Wimbledon is famous for many things. The grass courts. The strawberries and cream. The quiet tension before a serve. And, of course, the all-white dress code.

For decades, players at Wimbledon have been expected to wear almost entirely white on court. It’s part of the tournament’s tradition and one of the things that makes Wimbledon look and feel so distinct. But for many women, that tradition has come with an added layer of stress.

Because playing sport in white while on your period is not just a style choice. It can be a worry.

If you’ve ever leaked through your clothes or found yourself checking every seat before you stand up, you will know how distracting that fear can be. Now imagine that feeling while competing in front of thousands of people, with cameras on you, wearing white, and trying to focus on every shot.

Why white can feel stressful on your period

Periods are normal. Leaks are normal too. But that does not mean they are easy to deal with, especially in public.

For athletes, periods can bring a whole mix of things to manage. Bleeding, cramps, tiredness, bloating, changes in energy and the worry of leaking can all affect how someone feels on the day. Add a strict white dress code to that, and it’s easy to understand why some players have spoken about feeling anxious.

It’s not about being embarrassed by periods themselves. It’s about the pressure of knowing that one leak could become visible to a stadium, a TV audience and the internet.

That kind of worry can take up space in your mind when your focus should be on your body, your performance and the game in front of you.

The rule change that made a difference

In 2023, Wimbledon changed its rules to allow female players to wear dark undershorts beneath their white clothing. It might sound like a small change, but small changes can have a big impact when they remove unnecessary stress.

The all-white tradition still exists. Players still wear white on court. But allowing dark undershorts gives women the reassurance and control when they are on their period.

And really, that’s what this is about. Not changing the sport. Not taking away from tradition. Just recognising that women’s bodies have been part of the game all along, and the rules should make space for that.

Why this matters to Evana®

At Evana®, we talk about disruptive periods because they’re a part of life for many women. Heavy and painful bleeding is not just a minor inconvenience. It can affect confidence, plans, sleep, work, exercise and the way someone feels in their own body.

That’s why conversations like this matter. When people talk openly about periods in sport, in schools, at work and online, it becomes easier for others to speak up too.

A change to undershorts at Wimbledon might seem like a small detail. But for someone who has ever worried about leaking in white clothes, it’s not small at all. It’s practical, thoughtful and shows that period concerns deserve to be taken seriously.

The real win

Wimbledon’s rule change is not just about clothing. It is about comfort, confidence and giving women one less thing to worry about.

Because no one should have to step onto a court, into a classroom, onto a commute or into a meeting feeling distracted by the fear of a period leak.

Periods are normal. Heavy periods are real. And the more openly we talk about them, the easier it becomes to create spaces where women feel understood, supported and able to get on with their day.

Heavy & Painful Periods

If heavy periods are disrupting you, Evana® Heavy Period Relief Tablets contain tranexamic acid and can help reduce heavy bleeding by up to 60%. 

If you do suffer from period pain, then Ultravana® Period Pain Relief Tablets contain naproxen and provide long-lasting period pain relief.