Nike's short skirt gets short shrift at Wimbledon

24 June 2016 - 09:34 By ©The Daily Telegraph

Sportwear manufacturer Nike has recalled its Wimbledon tennis dress after players who wore it in the qualifying rounds struggled to cover up. The short-cut, floaty kit will be lengthened on-site, according to the Daily Mail.Lucie Hadrecka, a former French Open and US Open doubles winner, wore white leggings under the dress, which could have been mistaken for a top.More than 20 women competing at the Championships are sponsored by Nike, and a panicked e-mail sent by the manufacturer asked the players to bring the dresses back for alteration.The e-mail said: "We need to make a small change to your dresses per Wimbledon rules. Could you please bring them by the Nike Wimbledon House?"The message added that "this is VERY important".Laura Robson, the British No 6 and former junior Wimbledon champion, is among the players who will probably wear the dress. Eugenie Bouchard, the Canadian who finished runner-up in Wimbledon in 2014, is another.Serena Williams, the world No1 and the reigning Wimbledon champion, has had a tweaked version designed for her from the same dress. It features a higher neckline but is similarly short on the leg.It is unknown whether Williams's dress is among those recalled, but Wimbledon's organisers say they accepted the Nike design because it complied with their stipulation of all-white clothing.The recall is said to come in the wake of player complaints about the cut of the dress and the way its billowing impedes performance.On Nike's website, the dress - which is called the "Premier Slam" - is available for $65 (R940). Williams's version is on sale for $200.Nike has yet to comment...

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