Tennis players frequently spend time researching the best rackets for their games but how much time do they spend selecting footwear? Many recreational players use their trainers on court. Yet regular trainers are only designed for forward movement and are generally not built to support the back and forth actions along the baseline, charging to the net for a volley and the quick pivoting that tennis demands.  Tennis shoes prevent the foot from moving in the shoe, provide the stability to change direction very quickly and most importantly, will help prevent injury. The ideal tennis shoe for you will depend on your level and style of play; the surface you play on and how much you prioritise durability, support, weight and of course, design. We at Love Tenni s Blog tested a selection of the latest tennis shoes to find the best performers. Most on this list are all-court options, with a couple of specialist clay court choices in the mix. We tested the men’s pairs but all of these have a women’s equivalent.

We can’t promise they’ll make you play like Andy Murray, but they might improve your footwork. 1. New Balance 996 V2 Tennis Shoes: £80, New Balance These are lightweight performance shoes worn by Heather Watson and Milos Raonic. We found they gave great feel from the court and feet felt secure and stable – grip and traction were excellent when changing direction for short balls. The sole is completely flat making them ideal for baseliners who enjoy sliding for those groundstrokes. Available in four colour schemes, we’d go for one of the bright ones. 2. Dunlop Flash Team II Mens Tennis Shoes: £28, Sports Direct If you’re buying your first pair, these are a good place to start. They cover all the basics, offering comfort, durability, stability and support. They’re well cushioned thanks to the padded ankle support and insole and the traction’s good. There are several colour options to choose from. 3. Head Revolt Pro Tennis Shoes: £94.99, Head Head is better known for producing great tennis rackets than shoes, but this is an impressive all-court pair.

The high ankle support means that the foot feels secure in every game situation, while remaining comfortable and supportive. Aggressive players who pound the baseline will absolutely love these shoes as the sole has great traction and is one of the most durable we’ve seen. 4. Nike Zoom Vapor 9.5 Tour Tennis Shoes: £73.49, Nike These are Roger Federer’s shoes of choice and we can see why. They seem to mould to your feet and the padding around the tongue ensures a snug fit. They’re breathable – we tried them on a very warm day and our feet stayed cool – and Nike’s thin, lightweight Zoom cushioning in the sole makes them super-responsive. They come in five colour combos. 5. Babolat Jet Clay Tennis Shoes: £108, Pro Direct Tennis Babolat claims that these are the lightest performance tennis shoes ever created. They’re supremely comfortable and the lightweight support really made our footwork feel more accurate than normal.  The sole has been developed in collaboration with Michelin and they certainly provided great cushioning and durability in our play test.

For players that rely on lightning-quick movement on clay, these could be the ones.nike canvas shoes black 6. Adidas Barricade 9 Boost Tennis Shoes: £72, Adidasnike workout shoes sale Known for their durability, the Adidas Barricade have been a tour favourite for years. best price nike shoes australiaThey’ve graced the feet of Tim Henman, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Kei Nishikori. best shoes for running knee supportThe 2016 model features Adidas’ Boost heel technology which really makes these shoes comfortable and responsive to every step on court. should i buy my running shoes a half size larger

We found they needed a bit of a break-in period, but after that they felt supportive and stable on court.new running shoes back pain 7. Yonex Power Cushion Eclipsion Tennis Shoes: £102.19, Sweatband Two-time grand slam winner Stanislas Wawrinka wears these shoes and the appeal’s easy to see. They are light, supportive and not bulky. The three-layer “Power Cushion” insole is designed to absorb shock and improve energy transfer, perfect for players who rely on fast footwork to get to the ball. This is a really stylish pair with additional instep support, making these a good choice for players with flatter feet. 8. Head Nitro Pro Clay Tennis Shoes: £85.76, Tennis Warehouse Europe These are clay-specific shoes that may also be used on Savannah/astro courts. They’re not as heavy as the Head Revolt Pro but on court our feet still felt very stable and protected.  They have enhanced toe support for those who drag their toes and the heel unit holds feet securely.

Ventilation-wise, we found they kept our feet cool. 9. Artengo TS990 Tennis Shoes: £49.99, Decathlon Of all the shoes we tried, the TS990 proved to be the surprise package. Nicolas Escude, the former ATP World number 16 ranked player, helped develop these and they certainly pack serious performance at an affordable price. We were amazed at how comfortable and just how lightweight they are thanks to the PVU insole. They provide good impact protection, are comfortable and at 355g, they are one of the lightest shoes we tested. These punch well above their weight. 10. Asics Mens GEL Solution Speed 3 Tennis Shoes: £99.99 Tennis Nuts Asics has used its running shoe expertise produce these shoes suited to fast, aggressive play. The brand’s long-established “Gel” cushioning system in the forefoot and heel delivers fantastic comfort on court. These provide moderate support too. We really put them through their paces on court and were impressed with how durable and breathable they felt.