Wimbledon’s all-white dress code might be about to change for women.
On Tuesday, the All England Club released a statement saying: “Prioritising women’s health and supporting players based on their individual needs is very important to us, and we are in discussions with the WTA (world tennis association), with manufacturers and with the medical teams about the ways in which we can do that.”
The existing rules state that all clothing, including “undergarments” that are visible or can become visible during a match “due to perspiration,” must be white.
“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,” the rules state.
The clothing refers to all clothing, including tracksuits and sweaters, worn on tournament courts both during practice and for matches. “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).”
The latest statement released does has not mentioned any changes to the rules for male players.
On Tuesday, tennis legend Billie-Jean King opened up to CNN’s Amanda Davies about the announcement.
“My generation, we always worried because we wore all white all the time,” King said. “And it’s what you wear underneath that’s important for your menstrual period.”
“And we’re always checking whether we’re showing. You get tense about it because the first thing we are is entertainers and you want whatever you wear to look immaculate, look great. We’re entertainers. We’re bringing it to the people.”
“You feel like you can breathe and not have to check on everything every minute when you sit down and change sides,” King added, referring to wearing dark clothing underneath. “So at least it’s been brought to the forefront, which I think is important to have discussion.”
Earlier his year, British player Alicia Barnett gave an interview with the British PA news agency where she revealed the mental toll of sticking to the only-whites rule while managing the symptoms that menstruation has on her performance.
“I do think some traditions could be changed. I, for one, am a massive advocate for women’s rights and I think having this discussion is just amazing, that people are now talking about it,” Barnett said.
“I think being on your period on the tour is hard enough, but to wear whites as well isn’t easy.”
Australian player Daria Saville also joined in the debate, revealing she had skipped her period while on tour as she was afraid she would bleed through her whites.
“Recently just being at Wimbledon, I was talking with my friend saying that I love the all-white look, but then a few girls said they hate it because it sucks to wear all white while being on your period,” Saville told The Daily Aus.
“It’s true, I myself had to skip my period around Wimbledon for the reason that I didn’t want to worry about bleeding through. We already have enough stress.”
The all-white rule is expected to be altered by next summer.