The time Carlos Alcaraz was almost banned from playing a match at Wimbledon for breaking ‘strict’ rule

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Many consider Wimbledon to be the most prestigious tournament in all of tennis, as fans from around the world enjoy the action at SW19.

The only grass court Major tournament is a big hit every summer, when the stars of the ATP Tour battle it out for the trophy.

Swiss legend Roger Federer has won more Wimbledon titles than any other player in men’s tennis history, securing eight victories during his career.

In 2023 and 2024, Carlos Alcaraz won Wimbledon, beating seven-time champion Novak Djokovic on both occasions.

The Spaniard will be the favorite once again when tennis returns to London in June, as he now reveals what happened when he nearly broke one of Wimbledon’s ‘strictest’ rules.

‘Strict’ Wimbledon officials told Carlos Alcaraz ‘We won’t let you play’ when he wore the wrong underwear

Speaking in his new Netflix documentary, Alcaraz shared his thoughts on the history of Wimbledon.

“For me Wimbledon is one of the most beautiful tournaments in the world, if not the most beautiful, both because of its prestige and its rules,” he said.

“You can’t step onto the court unless you’re dressed all in white.”

The dress code once caused issues for the 21-year-old, who now reveals what officials said to him when he wore the wrong colored underwear.

“My underwear was a different colour, it was slightly see-through so they called me out,” said Alcaraz.

“They said ‘No, we won’t let you play in the next match.’

“I mean that shows you how strict they are.”

Alcaraz and others have accepted the tournament’s strict rules, as they enjoy performing at their best on the grass.

Several tennis legends gave their verdict on the sport’s most ‘historic’ event.

“The Wimbledon tournament is the one that you dream of getting to. All the players want to be a part of that,” said John McEnroe.

“Wimbledon is the only one on grass, you really feel the history here, more than any other tournament,” added Martina Navratilova.

“Nothing is more luxurious, elegant, and historic than being in that tournament. For me, Wimbledon was pure ecstasy,” said Garbine Muguruza.

Is Wimbledon Carlos Alcaraz’s most successful Grand Slam tournament?

The Spaniard is 3/4 of the way to a Career Grand Slam, having secured victories at the French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open.

But at which of the four Grand Slam events has Alcaraz performed best during his career to date?

Alcaraz has remarkably won 90% of his matches at the All England Club, last losing at Wimbledon, 1,026 days ago.

There he fell to defeat against his biggest rival, Jannik Sinner, who advanced to the quarterfinals in four sets, 6-1, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3.

The Spaniard had lost to another Grand Slam winner in his one previous visit to Wimbledon in 2021, falling to defeat against Daniil Medvedev in the second round, 4-6, 1-6, 2-6.

Following Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal’s retirements in 2024, Alcaraz will return to Wimbledon in 2025, as one of just two active players to have lifted the title.

• Novak Djokovic – 7 (2011, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022)
• Carlos Alcaraz – 2 (2023, 2024)

Djokovic could well prove to be Alcaraz’s biggest threat on the grass, having reached the final in each of the last six Wimbledon tournaments.

The pair battled it out in a thriller two years ago, when Alcaraz won in five sets to clinch his first title at Wimbledon, a match many consider to be one of the greatest in the tournament’s history.

Only time will tell if the pair will meet in a third consecutive final this year, but it will certainly be something to look out for.

Alcaraz will return to Wimbledon when the tournament begins on Monday, June 30.