A complete guide to the women sports shoe ideal for the game of tennis

If you have ever seen great players like Serena Williams or Angelique Kerber serve or returning the ball to the other side of the court, you’ll know how strenuous the game of tennis is. More precisely, a huge amount of pressure goes on to the feet while running all over the court.  This game has a lot of quick turns, sprints, and lateral movements. You have to be in a state of constant motion in order to excel here. So, the necessity of an active and comfortable sports shoe becomes very crucial.

How different are sports shoes for tennis from the other sports shoes?

Both men and women sports shoes that are perfect for tennis have an extra amount of cushioning which prevents the feet from sustaining any serious injury. Normal sports shoes are designed for forwarding motion only but, these special sports shoes for women are designed for lateral movements also. So, the women sports shoes for tennis are light in weight and have a sturdy design that helps the ladies to move quickly and freely.

The types of feet and best tennis shoes for them

The different types of feet affect the way people walk and stand. The foot type of a woman athlete determines the type of sports shoes she should look for.

Pronated – Women with pronated feet feel the body weight on the inside of the foot. Around sixty percent of the women have pronated feet and such type of feet are very much injury prone. So, a sports shoe with extra padding in the sole with inside support is perfect for such feet.

Neutral – In this type of feet, the body weight is evenly distributed throughout the foot. Women with a neutral foot can choose any sports shoes that provide adequate support and comfort while playing tennis.

Supinated – Supinated foot carries body weight on the outside and the sports shoes of this type of feet generally wear out more than others.

Women with this kind of feet like to buy sports shoes that provide greater flexibility and shock absorption.  

Playing style and the choice of sports shoes

The style of play of a woman affects the way she moves around the court. There are two basic play styles: baseline and serve-and-volley and both cater to completely different needs.

Baseline – Since players with baseline style spend most of the time at the back of the court, they prefer a durable sole, superior cushioning and lateral support for the lateral side movements.

Serve-and-volley – These kinds of players like to approach the nets often and therefore, need a sports shoe with reinforced toe caps and soles. Volleys require dragging your feet along the ground which is where added durability comes to play a role.

Materials that make a sports shoe ideal for tennis

Since we need a special type of sports shoes for tennis, the materials with which these shoes are made also have to be unique. Here’s a look at the common materials used for these shoes:

Canvas – It is light, breathable and keeps the feet cool. While running around the entire court, your feet are bound to generate heat and this material cools it off perfectly.

EVA – It is a material that is used in the sole of the shoes that are good for tennis. It offers an extra amount of cushioning which makes the shoes fit for the women to continue playing tennis.

Leather – Though expensive, leather is commonly used as it provides good support for the feet and keeps them dry for a long time.

Vinyl – Similar to leather, vinyl also provides good support and is affordable too.

All these materials have lots of cons as well. No material is perfect; some may be light but breathes less and can cause perspiration. So, we see a combination of one or two of these materials in the women sports shoes that we buy. This offers the positive qualities of the materials while countering for their drawbacks. However, manufacturers are constantly coming up with new ways to make your tennis playing experience better and devoid of any injuries.