Ons Jabeur, the trailblazing Tunisian tennis star, has recently raised concerns regarding Wimbledon’s new rule allowing female players to wear dark-colored undershorts. The rule change, which was announced ahead of the 2021 Championships, was welcomed by many as a progressive step towards greater inclusivity and comfort for players. However, Jabeur’s comments have highlighted a potential issue with the rule, sparking a debate about the broader implications of dress codes and personal expression in the world of professional tennis.
Ons Jabeur shares her conflicting views about change in rules for female players
The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), which organizes Wimbledon, has long maintained strict dress code regulations for players competing in the prestigious tournament. The iconic all-white clothing rule has been a defining feature of the Championships, setting it apart from other Grand Slam events. However, over the years, there have been calls for greater flexibility in the dress code, particularly regarding the use of color in players’ attire.
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It was so because female players in white got really anxious about staining their white underwear if they had their periods. In response to these calls, the AELTC has gradually introduced changes to the dress code, including the recent decision to allow female players to wear dark-colored undershorts. This move was seen as a positive step in providing female players with more options for their on-court attire, particularly for those who feel more comfortable wearing shorts beneath their skirts or dresses.
However, Ons has some conflicting opinions about this change. She first mentioned the positive side of the change. She said in an interview with Express, “It’s definitely better not to be paranoid”. On the other hand, she mentioned the off-side of it. To which she explained, “And the other thing, everybody will know that you have your period. So I’m not sure which part of it is good”.
Her opinion about the change in the rule is debatable. But the flexibility definitely opens a door for women to feel more comfortable on the court.
All-white dress code rule change allows women to have their periods normally
Before this rule changed, the Wimbledon rulebook stated, “Any undergarments that either are or can be visible during play must also be completely white”. This was disappointing for female players, as they were worried about staining their clothes during their periods.
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In fact, to avoid staining, they used medication to delay their periods. So they don’t have it while they are in all white. The 29-year-old Australian tennis player, Daria Saville, shared in an interview with The Daily Aus that she had to skip her period during the tournament. It was because she did not want to worry about bleeding through. The players already have enough stress and this is something she did not want to add to the list.
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Do you think the rule has more positives than negatives? Let us know.