Saturday, May 22, 2004
Updated: May 25, 1:40 PM ET

Williams debuts flashy 'French Open Collection'

Associated Press

PARIS -- Serena Williams calls it a tribute to the Moulin Rouge, but Paris has never seen anything like this.
Never shy about pushing the boundaries of tennis fashion, Williams came up with a look for the French Open boasting a white leather motorcycle jacket with "Serena" in gold across the back, a hot pink minidress and matching sneakers.

"I don't want to look mediocre," said Williams, who showed off her flashy "French Open Collection" Saturday, two days before play starts at Roland Garros. "It's perfect, because I feel if I look good I'll play good."

Once she's on the court, the leather jacket will come off, and attention will turn to tennis -- something Williams hasn't played much of in the past year.

The 2002 French Open champion and former No. 1 just returned from nearly a month off with a sore left knee. It's the same knee that required surgery Aug. 1, keeping her away from the tour until March.

During her time off, Williams designed dresses and signed a new Nike contract that could be worth close to $40 million over five years. She worked with the sponsor to create her tennis fashions.

"This is a Roland Garros special," Williams said at a news conference, flanked by mannequins wearing her creations and larger-than-life photos of herself. The Paris collection -- in shades of pink and red -- features plunging necklines and high hems.

"This is what we call 'Moulin Rouge,' because of all the colors," Williams said, referring to Paris' best-known cabaret, which inspired the film starring Nicole Kidman.

"Tennis whites are boring, unless it's Wimbledon, where it's classy," Williams said in a later interview.

Down to seventh in the WTA Tour rankings, the 22-year-old said she feels as if she's starting over. But she doesn't find it daunting.

"I feel like I'm 17 or 16 years old again, trying to work my way back up again to the top position. I love seeing No. 1 by my name," she said. "So it's fun, it's really fun."

Time off hasn't dulled her game, Williams said.

"I'm hitting much better. So that's great news for me, probably not so good for other people," she said.

Williams reached the semifinals last year, losing to eventual champion Justine Henin-Hardenne in a match that left the American in tears. Williams questioned line calls, and the chair umpire ruled in her favor, but the crowd turned against her -- even cheering her mistakes. Adding to the tension, Williams questioned Henin-Hardenne's sportsmanship.

Williams insists she has blocked it all out, though.

"I really don't remember that match," she said with a smile. "I remember playing, but I don't remember what happened. I remember I won a few matches, and then I remember being at home. I think I had a temporary memory lapse."

Williams got a boost when the French Open announced seedings Thursday. She and big sister Venus were seeded five spots higher than their rankings, a move meant to lessen the effect of their long injury absences. Venus has battled abdominal and ankle injuries.

"With the Williams sisters on clay, given a lack of match play, you've got a lot of question marks," ESPN analyst Pam Shriver said.

Serena is seeded No. 2 behind top-ranked Henin-Hardenne. Venus, ranked ninth, was seeded No. 4, a spot below France's Amelie Mauresmo.

Serena dismisses the idea that she might be more devoted to clothes designing than to tennis -- at least for now.

"I could be doing something different," she said. "But I love tennis. I can't see myself right now, in the near future, giving it up."

Karey是對的，化妝品是世界上最神奇的發明，可以把傳聞中的大猩猩變成這樣喲! 她變好多哦，從壯壯的身材然後爆爆的頭髮變成這樣！！！偶也要減肥成功，她是我今年看到最符合蔡依琳「看我七十二變」的最佳人選。恩如、小馬你們等著吧哇哈哈！！

昨天偷偷跑企Karey家看6 pm 的Highlight，看到偶喜歡的Henin真是興奮無比，不過偶發現她好像有比較胖了一點說！！！

去年的比賽才恍如昨日咧，不過因為今年一月份Austrlia Open沒能看到這隻七十二變和Henin的對打，覺得不夠過癮，這場French Open是Serena今年的第一次大滿慣賽事，希望她能穿著粉粉的網球衣有著粉粉的心情打好好的球，就像她自己在記者會上說的 "It's perfect, because I feel if I look good I'll play good."

不過，我還是覺得Henin會再度得到后冠滴呵呵，Henin加油加油！！！

Photo: Serena's fashion line for Paris is a tribute to the Moulin Rouge.