The All England Club banned former Wimbledon runner-up Matteo Berrettini from wearing his custom Hugo Boss walk-on outfit ahead of his second-round match against Arthur Fils. Tournament officials determined the gear violated the strict “all-white” dress code that governs competitor attire from the exact moment players step onto the court surround.
Berrettini accepted the sudden wardrobe change without challenging the referee’s decision. He confirmed the rejection shortly after. The color tones simply failed to meet the tournament’s rigid traditional standards.
Key Details
- Wimbledon officials rejected the walk-on gear because it featured an “off-white” and “brownish” tint.
- Fellow Hugo Boss-sponsored athlete Taylor Fritz was allowed to wear his custom walk-on suit at the same tournament.
- The All England Club’s Equipment and Clothing Rules prohibit any solid mass or panel of coloring, even on pre-match tracksuits.
The rejection highlights the ongoing friction between modern athletic branding and Wimbledon’s historic uniform policies. Berrettini shot promotional imagery in the customized gear before arriving at SW19. He tried to bring it onto the grass. The club shut it down.
“It was not white enough. It was a little bit off-white. Then on the colour, it was a little bit brownish,” Berrettini said, a statement confirming the off-white tones. He accepted the restriction without a fight.
“I seen it once, so there was an option, but they didn’t let me do it. It’s okay,” he told reporters.
Wimbledon enforces a strict mandate that competitors must dress almost entirely in white. The exact rules dictate that off-white and cream do not qualify. This specific fashion rule violation created a stark contrast in the locker room. Fellow Hugo Boss athlete Taylor Fritz bypassed the restrictions. Fritz successfully debuted his own approved Hugo Boss suit during his walk-on without facing club interference.