Why do Wimbledon players have to wear white?

Wimbledon is one of the most famous tennis tournaments in the world. It started in 1877, making it the oldest major tennis championship still played today. Unlike other big tournaments, Wimbledon has a strict dress code: players must wear almost entirely white clothing. Any color on their outfit can be no more than 10 millimeters wide — about the width of a fingernail. This rule has a long history, and not everyone has always followed it.

At other big tennis events, players can wear almost anything they like. At the 2025 French Open in Paris, Carlos Alcaraz beat Jannik Sinner in the men's final on June 8. Alcaraz wore a colorful striped Nike top, while Sinner wore a green polo-style shirt that some said looked like a rugby jersey. In the women's final, Coco Gauff beat Aryna Sabalenka while wearing a dark blue marbled outfit and a stylish grey leather jacket. None of that bold color would be allowed at Wimbledon.

Fashion, technology, and money all play a big role in what players wear at most tournaments. Clothing companies like Nike and New Balance pay players to wear their gear, and fans can buy the same outfits online. But at Wimbledon, those flashy colors are not welcome. The all-white rule sets this tournament apart from every other event on the tennis calendar.

So why does Wimbledon insist on white? The rule goes all the way back to the 1800s, when white clothing was thought to hide sweat stains better than other colors. It was also believed to keep players cooler in the summer heat. Over time, the rule became less about practicality and more about tradition. Today, white clothing is seen as a symbol of Wimbledon's unique history and prestige.

Not everyone has been happy with the rule, though. Many women in tennis — including legends like Billie Jean King and players like Heather Watson — said the rule caused problems for women who are menstruating. White undershorts can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. After years of complaints, the All England Club updated its rules in 2023 to allow dark-colored undershorts, as long as they are not longer than the outer shorts or skirt.

There have been other famous moments when players ran into trouble with the dress code. In 1949, Gertrude Moran shocked officials by wearing an outfit with visible undergarments. In 2017, Venus Williams was asked to change during a rain break because pink bra straps were showing. The following year, Roger Federer was told to change his shoes because the soles were orange. All three players followed the rules without too much fuss.

The tradition of wearing white in sport is not unique to tennis — cricket has a similar history. For a long time, cricket players wore all-white clothing, with only caps and sweaters showing team colors. Today, shorter matches played under floodlights use colorful uniforms. But the longest and most traditional form of the game, called Test cricket, still uses white clothing to honor its history.

White uniforms have also appeared in football, though not always with a clean reputation. The Leeds United football team of the 1960s and 1970s wore all white but played a rough, aggressive style. Fans gave them the nickname 'dirty Leeds,' which showed that white clothes do not always mean clean play. History and tradition matter in every sport, and nicknames like that can stick around for decades.

Wimbledon arrives each summer with strawberries, cream, and — thanks to the strict dress code — a sea of white on the courts. For fans who love the tournament's traditions, that dress code is a big part of what makes Wimbledon feel special. No marbled blue, no bright green, no orange soles — just white, as it has been for nearly 150 years.