Wimbledon star breaks same golden rule as Novak Djokovic during comeback win

Frances Tiafoe was spotted flouting one of Wimbledon's most notorious rules during his game against Matteo Arnaldi, and he isn't the only player to have done so. The Grand Slam's code of conduct stipulates that all competitors "must be dressed in suitable tennis attire that is almost entirely white" from the point of entering the court surround and throughout their matches.

It also adds that "medical supports and equipment should be white if possible" however, they can be coloured when "absolutely necessary" - a rule that Tiafoe failed to adhere to when turning up to Court 15 sporting a black knee strap. The American injured his knee while slipping on the courts of the Queen's Club last month, falling during his opener with Rinky Hijikata.

And while his subsequent participation in the Wimbledon was in doubt at first, Tiafoe told media that he was feeling back to fitness days in the days leading to his first match. He said: "I feel like I'm moving better and better. Obviously you're still a little timid at times moving, you don't want to hurt yourself even more but I feel like I'm getting closer and closer to 100 per cent. But this is definintely not a tournament I want to miss so I'm going to try everything to be able to play on Monday."

The hot prospect was able to make it to his match with Italian Arnaldi, albeit with his knee still heavily strapped up to help him through the tough test. Tiafoe is yet to address his choice of colour for the attire and it wasn't put to him during his post-match press conference.

Novak Djokovic, meanwhile, surprised SW19's Centre Court crowd on Tuesday in his game against Vit Kopriva by also rocking up to the tournament with a grey strap on his knee. The seven-time SW19 champion, however, noted how he was permitted to wear the coloured aid after seeking permission from tournament officials, explaining how he was unable to find a white version.

He admitted: "I actually just met (the) chairwoman just before walking onto the court. She gave me (the) thumbs up, so it was okay. Of course, we did check in the days prior if we have permission. We're trying to find a white one, trust me."

And Djokovic noted how Tiafoe also broke strict Wimbledon rules during his own game earlier in the week. He added: "I saw Frances Tiafoe played, he actually had a black colour sleeve. Grey, I think it's maybe slightly better towards the white." Despite a slow start to his game with Arnaldi, losing the first two games 7-2, 6-2, Tiafoe would go on to turn over his opponent with three final wins of 6-1, 6-3 and 6-3.

He goes on to face Borna Coric in the second round of the tournament on Wednesday. Djokovic and Tiafoe could ultimately end up meeting in the tournament as it progresses, should the two contestants continue to win their match-ups. The Serbian will be looking to add an eighth Wimbledon title to his record this summer, but he'll have to get the better of Jacob Fearnley in the next round first.

26-year-old Tiafoe's best Wimbledon run to date, meanwhile, came in 2022 – making it all the way to the fourth-round of the competition with wins over Andrea Vavassoric, Maximilian Marterer and Alexander Bublik before being knocked out by David Goffin in the round of 16.