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Wales Online
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Wimbledon star doesn't hold back as she comments on tournament's strict dress code
Wimbledon star doesn't hold back as she comments on tournament's strict dress code Elina Svitolina spoke about the dress code at the All England Club as she progressed to the second round of Wimbledon after a straight-sets victory over Anna Bondar Elina Svitolina spoke about the Wimbledon dress code (Image: Hannah Peters, Getty Images ) Wimbledon star Elina Svitolina has expressed her strong admiration for the championship's iconic all-white dress policy. The Ukrainian ace sailed into the second round following a commanding straight sets triumph (6-3, 6-1) over Hungary's Anna Bondar on Monday. Having made it to the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2019 and 2023, the 30-year-old is intent on advancing even further at the prestigious Grand Slam. A clear fan of the historic tennis competition, Svitolina donned a T-shirt featuring a nod to the classic strawberries and cream after her first round win at the All England Club. While former Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard has previously criticised the strict dress code, which Emma Raducanu was claimed to have broken earlier this year, Svitolina has voiced her fondness for the traditional aesthetic. When quizzed by The Tennis Channel about her favourite Wimbledon tradition, Svitolina didn't hesitate. "The dress code, I love dressing up in white," she declared. "You know, being so classy. It's iconic. I love my outfit this year and it just looks so perfect, so beautiful. When you look around, everyone is so classy. Yeah, I just really love this tradition." Wimbledon has long-standing all-white clothing rules, dating back to the 1880s when visible sweat stains were deemed unseemly. All competitors are required to wear almost entirely white attire, which has already led to outfit changes at this year's tournament. Article continues below Svitolina is a fan of the all-white dress code (Image:) An exception is granted for female players who can wear dark undershorts as long as they are not longer than their shorts or skirt. According to Wimbledon's official guidelines, the all-white dress code does not permit off-white or cream clothing. A coloured trim around the neckline or sleeves is acceptable, provided it is no wider than one centimetre. Shoes must also be white, including laces and soles, and the same regulations apply to caps, headbands, bandanas, wristbands and socks. In 2022, the All England Club announced that female players could wear darker undershorts. However, Bouchard, a Wimbledon finalist in 2014, shared her experiences of the stress faced by female players on their period before the rule was implemented. "Unfortunately we cannot plan our own tennis matches, that is something completely out of our control, Bouchard told the Not Alone podcast with Valeria Lipovetsky in 2024. "The tournament decides the schedule and when you play, so there's no chance for that at all. I've definitely experienced really bad period cramps, pain, and I remember having that the day before the US Open in New York. Bouchard spoke about the problems with the previous Wimbledon dress code (Image: GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images ) "And I was like, 'Thank god this is just a practice day today, because if I had to play my match today it would be really hard.' I did play right away the next day so it wasn't the best but it's just something we have to deal with. We cannot control the schedule so it's just luck. "And I know some of the girls on tour also get a little worried when it comes to Wimbledon because you have to wear white. So it just makes you a little more self-conscious if you're... you know. 'It's tough, but now they've changed the rules where you can wear like a different-coloured undergarment – so your ball shorts under the dress can be a different colour. But that's a super-recent rule." Article continues below In contrast, Svitolina embraced the current dress code during her opening victory, donning white Adidas attire with a green trim on her neckline and cap, as she triumphed over Bodnar. She is set to face Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the next round.
Straits Times
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Choosing music as a career: Musician Evan Low talks NDP songs and touring with Mandopop star A-mei
Music Lab Podcast Choosing music as a career: Musician Evan Low talks NDP songs and touring with Mandopop star A-mei Synopsis (headphones recommended): Each month, The Straits Times invites music acts to its podcast studio. In this special episode of Music Lab, ST's music correspondent Eddino Abdul Hadi hosts award-winning Singaporean composer, producer, and music director Evan Low. A recipient of the National Arts Council's Young Artist Award in 2024, Low has worked on over 200 songs. From left: Mr Evan Low, Singaporean Music Director and Music Producer, and Mr Eddino Abdul Hadi, Music Lab Host. ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE He is best known for being a co-composer and musician on recent National Day Parade songs The Road Ahead (2021) sung by artistes such as Linying, Not Alone (2024) by Benjamin Kheng and the 2018 remake of We Are Singapore. The artiste also known as Evanturetime has also toured with international pop star and Taiwanese singer A-mei and has performed to massive crowds in venues such as the Beijing National Stadium in China. Low, who first took piano lessons at the age of five, graduated from Singapore Polytechnic with a Diploma in Music and Audio Technology. He then honed his skills at famed American music school Berklee College of Music, thanks to scholarships from the school as well as the Media Development Authority. This episode was recorded and filmed in front of a live audience of nearly 80 attendees on June 3 - at swish nightspot Rasa at Republic Plaza, as part of the ST Podcast Live! Sessions celebrating 180 years of The Straits Times in 2025. The third ST Podcast Live session is part of a series of events to celebrate 180 years of The Straits Times. ST PHOTO: REBEKAH CHIA Highlights (click/tap above): 2:17 Realising the impact of music: How Evan cried during piano practice when he was a kid 3:54 How he ended up choosing to further his studies in music instead of science 6:36 On developing his own set of 'special skills' while studying music in the US 10:56 The pressure of coming up with NDP songs 18:20 How he got singer Benjamin Kheng to venture outside his comfort zone on NDP song Not Alone 26:46 How he balances his finances as a full-time musician 29:25 On helping others achieve their dreams of pursuing music as a career Discover Evan Low's music at: Spotify: Instagram: Read Eddino Hadi's articles: Host: Eddino Abdul Hadi (dinohadi@ Produced by: ST Podcast Team & ST Outreach & Engagement Team Edited by: Amirul Karim Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong Discover previous artistes' live performances featured on Music Lab Podcast: Channel: Apple Podcasts: Spotify: Feedback to: podcast@ --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: ST Podcasts website: ST Podcasts YouTube: --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: Google Play: --
Muscat Daily
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Muscat Daily
Stigma of mental health tackled through creative expression
Muscat – The third edition of 'Freud Got Talent', Oman's only multidisciplinary creative arts competition focused on mental health awareness, concluded with a showcase of artistic expression. Organised by Not Alone, the event took place in two phases – semi-finals on May 17 and finals on May 22 – at Downe House School Muscat. The programme included a panel discussion on mental health at Royal Opera House Muscat on May 21. The discussion featured Sheikha Hala al Khalifa, Director of Culture and Arts Directorate at Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, and Cairo-based Dr Nasser Loza, Director of The Behman Hospital and Maadi Psychology Centre. Both emphasised the role of creativity in mental well-being. Dr Loza urged young people to break free from ideological constraints. 'If one is limited to his external thoughts then there would have been no Van Gogh or Nirvana. One also need not start his art with the very thought of making money else the journey will be less travelled and not fully cherished,' he said. Sheikha Hala noted that art offers a pathway to healing. 'Art has an incredible capacity to heal mental illness as it creates an avenue to cherish the good impacts of creations,' she said. Freud Got Talent brought together amateur and professional artists from across Oman, providing a platform for children and adults alike to share their personal journeys with mental health through visual arts, music, writing, digital media and performance. Sayyida Amal al Said, one of the judges in the literary category, said, 'Art heals. It gives shape to emotions we can't often articulate. Freud Got Talent proved that creativity is one of our strongest tools to de-stigmatise mental health.' The competition was open to participants in four age groups – Kids (6–11), Teens (12–17), Youth (18–25) and Adults (26+) – and included both citizens and residents of Oman. Submissions were evaluated by judging panels comprising artists, writers, designers and mental health professionals. 'We looked for works that spoke honestly about emotional struggles and triumphs. Vulnerability is strength,' said Sara al Mukhaini, judge for the digital visual category. Finalists were assessed on originality, emotional impact and clarity of message by panels that included Dr Abdul Monem al Hassani, Amal al Raisi and Sayyida Afra al Said.
Observer
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Observer
3rd edition of 'Freud Got Talent' set to boost mental awareness
May is the Mental Health Awareness Month, with the objective to educate the public about mental health, treatment, and research, and in the process, remove the stigma, making sure no one suffers in silence. Coinciding with the month of mental awareness, the Not Alone Campaign is holding the third edition of Freud Got Talent, a creative arts competition that celebrates artistic expression as a voice for mental health awareness. The founder of the Not Alone campaign, HH Sayyida Basma Al Said, speaking to Observer, said, 'The initiative is about how we can spread awareness through arts because a lot of people can express through art instead of talking. So we are using a lot of ways, such as music, writing, acting, painting, etc. The competition is for different age groups and all nationalities. We are very excited, and at the same time, we are also trying to explain to people that art is not just about paintings,' explained Sayyida Basma. The event will be held across two dates, with semifinals on May 17th and the finals on May 22, 2025, at Downe House School Muscat, bringing together amateur and professional artists of all ages and backgrounds from across Oman. The event is an inclusive platform for all, as art transcends boundaries. According to the organizers, when paired with the power of mental health awareness, it becomes a transformative force for healing, expression and advocacy. The Freud Got Talent competition is open to kids from ages six to eleven, teens from twelve to seventeen, youth from 18 to 25, and adults 26 and above. The competition is open to local and international artists residing in Oman, including students, hobbyists, and professionals alike. The initiative aims to use creative expression as a tool for emotional release and storytelling by providing a safe, inclusive space for artists to share personal journeys related to mental health and encourage public dialogue to reduce stigma and promote psychological well-being. Artists may submit work in a wide range of formats, including visual art, digital media, performance art, literary works, photography, videography, and handmade creations, provided the piece connects meaningfully to themes surrounding mental health. Each participant can only submit one entry. Entries will be evaluated by a panel of artists, mental health advocates, and creatives across the following categories such as Traditional Visual Arts: Riham Al Zadjali, Matti Sirvio, Dr Mona Ismail; Architecture: Sami Al Siyabi, Rihab Al Zakwani; Fashion and Handmade Creations: Sayyida Hakima Al Said, Ibtisam Al Said, Radhika Hamlai; Literary Arts: Turki bin Ali Al Balushi, Aisha Al Saifi, Sayyida Amal Al Said; Performance Arts & Make-Up: Jihad Al Raisi, Aishwarya Hedge, Hayan Allamki (Alden Theatre), Hager Sami; Digital Visual: Safiya Al Bahlani, Sara Al Mukhaini; Photography and Videography: Abdullah Al Sulaimi, Dalia Al Bassami, Salem Sawakhroon. Dr Abdul Monem Al Hassani, Sarah A. Farid Al Aulaqi, Amal Al Raisi, Hassan Al Meer, Sayyida Afra Al Said, Taresh Quton are the judges for the finals, which will be held on May 22, 2025, from 7pm to 9 pm at Downe House Muscat, Al Bandar, Seeb
