Italian tennis player Matteo Berrettini revealed that his planned walk-on outfit for Wimbledon, a beige jacket by Hugo Boss, was not permitted by tournament officials due to the event's strict all-white dress code.
Berrettini, who is sponsored by Hugo Boss, had shared promotional images of the outfit on his Instagram prior to the tournament. He stated that Wimbledon refused the attire because it was "not white enough" and "a little bit off-white," describing it as "a little brownish."
"Unfortunately, I couldn't go on court with that," Berrettini said after his second-round victory. He advanced to the third round after defeating Arthur Fils with a score of 6-4, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3.
This decision contrasts with that of fellow Hugo Boss ambassador Taylor Fritz, who has been seen at Wimbledon in a custom all-white suit, including a blazer and trousers, paired with a scarf. Fritz's outfit was approved by the All England Club.
Wimbledon is renowned for its stringent dress code, which mandates that players wear predominantly white attire from the moment they step onto the court. The guidelines were notably formalized after Maria Bueno wore a pink-trimmed dress in 1962 and have historically led to scrutiny of players' clothing.
Breaches of the dress code can result in fines, though warnings and orders to change attire are more common. Even prominent players have encountered issues. Roger Federer was reportedly asked to change trainers with bright orange soles in 2013. Tennis legend Andre Agassi famously boycotted the tournament for three years in protest of the dress code before returning in 1991.
Naomi Osaka has also made notable fashion statements at the tournament. For her opening match, she wore a white kimono, and for her second-round match, she appeared with an ivory train attached to an obi belt, on top of a Nike jacket adorned with embroidered flowers. Osaka explained her kimono choice as a way to honor her Japanese and Haitian heritage, drawing inspiration from a white kimono seen in the movie "Kill Bill."
Spain's Jessica Bouzas received a warning from an umpire for a black undershirt visible beneath her white outfit, highlighting the strict enforcement of the rules. The tournament's rulebook specifies that color within patterns is measured and must adhere to a one-centimeter guide, and that logos formed by variations in material or patterns are not acceptable.