"I would love for people to talk about it more": Heather Watson hopes new Wimbledon clothing rules will end periods being taboo topic

As one of the main British players who have carried home hopes at Wimbledon over the years, Heather Watson knows what it feels like to deal with pressure heading into SW19.

But one less added stress which has been celebrated by the WTA players including Coco Gauff and Daria Kasatkina among others was the axe of females having to wear all-white underwear.

Watson hopes that more debate and air time is given to the struggles that women go through while on their period and playing top level sport.

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The former World No.38 hopes that it will be a taboo subject of the past somewhat and opened up on her own experiences.

This included last year taking the pill used as a contraceptive for birth control in order to stop herself having her period at the tournament.

Knowing that the same timeframe was set for this year, she is glad something has now been done and is 'forward-thinking'.

"When Wimbledon announced that about the under-shorts I was so happy because it makes such a big difference," she told Sky Sports.

"I speak openly about my period and being on my period. I don't think it's a taboo subject. I would love for people to talk about it more, especially women in sport.

"So, when I heard this I was really happy because last year I went on the pill to stop myself bleeding because I knew we had to wear white under-shorts, and I didn't want to face any embarrassment. We're running around sweating, doing the splits on the court.

"This year I knew my period was going to be during Wimbledon again, so I'm very happy that I won't have to do the same thing as last year. I think it's a real positive and it's really great. Really forward-thinking."

She will play Barbora Krejcikova on Tuesday afternoon to open up her Wimbledon campaign for 2023.

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