Tennis Clothes & Shoes

Tennis apparel has evolved greatly over the past century. As of 2010, typically women now wear tight white shirts and short white skirts. Men generally wear loose-fitting white shirts and shorts. However, famous tennis athletes are opting for more individualistic attire, and now bright colors, bandanas and even lace are acceptable tennis attire. Tennis shoes remain the most critical component of the tennis uniform and should be chosen carefully.

  1. History

    • Wimbledon has hosted tennis competitions for more than 120 years, and throughout this time, tennis fashion has changed drastically. Early female tennis players wore full-length dresses made of heavy materials, such as flannel, during matches. Men traditionally wore long pants while playing tennis. In 1884, player Maud Watson popularized the color white for tennis outfits. White became a hit because it hid sweat stains better than colors. By the 1930s, women stopped wearing stockings and long skirts and opted for short skirts. Men switched to shorts around that time as well.

    Women's Apparel

    • As of 2010, women's apparel is not so confined. The standard outfit is still a white shirt and a white mini-skirt, but very few tennis players conform exactly to the standard. Generally, women prefer to wear tight-fitting shirts with a sports bra for the best support. They can wear shorts, but many opt for skirts because skirts move more easily and are less restricting. Though white is still popular, tennis players dress in all colors, including pink, blue and black.

    Men's Apparel

    • Many male athletes also stray from the standard white polos and shorts. Crew neck shirts made of breathable fabric are very popular. Loose-fitting shorts are the most common for men, though some men prefer tighter shorts for more support. Jock straps are also a critical piece of the uniform for many men. Some men opt to play with hats or sunglasses on, but others consider such accessories detrimental to their game because they reduce visibility.

    Tennis Shoes

    • Shoes are the most important aspect of a tennis uniform since footwork is such a critical part of the game. Good tennis shoes have several key elements. They should have sufficient lateral support and cushioning. It is also important to try the shoes on before purchasing them to ensure they are comfortable. Hardcore tennis players may opt to choose the sole of their shoes based on the court they play on--for example, soles with small studs work best for grass courts.

    Recent Trends

    • In the 21st century, many famous tennis players are making statements with their apparel. Instead of wearing standard white shirts and shorts or skirts, some athletes--Serena Williams, for one--are wearing exotic clothes to grab attention. Williams has worn black lace negligee tennis outfits to a few matches before. Athletes such as Rafael Nadal regularly wear bandanas during matches as a way to keep sweat out of the face.