Burlesque Disaster? Venus Williams’ “French” Gets A Little Too “Open”

While most folks were barbecuing, swimming and enjoying the long-awaited warm weather of Memorial Day weekend, the Williams sisters were sweeping tennis games in Paris. Advancing to the semifinals, Serena and Venus Williams won the doubles at the French Open. Venus became the center of fashion controversy however because of her risqué lingerie-like outfit.

Photographers had a field day as every lunge she made looked like a peep show—revealing flesh-colored booty shorts, which hugged her upper thighs. While many called her attire “inappropriate” and even “[a] blatant disregard for traditional tennis attire,” Williams, of course, remains unfazed by fashion critics. She told reporters, “Lace has never been done before in tennis, and I’ve been wanting to do it for a long time.”

Although the ensemble secured publicity for Williams, she could have been just as fashionable in something less nude. Williams is already a tennis talent sans the wild getups, and shouldn’t feel the need to pull tactics with her fashion in order to garner attention on the court.

Lace or no lace, Venus lost to Nadia Petrova in the fourth round of her game, while Serena remains in the singles draw set to play Samantha Stosur next.