Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash blasted the All England Club, saying they were being over-zealous with the all-white dress code which he claims has forced some women players to even change their bras.
“It has absolutely gone ridiculous,” the Australian said.
The 1987 champion claimed some players have been ordered to change their underwear if it was not entirely white.
Some women have been sent back to “change their bras and tops because they had slight colour on them”, he told BBC radio.
The 49-year-old said he thought some players did not have sports bras that would pass muster and had to go without them.
He also claimed one player was hauled into the referees’ office because his blue underwear “showed through when he got sweaty”.
A Wimbledon spokeswoman said all competitors had been given written notice of the Championships’ clothing rules.
Caps, headbands, bandanas, wristbands and socks must be totally white except for a single trim of colour no wider than one centimetre.
That also applies to “any undergarments that either are or can be visible during play (including due to perspiration)”.
Shoes must likewise be almost entirely white, including the soles.
White “does not include off-white or cream”, players are warned.
“In addition, common standards of decency are required at all times.”
The whites tradition at Wimbledon was formalised by entry conditions laid down in 1963.
“Any competitor who appears on court dressed in a manner deemed unsuitable by the committee will be liable to be defaulted,” the Wimbledon compendium says.
Defending champion Cash has pulled out of the Wimbledon gentlemen’s senior invitation doubles. His manager insisted it was due to a sore back rather than fears his trademark chequered headband would fall foul of the rules.