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Following the All England Club's announcement to amend the Wimbledon rulebook back, Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur has raised her concern over the 'new underwear rule' for the 2023 championship. However, the world no. 6 on the WTA Tour also commended Wimbledon's decision that could help "women feel more comfortable on the court."
During SW19, Wimbledon championships in London, a rule was announced that strictly prohibited players from wearing any colour than white. The provision in 2014 forced some female competitors to play braless during the tournament. SW19 guidelines had previously stated, "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)."
Now, the amended rule has been introduced ahead of the first round of qualification matches. The new rule is brought in for the 2023 championship, which is scheduled to commence on June 26, and it will allow female players to wear dark-coloured underwear to reduce period paranoia.
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However, the Tunisian ace stated her mixed feeling over the recent development, and while speaking before the Rothesay International in Eastbourne, she said, "There is two things. One thing, it’s better definitely not to be paranoid. And the other thing, everybody will know that you have your period. So I’m not sure which part of it is good."
She added, "I think I don’t think I’m going to wear anything. If all the girls will wear it, I think it will make it better. But I think it’s a great thing that Wimbledon is trying to help women feel more comfortable on the court."
After the announcement of the amendment of the Wimbledon rulebook in the Autumn of 2022, Chief Executive Sally Bolton said, "It is our hope that this rule adjustment will help players focus purely on their performance by relieving a potential source of anxiety."
