One of my biggest pet peeves is the common mistake people make when they call any old sneaker “tennis shoes.” Running shoes are not tennis shoes, cross trainers are not tennis shoes, and despite the name the Adidas Stan Smith is not a tennis shoe… At least not in today’s game.
Proper footwear is almost as important as your racquet of choice, and physically speaking, it could be the most important. If you are wearing the wrong type, or even size shoe while you play you could seriously injure yourself.
As a teaching professional one of the most common things I see with recreational players are the wrong type of footwear. Too many time I see players out on the public courts playing in running shoes. Running shoes are the worst type of shoes to play tennis in. Tennis is a sport that requires a lot of side to side, or lateral movement. Running shoes are designed to go in one direction, straight ahead. They are also designed to be light, so they are constructed of mostly foam and mesh. Playing in running shoes is a prescription for an ankle injury.
Cross trainers are another popular option. While these offer more support than a running shoe they are still not built for the tennis player. If you look at the soles of a cross trainer you will see several flat cleats that raise up from the bottom of the shoe. These give traction and stick when you change direction. Tennis shoes need to have a little give when you make quick cutting movements. Playing in cross trainers could result in knee injuries.
So what should you look for in a tennis shoe. The first thing is support. You want to have a sturdy shoe with substance on the sides of the shoe. It may no have to be leather, but there
should be some sort of stiff material to keep your ankles stable. The next thing is a herringbone pattern on the sole of the shoe (see picture). The last thing is also on the bottom of the shoe. The space between the forefoot and the heel should be stiff, and you should not be able to twist the shoe easily. This is to reduce torsion and keep you feet from twisting when you change directions.
Many popular footwear stores do not carry quality tennis shoes anymore. Many times if you ask them for tennis specific shoes they will show you a casual shoe (like the Stan Smith) or a cross trainer. Go to a tennis specialty store or a local tennis pro shop if you need to get fitted, or if you know what size you need order them online. If you are really stuck go for a pair of basketball shoes. Like tennis, basketball requires a lot of lateral movement, and the same cutting movements. Basketball shoes will normally also have a herringbone sole. Basketball shoes might also be a good option if you have a history of ankle injuries, but a 3/4 height tennis shoe would be better.
The last thing to think about is fit. After you try on the shoe check to see where your big toe is in relation to the front of the toe box. You should have about enough space to put your thumb sideways between your toe and the front of the shoe. Because of the starting and stopping you do at high speeds (hopefully) on a tennis court, your foot slides a bit in your shoe. If your toe is too close to the front of the shoe, it will slam into the toe box. That is why tennis players, like soccer players have the worst looking feet at the beach!
So take care of your feet. Give them the proper support that they need. It will make your matches a lot more enjoyable, and you’ll be able to play more because you’ll be able to walk!
