Cork club abandons 'tennis whites only' rule to encourage participation

Bishopstown Lawn Tennis Club has dropped the rule, which was in place since the 1870s and is enforced strictly by the likes of Wimbledon, describing it as 'elitist'

Conor Twomey, head coach, removes the 'tennis whites on court please' sign which has been in place for decades at Bishopstown Lawn Tennis Club in Cork in the presence of club members Ben O'Connell, Milo Murray, Daire and Isabella Lyons and Alex Byrne. Picture: Denis Minihane.

An Irish tennis club has called game, set and match on a ‘tennis whites only’ clothing rule in the hope of encouraging more people to take up the sport here.

Bishopstown Lawn Tennis Club in Cork City has removed its ‘tennis whites only’ sign which has been in place since its foundation some 40 years ago.