Wimbledon star can't wear iconic clothing item as strict rule causes issues - EXCLUSIVE

You always know when Diana Shnaider is walking onto the court. The 21-year-old Russian star has only been on the professional tour for a couple of years, and she's already curated a signature style - wearing bandanas when she competes.

But the No. 12 seed won't be able to wear her iconic head covering when she takes to Court 16 for her first-round match on Monday, which is set to be the hottest opening day at Wimbledon with temperatures reaching 34 degrees. Wimbledon has a strict all-white clothing rule, and Shnaider told Express Sport that she hadn't been able to source fabric for a white bandana.

Shnaider also went bandana-less when she made her debut at the All England Club last year, reaching the third round. "I don't have it this year either," she said ahead of the 2025 edition of the tournament.

The former college athlete likes her bandanas to be custom-made, finding the fabric herself and having a seamstress form it into the perfect sweat-wicking, form-fitting accessory.

She added: "To be honest, it's not enough time for us to figure out a lot of things and to choose a fabric and make the fit and everything. I need to be the one who is doing that, so yeah, unfortunately, it wasn't enough time to manage that."

But Shnaider won't be turning to an alternative cap or visor when she faces Moyuka Uchijima on one of the hottest days the tournament will see on Monday. "I hope I will not die," she laughed.

Although the white clothing rule has made it difficult for Shnaider to create a custom bandana in time for the Championships, the 21-year-old loves the traditions at the All England Club.

"I like Wimbledon just because it's like one and only. It's different. For sure, it's like a different atmosphere here, compared to other Grand Slams," she explained.

"So for me, all of the white kits, I love, I feel like white looks great on every player. When you look at the players playing matches, you're just enjoying just the way they look, just this green grass and players playing in the white kits, I feel like it's just a very cool atmosphere."

Shnaider is also trying some new traditions of her own this year. Most players rent a house near the grounds, and the world No. 15 has followed the trend after staying in a hotel in 2024. But she won't be joined by her family, who couldn't get their visas in time.

She explained: "They don't travel most of the year. My brother really wanted to come here, but they don't have visas yet, so maybe next year, he will enjoy it here.

"I actually have a house this year. Last year I stayed in a hotel, and I decided that this year I want to try something different because I didn't quite enjoy the traffic and spending like 30, 40 minutes in it. We have a pretty cosy house, so I enjoy it more."

Shnaider will also compete in the women's doubles draw alongside countrywoman and teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva. The world No. 7 has been a valuable companion for Shnaider on the tour.

"I love playing doubles and especially I love even more playing with Mirra. I think we have very good energy and chemistry on the court and obviously off the court, so for me, it just feels so comfortable and easy playing with her," the four-time tour title winner said.

"We're just enjoying and having so much fun. At the same time, for sure, it's helping my game for the singles, to be more kind of consistent, to be more confident in myself, like going more to the net.

"We're working on the serve and return, so it's definitely helping each other in different ways, but just enjoying and having at the same time, great results, it's not very often happening."