Tennis, cricket, stubbornness of British sports with white clothes (Aha Sports)
Wimbledon tennis is in full swing. The players are always wearing white clothes as they have always. There is no exception. Underwear, bands, shoes, and even bras straps can be limited to the game if it is not white.
Wimbledon’s mandatory white dress code is rooted in British aristocracy and history, which emphasizes dignity. In the early 19th century, tennis was carried out for social activities for upper class women. At that time, the sweat was very rude or unsanitary, so white clothes were less likely to be shown. White clothes cooled down the summer heat.
As time goes by, white costumes have become a unique tradition of Wimbledon. Wimbledon is the only one of the four major tennis major competitions (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, US Open). The oldest (first starting in 1877), Wimbledon’s unique identity, reveals white clothes.
Of course, the backlash of the players was also difficult. In 1949, Gertourd Moran (USA) had white costumes, but received the attention of the world for wearing underlying pants under a short skirt. Every time the peony jumps or moves to hit the ball, the lace decoration pants were revealed. Since then, the dress regulations have been strengthened. Moran’s outfit is regarded as a scene that informs the beginning of freedom and expression of women’s sports suits in sports history. Andri Agashi (USA) was also absent from Wimbledon in 1989 and 1990 as a protest against dress regulations.
Despite the dissatisfaction of the players, Wimbledon has strengthened the regulations of the players. Since 2014, the underwear of the players had to be unified in white. In 2017, Venus Williams (USA) had to be pointed out during the game because of the pink bra strap exposed during the rain. Tennis legends such as Billy Jean King and Judy Murray argued that white underwear could be a problem for menstrual menstruation, and the English Club revised the 2023 rules and allowed a dark underwear that is not longer than shorts or skirts.
Wimbledon is not just insisting on white clothes. Cricket must also wear white clothes in between countries. Only hats with the color of the country are allowed to be colored. The cricket resembles a tennis in that it is a sport that started in the upper class of the 16th and 17th centuries. Both Wimbledon and crickets are proud of tradition.
By Kim Yang -hee, reporter whizzer4@hani.co.kr
