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

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
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?
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
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
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!
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
More from Tennis365:
-
-
-
French Open 2019: Tennis365 writers cast their predictions for Roland Garros
-
Five Roland Garros contenders: Rafael Nadal still very much the boss at French Open
-
Five Roland Garros contenders: Kiki Bertens primed to make her breakthrough
-
French Open betting preview: Bookies can’t see past the King of Clay Rafael Nadal in Paris
-
Latest
-
French Open
French Open under fire for gender disparity in scheduling
The French Open has been criticized for failing to schedule women’s matches for their evening sessions.
-
French Open
Monte Carlo win over Novak Djokovic won’t be a factor in Paris says Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Davidovich Fokina was eager to put his previous triumph into context.
-
French Open
Cameron Norrie not allowing Carlos Alcaraz to dominate his mindset
Cameron Norrie insists he is not deterred by the potential of facing top seed Carlos Alcaraz in the Roland Garros last 16.
-
French Open
Jessica Pegula bemoans bad luck after getting food poisoning from first Paris dinner
Jessica Pegula feels that she has missed out on the full Paris experience.
-
Tennis News
How Jessica Pegula beats the grind of the WTA Tour
Jessica Pegula admits that being on the WTA Tour can become monotonous.
-
French Open
Mirra Andreeva reveals dreams of ‘winning 25 grand slam titles’
The Russian is making a big impression at Roland Garros.
-
News
Jannik Sinner toppled by Daniel Altmaier in five-hour French Open epic
Altmaier saved two match points in the fifth longest match in Roland Garros history.
-
News
Andy Murray confirms Surbiton Trophy entry following French Open absence
Murray and Dan Evans have been given wild cards, while Venus Williams will play in Birmingham.
-
News
Cameron Norrie invites rock royalty to his Wimbledon player’s box
The Briton revealed an unlikely friendship earlier this year when he hit with the singing superstar.
-
French Open
Teen sensation and Andy Murray fan Mirra Andreeva to crack 100 in rankings
Mirra Andreeva set to surge to a career-high of No 97.