Novak Djokovic's outfit had cryptic message as he tested Wimbledon's dress code rules

It looks like Wimbledon players are well and truly leaning into the tournament's fashionable roots, with a number of players treating the court like a catwalk.

While Naomi Osaka stole the show with a full-length white kimono featuring embroidered birds and flowers on Monday (29 June), Novak Djokovic also showcased his sense of style in a custom Lacoste jacket.

Taking to the Centre Court at the All England Club in southwest London, the 39-year-old Serbian tennis pro donned the dapper white blazer with a touch of green piping along the edges to walk on for his game against the People's Republic of China's Wu Yibing.

The smart jacket also featured a large green Lacoste logo and a hidden message that the cameras caught a peek of when he took it off to begin playing.

Tennis fans have attempted to translate the hidden message, which was embroidered into the left underside of the garment.

Novak Djokovic opted for a custom blazer for his first appearance at Wimbledon (Shaun Brooks - CameraSport/Getty Images)

As reported by Serve, some translation sites say the message reads: "A hero is not the one who strikes, but the one who endures injustice and forgives."

While another estimate is: "A hero is not the one who beats others, but the one who suffers injustice and forgives."

Wimbledon is known for having very strict rules when it comes to what the players can wear, including the all-white restriction that’s been around for nearly 150 years.

The official tournament’s website outlines that 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’.

It also points out that white does not include off-white or cream, and there should be no solid mass or panel of colouring.

In 2022, an exception was made so women could wear dark undershorts to feel more comfortable if they were on their periods.

He took off the blazer to play the match (BSR Agency/Getty Images)

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.

Meanwhile, colour contained within patterns will be measured as if it is a solid mass of colour and should be within the one-centimetre rule.

While there have been no complaints about the splashes of colour in Djokovic’s look, it’s safe to say that the jacket is on the cusp when it comes to the strict all-white rule.

Reacting to the fashion moment, fans penned on X: “Beautiful jacket and looks great on him” and “Reminds me of Federer’s Wimbledon attires”

“Chic af. Love how clean and classic this looks,” gushed a third, while a fourth added: “Very nice, classy as always.”

Wimbledon’s strangest rules

Wimbledon has strict rules and regulations for pretty much everything - from the length of the grass to the temperature of the tennis balls, and you can be fined thousands of pounds for certain conduct violations.

Curfew

While at other grand slams, play continues late into the night, at Wimbledon there’s a strict 11pm curfew.

This means tennis fans sometimes have to go to bed on a cliffhanger.

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal’s 2018 semi-final clash was suspended after the third set. Meanwhile, Andy Murray was particularly peeved when he was in the lead against Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2023, but went on to lose when the game was paused overnight and restarted the following morning.

Timed toilet breaks

Players are limited to one toilet break for matches up to three sets, and two if it goes on for longer.

They can only go during a set change and they have to be back within three minutes, or they risk giving a point to their opponent.

The longest ever Wimbledon match lasted a whopping 11 hours over three days, so players better get their nervous wees in before the match.

Temper tantrums

Players can be fined up to £36,900 for smashing their rackets. Djokovic is believed to have smashed over 60 of them over the course of his career.

Bad language can also result in the same maximum fine.

Countdown to serve

As soon as the ball goes out of play, the serving player has just 25 seconds to hit their serve, or the umpire can call a violation which could potentially grant a point to their opponent.

Fines for not trying hard enough

Players must demonstrate they’re giving their all to win the match. Australian player Bernard Tomic was fined an eye-watering £45,000 after he was accused of not putting in enough effort to beat French player Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, losing after just 58 minutes.

Age limits

Players have to be at least 14 to compete, which means youth sensations like Coco Gauff were initially barred from taking part.

Spectators, meanwhile, have to be accompanied by a guardian if they’re under 16. Under-fives aren’t permitted at all onto show courts.

The grass and the balls

Everything at Wimbledon is just so. The grass is cut to 8mm, which is apparently best suited for modern tennis play and for the grass to survive.

Meanwhile, the tennis balls are kept in a fridge in order to maintain a constant temperature of 20°C. A consistent temperature is important because it apparently affects the way the balls bounce. The more you know.