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Cape Town - Some female tennis athletes have complained about major sporting brand, Nike making uncomfortable dresses that look similar to 'lingerie'.
Nike has paid several athletes to wear a loose hanging dress complying with Wimbledon’s all-white apparel dress code; however some players feel it's not ideal and that's too revealing for the tournament.
According to the New York Times, Swedish player Rebecca Peterson said that the dress "flew everywhere" and she had to wear a long-sleeved shirt over the dress to put it in place during her preparations.
“When I was serving, it was coming up, and I felt like the dress was just everywhere,” Peterson said. “In general, it’s quite simple, the dress, but it was flying everywhere.”
The Czech Republic’s Lucie Hradecka wore leggings underneath the dress during her preparations.
The Nike design used as Lucie Hradecka's shirt at Roehampton is going to be Genie Bouchard's dress at #Wimbledon: pic.twitter.com/r3YI8bVhNw
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) June 21, 2016
Since the opening two days, alterations have been made to adjust the length and provide some comfort to the players.
Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard was one of the players wearing the loose fitting outfit when she defeated Magdalena Rybarikova 6-3, 6-4, with her dress flying up frequently during the match.
However, not all athletes are against it.
Bouchard, who defeated Johanna Konta on day four at the All England Club, said that she loves the nice design, which helps her move freely.
"It's funny that people paid a lot of attention to it, but I really think it's really nice," Bouchard told TSN.
Nike released a statement saying that the Nike Premier Slam dresses have not been recalled and that they have made alterations for athletes that feel uncomfortable.
Social media has gone crazy slamming Nike for their ‘lingerie-inspired’ outfit:
Those floaty Nike Wimby dresses def very lingerie like and not at all practical #Wimbledon. Altered in 2nd pic pic.twitter.com/sweOiaIkO1
— Mairead D (@MDRN1) June 30, 2016
What idiot at @Nike designed the women's Wimbledon outfits like lingerie? These athletes deserve respect #Wimbledon
— Meredith Montalto (@meredithmaym) June 30, 2016
Too many Marilyn Monroe moments at #Wimbledon with Nike's new tennis dress https://t.co/I9uygBwtEF
— Terry Trucco (@TruccoTerry) June 29, 2016
Defending Wimbledon champion Serena Williams is also sponsored by Nike, however they've made the seven-time title winner her own signature outfit.
