Wimbledon Bans Part Of Federer’s Apparel

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 26th June 2013

Federer to switch shoes with orange sole

Wimbledon Bans Part Of Federer’s Apparel

epa03760370 The shoe of Roger Federer of Switzerland during his first round match against Victor Hanescu of Romania for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 24 June 2013. The shoes with the orange sole were especially made for Federer. After his first match with these shoes, the Wimbledon officials asked Federer to change the shoes in the next match, as they do not fit with the Wimbledon all white dress-code. The shoes were on sale in limited edition on Monday - they are already sold out. EPA/GERRY PENNY |

No male champion has been more prolific in finding success at Wimbledon and nobody reveres the traditions of the All England Club more than Roger Federer. But the seven- times singles champion has had foot fault called against him by wearing tennis shoes with bright orange soles that luridly contravene strict rules about players being clad from head to toe in gear that has to be predominantly white.

Regardless of a pristine previous record over 14 previous senior playing visits to the Championships, previously winning the Boys’ singles and doubles titles in the same year and actually being a revered member of the All England Club, Federer has been formally reprimanded and has risked being fined.

Federer, who numbers Vogue Editor Anna Wintour among his inner circle of friends and takes his fashion sense very seriously, always has a special Wimbledon outfit made up for him by giant clothing manufacturer Nike, who is believed to pay him around $10 million for the privilege.

He revealed in March that his Wimbledon outfits are planned more than a year in advance and this year’s Federer line has orange trim around his personalized tracksuit with the famous RF logo and the shoes are designed to match. Serena Williams, who also has custom made shoes, is believed to also have been similarly told to change to something more conventional.

All England Club officials were aghast at the sight of Federer’s shoes during his straight sets first round win over Romanian veteran Victor Hanescu but were gratified the defending champion was only required to spend 68 competitive minutes on court. Although the All England Club insists no exceptions are made in sticking to the letter of law in the dress rules that are unique in tennis, lesser players have been told to change their attire when on court.

However Federer has been told in no uncertain manner that he must wear something different in today’s encounter with the Ukraine’s Sergiy Stakhovsky that is scheduled to be the third match on Centre Court.

Tournament regulations state that manufacturers must submit all clothing designs for inspection 90 days before the start, but there is often not quite the same formal scrutiny of footwear.

The All England Club declined to make any official statement on the issue.

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SeabirdT says:

June 26, 2013 at 10:38 am

RT @10sBalls_com: Wimbledon Bans Part Of Federer’s Apparel: No male champion has been more prolific in finding success … http://t.co/coP3…