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Madison Burgess
A Wimbledon star lifted up her skirt to show the umpire her undershorts in a now-viral moment that has left viewers baffled.
Latvian player Jelena Ostapenko was seemingly quizzed about her outfit choice by umpire Jamie Crowson, as she warmed up for her doubles match alongside partner Hsieh Su-wei.
The duo were getting ready to take on Marta Kostyuk and Elena-Gabriela Ruse when the odd moment occurred before the match began on Sunday (6 July).
Ostapenko appeared confused as the official approached her and took a look at what she was wearing - a white tennis skirt and shirt, with green bike shorts underneath.
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After they spoke, she threw her hands up in what seemed like an angry moment, before lifting her skirt up to reveal the shorts she had on.
Wimbledon welcomed a change to its strict all-white dress code back in 2023, allowing female players to wear dark undershorts to alleviate a potential source of anxiety when they’re on their periods.
At the time, All England Club Chief Executive Sally Bolton said: "We are committed to supporting the players and listening to their feedback as to how they can perform at their best.
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"I'm pleased to confirm that, following consultation with players and representatives of several stakeholder groups, the Committee of Management has taken the decision to update the white clothing rule at Wimbledon.
"This means that from next year, women and girls competing at The Championships will have the option of wearing coloured undershorts if they choose. It is our hope that this rule adjustment will help players focus purely on their performance by relieving a potential source of anxiety."
So, despite the umpire’s apparent confusion, Ostapenko’s outfit was, as it seems, completely compliant with the rules.
Tennis fans have since taken to social media to question what went on in the odd moment.
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One user wrote on Twitter: “What's the problem with Ostapenko's outfit?,” alongside the clip, as someone else penned: “That’s ridiculous. The green looks cute and is perfect for this tournament!”
And a third argued: “This is humiliating. Why can't the officials do this before the players come out on the court or maybe take her away from the cameras. @Wimbledon do better. Don't expect a woman to pull up her skirt in the full public gaze.”
Tyla approached Wimbledon for clarification on the incident, to which they said in a statement: "The Chair Umpire was not speaking to the player in question about her match kit. He was speaking instead to her doubles partner when the player in question joined the conversation and indicated to her undershorts to make a point in the conversation regarding the dress code.
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"She was not asked by the Chair Umpire to do that."
The official rules on the Wimbledon website state that competitors must be dressed in suitable tennis attire that is ‘almost entirely white’. This ‘does not include off white or cream’ and ‘there should be no solid mass or panel of colouring’.
The specific regulation on undergarments reads: "Any undergarments that either are or can be visible during play (including due to perspiration) must also be completely white except for a single trim of colour no wider than one centimetre (10mm)."
It continues: "Except female players who are allowed to wear solid, mid/dark-coloured undershorts provided they are no longer than their shorts or skirt."