For the second day running a match in the junior competition at Wimbledon had to be delayed. The reason? The umpire said the players underwear broke tournament policy.
On Wednesday Zsombor Piros and Wu Yibing, who are the No.1 seeds in the boys doubles competition, had to be escorted off the court. The umpire concluded that the colour of their pants was not suitable. In keeping with tournament tradition, players must wear all-white without any other color showing.
“There should be no solid mass or panel of colouring. A single trim of colour around the neckline and around the cuff of the sleeve is acceptable but must be no wider than one centimetre (10mm).” One rule states.
Another violator was Austria’s Jurij Rodionov, the No.11th seed in the boy’s singles competition. Prior to his match, the umpire asked about the colour of his pants. Then, once he spotted the violation, a supervisor was called to the court in a somewhat amusing situation. What was most baffling was the fact the both officials were shown the colour of Rodionov’s underwear.
I’ve never been more popular among British reporters here than when I started talking about underwear…here’s the first check… #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/rrppYa2eoE
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) 13 July 2017
…and here was the supervisor who came out to look at his underwear yet again. He (Jurij Rodionov) then left court to change. #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/rU1q7tpqDo
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) 13 July 2017
It isn’t just the youngsters breaking the rule. Venus Williams, who is playing in her 20th Wimbledon main draw, changed her pink bra earlier in the tournament. Playing Elise Mertens, the 37-year-old changed during a rain break, but officials refused to comment on the situation. Williams herself also brushed it aside.
“Yeah, so I don’t want to talk about undergarments. It’s kind of awkward for me. I’ll leave that to you. You can talk about it with your friends. I’m going to pass.” She said last week.
The all-white policy has been enforced in the tournament since its inaugural competition in 1877. It is believed that the rule started because it was viewed in the 1800s that sweat on colour clothing was ‘improper.’ Therefore, the introduction of that all-white rule was to avoid embarrassment. Now the rule is being followed to maintain the event’s tradition.
What is the Wimbledon clothing policy?
1) 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.
2) White does not include off white or cream.
3) There should be no solid mass or panel of colouring. A single trim of colour around the neckline and around the cuff of the sleeve is acceptable but must be no wider than one centimetre (10mm).
4) Colour contained within patterns will be measured as if it is a solid mass of colour and should be within the one centimetre (10mm) guide. Logos formed by variations of material or patterns are not acceptable.
5) The back of a shirt, dress, tracksuit top or sweater must be totally white.
6) Shorts, skirts and tracksuit bottoms must be totally white except for a single trim of colour down the outside seam no wider than one centimetre (10mm).
7) Caps, headbands, bandanas, wristbands and socks must be totally white except for a single trim of colour no wider than one centimetre (10mm).
8) Shoes must be almost entirely white, including the soles. Large manufacturers’ logos are not encouraged. The grass court shoes must adhere to the Grand Slam rules (see Appendix A below for full details). In particular shoes with pimples around the outside of the toes shall not be permitted. The foxing around the toes must be smooth.
9) Any undergarments that either are or can be 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). In addition, common standards of decency are required at all times.
10) Medical supports and equipment should be white if possible but may be coloured if absolutely necessary.
source – wimbledon.com
