What Role Do Shoes Play In Tennis

With nearly 30 million Americans playing tennis, tennis has began to grow rapidly in the U.S. With some playing for recreation and some playing competitively, they all require something in common-a great shoe. Although many factors contribute to the game of tennis, shoes can play a key role in the game. Without the proper shoes, a player can severely injure their feet while playing tennis. Some injuries from improper shoes, such as turf toe, can result in the blackening or complete loss of toenails. Also, a player can fracture their toe if not playing with the correct type of shoe. Lightweight, mesh shoes, which usually are flexible and highly stabilized, with the help of slightly larger shoe sizes are better for tennis players rather than bulky, small shoes. Flexible shoes focus on the sole beneath the ball of the foot. This flexibility given by the shoe allows for the player to effectively get around the court. Lightweight, mesh shoes allow for quick movements. Tennis has movements that involve repeated, quick forward jabs. These movements are better exemplified when using flexible shoes. When using shoes that do not allow quick movements, the shoes can cause
turf toe. With lightweight, mesh shoes, tennis players are allowed to make quick movements without the consequence of injuries. Also, stabilized shoes play an important role in the sport of tennis.
The stability of the shoe affects how a player moves on the court. With higher stability, a player is better able to move around. This movement is due to the ability of the increased stability to support the foot for quick side-to-side movements and weight distribution. The ability for quick side-to-side movements allows for players to alter how they move on the court. Also, the increased stability for weight distribution allows for players to not injure their feet when moving. With the ability to compensate for weight, high stability shoes are a given for anyone running around the tennis court. The use of lightweight shoes which are stabilized allow for tennis players to quickly get around the tennis court without injuring their
feet. Next, slightly larger sized shoes help for tennis players to avoid injury while moving around on the tennis court. While smaller shoes can cause several foot or toe injuries, getting larger shoes can allow for the foot not to ram into the front of the shoe. Tighter shoes cause for the player to hurt their feet when making quick movements. This is because when playing on hard-court the feet will slide forward with the shoe. This movement of the foot can lead to turf toe or the peeling of the skin back from the toe, which eventually leads to the loss of the toenail on the foot. Bigger shoe sizes also play a key role in maintaining an injury-sustaining free season. However, there are some players who prefer a harder court shoe for their game. These type of shoes usually do not have high flexibility, but contain a great amount of stability. Also, the shoes are hard-tipped at the front, which requires either an extra size or double socks. These type of shoes are built durable, which is why the shoes do not contain the flexibility that lighter shoes have. Hard court shoes usually do not break down from running across the concrete court due to their high durability. Flexible, lightweight shoes usually can make through only one or two seasons due to the way they are built while hard court shoes usually can make it through multiple seasons. Although the shoes contain great stability and high durability, with reduced flexibility the players are not able to make cuts they would be able to with lightweight,mesh shoes. Although there are many factors that affect the game of tennis, shoes are an important factor. With the right type of shoe, a player is able to move around the court better. Also, players are able to avoid foot injuries with the correct type of shoe. Although hard court shoes are better for some players, lightweight,mesh shoes with the help of slightly larger shoe sizes are better used for playing tennis.