“It would be cool to allow, like, a black headband or black sweatband. I think it would look cool.
“Obviously Wimbledon doesn’t really care what looks cool.”
Who said this? It couldn’t be anyone else could it – motormouth circa 2022.
Only this time around the latest incarnation of anti-establishment wants to trash every little piece of tradition and history to further his own agenda.
Yep, love him or hate him – and the jury is still out on that with some folk – Nick Kyrgios continues to be rude, disrespectful and as arrogant as ever towards the game that pays him so much.
Before being interviewed on Centre Court about his return to the Wimbledon quarterfinals, Kyrgios swapped his all-white grass-court shoes for a red-and-white pair of branded basketball shoes, and then changed his white hat for a red one.
And what did that achieve? It exposed Kyrgios as the tool and toy of a major corporation. A corporate puppet.
So let’s drill down on the rules that this rebellious, ungracious man doesn’t like …
“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.”
The second stipulation: “White does not include off white or cream.”
“Colour line around the neckline and around the cuff of the sleeves is acceptable but must be no wider” than 1 centimetre.
“Caps (including the under bill), headbands, bandanas, wristbands and socks must be completely white except for” that same size allowance for trim.
“Shoes must be almost entirely white. Soles and laces must be completely white. Large manufacturers’ logos are not encouraged.”
All-white clothing has been worn at Wimbledon since the tournament began in 1877.
And everyone who steps on the court at the tournament is subject to the same strict rules.
The dress code was implemented not only for fashion reasons, but as a “great leveller”, tournament organisers say, meaning if a player wants to get noticed, “they must do so through their play”, not by their choice of attire.
And there’s even a video explaining the rules, for those players who perhaps cannot read or understand English too well.
Wimbledon organisers say it’s a “tradition they are rather proud of”.
And don’t expect the rules to change anytime soon.
As for Kyrgios … a court appearance back in Australia, where his behaviour is attracting increasing criticism daily, awaits.
