Is wearing a skirt compulsory for female tennis players?
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Serena Williams
The fashion and rules relating to it for women in tennis have changed over the years. The question has been raised multiple times throughout the years. Why do female tennis players wear skirts? Is it because it’s more feminine? Is it comfortable? The skirts have become shorter and shorter since the 1920s but the colour and pattern didn’t change until the 1970s.
Serena Williams changed this paradigm. During the 2018 French Open, Williams wore a catsuit to prevent blood clots she was experiencing after giving birth. The authorities did not take it well and said it was “too much.” But at every tournament, female tennis players face extreme sexism when it comes to their attire.
Female tennis players are not obligated to wear tennis skirts
Skirts haven’t been compulsory at grand slams. According to a New York Times article, “Female players don’t have to wear dresses or skirts.” There’s no particular rule during the grand slams that impose these regulations on female players. The article further notes, “It requires only clean and customarily acceptable tennis attire as determined by each respective Grand Slam Tournament.”
What is customarily acceptable then? Victoria Azarenka has been seen wearing shorts on a few occasions. Recently, 32-year-old Madison Brengle opened up about how Serena Williams‘ catsuit era changed everything for her. She said, “When Serena wore the catsuit at the French Open that year, she changed the rules for us, allowing us to play in pants. I had Melanoma and I wouldn’t be able to play anymore if I couldn’t wear pants.“
She added, “he’s blazed so many trails, all of the trails, but for me personally, the big one is that I can play in pants now. That has extended my career for a couple of years. For any reason, if you want to cover up, but for me, it’s for sun protection, and I wouldn’t be able to play like this if it wasn’t for her. She has done wonderful things for all of us.“
Also read: WATCH: A full of life Novak Djokovic spotted with a glimmer of singing at his brother’s wedding
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Urvi Shrivastava
(87 Articles Published)