Tennis Leggings & Capris for Women: Ball Pockets, UV Protection and How to Wear Them

Leggings and capris have earned their place on the tennis court. They keep the sun off your legs, add coverage under a skort, and on cooler days they're the most comfortable thing you can wear to play. Here's how to choose a pair for tennis, pickleball or golf, and which of the styles we make in our Miami atelier fit each need.

Are leggings OK for tennis?

Yes. Leggings and capris are common on recreational courts, either on their own or under a skort or dress. Some private clubs have dress codes, especially for all-white play, so check before you wear them somewhere new. A pair made for sport will stretch with every lunge, stay put through quick direction changes and, ideally, give you somewhere to keep a ball.

1. Look for a ball pocket

The biggest difference between tennis leggings and gym leggings is the pocket. Our Ball-Pocket Leggings have a signature inverted pocket on the side that opens from the bottom up, so you can slip in a ball with one hand while your racket stays in the other. Regular top-opening pockets hold a phone or keys, and a double-material waistband adds soft tummy support.

Prefer a cropped length? The same ball-pocket design comes in capris, including the Tennis Capri and the Ball-Pocket Classic Capri in white, which has inverted pockets on both legs and a 27.5" inseam.

2. Get UV protection for long days in the sun

Legs often get missed with sunscreen. Leggings made from UPF fabric protect your skin for as long as you're outside, and they don't wear off with sweat. A few options, depending on how much fabric you want:

• UV Leggings and UV Capri Leggings. Light, finely knit fabric with UPF 40+ built in. Our white UV Leggings and white UV Capri Leggings are made to layer under a skort or dress, and come in navy, black and a range of colors too.
• Ultra Light UV Legging. Our thinnest option, with ultra-thin seams for hot days. The Ultra Light UV-Legging is UPF 50+ against UV-B rays and UPF 30 against UV-A.
• Ultra Light UV-Capri. The same ultra-thin idea in a capri length. The Ultra Light UV-Capri is made to wear under a skort or shorts, not on its own, since the fabric is sheer.

3. Decide: full-length, capri or crop?

• Full-length leggings give the most sun protection and warmth, and are the go-to for cool mornings and winter tennis.
• Capris end below the knee. They're a favorite under skorts and dresses because they add coverage without extra heat.
• Crop pants sit between the two and work on their own for tennis, golf or travel.

See every length in our women's tennis pants and leggings collection.

4. White capris for tennis and golf

White is the classic tennis color, and white leggings can be a little see-through if they're too thin. If you want white to wear under a skort, our white UV Capri Leggings are made for exactly that. If you want a white capri to wear on its own, the Ball-Pocket Classic Capri is a compression capri with inverted pockets on both legs and UPF 40+ in the solid fabric.

How to wear leggings under a skort or dress

Layering leggings under a skort is the easiest way to add coverage and sun protection without changing your outfit. Pick a light UV capri or legging, match it to your skort or go with white, and you're done. It works especially well with longer skorts, like our long skorts, and with a pickleball outfit on a bright day.

Tennis leggings FAQs

Can you wear leggings to play tennis?
Yes. Leggings and capris are common on recreational courts. Some private clubs have dress codes, so check before you play.

What are tennis leggings with ball pockets?
Leggings with a pocket designed to hold a tennis ball. Ours have an inverted side pocket that opens from the bottom up, so the ball goes in and comes out easily with one hand.

Do UV leggings really protect from the sun?
UPF fabric is rated for how much UV it blocks. Our UV Leggings and UV Capri Leggings are UPF 40+.

Where are Denise Cronwall leggings made?
Every piece is designed and made in our Miami atelier.

Find your pair: shop all women's tennis pants and leggings. Free US shipping on orders over $150, and easy 30-day returns.