No doubt, if you aren’t already playing tennis regularly, then watching some of our Aussie champions smash 190 km + serves, has encouraged you to dust off the racket and hit your local courts.
Stability, grip, and cushioning are the focus when selecting the correct footwear.
When playing tennis, you are using quick side-to-side movements, rather than the regular running motion of forward from heel to toe. Without great stability, you are at high risk of spraining your ankle. When trying on tennis shoes carefully roll your feet in and out and move side to side to get a feel for how well the shoes will support you.
Accompanying the side-to-side motion as you’re playing your best tennis, your shoes need the correct grip. The grip will prevent you from slipping and sliding around the court as you hit the ball back and forth. Keep in mind the type of court you are playing on.
You may play tennis on softer courts, such as clay and grass, or tougher concrete courts. Tougher courts will wear out your shoes faster, so you may need more durability through a tougher sole material and added cushioning to help absorb the shock. Softer courts call for shoes that focus on the grip as they tend to be more slippery.
Tennis puts a lot of force through your feet and legs, so having a good amount of cushioning will help reduce the force and strain on your muscles and tissues. This means you won’t tire as quickly, you’ll be less prone to injury, and your feet will feel better after a big day on the court.
Because you’ll be going backwards and forwards to get to the ball, make sure there’s plenty of room at the toes in case your toes slide forward slightly. Players often drag the front of the shoe when moving backwards, so having a durable material or additional reinforcement at the toe box is often a good idea.
If you want to know more about tennis shoes or are having any problems with your feet, legs or your tennis game, come in and see our team at Elite Foot Care. Give us a call on 07 5328 5388.
