The 2022 Wimbledon Championship has offered plenty of high-end action and entertainment over the past 10 days, as tennis’ oldest and most prestigious competition once again brings together some of the world’s best in the business.
And as much as the likes of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Cameron Norrie have been catching the eye with their impressive performances, there is also something else that often catches the eye and raises the same question with spectators alike.
Since its inaugural tournament in 1877, competitors at the annual third Grand Slam of the year have always worn all white, for a reason many still do not know. Mirror Sport brings you all the information on exactly why that is.
After the first Wimbledon Championship 144 years ago, all players have continued to wear all white ever since. It very quickly became an unbroken tradition, which the tournament prides itself heavily on, and is the only one that applies this particular dress code.
Throughout the rest of the year, tennis stars are able to don whatever sportswear they please when they take to the court, until it comes to the two week period that stretches from the final week of June until the first week of July.
And there are two very important reasons for this very strict rule. The first, which makes complete sense from a players point of view, is because the colour white is believed to show less sweat and is worn for propriety's sake, which is a dress code that dates back to standards set in the Victorian era.
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The second reason for this unaltered tradition is because, during the time of Wimbledon’s birth date in 1877, tennis was seen as a wealthy man’s game and those who played were keen to show off their pristine garments in a bid to look as upper class as they possibly could.
From then on, the all white attire became part and parcel of playing at Wimbledon, and has been unaltered since. According to International Tennis Hall of Fame librarian Meredith Richards, via the Daily Star, "it was all about incredible proper.”
The competitions rule organisers take it very seriously and it went on for almost a century before it was considered being dropped, following the emergence of colour TV in the 60s. The reason was because viewers would be able to tell players apart more easily, but tradition prevailed.
But following the emergence of new fashion brands and popular dress styles in the 70s, players began to push the All England Club's boundaries. In 1972, Rose Casals was reprimanded for wearing a dress that featured too much purple, while Martina Navratilova was given an earful for having thin blue stripes on her white skirt.
Bad boy Nick Kyrgios flouted the rules this year by wearing red trainers and a red cap. When asked why he walked on the court in such a manner, the Aussie replied: "Because I do what I want. I'm not above the rules. I just like wearing my Jordans. It's more attention for me. What's that saying? Any publicity is good publicity, right?"
They even became too much for American icon Andre Agassi at one point, who famously refused to participate at Wimbledon for three years due to his fondness for bright colours.
Even eight-time Wimbledon winner Roger Federer previously branded the rules "too strict" after being told off for wearing white shoes with orange bottoms a few years ago. Nonetheless, it is one of sports longest serving traditions and will most likely remain for as long as the tournament goes on.
