Wimbledon has dropped one of its most traditional rules for women after it became a source of controversy in recent years.
The AP reported Thursday that the All England Club that hosts the tournament will scrap its “all white” clothing rule to allow women players to wear colored undershorts. That will allow players to be more comfortable during their periods.
According to the report, the club reached the decision after consulting “with the WTA, clothing manufacturers, and medical teams on how best to support women and girls competing at the championships.”
The all-white clothing rule had been a Wimbledon tradition since 1877, but it had come under criticism in recent years as sexist and old-fashioned.
“We are committed to supporting the players and listening to their feedback as to how they can perform at their best,” All England Club chief executive Sally Bolton said (via the AP). “It is our hope that this rule adjustment will help players focus purely on their performance by relieving a potential source of anxiety.”
Now, players must wear, “solid, mid/dark-colored undershorts provided they are no longer than their shorts or skirt.”
Criticism of the all-white clothing rule had become more frequent in recent years. Former Olympic gold medallist Monica Puig noted at this year’s tournament the “mental stress of having to wear all white at Wimbledon and praying not to have your period during those two weeks.”
Tennis fans checking in on Twitter seemed supportive of the new rule, yet many wondered why it took so long to drop the tradition.
Wimbledon has taken the decision to update the white clothing rule to allow female competitors to wear mid/dark-coloured undershorts if they choose to.
This is really good news. Progress. Took long enough. pic.twitter.com/9OiDTHc5Pc
— Biola Solace-Chukwu (@Beeorlicious) November 17, 2022
What a weird rule to have in the first place.
— Zak Wojnar 🇺🇦 (@ZakWojnar) November 17, 2022
Whilst I agree with this move, all outer clothing should be white as per the traditions of the tournament. Its part of what makes Wimbledon the most unique and prestigious grand slam in the sport. Players can wear any colours they like at the other 3 slams and tour events.
— Parker (@__Parker_____) November 17, 2022
The only reason they wear white is because seeing sweat patches on darker clothes would have offended the sensibilities of the Victorian upper classes. It’s frankly a very embarrassing tradition.
— Camille Araz (@CamilleAraz) November 17, 2022
Women readers will immediately get why this is a really big deal from the previously "all clothing has to be white" Wimbledon. https://t.co/pZNWeJveWP
— Barbara Katzenberg (@bakatzenberg) November 17, 2022
And finally, this five-year old tweet shows just how big a deal this is in the tennis world.
All white clothing has been worn at #Wimbledon since the tournament began in 1877.
That's a tradition we're rather proud of… pic.twitter.com/nTgEYw2l3c
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 7, 2017
[AP]
