The 7 Best Tennis Shorts for Women: Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

This is a guest post written in collaboration with Lauren Gremminger, a former college tennis player & current USTA 5.0-rated player. Read more about Lauren at the bottom of this page.

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.

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As summer quickly approaches, tennis shorts become a staple not only on the court but also for a workout or jog. I’ve been wearing tennis shorts my whole life and there are tons of options and brands to choose from. Below, I’ve narrowed down the best women’s tennis shorts on the market for all types of players.

Each short was analyzed for fit, fabric, weight, length, stretch, tennis ball storage features, color, and price.

Before we review each short, here is the list of the 7 best tennis shorts for women:

We’ve also reviewed the best men’s tennis shorts.

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Reviews of the 7 Best Women’s Tennis Shorts

When deciding which shorts to purchase, consider what features are important to you. If these shorts are going to solely be used for tennis, compression shorts and pockets are very important to store tennis balls. If you are looking to wear these shorts off the court as well, pockets and fit are also important.

Each short was analyzed for fit, fabric, weight, length, stretch, tennis ball storage features, color, and price (on a scale from 1-3 dollar signs).

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#1 – K-Swiss Trainer Women’s Tennis Shorts

I had never owned a pair of K-Swiss tennis shorts, so I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first tried these shorts. After wearing these during a tennis match, I found that these shorts checked all the boxes. I have been keeping my eye out for them to release more colors!

These shorts have a wide waistband, which keeps the shorts in place while you are sprinting back and forth on the court, and provides extra comfort. I found that the built-in ball shorts stayed put and I wasn’t constantly pulling them down in between points like I often do with other shorts. The pockets are also a nice bonus to valuables while running or running errands. 

The only con is that the color options are limited. Once more colors become available, I will definitely be purchasing more!

• Fit: Semi-fitted
• Length: 12” (size M)
• Features: Built-in compression shorts, pockets
• Colors: White/Aqua, White/Grey
• Price: $$$

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#2 – Vuori Dash Women’s Tennis Shorts

Overall Vuori is a great company that keeps the environment in mind while also creating quality products. They’ve recently started creating more tennis apparel including one of the best tennis dresses. These Dash shorts came in recyclable packaging and are also made of recycled materials. Always a plus in my book!

These shorts are comfortable and offer four pockets. There are two normal and two additional zippered pockets in the front. There is also one zippered pocket in the back. The pockets in the front are a bit too shallow for holding tennis balls and there are no built-in compression shorts, so you’ll need to wear compression shorts underneath for ball storage.

The elastic waistband provides extra comfort and security while on the move. There are also perforated side panels to provide ventilation on hot days. Overall, I think these are great running shorts that double as tennis shorts in combination with compression shorts underneath. They are slightly shorter than traditional tennis shorts which means the added compression shorts will likely show. I have really loved these shorts for casual hitting or tennis drills when you don’t need the extra ball storage, as well as off-court activities and exercise.

• Fit: Semi-fitted
• Length: 11.75” (size S)
• Features: Pockets, vented side paneling
• Colors: Blue
• Price: $$

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#3 – Babolat Play Women’s Tennis Shorts

These Babolat shorts might not look flashy, but they are great tennis shorts. I am a big fan of the original Nike Flex shorts and these remind me a lot of those.

While slightly more fitted, these shorts are made of a light fabric that provides plenty of stretch while moving on the court. There are no pockets but the built-in compression shorts provide space to hold extra tennis balls. 

There is an elastic waistband with a drawstring for added security. The mesh side paneling provides extra ventilation for those hot days. One of my favorite features with these shorts is the added length in the back. I appreciate the extra coverage. The waist tie did begin to fray and eventually broke after a few months. I think the washing machine and dryer played a role.

Overall, these women’s tennis shorts are great for beginners and high-performance players. If you want your gear to match, Babolat also makes some of the best shoes for tennis.

• Fit: Fitted
• Length: 11.5” (size S)
• Features: Built-in compression shorts, drawstring, mesh side paneling 
• Colors: Black and White
• Price: $$

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#4 – Nike Core Flex Women’s Shorts

Nike Core Flex shorts are a great option if you are looking for affordable shorts that can be worn not only on the tennis court but for everyday activities.

These shorts have deep side pockets that are great for holding tennis balls during your match. While there are no built-in compression shorts, these shorts are loose enough that you can easily wear ball shorts underneath. I found that these shorts were a little big and would most likely size down for the next pair that I buy.

If you are looking for a similar pair of Nike tennis shorts with built-in compression shorts, you can check out the Nike Advantage Shorts. Alternatively, you can purchase your own ball shorts here. Nike makes some of the best tennis skirts as well.

• Fit: Relaxed
• Length: 12” (size S)
• Features: Side pockets, elastic waistband
• Colors: Multiple
• Price: $

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#5 – Asics Match Women’s Tennis Shorts

You can always count on Asics to have fun color combinations with their clothing. These match shorts are stylish additions to your summer short rotation.

The fabric is very soft and durable. The waistband is wide and also includes a drawstring for a secure fit. The built-in compression shorts are longer than most other women’s tennis shorts on the market right now and add not only extra color but more coverage too. 

The shaped hem is open on the sides for enhanced breathability, along with the mesh-lined edging.

• Fit: Semi-fitted
• Length: 13” (size S)
• Features: Built-in compression shorts, drawstring, made of lightweight breathable fabric
• Colors: Navy and violet
• Price: $$$

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#6 – Under Armour 2-in-1 Core Women’s Tennis Short

Under Armour has a vast selection of women’s shorts that are great for not only playing tennis but also workouts and running. These 2-in-1 shorts are the most suited for tennis as they have built-in compression shorts.

The shorts are a little short compared to others on our list, however, the compression shorts are longer and provide extra coverage. The side pockets offer extra storage.

These shorts are also one of the more affordable options on our list. Under Armour makes some of the best sunglasses for tennis so you can match them with your new shorts.

• Fit: Semi-fitted
• Length: 13” (size S)
• Features: Built-in compression shorts
• Colors: Black and white
• Price: $

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#7 – Nike Women’s 2-in-1 Short

These new shorts by Nike feature a wide elastic waistband that is super comfortable. The material is soft and light, perfect for the summer heat. They stretch perfectly with every movement. 

The built-in ball shorts are a little longer than most other ball shorts on other Nike pairs. I found that they didn’t ride up and could easily hold several tennis balls. The ball shorts also feature a pocket that can hold a phone or keys on the right side. I love these shorts!

• Fit: True to size
• Length: 13” (size S)
• Features: Built-in compression short with side pocket for phone or keys
• Colors: Multiple
• Price: $$

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Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose Women’s Tennis Shorts

To choose the best tennis shorts for your needs, you need to know the different features and options available. Each pair of shorts will be different and determining your goals will help.

Here are several questions you’ll need to answer when choosing tennis shorts.

Different Features of Tennis Shorts

Pockets: Pockets are great features if you are looking for a pair of shorts to also wear off the court. I personally prioritize ball shorts over pockets for playing tennis, but if I’m planning to wear these shorts off the court for day-to-day activities, I look for a pair of shorts with pockets.

Ball Shorts: I personally require this for any tennis shorts I am going to purchase. I can’t play a match without a way to store at least one extra tennis ball.

Waistband: While this might not seem like a major feature to consider, most people have strong opinions on what kind of waistband a pair of shorts have. While the wide waistbands provide extra comfort, the drawstrings also add that extra security while playing a rigorous tennis match.

Length: Length can also be important depending on how you are planning to utilize these shorts and how much coverage you want.

Do you want shorts for on-court, off-court, or both?

Many tennis shorts can easily transition to off-court settings, but some shorts have extra features that benefit one or the other. For example, while pockets seem like they would be beneficial for both on and off-court, it’s important to determine if they are deep enough for a tennis ball or just your cell phone. Many pockets aren’t very deep, so you’ll need ball shorts for playing tennis.

Do you want pockets, built-in ball shorts, or neither?

This feature really comes down to personal preference. I find it difficult to keep tennis balls in my pockets and prefer ball shorts. However, if I am planning to wear these shorts throughout the day, I do prefer pockets to hold my phone, keys, or other items.

You can find ball shorts on Tennis Warehouse. I typically get Nike but they carry all the best brands.

What’s your budget?

Tennis shorts can range from $30 up to $100 or more. With a wide range, it’s easy to find a pair of shorts that fit your budget and needs. Typically higher priced shorts have more durable fabric that will last longer.

If you are on a budget, consider looking at styles from last season that are on sale. When tennis brands come out with their new shorts for summer, for example, they will often discount their spring shorts. You can shop for discounted shorts at Tennis Warehouse.

The Best Tennis Short Brands

Most major tennis brands make women’s tennis shorts. Here are some of the best brands to choose from that make high-quality apparel.

• K-Swiss
• Nike
• Adidas
• Penguin
• Under Armour
• Babolat
• Vuori
• EleVen
• Fila
• Asics
• Lacoste
• LIJA

Conclusion: Our Pick for the Best Women’s Tennis Shorts

My top pick for tennis shorts is the K-Swiss Trainer shorts. They are very comfortable and have built-in ball shorts as well as pockets.

While there aren’t many color options, they do release a new color each season. I own several pairs now and these K-Swiss shorts are my go-to for any tennis match.

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This is a guest post written in collaboration with Lauren Gremminger.