When players are looking to improve their tennis, most attention goes to racquets, strings and coaching.
Yet one of the most important pieces of equipment is often overlooked.
Your shoes.
We regularly see players arrive at the court wearing running shoes, gym shoes or general trainers. While these may be perfectly suitable for walking, going for a run or hitting the gym, they are not designed for the demands of tennis.
Tennis is unique because of the way players move. Unlike running, where movement is mostly forwards, tennis requires constant changes of direction. Players sprint forwards, retreat backwards, shuffle sideways and stop suddenly before accelerating again.
Running shoes are built to move in a straight line. Tennis shoes are built to handle movement in every direction.
This is why playing tennis in running shoes can increase the risk of rolled ankles, slips and other injuries. It can also affect your movement and confidence around the court. If you’re worried about your footing, you’re unlikely to move aggressively towards the ball.
Good tennis shoes provide stability, grip and support during the movements that happen repeatedly throughout a match or training session.
The court surface also plays an important role in choosing the right shoe.
Hard courts are the most demanding surface on shoes. They require durable outsoles and good support to cope with the constant impact and abrasion created by the court.
Clay court shoes are designed differently. They often feature a herringbone tread pattern that allows players to slide under control while preventing excessive clay from becoming trapped under the sole.
In New Zealand, many clubs use artificial grass or astro turf surfaces. These courts require a different approach again.
For astro turf, a tennis-specific shoe with a small multi-stud or dimpled outsole is usually the best option, but unfortunately, these are hard to come by in NZ. This tread pattern provides grip without digging too deeply into the surface. Players wearing hard court shoes may find they don’t get the same level of traction, while players wearing running shoes can often feel unstable, particularly when changing direction quickly.
The right shoe for one surface may not be the best choice for another, but we suggest for astro to go with a clay court sole.
This becomes particularly important for competitive players who regularly play at different clubs and tournaments throughout the season.
Parents often ask how much they should spend on tennis shoes.
The answer depends on how frequently the player is on court. A child playing once a week recreationally has very different requirements from a player training four or five times a week and competing regularly.
What matters most is finding a shoe that fits properly, supports the foot well and is designed specifically for tennis.
A more expensive shoe is not automatically a better shoe if it doesn’t suit the player’s foot shape, movement patterns or court surface.
Like racquets, tennis shoes are not one-size-fits-all.
If you’re unsure what shoe is right for you or your child, ask your coach for guidance. They see how you move on court and can often provide practical recommendations based on experience.
A specialist tennis retailer can also be extremely helpful, particularly one that understands the different surfaces played in New Zealand. The key is finding someone who understands tennis, rather than simply footwear in general.
The right shoes won’t magically improve your forehand or serve.
They will, however, help you move more confidently, reduce your injury risk and allow you to focus on playing your best tennis.
And that’s a far better investment than most players realise.
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