Advice on Tennis Shorts for Men

[omega4]

I could really use some advice from those of you are knowledgeable when it comes to tennis attire and fashion.

When I last played tennis competitively (some 23+ years ago), I wore tennis shorts that were relatively "baggier" and made of thicker weave material. The end result was that holding one tennis ball in your pocket wasn't really noticeable to the casual observer because of the bagginess and thicker material of the shorts. Also, I didn't really feel the ball that much given the thicker material and bagginess of the tennis shorts.

Now that I'm starting to get back into tennis, I tried on a new pair of shorts (Adidas 9" inseam Bermuda tennis shorts). I immediately noticed that the cut was a lot slimmer and less baggy. The material was also a lot thinner and lighter.

When I put one tennis ball in the Adidas shorts pocket, I saw that it was a LOT easier to notice that I was holding a ball in the pocket to the casual observer. Also, the feel of holding one tennis ball in these new Adidas tennis shorts was a lot more noticeable, given how thin the short's material was.

Is my experience with these Adidas tennis shorts the new "normal" when it comes to tennis shorts nowadays?

 

[TahoeTennis]

Wear what feels comfortable to you. Also, I doubt you'll be carrying tennis balls in your pocket when not on the court, so don't worry about what other people think. I wear Adidas, Yonex, Lacoste, and Quicksilver shorts, all are excellent. Fila also makes some great shorts with deep pockets and a thicker, longer fit.

 

[omega4]

Wear what feels comfortable to you. Also, I doubt you'll be carrying tennis balls in your pocket when not on the court, so don't worry about what other people think. I wear Adidas, Yonex, Lacoste, and Quicksilver shorts, all are excellent. Fila also makes some great shorts with deep pockets and a thicker, longer fit.

I completely agree with your sentiment (and these shorts look GREAT without tennis balls in the pockets).

But I was wondering if this tennis shorts look (with a tennis ball noticeably in a pocket) is the new norm?

 

[Ronaldo]

Locally, the New Norm is the ball clip

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Oep0lt6ll7E/R-Z9ZhPvV3I/AAAAAAAACNI/DI-9tlY_wlU/s400/tennis_ball_clip.jpg

 

[embot]

Generally speaking, yes, todays tennis fashion has a slimmer profile than fashion in the 90's. Some brands like Nike and Adidas seem to have an especially slim profie. Others like Under Armour and Lacoste seem to be a little more loose in fit.

Btw, I wouldn't sweat the balls in the pocket look too much. Even with the tighter shorts of today it doesn't look bad.

 

[omega4]

Generally speaking, yes, todays tennis fashion has a slimmer profile than fashion in the 90's. Some brands like Nike and Adidas seem to have an especially slim profie. Others like Under Armour and Lacoste seem to be a little more loose in fit.

Btw, I wouldn't sweat the balls in the pocket look too much. Even with the tighter shorts of today it doesn't look bad.

I think I'm just a little unused to the much more noticeable "ball in pocket" look of today's tennis shorts vs. that of "yesteryear", which has made me a little more self-conscious about the new, modern look.

Thanks for alerting me to the looser fit of Under Armour and Lacoste. I'll have to check those shorts out as well.

I must admit that I really do like the slim look of the Adidas (and Nike tennis shorts) vs. the baggier look of 20+ years ago. I just wish the ball in pocket look wasn't so obvious.

 

[Al Czervik]

There is no consistency whatsoever. I have some long baggy Adidas shorts and there is barely any pocket. I also have some short Adidas shorts with big pockets.

 

[MikeHitsHard93]

I really like short with big deep pockets because I always play with at least six balls and my sister never has pockets lol

 

[astlaw]

Check out the Nike N.E.T. shorts that come in 7" inseam. Nice woven material that dries relatively quickly and does not cling to you when it's wet. I don't like the baggy or long shorts look and I wear a 38 waist so the slim fit stuff does me no good either.

 

[Sumo]

Poor attempt.

People were still wearing short shorts 20+ yrs ago. There was no such thing as baggy then.

 

[Ronaldo]

Poor attempt.

People were still wearing short shorts 20+ yrs ago. There was no such thing as baggy then.

Dunno, Sampras wore longer shorts BITD

 

[quest01]

Check out the Nike N.E.T. shorts that come in 7" inseam. Nice woven material that dries relatively quickly and does not cling to you when it's wet. I don't like the baggy or long shorts look and I wear a 38 waist so the slim fit stuff does me no good either.

Yeah I usually go with the nike basic power woven 9 inch short, 7 inch shorts are too old school and short for my taste.

 

[Sumo]

Dunno, Sampras wore longer shorts BITD

Meh......eventually, but not that far back.
I just googled 1993 Wimbledon. I'll let you be the judge.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuGKZtYC4Ts

 

[Ronaldo]

Meh......eventually, but not that far back.
I just googled 1993 Wimbledon. I'll let you be the judge.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuGKZtYC4Ts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8A4CoKiAsc

 

[omega4]

Poor attempt.

People were still wearing short shorts 20+ yrs ago. There was no such thing as baggy then.

I guess you must have missed watching players like Agassi and Sampras play back in the day (maybe not as far back as when I played). Too bad. They were quite amazing to watch in person.

 

[Clintspin]

http://www.racquetballwarehouse.com/descpage.html?PCODE=1SVS

The ones shown above are great for tennis. Just baggy enough and super durable. I have bought many pairs over the last few years.

 

[NoQuarter]

Since I live in an area that does not have a tennis shop, or at least one that has competative pricing. I have been getting shorts that are designed for soccer instead of tennis. The soccer shorts are longer and have deep pockets (if you can find one that has pockets). And as long as they are neutral in color or have a half way decent shirt to match. Addidas has some nice complete soccer outfits that do not look like they are specifically for soccer.

 

[NJ1]

Since I live in an area that does not have a tennis shop, or at least one that has competative pricing. I have been getting shorts that are designed for soccer instead of tennis. The soccer shorts are longer and have deep pockets (if you can find one that has pockets). And as long as they are neutral in color or have a half way decent shirt to match. Addidas has some nice complete soccer outfits that do not look like they are specifically for soccer.

Soccer shorts with pockets? Have never seen or heard of these, what would be the point? Are you sure they aren't just general training shorts?

Glad you found some good alternatives though

 

[max]

I've been going back to white short shorts. . . simply because women LOVE them on me, and because I can run freer without all the bag-whip between my legs that comes from wearing basketball shorts.

The long stuff's long gone. Short's in.

 

[Sumo]

I've been going back to white short shorts. . . simply because women LOVE them on me, and because I can run freer without all the bag-whip between my legs that comes from wearing basketball shorts.

The long stuff's long gone. Short's in.

I've been looking to get a pair or two of the old school shorties too.
It would be hilarious seeing an early 30's or under guy wearing them in a competitive match.

 

[Dennis.The.Tennis.Mennis]

I tend to sweat a lot, looking for a pair that don’t get noticeably sweaty

 

[TennisGuy48]

I tend to sweat a lot, looking for a pair that don’t get noticeably sweaty

Same here.. I'm in another thread talking about something similar. My shorts almost always end up pasted to my thighs.. not to mention the tennis balls getting drenched in sweat.

 

[socallefty]

I think I'm just a little unused to the much more noticeable "ball in pocket" look of today's tennis shorts vs. that of "yesteryear", which has made me a little more self-conscious about the new, modern look.

Just curious. Why are you self-conscious that you have a tennis ball visibly in your pocket when you are on the court playing tennis? No one is going to attach some negative view to that.

I recommend Lacoste and Fila shorts.

 

[TheSlicer]

Just find one with enough space for your balls

 

[Ronaldo]

Just find one with enough space for your balls

At least three

 

[stapletonj]

1. We are not getting older and heavier, they are making the shorts smaller and I don't want to hear anything else!

2. I have been wearing the 7 or 5 inch shorts more and never get my racket handle caught on my shorts in my backhand takebacks like I would occasionally with the longer shorts

3. Although they are kinda thin, TW's Fila shorts for $25 are pretty good.

 

[socallefty]

I have been wearing the 7 or 5 inch shorts more and never get my racket handle caught on my shorts in my backhand takebacks like I would occasionally with the longer shorts

I‘ve never heard of this problem before. How long is your racquet?

I’m trying to visualize this and can’t even imagine a BH takeback being so close to the shorts - don’t you extend your arms and takeback much higher than your shorts before dropping the racquet into the slot?

 

[stapletonj]

my top spin 1hbh comes down while still back and as I am initiating the forward and out movement the butt cap comes close to my right thigh. sometimes (not often) it will catch on loose long shorts.

 

[Connor35]

I wear nothing but Adidas Ergo shorts and they feel plenty baggy even when I have 2 balls in my pocket.
Love them and it's all I wear.