The hot question in women's sport: How much is baring too much?

The world of women's tennis was shaken yesterday when the skimpy outfits worn on court by the sport's young stars fell foul of the Australian fashion media, bringing an angry volley from Venus Williams in return.

Ms Williams, herself a fashion student, was criticised by a Melbourne newspaper, the Sunday Herald Sun, for wearing a tight white top with ultra-thin straps at the Australian Open. Under the headline, "Crime scene: Australian Open at Melbourne Park", it asked: "Since when did spaghetti straps belong on the tennis court? Women everywhere shudder in knowing horror at the skimpiness of the outfit."

The newspaper also ruled unacceptable a low-cut top worn by Amanda Coetzer and a complicated wrap-around outfit sported by Mary Pierce, which it described as "one-piece madness". Tight blue shorts worn by the glamorous Russian, Anna Kournikova, also came in for criticism. The paper advised her to get back into skirts.

But Williams, 21, has reacted angrily, claiming that some of the members of the women's tour let themselves down by neglecting their appearance. "I try not to judge anyone, and the only thing I can get critical about is fashion," she said.

"If you're not wearing the right thing, it can be detrimental. That's how I feel. And if you aren't looking your best, you surely won't play your best. If you carry yourself in such a manner of confidence and you believe in yourself, then that shows to other people and also it shows in how you dress."

Meanwhile, the revealing costumes worn by ice skaters have been denounced by the sport's international officials. They sent athletes in the European Championships in Lausanne, Switzerland, a memo warning them not to perform any more of the "exotic lifts" that have become popular.

Coupled with mini-skirts that barely cover the women's small skating knickers, the revealing moves have led to cries among judges for some of the more flamboyant dancers to introduce some restraint.

Nancy Meiss, an American senior international judge, said last week: "If I want a young man waving his partner's assets in my face, I can rent a porn movie. The males are acting like pimps."

The skaters will have to tone down their routines before the Winter Olympics, beginning in a fortnight's time in Salt Lake City, in Utah, home to the Mormon Church.