Dress Codes: Why do tennis players wear white?

Pristine, crisp, and all-white tennis outfits have been a tradition in the sport for centuries. Although many tournaments have abandoned this rule, Wimbledon has remained strict in its policy. A decade ago, the championship even prohibited colorful accents. The rules changed to allow “almost entirely white” outfits, with no off-white or panels of color. The only recent loosening of rules was in 2023, permitting women to wear dark-colored shorts. The tradition of tennis whites is rooted in the history of clubs enforcing social status in Victorian-era England. The practical reasons for wearing white include heat reflection and easy maintenance of the cotton and linen materials used.