Tennis royalty turned away at Wimbledon? Say it ain’t so — but it is. In a bizarre and utterly eyebrow-raising incident, Martina Navratilova, a nine-time Wimbledon singles champion and an all-time great of the sport, revealed she was denied entry to an exclusive restaurant at the All England Club during the ongoing tournament. And now, Coco Gauff’s former coach has chimed in, branding the snub as nothing short of “ridiculous.”
The drama unfolded when Navratilova, a regular face at the Championships both as a pundit and legend-in-residence, attempted to enter the members-only dining room on the grounds. According to her statement, a newly implemented policy denied her access due to a dress code technicality — yes, really.
“I was wearing trousers instead of a skirt, apparently not considered appropriate,” Navratilova said, clearly stunned. “I’ve played here since the ’70s, won here nine times, and now I can’t have a meal because of trousers? Ridiculous.”
Social media, predictably, exploded. Fans, journalists, and former players couldn’t believe it. But it was Coco Gauff’s former coach, Diego Moyano, who delivered one of the sharpest critiques yet. “To deny someone like Martina, a legend, because of what she’s wearing? That’s just outdated nonsense,” Moyano posted. “She is Wimbledon history. She should walk in wherever she wants.”
Many echoed the sentiment, slamming the All England Club for clinging to outdated protocols that seem out of step with modern values — and blind to the respect someone of Navratilova’s stature deserves.
To make matters worse, the incident comes amid broader conversations about inclusion and tradition at Wimbledon. Critics have long pointed out the club’s rigid standards and questionable policies, from all-white dress codes to the way it handles its inner sanctums.
Navratilova, never one to hold back, also highlighted the irony. “You can wear shorts to play centre court now, but can’t wear pants to dinner? It’s absurd,” she said. She added she won’t be making a big fuss — but her point had already been made loud and clear.
So, what now? Will Wimbledon quietly update its policies, or double down on decorum? One thing’s for sure: the incident has sparked a fresh wave of scrutiny on tennis’s most traditional turf.
And in true Martina style, she ended her statement with a zinger: “I’ve earned my seat at that table. Pants or not.”
Game. Set. Controversy.
