The changes in the game of tennis influence what today’s players require of their shoes. One of these changes is the technique of “sliding” on a tennis court, which seems to be second-nature for elite players from South America and Europe. Sliding allows players to recover quickly for an upcoming shot while maintaining foot position and momentum [3]. Sliding is rarely done on grass courts but is common on clay because of the softer surface. Players only began sliding on hard courts approximately 5–10 years ago (I have not yet mastered the technique). If you watch professional or college tennis played on a hard court, you will witness this technique countless times.

Sliding on a hard court (Fig. 21.2) developed as players adapted to the changing game of tennis. As a result of the faster speed of the game, taller height of the players [4], greater athleticism, and changes in string and racquet technology that allow for greater speed and spin on the ball, players have less time to prepare for the next shot. Instead of striking the ball in the conventional “hitting position” (Fig. 21.3), players now often use an “open stance” (Fig. 21.4). This change in technique saves the player time. Another modification is that players are now encouraged to hit fewer backhands (usually the weaker of the groundstrokes) and to hit more forehands. Thus, players “run around their backhand.” This results in more lateral movement of the player on the backcourt and thus more sliding. Another change in the game that increases the reliance on sliding and more side-to-side backcourt play is the decreased emphasis on the net game. With less need to move forward to the net, players spend more time in the backcourt moving laterally.

Players face many considerations when choosing the appropriate tennis shoe. The optimal tread pattern on the sole differs according to the court surface. For clay courts , a tight tread pattern (e.g., herringbone ) is best (Fig. 21.5) [5]. Grass courts typically require an outsole with dimpled tread or rubber studs to increase traction [6]. For hard courts, the most important factor is the durability of the rubber outsole.

A variety of rubber materials are now on the market. In 2014, Zhu [7] compared the non-slip performance of three sole materials: common rubber, abrasion resistance rubber, and adiWEAR composite (adidas AG, Herzogenaurach, Germany). Common rubber tested the worst, and abrasion resistance rubber tested the best. Conversely, in 2012, Clarke et al. [5] found that the type of rubber may not be as important as previously thought. That is, under different conditions (e.g., differences in court hardness, moisture, heat, humidity, size of clay particles) the same shoe may be better for providing grip one day and for sliding another day. They also suggested that the athletic ability of the player might play a role.

Another important factor in shoe selection is the player’s foot type and structure, which is commonly emphasized when purchasing a running shoe. Levy and Sharnoff make shoe recommendations by foot type in their annual review in Tennis magazine [8]. A supinated (or high-arched) foot (present in approximately 30% of tennis players [1]) is susceptible to lateral foot and ankle abnormality, as well as a lack of shock absorption. Thus, a player with a supinated foot needs a shoe with excellent cushion and a low or reduced-thickness midsole. Llana-Belloch et al. [9] reported that a shoe with a higher midsole can result in more lateral foot and ankle injury in a player with a supinated foot. Approximately 60% of all tennis players [1] have a pronated (or flat) foot. This foot type is predisposed to overuse conditions of the medial aspect of the foot and ankle. Therefore, preventing excessive pronation with motion control properties is the key to designing the best shoe for the athlete with this foot type.

Playing with little-to-no discomfort is critical to success in any sport. Reinschmidt and Nigg [10] and Bouche [11] suggested that the three most important factors for sport shoes are injury prevention, performance, and comfort. Knowing that cost also may play a role in shoe selection, I asked 25 of my fellow senior tennis players what factors motivate them to purchase a particular tennis shoe. All 25 responded to the multiple-choice question (four possible answers), citing comfort (88%), performance (64%), injury prevention (44%), and cost (44%). Obviously, these factors are interrelated. Playing tennis while in pain inhibits performance . If the shoe lacks sufficient comfort and support, then discomfort and injury rates will increase. In 2002, Llana et al. [12] surveyed 146 tennis players in Valencia, Spain, and analyzed their shoes for longitudinal and transverse flexibility. Of the participants, 67% reported that their shoes were extremely comfortable, very comfortable, or rather comfortable. Only 9.1% of respondents were uncomfortable in their tennis shoes. These data suggest that tennis players value comfort while playing tennis and are not (by and large) experiencing a lot of discomfort.