Sad ending for Serena Williams fashion row with French Tennis Open organisers. American tennis ace, Serena Williams has just announced she will not play in this year’s French Tennis Open, hours before she was due to play Russian tennis star, Maria Sharapova.

The 23 times grand slam winner cited an injury to her body that caused her to withdraw from the tennis tournament. Prior to her announcement, the 36-year old tennis supremo was embroiled in a row with the French Tennis Federation who refused to let Serena wear what is now her trade mark skin-tight black catsuit.

President of the French Tennis Federation, Bernard Giudicelli told the world media that Serena’s choice of costume will no longer be accepted and she must respect the game. Serena’s Nike costume is certainly different to the traditional tennis wear normally seen on court and she is often referred to as the “Black Panther” given the colour and design of her sleek outfit.

Since the birth of her daughter, Alexis Olympia back in September 2017, Serena has suffered with a number of health issues that have included blood clotting. She maintains that the specially designed, Nike black catsuit helps her body cope with the pressures and strains while on court.

The French Tennis Federation have since announced that they will be introducing new, stricter dress codes for their event. The withdrawal of Serena Williams will be a huge loss to the French organisers with other spectators fearing a worldwide overhaul of fashion requirements by other tennis governing bodies.