Controversy has struck Wimbledon even before it starts with sportswear giant Nike forced to recall their tennis dresses after the female players complained that the skimpy outfits revealed too much flesh
Too skimpy for Wimbledon? Outfits that revealed too much flesh recalled
Controversy has struck Wimbledon even before it starts and it's once again about the attire.
Wimbledon has time and again been in the news for their strict 'all-white' dress code. But this year, a controversy that could have hit SW19 has been averted in time.
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Sportswear giant Nike was in soup for tennis dresses to be used by their female players at Wimbledon after the players complained that the skimpy outfits revealed too much flesh.
Spain's Garbine Muguruza in action 2015 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London. Pic/AFP (Representational Pic)
Nike withdrew its 'Premier Slam' and requested its players to bring their stock of the all-white outfits to their Wimbledon House at the All England Club so that they could be altered before the first round matches get underway from Monday.
According to reports, players complained the dress was too revealing below the waist, with some commentators labeling it as 'skimpy'.
Players complained that the dress flies up above the waistline and hampers their play.
In this week's qualifying event at Roehampton, 19-year-old British prospect Katie Boulter wore a belt improvised from a hairband to keep her dress in place. Czech Lucie Hradecka, 31, wore knee-length leggings underneath.
Canada's Eugenie Bouchard in action 2015 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London. Pic/AFP (Representational Pic)
At least 20 female players were reportedly given the faulty dress for the All England Club this year, including Canadian star Eugenie Bouchard and Australian Open semi-finalist Johanna Konta.
However, the All England Club had approved the dress saying it did comply with Wimbledon's strict all-white dress code.
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Wimbledon officials have often clashed with players over the issue of on-court clothing where multi-million dollar deals at stake.
Seven-time champion Roger Federer was told by Wimbledon officials in 2013 that his orange-soled tennis shoes contravene the tournament’s strict all-white dress code.
Federer wore the shoes in his opening round win over Victor Hanescu but was told to bin them before his second round match.
Roger Federer with his orange-sole shoes which drew the ire of Wimbledon officials. Pic/Getty Images
“Players at Wimbledon must be dressed almost entirely in white,” a spokesman told the Daily Telegraph.
Despite being a member of the All England Club, defending champion Federer was still expected to abide by the rules.
In 2012, women’s champion Serena Williams had also pushed the boundaries with purple shorts under her dress while also sporting a headband in the same colour.
Wimbledon women were also forced to go bra-less due to the all-white rule clampdown in 2014
All England Lawn Tennis Club officials clamped down after some players, including Serena, tried to introduce colour into their SW19 outfits by wearing bright underwear in previous years.
ALSO READ: When Bouchard escaped punishment for wearing black bra at Wimbledon
But under new guidelines issued in 2014, players may only break up their all-white outfits with a coloured trim of 1cm width.
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