Wimbledon to see big fashion change as Holger Rune leads new throwback trend

Super short shorts are riding high again this summer as tennis fashion turns the clock back to the 1970s and 1980s. Wimbledon stars like Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors and John Lloyd were as famous for their tight-fitting kit as winning titles.

Then Rafa Nadal's long pirate shorts below became the rage when he burst onto the scene 20 years ago. Now a new generation of players will be showing more than a bit of leg at Wimbledon as temperatures rise on and off the court.

World No.8 Holger Rune is leading the new trend. "Honestly it came naturally," laughed the Dane, 22. "One day I was playing in very warm conditions and it just felt right to pull them up and it just felt good. We have a very good dialogue with Nike about what I like and they are very, very open which is amazing. In the old days it was under the knees and now it is shorter and shorter. I think it is cool. It is all fun. There was a lot of talk about it and now that is kinda my style."

Tennis became sexy with last summer's blockbuster movie Challengers. Now after years of dominance by the old Big Four, the young stars are not shy to show off the results of hours in the gym and court. "Tennis has become a more physical sport so we need to be fitter," added Rune. "We have to be very, very strong and I guess this looks good. I always think the better you feel in your body, with whatever clothes you are wearing, the better you perform."

Tomas Machac is another contender for the title of the king of short shorts while Dino Prizmic is also in the Quad Squad. "I have always worn these shorts," said the Croatian. "First because I like my legs. And because I have gained so much muscle, I feel much more confident in those shorts. It is the perfect combination for me and I don't see why I should hide them."

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It was not always like this. The first man to don shorts at Wimbledon was Brame Hillyard in 1930 out on Court No.10 while Bunny Austin wore them on Centre Court in 1933.

"Men's tennis shorts were originally knee-length until the 1970s, when changing fitness trends began to reshape styles, leading to a preference for shorter shorts," said Dr Anna Boonstra, Assistant Curator Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum

"By the late 1990s and early 2000s, many younger players embraced longer shorts, aligning their look with contemporary street fashion. Eventually, the trend shifted back to shorts just above the knee."

The museum has a pair of shorts worn by Jimmy Connors in the 1985 semi-finals which measure an indecent 13 inches from waist to hem.

"Currently, several players on the ATP tour are embracing 'short' shorts reminiscent of the styles from the 1970s and 1980s," Boonstra added. "I think Holger's shorts are just as short as Jimmy Connors' were.

"Tennis fashion often reflects street fashion, which tends to cycle through styles that reappear decades later. A new generation of tennis players is discovering these shorter shorts, while retired players experience nostalgia as they see the fashion they once wore. Although this style preference is typically personal, it often aligns with their sponsorship deals."

Former British No.1 Lloyd Wimbledon won the mixed doubles title with Wendy Turnbull in 1983 and 1984 wearing shorts made by a Japanese company called Wimbledon.

"I felt sorry for Wendy when I was bending over at the net - it was not a pretty sight," laughed Lloyd, now 70. "I asked for XL and I could barely get them on. I was like a model trying to get on tight jeans lying on my back. They were ridiculous. I couldn't move - but they were paying me a fortune! I wore their clothes for the two weeks at Wimbledon.

"I blame them for my defeats in the singles. People say I choked. Yes I did. But it was my balls that choked. They were chafing my balls.

"Did I stop the contract because the shorts were too short? No! For that money, I would have done it for another 10 years! I would have sacrificed my balls for that."