Why are tennis clothes white?
When someone says “tennis clothes”, you probably immediately picture a top-to-bottom white look. But why has it become the preferred – or even obligatory – colour on court?
There are a few reasons. You could say it’s ‘tradition’ since it’s a very strict requirement for players performing at Wimbledon, the oldest of the Grand Slam tournaments. But the fact is, when you look at why they bet on white tennis outfits in the first place, the reasons are quite pragmatic.
Back in the 1880s, sweat stains were taboo – and the fabrics used back then were nowhere near the engineered, moisture-wicking materials we have today. It wouldn’t be ‘elegant’ for the players, closely watched by spectators in the stadium, to have stains form on their backs. So, to minimise their visibility, the tournament organisers decided to bet on what we now know as “tennis whites”. Plus, since white helped sun rays bounce off of the players’ garments, it would keep them cooler for longer.
Over the decades, this rule became part of a prescribed Wimbledon dress code. Anyone who tried breaking it over the years had to face backlash. Some of the most ‘stubborn’ players, like Andre Agassi, even withdrew from the tournament as they played only in colourful tennis apparel.
That said, the “total white” look doesn’t apply to all tournaments. Other Grand Slam competitions, like the French Open, are more liberal. And some, like the Olympic games, grant a lot of freedom in terms of tennis fashion.
