Used to be that you needed a trunkload of shoes to get you through the busy tennis calendar. One pair for the hard courts. Another for grass. Yet another to slide around in on clay. You needed one pair for practice, another solely for matchplay. Before you knew it, your Imelda-would-be-proud shoe closet was taking over the house. That’s no longer the case. More and more, we’re seeing the shoe biz adopt an all-for-one/one-for-all approach. In ‘06, the forward-thinking folks at Nike launched the Air Zoom Revive — a goundbreaking, do-it-all performance shoe that featured an interchangeable outsole. You could swap out the rubber outsoles depending on your needs. The trend continues in ‘09 with shoes like the K-Swiss Defier miSoul Tech. The versatile miSoul boasts an interchangeable insole and allows you to literally customize your footwear for a variety of needs (think cushiony inserts for those long training sessions; lightweight inserts for gameday). Take a look at our ‘09 Shoe Review — we think you’ll find a multi-surface pair that’ll make your feet happy, whether you’re crushing forehands on Wimbledon’s Centre Court or poaching volleys on public park cement. After all, now you can have it all.
adidas
ClimaCool Pulse
The stylish ClimaCool Pulse is engineered especially for aggressive, agile, all-court achievers who want it all in a high performance tennis shoe: adidas’ ClimaCool ventilation (which keeps you cool in the heat of battle), adiPrene forefoot propulsion (for quick forward/reverse and lateral cuts) and durable adiWear outsole protection. Sleek, stealthy and designed to inspire, the CC Pulse is a winner. (W/$90 )
ClimaCool Genius
adidas has somehow managed to package the on-court attributes of Serb sensation Novak Djokovic (aggressive, dominating, controlled, etc.) and put them into the adidas ClimaCool Genius, a low-to-the-ground speedster that’s comfortable, breathable and brings out the best in your game. The cutting-edge Clima-Cool technology ensures 360-degree cooling for the entire foot, and the abrasion-resistant adiTuff toe stands up to the hard courts. Pure genius. (M/$150)
Babolat
ProPulse 2
Andy Roddick’s shoe of choice is a concentrated dose of high-tech power and over-the-top performance. Babolat’s new Foot Belt technology provides tailor-made support via a pair adjustable velcro straps that lock in the forefoot and heel. Babolat teamed up with Michelin to bring you the Optimized Cell System, which is inspired by auto racing and will boost your grip when it comes to lateral/diagnol movement. A durable, multi-surface performer. (M/$110)
ProPulse Lady 2
As seen on roarin’ Russian Nadia Petrova (the winner of nine WTA Tour titles), the ProPulse Lady 2 is specifically engineered for the unique shape of a woman’s foot. Top-of-the-line gameday gear for competitive women, the Lady 2 boasts Babolat’s Vibrakill shock-absorbing heel, comfort-driven OrthoLite insole and tough-as-nails Michelin outsole. A low-to-the-ground performer that’s match-ready from the moment you first lace ‘em up. (W/$105)
K-Swiss
Defier miSoul Tech
Talk about versatility. With the Defier miSoul Tech (as seen on the feet of Tommy Haas and Alona Bandarenko), the folks at K-Swiss have created an all-in-one shoe that’s as adept on the practice court as it is on gameday. Thanks to an interchangeable sole system, you can choose between a Light 1.0 or Cushion 1.0 sole depending on your needs. Nike unveiled an interchangeable outsole in ‘06; now K-Swiss introduces an interchangeable insole. (M/W)
New Balance
1004
The 1004 is a supportive, stable shoe that offers cushiony comfort to hardcore players. New Balance’s Abzorb SBS technology resists compression, the S-Curve stability system supports the foot during quick movements, the LockDown Liner ensures a secure, custom fit, and the Lightning Dry mesh upper wicks away moisture and keeps your feet dry — even during those marathon five-setters. Plus, NB’s Ndurance outsole is backed by a six-month guarantee. (M/W $115)
Nike
Lunarlite Speed
Elite players in search of a light, fast and flexible shoe would be wise to check out Nike’s LunarLite Speed, a stylin’, women’s-specific sprinter that manages to deliver maximum support with minimal materials. Nike’s LunarLite foam cushioning puts a springy bounce in your step; the the DragOn X toe-tip is built for the rigors of the hard-court game; and the Court Motion outsole gives you all the flexibility and articulation you’ll need. (W/$115)
Air Max Courtballistec 1.3
Think pink is for sissies? Think again. Muscle-bound Mallorcan Rafael Nadal recently unleashed Nike’s pink-and-black Air Max Courtballistec 1.3 — a durable, supportive, cushioned shoe for elite-level performers. The Courtballistec, which features a Rafa-inspired bull logo on the medial side, boasts a Max Air unit in the heel (for lightweight cushioning) and an Ortholite sockliner (for a natural, form fit). Harkens visions of Andre Agassi’s neon-pink days. (M/$120)
Prince
T22
The hot-selling T22 is a proven, all-around performer that features a breathable synthetic leather upper, a resilient PU sockliner and an injected TPU shank for lateral and medial stability. Prince’s RASH toe cap stands up to toe-draggers, while an AirMesh tongue increases airflow and keeps your feet cool. Comfort is a priortity here, as Prince has also added the its ShockEraser midsole insert to absorb heavy impact in the heel. (M/W)
Wilson
Tour Spin
Lightning-quick movements for serve-and-volleyers and baseliners alike are priority No. 1 with the black-and-silver Tour Spin, Wilson’s ultimate all-surface speed shoe. Among the features are: a DST foam heel and forefoot; a breathable, foot-conforming Ballistic Mesh upper; a TPU Stable Chassis; Innerloc Support Zones; a high-abrasion toe wrap; nanoWik Moisture Management linings; an Ortholite Comfort sockliner; and an EVA insole. (M/W $120)
Yonex
PowerCushion 306EX
Yonex’s new Power Cushion 306EX — the official footwear of Aussie Lleyton Hewitt and Argentine David Nalbandian — absorbs shock and reverses the resulting impact energy for smooth transfer into the next movement. We’re talkin’ three times more shock absorbing power than the standard urethane. That means you’ll get out of the blocks faster when it comes to chasing down that down-the-line forehand or floating overhead. (M/$125)
PowerCushion 260L
Extremely lightweight yet durable, the PowerCushion 260L is designed to provide all-around support for flawless footwork. Yonex’s Round Sole technology minimizes power loss, ensuring a smooth transfer of energy, while a graphite midsole insert prevents lateral movement of the foot inside the shoe during quick, side-to-side steps along the baseline. Double Russel Mesh provides ample air-exchange for moisture release. (W/$100)
