Although the 2025 Wimbledon Championships do not start for a few months, Emma Raducanu reportedly caused annoyance when she practiced at the All England Club.
Most sports fans, even those not particularly interested in tennis, know about Wimbledon’s all-white dress code. That sets it apart from other tournaments and epitomizes its more traditional approach compared to the Australian Open, French Open, and the US Open.
However, not as many will be aware that Wimbledon’s dress code does not just apply during the Grand Slam that is played for two weeks each season. The venue implements the dress code for all who play there throughout the year.
A report by the Daily Mail claims that Raducanu deliberately did not follow that rule when she practiced at the All England Club. The publication says that the 2021 US Open champion wore a pink outfit instead.
The pink kit might be the same one Raducanu wore throughout much of the 2024 season, including at last year’s Indian Wells Open, but the Daily Mail’s report did not reveal whether that is the case.
One unhappy member was quoted, accusing Raducanu of being unfair to the other members and does not think the 22-year-old’s name recognition should mean she can do whatever she wants.
“It’s so unfair. Emma rocks up in a pink outfit while everyone else respects the all-white rule. Who does she think she is? Just because she’s won the US Open doesn’t mean she can wear whatever she wants.”
If true, members’ annoyance is understandable since the venue is allowed to set its own rules. They would expect all those practicing to follow them since they are allowed to train at the All England Club.
Others might argue that the club’s rules are overly strict. Although having an all-white look at the most famous Grand Slam in the world adds additional prestige, being so strict about practicing outside the tournament could be viewed as needlessly pedantic.
Wimbledon already relaxed its previously stringent code in 2023. Female players are now allowed to wear dark-colored undershorts if they wish, alleviating previous concerns that some had about what might happen while on their periods.
Australian player Daria Saville previously spoke about how challenging the old dress code could be, admitting she once skipped her period while at Wimbledon because of concerns about wearing white undershorts.
However, the all-white dress code remains in all other areas, even outside the Wimbledon Championships. If the Daily Mail’s piece is accurate, Raducanu’s pink outfit is an undoubted violation of those rules.
The Briton is enduring a challenging run of form. Since beating Amanda Anisimova to reach the third round of the 2025 Australian Open, Raducanu has lost six of her last seven matches, including against Moyuka Uchijima at the 2025 Indian Wells Open.
Uchijima almost got an even more notable victory against Coco Gauff in the following round. She pushed the WTA world No. 3 to a deciding set tiebreak, but Gauff eventually managed to narrowly get over the line in Indian Wells.
