Wimbledon dress code rules explained after women were forced to go braless
After weeks of anticipation, this year's Wimbledon has finally kicked off, delivering all the cherished traditions that have firmly established the Championships as one of the most celebrated events in the British sporting calendar. From strawberries and cream to immaculate grass courts, many of the tournament's defining features have remained unchanged for decades. That includes the All England Lawn Tennis Club's iconic dress code, which requires players to swap the vibrant kit worn throughout the rest of the season for tennis whites.
The tradition of wearing all-white on SW19's grass courts dates all the way back to the Victorian era. At that time, visible sweat patches were considered unsightly, and white clothing was thought to disguise them far more effectively than coloured alternatives. Since 1963, Wimbledon has required competitors to wear "predominantly white" clothing. The rules were tightened further still in 2014, when players were instructed to wear only items that are "almost entirely white" during both practice sessions and matches.
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That very same year, Wimbledon found itself embroiled in controversy after a number of female players were reportedly asked to remove bras that were found to be in breach of the strict dress code.
The incident provoked a furious reaction from Pat Cash, the one-time Wimbledon men's champion.
"Some of the girls have been told to go back and change their bras and tops because they had slight colour on them," he said.
"I believe some of the girls didn't have suitable sports bras and had to go without them. It has absolutely gone ridiculous."
The all-white requirement even extended to underwear for both men and women.
Cash added: "One of the players was called into the referees' office because he had blue underwear that showed through when he got sweaty. So he was told not to wear dark underwear."
Calls to overhaul the regulations reached their peak some years ago with the formation of the Address The Dress Code protest group, with campaigners pushing for changes amid concerns for female players who were menstruating.
In 2022, Wimbledon relaxed its rules to allow women to wear dark-coloured undershorts, provided they are no longer than their shorts or skirt.
"We are committed to supporting the players and listening to their feedback as to how they can perform at their best," said Sally Bolton, the All England Lawn Tennis Club's chief executive, following the announcement of the adjustment.
"It is our hope that this rule adjustment will help players focus purely on their performance."
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