Where Do Female Tennis Players Store Their Balls?

Tennis is a beloved pastime for many individuals, with a range of clothing choices designed to accommodate both the sport's demands and players' preferences. Recreational players like myself, who engage in the game about five times a week, often prioritize clothing that includes convenient ball storage options. This has led to a variety of solutions, from skirts with built-in pockets to specialized ball bands. However, some unique storage methods have been observed on the court.

Common Ball Storage Methods

Many brands, including EleVen by Venus Williams, Lululemon, K-Swiss, and Adidas, offer skirts with ball pockets. The advantage of these pockets is their convenience for practices and matches. Some players, like myself, even load multiple balls into these pockets for practice sessions, such as serve drills. However, there is one downside: when running, the balls may fall out of traditional ball bands. Therefore, the side pocket models tend to be more reliable for this purpose.

Tennis panties also feature pocket compartments for storing balls. In recent years, most modern tennis wear incorporates compression pants with these storage compartments. This design allows for easy access to the balls without the need for additional external storage.

During a recent match, I observed an interesting sight: one of the female players stored an extra ball in her sports bra! This method, while unconventional, highlights the creative ways in which players address the need for ball storage during play.

Historical Background and Current Practices

When I was in high school, our uniforms consisted of skorts without pockets, leading us to tuck the balls into the fabric between the skirt and our thigs/hips. It is great to see how advancements in tennis wear have simplified the process, making it easier and more comfortable for players to access their balls during matches.

In professional settings, like the women's tour, players typically carry three balls, inspecting each one before every point. One of these balls is returned to the ball boy/girl, while the other two are used in the match. The spare ball is often placed in the tight-fitting tights worn under the skirt. These tights are designed to hold the ball securely, much like men's pockets would for a ball in their clothing.

Modern Tennis Skirts and Shorts

Modern tennis skirts and dresses are equipped with specially designed stretchy pockets to hold balls. These pockets are often upside-down and can hold a single ball each, providing ample storage for one ball used in each serve.

Some players opt to wear a pair of spandex or compression shorts to hold an extra ball. These shorts are a popular choice as they provide an additional secure storage option. However, the primary ball storage is still often found in the pockets of the tennis skirt or dress.

In conclusion, while there are a multitude of methods for storing tennis balls, the most common and convenient options involve the use of ball pockets in skirts and compression pants. These choices have evolved to meet the diverse needs and preferences of players, making the game more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.