The WTA has changed its rulebook for 2019, making it legal for women to wear the type of long leggings that were featured in Serena Williams’ controversial cat suit at Roland Garros last year.
“Leggings and mid-thigh-length compression shorts may be worn with or without a skirt, shorts or dress,” the WTA writes.
Last year compression shorts required a skirt to be worn above.
The rule will only be in effect for WTA events, which means that we can expect announcements on this subject coming from the Grand Slams. In particular, the public will be eager to know the stance of Roland Garros, after FFT head Bernard Guidicelli said he would not allow Williams to wear her catsuit again.
“I think we sometimes went too far,” Guidicelli said at the time. “The combination of Serena this year, for example, it will no longer be accepted. You have to respect the game and the place.”
Serena didn’t press the issue at the U.S. Open this year. The American says she gets along fine with Guidicelli.
“I don't know exactly what he seemed to say or what he didn't seem to say or what. We already talked,” she said in New York at the U.S. Open last summer. “Like I said, we have a great relationship. We talked yesterday, yeah. Everything's fine, guys.”