Tennis legend Bille Jean King has risked the wrath of the purists with some bold claims about the future of tennis.
The six-time Wimbledon winner was speaking ahead of the 2025 edition of one of sport’s most hallowed events.
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Wimbledon is tennis’ most prestigious event and unrivalled in sport when it comes to tradition.
However, the 81-year-old thinks it’s time for change, particularly to the all-white dress code that has been in place since 1963.
Making her pitch for how things can be modernised, the successful businesswoman told The Telegraph: “I’d have merch with their names on the back so they’d make money, the tournament makes money, everybody makes money.
“We’re losing out on millions and millions because of that. Numbers are really important! Kids love numbers and they can retire numbers – like a Federer.
“It’s so obvious. Take what other sports are doing and what people like from other sports.”
King then took things to another level, calling for the end of the all-white uniform rule.
She continued: “There’s a match that comes on, you sit down, and you look – let’s say it’s television – who’s who?
“Tennis people say: ‘Well, the mark is next to their name’ [to indicate who is serving]. I shouldn’t have to look at a mark, I shouldn’t have to look at anything.
“I should know [who’s who]. My sport drives me nuts.”
When it was put to the 12-time Grand Slam winner that the event and the rule is what makes it a British sporting institution, she simply replied: “But they shouldn’t have the same uniforms on.
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“They both have white on. You can change tradition.”
Wimbledon began in 1877 with organisers making white a preference, a rule they clamped down on in ‘63, just before King’s first championship in ‘66, saying outfits must be ‘predominantly white’.
The Californian would regularly wear outfits with blue or pink trim, but later after he retirement, the rules were further strengthened in 1995.
Wimbledon said that attire must be ‘almost entirely white’ with trim in other colours no wider than a centimetre.
Federer would famously wear gold trim, while Nick Kyrgios received a £1100 fine in 2022 for wearing red and white Air Jordans.
There have been exceptions though, with Jannik Sinner wearing a non-white Gucci bag in 2023 which organisers allowed.
Rules were also relaxed on women’s attire the same year as they’re now allowed to wear dark underwear to alleviate any anxiety during menstrual cycles.
