World number four Coco Gauff has admitted Wimbledon finally relaxing their controversial all-white clothing policy is a welcome relief.
Gauff, 19, debuted at the tournament in 2019, five years after the All England Club tightened rules on competitors wearing coloured underwear during games. Almost a decade since the 2014 ban, organisers announced in November that female players would be permitted to wear dark undershorts.
The updated regulations state they are 'allowed to wear solid, mid/dark-coloured undershorts provided they are no longer than their shorts or skirt'. Billie Jean King and Judy Murray were prominent critics of the previous rules.
Campaign group 'Address The Dress Code' also protested at last year's Wimbledon, calling for change. The option of wearing dark undershorts has the potential to help relieve anxiety for players competing while on their periods, as was the case for Gauff last year.
"I really support it a lot. It's going to be a big relief," Gauff told Sky Sports. "I was on my period last year during Wimbledon, and it was very stressful.
"I mean, you have the period underwear and stuff to help you, but it's still in the back of your mind. Sometimes, and I know when you go to the bathroom, you're supposed to use the bathroom, but I would go to the bathroom just to check and make sure nothing was showing.
"So I think it's going to relieve a lot of stress for me and other girls in the locker room for sure. I am looking forward to that decision in the future and how it affects other players in general.
"And I think it's very nice that this discussion has been talked about. It's something I talked about last year during the actual tournament, when the topic first got brought up, and now I'm happy that the decision has been made. It will make it a lot, lot less stressful for us."
Despite Gauff's approval, rival Ons Jabeur this week raised some concerns over the new rules. The Tunisian addressed the changes ahead of the Rothesay International tournament in Eastbourne and admitted she has mixed feelings.
“There is two things. One thing, it’s better definitely not to be paranoid,” Jabeur said. “And the other thing, everybody will know that you have your period. So I’m not sure which part of it is good.
“I think I don’t think I’m going to wear anything. If all the girls will wear it, I think it will make it better. But I think it’s a great thing that Wimbledon is trying to help women feel more comfortable on the court.”
In announcing the change last year, All England Club chief executive Sally Bolton stressed they listened to feedback from their competitors. “We are committed to supporting the players and listening to their feedback as to how they can perform at their best,” Bolton said in November.
"It is our hope that this rule adjustment will help players focus purely on their performance by relieving a potential source of anxiety.”
Women's football is another sport that has expressed concerns about playing in an all-white kit. The shorts that the Lionesses will wear at this summer's World Cup are now navy following feedback provided to manufacturers Nike. Hosts New Zealand will also not wear white shorts for the first time. The movement is mirrored domestically.
Several clubs, including Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion, have also moved away from their women's teams wearing white shorts. It comes after listening to their players voice their issues about the practicality of playing while on their period.
