Wimbledon's All-White Rule: Unraveling the Tradition, Controversies, and Modern Adaptations

Taylor Fritz of the U.S., right, greets Gabriel Diallo of Canada at the net after winning their second round men's singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Wimbledon, established in 1877, stands as the oldest and arguably most prestigious tennis tournament globally. A hallmark of this event is its strict dress code, mandating that all competitors adorn themselves in white attire, save for a mere 10mm of colored trim.

The tradition of wearing all white at Wimbledon traces back to the 1870s, a period defined by Victorian sensibilities where any visible sign of perspiration was deemed unseemly.

The primary intention of the all-white rule was to mask sweat marks and provide players with some relief from the summer heat. However, it has since evolved into an integral element of Wimbledon’s rich heritage and enduring traditions. While the regulations are generally firm, they have undergone occasional revisions to accommodate modern concerns.

Figures such as Billie Jean King, Judy Murray, and Heather Watson have voiced concerns about the discomfort that white undershorts can cause for female players during menstruation. Consequently, in 2023, the All England Club revised its policy to permit players to wear dark-colored undershorts, provided they remain concealed beneath the outer shorts or skirt.

Dress code controversies are woven into the fabric of Wimbledon's history. In 1949, Gertrude Moran faced censure for revealing visible undergarments. Andre Agassi, celebrated for his unconventional tennis fashion, even boycotted Wimbledon in the 1980s in protest of the all-white dress code.

Tennis icon Roger Federer stirred debate in 2013 when he sported white shoes accented with orange soles.

Wimbledon officials promptly requested that he refrain from wearing the shoes, prompting Federer to describe the regulations as "too strict."

More recently, in 2017, Venus Williams was instructed to change her attire during a rain delay due to the visibility of her fuchsia bra straps.

Acknowledging player concerns, Wimbledon relaxed its restrictions in 2023, allowing women to wear darker shorts beneath their skirts, particularly addressing anxieties surrounding menstruation.

In an official statement, the AELTC affirmed, “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, with manufacturers, and with the medical teams about the ways in which we can do that.”