Talking Points: Serena Williams reveals stunning Roland Garros outfit, and are the green seats a miss?

ATP Tour

Michael Graham
May 27, 2019

It was an absorbing and eye-catching day two at the French Open on Monday, and one that certainly produced no shortage of talking points – not least of which was Serena Williams’ latest outfit.

Nadal untested

Rafael Nadal came through his opening round match against qualifier Yannick Hanfmann with absolute ease, but that also means we didn’t learn anything.

Of course, you might as the question just what is there left to learn about Nadal at Roland Garros by thus stage. He plays, he dominates, he wins. Repeat until he’s holding the trophy.

However, his 6-2, 6-1, 6-3 success asked absolutely no questions of him, so we don’t really know how good he’s going to be this year.

Because that is the relevant point here. We know that Nadal is going to be good, but the chances are hes going to have to be better than he was last year.

Novak Djokovic is an entirely different proposition this time around and Roger Federer is back in the field. Then there is Stefanos Tsitsipas who’s starting to make himself a contender.

Much greater tests await Nadal, but we’ll probably have to wait until the second week before we can really get his measure this year.

Tough to see Wozniacki struggle

Caroline Wozniacki - early exit at French Open

It’s not been a good year for Caroline Wozniacki, and it didn’t get any better at Roland Garros. She was dumped out in the first round despite power in herself to a first-set bagel.

Since Wozniacki was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, it’s difficult to say it’s not affected her.

Her camp are making all the right noises, trying to downplay it and, in real terms, take the pressure off her by making it less of an issue.

That said, she has not looked her old self for a long time now and that’s a shame. She looks a million miles away from the Australian Open-winning world number one she was 16 months or so ago.

Does anyone else miss the green?

Philippe Chatrier Roland Garros French Open

I guess change is good and all that, especially when it’s environmentally friendly, but does anyone else really miss the green seats on Court Philippe Chatrier?

They were surely as iconic as the red clay and the red and green combination is synonymous with Roland Garros, just as much as the green and purple is at Wimbledon.

I guess there is still plenty of green on the court surrounds etc, but I do miss the green seats probably more than I should. The wood replacements just seem a little bland by comparison.

Djokovic means business

Novak Djokovic at French Open PA

Like Rafael Nadal, Djokovic wasn’t even remotely tested in round one, although Hubert Hurkacz shouldn’t be underestimated as a potential banana skin.

That said, there was something very business-like about Djokovic’s demeanor as he bludgeoned his way to his 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 win over the Pole.

It was no-nonsense stuff from world number one, highlighted by the fact he needed just 97 minutes to seat victory.

The challenge for Djokovic is, of course, huge. He will have to go through Rafael Nadal to win this tournament and he knows it. Facing Nadal in clay is something Djokovic has described as ‘the toughest challenge in sport’ before.

However, the rewards are also great. Should he win it, he will hold all four Grand Slams at once, and he looks devilishly focused on doing just that.

Serena Williams’ outfit is an event in itself again

Serena Williams French Open outfit PA The famous ‘Black Panther suit’ that Williams wore at Roland Garros last year was certainly a talking point, but the 37-year-old has probably bettered even that this time around.

Not only did Williams enter the court wearing an actual cape emblazoned with the words ‘mother, champion, queen, goddess’, but removing it revealed a zebra-print outfit.

All a bit of fun, refreshing self-expression, or has it just all become a bit of a publicity stunt now?

Everyone will have their own opinion on it, but it will certainly be a talking point!

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