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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Roger Fagge

The history behind Wimbledon’s all-white rule for tennis player’s kits

  • Wimbledon, the oldest tennis tournament, maintains a strict "almost entirely white" dress code for players, with any colour limited to a 10mm strip.
  • The white clothing rule, enforced since the 19th century, originated to conceal sweat and provide coolness in summer heat.
  • Over time, the dress code became a symbol of Wimbledon's unique history and tradition, despite occasional controversies and revisions.
  • In 2023, the All England Club updated its rules to permit dark undershorts for women players, addressing concerns related to menstruation.
  • Past clothing controversies at Wimbledon include incidents involving Gertrude Moran, Venus Williams, and Roger Federer, highlighting the strict adherence to the white kit policy.

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