Wimbledon chiefs have changed the undergarment rule change for female players, allowing them to wear any colour of shorts under their tennis skirts.
Wimbledon has prided itself on its traditional crisp white aesthetic since 1877, with the dress code rules being extremely strict. The rule change came after numerous female tennis players reported period anxiety and worry about playing in all-whites at the Grand Slam, preventing them from competing at their best level.
The rule change was announced late last year, allowing female players to have the option of wearing dark-coloured undershorts (as long as the undershorts are no longer than their shorts or skirt).
"It is our hope that this rule adjustment will help players focus purely on their performance by relieving a potential source of anxiety," All England Club CEO Sally Bolton said.
British tennis player Heather Watson revealed to Sky News UK that she welcomes the change:
"I speak openly about my period and being on my period. I don't think it's a taboo subject. I would love for people to talk about it more, especially women in sport."
"So, when I heard this I was really happy because last year I went on the pill to stop myself bleeding because I knew we had to wear white under-shorts, and I didn't want to face any embarrassment."
"We're running around sweating, doing the splits on the court. This year I knew my period was going to be during Wimbledon again, so I'm very happy that I won't have to do the same thing as last year. I think it's a real positive and it's really great. Really forward-thinking."
American tennis star Coco Gauff is another tennis icon who has welcomed the dress code change: "I was on my period at Wimbledon last year and it was very stressful. You have the period underwear to help you but it's still at the back of your mind.
"You go to the bathroom because you have to use the bathroom but I was using the bathroom to check I wasn't showing so I think it's going to relieve a lot of stress for me and other girls in the locker room."
Gauff added: "It happened to me at another tournament and luckily the referee notified me before anyone really, really saw it, but it will make the world of difference and I'm glad this conversation is happening because people deal with it and I'm glad it's not a taboo subject anymore."
A lecturer of sport and exercise science from the University of Southern Queensland Dr Brianna Larsen, told ABC News Radio that the change was a small step in the right direction.
"It's about giving female athletes the opportunity to perform at their best. Even if it's just a small added extra anxiety, it's just something that might detract female athletes if they're playing in Wimbledon when they're on their period," she said.
"Female athletes have higher rates of menstrual dysfunction. And they also have higher rates of hormonal contraceptive use, and many of them cite the ability to actually manipulate their cycle as a primary reason for their hormonal contraceptive use."
She said more research needs to be done on the impact periods have on women in sport, and that it can vary greatly.
