Why is it mandatory for participants to wear white in Wimbledon? 

If you are an ardent tennis lover, then you are most likely to know that Wimbledon has a mandatory all-white dress code. Have you ever wondered why? Before we delve into the why of it, let’s take a look at the recent controversy. 

Ahead of the Wimbledon 2022, women players called for a change in the tournament’s strict white dress code. This was first brought to limelight by former professional tennis player Monica Puig on Twitter, followed by Chinese tennis player Qinwen Zheng. So far, the Wimbledon authorities have not taken any proactive measure to address this issue. Now, let us focus on the Wimbledon dress code and figure out the reason behind it.  

Decoded: Wimbledon dress code  
It is a common knowledge that the English Grand Slam Wimbledon is rooted in tradition. And its most distinctive feature is its mandatory all-white dress code. But why is there such a tradition and when did it start? It definitely looks like it’s more than wearing a colourless ensemble. So, what is it really? Well, it turns out that just wearing white isn’t enough. Players need to be careful to ensure that they don’t wear off-white or cream coloured uniform. Not only that, there’s also a strict guideline that says, other colours shouldn’t occupy a surface wider than 1cm. In fact, Wimbledon insists on a ‘single trim of colour’ if there’s any need for them at all. Therefore, in case the players wish to wear colourful necklines, cuffs, sleeves or headbands, they have to think twice! Moreover, logos with patterns on the attire are also prohibited along with visible undergarments. So, not only do the players need to wear all-white uniform, they also have to adhere to an all-white underwear. Wait, there’s more. Over the years, Wimbledon has also extended the all-white rule to accessories including, caps, bandanas, wristbands, socks and shoes, even their soles to be precise! 

So, where did the all-white dress code of Wimbledon come from? 
In order to find an answer to this question, we need to rewind back to the 1880s. This is the time when the notion of ‘tennis whites’ was formed. As we know, tennis has always been the sport of the genteel. It used to be played for amusement during social events. They chose white because it used to hide sweat stains better than colours. In fact, such stains were so unacceptable that it became a norm to stick to the white attire. In fact, eventually, when tennis became a professional and competitive sport, leading to a more vigorous movement across the court, this all-white dress code became even more strict. This rule was imposed, keeping in mind the female players specifically. Since Wimbledon also started around the same time (1887), it is not surprising that this championship embraced the all-white rule from the very start.  

What other Grand Slams have this rule? 
Fortunately, no other Grand Slam has this traditional all-white rule. However, the US Open too followed this dress code until 1972, after which coloured clothing was allowed. The French Open too is quite liberal when it comes to dress code. Australian Open, on the other hand, has certain rules like wearing an ‘acceptable tennis attire’ that often needs to be approved by the match referee or umpire. Moreover, a single logo is permitted on each sleeve of the player’s shirt, while designs on headwear also need to be ‘tennis specific’.