Wimbledon’s ‘ridiculous’ rule that forced stars to go braless changed for 2023

Burning bras in the name of women's rights was a trend of the 1960s – but being allowed to put them back on is the movement in 2023.

Or at least being permitted to wear a certain type of bra after Wimbledon amended a rule that once prevented tennis players from wearing non-white underwear. The All England Club formerly enforced the rule on all clothing, which stated any underwear "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)."

This prevented a concern for female players due to period anxiety, conscious there is no worse dress code to adhere to while menstruating.

Some athletes were even forced to play without bras altogether after being informed their planned garments didn't fit the All England Club's criteria. With no alternative underwear that did fit the bill, certain players were left more exposed as a result.

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"Some of the girls have been told to go back and change their bras and tops because they had slight colour on them," former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash told BBC Radio 5 Live in 2014. "I believe some of the girls didn’t have suitable sports bras and had to go without them. It has absolutely gone ridiculous."

Naomi Broady – older sister of current Wimbledon contender Liam – was one of those who appeared on court without wearing a bra. The Briton took on Caroline Wozniacki at that year's tournament after reportedly being told her initial choice wasn't appropriate.

Do you agree Wimbledon's underwear rule change is a step forward for the sport? Let us know in the comments section below.

Nine years on and the decision has finally been made to allow female players to wear dark undergarments should they desire. However, 2022 runner-up Ons Jabeur has found some fault with the switch.

"There is two things," said the Tunisian ahead of this year's Eastbourne International. "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."

Players still have the option to stick with the complete white theme should they desire, with Karolina Pliskova joining Jabeur in persisting with tradition.

Last year's U.S. Open finalist added: "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."

Reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina has taken full advantage of the alteration by wearing dark under-shorts at this year's tournament. Belarusians Aryna Sabalenka and Victoria Azarenka have also embraced the change in what many will consider an important step forward for women's sport.

"I really like that we still keep playing in the white clothes, but I really like that we have an option for the shorts," praised Sabalenka earlier in July. "I think like dark green shorts looks really cool on the grass. It's really cool to have an option at the Wimbledon."

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