Wimbledon relaxes its dress code for 2012 Olympics

No whites requirement for 2012 (Photo: Marianne Bevis)

Players competing at the Olympic tennis tournament at Wimbledon in 2012 will not be forced to wear white.

The traditional requirement for players to wear all-white outfits at The Championships at SW19 is one of the prestigious Grand Slam tournament’s unique aspects.

But the clothing rule will be lifted for the Olympic tournament in two year’s time, which is due to run from 28 July to 5 August.

“It will be its own competition, have its own style and it will play out in its very own way,” said Ian Ritchie, the All England Lawn Tennis Club’s chief executive.

“The idea was never to have a repeat of the Championships. And so, with regards to the players’ kits, we are perfectly happy for there to be some colour.”

The 2012 Olympic event will take place just 20 days after the conclusion of the year’s Championships, with the London Games set to see the introduction of mixed doubles for the first time.

It will be the second time that the All England Club has hosted an Olympic tournament after it first did so during the 1908 Games. Wimbledon was not used as a venue during The 1948 Games in London.