For the past 146 years, the best tennis players in the world have faced off on the grass courts of London, vying for a chance to win the Wimbledon Championship title. The renamed tournament is known for its strict all-white dress code, but for the first time in history it is getting an update.
In 2023, players can now wear dark colored underpants, a change intended to ease period anxiety, WWD reports. These clothes, however, still cannot be longer than their skirts or tennis shorts.
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Where did the all-white dress code come from?
Since the very first Wimbledon tournament in 1877, players have had to wear all-white uniforms. Shades of off-white or ivory are strictly prohibited. Only “one single color trim”, no more than one centimeter long, is permitted on the neckline or sleeve.
Why is this change happening now?
Women were first allowed to compete at Wimbledon in 1884. They didn’t always wear short skirts to play tennis – it wasn’t until the 1920s that players began to avoid long dresses, replacing with shorter hems.
In recent years, tennis legend Billie Jean King as well as Judy Murray, mother of professional player Andy Murray, have advocated for changing the undershorts rule.
“We always worried because we wore white all the time,” King told CNN in 2022. “And it’s what you wear underneath that’s important for your period.”
In a statement, All England Club chief executive Sally Bolton said she hoped the new rule would “help players focus solely on their performance by alleviating a potential source of anxiety”.
What did the players say about the change?
American pro Coco Gauff praised the updated dress code. “I think it’s going to take a lot of the stress off for me and for the other girls in the dressing room for sure,” she told Sky News last week.
Several players spoke of the challenges of managing their periods during Wimbledon, with some resorting to hormonal birth control to avoid menstruation during the tournament.
“Last year I took the pill to stop the bleeding because I knew we had to wear white undershorts and I didn’t want to be embarrassed,” British tennis player Heather Watson told Sky News .
Is there a dress code for spectators?
Those watching Wimbledon are not required to adhere to the all-white dress code. However, they are expected to wear formal day wear. Prohibited items include dirty sneakers, ripped jeans, and running shorts.
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