Tennis Shoes
Also known as: tennis shoes, tennis shoe, court shoes, running shoes, clay court shoes, grass court shoes, hard court shoes, herringbone sole, shoes for tennis, tennis sneakers, tennis trainers, shoes for hard courts, shoes for clay courts, shoes for grass courts, shoes for clay
Wear tennis shoes, not running shoes, once you play regularly. Running shoes are built for moving forward and lack the side-to-side support and tough soles that tennis needs for quick stops and changes of direction. Choose the sole for your surface: durable and cushioned for hard courts, a herringbone pattern for clay, and small studs or dimples for grass. Leave about a thumb's width of space at the toe.
Tennis is a stop-start, side-to-side sport. Tennis shoes are built for that, with firm side support, a stable base and grip made for the court. Running shoes are made mainly for forward motion. The LTA says they lack the lateral support and durability that court movement needs.
Match the outsole to the court. Hard-court shoes have tough, long-lasting soles, extra cushioning to absorb impact and often a reinforced toe. Clay-court shoes use a herringbone, or zig-zag, sole that grips loose clay but still lets you slide. Grass-court shoes have small, closely spaced studs or dimples that grip a slick surface without damaging it.
Get the fit right. Leave about a thumb's width between your longest toe and the front of the shoe, with a snug but not tight feel. Foot shape matters too. Flatter feet often suit more arch support and stability, while high arches often suit more cushioning. If your feet hurt when you play, see a pro.
Replace shoes when the grip or support wears out. The LTA suggests thinking about a new pair after about 45 to 60 hours of play. Worn soles slip, and worn support feels less stable when you change direction. Brand-new players can start in comfortable trainers, then move to tennis shoes as they play more.
Tips by skill level
If you are just starting, comfortable trainers are fine. Once you play every week, buy tennis shoes for the surface you play on most.
If you play on both clay and hard courts, keep a pair for each. The right sole helps you slide on clay and stop sharply on hard courts.
Example
Dev plays twice a week in running shoes and feels unstable every time he stops for a wide ball. He switches to hard-court tennis shoes with firm side support and feels much steadier when he pushes back to the middle.
Why it matters
Your shoes are your only contact with the court. The right pair helps you stop, change direction and recover with control, and it lasts longer on rough surfaces.
Common mistakes
- Playing regularly in running shoes
- Using the same worn pair on every surface
- Buying shoes with no room at the toe
- Keeping shoes long after the tread is gone
Frequently asked questions
Can I play tennis in running shoes?
For a casual hit, yes, but not for regular play. Running shoes are built for forward motion and lack the side support and durable sole that tennis needs for quick stops and turns.
What shoes do I need for clay courts?
Clay-court shoes with a herringbone, or zig-zag, sole. It grips the loose surface and still lets you slide.
How often should I replace tennis shoes?
When the tread or support wears down. The LTA suggests considering a new pair after about 45 to 60 hours of play.
How should tennis shoes fit?
Snug but not tight, with about a thumb's width of space between your longest toe and the front of the shoe.
Sources
Related terms
- Tennis Court SurfacesTennis is mainly played on clay, hard courts and grass, and each plays differently. Clay is the slowest: the ball bounces high, rallies run long and players slide. Hard courts sit in the middle, with a true, predictable bounce. Grass is the fastest, with a low, skidding bounce that rewards big serves and net play.
- Sliding on ClayTo slide on clay, start the slide a step or two before you reach the ball. That way you hit while sliding or just as you stop, not after. Lower your hips, spread your feet and bend your knees, with your weight on the sliding leg and that foot pointing where you are going. Stay balanced through the shot, then push off the sliding leg to recover.
- Clay-Court StrategyClay slows the ball and makes it bounce higher, so points run longer and the player who misses less usually wins. Build each point with deep, high crosscourt balls hit with heavy topspin and plenty of net clearance, often to your opponent's backhand. Attack only the short ball, and use drop shots and wide angles to drag a deep opponent around the court. Serve to set up your next shot rather than for aces, and return from further behind the baseline.
- Grass-Court StrategyGrass is fast and the ball stays low and skids, so points are short and the first strike matters most. Serve well, use slice to keep the ball low and look to come to the net, where low balls force your opponent to hit up. Stay low with bent knees, take quick small steps and use shorter, compact swings so you are ready in time.
- Sidestep / ShuffleA sidestep or shuffle moves the player sideways while facing the net. The feet never cross, so the player stays balanced and ready to load for a groundstroke.
- Recovery StepThe recovery step is the movement right after hitting a shot. It returns the player to the best defensive or offensive base before the next ball.
Related guides & benchmarks
Have a question about this?
There is nothing here to film. Ask SwingVantage a follow-up question, or keep reading the related terms above.