The Best Women's Tennis Shoes to Enhance Your Game

Travel + Leisure

2 days ago

Tennis is a fast-paced sport, whether you are a casual hitter or a competitive player. But no matter what brings you to the court time and again, having the right footwear can improve your play while keeping you safe and comfortable. I've been playing tennis for 25 years, and my love for the sport hasn't diminished, even after years of hot Southern summers spent at tennis camps and playing competitively. While my serve doesn't have the same top spin it once did, the upgraded tennis shoes I've tried undoubtedly help me move around the court better than I ever have—from the age of six to now.
Tennis is a life-long sport for me, and with the right footwear, rolled ankles, wiggling feet, and skinned knees due to poor traction are in the distant past. The best tennis shoes fit securely on the foot to prevent sliding or blisters while offering excellent speed control on the court. No matter your court of choice, whether you're popping them into your carry-on bag for vacation play or heading to your local gym, the best pairs will be supportive and comfortable. We tested a variety of tennis shoes from top brands like Adidas, K-Swiss, and Asics to find the best options for beginners and seasoned players alike.
Those looking for hard-working tennis shoes that can stand up to hard court play will find them in the K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 shoes. These tennis shoes are durable and can withstand wear and tear over time while maintaining a clean appearance on both clay and hard courts. With lots of structure, the shoes provide much-needed support to both the ankles and the sides of the feet. There's no worry of slipping, rolling ankles, or tiring your feet while sprinting, stopping, or changing direction across the court either.
With your feet securely in place, the shoes are comfortable from the first wear without any rubbing or chaffing—which means players will not form blisters or hot spots while using this style of K-Swiss shoes. Whether you are playing competitively or for fun, this might quickly become your go-to pair.
The Details: Size 5-11 | Rubber and mesh | All court Credit: Travel + Leisure
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The Adidas Adizero Ubersonic 5 Tennis Shoes offer the best traction of any shoe I've tried. Equipped with minimal cushioning and an extra Speedframe outsole on the heel, these shoes stop without any lagging or dragging on the court. Thanks to its low profile, I found these shoes to fit close to the foot for plenty of security during side-to-side motions that could keep up with any movement.
In addition to the excellent traction, one of my favorite features of this shoe is that there is a wedge of mesh upper that is not reinforced with synthetic material. While the synthetic material lengthens the lifespan of the shoe, the small section without it allows for your foot to easily bend without pinching or rubbing against the extra, thicker material.
The Details: Size 5-12 | Rubber and mesh | Hard court Credit: Travel + Leisure
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Credit: Amazon View on Amazon $140 $120 at Zappos View on Asics.com
Few things are better than shoes that immediately deliver comfort without needing to be broken in, and this was true of the women's Asics Solution Speed FF 3 Tennis Shoes. Unlike most tennis shoes, these are less bulky and boxy and have the profile of a running shoe. With a comfortable fit for walking to the court, the shoe can become a little slippery when sprinting during a match. Although the outsole could use more traction, we found the shoes provided ample support and stability for both the foot and ankle. Designed to improve speed, the shoes did amplify agility and pace.
The Details: Size 5-12 | Rubber and mesh | All court Credit: Travel + Leisure
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Despite a low profile, the Diadora Blushield Torneo 2 W AG Tennis Shoes provide a surprising amount of stability to the foot and ankle. While this pair of shoes does not provide springy energy transfer, it does offer a grounding feel and ample traction as you move across the court. The medium-weight shoes are an excellent choice for those who are prone to rolling their ankles. Made with high-quality materials, the construction, including the insoles and outsoles, of the shoes is sturdy and built to withstand regular play.
The Details: Size 6-11.5 | Ethylene-vinyl acetate and rubber | Hard and clay courts Credit: Travel + Leisure
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Designed to be light and quick, the Mizuno Wave Exceed Tour 6 All Court tennis shoes deliver good traction and comfort while sprinting around the court. Though the shoes feel quite tight during the first wear, we found the shoes felt comfortable during play and broken-in within an hour of first use. Made with sturdy outsoles, Mizuno includes a six-month guarantee to back-up the shoes' performance and durability through wear and tear. Though the shoes do not provide the most support, they include enough cushioning to make them comfortable for all-day wear—on and off the court.
The Details: Size 6-11 | Rubber and mesh | Hard court Credit: Travel + Leisure
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The Roger Pro 2 Clay tennis shoes by On are made for great play on clay courts. Designed with a wide tread, it's easy to knock the loose bits right out of your shoes, so there's no worry of tracking it home. Though the shoes are wide and require a few wears to break-in, they are instantly comfortable and deliver a lot of ankle support from the first wear. The shoes rely on stiff soles to steady the foot, but the lightweight, rigid build is what creates the best ankle support. Do be aware, however, the white outsoles may discolor on orange clay over time.
The Details: Size 5-11 | Thermoplastic polyurethane, rubber, and carbon fiber | Clay court Credit: Travel + Leisure
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