Emma Raducanu, the British No. 1, is heading into the 2026 Wimbledon Championships on a strong run of form but will be careful to avoid a repeat of the dress code controversy that angered members of the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) last year.
In March 2025, the 23-year-old arrived at the Wimbledon headquarters for a practice session wearing a pink outfit, violating the tournament's strict all-white dress code policy that applies year-round to both matches and training. According to a report in the Daily Mail, several attendees were frustrated by what they perceived as an act of “arrogance.”
Witnesses Express Anger Over Raducanu's Outfit
One club member was quoted as saying: “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.”
The backlash appeared to have an effect, as Raducanu was later seen practicing at Wimbledon in the traditional all-white attire. The AELTC enforces the all-white policy strictly, a tradition dating back to the 1880s when white was chosen to best disguise sweat, which was considered unsightly at the time.
Wimbledon Dress Code Rules and Exceptions
While the tradition has been maintained, organisers have made some allowances over the decades. A single line of trim no wider than one centimetre is now permitted on outfits, and women are allowed to wear dark undershorts due to period concerns.
Raducanu is not the first player to fall foul of the dress code. In 2022, Nick Kyrgios wore red Air Jordans and a red cap onto Centre Court, resulting in around £8,200 in fines. In 2024, Novak Djokovic had to obtain special clearance to wear a grey knee brace following an injury. Roger Federer was also forced to change a pair of Nike trainers with orange soles in 2013.
Raducanu's Recent Form and Wimbledon Prospects
Seeded No. 30 at SW19, Raducanu has enjoyed a purple patch, reaching the finals of both the Transylvania Open and the Queen’s Club Championships, though she lost in each. She will aim to build on this momentum and avoid any further dress code slip-ups to make her Wimbledon experience as seamless as possible.
