As we get further into 2023, the tennis communities across the country are getting ready for the new league and tournament seasons. All the major tennis brands launch new shoes at the beginning of the year, and 2023 is no different. Have a look below at the best new tennis shoes from Nike, adidas, ASICS, New Balance, and many more.
NikeCourt Vapor 9.5 PRM
Your favorite tennis shoe has returned! The Vapor 9.5 had so many fans, and they were especially vocal when Nike moved on from the 9.5 to the Vapor X. The Vapor X ended up being a solid offering, the 9.5 offered a bit more of a universal fit, and the adaptive fit system which allowed the shoe to fit numerous foot shapes. The shoe was less narrow than the Vapor X and the Vapor Pro that followed, which made it a versatile gameday shoe. The shoe features a cosmetic that pays homage to the champion’s murals of the BNP Paribas Open.
NikeCourt Zoom Vapor 11
Previous iterations of the Vapor have reset the market for the lightweight, close-to-the-court game-day shoe. With the Vapor 11, Nike made the toebox and the overall fit a bit wider, which should give the shoe more mass appeal. It features bolstered lateral support thanks to the TPU sidewall, which creates better stability when compared with the previous versions. This shoe is low-cut, so it offers enough flex and mobility for high-speed transitions. Though the Vapor 11 places your foot close to the playing surface, the Zoom Air unit in the forefoot adds a nice layer of cushioning and rebound. The Vapor 11 is a very high-end performance shoe, and though it has a premium price tag, its comfort, speed, and stability are world-class.
NikeCourt Vapor Pro 2
Last year saw numerous tour pros adopt the Vapor Pro on the biggest courts in the world. The brand sought to deliver frequent tennis players their “favorite tennis shoe”. The Vapor Pro 2 has a softer and more padded tongue than the original Vapor Pro, and there is a little more width as well. This model adds a soft foam midsole to Nike’s trademark Zoom Air cushioning to make the shoe more comfortable than the original. Though the Vapor 11 is more stable, the Vapor Pro 2 offers everything a dedicated tennis player needs, and at a lower price.
On THE ROGER Pro
Known for their distinctive CloudTec® and Speedboard technologies, On bring their trademark engineering in their first performance tennis shoe. They partnered with, you guessed it, Roger Federer, and had an extensive research and development process to develop a shoe worthy of a legend. The shoe offers support that can hold up to any shoe on this list, and the upper construction features a soft-engineered mesh to reduce weight while maintaining comfortable support. The midsole is comprised of high-density performance foam for comfort and stability. The aforementioned 100% carbon fiber Speedboard absorbs impact during landing, and it returns energy for ideal balance on the next step. THE ROGER Pro has been in high demand, and out on the market for a while now. Tennis Express is proud to offer THE ROGER Pro to our customers beginning February 2023.
adidas Adizero Cybersonic
The Cybersonic is a new shoe from adidas in their Adizero category which includes the popular Ubersonic 4. The Cybersonic was designed to help you track down the next ball with a new innovation called “Energy Rods”. The carbon rods run through the midsole and parallel with the metatarsals to increase propulsion and energy return. The Cybersonic fits like a soccer boot: there is no wasted space, and though the shoe fits very snugly, it is not super narrow either. The upper construction is soft and it does a nice job of adapting to the shape of your foot. Lightstrike foam in the midsole does a nice job of cushioning without making you feel too high off the court surface. The Cybersonic is a shoe designed for speed, but the shoe also is very nimble and surprisingly supportive when engaging in the side-to-side nature of tennis.
New Balance 996v5
New Balance has impressive representation in pro tennis now, and the 996 series is a huge reason why. In the 966v5, FuelCell is back and the soft foam creates a comfortable ride in the midsole. The brand has been steadily refining its Ndure upper material over the previous versions of the 996, and this model offers a bit more abrasion protection and support in the v5. Fans of the 996 can also expect more lateral stability with this model, but without weighing the shoe down too much. The 996v5 from New Balance is a fast shoe with soft cushioning, and the six-month outsole warranty makes this shoe an excellent value for tennis players who are hard on their footwear.
ASICS Court FF 3
The ASICS Court FF 3 was created with input from Novak Djokovic, who is one of the most efficient movers in tennis history. In this update, ASICS increased the outsole’s contact area for more stable landings and reduced load on the athlete. The TWISTRUSS™ system creates added stability and quickness during shot recovery and when prepping for the next ball. The Monosock construction continues to be one of the industry’s most comfortable, and the updated upper design is a bit more form-fitting than the previous model. The COURT FF 3 offers the rare combination of stability, but with enough flex to help you adjust your game on the fly.
ASICS GEL-Resolution 9
The GEL-Resolution has been a staple for tennis players of all levels for over a decade now. The shoe still carries a 6-month-outsole warranty, which is less and less common these days. For version 9, ASICS extended their DYNAWALL™ technology further toward the heel, which results in improved stability during lateral movements. ASICS’ separated outsole design creates more stable landings and the DYNAFIT™ upper improves the flex around the foot for greater comfort. As was the case with the GEL-Resolution 8, the 9 fits true to size and is a little narrower than average. The GEL-Resolution continues to be one the most stable and durable performance tennis shoes on the market.
Diadora Finale
The Finale from Diadora gives the brand a solid tennis shoe aside from the B.Icon and Blushield Torneo and Fly. The upper construction consists of Suprelltech + Air Mesh + PU transfer for excellent stability, breathability, and comfort. The insole features a shockproof EVA foam and a light EVA midsole with arch support to improve stability. The outsole design includes Diadora’s Duratech 5000 rubber compound, which gives the Finale a balance of lightweight comfort and support. The Finale makes a great shoe not only for club players but for high-performance players as well.
Babolat Propulse Fury 3
While the Propulse Fury has been a very stable shoe over the last few years, it has never been this comfortable. The Propulse Fury’s improved comfort starts in the heel, thanks to KPRSX 2. The EVA foam is softer to absorb shock during movement. The tongue is built into the shoe design thanks to 360 FIT, and it provides just the right amount of comfort and support. To protect the upper of the Fury, Babolat applied a polyurethane finish, GEN-PROTECT, which further supports the foot as well. The Propulse Fury is a premium shoe from Babolat. It offers comfort, support, style, and durability thanks to the 6-month outsole warranty.
Be sure to check out this blog throughout the year for the newest tennis shoe releases from the biggest brands on the market. Later this year, Lacoste and Mizuno will launch new tennis shoes, and an old favorite from Nike will return. Stay tuned…
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