No strawberries, just cream: Wimbledon's fixation with white

When you think of Wimbledon, the colour white comes to mind more often than not. Here’s taking a look at the tournament’s obsession and long-standing association with the colour.

Tennis players opt for edgy, stylish outfits at tournaments such as the French Open, but when it comes to Wimbledon, classic is the way to go. Tennis whites and Wimbledon go hand-in-hand, primarily because back in the day, white was considered to be a colour for the elite (considering the time, effort and money it took to keep it looking pristine). So, it was only natural that tennis, which also started off as a leisure sport for the privileged few, chose white as its colour.

In 1963, authorities of the prestigious tournament decided that participating players must be dressed predominantly in white. In 1995, revised dressing guidelines stated that the players must wear clothes that are “almost entirely white”. While the dress code for debenture ticket holders – the spectators bagging one of the most expensive and the best seats in the house – has been relaxed, players have absolutely no respite.

While these spectators can now wear anything barring torn jeans, dirty trainers, running vests and sports shoes (even tailored shorts are acceptable!), the guidelines for sportspersons got a lot stricter last year.

The authorities at Wimbledon explain that the new guidelines were issued to curb sports brands from slipping colour into the players’ outfits. Considering the fact that sportswear manufacturers can only set themselves apart from other brands through the nifty use of colour, Wimbledon’s latest all-white code hasn’t gone down well with them. It states that the entire outfit must be white, including undershorts and undergarments. The use of colour is restricted to a 1-cm trim and applies to the entire kit, including shoes, caps, socks, wristbands and bandanas.

A colourful Roger Federer at the French Open this year

Even as Wimbledon maintains that their insistence on wearing white has got everything to do with upholding traditions and nothing to do with being elitist, players aren’t chuffed. Although Roger Federer clearly expressed his displeasure soon after the new guidelines were introduced, players have been rebelling against Wimbledon’s exacting standards for a while now.

Andre Agassi, fashion icon? The tennis star at Wimbledon in 1992

One of tennis’ greatest players, Andre Agassi was always known for his love of bright colours and statement denim shorts. In an act of rebellion against the white outfit he was compelled to wear, Agassi refused to play at Wimbledon briefly.

Sharapova rebels against Wimbledon’s restrictive regulation

More recently, in 2008, Maria Sharapova took Wimbledon’s dress code terribly seriously by showing up for a match dressed in a white tuxedo-inspired outfit. Although the authorities couldn’t prove it, they had a sneaky suspicion that they were being mocked.

Strawberries and cream! Williams in a truly Wimbledon-inspired outfit

In 2010, Serena Williams – who’s known for her sartorial outfit choices – wore a cream dress with a red trim and red shorts. Although she intended it to be a tribute to Wimbledon’s strawberries-and-cream tradition, some feel that the move was laced with sarcasm.

Everything said and done, Gertrude Augusta Moran managed to irk the authorities like no other player. In 1949, her short dress and lace knickers outfit had authorities fuming. The All England Club went as far as to say that she brought “vulgarity and sin into tennis”.

This article was originally published on Solly Sport.