Rule the Court With These Expert-Recommended Tennis Shoes for Women

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With preppy exercise dresses and matching visors, tennis can be one stylish sport. While the clothes you wear on the court should come down to comfort and preference, the best tennis shoes for women can level up your game.

The terms “tennis shoes” and “sneakers” are often used interchangeably, but tennis shoes worn to play the sport are designed with players’ movements and the court in mind.

“Tennis shoes and running shoes are designed for different forms of movement and need to be used in the proper setting in order to avoid injuries,” says Priya Parthasarathy, D.P.M., board-certified podiatrist at the Foot and Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic. “Tennis shoes have much more traction compared to running shoes in order to provide stability while moving around the court.”

Meet the experts: Priya Parthasarathy, D.P.M., board-certified podiatrist at the Foot and Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic; and Connor Chin, P.T.R., professional tennis registry certified and an assistant volunteer coach for Stony Brook University women’s tennis team.

Wearing any old pair of sneakers without that traction on the tennis court may lead to slipping or twisted ankles, so it’s important to find the right pair for you before playing. For those who enjoy tennis and pickleball, the good news is the courts are different sizes, but they’re the same material. So, you can wear any of these tennis shoes to play pickleball—just be sure to get some pickleball paddles as your usual tennis racket won’t cut it.

Whether you’re a longtime tennis player or you decided to pick up a racket after watching Serena Williams crush a match, choosing the right tennis sneaker will help you move quickly and protect your feet. Ahead, find the best tennis shoes for beginners and pros alike.

Gel-Resolution 9 Tennis Shoes

This tennis shoe is designed to add extra stability—an important feature for tennis players making quick movements on the court. “[This is a] very reactive shoe with great foot support and stability due to having a flat footbed,” says Connor Chin, P.T.R., professional tennis registry certified and an assistant volunteer coach for Stony Brook University women’s tennis team, who recommends this shoe for all feet types. “It has a slight cushion that allows for sliding even on hard courts.”

Parthasarathy is a fan of ASICS shoes and recommended the earlier model of this sneaker, the Gel Resolution 8 Tennis Shoe. “It has plenty of cushioning, is low profile, and light to assist in quick pivoting,” Parthasarathy says. “It also has a low-to-the-ground feel which tennis players prefer.”The shoe’s GEL technology improves comfort for feet and ankles with softer impacts with each step. Plus, it’s also available in five colors and sizes 5 to 12 with the option of a wide size, making this an all-around great option for the court.

Jet Mach 3 All Court

Parthasarathy recommends this lightweight, cushioned tennis shoe for its durability. “It has a durable sole with bigger and thicker tread in areas that wear the most, this in turn results in less strain on the foot,” she says. “The foot bed is also contoured and that allows the foot to be well supported.”

The foot support and shock-absorbing EVA foam help protect ankles and heels from any injury.

Barricade Tennis Shoe

Playing tennis for hours under the hot sun can lead to some sweaty feet, but these breathable shoes will keep your feet cool and comfy. And, you don’t have to stress about your laces untying mid-game, as these shoes feature adaptive laces to secure your feet inside.

The shoe’s thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) shank design stiffens the outsole of shoes to improve stability, and Chin says they even conform to your feet. “They are a heavier shoe because of this, but they are extremely durable, especially on the toe box,” he says. “This prevents damage in the toe box which happens in a lot of tennis shoes due to dragging during play.”

Hypercourt Express 2HB

Parthasarathy recommends this lightweight shoe for its stability and support. “It provides a lot of lateral support which is good for the side-to-side movements of tennis,” she says. “It also is well cushioned.”

Skip the break-in period with these sneakers’ Durawrap Flex (K-Swiss’ unique lightweight technology to prevent toe dragging) shoes that have an extra-comfy and flexible fit. You’ll never miss a step with the lace closures and grooved bottoms that provide stable traction on the court. These are lightweight and high-performing options for most tennis players, but Parthasarathy does advise those with bunions or hammertoes to opt for a different tennis shoe, as these K-Swiss sneakers have a narrow toe box.

Air Zoom Vapor 11

If you’re trying to boost your speed while running on the court, these shoes’ low-cut design helps them feel lightweight, allowing you to move quickly. They’re an updated version of Nike’s Vapor11 shoes that are a favorite among tennis players. Chin recommends these shoes for clay courts as “they are quite stiff shoes,” and loves that they are durable and breathable. Overall, these tennis shoes should keep your feet secure with a molded sidewall and cool with mesh material.

1006v1 D Width Tennis Shoes

This tennis shoe is available in regular, narrow, and wide widths so that you can find your perfect fit. The unique herringbone tread pattern on these shoes’ bottoms improves traction on the court, allowing you to make quick and sudden movements without slipping.

“[This shoe] also provides great stability, cushioning and lightweight at the same time,” Chin says. “I would especially recommend this for my older players.”

Verge Tennis Sneakers

Highly rated on Amazon, reviewers say sneakers help you move around pickleball and tennis courts all day long with ease. The interior memory foam and the design of these shoes provide shock absorption to soften each step. Made of synthetic leather, these tennis sneakers are available in four colors with regular and wide-size options to fit any pair of feet. One customer wrote, “Perfect for pickleball! I’m a huge fan of Avias! Always a great fit!”

806 V1 Tennis Shoe

This highly-rated tennis shoe has New Balance’s ROLLBAR technology for motion control and footwork stability, per the brand. Customers say it is lightweight, and the ABZORB cushioning makes playing tennis comfortable and easy on the feet. “Excellent fit,” one reviewer raved. “These are my favorite shoes for tennis and pickleball. This is the third pair I’ve bought. Very satisfied with these shoes. They give me good support and allow me to move quickly from side to side without any ankle issues.”

Kaos Swift 1.5 Tennis Shoe

These tennis shoes have a snug fit and flexible arch to support the natural movement of your feet, per the brand. The idea is shoes that fit you like a glove will help you run to the ball faster. “This shoe offers excellent on-court traction, ensuring players can move confidently during fast-paced matches,” Chin says. “Its lightweight design helps with agility, allowing for quick directional changes without feeling uncomfortable. The shoe provides a comfortable fit with its adaptive cushioning, minimizing foot fatigue during extended play sessions.”

Zoom Lite 3 Hard Court Tennis Shoes

These highly-rated tennis shoes are a top seller at DICK’S Sporting Goods. With a herringbone outsole for good traction on a hard court, these sneakers have a snug fit suitable for quick movements, a mesh exterior to keep your feet cool, and they are budget-friendly—all great qualities for a tennis shoe. One reviewer wrote, “Best shoes I have worn while playing tennis. Feet feel great after a long day on the courts.”

How to choose the best tennis shoes for women

Look at the outsole: Different courts call for different shoes, and picking ones that go well together will improve your performance and feel more comfortable. “Look for an outsole specific for the court you play on such as clay, hard court, or grass,” Parthasarathy advises. “This will maximize traction and prevent injury.”

Check the insole: Parthasarathy says the increased lateral foot support in tennis shoes helps prevent ankle sprains, so be sure to check the arch and sides of the sneakers. Heavier material and side-to-side support give a tennis shoe good lateral stability.

Consider the material: Mesh exteriors will make for a more breathable shoe, which is ideal when playing tennis outdoors in the heat. If you play through the colder months or at an indoor tennis court, a thicker, leather shoe may be a better option.

Tennis shoes vs. sneakers

Depending on where you live, you may call any pair of sneakers or athletic footwear “tennis shoes.” The words are often interchangeable, but there are shoes that are built specifically for tennis players with designs suitable for the court and the specific movements used while playing tennis.

“In order to provide more stability compared to running shoes, they tend to be much flatter and have a lower heel-to-toe drop,” Chin says. “They are also stiffer because they need to provide lateral support compared to running shoes which are designed to just move forward.” This is why a pair of running shoes for long distances may feel light as a feather, while a pair of leather tennis shoes can feel heavy at first.

“Tennis shoes offer a lot of support to your ankles to prevent injury during the sudden side-to-side movement needed in tennis,” Parthasarathy says. “They also usually offer more cushion and midsole support to prevent strain and injury.”

Can I wear any sneakers to play tennis?

While you may want to throw on your daily sneakers and head out to the court, Parthasarathy says it may not be the best idea. “Playing tennis in a regular sneaker could put you at greater risk of injury while playing tennis, such as spraining your ankle,” she says. “You also want to conserve shoes for just tennis so they do not abnormally wear doing other activities leading to more strain in other areas.”

Taking the safe route and wearing the correct footwear for the activity you are doing will help prevent injuries—Parthasarathy even says she’s seen a rise in foot injuries after pickleball’s rise in popularity.

How we chose the best tennis shoes for women

We consulted Priya Parthasarathy, D.P.M., board-certified podiatrist at the Foot and Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic; and Connor Chin, P.T.R., professional tennis registry certified and an assistant volunteer coach for Stony Brook University women’s tennis team, to learn about the qualities of a good tennis shoe and discover top-quality recommendations. We also conducted our own research and sifted through tons of online reviews to find the best tennis shoes for women.

Why trust us?

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.

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