Last Updated: October 22, 2026
- Quick Comparison
- Best Overall: Athleta Athletic Shorts
- Best Value: Fabletics Court Shorts
- Best for Hot Courts: Under Armour
- Best Court-Specific: Wilson
- Best Premium: Lululemon
- How to Choose Tennis Shorts
- Match Your Situation to a Style
- Cost Per Wear Example
- Care
- Fit Notes for Plus-Size Players
- Skort or Shorts: Which Should You Choose?
- Frequently Asked Questions
The best tennis shorts for women combine a built-in ball pocket or liner, a stretch fabric that dries quickly, and a hem length that stays put during a lunge. Athleta, Fabletics, Under Armour, Wilson and Lululemon all sell options, while no-name budget pairs are less consistent. Your best choice depends on whether you want a woven short, a skort-style cut, or a bike-style compression short.
Quick Comparison
| Pick | Best for | Style | Typical inseam | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athleta Brooklyn-style athletic shorts | All-round comfort | Woven, liner, pockets | Around 4 to 6 in | Upper-mid |
| Fabletics high-waisted court shorts | Value, lots of colours | Stretch knit, high rise | Around 3 to 6 in | Mid-range |
| Under Armour Play Up shorts | Hot-weather practice | Lightweight woven | Around 3 to 5 in | Budget to mid-range |
| Wilson tennis shorts | Court-specific design | Woven with ball pocket | Varies | Mid-range |
| Lululemon Hotty Hot style | High performance | Liner, zip pocket | 2.5, 4 or 6 in | Premium |
Lines change season to season, so confirm inseam and size range on the brand’s current page.
CE' CERDR 5 Pack Women's Athletic Workout Short High Waisted Running Shorts | with Liner, 2 Zipper Pockets, Elastic Waistband, Quick-Dry, Lightweight, Activewear, for Gym, Yoga & Casual Wear
Included for 'Best Tennis Shorts for Women: 5 Court Picks for 2026' because the listing specifies with Liner and 2 Zipper Pockets, details this guide uses to compare options.
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BMJL 2.5" Athletic Shorts for Women Comfy High Waist Running Short(Black,L | zipper pocket,dolphin hem,elastic wide waistband,longer back,stretchy and quick-dry fabric,built-in liner,gym,workout,running
Included for 'Best Tennis Shorts for Women: 5 Court Picks for 2026' because the listing specifies zipper pocket and dolphin hem, details this guide uses to compare options.
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FireSwan Crossover Athletic Shorts for Women 2 in 1 Flowy Running Shorts with Pockets Spandex Butterfly Workout Tennis Skorts Black
Included for 'Best Tennis Shorts for Women: 5 Court Picks for 2026' as a relevant option in this category; details come from the product listing.
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HEAD Women’s Vigor Short, Relaxed Fit, 3” Inseam, Mid-Rise, Stretch Lightweight Material, Moisture-Wicking, Black, Medium
Included for 'Best Tennis Shorts for Women: 5 Court Picks for 2026' because the listing specifies Relaxed Fit and 3” Inseam, details this guide uses to compare options.
View on AmazonBest Overall: Athleta Athletic Shorts
Athleta is known for extended sizing that reaches into the plus range and for an athletic cut that moves with lunges. A fitted liner, side pockets and a wide waistband are common features. Because the brand offers proper plus sizing rather than a stretched straight-size pattern, the leg opening generally stays flatter on larger thighs.
The trade-off is cost, and some styles sell out in the extended sizes.
Best Value: Fabletics Court Shorts
Fabletics offers many styles in extended sizes up to 4X and a stretchy high-rise waistband that stays in place. Fabric is soft and smooth, and the range includes a few lengths, so you can choose what feels secure. Some styles are made of thinner knit, which may feel less structured than a woven tennis short.
Best for Hot Courts: Under Armour
Under Armour’s performance fabric wicks sweat and dries fast. The short woven styles are lightweight and give freedom for serving. The downside is that the leg opening can run wide and the liner may be slimmer than you want if you need more coverage.
Best Court-Specific: Wilson
Wilson designs for tennis, so its shorts may include a pocket sized to hold a ball without bulging. This is useful if you play regularly and do not want to carry a ball in your hand between points. Check the available sizes in advance, since the plus range may be narrower than in lifestyle brands.
Best Premium: Lululemon
Lululemon’s high-rise training shorts have a liner, a zip pocket and a soft waistband, and they are available in several inseams. Sizes run from 0 to 20 in many lines. They cost more, and plus-size shoppers above that range will need another brand.
How to Choose Tennis Shorts
- Ball pocket or liner: shorts with a built-in liner often include an inner pocket sized for a standard ball.
- Waistband: a flat, wide, high-rise band stays put when you reach to serve.
- Inseam: 4 to 6 inches suits most players; 7 inches or more suits those with thigh rub.
- Fabric: about 10 to 15 percent stretch for lunges, with moisture-wicking polyester.
- Liner type: a brief-style liner covers more; a bike-short liner prevents chafing.
Match Your Situation to a Style
| Your situation | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Thigh rub on long matches | 6 to 7 inch inseam with bike-short liner | Hem sits below the rub zone |
| Hot climate | Lightweight woven, 4 to 5 inch | Breathes and dries |
| Want a modest look | Skort or longer short | Extra coverage |
| Beginner on a budget | Under Armour or Fabletics basics | Cost-effective |
| Frequent competitive play | Wilson or Lululemon | Court-specific pockets |
Cost Per Wear Example
If you play twice a week for 30 weeks a year, that is 60 wears. A pair costing around three times a budget pair is worth it only if it lasts three times as long. Washing cold and air drying will typically extend the life of the elastic and liner.
Care
Wash after each match, since sweat degrades elastic. Avoid fabric softener, which coats fibres and reduces wicking. The first signs of wear are a stretched waistband and a pilled liner, so replace pairs when they start to slip.
Fit Notes for Plus-Size Players
Court movement is more demanding than casual wear because you lunge, pivot and stretch overhead. That puts stress on the waistband and the leg openings. For larger frames, a wide waistband with a flat inside seam sits more securely than a thin elastic cord. Look for flat-locked stitching in the crotch seam and liner, which reduces rubbing on the inner thigh over a long match. If a brand shows only a hip measurement on its size chart, pick your size by the hip and rely on the stretch in the waistband for adjustment.
Colour matters more than most players expect. Darker navy or black shorts hide sweat marks and wear less visibly, while lighter colours show moisture at the seat. Some clubs and tournaments also have dress rules about white or colour, so check before buying a bright pair for league play.
Skort or Shorts: Which Should You Choose?
A skort places a skirt panel over a built-in short, and it keeps the thighs partly covered while still allowing free movement. Shorts are simpler, usually cooler, and often have deeper pockets. If you dislike fabric floating around your hips, shorts or a fitted skort suit better; if you want extra coverage and a classic court look, a pleated skort works well. In either case, make sure the built-in short is long enough that it does not ride up and rub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do tennis shorts need a ball pocket?
Not strictly, but it helps. Shorts with a liner often hold a ball in the inner pocket, so you do not carry it by hand.
What length is best for tennis shorts?
Most players choose 4 to 6 inches. Choose longer if you get thigh rubbing or want more coverage.
Can I wear a skort instead?
Yes. Skorts offer coverage and a built-in short, and many players prefer the look. They sometimes cost a bit more.
Do tennis shorts come in plus sizes?
Yes, from brands like Athleta and Fabletics. Court-specific brands may offer a narrower size range, so check before buying.
How do I stop shorts riding up while I play?
Choose a bike-style liner or a longer inseam, and pick a high rise with a wide waistband so the whole garment stays anchored.
