Fiend at Court Unplugged
I own more all-white tennis clothes than might reasonably be anticipated. Given my druthers, I rarely wear white. It is a simple matter of economics. My natural ability to get food and ink stains on white things makes it prohibitively expensive to be constantly replacing those items. At the same time, I revere the all white dress code as an indelible part of the history of the tennis.
My quantity of all-white tennis clothes is precisely enough to carry me through a week long tournament. The reason I can make that assertion with such precision, is because my white sub-wardrobe was purchased around my intent to one day play the USTA Category 1 Senior National Championships which are conducted in Forest Hills and at the Germantown Cricket Club. Both tournaments have an all white dress-code for competitors.
Long time readers of this site, or anyone who has wandered over to the Fiend at Court “About” page, will know that writing a page a day about tennis was one of my personal goals for 2020. Another goal that I had established for myself this year was to finally make it up to the grass court championships. I was committed. Maybe next year.
In the interim, to ensure that my all-white tennis wardrobe still fits and remains in a functional state, I have a personal tradition of dressing exclusively in those items while Wimbledon is in session. However, in 2020 I wore only all black during the fortnight. This statement seemed like a really good idea until you consider that it is blazingly hot during that time here in Texas.
It probably escapes most player’s memories, but until the advent of televised tournaments, all four of the majors required all-white attire for the players. Somehow it was collectively decided that colors would look better on TV. Now Wimbledon remains the only hold out. I doubt that Wimbledon will ever move away from that restriction. In fact, the tournament committee has become even more restrictive on the interpretation and enforcement of the rule.
Bjorn Borg won Wimbledon five consecutive years, from 1976 through 1980. By my eye, none of the tennis kits he wore during that streak would be allowed under the current Wimbledon dress code. Without the ability to stand out through garish color selections and combinations — I am talking to you, here, Nike — manufacturers are forced to work harder on texture and style. I think this is an overall good thing for the tennis apparel consumer market.
On Monday of last week, in discussing the disqualification of Novak Djokovic during the US Open, the existence that an “Official Grand Slam Rule Book” was shared. Article III Section C of that document is “Dress and Equipment.”
The first part of that section makes it clear that each Grand Slam has their own dress standards. Any exceptions to the published standard require a manufacturer exemption from both the tournament as well as the Grand Slam board. It is clear that players are expected to dress and present themselves in a “professional manner.”
There are some surprising nuggets in this section of the Grand Slam rule book. For example players are not permitted to wear sweatshirts or gym shorts, or T shirts during the match. I wrote the first draft of this post dressed for a senior major zone tournament match later in the day. It occurred to me… I might be wearing shorts that could be construed as gym shorts. Call me a rebel.
I have previously cast a little shade against Inside Tennis, the official magazine publication of the USTA, for regularly wasting way too much space on professional player gossip and attire. I am astonished to find myself in the middle of a weekend exposition on tennis clothes and style. The irony is not lost on me.
Even more surprising is the discovery that this weekend will not exhaust my list of tennis apparel related essays. Much to my chagrin, this theme will surely rise again.
- The Surprising—and Sometimes Troubling—History of Tennis Clothes, Anna Purna Kambhampaty, Time Magazine, September 5, 2019.
- What’s With Wimbledon’s White Rule, And How Do Brands Approach Designing For Tennis Players?, Tim Newcomb, Forbes, June 24, 2019.
- 2020 Official Grand Slam Rule Book, Grand Slam Board, hosted on ITF website, viewed 9/12/2020.
Interesting on the restrictions. I always wondered why professionals, especially those without a clothing deal, never wore an occasional graphic tee. And I wonder who gets to make the judgement call on what exactly constitutes “gym shorts” or a “tshirt.” There is a (nice) club in Houston which doesn’t allow “athletic uniforms” on the court. I don’t really understand what that means (I can’t wear a Lakers jersey?) and why?
For the professionals, Article III Section C of the Grand Slam rule book has all sorts of details on logo size and placement, so that is why you don’t see graphic T’s or screen printed collared shirts. (I think an enterprising player could push the envelope with a dye sublimation printed tennis polo.)
The topic of dress codes at tennis clubs gets into complicated social history in a hurry. It can be viewed as a mechanism to reinforce the elitist history of the sport.