This has been a pet peeve of mine for a long time--that some sports are still expecting women to wear skirts when participating in sports. Not too long ago, golf and bowling still required that. Remember the Women's Baseball League (" A League of Their Own"). They looked ridiculous sliding in those dresses.
Well look at tennis. I cannot believe that women are still showing up in skirts and dresses to play. And this isn't just the professionals who do it to please sponsors (and men). I was in a tournament this weekend. In the final, my opponent wore a dress. It seemed like a joke to me. Her game was not a joke, as she gave me quite a run for the title. But when the trophies were handed out afterward, I was sooo annoyed that mine had a little statue of a woman in a dress. GAWD. This is athletics. A sport. We grunt and sweat and run hard. We don't have to "act like ladies" when we are playing sports. I am sorry to use this forum to vent. I hope some of you see my point.

I've always found it odd too. But as you know, in women's tennis they virtually all do (now that Martina N. has really really retired), and many of the top women seem to relish doubling as sex symbols while they're playing. I remember Hantuchova once played a match in a cocktail dress! And then there was the infamous Mary Pierce backless black dress. I started to hate both of them as a result.

At least they don't wear skirts in the WNBA.

I think it depends on whether it's optional or mandatory. It shouldn't be mandatory to wear a dress unless you're Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins. (Let's see how long it takes Falconpride to spot this. )

Doesn't Wimbledon have more stringent rules regarding attire than other tournaments?

Venus wore shorts at Wimbledon or some other tournament last year.

I think as long as its not the only option, skirts should be allowed. If it gets tennis more attention and the ladies more endorsement money, why the hell not?

If you were that bothered by your opponent wearing a skirt, why not withdraw or give a walkover victory in protest? The attire doesn't make the athlete, its the game played and the competition...

I thought an open-minded, mature gay female (notice I didn't use the offensive L-word for you) would be less offended by something as simple as sporting attire.

"Open minded about dresses and skirts on women while they engage in sports?" You gotta be kidding. I have been trying to open other people's eyes about this for years. Look at the changes that have been made--as I already pointed out. You don't see women playing basketball or softball in dresses anymore. If they should for the same reasons you cited, then why only tennis? The answer-IT LOOKS FRIGGIN RIDICULOUS. Let's see some men wear skirts to play tennis. Fair is fair. It's a sport, not a peep show. AND you might or might not have noticed that even though the women are still caving and wearing dresses, they now wear shorts under them instead of the lacy underwear, which is really the reason for the skirts being popular with sponsors. Show us some ass! It's not fair. Try playing in a dress and see how your movement changes. And yes, some of the women are getting smart and playing in shorts. It won't be long until the stupid dresses are passe.



yes, the rule is "predominantly white." Martina has been wearing white shorts at Wimbledon for years. Many years. She's smart. And practical. And bold.

Well, then. Why do male boxers go shirtless? Is it sexist? Why do female boxers wear sports bras? Should they go shirtless or should male boxers wear sports bras too? What about those swimmers? Men going shirtless, in speedos yet. Why aren't they in a one-piece not showing off their nipples? OMG!! It is friggin ridiculous.

As you can tell, the above argument is completely tongue in cheek and as ridiculous as this argument.

Honestly, I don't know why women wear tennis dresses- but it is your personal opinion ranting and raving and making this ridiculous and grandiose "equality argument". The truth is- if Martina is allowed to wear shorts on tout- all the other women on tour are permitted to as well. It is a CHOICE that the majority of the women are making. Maybe they like that their legs have more flexibility and less restriction in a dress versus shorts- who knows? But it is a choice that I am not going to make an argument against. And being a gay man, I get nothing out of it, either way.

And in a court of law, my above argument would allow me to rest my case against your argument. Sorry! Well, not really.

Mountain, meet Molehill.

Some private clubs may have dress codes but for the most part women have a choice. Frankly, the few times I've seen women wearing shorts on the tennis court (Venus and Serena come to mind), the shorts were so ridiculously tight that I would think they'd be a whole lot more distracting than a tennis skirt or dress. I couldn't take my eyes off that booty flouncing around.

You cite A League of Their Own and the Women's Professional Baseball League. That was 60 years ago. If their was a women's pro baseball league today, they wouldn't be wearing skirts. The whole point was to provide enteratinamnet and to try and lift the spirits of the country during war time.

Skirts/dresses aren't even mandatory at Wimbledon. Remember the one piece that Anne Smith wore way back when.

You won a tennis tournament. Why not revel in the accomplishment instead of finding something to complain about? That was purely a rhetorical question as I know the answer already.

I've been "complaining" about friggin mandatory ass exposing dresses for years. if you look into the history of dresses(turn of the centry--@1900), you will find that boys were required to wear them until they were 6 years old. They were made for a purpose--to keep children from being able to move quickly. TRUTH. I did a paper on this in college. You try playing sports in a skirt. It is sick. If I hadn't won the tournament, know you'd think I was being a bad sport and whining and using the skirt issue as an excuse.
It is time for women's sports to stop this feminine s*it and grow up.


I posted this in the women's area because I knew that the men wouldn't see my point. I don't know why you guys are reading this, if not just to bash me.

I am particularly offended by the person who snidely called me "open-minded." What is the point of that? Sporting attire is not a friggin dress, or else the other sports would still be wearing them.

Good God! I had a reply but nevermind. I will just say that you really are one paranoid lesbian.

Paranoid because I don't promote sexism in sports? A lesbian? wow, name calling again. OK, fair is fair. Shall I lower myself and call you a faggot? I thought we were above name calling. I guess not.

LOL!!! Paranoid because you don't promote sexism? No. Paranoid because you always accuse anyone who disagrees with you of bashing you.

I think only the really butch female players should have to wear skirts so that way the organizers know which bracket to put them in.

Is there some functional reason why shorts are better than a skirt? You can't be telling us that the best tennis players in the world are choosing to wear something that puts them at a competitive disadvantage. And if both clothing options perform equally well, then why would anyone care which one the player decides to use?

Honestly, because the female gender tend to have a wider pelvis, the use of skirts versus shorts may be an advantage. Shorts may restrict that lateral and superior movement of the female pelvis compared to the use of the "average" skirt. This may permit greater fluidity, particular in a sport that has significantly sped up and requires excellence in mobility to reach the upper echelons.

Also, I love the comment on the different draws, that made me laugh my ass off.

And yes, Tealsea, you are paranoid as hell. You are also a liar because you emailed me in regards to my comment to your post indicating that I had "the wrong woman" with my post. You are indeed the one who dislikes the term lesbian and created a great drama regarding this.... I gave you the courtesy of not using that term in my post because I know that you didn't like that term- but I will use it freely now, especially becaue you email me privately calling me a "close minded faggot" when I did not eve use the term lesbian. sorry- you are truly a poor excuse for a human being.

GAME, SET, MATCH- shorts or skirts argument and use of the term lesbian that you so vehemently argue against- you are very very wrong. Passing you at the net is a breeze, baby...