White means white, not off-white, not creams. Just plain white, to step into the Grass courts of the Wimbledon. The Grass Slam is not just famous for being the oldest Grand Slam, but also the one with rigid dress ‘decree’, among others. While some players are excited to follow the dress codes, others like to test the boundaries royally, trying to match some white attire with a tinge of color! This time it’s Novak Djokovic and Frances Tiafoe. However, in the past, the legends have also ended on the other side of white!

Coming fresh from surgery and rehabilitation, Djokovic certainly wants to ensure that his knee has all the support as he dives on the grass for the 8th Wimbledon Crown. However, in doing this, he was seen supporting his knee with a grey-colored strap, raising eyebrows from Wimbledon rule sticklers. But fret not, the Serbian ace has things sorted beforehand as he took permission for the same. To avoid the repeat of Venus Williams’ incident! Moreover, Tiafoe joined Djokovic in his back knee strap, as he took advantage of the loophole, which states that medical support can be colored when absolutely necessary!

Back in 2017, Williams donned an all-white attire. However, her pink bra strap made an appearance on the court. Following this, the player was forced to change her clothes to an acceptable color! No one would have anticipated such a reaction in the middle of the game. Such an incident certainly leads to the question, why white? The answer is simple. It’s a tradition from the 1800s, as white was considered a suitable color against sweat stains.

Travelling over a decade back in time, Federer too let out his rebellious streak at Wimbledon once. Back in 2009, after his 15th Grand Slam win at the Grass court, Federer had his custom Nike jacket ready to celebrate the occasion. Though it was white, 15 was golden, matching the little embroidery on it! He must have taken inspiration from Maria Sharapova, who a year earlier, in 2008, wore a ‘tux’ outfit on the grass courts of London!

Wimbledon may have upgraded its infrastructure with retractable roofs and more sophisticated entry on the Center court. But one thing has remained rigid over centuries: the white dress code! While some players find it elegant and hope, “they keep this tradition forever because it’s something different.” But the perfectionist, Roger Federer, once criticized back in 2015, “I love Wimbledon, but they’ve gone too far now. The rules have become ridiculously strict. I would be in favor of loosening it up a little bit. But it is what it is.”

Though Federer has been steadfast in following the tradition despite a few complaints, not today though as he sits in stands to enjoy Djokovic play on the grass court.

Roger Federer dons dapper look to support his Big 3 rival, Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon

Djokovic has sailed smoothly through the initial round and is all set to face the Scottish player, Jacob Fearnley, in the second. However, as the crowd would be cheering for their tennis star to surprise them with an upset, Djokovic would have the support of the Swiss Maestro as he makes his appearance on the grass court today. Donning black shades with a crisp look and a polite smile, he greets everyone with a wave!

Yesterday his wife, Mirka, was spotted in the stands, while everyone was left wondering about the 20-time Grand Slam champion. But the Grass court ‘king’ is there to witness Djokovic’s gameplay. And maybe to analyze his form, to know whether his record of 8 Grass Slams would be conquered by Djokovic or not?

Would Djokovic rise from the ashes, like a Phoenix, to win his 8th Grass slam? Or would the youngsters would declare their era open?