group of activists will protest against Wimbledon about the dress code due to concerns about periods for female players.
Recreational tennis player Gabriella Holmes, 26, and soccer player Holly Gordon, 28, started the campaign, Address The Dress Code, to highlight the fear women face of competing in traditional whites.
The pair lead a protest outside the gates of the SW19 place on Saturday at noon prior to the women’s singles final, hoping to get Wimbledon to comment on the matter.
The protesters will wear skirts with red underpants, inspired by Tatiana Golovin, the former French player who wore red shorts under her skirt during the 2007 championship, sparking widespread media attention.
We just started talking about the number of young girls who stop exercising by the time they hit puberty
The demonstration will also come after British double star Alicia Barnett recently opened up about the stress of having to compete in white during her period.
Barnett told the PA news agency at Wimbledon last week: “I really think some traditions can be changed.
“For example, I’m a big supporter of women’s rights and I think this discussion is just great.”
Ms Holmes said they want to raise awareness about how decisions made at the top trickle down to young girls.
“We just started talking about the number of young girls who stop exercising by the time they hit puberty,” she said.
“Of course it has a lot to do with body image and general confidence.
“The dress code conversations are part of that and what we could do to break down those barriers that keep young girls from exercising after puberty.”
The 26-year-old added that they say Wimbledon bosses need to make a “drastic” change.
“We understand they have traditions that they want to keep,” she said.
“Our point isn’t the total disregard for Wimbledon traditions — it’s more that we think they can evolve over time.”
Ms Gordon suggested that women could wear official Wimbledon colors under their skirts instead.
The 28-year-old said: “I think if the Wimbledon board turns a blind eye to what professional tennis players have already talked about, what does that look like for young girls?
“So we hope our campaign and the ramifications of this process will spark that conversation and get them to sit down and have that discussion.”
Ms Holmes added that rule changes could mean young girls are not deterred from tennis because they feel welcome in the sport.
“Young girls stop exercising at their peak — it can be a completely missed opportunity for something that’s really important to them,” she said.
“Ultimately, these rules were written a long time ago and the board is still mostly male and I think it’s important to consider the female athletes and hopefully change those decisions at the top.”
PA has contacted the All England Club for comment.