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How to find the right tennis shoe

Last modified on17 June 2025

Since tennis is known to be a very intense sport with lots of explosive sprints and abrupt changes of direction, choosing the right tennis shoe is extremely important. Otherwise you risk injuries, signs of wear and tear and ultimately even chronic complaints. Your tennis shoe should fit you and your game perfectly.

Here we explain which aspects you should take into account and what you should look out for when buying so that you can find the right model for you.

What type of player are you?

The way you play tennis is an aspect that should not be underestimated when choosing tennis shoes. There are roughly three different playing styles:

Baseline player

As a baseline player, you tend to stand a little further away from the baseline, moving more from side to side and playing powerful shots across the court. This type of movement requires a tennis shoe that is robust and stable.

Allcourt player

If you are a player who can be found all over the court, you usually start your game at the baseline, but like to charge forward towards the net and move back and forth on the court. This style of play requires a lightweight shoe with a stable sole.

All-rounder

All-rounders combine the two styles mentioned above. They play a lot near the baseline, but also often charge forward to vary the game. This requires tennis shoes with the right mix of stability and speed.

What surface do you play on?

Depending on whether you play on clay, grass, hard court or carpet in the hall, you need a tennis shoe that is suitable for the respective surface:

We explain the differences between the various types here.

Important features of tennis shoes

In addition to your style of play and the court surface, you should consider what characteristics you expect from your tennis shoes in terms of sole, upper and inner material, stability, cushioning and weight. Only the perfect interplay of these features will allow the shoe to perform at its best.

Sole

Modern tennis shoes consist of an outsole and a midsole. The material of the midsole is light and elastic to provide optimum cushioning. The outsole, on the other hand, is made of durable rubber and differs in its tread structure depending on the surface.

Upper and inner material

A special mix of materials ensures that tennis shoes are durable and flexible at the same time. For better air permeability, the upper material often also consists of mesh inserts. The inner material should also be as breathable and soft as possible.

Stability

The areas around the heel and ankles are particularly prone to injury when playing tennis. This is why tennis shoes use reinforced materials in these areas to stabilize the foot and prevent twisting.

Attenuation

Different levels of cushioning are particularly advantageous in the heel area, as they protect the joints. Ideally, the material converts the impact energy into powerful push-off energy and thus supports dynamic footwork.

Weight

Depending on your style of play, you will have to choose between stability and speed when it comes to your footwear. If you prefer to stand on the baseline and hit powerful shots, heavier, more stable tennis shoes are recommended. If, on the other hand, you prefer to move quickly across the court, lighter shoes are the better choice.

How should tennis shoes fit?

When choosing your shoes, be sure to consider the specifics of your feet to prevent possible discomfort. Depending on the anatomy of your foot, tennis shoes for wider or narrower feet may be suitable. The ideal tennis shoe should not pinch either the toes or the heel. On the contrary: for maximum freedom of movement when accelerating or decelerating, ideally about 1 cm should remain free in the toe area. If in doubt, a larger size should therefore always be preferred, but without the foot slipping out of the heel bed during abrupt movements.

Individual comfort is one, if not the decisive factor when buying tennis shoes. Nevertheless, it is worth taking a closer look at the workmanship to get an idea of the quality of the shoe. Are the seams neatly finished? What is the upper material like? It is particularly important for frequent players and trainers who spend many hours a week on the pitch not to choose the cheapest shoe. This is not only good for your health in the long run, but also for your wallet.

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Last modified on 17. June 2025