Ons Jabeur insists she ‘completely forgot’ Wimbledon’s all-white attire policy after being forced to change for wearing black during warm ups prior to shock loss to Marketa Vondrousova
Ons Jabeur has insisted she made an ‘honest mistake’ after being forced to change by Wimbledon officials for breaking the competition’s famous dress policy.
Jabeur look set to secure her first Grand Slam on Saturday as she entered her final clash with Marketa Vondrousova as a heavy favourite.
However, upon entering Central Court to warm up wearing black, the 28-year-old was hastily escorted away by officials and ordered to change into the traditional all-white attire.
The World No 6 soon returned having changed into the correct garb, but her dream of capturing a first Grand Slam title at the All England Tennis Club would not be realised.
Despite defeating the number two and three seeds in the semi and quarter finals respectively, Jabeur would find herself undone in straight sets by the Czech Vondrousova, with the 24-year-old becoming the first unseeded woman in history to win Wimbledon.
Ons Jabeur has admitted she made an ‘honest mistake’ in breaking Wimbledon attire rules
The 28-year-old was escorted off the court during her warm up for wearing a black shirt
Jabeur would be defeated in straight sets by unseeded Czech Marketa Vondrousova in the final
Speaking following the defeat, Jabeur revealed that the uniform breah was entirely unintentional.
‘I completely forgot the white rules. When you go into a match court, you just dress up as normal clothes.
‘For me, I completely forget that today I was warming up on Centre Court, it has to be all white. Yeah, I don’t know, it was just an honest mistake.’
The all-white attire tradition at SW19 dates back to the inaugural competition held in 1877.
The event’s official clothing and equipment rules state: ‘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.’
However, a caveat to the long standing mandate was introduced last year, with an exception provided for female players, ‘who are allowed to wear solid, mid/dark-coloured undershorts provided they are no longer than their shorts or skirt.’