Wimbledon, the oldest and arguably most prestigious tennis tournament on the calendar, is steeped in long-standing tradition.
Most famously, players are bound by a strict all-white dress code. Not even caps, headbands or the soles of tennis shoes are exempt.
But in the last few weeks, women in tennis have been drawing attention to another anxiety often not considered in the hype that surrounds the annual tournament: the added stress of leaking through their 'Wimbledon whites' during their period.
Tennis player Monica Puig in May addressed the issue on Twitter, replying to Tennis commentator David Law, who said in his 25 years working in tennis he had never considered the physical impact menstruation could have on athletes.
“Definitely something that affects female athletes!” she wrote. “Finally bringing it to everyone’s attention! Not to mention the mental stress of having to wear all white at Wimbledon and praying not to have your period during those two weeks.”
The dress code was written in the 1880s, when any form of sweat on one's sports attire was considered improper and rude, with white clothing believed to minimise the visibility of sweat and cool the players.
The strict code prohibits a player from wearing any colour other than white unless it is a single trim that is no wider than one centimetre. Even clothing worn to and from the courts must be white - and white does include "off white" or "cream,” the rules state.
As for "undergarments", any that are visible or can be visible during play "due to perspiration" are bound by the rule.
Medical supports and equipment aren't exempt either, with the rules stating that they “should be white if possible but may be coloured if absolutely necessary.”
Popular tennis great Roger Federer caused Wimbledon officials consternation in 2013 when he stepped out on the grass court wearing a pair of shoes with orange soles.
This all-white clothing requirement is replicated at tennis clubs around the world, including on the courts at the Royal Sydney Golf Club in Rose Bay.
Roger Federer's controversial trainers during the first round of the Wimbledon Championships in 2013 Credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Barnett said while she loved the tradition, “I do think some traditions could be changed,” in an interview with the PA news agency.
"I, for one, am a massive advocate for women's rights and I think having this discussion is just amazing, that people are now talking about it.
"Personally, I love the tradition of all-whites and I think we will handle it pretty well.
"I think being on your period on the tour is hard enough, but to wear whites as well isn't easy.”
Later reflecting on the physical impact, Barnet told PA: “Your body feels looser, your tendons get looser, sometimes you feel like you're a lot more fatigued, sometimes your coordination just feels really off, and for me I feel really down and it's hard to get that motivation.
Beverly Fleitz of the United States at Wimbledon in 1955. Credit: William Vanderson/Getty Images
"Why do we need to be shy about talking about it?"
Australian tennis player Daria Saville revealed on Wednesday she had skipped her period during the tournament in the past due to fear of bleeding through.
"Recently just being at Wimbledon, I was talking with my friend saying that I love the all-white look, but then a few girls said they hate it because it sucks to wear all white while being on your period," Saville told The Daily Aus.
"It's true, I myself had to skip my period around Wimbledon for the reason that I didn't want to worry about bleeding through. We already have enough stress."
Daria Saville of Australia says she has had to skip her period as she feared leaking through her Wimbledon attire. Credit: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
“We are only allowed two toilet breaks during the match. Thank god I had a female umpire. I explained to her what is happening and then I waited for someone to bring me a tampon because I didn’t have any."
“It was also 38 degrees on that day, that’s why I said it sucks to be a girl sometimes,” Saville added.
Chinese teenager Zheng Qinwen shared that she had suffered from menstrual cramps after she lost to Poland’s Iga Swiatek in the fourth round of the French Open this year.
Chinese tennis player Zheng Qinwen said menstrual cramps derailed her Women's Singles fourth round match against Iga Swiatek of Poland. Credit: Shi Tang/Getty Images
“I wish I can be a man on court, but I cannot in that moment...I really wish I can be (a) man (so) that I don’t have to suffer from this.”
Commentators have also joined the chorus. Catherine Whitaker, who presents 'The Tennis Podcast' has said the all-white dress code has outlived its time, repeatedly calling for more slack in the rules.
“I would like to see it change,” she said in one interview. “If they had a clothing policy that affected men in the way that it does women, I don’t think that particular tradition would last.
"I cannot imagine going into the biggest day of my life, with my period, and being forced to wear white.”
