Given any sport, choosing the right pair of shoes is of utmost importance. Choose a wrong pair and it might lead to injuries or at the least – sore feet. For people who participate regularly in sports, buying the right pair of shoes is as important as choosing the right outfit.

Tennis is a sport which requires a player to be agile and balanced on the court. Three things to remember while buying a pair of Tennis shoes: the fit of the shoe, your play style and the surface you play on. More about the type of court and what shoes suit a particular court-type later. Let’s start off with the perfect fit.
Perfect fit
• Measure your feet before you shop for shoes. It sounds simple, but is the most important aspect that you should look into. The best time to measure your feet is at the end of a day. Your feet tend to swell slightly all through the day.
• Be sure to choose a pair that is at least ½ inch larger than your measurement. Shoe breaking-in is a myth. Don’t expect shoes to expand to fit your feet. Buy the ones which are slightly larger.
• If there is a possibility, it is always advisable to walk in the new shoes before buying them. Are you able to walk without any issues? If yes, buy them. If not, put down the shoes right away and hunt for another pair. Remember, if you aren’t comfortable, your game won’t improve.
• Shoe Upper must feel comfortably tight on your feet, and soles must have proper grip. Tennis is all about control and balance. An avid player runs left-to-right, forwards and backwards in quick sprints. Don’t let the shoes diminish your game.
• Lateral support is another aspect to look into. The left-to-right movements require the shoes to have good amount of lateral support in your shoes, without which your feet will be subjected to intense stress.
Your play style
Serve and volley
A player with this style will serve and get close to the net to attack-volley the service return. If this is your play style, then you are better off if you buy shoes with durable soles and a firm toecap. This will increase your durability and enhance your game overall.
Baseline
A player with this style will likely move from left-to-right. It is always better to buy shoes with good enough lateral support if you play Baseline style.
Clay, Grass or Hard
If you have been playing Tennis for a while now, you’ll know there are different types of courts to play on. For beginners, however, here are the three types: Clay, Grass and Hard.
Clay Court Tennis shoes
• It’s difficult to gain traction on clay surfaces. You will be better off with shoes that have good grip.
• A comfortably tight and sturdy upper that keeps your feet secure as you move around the court.
• Lateral support is important for any play style.
Grass Court Tennis shoes
• Grass courts can prove to be highly slippery. For this, you need to buy shoes with great grip.
• Buying shoes with flat soles is a requirement. This is so that the shoes do not damage the court.
• Lateral support, like for every court, is very important. A Tennis game has a lot of lateral movement when compared to other sports.
Hard Court Tennis shoes
• Hard Tennis courts have concrete and asphalt. There is good chance your feet will endure a lot of shock. To avoid this, you must buy shoes with good amount of Cushioning. This will help you absorb the shocks and play better.
• For the similar reason mentioned before, a tough upper and a well-designed outsole is important.
• Like any other court, lateral support is quite the unavoidable aspect of a Tennis shoe.
Notice how lateral support is important in all the courts. This cannot be overlooked. Lateral support must be a compulsory integral part of your shoes.