Wimbledon contestant Elena Miricek of the Czech Republic said she’s really annoyed that her period came this week, the worst possible week for it to arrive.

“No female athlete likes to play when they’re bloated and uncomfortable,” said Miricek. “But playing Wimbledon with your period is the absolute worst. I really wish it wasn’t required for us to wear all white here.”

Miricek said she had hoped her period would come last week, as scheduled, at the JP Morgan Chase Open in Los Angeles. “That’s why I wore all red there,” said Miricek. “It’s nice to have that option. No other tournament but Wimbledon has these antiquated anti-menstruation dress codes.”

When her period didn’t arrive during the JP Morgan Chase Open, Miricek hoped it would hold off until the second week of the Wimbledon fortnight when she expects to be eliminated. “I’m ranked 143^rd in the world, I don’t expect to be here next week,” said Miricek. “So I was hoping that at the very least my period would hold off until I got eliminated. But so much for that.”

Miricek said that less than 45 minutes before her first round match was to begin she got her period. “Not only did I have my nerves to worry about, but then I had to worry I was going to be horribly embarrassed like I was a 12-year old girl in front of a worldwide TV audience. I won, but who knows what will happen next round and beyond.”

Erik Magnarsson, Miricek’s coach, said while she understands her concerns, Miricek may be blowing things a bit out of proportion. “Sure, something could happen that would be very embarrassing, no doubt,” said Magnarsson. “But it is these types of distractions that Elena lets get to her and prevent her from playing her best. She needs to get past it.”

Miricek said she is taking all of the necessary precautions to prevent a period-related embarrassment from occurring, but that she still fears the worst. “With how much running and bending you have to do, and all the exertion it takes to play, something can go wrong and that’s what I fear,” said Miricek. “You won’t find any woman who wears all white during their period, but especially not a woman who’s playing an internationally televised sporting event.”