Wimbledon has been renowned for its class, history and prestige in tennis ever since it was established in 1877.
Traditions have been a mainstay at the All England Club in SW19, with strawberries and cream one of the delights amongst fans.
Pimm’s is also a popular beverage for spectators, some of whom are famous faces that take their seats in the prestigious Royal Box.
But there’s one piece of Wimbledon heritage that’s strictly preserved by tournament officials – the official competitor dress code.
Whilst dark green and purple are the official championship colours, players have long been required to wear all-white outfits.
Regulations on attire were initially enforced in 1963 and called for all competitors in SW19 to dress ‘predominantly in white’.
This was changed 32 years later to ‘almost entirely white’, and covers both practice and official matches throughout the tournament.
Players must adhere to the rules and if they don’t, they are likely to be asked to change into the accepted garments.
Anna Kournikova became familiar with this in 2002 when she fell foul of the Wimbledon regulations.
The former Russian player, who was once the world no.8, wore black shorts during a practice session.
Kournikova therefore needed to change but with no white shorts to hand, she had to resort to a different item of clothing.
In order to comply with the dress code, she borrowed a pair from her coach, the late and legendary Nick Bollettieri.
Kournikova had to change out of her black shorts, which were against the rulesAlamy She adhered to the rules when taking to the court against PanovaGettyKournikova wore an all-white outfit for her first round match against compatriot Tatiana Panova, who won 6-1 4-6 6-4.
But she’s certainly not been the only player to have gone against the Wimbledon dress requirements.
Andre Agassi, who won the men’s singles title in 1992, wrote about his dislike of the rules in his autobiography Open.
“I resent rules, but especially arbitrary rules. Why must I wear white? I don’t want to wear white.
“Why should it matter to these people what I wear? Above all, I took offence at being barred and blocked and made to feel unwanted.”
Agassi even decided not to play at Wimbledon from 1988 until 1990 due to the tradition, although he did return the year before his win.
Agassi was not a fan of the all-white clothing rules at the Grand Slam tournamentGetty Jabeur is another player who needed to change to meet the standardsGettyMore recently, Ons Jabeur seemed to forget the rules in 2023 ahead of her women’s singles final clash against Marketa Vondrousova.
Jabeur wore a black top during practice and was told to return to the changing rooms.
Once she had changed into the requested white, she made her way back onto the court and then fell to a 6-4 6-4 defeat.
Although colourless clothes are mandatory, Wimbledon introduced a key change two years ago for the female players.
They are now able to wear mid or dark-coloured undershorts as long as they are not longer than their skirts or shorts.
Coco Gauff was one player who welcomed the change as she spoke on how she played at Wimbledon on her period in 2022.
“I was on my period last year at Wimbledon and it was very stressful,” she said to Sky News.
“You have period underwear to help you but it’s still in the back of your mind.
“Sometimes when you go to the bathroom, you’re supposed to use the bathroom but sometimes I would go to check nothing was showing.
“I think it’s going to relieve a lot of stress for me and other girls in the locker room, for sure.”
Wimbledon rules on 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 coloured if absolutely necessary. A more relaxed dress code operates at the Aorangi Park practice courts.*Exception provided for female players who are allowed to wear solid, mid/dark-coloured undershorts provided they are no longer than their shorts or skirt.
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