Eugenie Bouchard Escapes Punishment After Apparent Wimbledon Dress Code Violation
Eugenie Bouchard was 'guilty' of wearing a black bra during her 1st round match - a possible violation of Wimbledon's extremely strict dress code. She however managed to escape punishment, even if she could not escape a shock loss in the 1st round.
Wimbledon is known to be unflinchingly strict about players' dress code on the court. Eugenie Bouchard though may have inadvertently broken the rules during her first round loss against China's Ying-Yang Duan on Tuesday. A black strap of her bra was visible but umpire Louise Engzell let the World No. 12 off the hook after examining the matter. (Also read: Wimbledon cuts ground capacity as temperatures soar)
Bouchard - runner-up in last year's Wimbledon - suffered a shock defeat against her Chinese opponent, and under rocketing temperatures. The Canadian continued to face the heat after the match when she was informed she may have broken the Wimbledon rules by wearing a black bra under her white tennis dress.
"I was not aware of that at all. And no one told me anything about my bra," she replied to Britain's Sportsmail inquiry.
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Although Bouchard escaped punishment, Wimbledon rules are otherwise extremely strict.
"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)," reads the rules section on Wimbledon's official website, "In addition, common standards of decency are required at all times."
The 21-year-old Bouchard though has more on her plate than possibly breaking Wimbledon dress-code. Her 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 loss to Duan is her ninth defeat in 11 previous matches. While a career in modelling is always present as a back-up option - Bouchard has signed a deal with IMG Modelling Agency, the player is still young to stage a comeback.