The 8 Best Tennis Shorts for Men: Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

When you buy a product through our links below, we may earn money from our affiliate partners to help support the site. However, this does not affect our evaluation or recommendation of each product. See our list of partners & how we get paid here. You can also learn our process for reviewing tennis gear here.

In this guide to the best tennis shorts, we’ve reviewed the top eight shorts on the market for tennis players. We will show you the best tennis shorts from different brands to help you choose the next addition to your tennis wardrobe.

Each pair of shorts that we looked at were analyzed and ranked based on fabric weight, length, stretch, cooling elements, pockets, color, and price.

There is more to consider than you might think when choosing a pair of shorts for tennis. Below, we will help you find the right pair of tennis shorts for your needs.

Before we review the shorts in-depth, here is our list of the eight best tennis shorts.

---

Best Tennis Shorts by Category

Tennis shorts come in all different styles, lengths, and colors. Here are our two top picks for men, one best overall, and another budget-friendly option. For women’s shorts see our reviews of the best tennis shorts for women.

---

The Eight Best Men’s Tennis Shorts: Reviewed

Below we review the top eight tennis shorts for men from major brands and include these features:

• Inseam Length | How long are the shorts?
• Pocket Depth | How many tennis balls can fit in the pockets? Average depth pockets can comfortably fit 2 to 3 balls per pocket. Deep pockets can often fit 5 balls or more.
• Colors | How many colors are available?
• Price | Scale from 1-3 dollar signs.

#1 – Adidas Men’s Game Set Ergo 9” Shorts

The Adidas Men’s Game Set Ergo tennis shorts offer everything you could need on the court.

Combining lightness and stretch in a unique weave, these shorts support ease of movement and wick away both heat and sweat. Their recycled polyester material helps them breathe and stay dry at the same time. Adidas’ AEROREADY fabric absorbs sweat and dries fast. The waistband combines both drawstring and elastic components, giving you a snug and comfortable fit.

A set of leg stripes and waistband in contrasting colors add to the design. Adidas tennis shorts typically have slightly deeper pockets so you can store 3 or more tennis balls.

Color choices are limited to blue and grey, but the grey design with black stripes will go with most shirts.

Inseam Length | 9 inches
Pocket Depth | Normal
Colors | 2
Price | $$

---

#2 – Nike Men’s Team Dry Tennis Shorts

Maybe you are not on a tennis team, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get team pricing, plus the colors of your choice, with the Nike Men’s Team Dry Short.

Featuring eight color choices, a flashy side graphic, and the Nike swoosh, these lower-cost shorts have all the basic features you need in a tennis short, while not breaking your budget to pieces. They are also very lightweight and allow for great mobility. The recycled fabric dries fast too, so you can stay relatively dry after a long match on a hot day.

There’s nothing about the design that screams uniform, and there are plenty of colors to choose from.

Inseam Length |  8.5 inches
Pocket Depth | Normal
Colors | 8
Price | $

---

#3 – Nike Men’s Fall London Flex Ace 9” Shorts

The Nike Men’s Fall London Flex Ace tennis shorts feature a classic look and all the features you expect in shorts for tennis players.

These shorts, made of 100% high-quality polyester, include a comfortable waistband with good stretch and an internal draw-cord. The sides have a slight vent at the bottom to help with breathability. Nike also brought back their old school, popular NikeCourt logo with these shorts.

One unique element is the flat front waistband, rather than the crimped elastic that comes with many other shorts. There are three colors available: black, white, and teal.

The cost is on the high end, though not the highest in this review and it’s not surprising: good design sometimes comes at a cost.

Inseam Length | 9 inches
Pocket Depth | Normal
Colors | 2
Price | $$$

---

#4 – Tasc Men’s Spring Velocity 8″ Woven Short

These high-end tennis shorts from Tasc look and perform great, both on and off the tennis court.

They incorporate all the practical elements you expect from good tennis shorts. These are made of comfortable, quality fabrics and don’t look overly casual. The only drawback is the pockets are on the shallow side, as they won’t easily fit more than two tennis balls.

They have laser-cut perforations, side hem vents, a subtle Tasc logo, and they come in two great colors.

Seam Length |  8 inches
Pocket Depth | Shallow
Colors| 2
Price | $$$

---

#5 – Adidas Men’s Heat Ready 2-in-1 Shorts

These Adidas Heat Ready shorts are built for staying cool on the court. They feature the Adidas HEAT.RDY cooling technology, and mesh inserts on the back of the waist and inside the legs.

These tennis shorts are made of recycled polyester, nylon, and elastane which helps them stay flexible, lightweight, and dry. They have some unique design elements as well, including a relatively flat front, an aerated waistband, and ribbon stitch seams down the back.

These shorts include a matching set of compression shorts, which means you are getting the whole package at a discount. The compression shorts are separate, so you can wear them with other shorts as well.

Pro players Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev wear these shorts on the tennis court. They come in pink and black colors.

Seam Length | 8.5 inches
Pocket Depth | Normal
Colors | 2
Price | $$

---

#6 – Fila Men’s Essential Modern Fit 8” Shorts

These Fila men’s tennis shorts are comfortable, lightweight, and come with a classic design that is budget-friendly.

These moisture-wicking shorts feature an anti-microbial finish and are made of a combination of polyester and spandex. They also have deep pockets, making them great for tennis coaches or players who practice and need extra tennis ball capacity.

The price is modest and the color choices are white, black, and navy, so they’ll work with any shirt color. After enough washes, the elastic waistband can lose some of its quality. ATP player Diego Schwartzman is sponsored by Fila and wears their shorts.

Seam Length | 8 inches
Pocket Depth | Deep
Colors | 3
Price | $

---

#7 – Australian Men’s Fall Player Shorts

These Australian Men’s tennis shorts are the shortest length shorts on our list.

These shorts stay cool with breathable mesh fabric at the inseam and back yoke. That’s part of what makes these one of my new favorite tennis shorts for playing on a hot day.

The white has a clean look with a splash of blue for some color. These shorts are made primarily of polyester, making them very lightweight, perfect for running all over the court chasing down shots.

Seam Length | 7 inches
Pocket Depth | Normal
Colors | 1
Price | $$$

---

#8 – Nike Men’s Winter Net 11” Shorts

If you prefer wearing longer shorts, the Nike Net 11″ tennis shorts are a great option.

They have an elastic waistband with an internal drawcord, side pockets, Nike swoosh, and even a zippered pocket on the side. These shorts are made of Nike’s Dri-Fit material and a breathable mesh in the back around the waist. They’re made of both polyester and spandex for flexibility and to help you stay dry.

These longer shorts can help you stay warm if you play in a colder environment.

Seam Length | 11 inches
Pocket Depth | Normal
Colors | 4
Price | $$

---

How to Choose the Best Tennis Shorts for You

When it comes to choosing the right tennis shorts for you, there are several factors to consider.

• Fabric/Cut: Some tennis shorts are built with more stretch and flexibility than others. Also, some fabrics are built to keep you cool and dry in hot weather, while other shorts will be slightly heavier.
• Length: Do you prefer long or shorter shorts?
• Pocket depth: Coaches often like to have deeper pockets to carry more tennis balls, while players will only need to hold one or two balls at a time.
• Brand: Many tennis short manufacturers also make some of the best shoes for tennis. You may want brands that match.

Before we explain the features of tennis shorts in-depth, let’s look at what the fabric is made of.

What Fabric are Tennis Shorts Made From?

All of the best tennis shorts are made from mostly polyester. Polyester is a great material for athletic apparel because it is lightweight and durable. It also dries fast and doesn’t wrinkle, making it easy to clean.

These characteristics of polyester help the tennis player stay dry and cool during long matches. They also provide flexibility, allowing ease of movement around the court for the player.

Many of the shorts above also have some spandex in them which gives them elastic characteristics. Spandex is primarily used in the waistband. Other materials that can be used in tennis shorts include nylon.

Features to Consider when Shopping for Tennis Shorts

Here is what you should think about before purchasing shorts for tennis.

Inseam Length

The inseam of the shorts is measured on the inside of the leg. A standard length is about 8.5 inches. Rafael Nadal is known for his shorter shorts which have a 7-inch inseam.

Length can affect mobility for low balls and stretching for shots on the run. Advanced players who move around the court a lot should look for shorts with no more than a 9-inch inseam.

Pocket Depth

If you’ve ever had a tennis ball fall out of your pocket during a point, you know how important this is.

Tennis players will hold one ball in their pocket while they serve. Pockets with average depth can hold two or three balls, while deeper pockets like the Fila shorts above can hold 5 or more tennis balls.

Fit and Style

Some tennis shorts have elements that are clearly designed for mobility, such as side vents and stretch fabrics. Also, mesh cutouts along with sweat-wicking fabrics support keeping you cool in a hot match situation. Consider what climate you play in, and look for shorts that match.

Choosing a Tennis Short Brand

---

Conclusion: Our Picks for the Best Overall Tennis Shorts

The Adidas Men’s Game Set Ergo 9” Shorts are our choice for the best overall men’s tennis shorts. These high-quality shorts offer a great combination of comfort and flexibility while including all the features tennis players need.