Female tennis players may wear skirts, dresses, shorts, leggings, or compression shorts depending on the event’s dress code, with recreational play being the most flexible and Wimbledon the most restrictive.
The outfit a female tennis player wears depends almost entirely on where she’s playing. On a public court on Saturday morning, shorts and a tank top are perfectly fine. Step onto Centre Court at Wimbledon, and the rules flip completely — almost everything must be white, and even the shade of white is specified. Here’s how the dress code breaks down by level of play, what’s actually allowed, and where the strictest rules live.
What Female Tennis Players Wear In Recreational And Club Play
Public courts and most casual matches have no formal clothing rules. Comfort and mobility dominate: players commonly wear tennis dresses, skirts with a top, shorts, leggings, compression shorts, tank tops, or athletic tops. The only real restriction is practical — wear something you can move and sweat in.
Private clubs often expect traditional tennis attire and may reject denim, graphic T-shirts, or cut-offs. If you’re joining a club or a league for the first time, a standard tennis skirt or dress paired with a polo or athletic top is a safe bet. Our recommended women’s tennis outfits cover several options that work across casual and club settings.
WTA And Professional Tournament Dress Codes
The WTA rulebook requires players to present themselves “in a professional manner” and wear appropriate tennis attire during practice, warm-up, and matches — at the discretion of the Supervisor or Referee. That used to mean skirts or dresses were the default expectation, but the WTA modernized its rules to allow leggings and mid-thigh length compression shorts without a skirt or dress during matches.
Most professional tournaments follow the Grand Slam rulebook (updated 2020): players must dress in a professional manner with clean, customarily acceptable tennis attire, and sweatshirts, gym shorts, dress shirts, and T-shirts are specifically prohibited during a match, including warm-up. Tennis Australia’s 2023 Player Dress & Equipment Regulations say only recognized tennis clothing is permitted — no dress shirts, singlets, football shorts, jumpers, gym shorts, or jeans. Tennis Canada’s policy mirrors this: clean, customarily acceptable tennis attire is required, and gym shorts and dress shirts are out.
Within those boundaries, players have real wardrobe options. You’ll see dresses, skirts with tops, shorts, compression shorts, and leggings across the tour. The key is that the pieces look intentional and professional — not like gym clothes borrowed from another sport.
The Wimbledon Rule: Strictest Dress Code In Tennis
Wimbledon is the outlier and the most famous example. The all-white rule applies from the moment a player enters the court surround, and the details matter:
- Almost entirely white: white does not include off-white or cream.
- No solid mass or panel of color on any part of the outfit.
- A single trim at the neckline or cuffs is allowed up to 10 mm (1 centimeter).
- Bottoms: skirts, shorts, and tracksuit bottoms must be completely white except for a single outside-seam trim up to 10 mm.
- Visible undergarments must also be white, with one specific exception.
The female undershorts exception: Wimbledon allows female players to wear solid, mid-to-dark-colored undershorts provided they are no longer than the shorts or skirt worn over them. This rule was explicitly added in response to period concerns and applies only to female players meeting that length requirement. If the undershorts peek out from under a white skirt or shorts, they must be no longer than the outer layer — otherwise, they count as a violation.
Wimbledon’s clothing rules are the most detailed of any major tournament. The Wimbledon clothing and equipment regulation page spells out the full policy, including the trim allowances and the fine line between white and off-white.
FAQs
FAQs
Can female tennis players wear leggings without a skirt?
Yes, the WTA now allows leggings and mid-thigh length compression shorts without a skirt or dress during matches. At Wimbledon, leggings must be white, and even then the all-white rules on visible underlayers apply; the mid-dark undershorts exception does not cover full-length leggings.
Is black clothing banned at Wimbledon?
Black is not categorically banned, but any substantial black panel, trim, or solid mass would violate the “almost entirely white” rule. The only permitted non-white element is a single trim at the neckline or cuffs up to 10 mm, plus the mid-dark undershorts exception for female players.
Do college tennis teams have dress codes?
College and high school tennis programs typically follow the same standards as professional tournaments — clean, professional tennis attire with no gym shorts, T-shirts, or denim allowed during matches. Each conference or league may add its own color or logo restrictions beyond that baseline.
References & Sources
- Wimbledon. “Clothing and Equipment Regulations.” Full policy on the all-white rule, trim allowances, and the female undershorts exception.
- ITF / WTA. “2023 WTA Rulebook.” Covers professional presentation standards and rule changes including the allowance of leggings and compression shorts.
- Tennis Australia. “2023 Player Dress & Equipment Regulations.” Defines recognized tennis clothing and prohibited non-tennis attire.