We're an affiliate
We hope you love the products we recommend! Just so you know, we may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Thank you if you use our links, we really appreciate it!
Are you someone who is new to playing tennis? Or are you someone who is looking for a beginner-friendly tennis shoe? If you answered YES to any of the questions then you have arrived at the perfect place.
Playing tennis can be overwhelming and can even get very stressful when you have to select the right equipment. Trust me I know how it feels especially when you select the wrong equipment that does not suit your needs.
As an avid tennis fan and someone who plays occasionally, I want to give you my perspective on how to select the best tennis shoes for beginners. And also, I would recommend 10 of the best tennis shoe that you can use as a beginner to get you comfortable on the court.
Before I get into the list of tennis shoes, let’s start with how to select the best shoes. This skill is very important in helping you to select the best tennis shoes every time without wasting your money and time. Now enough of me talking and let’s start with the types of court surfaces.
Table of Contents
Types of Court Surfaces
The first key elements to look for when selecting a good tennis shoe is the kind of surface you are going to be playing on. Without getting into crazy in-depth about this, the main tennis courts that you should be aware of are hard courts, clay and grass.
These courts have their features and properties. And as a result, they require different tennis shoes to perform really well. For example, if you are going to play on grass court then you need a tennis shoe that would allow you to move very fast and provide you with a nice grip because the surface can be very slippery.
Also, when you are playing on a court like grass points are short and quick. So you need to be extremely quick and be ready at all times. If you want to know more in-depth about the different court surfaces then I recommend that you read my full in-depth review.
Cost
The next essential part of buying a tennis shoe is to think about the cost. Honestly speaking, as a beginner you don’t want to go out and be splashing a lot of money. You want to buy less expensive tennis shoes although with good features.
Personally speaking, when I started playing tennis, any shoe that was above $100 was off my budget. So my best advice to you as a beginner is to try to buy shoes that are not very expensive.
As a result, most of the shoes that I have listed below are not very expensive and the great thing is they come with amazing features. With that said, let’s proceed with each one of them and its features.
Adidas CourtJam Bounce
Upper
The first tennis shoe I have for you is the Adidas CourtJam Bounce. This is one of the shoes that Adidas made to replace the Barricade series after they stopped making them. The upper of the shoe is made of a combination of mesh and synthetic material.
As a beginner, you are going to enjoy the awesome ventilation of the shoe.
The upper is well designed to allow fresh air to flow inside the shoe easily and let the moisture out. This is very useful when playing long matches in hot conditions.
Midsole
The midsole is made of Flexible Bounce. This material used by Adidas is going to provide you with excellent cushioning and comfort with the help of the multi-layered EVA.
In addition, the flexible bounce is going to absorb all the bumps and shocks instantly before they even get to your feet.
Outsole
The outsole is made of Adiwear outsole. This is not the best durable outsole on the market however, the abrasion-resistant will allow you to have good control and traction on all court surfaces. If you like this shoe and want to find more about it then make sure to read the full review.
Nike Court Lite 2
Upper
This shoe is one of the amazing tennis shoes with good pricing. The upper of this shoe is made of synthetic and leather materials.
These materials make the shoe durable and are more suitable for aggressive and players who play long matches. Moreover, the shoe is going to be breathable which again makes it ideal for beginners.
Insole
The shoe comes with a removable insole. This is great because you can replace it when it wore out.
Moreover, the insole is nicely made to keep your feet comfortable and well cushion on the court. Lastly, since it’s a removable insole you can take them out to dry quickly when you wash or clean them.
Weight and Size
It weighs about 12.49 oz / 354 g with a size of 8.5. In my books, I wouldn’t class this shoe as lightweight or heavy shoe either. I think most beginners would be able to deal with the weight of the shoe and still be able to maintain your balance on the court.
The sizing of the shoe is great because it fits true to size but it does require some break-in period. If you like this shoe make sure to read the full review.
Asics Gel-Game 7
Upper
The upper is made of mesh material which is going to provide you with support and stability during lateral movements and quick pivots.
This is great to have as a beginner because it reduces your chances of you getting a serious ankle injury. Furthermore, the mesh does a great job of providing you with good breathability and comfort.
Forefoot GEL
One good thing that you may like about the Gel – game 7 is how it has a GEL Cushioning System.
This feature is based on silicone and placed in the forefoot to supply bounce back and shock absorption. This is very useful at supporting you when you volley or lop on the court.
Outsole
The outsole of the Asics Gel Game 7 is made of non-marking, solid rubber outsole which provides you with the opportunity to use on a variety of court surfaces.
On top of that, the durability and traction of the shoe allow you to make short and sharp turns with putting too much strain on your body. And also, allowing a full unrestricted range of motion in all directions.
Babolat Jet Mach II
Design
If you like Babolat tennis shoes then you should check out this tennis shoe. I got to admit the design is not the best on the market when you compare it with other tennis shoes such as the New Balance Fresh Foam Lav.
Outsole
The outsole of the shoe may not be the best durable shoe on the market. However, it does a great job of giving you excellent traction on the court.
Weight
And lastly is the weight of the shoe. This is a key feature worth mentioning because it’s one of the best lightweight tennis shoes you would get on the market.
It’s very quick on your feet and at the same time provides you with good stability and comfort. Overall it’s such a great tennis shoe to have.
Adidas SoleMatch Bounce
Upper
This shoe may look similar to the Adidas CourtJam Bounce but they are completely different. One key difference between the shoe is the material used to make the upper.
It is made of 360 TPU chassis which is going to provide you with good support and stability during sharp movement and changes in the direction on the court.
Moreover, the use of 360 TPU chassis gives you both control and confidence whiles playing rallies and sliding on the court.
Toe Box and Heel Area
Another key strength of this shoe is the toe area and heel section. The toe box area is made of Adituff which is a firm coating that wraps around the toe and medial forefoot.
Adidas specifically used this material to help protect your foot against foot dragger that some players tend to face during volleys and lateral movements.
The heel section is also protected by a firm and thick material that will keep it in a solid upright and healthy position. This is awesome because it helps keep your heels stable and comfortable on the court.
Lacing System
The lacing system is nicely built and at the same time very simple. It’s going to provide you with a nice secure fit and the help of the tongue will make your feet comfortable. If you are interested in this shoe make sure to read the full review.
Air Max Vapor Wing MS
Outsole
This multi-surface tennis shoe would provide you with the opportunity to use on all-court surfaces. Hence with the name MS. Also, it comes with great traction which is going to provide you with an excellent grip on the court.
Ankle Support
The ankle area has a padded collar which is designed to provide you with excellent cushioning and support. This is very useful when playing rallies and sliding on the court.
Dynamic Fit System
Moreover, a translucent panel on the medial side displays the Dynamic Fit System.
This technology helps to wrap around your foot like a web and produce a high degree of support.
Also, the Dynamic Fit System does a great job at providing an extra structure and stability by re-inforcing a little pressure on the heels.
If you really like this shoe make sure to read the full review.
Asics Gel-Dedicate 5
Upper
If you like yellow tennis shoes then you want to check out this perfect, lightweight for beginners and even recreational players. Once again the upper of the shoe is made of mesh material which is going to envelop your feet in breathable comfort and flexible way.
Furthermore, the use of synthetic overlays does a great job at encasing the midfoot in a firm fit. Also, it reduces the in-shoe slippage for a smooth and distraction-free ride.
Toe Area and Tongue
The toe box is made of PGuard which does a great job at wrapping your toes for enhanced durability and protection from toe drag. On top of that, the anti-gravel tongue prevents debris from entering the shoes.
Outsole
The outsole is designed with a non-marking solid rubber which is going to provide you with a good grip on indoor court surfaces.
Also, the use of a non-marking sole helps to preserve the indoor court by not scuffing or damaging the surface during play. Lastly, it provides you with good traction on the court and when sliding.
Air Max Wildcard
Design
The design of this shoe looks amazing. It has a street-style appearance to it which makes it great to wear outside the court. If you are a newbie to tennis then you would love wearing it.
Insole
The insole of the shoe is also something that is worth pointing out as well. It’s neatly and well done by Nike. It’s going to provide you with good cushioning and comfort when you put your foot inside of the shoe.
On top of that, the insole is removable which is great because you can replace it if you don’t like it or take it out to dry after washing the shoe.
Lacing System
The lacing structure of the shoe is a lot better than the Air Zoom Zero. This is going to keep your feet stable and comfortable as you wear them. If you like this shoe make sure to read the full review.
Adidas GameCourt
Midsole
The midsole is made of Cloudfoam which is going to provide you with superior underfoot comfort. In addition, the midsole lessens the impact on the foot whilst striking down and moving around the court. This is very useful because it reduces your chances of you getting an injury.
Tongue
The tongue has a sock-line because of how it is integrated into the shoe. This is awesome because it gives you a glove-like fit when you wear the shoe. This makes your feet super comfortable and stable on the court.
If you think the sock-line feature would make your feet tight then I have to tell you that’s not the case, because it would extend and mould to the size of your foot.
Outsole
Just like the Adidas CourtJam Bounce outsole which is made of Adiwear outsole. It’s good enough to give you a good grip and traction on the court. If you like this shoe make sure to read the full review.
NikeCourt Air Max Volley
Design
The last beginner tennis shoe I have for you is the Nike Court Air Max Volley. This shoe was recently released by Nike. This shoe is constructed similar to the Nike Air Zoom GP Turbo.
You can even tell by the design and the colour options. Both shoes have a mixture of colours which makes it colourful and attractive.
Insole
One of the key strengths of this shoe is the insole. The insole is well constructed with a nice weave pattern which is very good at keeping your fit stable and supportive.
This is great because when you are playing rallies and sliding on the court, you are going to have stable feet throughout. Also, the insole is going to help you decrease friction which means you are going to sweat and heat less.
Outsole
Now let’s take a closure look at the outsole. The outsole is made of one piece stamped weave pattern. It’s such an interesting design by Nike because there are no pivot points and sliding channels. This means they are not going to be the best stable shoes on the market. If you like the features of the NikeCourt Air Max Volley make sure to read the full review.
Final Thoughts!!
In conclusion, these are the 10 Best Tennis Shoes For Beginners in 2021. If you made it to the end of the post, BIG UPS to you. I hope you found this post very useful in helping you to select the perfect tennis shoe as a newbie.
Playing tennis as a beginner can be overwhelming and challenging, however, selecting the right equipment such as tennis shoes would allow you to have more fun on the court.
If you managed to find the perfect shoe for your needs, I wish you all the best in your future matches and hopefully the shoe you select would bring you more success.
