“I’m happy in my panties.” Russian tennis player shocked Wimbledon defiant outfit

Wimbledon is known for its extremely strict dress code requirements for athletes. Initially, only white was allowed at the tournament – the rule was softened only in the 90s, but bright colors and prints were still banned. It is not surprising that year after year scandals break out on the British fields due to violations of the regulations.

Once, Tatyana Golovin was at the center of such an incident. A Russian tennis player with French citizenship appeared on the lawn in “illegal” shorts.

Officials had to intervene in the conflict.

outrageous color

Tatyana Golovin went to Wimbledon 2007 as one of the most promising tennis players on the tour. A season earlier, the 19-year-old athlete sensationally made it to the quarterfinals of the US Open and earned a place in the top 20 of the world rankings. A couple of months before the trip to England, the Frenchwoman won the first singles title in her career: she was subdued to the second category tournament in Amelia Island.

Expectations were high for the girl at the British tournament, even though grass was not her favorite surface. In the first round, Tatiana was supposed to meet with Xie Shuwei: Golovin had solid chances of success in the confrontation with the Taiwanese athlete. As a result, the Frenchwoman had to literally scratch out the victory – 5:7, 6:3, 8:6.

However, after the match, the conversation, oddly enough, was not at all about Tatiana’s performance. The fact is that Golovin appeared on the court … in shorts of the “forbidden” bright red color. The choice of the girl outraged not only the audience, but also the British sports functionaries. The story was not limited to whispers in the stands: an official representative of Wimbledon soon came to deal with the violator.

Tatyana Golovin / Photo: © Steve Parsons – PA Images / Contributor / PA Images / Gettyimages.com

“Red is empowering”

However, the official failed to force Golovin to change clothes. In a conversation with a representative of the tournament, the girl convincingly argued her decision: according to the regulations, athletes can wear panties of any color if they are shorter than a white skirt. In the case of Tatyana, this rule was observed, and the organizers of the tournament did not have the right to control the choice of girls’ underwear.

Representatives of Wimbledon had to retire. At the post-match press conference, 10 out of 15 questions posed to the Frenchwoman concerned precisely the incident with the form. In a conversation with reporters, Tatyana said that she plans to perform in red shorts throughout the championship: after defeating Xie Shuwei, the athlete began to consider them her talisman.

“I was told that the red color gives strength and confidence, so I am happy in my red panties,” said Golovin.

However, for a long time the strength of this unusual talisman was not enough for the girl. Already in the next round, Tatiana left the competition, losing in three sets to the Austrian Tamira Pashek. Moreover, this Wimbledon tournament was the last in her career for the Frenchwoman: already in 2008, the talented tennis player unexpectedly ended her career due to chronic back problems.