To think that Wimbledon needs to up its game?

[CoffeeCantata]

I love watching Wimbledon and so much about it is excellent but...

The poor Linesmen/women! Those horrible outfits suit absolutely no-one and are totally inappropriate for the job. Whatever their physique, this gear just doesn't seem to fit any of them. Shirts with contrasting collars, ties (for goodness' sake!) and badly-cut trousers. How about a smart polo shirt and either shorts or culottes?

Why do the ball-girls have to wear skirts? Why not shorts like the boys? Seems a bit outmoded.

The umpires' chairs are magnificent structures, affording excellent views and with multiple shelves and all kinds of devices attached - they want for nothing. But the players!! Two miserable plastic chairs?? Why can't they have a specially designed unit featuring a cushioned seat, an integrated, lidded cool-box and shelves for all their stuff? It seems they just have to dump all their stuff around them - very untidy and a bit 'school sports day'.

My only gripe with Wimbledon is how many empty seats there are during the later games- loads left empty last night for Djokovic/Musetti game.
They could be filling the seats with all the people sat on the hill outside, such a shame to waste them.

I have attended a couple of times in the 2000s, I would actually say it is the best event I have attended in terms of organisation and atmosphere ever. (Including theatre, gigs, concerts, sports all around the world).

As far as I know, when people leave, their tickets are handed in and resold.

All uniforms are designed by Ralph Lauren, the collaboration has been going for years. Given it's a standard design, naturally it won't suit everyone; that's the nature of uniforms. They all look incredibly smart on real-life.

I love love love Wimbledon. Been a few times over the years, and the tradition and randomness are what make it so great.

Thanks for all the responses!

Just to be clear (as some people missed the first sentence of my OP): I love the fuss and formality of Wimbledon - these are just the few jarring elements for me. I would definitely dress up - I'm not suggesting the whole event should become another sweaty parade of polyester and tracky bottoms!

I still think the players' seating could be better. I'm thinking of a smart, green-painted wooden bench with places for their stuff. Actually - they also need some kind of umbrella shelter/sunshade too - perhaps movable? If you look, you can see that the umpires' chairs have a shade. But the priority seems to be getting a (rather intrusive) shot of them while they rest between bouts, and this might prevent that.

I agree that the linespeople's uniforms are irredeemable, and if this job is being phased out then obviously they haven't re-designed them since Ralph Lauren. I would have given them a smart polo shirt in the Wimbledon colours and the choice of navy (longish) shorts or cullottes.

I'm reassured to hear that the ball girls' outfits are not as tailored to the male gaze as I'd thought. But I hope they do in fact have the option to wear shorts if they prefer - I know I would have!

I'm old enough to remember when a tiny logo on a tennis player's dress was enough to cause a controversy (players had to wear white with absolutely NO extraneous design, logo, colour or trim) to the point where she was almost disqualified. I notice they do have logos now, so times move on even at Wimbledon! But I'd hate to see just any old outfits on the players - I think the white against the green of the court is lovely.

It doesn't matter if you'd prefer to wear shorts as a teenager. The girls wear skorts and their modesty is preserved. The kit was designed with teenagers in mind. I have never seen a ball girl look awkward or uncomfortable.
I think Wimbledon is lovely, an oasis of style and good manners in a sea of leggings and oafishness.

I don't think there will be any lines people next year...aren't they having lasers or something?

I go to Wimbledon multiple times each year. It's not "upper class" at all. A few people in the good seats are smartly dressed..... and then 10,000 people come in from The Queue in jeans and hoodies, having paid £30 each! Don't perpetuate this nonsense that Wimbledon is elitist because it absolutely isn't - it's for everyone, and you will meet all kinds of people there.

Wimbledon was/is part of the London Season, along with events like the Henley Regatta, the Chelsea Flower Show, the Boat Race etc. It does have an association with the traditional activities of the British Upper Classes and the All England Club is very exclusive. However, Wimbledon, as a tournament, has long been open to anyone who wants to go.
I think they should maintain their standards and styles. I like them. I attended Wimbledon for years from being a teenager because of my dad's job- they provided tickets and then, after he retired, I bought tickets on the day. I never felt it was snobby - but there was a quite distinct code of behaviour at the time that some fans seem to ignore now. I find the booing horrible and the calling out at players awful. It used to be that there was no noise or applause until a point ended. You could wear whatever you wanted apart from clothing with huge logos clearly advertising. Yes some people made a day out of it and dressed smartly but most dressed casually but not in very revealing or skimpy clothes.

Can't see a problem with the officials' outfits- they are made of sports materials, and in-line with the Ralph Lauren and the All England Club 'look' which is about tradition. Officials are not athletes or ballboys/girls so have a more formal uniform which reflects that they make official decisions that affect the outcome of matches. Umpires have to climb up and down from the chair so trousers are more appropriate than shorts/skirts. I don't think shorts would be appropriate for linespeople as they are not necessarily young,fit and athletic and do a lot of bending. They don't want to be infront of millions on tv in unflattering shorts.

Another non-aibu post

Don't think Ralph Lauren will be too pleased to hear his designs are "badly cut" . Up yer game Ralph

I’ve been more than once (we live not too far away) and I’ve never felt remotely out of place. And I’ve never ‘dressed up’ - just normal non-scruffy casual. Sounds to me as if it’s all in your own head.
The general atmosphere and colours of the place - all green and purple - banks of purple flowers -are IMO lovely.

As for gender-neutral shorts, why is the male version of everything often assumed to be preferable? Or in this case, the female version (skort) seen to be inferior? Seems very anti-feminist to me!

Yeah I am a fan of a running skort

It’s Wimbledon….it’s allowed to be a bit antwacky ….. why do girls and boys have to wear the same uniform?

We got seats for centre court in 2021 …..we had cargo pants and trainers ….no one was checking what we wore……even ladies wearing the most lovely dresses were wearing trainers with them…..most people get the tube in then have to walk to the grounds so heels are out

It's the English upper class way. Spend loads of money being as uncomfortable as possible. Send your kids to rickety old schools where they get starved and beaten (and the rest), live in decrepit houses where everything smells of dog and woodworm, drive shit cars etc. Plenty of cash, no joy.

With the Wimbledon title being the one that all players want, I'm sure they're not thinking about the chair or the classic uniform.

There are some larger linesmen and women that have been there for years, they are the absolute best. Of course they've been properly fitted for their uniform, by the best tailors. It's not a job in Tesco.

Skorts for girls.

YAB completely U.

Wimbledon is a tradition that clearly passes you by.

Random.

What does he know? 🤣

I've no interest in Wimbledon and only saw it on TV in the pub by accident.
The thing that amazed me was how appalling the state of the grass is. All that expertise and money and bald patches of mud everywhere.

😂perhaps they should stop world class athletes pounding about on it, and hammering balls at 130mph 😂

You really don't get the Wimbledon vibe at all do you? Give me your ticket next time, I'll appreciate it!

Wimbledon isn't just a "sports event" it's years of British custom and tradition.
So no, I don't want to see tracksuits. FFS.

Well you're obviously no tennis fan if you didn't notice or realise the vibe - you can see all that even from just the tv coverage. Give your tickets to someone who will actually appreciate the experience next time. Do you have any idea how many people try for tickets each year?

There are definitely people who dress up for Wimbledon and maybe they're more noticeable to you, but I'd say most people just dress for comfort or for the weather. Most of the real tennis fans do, especially if you're queuing from early in the morning and plan to be on your feet going round the outside courts all day.

Wimbledon likes to project a fancy upper-class vibe as part of its branding but t's secretly one of the more egalitarian big sporting events I've ever been to. The grounds passes are some of the best value tickets around, especially in the first week. The fact that you can bring in your own food and booze is a real contrast to other entertainment events trying to rinse you out of every penny. When I was younger and poorer, Wimbledon ended up being an extraordinarily cheap day out because of that.

(Now Queen's... that event epitomises upper-class snobbery. Wimbledon couldn't be more different)