The Nike Wimbledon Tennis Dress Is Continuing To Cause Drama
The flippy dress appeared to distract Katie Swan during her game [Photo: PA Images]
We reported last week that a Nike Wimbledon tennis dress, called the Premier Slam dress, had been reportedly recalled for being too revealing. But anyone who’s been taking in a match or two will know that the dress is still being worn by numerous female players - and they aren’t happy about it.
The dress, which has been likened to a babydoll nightie due to its loose shape and floaty fabric, has been flying around all over the place at Wimbledon and seriously distracting some players.
Katie Swan was spotted adjusting the dress a number of times during the game [Photo: PA Images]
Players have even resorted to tying headbands around the dress to keep it down or wearing leggings underneath. Katie Swan, a British player, was seen tucking the £75 number into her shorts to stop it flying around and exposing her stomach during her match yesterday and commenters went as far as suggesting the dress was partly responsible for her loss.
A German player, Sabine Lisicki, simply refused to wear the dress while Serena Williams was fortunate to have an alternative design made (she is sponsored by the brand, after all).
Maria Sakkari’s appeared to have a hard time of it in the loose-fitting number while playing Serena Williams [Photo: PA Images]
But Serena has been lucky enough to have been kitted out with a slightly altered version that’s less likely to blow up during play [Photo: PA Images]
Meanwhile Rebecca Peterson from Sweden told the NY Times that despite the dress being “simple”, the dress was “flying everywhere”.
“When I was serving, it was coming up, and I felt like the dress was just everywhere,” she said.
But despite all the dress drama, the product has not been recalled. Instead, the players have been asked to send in the dresses to have the slits on each side stitched up. "The product has not been recalled and we often customise products and make alterations for athletes as they compete. We work closely with our athletes to provide them with product that helps them perform and feel their best on the court,” said a spokesperson from the brand.
Maybe it’s time women are allowed to play the sport in the same attire as the men?
Is All The Female Fashion Scrutiny Taking Our Eyes Off The Ball At Wimbledon?
