Nick Kyrgios has urged Wimbledon bosses to scrap one of the tournament’s long-standing traditions. Players are required to wear all-white kits on competition courts – a rule that Kyrgios himself broke during his run to the final in 2022, causing controversy when he entered Centre Court wearing a red hat and shoes.
The former world No. 13 was forced to pull out of Wimbledon this year due to ongoing injury issues. But he’s still keeping track of the tournament and even sat in Naomi Osaka’s box for her first-round match. And he’s now suggested a big amendment to the dress code.
“I think it’d be cool to mix it up. I think everyone should wear all black,” Kyrgios told talkSPORT.
“I think it would contrast the grass well and the white lines. I think that would be. It’d be a good change. I think one year they should just do it.
“It would look super clean on the court and on TV. It would look amazing.”
The seven-time title winner will have a hard time trying to convince those at Wimbledon to switch from black to white. The all-white tradition dates back to the 1880s, and anyone entering a match court for competition or practice at the All England Club must comply.
The Wimbledon website stated: “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.”
This does not include off-white or cream. A single trim of colour, no wider than one centimetre, is allowed around the neckline or the cuff of sleeves on shirts, down the outside trim of bottoms, and on accessories like caps and socks.
There is one exception, introduced in 2022, which means female players are allowed to wear solid, mid/dark-coloured undershorts provided they are no longer than their shorts or skirt.
Kyrgios himself has broken the prestigious clothing rule at Wimbledon, so it’s no surprise he wants to see All England Club bosses shake things up.
Ahead of his 2022 quarter-final against Brandon Nakashima, Kyrgios took to Centre Court in a red hat and shoes, changing them at his bench before starting the match.
After winning the match, the Australian was asked about his choice of attire and said he wore the accessories “because I do what I want.”
Kyrgios added: “I’m not above the rules. I just like wearing my Jordans.”