Venus’s garish outfit strikes a bum note

VENUS Williams reached into the world of make-believe during her amazing comeback win over unheralded Czech Sandra Zahlavova in the second round of the Australian Open.

Wearing a self-designed dress based on Alice in Wonderland, Williams lived out her own fantasy as she recovered from a painful groin injury to overcome the gallant Zahlavova 6-7 (6/8), 6-0, 6-4.

Williams’ unusual outfit featured a yellow criss-cross pattern showing plenty of skin and a tiny patterned skirt, with flesh-coloured “nude” shorts underneath.

“The outfit is inspired by Alice in Wonderland. Don’t laugh,” she later said to guffaws. “It’s kind of about a surprise, because when Alice goes down the hole, the rabbit hole, she finds all these things that are so surprising.”

Venus, who turned heads with an extra-short, shimmery blue number in her opening match, has been the centre of attention in the absence of her injured sister Serena, known for her outlandish attire.

“This outfit is about having a surprise in tennis — a dress, and kind of, you know, showing some skin and then just having a print,” she said.

So it’s called the Wonderland dress. It was fun. This was kind of a way to express who I am on the court.”

The British press had a field day, describing Williams as the Lady GaGa of tennis. She was criticised for wearing “one of the worst dresses ever” at a Grand Slam.