Eugenie Bouchard expresses concerns over Wimbledon's dress code and period anxiety

Canadian tennis star Eugenie Bouchard recently opened up about the anxieties female tennis players face due to Wimbledon's strict all-white dress code, especially during their menstrual cycles. This issue has become a focal point for many female athletes who feel uncomfortable and self-conscious while competing under these conditions.

During an appearance on Valeria Lipovetsky's "Not Alone" podcast, Bouchard explained how the Wimbledon dress code, a rule rooted in the 1880s, still imposes challenges today. Initially, the all-white attire was introduced to minimize the visibility of sweat stains, deemed unsightly by the standards of that era. However, this traditional rule has proven problematic for female players who must manage their periods while adhering to the dress code.

Bouchard shared her personal experiences, stating, "Unfortunately, we cannot plan our tennis matches; that is something completely out of our control. The tournament decides the schedule and when you play, so there's no chance for that at all." She also recounted a particularly difficult time when she had severe period cramps the day before a match at the US Open.

Eugenie Bouchard reflects added anxiety and pressure!

Addressing the specific challenges at Wimbledon, Bouchard noted the added anxiety of wearing white during one's period. She mentioned that although Wimbledon has introduced a new rule allowing female players to wear dark undershorts, it only partially alleviates the concern. "Now they've changed the rules where you can wear like a different-coloured undergarment - so your ball shorts under the dress can be a different colour. But that's a super-recent rule," she said.

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In addition to discussing dress code issues, Bouchard highlighted the sexism she has faced throughout her career. She described how she was criticized for engaging in off-court activities, such as photoshoots, with detractors insisting she should solely focus on tennis. Bouchard revealed, "I got, at times, negative comments about, because it was like 'well, you're a tennis player, you shouldn't be doing a photo shoot for Vogue. Like, what are you doing?'"

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