Tennis Whites: What to Wear on the Court

The term “tennis whites” still refers to the proper clothes for the tennis court, but tennis clothes are not all white anymore. When lawn tennis was new, Victorian men and women wore suits and long dresses to play a lighthearted game on a grass lawn. As the game of tennis has changed to a contest of stamina and athleticism, tennis clothes have changed, too.

White is still the dominant color on tennis courts, but only a few courts, such as Wimbledon, still require all-white tennis clothes. For men, short-sleeved shirts and loose shorts are de rigueur these days, compared with the skin-tight shorts seen in the 1980s. For women, tennis dresses and skirts are still worn, but shorts are becoming more popular.

Colors are gaining popularity among the pros, from the self-designed tennis clothes worn by Serena Williams to the “little black dress” worn by Maria Sharapova at the 2006 U.S. Open. Bob Ruzanic, past chairman of the U.S. Davis Cup Association, and other professionals hope that adding color to the game will make tennis clothes more popular and attract young people, especially among those whose play is limited to public tennis courts.

The fabric of tennis clothes used to be all cotton, with a few notable exceptions. Today’s players and clothes manufacturers know that cotton quickly soaks up sweat and clings to the skin, becoming uncomfortable and heavy. With the development of synthetic fibers that wick moisture from the skin, most tennis clothes are now made from cotton-synthetic blends. Loose tennis shorts are favored by both men and women for much the same reason: comfort and ease of movement.

While long pants are no longer worn during tennis play, athletic warm-up suits are often worn before matches, and every serious player should have a set. Public tennis courts and most private ones that are open during cool weather allow matches to be played in warm-up suits, although after the first set, some players strip back down to their tennis shorts and tennis shirts.

Sleeveless tennis shirts for men are allowed on the pro circuit and on public tennis courts, while some country clubs don’t allow them. Tennis pro Rafael Nadal favors his trademark sleeveless tennis shirts, but some critics think that sleeveless shirts should be kept for more casual occasions than tennis.

One item in the world of tennis clothes that hasn’t changed is the tennis shoe. All tennis courts require shoes with white soles made specifically for tennis. Even white-soled running shoes are usually banned. The rules regarding tennis shoes are less about style and tradition than they are about tennis court maintenance: Street shoes, cross-trainers and running shoes can damage the court’s surface.

So, is the expression “tennis whites” still valid? For the most part, yes, although color is rapidly invading the sport.