Serena Williams banned from wearing 'Black Panther' catsuit at future French Opens, says tournament chief

 Serena Williams has been banned from wearing her “Wakanda-inspired catsuit” – a reference to the Marvel Comics film Black Panther – at future French Open tournaments.
Williams caught the eye at Roland Garros earlier this year after donning a black bodysuit for her return to grand slam action.


More than just a fashion statement, the full-length, skin-tight outfit is designed to protect against blood clots after the American revealed doctors had found a hematoma – a swelling of clotted blood outside of a vessel – in her body following the birth of her daughter Olympia.
“I almost died after giving birth to my daughter Olympia,” Williams said. “First my C-section wound popped open due to the intense coughing I endured as a result of the embolism.

“I returned to surgery, where the doctors found a large hematoma, a swelling of clotted blood, in my abdomen. And then I returned to the operating room for a procedure that prevents clots from traveling to my lungs.”

Addressing the outfit at Roland Garros, Williams said it made her feel “like a warrior princess” and presented her with “an opportunity to inspire a whole different group of amazing women and kids.”

Williams has not worn the outfit since the French Open but it now appears she won’t have the chance to do so again.

In a surprising piece of criticism on the eve of the US Open, the French Open president Bernard Giudicelli has said Williams – and other players – will need to be more conservative at future editions of the tournament.

Speaking to Tennis Magazine, Giudicelli said: “It’s a bit late because the collections are already designed but we are going to nonetheless ask the manufacturers to let us know what is coming.

“I believe we have sometimes gone too far. Serena’s outfit this year, for example, would no longer be accepted. You have to respect the game and the place.”

Williams is yet to respond to the news but the announcement has drawn sharp criticism on social media.

Source: msn

Tennis Legend: Serena Williams displays hot body in blue bikini

 

 Twas shared by the tennis champion star...

U.S Tennis Legend Serena Williams Shows off Her Hot Bikini

Tennis: Bristish No 1 Jo Konta collapse at the US Open, later beat Tsvetana Pironkova 6-2-5-7-6-2 (photos)

Jo Konta staged a recovery that was both miraculous and controversial from an on court collapse to survive into the third round of the US Open.


The British No 1, struggling for breath, fell into a sobbing heap on the baseline at the end of her match's second set, a victim of the acute humidity at Flushing Meadows.

But after two separate breaks she was able to continue, and ended up a 6-2 5-7 6-2 winner against unfortunate Tsvetana Pironkova, whose rhythm was disrupted by the 20-minute drama. The Bulgarian later made known her displeasure at the rules.

Urgent medical attention had been summoned as Konta, going a putrid red in the face, suffered breathing problems and physical distress as her second set reached its climax.

First the Norwegian umpire, Julie Minori Kjendlie, was left to tend to her and then the doctor and tour physio rushed out to be at her side, applying ice packs as she lay on the court, having first sunk down onto all fours.  

The referee's office gave the official cause of the timeout as 'dizziness'. This is a crucial distinction from cramping, for which treatment is not allowed, as opposed to a heat-related illness, for which a medical treatment is permitted.

There was no suggestion from Pironkova that Konta was faking – she most certainly was not – but she rightly questioned the additional break after the timeout.

The drama occurred between her first and second serves as Konta faced a third set point at 5-6 in the second, having convincingly taken the first set with a sparkling display of tennis. Pironkova could only stand around as Konta told the medics that 'my whole body feels in shock'.

After an initial break of around 12 minutes she completed a double fault and then took a 'toilet' break that lasted around another seven minutes.
                                      
 'What was frustrating for me was what happened after that, the toilet break,' she said. 'With that, I think the match was stopped for just too long. I had my momentum going, I was getting back in the match.

'Everything was by the rules, but today I am not very happy with these rules. I wish I could say all players use bathroom breaks accordingly, to go to the toilet. Obviously some players use them to refocus. I don't think they should be used that way.'

The problem seemed to be down to the 80 per cent humidity, because this was not the hottest day of the tournament in pure temperature terms, with the mercury showing in the mid to late twenties.

Source: dailymail

Tennis Star Novak Djokovic Earn $16m In 2015 Why The Year Has Not Run Out

After winning three of this year’s grand slams and securing his 57th career singles title in Shanghai on Sunday, Djokovic became the first player in professional tennis to surpass $16 million in prize money in a season, according to the ATP World Tour.

The 28-year-old Serb, who has 10 grand slams under his belt, took just 78 minutes to defeat Jo-Wilfred Tsonga 6-2 6-4 in the Shanghai Masters final.

Rafael Nadal who held the previous prize recorded in a season - $14.5m in 2013 - but playing the most dominant tennis of his career, Djokovic has surpassed that figure ease.

He was also not defeated during his last 17 matches and has won 22 sets in a row.

Djokovic who told CNN; said, “Everything came together for me this season that has been definitely the best of my life, the best of my career; (I’m) just trying to cherish every moment spent on the court,” 

when ask why he was on such a hot streak, Djokovic spoke of his work ethic and also his passion for tennis.

“There’s not one thing I can point out and he said, well that’s the secret of success,”  the Serb said. “Obviously it’s many years of hard work, dedication professionalism, persistence, passion and love for the sport, and just understanding of oneself as a person and as a player and how to improve, how to get yourself to the best of your potential.”

Known for his intense training regime and gluten-free diet, Djokovic is also confident he can equal arch-rival Roger Federer’s 17 grand slams.

“I think I have a good chance, but again, it’s a long way ahead,” said Djokovic. “But knowing that I’m 28 and I still don’t feel like the end is anytime soon, that definitely excites me and motivates me to keep on going.”

Both of them have a head-to-head record of 21 wins each, with Djokovic defeating Federer in four sets at this year’s Wimbledon and U.S. Open finals.

He added, “I’m trying to focus on my health and well-being as a player and as a person, (to) keep the right balance in my private life that greatly affects the professional life as well. And I know the balance will come”.

Djokovic’s prize money for 2015 now stands at $16,041,009 with seven ATP tournaments to go, including next month’s Paris Masters and World Tour finals in London.

The Serb’s career earnings still trail Roger Federer’s total of $94.7 million by over $6 million, but he’s closing in on the Swiss star fast, thanks in part to Djokovic’s close-knit support system which includes former champion Boris Becker.

“He’s somebody that understands the kind of challenges and obstacles that I have to overcome mentally, mostly, as a top player fighting for the biggest trophies in our sport,” explained Djokovic, reflecting on his relationship with his German coach.

“That’s where he has contributed the most in my success … he’s been there and done that. Having Boris in my corner makes a difference not just to me, but also to my opponents as well. And we’re a great team.”