Tennis clothing has come a long way, from the first tennis outfits--floor-length, long-sleeved dresses for women and long pants for men--to today's shorts, racerback tops and short skirts. But considering its history as an upper-class sport, many tennis venues still require a certain dress code. Rules vary based on where you're playing, and it's important to find out the rules ahead of time.
Basic Guidelines
A basic tennis competition outfit includes a T-shirt and shorts for men and a tennis dress--or tennis skirt and form-fitting athletic top--for women. Most tennis bottoms include pockets large enough for players to store extra tennis balls. For skirts and dresses, the pockets may not be on the skirt but instead on a pair of shorts worn under the skirt for modesty.
Professional Competition
Professional tennis competitions often have strict rules on attire. The Wimbledon tournament, for example, is known for its rule that players must dress in mostly white. In 2007, French player Tatiana Golovin caused a controversy at the tournament by wearing bright red shorts under her dress. She was not reprimanded because the shorts were considered underwear, the color of which is not regulated. U.S. tennis pro Venus Williams has been the subject of similar debates on proper tennis attire; she wore a lacy black outfit to the 2010 French Open that many considered inappropriate, but it was ruled acceptable by the competition and the Women's Tennis Association.
Private Clubs
When going to a private club to play tennis, always find out what the club's rules on attire are. Most clubs will require athletic, nonrevealing clothing, and some may have special rules on colors, whether women must wear a tennis skirt and so on. Parks and other public courts may not regulate attire, but for your own comfort, it's a good idea to wear athletic clothing and sneakers whenever you play tennis.
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