Wearing all white while actively bleeding and playing elite sport doesn’t sound ideal.
Monica playing in her 'tennis whites' at Wimbledon. Image: Getty ImagesSource:BodyAndSoul
Female tennis stars are speaking out about the anxiety they go through being forced into tennis whites for Wimbledon while they’re on their period.
It is enough just to imagine having your period while playing on one of the world’s most elite tennis courts for the Wimbledon tournament.
Cramps, decreased energy and feeling in the mood to lie on the sofa and eat pints of ice cream aren’t really conducive to slamming balls around a court.
It’s not something that is often considered or talked about in the sport, but female athletes are starting to be more vocal about the fact that yes, women menstruate, and yes, like any other physical change it can impact their game.
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Tennis player Heather Watson has previously opened up about the impact menstruation has had on her performance.
“It just was one of those days for me. I felt very light-headed and low on energy - you know it's a shame that it's today,” she said in a post-match interview with the BBC. “With the way I was feeling... um it didn't do me any favours today ... the last couple days I felt fine. I think it's just one of these things that I have, girl things. It just , yeah, happens.”
The physical impact of the period is one thing, but female tennis players say the stress is doubled when they have to shimmy into tennis whites to play at Wimbledon.
For those who may not know, unlike other tennis competitions Wimbledon has a very strict dress code that requires player to wear all-white. It cannot even be ‘off-white’ or ‘cream’.
The rule was brought in during the 1800s because you’re unlikely to see sweat patches on white clothing as on coloured clothes – and seeing sweat was considered ‘improper’.
Tennis player Monica Puig recently addressed the issue on Twitter, replying to Tennis commentator David Law.
“Definitely something that affects female athletes!” she wrote. “Finally bringing it to everyone’s attention! Not to mention the mental stress of having to wear all white at Wimbledon and praying not to have your period during those two weeks.”
Definitely something that affects female athletes! Finally bringing it to everyone’s attention! Not to mention the mental stress of having to wear all white at Wimbledon and praying not to have your period during those two weeks. https://t.co/PzyHnPlSJk
Former player turned coach and commentator Rennae Stubbs recently told The Telegraph, that she has had to warn opposing players that they should probably ‘go to the bathroom’ because their period was leaking.
It also doesn’t help that bathroom breaks are policed in tennis, so players may not always be at liberty to go when they choose.
Wimbledon rarely make exceptions to the dress code, although this year they did allow Polish player Iga Świątek to wear a blue and yellow ribbon on her hat out of respect for Ukraine, given the ongoing war.
It doesn’t appear that Wimbledon is planning to change the all-white tennis code just yet, but there is certainly an uproar building online.
“Some brave woman needs to play in her all white outfit without using tampons or pads to get Wimbleton to change their dress code. I've had 2 wives 4 daughters and 3 sisters, more than one of them have had a issue with their period,” one user wrote.
"That dress code is ridiculous, period," another added.
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