To think that Wimbledon needs to up its game?

Current designer is Ralph Lauren.

Pupils from schools in Merton and Wandsworth can apply to be ball girls/boys and the training is terrifically strict - there was a documentary about it a few years back

They get paid. They aren't volunteers.

The kids are from local schools and you have a better chance if you are (for example) a good cricketer — excellent ball skills, accurate throwing/catching, fast running. They aren’t judged on their tennis. The girls wear skorts, all school sports uniforms round here are like that as well, is that unusual? Nobody’s knicks are on show. Personally I find them more comfortable than shorts that are clingier on the legs.
The umpire / line judge uniforms are Ralph Lauren, it’s personal preference I guess but I’m not sure a polo shirt and shorts is quite the vibe. The idea is to look traditional but also modern. Not everyone’s figure suits the same pair of trousers I guess. Wimbledon is actually the only slam still to have the line judges and I quite like it.
dressing up is only for debenture areas and members’ enclosure — in the cheap seats / ground pass, wear what you like.

They certainly have training but maybe it’s more fetching and running than hitting

Local schools make sense...I quite liked the uniforms. Just thought that kids who volunteered would at least be able to play a bit too!

They absolutely are.

Yes there are a few schools locally that provide balls boys and girls. I was also there yesterday and thought they looked great.

Not sure why they have the navy working there but the various uniforms do add to the atmosphere.

There are beautifully dressed people at Wimbledon but there are also a lot of people who dress for comfort. There are exquisitely posh restaurants and there are queues for pizza. I like the contrast of it all

That said, I agree that the linesman's outfits did no one any favours despite being high end designer

They are kids from local schools I think.

How do they choose the ball boys/girls? I thought they would be tennis fans/ young players.....but I saw a video yesterday when 2 of the players played with 2 of the ball girls and they were reeealllly bad at tennis! Like they could barely hit the ball. Just seemed strange!

I guess I just had no idea that it has this posh vibe going on before I went. Its like turning up to a black tie event in jeans.😄 The attire of the staff is clearly all part of that vibe. I'll know for next time if we are ever lucky enough to get tickets in the ballot again.

Gender-neutral hadn't occurred to me. I was thinking more of how I'd feel as a teenage girl, having to crouch down near the net ready to spring up, or to run across the court etc, wearing a skirt which might reveal my knicks

Based on many of the teenage girls I see around here most of them have no problem with showing too much of their arse so I can’t imagine this is an issue for them.

Just talked to DH about it and he compared it to the clothes people wear to the races.

I think they look great and it all works very well. Going is an event that people dress for, like Ascot but slightly more casual and fewer hats

Ball girls love their outfits. They are very proud to wear it (and get to keep it:)).
All uniforms are so well colour coordinated, it all looks elegant and stylish and really adds to the atmosphere of the tournament.

DD and I were there yesterday. We did both wear nice dresses although both bought from Vinted so didn’t cost too much and we definitely don’t have a tennis court 😃 we both liked seeing people dressed up although equally lots of people weren’t and both were fine,

Well I don't care that much what people wear but yes I don't get why they aren't dressed in tracksuits. You wear sports wear at a sports event and wedding attire at a wedding . I'm only commenting because I agree with OP but it really doesn't exercise me that much.

@jellymaker I went last week too, and much of what you say is true--and I LOVED it! So much to look at. Let some things be fancy!

They redesigned the line judges outfits some years ago. It was some famous designer - forgotten who. I rather liked the previous ones even if they didn't, as it was all part of the Wimbledon charm. Problem was, they improved them worse. Not at all flattering or practical.

But the ball boys and girls look fine to me.

Why do they look ridiculous in their white Wimbledon trousers? what would you prefer, trackies and a hoody? Nothing needs to change just because Wimbledon makes you feel inferior for some weird reason.

I went last week. I felt like I had stepped into the set of Brideshead Revisited and Sebastian was around every corner. The umpires and lines men looked ridiculous with their white trousers. A lot of spectators were dressed very smartly. Men in suits and women in dresses you would wear to a wedding. Several high end shops are in the grounds. Its a very upper class atmosphere with most people probably having their own tennis courts. I think I'm middle class but I've never felt such a pleb. I don't get it.

Lady tennis players wear skorts or dresses so the ball girls wear skorts. As a youngster i ball girl'd for some tennis events (sadly, not Wimbledon) and was given kit. I loved wearing my branded skort, felt like a pro.

Leave it alone, love it all. The chairs and school sports day appeal is part of its charm, bet the players wouldn't change a thing. I particularly love them holding a good old fashioned umbrella over the players when it's hot, obviously not seen that for years unfortunately!

Wimbledon seems to be getting along just fine without doing any of those things.

No point redesigning the line judges uniforms, they're being abolished (the line judges, not just the uniforms)