Wimbledon 2023: All Whites Dress Code Relaxation Comes As Relief For Women Players

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The all-white clothing has been synonymous with Wimbledon for ages and is the most unique features about the competition. However, the organizers have decided to relax the dress code for women to ease stress of periods.

Wimbledon organizers had announced last year that they will relax their white clothing rule to allow women players to wear dark-colored undershorts.

The decision was taken after the tournament and its organizers faced growing pressure to reduce anxieties as to whether blood is visible on white clothes for players who are menstruating.

"We are committed to supporting the players and listening to their feedback as to how they can perform at their best," Sally Bolton, chief executive of the All England Club, said in a statement.

"I'm pleased to confirm that, following consultation with players and representatives of several stakeholder groups, the Committee of Management has taken the decision to update the white clothing rule at Wimbledon.

"This means that from next year, women and girls competing at The Championships will have the option of wearing colored undershorts if they choose. It is our hope that this rule adjustment will help players focus purely on their performance by relieving a potential source of anxiety."

While the all-whites dress code still remains, the women players will now be allowed to wear dark-colored undergarments if they wanted to from this year.

Former British World No. 1 Heather Watson welcomed Wimbledon's decision to relax its strict dress code and reveals she used pill to stop herself from bleeding during periods.

"When Wimbledon announced that about the under-shorts I was so happy because it makes such a big difference. I speak openly about my period and being on my period. I don't think it's a taboo subject," Watson told Sky Sports.

"I would love for people to talk about it more, especially women in sport. So, when I heard this I was really happy because last year I went on the pill to stop myself bleeding because I knew we had to wear white under-shorts, and I didn't want to face any embarrassment.

"We're running around sweating, doing the splits on the court. This year I knew my period was going to be during Wimbledon again, so I'm very happy that I won't have to do the same thing as last year. I think it's a real positive and it's really great. Really forward-thinking."

Last year when the announcement was made, several women including former Olympic champion Monica Puig and Australian tennis player Daria Saville spoke about the "mental stress" caused by the all-white dress code and "skipping periods" as a result.