British tennis star Alicia Barnett talks about the stress of wearing Wimbledon white during her period and the symptoms that affect her play.
Gloucester-born Burnett, 28, made his debut at SW19 on Friday and won the first round of doubles games with team GB player Johnny Omara.
The duo will return to the grass court on Sunday for the second round with Venus Williams and Jamie Murray of England.
In a conversation with PA news agency on Saturday, Burnett from Painswick, Gloucestershire, said suffering from a “really heavy” period affected her play in the championship qualifying match. ..
You’re trying to play world-class tennis, but it’s really hard when you’re suffering from PMS and you feel bloating or malaise.
When asked if she should fix the white dress code to reduce stress on female players, she told PA:
“I have a lot of support for women’s rights. I think this argument is just amazing, as people are talking about it now.
“Personally, I love the all-white tradition and I think I can handle it pretty well.
“I find it difficult to take a tour, but it’s not easy for white people to wear.
“But the girl can handle it. After all, we’re pretty tough.”
Burnett, known as Lise from a friend, added, “During qualifying, I was on my period and I was a little stressed about it because it was really heavy for the first few days.”
Asked if it affected her playing ability, she said:
“Your body becomes loose, your tendons become loose, sometimes you feel tired, and sometimes you feel really sick of adjustments. It’s really depressed for me and it’s hard to get that motivation.
“Obviously, you’re trying to play world-class tennis, but it’s really hard when you’re suffering from PMS and you feel bloating or malaise.
“Why do we need to be ashamed to talk about it?
“I know men are not shy to talk about a lot.”
Burnett said he hopes that taboos during the period will continue to be exhausted by players who speak more and more about it, leading to funding for more women-focused research on training techniques.
When asked about the effects of menstruation on sportswomen, Yuriko Miyazaki, 26, who is sixth in the UK, said it was “harsh” for some athletes.
As for whether the all-white dress code needs to be changed carefully, she says:
“Obviously, there is an overall tradition of wearing white at Wimbledon, which is really classic.
“It’s difficult for some female players, but that’s something I’m very used to.”
Looking back on Friday, she said her first Grand Slam was “amazing” so far and the atmosphere was “electrical” and she wished her deceased mother was there to see.
Burnett is “most noisy and proud” as a bystander, with his father, brother and friend who are crazy about tennis supporting her during a Court 5 match, and his mother, Jennifer Burnett, who died eight years ago. “.
“I think she would have liked this. I know he’s very proud even if my dad makes fun of me,” she said.
“It helps you get things in sight.
“One day I lost, you really have a hard time. Yesterday, in the women’s doubles who lost 6 times in 3 times, I really wanted to win, so I really had a hard time getting myself back.
“But you understand where you are and think about it. Well, life is short. Make the most of where we are.”