Frances Tiafoe has already fallen foul of one of Wimbledon’s strictest rules.
The American got back to winning ways on Monday with a first-round win against Italian Matteo Arnaldi.
Tiafoe, the 29th seed at this year’s championships, battled back from a two-set hole to clinch a dramatic five set victory, but did so flouting one of Wimbledon’s most rigid protocols.
The 26-year-old played the match on Court 15 wearing a black knee strap after recently slipping and spraining his MCL in the Round of 32 at Queens against Australian Rinky Hijikata.
He wore the same brace in his second round victory over Croatia’s Borna Coric as he advanced to a third round showdown with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.
The All England Club enforces a famously strict all-white policy that players have to adhere to.
Tiafoe’s black knee strap was technically illegal but ultimately he managed to get away with it.
The official rule reads: ‘Competitors must be dressed in suitable tennis attire that is almost entirely white and this applies from the point at which the player enters the court surround.’
It also adds that “medical supports and equipment should be white if possible” however, they can be coloured when “absolutely necessary”.
However, he isn’t the only player at this year’s tournament to come dangerously close to breaking the all-white rules.
Seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic blasted past Vit Kopriva in straight sets in their first round match while sporting a grey knee brace.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner went under the knife for meniscus surgery on June 5 and his right knee was heavily supported during his 6-1 6-2 6-2 win.
The Serbian acknowledged the grey knee brace didn’t exactly adhere to the Wimbledon’s all-white policy, but explained he got the thumbs up from tournament officials beforehand.
He said: “I did check. I actually just met the chairwoman just before walking onto the court.
“She gave me thumbs up, so it was okay. Of course, we did check in the days prior if we have permission. We’re trying to find a white one, trust me.”
Djokovic also highlighted Tiafoe’s black knee strap and argued his was closer to the color white.
“I saw Frances Tiafoe played, he had actually a black colour sleeve. Grey, I think it’s maybe slightly better towards the white. I know it’s not ideal,” he went on.
“I like to go all white and I like to respect the rules. But I got the permission. I said to them that I will give our best for next match [to find] the white one.”
All outfits are inspected prior to the tournament, and the referee has the final say on the fashion choice the day of the match.
The often infuriatingly meticulous all-white rules have been the subject of debate for years, with Andre Agassi infamously boycotting Wimbledon for three years to avoid following them.
Roger Federer was also warned about his orange soles while Ons Jabeur was temporarily thrown off Centre Court ahead of last year’s final for warming up in a black training top.
Venus Williams also broke the rule in 2019 when she wore a hot pink bra in her first round match against Elise Mertens.
The vibrant bra straps, which were clearly on show, broke The All England Lawn Tennis Club’s (AELTC) rules that players must wear an entirely white outfit, including undergarments.
“Any undergarments that either are or can be visible during play (including due to perspiration) must also be completely white except for a single trim of colour no wider than one centimetre (10mm)”.
After a short rain delay, Venus reappeared from the locker room in a different bra and top.
Tiafoe is into the second round at SW19 and will face defending champion Alcaraz.
The US star’s shaky form over the past 12 months has seen him win back-to-back matches at just two of the 15 tournaments he has entered this season prior to Wimbledon.
The former world No. 10’s ranking has dropped to just inside the Top 30.
“It’s brutal. Highs and lows. Think about where I’m at,” Tiafoe said.
“Literally this week last year I was 10 in the world and now I’m barely seeded here (at Wimbledon). Losing to clowns, I hate to say it but I’m just gonna be honest.