Re: Is banning serenas cat suit the same as banning the burka?
I dug up the Wimbledon dress code.
It appears to me to me that Serena's compression outfit in
white would be within standards
if it was considered a "medical support". Wimbledon seems to have no problem with "medical supports and equipment" per item 10, and they can even be a color other than white.
So if she considered the compression gear a medical support per item 10, could she petition for exception on the color? She might try, but I would think that request would be denied since Nike could make her pretty much anything in any color, at anytime.
Players in virtually every sport at one time or another wear tape, wrap, flexible bandages, orthotics, finger splints, etc. for various injuries or conditions. It is up to them whether or not they should play with a certain degree of injury; it certainly doesn't give them an advantage Wimbledon seems to agree.
The question then becomes whether or not the compression tights are worn for medical reasons. If the answer is no, then then do they fall into the category of track suit bottoms?
It's already been done. Anne White, Wimbledon 1985:
I agree that this look isn't very flattering, which is why I still suspect that she is wearing the compression gear for medical reasons.
Perhaps tennis players should all generally wear the same attire like they do in football, baseball, American football? Push the limits enough and I can see it happening - or would Wimbledon and the likes cave to the almighty Nike, Adidas, Lacoste, dollar?
Dress Code for Wimbledon, 2018
The following refers to all clothing, including tracksuits and sweaters, worn on The Championship courts both for practice and for matches.
1) Competitors must be dressed in suitable tennis attire that is almost entirely white and this applies from the point at which the player enters the court surround.
2) White does not include off white or cream.
3) There should be no solid mass or panel of colouring. A single trim of colour around the neckline and around the cuff of the sleeve is acceptable but must be no wider than one centimetre (10mm).
4) Colour contained within patterns will be measured as if it is a solid mass of colour and should be within the one centimetre (10mm) guide. Logos formed by variations of material or patterns are not acceptable.
5) The back of a shirt, dress, tracksuit top or sweater must be totally white.
6) Shorts, skirts and tracksuit bottoms must be totally white except for a single trim of colour down the outside seam no wider than one centimetre (10mm).
7) Caps, headbands, bandanas, wristbands and socks must be totally white except for a single trim of colour no wider than one centimetre (10mm).
8) Shoes must be almost entirely white, including the soles. Large manufacturers’ logos are not encouraged. The grass court shoes must adhere to the Grand Slam rules ( see Grand Slam rulebook for more ). In particular shoes with pimples around the outside of the toes shall not be permitted. The foxing around the toes must be smooth.
9) Any undergarments that either are or can be visible during play (including due to perspiration) must also be completely white except for a single trim of colour no wider than one centimetre (10mm). In addition, common standards of decency are required at all times.
10) Medical supports and equipment should be white if possible but may be coloured if absolutely necessary.