"I don't want to talk about undergarments, it's awkward for me" - When Venus Williams violated all-white dress code at Wimbledon with 'pink bra'
Venus Williams once violated the strict all-white dress code at the Wimbledon Championships by wearing bright-colored undergarments. However, the American expressed her reluctance to discuss the "awkward" topic later.
Williams entered the 2017 Wimbledon Championships as the 10th seed, in pursuit of her sixth title at the grasscourt Major. The American kicked off her campaign against Elise Mertens with a commanding 7-6(7), 6-4 victory.
Beyond her stellar performance, the former World No. 1 drew attention for changing out of her vibrant pink sports bra midway through the contest, reappearing in a different bra and top after a rain delay.
Although the All England Club relaxed its strict all-white dress code before the 2023 edition of the event to allow dark underwear for players on their periods, at the time, the rule mandated that "any undergarments that either are or can be visible during play (including due to perspiration) must also be completely white."
However, Venus Williams declined to reveal whether she had been asked to change her bra, disclosing that she found the topic distasteful.
"What pink bra? I don't like talking about bras in press conferences. It's weird," she said in her post-match press conference.
Despite being pushed for an answer, the five-time Wimbledon champion maintained her silence, emphasizing that she didn't want to address the "awkward" subject of undergarments.
She also humorously suggested that the reporters were free to discuss it among themselves and with their friends if they so wished.
"Yes, so I don't want to talk about undergarments. It's kind of awkward for me. I'll leave that to you. You can talk about it with your friends. I'm going to pass," she added.
Venus Williams reached the final at Wimbledon 2017
Venus Williams produced an impressive campaign at the 2017 Wimbledon Championships. After beating Elise Mertens, the American fought back from a set down to beat Wang Qiang 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 in the second round.
The former World No. 1 then secured a 7-6(3), 6-4 victory over Naomi Osaka and defeated Ana Konjuh 6-3, 6-2 to book her place in the quarterfinals. Williams continued her stellar run, beating Jelena Ostapenko 6-3, 7-5.
The American then claimed a dominant 6-4, 6-2 win over Johanna Konta to set up a blockbuster title clash with 14th seed Garbine Muguruza, marking the seven-time Grand Slam champion's first Wimbledon final since 2009.
Muguruza, though, thwarted Venus Williams' hopes of clinching her sixth title at SW19, winning 7-6, 6-0 to secure her second Major title.