Wimbledon rule explained as Jennifer Lopez 'breaks' it with 'inappropriate' outfit choice
Jennifer Lopez's Wimbledon outfit turned heads for all the wrong reasons.
The pop star was among the high-profile attendees in the crowd on Sunday (12 July), who all appeared to be a bit hot and bothered amid the heatwave.
To combat the sun's powerful glare, Lopez sported a massive hat - and this is considered to be a huge fashion faux pas at an event like Wimbledon.
Those who enjoy watching tennis stars take part in the oldest and most prestigious Grand Slam event in the world with a glass of Pimm's are expected to abide by the long-established code of etiquette.
Advert
Wimbledon is a place where you have to be on your best behaviour, as there are a host of bizarre rules that guests must follow.
But it's also a chance to enjoy a lovely day out - and the fashion-conscious among us get all dressed up and flaunt their best tennis-themed fits.
Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka clearly got the memo about this, as she turned up to her 29 June clash against France's Elsa Jacquemot in a breathtaking gown rather than her sports gear.
Star couple Aaron Taylor-Johnson and his filmmaker wife Sam also donned their Sunday best when they attended Wimbledon last week.
Then, Lopez turned up and managed to ruffle some feathers with the large accessory she was sporting on her head over the weekend.
While sitting alongside actor Tom Hiddleston and behind Andrew Garfield in the Royal Box, the Hustlers actress was wearing an oversized straw hat to shield her face from the sun.
She looked stunning in a Ralph Lauren wrap dress and heeled sandals - however, people were left disappointed that Lopez appeared to flout the rules surrounding the dress code in the VIP seating area.
Lopez's accessory 'cast a shadow' over crowd
After Wimbledon's official X account shared an image of Lopez and Hiddleston enjoying the action unfolding in front of them, a lot of people commented on her massive hat.
One person took to social media to joke: "Her hat could cast a shadow over the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome."
Another said: "She’s providing the eclipse for the entire back row."
A third added: "This type of hat is inappropriate for such events! You should do your homework lady!"
If you were wondering why Lopez's choice of headwear riled so many people up, wonder no more.
A chair in the Royal Box - which has been in operation since 1922 - is the most prestigious seat in the house at Wimbledon.
Only certain people get to experience the pleasure of sitting on one of the dark green Lloyd Loom wicker chairs, such as royal family members from across the globe.
Heads of state, tennis icons and members of the British armed forces are also among those who receive an invite.
"Invitations come from the Chair of the All England Club, taking into account suggestions from members of The Championships’ Organising Committee, The Lawn Tennis Association and other relevant sources," Wimbledon explains.
"Guests are invited to the Clubhouse for lunch, tea and drinks at the end of the day."
It adds that there is also a code of respect that those in the Royal Box must abide by - leaving your hats at home.
Describing the dress code as 'smart, suits/jacket and tie, etc', Wimbledon says: "Ladies are asked not to wear hats, as they tend to obscure the vision of those seated behind them."
And that's why Lopez's apparent lack of decorum in this regard riled some people up online.
However, given the extraordinary temperatures in the UK at the minute, this rule around headwear has been slightly relaxed.
Kate Middleton was seen wearing a wide-brimmed hat at one point when the weather got a bit much for her, while Nicole Kidman also kept one close.
Wimbledon’s strangest rules
Wimbledon has strict rules and regulations for pretty much everything - from the length of the grass to the temperature of the tennis balls, and you can be fined thousands of pounds for certain conduct violations.
Curfew
While at other grand slams, play continues late into the night, at Wimbledon there’s a strict 11pm curfew.
This means tennis fans sometimes have to go to bed on a cliffhanger.
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal’s 2018 semi-final clash was suspended after the third set.
Meanwhile, Andy Murray was particularly peeved when he was in the lead against Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2023, but went on to lose when the game was paused overnight and restarted the following morning.
Timed toilet breaks
Players are limited to one toilet break for matches up to three sets, and two if it goes on for longer.
They can only go during a set change and they have to be back within three minutes, or they risk giving a point to their opponent.
The longest ever Wimbledon match lasted a whopping 11 hours over three days, so players better get their nervous wees in before the match.
Temper tantrums
Players can be fined up to £36,900 for smashing their rackets. Djokovic is believed to have smashed over 60 of them over the course of his career.
Bad language can also result in the same maximum fine.
Countdown to serve
As soon as the ball goes out of play, the serving player has just 25 seconds to hit their serve, or the umpire can call a violation which could potentially grant a point to their opponent.
Fines for not trying hard enough
Players must demonstrate they’re giving their all to win the match.
Australian player Bernard Tomic was fined an eye-watering £45,000 after he was accused of not putting in enough effort to beat French player Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, losing after just 58 minutes.
Age limits
Players have to be at least 14 to compete, which means youth sensations like Coco Gauff were initially barred from taking part.
Spectators, meanwhile, have to be accompanied by a guardian if they’re under 16. Under-fives aren’t permitted at all onto show courts.
This meant Serena Williams' two-year-old daughter Adira River couldn't watch her mum's comeback at this year's grand slam, while not all of Andy Murray's four children could watch his final doubles appearance in 2024.
The grass and the balls
Everything at Wimbledon is just so. The grass is cut to 8mm, which is apparently best suited for modern tennis play and for the grass to survive.
Meanwhile, the tennis balls are kept in a fridge in order to maintain a constant temperature of 20°C. A consistent temperature is important because it apparently affects the way the balls bounce. The more you know.
Tennis whites
It was originally just female players who were required to wear all-white on the court.
According to Tennis Fashions: Over 125 Years of Costume Change, the rule was introduced because it was ‘quite unthinkable that a lady should be seen to perspire’. OK then…
Eventually, the rule was imposed on men too.
A single trim of colour is allowed around the neckline and sleeve cuffs, but this must be no thicker than 1cm.
In 2022, an exception was made so women could wear dark undershorts to feel more comfortable if they were on their periods.
Topics: Wimbledon, Jennifer Lopez, Sport, Viral
Olivia Burke