Tennis skirts

[hamadryad]

Why is it that women still have to wear tennis skirts or skorts in tennis? Why is it ok ?

I played (very very) amateur tennis for years and I loved wearing the skirts with shorts under. They look lovely and tend to be very comfy.

I like skorts for running. No chaffing from moving loose fabric on my skin and the skirt part is less "exposed" than cycling shorts.

Female tennis players have the added bonus that they don't have to have their balls bulging on show

I love how this is asked and answered in two parts posts

And how people still think they need to answer it further, despite that.

But tucking the spare ball into your knicker leg is practical. At all levels of the game.

Agassi wore ripped denim shorts.

Hockey and netball players also traditionally wear skirts/dresses (and I expect would not have the option to wear shorts and a top instead). I play netball and feel more comfortable in a dress than just shorts 🤷‍♀️

I love that S.W wears such amazing outfits. This one is my favourite!

I'd like to know why the men wear shorts almost down to their knees, but the skirts scarcely cover the ladies' pants.

I prefer playing in skirts, other than tucking the ball into your pants is far easier than pockets, it's more comfortable.

I've tried playing in a full length ballgown and tiara OP, but it's not as easy to run.

The men need the knee length shorts to cover their penises @MargaretThursday.

The men used to wear very short shorts back in the 70s and 80s. It's just changing fashions. I don't think there's anything particularly sexist about the dress codes.

They don't have to wear the skirts, but many choose to do so.

They can wear skirt or shorts (or it seems the Serena Williams attire). I have seen them, it is their choice.

@Wingedharpy
I have discovered that a cocktail frock is preferable to a floor length gown and swapped the tiara for a fascinator.
Game changing

is that cloud of dust OP, disappearing into the sunset?

I always assumed it was to ensure they got the commercial tie ins that their agents were haggling for them. The more feminine the more hair/makeup/Vogue/diet yoghurt ads.

They don't, they do it by choice absolutely nothing in the rules requires it. Martina Navratilova always wore shorts and other women have from time to time to time.

Why they choose skirts is another thing. I suspect it's at least in part because the more attractive/sexier a woman is on court the better sponsorship deals she can get.

@MargaretThursday

I'd like to know why the men wear shorts almost down to their knees, but the skirts scarcely cover the ladies' pants.

I prefer playing in skirts, other than tucking the ball into your pants is far easier than pockets, it's more comfortable.

As an aside, I think it’s a bit gross to stick a ball that other people have to touch next to your sweaty arse.

@Cactu

Why do they wear the skirt though? It not even really a skirt, just a bit of flappy material over their shorts. No point to it other than they like the way it looks I suppose.

Maybe that's how they feel comfortable? If wearing skintight shorts then the skirt covers their crotch, maybe that's preferred?

Do they actually shove the balls inside their pants? I always assumed there was a special pocket

@ComDummings

I love that S.W wears such amazing outfits. This one is my favourite!

I can’t imagine this would be particular comfy to run around in 🤷‍♀️

But maybe it was. Doesn’t seem the most practical!

@Merryoldgoat

Also, see this:

They can basically wear whatever they want, (as long as it’s white at Wimbledon)

She was told to stop wearing that. It's "Normal Tennis Attire," which does change over time.

Isn’t the question why didn’t you check they needed to op before asking? 😃

@BrendaBubbles

She looks like Charles Hawtry there

I presume their sponsorship contract dictates a lot of what they will wear and which market is deemed their target audience!

If you watch Eurosport, you get ads between games offering to sell you the outfits the players are wearing.