Court Shoes FAQs | Indoor Court Trainers Guide

The fast-paced and multi-directional nature of both indoor and outdoor court sports bring a constant need for development and new technologies to aid the performance of athletes of all court disciplines. Court specific trainers and shoes, for sports including tennis, badminton, netball, basketball, handball, squash and volleyball, focus on functionality and comfort.

Court shoes and trainers have been specifically designed for individual court sports, with a focus on the needs of each sport or game – indoor and outdoor – to aid the performance of the athlete and reduce any chances of injury. They cater for the needs of each sport, with the right levels of lateral support, cushioning, grip, boost and flexibility. Most court sports require speed and agility in high quantities, with court trainers designed to help players quickly change direction, leap across the court and land comfortably, all while remaining on their feet.

Sports shoe manufacturers, including ASICS, Nike, adidas and Wilson, focus on the requirements that each sport demands, making large or slight tweaks to aid the athlete’s performance in whichever sport they are partaking. Here at Sports Direct, we stock tennis shoes, badminton trainers, squash shoes, netball shoes, basketball shoes and handball shoes, each crafted to accommodate the demands of each sport – yet with a primary function to keep the athlete in control of their feet during side-to-side motions (of which there are many during a court game).

Primarily used on an indoor court, non-marking court shoes feature a flat sole with very minimum texture, and maximum friction, in order to leave no marks on the court’s surface.

Can Tennis Shoes be Worn to Play Badminton or Netball?

Tennis shoes can be worn for badminton or netball or any other court sport, but they won’t be as effective as specific trainers for the particular sport in play. A game of badminton for instance will see the player leaping and landing more than in a game of tennis, so tennis shoes won’t feature as much cushioning as badminton shoes. Another example would be that netball shoes and tennis shoes have enhanced support in slightly different areas of the shoe to match the requirements of either sport.

Are Tennis Shoes Good for Walking?

Tennis shoes are adequate for low incline and low intensity walking but will not give your feet the enhanced level of support they require for tougher and longer walking or hiking. Tennis shoes are designed with lateral movement in mind, rather than the forward and uphill nature of walking, so have their support in different areas. Walking boots and walking shoes provide more support for your ankles and feet, as well as extra rugged grip on the outsole for tough terrains. Make sure you view our outdoor footwear section for your walking shoe and boot needs.

What are the Benefits of Tennis Shoes?

The most notable benefit of a tennis shoe is the focus on lateral support and stability – highly required, as a tennis player must quickly change direction and move most commonly in sideways directions. Tennis shoes also have less underfoot cushioning so that the player’s feet are closer to the ground, providing more stability. Further benefits include an extremely durable outsole due to the stop-start nature of tennis, and a general focus on support and durability over being lightweight.

What are Tennis Shoes Made Of?

Following decades of research, many tennis shoes are now crafted with a leather or mesh upper and flexible rubber outsole, giving comfort and breathability, along with the desired grip for the demands of the game.

Which Tennis Shoes Does Emma Raducanu Wear?

Emma Raducanu wears the NikeCourt React Vapor NXT tennis shoes. The Brit wore the NikeCourt React Vapor NXT tennis shoes when she won the US Open in 2021. You can emulate Emma Raducanu with the Nike Court Vapor tennis shoes available in our Nike tennis section, where you’ll also find the iconic Nike Slam Tennis Dress she wore when winning her first Grand Slam.

Which Tennis Shoes Does Andy Murray Wear?

Andy Murray wears his own personalised tennis shoes from Under Armour, featuring his ‘AM’ logo on the tongue.

Which Tennis Shoes Does Novak Djokovic Wear?

Novak Djokovic wears ASICS Tennis Shoes – his very own ASICS Court FF Novak Djokovic Tennis Shoes. The Serbian tennis great signed a partnership with ASICS to create the best tennis shoes for his needs and style tastes - you can find your ASICS tennis style in our ASICS tennis section.

You can find an extensive range of netball trainers right here from the likes of Gilbert, Mizuno and PUMA. Netball shoes offer soft cushioning, a boost in every leap, strong support around the ankle and a high level of underfoot grip.

The England Netball Team, known as the Vitality Roses, wear a variety of the top netball trainers to suit the individual needs of each player. The majority of the England Netball Team wear netball trainers from ASICS, Nike or Mizuno.