Strict Wimbledon bosses issue ban after tennis player's kit breaks code

Wimbledon is known for applying a strict dress code, and several players have been cautioned for not adhering to the tournament's requirements.

Jessica Bouzas received a stern telling off from the umpire after she came close to breaching the strict all-white dress code during her clash against Anastasia Potapova.

Bouzas wore a black undershirt that became slightly visible on her lower back towards the end of her victory, prompting the official to warn her to ensure it does not happen again.

The world No.52 didn't let that caution throw her off, though, as she secured a comfortable 6-2, 6-3 win over Potapova to advance into the second round, where she beat Dayana Yastremska two sets to one.

The Spaniard now faces a tough third round clash against world No.4 Jessica Pegula on Friday, just days after being told off by the Wimbledon umpire, and she isn't the only player to receive a warning about their outfit.

Matteo Berrettini wanted to follow in Taylor Fritz's footsteps with his own Wimbledon outfit, but fell short of the All England Club's strict dress code because it was 'not white enough'.

Berrettini is sponsored by Hugo Boss, just like Fritz, and he even posted promotional images of the look on his Instagram before hoping to unveil it at SW19.

"I got refused by Wimbledon. It was not white enough. It was a little bit off-white," the Italian said after securing victory over Arthur Fils in the second round.

Wimbledon's stringent guidelines clearly 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. White does not include off white or cream.

"There should be no solid mass or panel of colouring. A single trim of colour around the neckline and around the cuff of the sleeves is acceptable but must be no wider than one centimetre (10mm).

"Colour contained within patterns will be measured as if it is a solid mass of colour and should be within the one centimetre (10mm) guide. Logos formed by variations of material or patterns are not acceptable."

The 30-year-old admitted that a part of his outfit was a "little brownish", and that explains why Wimbledon didn't let him wear it, as he prepares for his third round showdown against Grigor Dimitrov.

Matteo Berrettini reaching best form at Wimbledon

While Berrettini has slipped down to No.51 in the rankings, he is rediscovering the exceptional form that propelled him inside the world's top six in January 2022.

The Italian, who was beaten by the legendary Novak Djokovic in the 2021 Wimbledon final, believes he can 'beat anyone' on his day and is confident of going deep into the tournament.

Speaking after his victory over Fils, he said: "I know my level, I know I can beat anyone and can trouble any player, especially on this surface. I also know that I can lose; in tennis, there is a very fine line between fear and confidence, knowing how to handle it is crucial.

"If you don't have confidence when you go to play, maybe it's time to take a step back and try to understand why. There will only be one champion these two weeks; everyone else will eventually lose."

Berrettini has only come against Dimitrov on two occasions, winning once, but he is the heavy favourite to secure a second victory on Saturday.