9 Tennis Shoes That'll Serve an Ace in More Ways Than One

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Step aside, paddle and pickle ball. We love you, but it's time to talk about the OG racket sport: Tennis. Maybe you've been playing since the wee age of three because your dad was your mom's tennis pro and therefore tennis is non-negotiable in your family. Or maybe you just picked it up over the summer because your girlfriend wanted you to hit with her. Whichever path you have chosen, you should know that half the battle of tennis is the skill. The other half? The shoes.

When you step on a court, your shoes say more than you think. It's not just about the style (although tennis fashion isn't something to be overlooked); your game is largely influenced by the shoe you wear. With all the quick side to side motions, you want a shoe that's going to give you the support to flit around the court. For hitting groundstrokes and volleys, the shoe should give you a solid foundation to plant your feet and follow through. And when it comes to serving, you want as much stability as you can get.

So yeah, there's a lot to think about when it comes to choosing your shoe, but to keep it simple, think: Stability, support, and style. We've got the 9 best tennis shoes that'll be sure to help you ace your opponent, including picks that we've personally tested ourselves and loved (although no one who works at Esquire is any kind of Federer). And once you find the right pair, it's nothing.

Gel-Resolution 9 Tennis Shoes

My mom and I are among the masses that favor the Asics Gel-Resolution shoes, and for good reason, too. They provide great stability and cushioning, so they are best for players who like to control the game with groundstrokes. If you primarily play singles, these are the pair for you. Also, the gel technology gives you extra absorption to create a softer landing.

The Rodger Pro Tennis Shoes

If you want your shoes the be GOAT-approved, then look no further than On's first-ever competition shoe. In minimalistic fashion, this sleek shoe is also sustainable, comprised of recycled materials. The high-performance foam, engineered mesh, and midfoot cage are only a few of the factors that gives this shoe Federer status.

Zoom Vapor Cage 4 Rafa Tennis Shoes

It should come as no the surprise that Nike has a whole line devoted to playing tennis. This guy, the Zoom Vapor Cage, is numero uno of the bunch, with a Zoom Air unit for a springy step. Plus, it's named after tennis legend Rafael Nadal so you know it's gonna be good.

Barricade Tennis Shoes

This shoe is one of the best in the game. Coming in five different colors, Adidas is elevating your game with a pair that is made in part with recycled materials. Between Sensepods, a cushioned midsole, and an intuitive lacing system, you can't go wrong with the Barricades. These are my tennis pro father's favorite as well, if you need more convincing.

SFX3 Tennis Shoes

As a Babolat stan, its shoes are just as worth trying as its rackets. Through working with Michelin (yes, the Michelin), Babolat has created a special rubber sole for each court surface. A compression system beneath the heel lends itself to superior shock absorption with an advanced cushioning system to boot.

Rush Pro Ace Tennis Shoes

Another iconic tennis shoe from an iconic brand. Wilson's shoes are for the player who prefers comfort over all else. Fitting wider feet, the shoe gives extreme support for pivoting, a pad to protect when dragging feet on a follow through, and maximum traction. You can also scoop a duffle when you're on their site.

Hypercourt Express 2 Tennis Shoes

Shoes that live up to their name, K-Swiss is one of the top brands that comes to mind when you think tennis shoe. Featuring a lighter build, a supportive upper, and new midsole technology, the Hypercourt Express 2 is built on the success of its former model. Oh yeah, and about that midsole technology, it's flexible and durable to give you energy return and supreme comfort.

Speedserve Energized Tennis Shoes

For the Fila-fanatics (or anyone who has a wider foot), these tennis shoes are a solid option. A comfortable and breathable sockliner nestles the foot, with cushioning in the heel and forefront to give a plush feel. The durable rubber sole is also there to provide you bonafide traction as you hit a lateral shuffle.

Cross Court Tennis Shoes

Prince makes tennis shoes that live up to its tennis racket's level. The upper provides breathability and support, while the sturdy heel keeps your foot in place during rallies. The multi-directional tread is great if you plan to play on more than just hard court—say clay and, perhaps if you find yourself at Wimbledon, grass.

What To Look For

Flexibility, stability, and weight are key for a good tennis shoe. You don't want to be weighed down on the court by stiff, inflexible, super-heavy weights on your feet, do you? Didn't think so.

Pay attention to how heavy your tennis shoe is, as well as the features it has that may enhance your performance, like a breathable mesh upper, a heel drop, or shock-absorbing soles. The more it has, the better!

Why You Can Trust Esquire

We’re not going to say something is great unless it’s actually great. Every product in Esquire’s round-ups is carefully curated by our fashion and e-commerce teams.

When it comes to tennis shoes, you can rest assured that we’re hand-selecting styles that we’ve personally tested, tried, and loved, along with styles that the rest of our stylish and sporty colleagues here at Esquire endorse. We’ve had to go through a lot of trial and error, and these tennis shoes are the ones that are simply the best.

Every pick on this list (and our other lists!) comes from years of wearing different things, seeing what we love and what we don’t, and going from there. No two tastes are the same, and no two men are the same. Your proverbial mileage may vary. But if you’re looking for the right place to start, with advice from folks who and care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.

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