Why Are Tennis Skirts So Short? (4 Unexpected Reasons)
Everyone has their own apparel, gear, and equipment when it comes to different sports, and so does tennis. I have seen many questions and wonderment online about the short skirts of female tennis athletes and questioned it. This is why I want to clarify this to all that wonder. Why are tennis skirts so short?
Tennis skirts are so short because they are comfortable and don’t get in the way. Short skirts breathe well and cool you off, and unlike long skirts, they don’t interfere with your swing. Short skirts are also stylish and feminine, which is why many women choose to wear them.
These reasons are quite enough to understand why short skirts are the number one choice for many. However, if you want to understand the reasons further, you should stick with me a while and check out the 4 reasons explained in-depth. Let’s begin!
Contents
Why do women wear short skirts in tennis?
The reasons are comfort, easy movement, style, and freedom of choice. I’ll start with the most important factor, comfort.
1. Comfort is important
When most tennis contests last more than 2 hours, and the court is 27ft (8.23m) wide, you can believe that things will get hot and sweaty, especially if it’s a hot day. This is why the maximum amount of breathability and lack of material will keep things comfortable, and when you are comfortable, you will play better. In other words, you could call it temperature control.
Some women wear shorts, and others wear, but if the player feels that short skirts are the most comfortable choice, and her apparel won’t interfere with the game, a short skirt is a way to go.
2. Nothing can get in the way
Another reason is minimizing the risk of something getting into the swings or mind’s way. If the skirt or shorts would be really long, the edges could touch the racket, leading to lesser performance. This is something, especially for pro players who don’t take any chances. Freedom of movement is essential in all serious sports.
Another reason is mental. If you would have a long skirt that you are too aware of, it will take your focus off the ball and opponent, eventually leading to lost points and decreased performance. This is again something serious athletes don’t take chances with.
3. Short skirts are stylish
Even if shorts or other activewear would be as comfortable and minimal as short skirts, some women simply don’t want to wear other clothes because they don’t feel comfortable in them. This is a personal choice, and it works vice versa!
Skirts are feminine, and most women want to feel that way, so long baggy shorts would take a mental edge of them which isn’t good for the game.
4. Women don’t want to be restricted
First, I thought only of the three previous parts, but this needs to be addressed. Many people have complained about the shortness of the women’s tennis player’s skirts because ”they show too much skin” or ”interfere with the actual sport.”
If someone thinks this way, it’s not the fault or problem of the serious athletes that don’t think this way, and if someone would try and restrict what they can and can’t wear, I would be pissed. Wouldn’t you?
This is the fourth reason why women may wear short skirts because if men aren’t restricted, why should women be?
What do female tennis players wear under their skirts?
Female tennis players wear compression shorts under their skirts. The compression shorts can be separate from the skirt, or they can be a part of the skirt as a whole. The whole set is like wearing shorts that come with a skirt intact. Often the compression shorts have pockets for tennis balls so they can be easily carried, and won’t fall onto the tennis court. so they can be easily carried, and won’t fall to the tennis court.
Learn more: Do Tennis Skirts Have Shorts Underneath? (3 Benefits)
What material is best for tennis skirts?
Tennis skirts need to be as comfortable, breathable, and mobile as possible. Therefore light and breathable materials like cotton, nylon, polyester, or composite materials are a great choice. Often mixed with spandex (elastane) to provide stretch and recovery.
Skirt alternatives for female tennis players
If you are a female tennis player but don’t feel comfortable wearing skirts, don’t worry! There are various options to choose from! Let’s take a tour of the closet.
1. Bodysuits
There are many bodysuits that you can play tennis in. Whether that is a Short Bodysuit or a Long Bodysuit, know that this is a great option to choose from. The queen of tennis, Serena Williams has adopted a bodysuit to her play and dominated with one many times.
2. Shorts
Tennis Shorts are a popular alternative to skirts. The same thing with the skirt is that proper tennis shorts come with the under compression shorts that are tight with pockets so you can keep a ball there while they fit perfectly and breathe well.
3. Leggins
Women tennis players can choose leggings as their bottom choice, and that’s a great one too. There are Plain Leggins and Skirted Leggins, so if you want simple leggings, that’s one option, or skirted ones that would bring more tennis vibes to the game without being too short.
4. Joggers
Joggers are the favorite choice of many female tennis players because they aren’t too short but still light and breathable. However, don’t mix joggers with sweatpants because joggers are designed for sports, while sweatpants are made from thicker and warmer materials.
5. Dresses
Last but not least, Tennis Dress is a good choice as well. If it resembles a skirt too much and you won’t want to use one, there are many great choices above. However, dresses are extremely breathable and comfortable for tennis and are often a little longer than the shortest skirts, so that’s something you should consider.
If you are a recreational tennis player, you can play with snowboarding pants on if you want. Still, if you are attending a competitive tournament, you should confirm from the rules what clothes are approved because some tournaments might not approve joggers, for example.
My Favorite Tennis Equipment
Thanks for reading this article. I hope it brought you great value that you can implement into your own life! Below you’ll find my top tennis equipment recommendations would like.
- Racket: My preferred tennis racket is the Wilson Ultra 100 V3. This racket is made from graphite and carbon fiber, making it durable, firm, and easy to swing. The racket weighs 300g, making it lightweight yet not too lightweight to generate power. The racket’s main benefit is power. I like to add multifilament strings to the racket, such as Wilson NXT Soft 16 (recommended tension 52lb/23.5kg), because they are comfortable and soft on the arm with a great feel to the game.
- Tennis balls: Best tennis balls are always pressurized, and I like them having extra-duty felt, which is fit for hard court play. I like Penn Championship Tennis Balls, and so does the ITF because these balls are approved for competitive play. So yes, these are the real deal.
- Tennis shoes: I can’t stress enough the importance of comfortable and supporting shoes. ASICS Gel-Resolution 8 tennis shoes are unique because the balance between durability and support mixed with comfort is something out of the ordinary.
- Fan Equipment: If you’re a fan more than a player, you don’t want to miss Fan Equipment by Fanatics. You can find items from various sports that bear your favorite team’s logo, such as jerseys, gift ideas, or other surprising things.
Conclusion
When you see people wearing short skirts while playing tennis, remember that they need to be comfortable, mobile, and feel stylish to maximize their full athletic potential on the court. There have been so many things going on around the women’s skirts and activewear in tennis as a whole that I wanted to clarify why they are in use in the first place. I hope you enjoyed this article and are now more educated about short tennis skirts.
