Picture credit: Heathcliff O'Malley/Sport.ro
Following the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) players and fans' protest against the 'all-white underwear rule', the All England Club is in talks to relax the 'archaic' tradition that was a 'traumatic experience' for many female players. Earlier, Fans staged protests at Wimbledon 2022 using the slogans, "Address the Dress Code".
Many fans protested against the rule outside the gates of Wimbledon this summer while the former British Fed Cup captain and Andy Murray's mother, Judy Murray was also among some notable figures to criticize the all-white rule.
During the Wimbledon 2022 this summer, Romania tennis star Mihaela Buzarnescu had to switch undergarments with her coach a few minutes before her match due to the all-white rule. Mihaela was wearing black undergarment and was objected by the officials.
After her match, the Romanian said, "My bustier was too black and I had to change it. The white one I had was too transparent and you could see everything underneath and I couldn't wear it, so I borrowed from my coach, I took her bustier."
The WTA players faced uneasiness to align with the rule during their menstrual cycles, which has forced the Wimbledon organizers to reduce the unnecessary difficulties for female players. Recently, the All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club released this statement, "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."
Judy Murray also addressed the issue while s peaking last week at a female leadership event in Glasgow and said, "I think it’s certainly a much more open talking point, but it would probably need more of the players to speak out openly about the trauma it can cause you, if you are wearing all white and then possibly have a leak while you’re playing. I cannot think of a much more traumatic experience than that."
Reportedly, Wimbledon's 'all-white rule' is likely to be relaxed from next tournament, making it mandatory only for above the waist clothing.