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Time of India
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Fashion vs Tradition: The history of Wimbledon's all-white controversies
Wimbledon 's all-white dress code, a symbol of its storied tradition, has long stirred controversy. Originally a preference in the 1870s to hide sweat - which was then seen as improper - the all-white attire became mandatory only in 1963. The shift came after Brazil's Maria Bueno wore a colorful outfit in 1962, prompting officials to formalize the rule from the next edition. As the only Grand Slam enforcing an all-white requirement, Wimbledon faces ongoing criticism for its strictness and outdated approach, even as it clings to its heritage. ALSO READ: Wimbledon's love affair with strawberries & cream since 1877 by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Bored of 9–5? See Why Australia Residents Are Trying This AI Method TApp Read Now Undo Tennis icon Andre Agassi famously boycotted the tournament from 1988 to 1990 over its rigid dress rules, before returning to win in 1992. Roger Federer drew attention in 2013 for wearing white shoes with orange soles - quickly banned by officials. In 2014, Wimbledon tightened its rules further, mandating even visible undergarments be white. Venus Williams was asked to change a pink bra mid-match in 2017, and Nick Kyrgios flouted the code in 2022 with red Air Jordans. Live Events ALSO READ - Wimbledon 2025: Total prize money, live streaming, seedings - All you need to know In 2023, Wimbledon relaxed its strict dress code, permitting female players to wear darker-colored shorts under their white skirts. The change came in response to growing concerns from players about the discomfort of wearing white during their menstrual cycle. Yet enforcement remains strict - Ons Jabeur was sent back to the locker room in 2024 for wearing black during warm-up. For some, the dress code preserves Wimbledon's tradition; for others, it's an outdated restriction. The debate between fashion freedom and tradition rolls on. ALL ENGLAND CLUB RULES FOR CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT Competitors must be dressed in suitable tennis attire that is almost entirely white and this applies from the point at which the player enters the court surround. White does not include off white or cream. There should be no solid mass or panel of colouring. A single trim of colour around the neckline and around the cuff of the sleeves is acceptable but must be no wider than one centimetre (10mm). Colour contained within patterns will be measured as if it is a solid mass of colour and should be within the one centimetre (10mm) guide. Logos formed by variations of material or patterns are not acceptable. Shorts, skirts and tracksuit bottoms must be completely white except for a single trim of colour down the outside seam no wider than one centimetre (10mm). Caps (including the underbill), headbands, bandanas, wristbands and socks must be completely white except for a single trim of colour no wider than one centimetre (10mm). Shoes must be almost entirely white. Soles and laces must be completely white. Large manufacturers' logos are not encouraged. The grass court shoes must adhere to the Grand Slam rules. In particular shoes with pimples around the outside of the toes shall not be permitted. The foxing around the toes must be smooth. Any undergarments that either are or can be visible during play (including due to perspiration) must also be completely white except for a single trim of colour no wider than one centimetre (10mm), except female players who are allowed to wear solid, mid/dark-coloured undershorts provided they are no longer than their shorts or skirt. Medical supports and equipment should be white if possible but may be colored if absolutely necessary.
Forbes
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Wimbledon 2025: Why Players Wear All White At The All England Club
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 01: Coco Gauff of United States speaks to the media ahead of The ... More Championships - Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 01, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by) The Championships, Wimbledon is the only Major that requires players to wear all-white. What you can and can't wear at Wimbledon goes beyond tradition and aesthetics, according to the members of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC). History Of Wimbledon's All White Dress Code (L-R) Althea Gibson and Darlene Hard walk onto centre court for the Ladies' Singles final (Photo by ... More Barratts/PA Images via Getty Images) Wearing all-white at Wimbledon dates back to the 1870s, the Victorian era. During that era, visible perspiration was considered improper. "Players would sweat less in their whites — and their perspiration would be not be quite so obvious, thanks to the light color," International Tennis Hall of Fame Librarian Meredith Richards told NBC Sports. But back then, wearing all white was a preference, not a requirement. Wimbledon didn't ban color until 1962 when Brazil's Maria Bueno wore a colorful designer kit. The following year, Wimbledon made the all-white rule official. The U.S. Open eased its all-white requirement in 1972. Soon, players tested Wimbledon's all-white rule. During the disco era of the 1970s and early 1980s, players experimented with more vibrant colors. However, the more creative players got, the more restrictions Wimbledon placed. 1980: John McEnroe seen in action during Wimbledon Men's Singles Final in which he played Bjorn ... More Borg. He lost Mandatory Credit: Allsport Hulton/Archive Andre Agassi, known for rebellious tennis attire, boycotted Wimbledon in the 1980s over its all-white dress code. Tennis legend Roger Federer raised eyebrows in 2013 when he wore white shoes with orange soles. Wimbledon officials asked him not to wear the shoes. Federer called the rules 'too strict.' "I just find it quite extreme to what extent it's got to be white. We're talking white like it was in the '50s. If you look at the pictures then, it was all white," Federer told Reuters. "The thing is, when I came on tour, when I was watching on TV, I still have the pictures in my mind where (Stefan) Edberg and (Boris) Becker and all those guys, they had more color. There were iconic T-shirts, iconic moments, I thought." American Bethanie Mattek-Sands, known for wearing colorful and sometimes wacky outfits, agreed with Federer. In a 2015 interview with 'The Daily Mail,' Mattek-Sands said she rarely wears white and had not worn a white gown on her wedding day. "It was funny, because I was actually googling some players like when John McEnroe played, Arthur Ashe, they had color everywhere. They had color on their sleeves, big stripes, they were coming out in colored jackets. So I feel it's actually gotten stricter," Mattek-Sands said. "I think for the most part everybody that has come here has been pretty much all white, more than 95 per cent I would say, and they are still kind of picking at people for a certain stripe." Venus Williams in action against Elise Mertens on day one of the Wimbledon Championships at The All ... More England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. (Photo by John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images) In 2017, during a match, Venus Williams had to change a pink bra that peeked out from beneath her all-white dress. The same year, officials asked three boys playing in the juniors tournament to change their underwear, which had become visible beneath their shorts. Wimbledon eased restrictions in 2023, allowing women to wear darker shorts under skirts after several players expressed concerns about wearing white shorts during their menstrual cycle. Wimbledon rules continue to evolve, to address sponsorship patches and logos. Brands must get creative when designing Wimbledon attire for players, making fit, cut, trim, and fabric more important. Official Wimbledon Rules For What Players Can Wear US player Serena Williams poses (top 2R) with the winner's trophy, the Venus Rosewater Dish, greets ... More runner up Germany's Angelique Kerber (top R) during the presentation after Williams won the women's singles final victory on the thirteenth day of the 2016 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 9, 2016. / AFP / POOL AND AFP / Andy RAIN / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read ANDY RAIN/AFP via Getty Images) The AELTC rules state: LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 12. Madison Keys of the United States reacts during her match against Aryna ... More Sabalenka of Belarus in the Ladies' Singles quarter-final match on Court One during the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club at Wimbledon on July 12, 2023, in London, England. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images) What Spectators Are Allowed To Wear At Wimbledon TOPSHOT - Tennis fans wearing wigs resembling legendary players watch Spain's Rafael Nadal play ... More against Luxembourg's Gilles Muller during their men's singles fourth round match on the seventh day of the 2017 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 10, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Glyn KIRK / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) The All England club does not have a specific dress code for fans attending the event. However, there are restrictions. The following clothing and accessories are prohibited: The AELTC warns visitors that anyone with prohibited items may be refused entry or ejected from the Grounds. Any Prohibited Items that are surrendered as a condition of entry to the Grounds shall be deemed to be surrendered irrevocably and voluntarily. Any such items will be unable to be reclaimed and shall be disposed of by the AELTC without any liability. LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 13: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Pippa ... More Middleton in the Royal Box on Centre Court during day twelve of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 13, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by) Celebrities and dignitaries who sit in the Royal Box, must adhere to AELTC protocol. "Dress is smart, suits/jacket and tie, etc. Ladies are asked not to wear hats, as they tend to obscure the vision of those seated behind them," according to the Wimbledon website. Unless you're sitting in the Royal Box, if you plan to attend Wimbledon, the primary concern is staying comfortable and cool while enjoying the action.
