Why do Wimbledon players wear white?
Serena Williams at Wimbledon 2019 in all-white (Picture: Simon Bruty/Anychance/Getty Images)  If you watch Wimbledon, youll know that all tennis players on The Championship courts wear white. This is because the tournament has a strict dress code, which states Competitors must be dressed in suitable tennis attire that is almost entirely white and this applies from the point at which the player enters the court surround. White does not include off white or cream.  The rules get even more specific from there. Shoes, soles and laces must all be white, as must the backs of shirts and undergarments. Only a thin, single strip of colour is allowed on necklines, sleeves, trousers and skirts, wristbands and headwear, no bigger than 10mm. Rafael Nadal in fully white tennis attire at Wimbledon 2019 (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)  Tennis whites at Wimbledon reportedly date back to the 1800s. The tournament launched in 1877, and in this Victorian era, it was believed white would be the ideal colour for players to wear. White clothing would prevent or minimise sweat stains visible on the players clothes, and be cooling, it was thought. The rules on what constituted an appropriately-white outfit werent always as strict, though. Clothing guidelines were updated in 1963, and again in 1995, before the 10-part clothing and equipment decree was issued in 2014. Of course, Wimbledon watchers do not have to wear white. Its just a rule for players on the court. MORE : British tennis player Fran Jones  who has six fingers and seven toes  inspired to reach Wimbledon by Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal  MORE : Wimbledon 2021 ladies singles draw: Serena Williams and Johanna Konta learn fate  Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram  Share your views in the comments below