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Serena Williams honors Florence Griffith Joyner with stunning one-legged catsuit

Liz Roscher
·Staff writer
Updated ·3-min read

Serena Williams is known for her on-court style. She loves playing in daring, fashion-forward outfits, and her 2021 Australian Open debut was no exception. She strolled onto the court in a stunning one-legged catsuit that had everyone talking.

MELBOURNE, VIC - FEBRUARY 08: Serena Williams of the United States of America returns the ball during round 1 of the 2021 Australian Open on February 8 2020, at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jason Heidrich/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Serena Williams wore a stunning one-legged catsuit for her Round 1 match at the 2021 Australian Open. (Photo by Jason Heidrich/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Serena pays tribute to Flo-Jo

A one-legged outfit is a bold statement, so it didn’t take long for people to recognize where the design came from: track star Florence Griffith Joyner.

During her postgame news conference, Williams confirmed that she was honoring Flo-Jo with her outfit. She gave all the credit to her Nike team for coming up with the idea.

"I was inspired by Flo-Jo, who was a wonderful track athlete, amazing athlete when I was growing up. Watching her fashion, just always changing, her outfits were always amazing. This year we thought of what can we do to keep elevating the Serena Williams on the court. The Nike team actually thought of this design of inspiration from Flo-Jo. I was like, 'Oh, my god, this is so brilliant.' "

Flo-Jo had iconic style

Flo-Jo, who died tragically in 1998 at age 38, was known as the fastest woman in the world. In 1988 she set world records in the 100m and 200m sprints, and both still stand today. She, like Williams, also turned heads with her bold fashion choices. She sported hooded speed skating unitards, lace catsuits, long, decorated nails, and several one-legged outfits.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JULY 23: Florence Griffith Joyner #371 of the USA competes in the final of the Women's 200 meter race of the 1988 USA Track and Field Olympic Trials held July 22, 1988 at the IU Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images)
Florence Griffith Joyner #371 of the USA competes in the final of the Women's 200 meter race of the 1988 USA Track and Field Olympic Trials held July 22, 1988. She wore an iconic white lace catsuit. (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images)
Florence Griffith-Joyner shows her nails during the 1991 Sports Festival.
Florence Griffith-Joyner shows her nails during the 1991 Sports Festival. (Photo via Getty)
ROME, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 3: American sprint star Florence-Griffith-Joyner (C) sprints through the Women's 200 m semi-final at Rome Stadium 03 September 1987 during the World Track and Field Championships. The American sprinter who own's women's world records at 100 and 200 meters died 21 september at the age of 38. (Photo credit should read STAFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Florence-Griffith-Joyner sprints through the Women's 200m semi-final at Rome Stadium 03 September 1987 during the World Track and Field Championships, wearing a hooded speed skating catsuit. (STAFF/AFP via Getty Images)
24 Sep 1988: Florence Griffith-Joyner of the USA prepares for the 100m during the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, Korea. Griffith-Joyner went on to win the gold medal with a time of 10.54 seconds. Mandatory Credit: Tony Duffy/Allsport
24 Sep 1988: Florence Griffith-Joyner of the USA prepares for the 100m during the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, Korea. Griffith-Joyner went on to win the gold medal with a time of 10.54 seconds. Mandatory Credit: Tony Duffy/Allsport
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JULY 1988: Florence Griffith Joyner raises her fist after crossing the finish line first, competes during the 100m at the 1988 US Track and Field Olympic Trials in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Focus On Sport/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JULY 1988: Florence Griffith Joyner raises her fist after crossing the finish line first, competes during the 100m at the 1988 US Track and Field Olympic Trials in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Focus On Sport/Getty Images)

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