Getty Image / Clive Brunskill
The Championships at Wimbledon are underway, and 256 men’s and women’s tennis players are looking to win what many consider the crown jewel of tennis.
Wimbledon is full of traditions, like strawberries and cream and the royal box. But, the most well-known and revered tradition is the all-white attire worn by its players.
Every match, both players will wear nearly all white, with limited amounts of color in logos or accents. In fact, every once in a while, you will see players playing against each other wearing the same outfit if they have the same sponsors.
But, where did this tradition start from? What does the actual rule say?
Wimbledon’s Official Rules Require White
Here’s what the official rules have to say about the tradition.
Competitors must be dressed in suitable tennis attire that is almost entirely white* and this applies from the point at which the player enters the court surround.
The rules go on to state a lot of specifities about what exactly is white, how much of a non-white color can be worn, etc etc. The “only wear white” rule applies to accessories, hats, some undergarments, and especially shoes, which are supposed to be as white as possible. Women are allowed leeway to wear colored undergarments under their skirts.
What happens if a player is deemed to be wearing too much color? They’ll be asked to change. That’s happened to players like Roger Federer and Venus Williams in the past. Famously, Andre Agassi refused to play at Wimbledon from 1988-1990 because of the dress code.
The Tradition Started Out Of Necessity
According to the London Evening Times, players at Wimbledon started wearing white in the 1800s because that color was deemed to hide sweat stains the best. The tradition stuck, and now the color is associated with Wimbledon just as much as their perfectly manicured grass courts are.
The 2024 Championships at Wimbledon run from July 1 to July 14.