Serena Williams’ black catsuit made her feel like a “superhero,” she said as she won her first Grand Slam match since having her daughter Alexis Olympia in September.
“I feel like a warrior wearing it, a queen from Wakanda maybe,” Williams said, the BBC reported. “It was comfortable to wear.”
Wakanda is the fictional home of Marvel's Black Panther, as seen in the smash hit movie.
Thiry-six-year-old Williams said the catsuit also helped ensure she wouldn’t have more problems with blood clots, which have plagued her since giving birth and almost killed her in February.
“I had a lot of problems with those — I don’t know how many I have had in the past 12 months,” she said, the BBC reported. “It definitely has a little functionality to it. It’s a fun suit, but it’s also functional so I’m able to play without any problems.”
Williams posted a photo of herself in the suit on Instagram and Twitter and gave a shout-out to other moms who struggled with health issues and recovery after childbirth.
“For all the moms out there who had a tough recovery from pregnancy — here you go,” she wrote. “If I can do it, so can you. Love you all!”
Williams won her match 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 over Kristyna Pliskova at the French Open and will now play Ashleigh Barty in the next round.
Williams dropped form No. 1 to No. 453 in the Women’s Tennis Association rankings during her time off after giving birth. Her coach said in a May 14 interview with wtatennis.com that Williams was “improving in all areas fast” and that she “will be ready” to play in the French Open.
“Serena will play the French Open to win it,” he said. “Can she do it? Serena can achieve anything—after being her coach for six years, I’m even more sure of that statement.”
Williams' Twitter post got almost 2,000 comments, most of which offered support and accolades to her.
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