Tennis Shoe Advice

Court surface

Most club courts in the UK are either astro (artificial grass) or hard court which is a base layer of concrete or ashphalt finished with acrylic. There are a few grass courts a small amount of clay courts and not enough indoor courts.

What shoe should I use?

In addition to the court surface there is also the question of footwear selection, in helping to prevent injuries. Important characteristics of the shoe are shock absorption, stability, flex and the sole profile.

Shock absorption

The shoe should be so constructed that that it is able to absorb the shock on whichever part of the foot the player lands- the heel, the ball, or the inner -and outer- sides of the foot. This is achieved by using an inner sole that offers sufficient shock absorption and durability.

Stability

Tennis players need shoes that offer adequate lateral stability. The foot should not roll either too much inwards or outwards. A firm heel counter helps to stabilize the heel and in this way keep the foot from rolling excessively. A heel counter can also help delay pronation. A shoe with a solid upper banding and a good lacing system can help to prevent excessive supination (and prevent an ankle sprain!)

One way to get the maximum support from the upper banding is by sufficient strapping in the shoe. Straps are inflexible ribs that give the shoe extra support in the width of the foot at the point of the arch.

Stiff or flexible

The shoe should be neither too stiff nor too flexible. A shoe that is too flexible can cause the player to experience pain in the arch of the foot, whereas with a shoe that is too stiff problems will be more commonly experienced in the toes, ankles and knees. The overly flexible shoe allows too much supination and the stiff shoe too little..