Why, in 2019, should this still be an issue female athletes have to contend with?
Another Wimbledon tournament and another opportunity for the injustices in sport to come to the fore.
The tennis fashion police were back again with a vengeance at the All England Club yesterday, as it took just one match into the tournament for a (female) athlete's dress to become a point of conversation.
The eighth seed, Elina Svitolina might have beaten her opponent, Aussie Daria Gavrilova in straight sets, but it wasn't her stellar tennis skill that made the headlines, it was her choice of outfit.
Responding to a comment suggesting that her outfit was "basic", Svitolina took issue with a fan's tweet that criticised her apparel sponsor, Nike for putting "minimal effort" into her dress.
Elina Svitolina's #Wimbledon outfit is so basic I feel Nike put in minimum effort for it. But at least it doesn't look bad. pic.twitter.com/Dk6JUGqR5K
— Nikhila (@kokudum) July 1, 2019
Hitting Back
Elina Svitolina has hit back at criticism of her dress on social media though, defending Nike and responding to the tweet to set the record straight.
The dress - not that is should need to be defended publically - while simple in design, features a lace skirt, with a pleat at the back that adds body to the skirt for extra mobility. Nike says the 'Slam Dress brings the sophisticated look of lace to the court.'
“minimum effor” 廊.... COMPLETELY DISAGREE !! Take a close look at all the details this dress has !!!! https://t.co/LibHHDWef9 @Nikecourt https://t.co/7hyD2nDS3K
— Elina Svitolina (@ElinaSvitolina) July 1, 2019