Since its beginning nearly 150 years ago, Wimbledon has been known for its strict and pristine dress codes, both for spectators and players alike. Now, for the first time in years, the guidelines are getting an update.
Ahead of the 2023 event, organizers announced that female competitors would be permitted to wear dark-colored shorts underneath their traditional all-white outfits. This change has come to help ease the anxiety of players competing while menstruating.
Several players, including the 2022 champion Elena Rybakina, have played in dark-colored undershorts during this year’s competition.
MORE: Is there a Wimbledon dress code? Centre Court attire for spectators as players follow all-white clothing rules
Here’s everything to know about the changes after Wimbledon addressed a subject that has long been considered taboo in women’s sports:
Wimbledon all-white dress code
The official rules for Wimbledon go into lengthy detail about the way players can portray themselves on and off the courts. It states that, “competitors must be dressed in suitable tennis attire that is almost entirely white” from the moment they enter the court area — whether in practice or a match.
This includes sweaters, tracksuit tops and bottoms, T-shirts, dresses, skirts, shorts, caps (including underbills), headbands, bandanas, wristbands, socks, shoes (soles and laces, too) and even medical supports or equipment.
And no, their definition of white does not include off-white, ivory or cream. A trim of color is only allowed in certain places, at a strict one centimeter in width, and large logos are frowned upon.
MORE: Why do players wear white at Wimbledon? Explaining grand slam dress code for men and women
Wimbledon dress code changes for 2023
The change to the dress code involves the women’s wear.
Female competitors are now allowed to wear solid, mid-to-dark colored undergarments, provided they are not longer than their white skirts or shorts.
“We are committed to supporting the players and listening to their feedback as to how they can perform at their best,” Sally Bolton, CEO of the All England Club, said in a statement announcing the change.
“It is our hope that this rule adjustment will help players focus purely on their performance by relieving a potential source of anxiety.”
Women’s tennis community speaks out on dress code changes
This change has been a long time coming, finally coming to fruition thanks to the advocacy from athletes and fans around the globe.
Last year, it was the talk of the town when Qinwen Zheng had opened up about the way menstrual cramps had affected her in the 2022 French Open against Iga Swiatek.
Tennis broadcaster Catherine Whitaker shared her opinions about the rules, tweeting that even in her line of work without the strenuous activity, dress codes and policed bathroom breaks, she shares similar fears.
Monica Puig, a former WTA pro, agreed with Whitaker’s comment, tweeting that the mental stress of having to wear all white and praying not to get your period during the two weeks is one that needed to be more spoken about.
British tennis player Heather Watson explained to Sky News that, prior to Wimbledon 2022, she had to make the decision to go on hormonal birth control so she could avoid any leakage and embarrassment.
“We’re running around sweating, doing the splits on court,” Watson told Sky News. “This year I knew my period was going to be during Wimbledon again so I’m very happy I won’t have to do the same thing as last year.”
U.S. tennis player Coco Gauff told the same outlet that she thought the change would remove a lot of stress for her and others in the locker room — she had been on her period when she played in Wimbledon 2022 and it was difficult to manage.
Gauff also shared how it had happened to her at a previous tournament, and the referee was thankfully the first to notice.
Fans have even taken to the cause. Address the Dress Code was a campaign outside the gates of Wimbledon in 2022, where women wore red shorts under white skirts and carried signs that read: “About bloody time.”
Female athletes in other sports have also taken to the cause, campaigning in their line of work too; marathon runners, swimmers and golfers being just a few, according to NBC News.
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