Wimbledon 2016: Nike's controversial 'baby doll' kit gets dressing down from female players

Wimbledon, the most traditional Grand Slam, with its strict dress code, has begun in a flash of green and white. But many female players are not so happy with their dress.Kit manufacturers Nike have been keen to push their 'Premier Slam' dress during the grass-court Grand Slam, but the outfit has been deemed too skimpy by the likes of former Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki.[caption id="attachment_2863324" align="alignleft" width="380"] Donna Vekic in the controversial dress at Wimbledon. Getty Images[/caption]Concerned that the dress shows too much flesh when it flies up above the waistline, several players with Nike contracts reportedly asked for the kit to be altered ahead of Wimbledon.Although Wimbledon has a notoriously strict attitude to players' dress, All England Club officials passed the design because it complies with their all-white kit rules.However, the players themselves are less impressed with the 'baby doll' outfit and many of them have joined forces to slam the controversial dress causing a stir among female players shocked by its revealing style.Lisicki, the 2013 Wimbledon runner-up, made it clear it was too risqué for her taste after opting not to wear it during the German's first round win over Shelby Rogers."Yes I did (try the dress). I didn't feel comfortable showing that much (flesh)," she said.Describing why she chose to wear a more restrained skirt and vest top, the 26-year-old added: "I felt comfortable in it. For me, the most important thing is to feel comfortable and not to think about anything, and with this I feel great."I like it. I think it looks good. It's classic. So that's why I picked that one."Several Wimbledon“When I was serving, it was coming up, and I felt like the dress was just everywhere,” Sweden's Rebecca Peterson was quoted as saying by the New York Times. Peterson then played with a long-sleeved shirt over her dress to hold the dress somewhat in place. Katie Boulter tied a headband around her waist to serve as a belt, which held the fabric somewhat more in place and Lucie Hradecka wore leggings underneath the dress, effectively turning it into a shirt, continues the article.Even defending Wimbledon champion Serena Williams, Nike's highest profile client, will wear a slightly adapted version of the outfit, the 'Nike Women's Premier Wimbledon Serena SW19 Dress'. The outfit is said to be more structured and features a nipped in waist and a higher neckline. Serena, however, seems to be fan of her dress, posting an image of the dress with the caption, 'Kinda in love with my wimbledon dress'.Serena's sister Venus is well versed in the fashion world as the five-time Wimbledon champion's EleVen company design clothes for the "fashion-forward athletic woman".Venus caught the eye with a new haircut featuring dyed red weaving during her first round victory against Donna Vekic.But her outfit was more conservative, unlike Croatian teenager Vekic, who opted to wear the baby doll dress.The 36-year-old American, the oldest woman in the draw, said she was keen to remain fashionable but valued a practical outfit as well."I've had a lot of fashion adventures, that's for sure. But it's never stopped me on the court. I've been able to play my best. It hasn't been an issue," Venus said."Fashion is very important for me, so it always has to be fashionable. But clearly it has to be functional."They go hand‑in‑hand. I wouldn't say one is ahead of the other."But it's easy to design something functional without being fashionable. It's about challenging yourself to push it a little bit."Sara Errani, the Italian 20th seed, also opted to snub the dress for her first round win against Patricia Maria Tig."They (Nike) give you the option what you prefer, and I prefer the one that I wear today," Errani said."They are flexible. I mean, if you don't feel really comfortable with something you can ask them and it's no problem."The important thing is to be comfortable on the court and feel good to play."The dress drew flak on social media as well, with many pointing out how unsuitable the outfit was and the resultant discomfort for the women.With inputs from agencies