Tennis Players Changing Clothes: Why Do Tennis Players Change Outfits Mid-Match?

Players do not switch shirts for drama. They do it for performance. Elite tennis often runs for hours in heat and humidity. Studies show sweat rates in match conditions can hit 2.5 liters per hour, especially in hot environments. That level of fluid loss affects comfort, grip, and decision-making. British Journal of Sports Medicine adds the sport’s strict timing windows, 90 seconds at changeovers and 120 seconds on set breaks, and you see why pros use every legal pause to reset gear fast. In the Grand Slams, players also have tightly timed toilet or change-of-attire breaks, which formalize what fans see on court. If you search for tennis players changing clothes, you’re really asking how rules, physiology, and branding meet during play. Let’s unpack it clearly and quickly.

Is Changing Clothes Legal?

Yes, within defined tennis outfit rules and time limits. The Grand Slam Rule Book states that “Shirts, socks, and shoes should be changed on court.” It also sets a timed toilet/change-of-attire break: women’s singles and mixed doubles get one break per match; men’s best-of-three get one; men’s best-of-five get two. The time is 3 minutes for a toilet break, 5 minutes for a change of attire, or 5 minutes combined if taken together. Exceed the limit and penalties apply. Beyond those special breaks, the ITF Rules of Tennis fix normal pacing: 90 seconds at changeovers and 120 seconds between sets. Players must resume on time.

Top 5 Reasons Behind Tennis Players Changing Clothes

Sweat & Comfort

Tennis is stop-start, explosive, and often played in heat. High sweat rates saturate fabric, increase chafing, and make a shirt heavier. Fresh apparel helps skin stay dry, preserves racket grip, and reduces distraction. Research in tennis shows sweat rates routinely exceeding 2.0 L/h in the heat, which justifies frequent shirt swaps. 

Temperature Regulation

Dry layers trap less heat and help cooling strategies work. On very hot days, tours and events activate extreme heat policies allowing additional cooling measures or breaks (e.g., a 10-minute heat break under specified conditions). These policies exist to protect health and performance.

Sponsorship & Brand Exposure

Outfits carry logos that sponsors pay to place. In tennis, off-court income can equal or exceed prize money for top names. Media coverage rewards clear, clean logos and memorable looks, so players keep fresh kits ready for cameras. (For a snapshot: tennis outlets track that many stars earn the bulk of their income off court through endorsements.)

Wardrobe Malfunction 

Strings snap. Zippers fail. Fabric tears. Rules let players fix or replace clothing without unfair delay. After debate around on-court changing in 2018, organizers clarified that players may change shirts in a discreet location by the chair and that code violations should not apply when athletes follow the procedure. The aim is professionalism and player comfort.

Personal Preferences

Some athletes simply feel sharper in a dry top. Frances Tiafoe, for example, said he brings about 20 shirts and may go through six in a single match, because lighter, drier fabric feels faster. This is a preference backed by physiology.

The Bottom Line

Tennis players changing clothes during a match is legal, timed, and practical. Short pauses allow players to control sweat, heat, and concentration, without violating the rules of the tennis outfits, which would affect the level of fair play and a smooth broadcast of the game. In case of equipping teams or clubs, think lightweight and sweat-wicking materials, quick-change, and spare clothing on the bench so players can reset fast under pressure. TD Sportswear’s performance ranges align with those needs and help players stay ready from first ball to last.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tennis Players Changing Clothes

Why do tennis players change shirts so often?

Sweat loads build quickly in match play. Heavy, wet fabric rubs the skin, cools poorly when conditions shift, and can affect grip. Fresh apparel restores comfort and control within the allowed timing windows (90-second changeovers, 120-second set breaks).

Do women’s tennis players have different outfit-change rules?

At Grand Slams, the rulebook grants one toilet/change-of-attire break per match in women’s singles (and mixed doubles), versus one in men’s best-of-three and two in men’s best-of-five. All players may change shirts, socks, and shoes on court at changeovers if they stay within the standard time. Event-specific heat policies may add cooling allowances.

How many outfits do professional tennis players bring to a match?

There is no fixed number in the rules. Many bring multiple shirts per set. Some, like Frances Tiafoe, report packing around 20 shirts and changing whenever a top feels heavy.