not right for a sport. Maybe she should design ‘sportswear for evening’.
Eh, I personally think they are ugly and quite tacky, but people have different taste, so what ever.
What did however bother me was how ill-suited her outfit seemed to be for the purpose – playing tennis.
Her thugging the dress down every few minutes was beyond irritating to watch.
It’s nice that they try to be original and all that, but I really don’t like any of their outfits. I think they look cheap (poorly made) and tacky.
I agree with the cheap and tacky looking comments, and especially if it seemed uncomfortable and she had to keep tugging at it. If she wants to design and wear different stuff, that’s awesome, but that doesn’t automatically mean it looks good and everyone has to like it.
I’m not much of a tennis fan, but I do like both Williams sisters, and would love to see them battle some of the top level guys.
@Cheyenne – I’m with you on this one.
I’m getting a little sick and tired of the show-ponies at these tournaments / matches. These days it’s like it’s not enough to be athletic and skilled with a tennis raquet – you also have to wear “trendy” sports gear.
Give me a break, this has nothing to do with race. I started watching tennis because of Venus and Serena. I would just prefer if they, and all the players, wore clothing that looked like sportswear during matches. Save the fashion for celebrating after the win!
Agree with Fluffy and snappyfish.
It is as though negative attention is better than none at all.
Venus is looking awful..eg the one she is wearing now at the open is ridiculous. The sisters must enjoy being exhibitionists or something, why else do you wear something that rides up your hips?? then pulling it down. Just looks immature and silly. No class at all.
Her outfit is ridiculous and tacky but the girl can play.
It looks like something Beyonce’s mom would have designed.
It’s not Wimbledon, therefore white is not required to play.
Honestly, this is a pretty tame outfit for Venus. It’s not something I would wear to play tennis, mostly because it looks like it would hinder game play. However, I think it’s obvious at this point that almost nothing can hinder a Williams sister where game play is concerned. So, whatever. At least she’s not boring!
That said, the lingere thing she wore earlier this year… Fug to tha ly! Now, that was something to call her out on!
Even Wimbledon has changed its rules to allow non white outfits at the next tournament. Compared to the outfits worn by Olympic beach volleyball players this is very modest and makes watching more interesting. It did seem to be ill fitting and uncomfortable.
Venus Williams looks like a man in drag…Lets face it there is nothing sexy about her masculine frame…She is hiding some balls somewhere…Perhaps under that silly outfit in the area of her No-No Spot!!
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