Female tennis players tuck their skirts into their built-in shorts (skorts) primarily for unrestricted movement, comfort, and focus, preventing the fabric from blowing up in the wind, getting snagged, or getting in the way during intense rallies, serving, or two-handed backhands, allowing them to concentrate on the game. It's a practical adjustment for better performance and confidence on the court, not just a fashion statement, ensuring the skirt stays put and doesn't become a distraction.
Top players commonly use continuous oral contraceptives or short-term pill regimens to avoid bleeding during Grand Slams or finals. Many rely on menstrual cups plus period underwear during long matches for confidence and fewer changes.
What Do Female Tennis Players Wear Under Their Skirts? Female tennis players typically wear built-in shorts under their tennis skorts. These shorts provide the necessary coverage and allow players to move freely without worrying about accidental exposure.
The regulation dates back to the 1880s, originally intended to minimise the visibility of sweat marks that were deemed unseemly at the time. This included undergarments, leading to controversy in 2014 when female players were supposedly instructed to discard bras that violated the dress code.
Wimbledon has relaxed its all-white clothing rules in order to allow female competitors to wear dark undershorts. Wimbledon has traditionally banned all players from wearing coloured underwear since 2014 in order to uphold the all-white policy.
Some women's players have long spoken out against the strict restriction. They said that as women of a certain age menstruate — and given the amount of jumping and running female players do — there is a high risk of them bleeding through to their white shorts.
Most tennis skirts actually come with built-in shorts underneath them with a little pocket or a band made to hold extra balls. This way, they're not wasting any time and they can serve again instantly if they need to.
You Should Know
Lined shorts are designed to be worn without underwear. The lining acts as a built-in support system and moisture-wicking layer, making underwear optional in many cases. Personal comfort and activity level matter most.
Wimbledon has relaxed its dress code for the sake of women on their periods. In a small win for feminism, Wimbledon has finally outlawed its controversial all-white, including shorts and underwear, rule for women.
Any changes in normal hormone levels can lead to menstrual dysfunction, especially in athletes. This can be caused by overtraining, stress, dieting and weight loss. Typically, menstrual dysfunction occurs when the amount of energy used by athletes exceeds the amount of energy taken in through nutrition.
Model Brooks Nader got her period while wearing a white skirt at Wimbledon, and she showed off the stain in a video where fans are praising her for being so real. Brooks Nader Gets Period Stain at Wimbledon, Normalizes the Moment in Video Praising Her Real...
Professional swimmers often use products like tampons or menstrual cups to absorb blood and prevent leaks. Elite swimmers may also use birth control to shift their periods. While water pressure can temporarily slow the flow of menstruation, your period doesn't stop in the water, so some form of protection is necessary.
Women's Tennis and Skirts
Women do not need to wear skirts in professional matches but choose them as their fundamental outfit combination for their aesthetic appeal and athletic freedom.
Skirts became shorter due to social changes, women's liberation movements, and evolving fashion aesthetics. Shorter skirts emerged as a sign of confidence, rebellion, and practicality.
Cost & Scheduling Difficulties
One of the major reasons cited for maintaining the current format is the logistical challenge that longer women's matches would present for tournament organizers.
As a general rule, you do not need to wear underwear with leggings; however, some people choose to anyway. Matador Meggings are high quality and equipped with a crotch-concealing cup, but other legging brands may leave you longing for an extra layer of protection.
Sports bras, compression shorts, and regular panties or thongs are common choices that provide support, coverage, and freedom of movement.
But as a general rule of thumb, if your boardshorts have a mesh liner, you can skip the underwear. And if they don't have a liner, you can either do the same or opt into donning a type of underwear, like a pair of swim briefs, that's designed to keep you comfortable over many hours in and around the water.
It's customary to acknowledge the opponent's effort, regardless of the outcome. Thank any spectators or officials who were present. Treat the tennis court and equipment with respect. Avoid dragging your feet, which can damage the surface, and refrain from hitting your racket against the ground or net in frustration.
Players often examine the surface of the ball. A ball with a smoother surface, worn down by repeated hits, will offer a different trajectory than a ball that is still "fluffy." A fluffier ball will generate more drag in the air, which can affect the spin and precision of shots.
In tennis, grunting is a nonverbal vocalization made by some players of the sport, usually when hitting the ball. It has been a source of controversy within the sport; some players of professional tennis have stated that it is a form of cheating when deliberate, whereas others defend grunting as a way to expel energy.
In a tennis documentary on ESPN about Wimbledon and the requirement to wear white, long-time tennis analyst Bud Collins remarked about the "naughty" Gussie Moran wearing frilly lace panties at Wimbledon.
The 80/20 rule (Pareto principle) in tennis means 80% of results come from 20% of efforts, focusing on key areas like serves, returns, and crucial tactical patterns (e.g., crosscourt shots in doubles) to maximize wins, rather than practicing every shot equally; it's about identifying and perfecting the few actions that yield the most impact for match success, often involving strategic patience and timing for decisive moments.