Caitlin Clark brought a considerable amount of eyes to the WNBA this past season, which proved to be financially lucrative for the Indiana Fever star.

This week, Sportico released its Highest-Paid Female Athletes 2024 list, which measured their total earnings for the 12 months ending Dec. 31. This included both salary or winnings and endorsements. Clark was the lone basketball player to make the list.

Clark’s earnings for 2024, according to Sportico, was $11.1 million. Her WNBA salary, the publication stated, accounted for roughly $100,000 of the $11.1 million. This included, the report stated, a base salary of $76,535 and multiple performance bonus payments, including $10,300 for her All-WNBA first team selection.

The remaining $11 million of her 2024 earnings came from endorsements. The most most valuable endorsement deal, according to the report, was Nike.

In April, The Wall Street Journal reported Nike’s deal for Clark was worth up to $28 million over eight years. The Swoosh reportedly beat out several other potential bidders, including Puma, Adidas and Under Armour.

The deal, NBA insider Shams Charania reported via Twitter at the time, would also include a signature shoe.

Clark has long been aligned with Nike, first signing a name, image and likeness (NIL) deal with the brand in October 2022. The hooper laced up several different models from Nike during her Iowa Hawkeyes playing days, mostly looks from the brand’s beloved Kobe franchise.

Though Nike has not yet released a Clark signature shoe, as a pro, she has continued to play a role in the buzz around the Kobe franchise with eye-catching player editions (PEs) and by wearing fan-favorite colorways. For instance, she debuted her first Nike Kobe PE in late July during an Indiana Fever practice, a Nike Kobe 5 Protro in the black and gold hues of her alma matter.

Aside from footwear, Nike celebrated Clark in October with a T-shirt commemorating her Rookie of the Year Award. The shirt, which is available via Nike.com for $40, features several of her rookie year accolades, including most points in a rookie season (769), most assists in a season (337) and more.

Some of Clark’s other high-profile deals in 2024 included Wilson Sporting Goods Co. (highlighted by multiple signature basketball collection releases), as well as Gatorade, State Farm and more.

In terms of viewership, the WNBA revealed in October that the full season — which included the regular season, playoffs and finals — averaged 1.2 million viewers, making it the most-watched full season on ESPN platforms ever.

What’s more, ESPN hosted the most-watched game of the regular season, a matchup between the Fever and the Chicago Sky in June, which averaged 2.3 million viewers.

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.

Ahead of the US Open in August, Ukranian tennis star Marta Kostyuk sits in a suite in the luxurious William Vale Hotel in Brooklyn, N.Y. To her right is footwear design legend Tate Kuerbis, and industry veteran Shivam Bhan is on her left.

Though she is set to compete in just a few days, Kostyuk — one of Wilson’s head-to-toe athletes — is focused on the array of reference photos, sketches and footwear components that surround her. These materials led to the creation of Wilson Intrigue, the shoe she will soon debut on court, of which FN has an exclusive look.

Both Kuerbis and Bhan are former Nike employees who departed for Wilson in 2023. For their first major project, they were tasked with creating a tennis shoe for women, and more specifically, Kostyuk.

To start, Bhan — who joined in July 2023 as senior director of product and merchandising — said he studied analytics of tennis to see if there was a difference in what women’s and men’s players needed. Here, Bhan discovered that women’s tennis is more demanding from a physiological perspective than the men’s game.

“In men’s tennis, serves are so big, they’re so fast, it’s a given that when you’re serving, you’re going to win. But breaking serve is really important in women’s tennis,” Bhan said. “There are more shots per set in women’s tennis than in men’s. And at Grand Slams, women only have three sets to win their match, and men get five. When you play the stats, it’s more high stakes in women’s tennis, and they have to do more work per point.”

This study also included talking with players on the tour and asking what the most important aspect of a shoe was. Bhan noted that both women and men said support was the most important. “We asked the men what support means, and they would say stiffness. The women would say cushioning,” he explained.

Despite the vastly different needs, most tennis footwear on the market is made with men in mind, including signature shoes from leading brands for the likes of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

With Kostyuk — who is currently ranked No. 17 in the world — on Wilson’s roster, Bhan then began to explore her game. In conversation, he stated Kostyuk shared she was most proud about how balanced her game was, which includes the ability to attack angles as her “superpower.” With recent changes to her training, Kostyuk stated she is “getting lighter,” “playing faster” and is “more relentless.”

When asked about what she wants from a shoe, according to Bhan, Kostyuk said she wanted something that runs like a Nike Pegasus but drives like an F1 race car.

Trust the Process

After nearly 29 years at Nike, Kuerbis — whose work at the Swoosh includes the Vapor tennis shoe franchise — joined his former colleague Bhan at Wilson in September 2023. He immediately began working on the Intrigue.

Their work, however, was daunting. The team at Wilson had to complete the Intrigue for Kostyuk in one year, when most footwear takes two years to come to fruition.  

“We weren’t following a footwear calendar. We were following Kostyuk’s calendar, the tennis calendar,” Bhan said. “When she was available, we were designing, we were revising.” 

To get this project across the finish line, Bhan and Kuerbis traveled with samples in hand to Kostyuk’s adopted home of Monaco, where she would practice in the shoes and provide feedback.

“Listening to Marta when she was playing in the shoe, her feedback instantly went back into the design,” said Kuerbis, the senior design director of footwear at Wilson. “We took a couple trips to the factory to work. It was really all hands on deck to push this as fast as possible.”

The realtime feedback from Kostyuk paid off.

“The first sample I saw and tried was in last October, which was super raw. The first sample was way too [much of] running shoe,” Kostyuk said. “There were things we had to add and work on because there are some specifications in tennis that have to be followed to make this shoe last. I don’t destroy shoes as much as other players, so I had some specific demands that were important for me.”

She continued, “This one I tried six weeks ago in July. There was a significant difference. At the end of the day, my needs were met. This one is super good.”

In terms of tech, the Wilson Intrigue features the brand’s lightweight and breathable Ultra Shield engineered mesh, as well as its FootFrame dynamic support fit system for personalized comfort and its newest SwiftStep drop-in sockliner that brings its responsive foam closer to the foot.

In terms of aesthetics, Kuerbis said the team sought to create something timeless, simple and modern, something that would “create a new image for Wilson footwear.”

“I like the way you can play with this shoe. You can make it super simple, or you can add all sorts of different colors underneath the mesh,” Kostyuk said. “You can make it interesting, but this shoe is not too much. This one has a bright color, but it doesn’t hurt your eye when you look at it. This was important because I also like to look very good on court.”

What’s more, in a marketplace dominated by men’s shoes, this one is only for women and was built off a women’s last based on thousands of foot scans.

“There are three places where women’s feet are most different. Women have, on average, more narrow breadth of a heel, they have a higher arch compared to men and they have more variable toe shapes. We built that into the last,” Bhan explained.

The shoe’s name, too, is special. Intrigue is a nod to a women’s-only tennis shoe from Wilson in the 1990s.

“We try to push ourselves to the limit the same as men, so why not help us? This is definitely very special, and these adjustments will definitely help,” Kostyuk said. “It’s amazing and obviously will increase healthy feet in the world.”

Although not yet on the market, the shoe should look familiar to devoted tennis fans. Kostyuk debuted the Wilson Intrigue at the US Open in August and has worn the shoe on court several times since. Other Wilson athletes have worn the shoe as well.

“I spoke to another Wilson athlete in Cincinnati [at the Cincinnati Open] who was wearing the shoes. I asked her what she thinks about them and she said she loves them,” Kostyuk shared. “These shoes had to be good, comfortable and durable, and that is what these guys achieved.”

She continued, “I don’t just want this shoe to be good for me. I also want this to be good for other players and people who are going to wear it, who are going to test it, who are going to use it.”

The Wilson Intrigue arrives in February 2025.

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.

Not long after reports surfaced of an eight year, $28 million deal with Nike, Wilson Sporting Goods Co. announced it has entered into a multiyear partnership with WNBA star Caitlin Clark.

Wilson announced Clark as part of its athlete roster on Tuesday, and stated it will release signature basketball collections “celebrating Clark’s continued legacy.” The brand also stated it will work with the Indiana Fever guard “to innovate product across the WNBA, NBA and basketball at large.”

“Wilson is made to celebrate the most iconic moments in sport, and we have always aligned ourselves with trailblazers who break boundaries and write their own story,” Wilson head of global brand Amanda Lamb said in a statement. “Caitlin Clark is not just a record-setting athlete, but a cultural icon who has had a profound impact on the game. We couldn’t be prouder to join forces with her to continue innovating basketball both on and off the court.”

Wilson said via statement that Clark will “test, advise and provide feedback” on its basketball products. Also, Wilson stated it will release collections that celebrate Clark throughout 2024, and will work with the hooper to creatively direct her first signature basketball line, which will debut this year.

The first release from the collection, the Caitlin Clark Collector’s Edition Debut Series, is now live via Wilson.com. The drop is Wilson’s classic white and gold WNBA basketball that features personalized laser engravings celebrating Clark moments, and shoppers can choose one of three designs to personalize their ball.

The draw for a chance to purchase a basketball is now open and will close on May 27 at 10 p.m. CT/11 p.m. ET. Wilson stated on its website that selected orders will be notified on May 28.

“Wilson has been with me across some of the most pivotal moments in my career so far, and I couldn’t be more excited to continue driving basketball forward alongside them,” Clark said in a statement. “It feels surreal to have my own basketball collection, and to affect what that means for future generations of athletes.”

What’s more, Wilson said it Wilson will support the Caitlin Clark Foundation and help its mission of “uplifting and improving the lives of youth and their communities through education, nutrition and sport.”

Last month, reports surfaced that Clark had signed a deal with Nike worth up to $28 million over eight years that includes a signature shoe. The news was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.

Off-White still knows how to create a viral shoe moment.  

At the brand’s fall 2024 ready-to-wear show during Paris Fashion Week on Thursday, models walked on the runway wearing basketball-inspired shoes.

The chunky design attempted to recreate the cover of a basketball, which is often made of leather or rubber. The shoe was presented in different colorways, including an orangish style which featured black ribs and the Off-White’s logo printed on it along with the message “autograph here.” Another one was covered in crystals. 

The basketball shoes seemingly featured a velcro closure and a rubber sole complementing the whimsical design. 

Off-White also created basketball-inspired mesh totes, as seen on the runway, that are part of a new collaboration with Wilson. The collection doesn’t have a release date announced yet. 

Off-White’s fall 2024 ready-to-wear collection was named “Black By Popular Demand” by the brand’s art and image director, Ib Kamara, who took inspiration from Africanness, Americanness, sports and showbiz glitz. 

In past collections, Off-White has introduced many whimsical shoe silhouettes, including its “For Walking” boots, which literally have the words “For Walking” printed on the side, its Zip Tie jelly sandal and the Odsy-1000 sneakers, with exaggerated soles inspired by hiking boots.

In 2023, Wilson released a tennis-themed collaboration with Kith, which included co-branded tennis balls, racquet covers, premium leather racquet bags, backpacks, dampeners and headwear. In the footwear arena, Wilson has collaborated with Bata Heritage on the John Wooden sneaker, which was released in 2018.

Off-White Fall 2024 RTW Collection: Shoe Moments

View Gallery 15 Images

The list of brands Jeff Staple has collaborated is so long, it’s tough to find one that he hasn’t worked with. The design legend’s most recent project, however, pairs his Staple brand with a new partner: Wilson.

Staple, through the lens of women’s and men’s basketball, reimagined Wilson basketballs for the “Made to Win” collection. The range features two basketballs, one in size 6 and a second in size 7, in an exclusive colorway for each size. Also, Staple and Wilson teamed up to create an acrylic ball stand.

The Staple x Wilson basketballs and the stand are available now via Wilson.com and retail for $80 and $8, respectively. The basketballs are also available via Staplepigeon.com.

Thursday night, Wilson hosted an event at its flagship store in New York City to celebrate the Staple collaboration. Before the event, the designer spoke with FN about the purpose of the collaboration and discussed its ties to sneaker culture. Staple also revealed what he’s working on for 2024, which includes opening a new store.

We’ve talked about the notes app in your phone before and the long list of ideas you have written down. How far down the list was collaborating on a basketball with Wilson? 

“Great question. Top 10, for sure. Probably like No. 6 six on the to-do list.”

Out of how many?

“Let’s do this in real time [grabs phone and opens app]. 798.”

Why does an indoor-outdoor basketball collaboration make sense for you and your brand?

“When you think about why someone falls in love with sneaker culture, anyone who was born in the era of the ’70s and ’80s, it’s going to be because of basketball. That’s why you fell in love with sneakers. It was the golden age of the same dunk contest, obviously the GOAT [Michael Jordan], but even the likes of [Dominique] Wilkins and Spud Webb, that era was so ingrained in my DNA. The only thing we could get from those athletes, those gladiators, was a shoe — and then the ball. You could actually play with the same ball that they’re playing with. So that’s what that’s how I got into sneaker culture. Why prioritize this project? It’s because we’ve never gone an official on-court, off-court basketball. And with the advent of the WNBA, it was amazing to do something men’s and women’s, so this was definitely a bucket list thing, working with Wilson.”

What box did collaborating with Wilson check off for you?

“Definitely the NBA side, but also I grew up as an aspiring pro tennis player. I was in the Junior USTAs, I was ranked No. 13 on the East Coast at one point, and I had the fastest first serve of any 13 year old. Wilson was the tennis ball of choice, Wilson was the racket of choice as well. It’s one of those brands that was always part of my upbringing and DNA. As I’m doing this brand Staple, which is a counterculture, street culture brand, to be acknowledged and accepted by these brands that I grew up with is still wild to me. It’s always like a pinch me in my dreaming moment, like ‘We actually get to f–k with Wilson, the brand that I grew up playing tennis and basketball with?'”

The list of brands you’ve worked with at this point in your career is seemingly endless. What does Wilson offer as a collaboration partner?

“To be able to mess with their classic, iconic basketball was enough. Just allowing me into the design studio and the archive with them, that’s all they needed to do. And, of course, make the ball with the same quality that you normally do. It was my job to add the flavor, the spice and the storytelling to it. Staple is now at a point where the brand has got a legacy of its own, even though it’s a younger brand [than Wilson], but as it pertains to street culture we do have a legacy. So it’s adding those two legacies together to see what we could cook up. There are four or five different samples that are on the cutting room floor, but I think what we came up with was something timeless. And similar to the Pigeon Dunk,  part of the secret of the Pigeon Dunk that the reason why people still talk it today like they did 20-something years ago is because it’s a classic, timeless design versus a splashy, over the top arty design. The ball, I wanted it to be similar. We could have done a crazy art canvas ball, but I decided to go with something that you can play with all the time and it’s not that flashy — it’s like a staple, if you will, and it represents both of our brands.”

What did the cut samples look like?

“Half the time they’re cut because of production complexity issues. Like, we were able to make this great for five of them but we can’t do that for hundreds of them. As a designer, you have to balance scalability, cost. I also didn’t want an $800 ball. I wanted it to be an accessible ball. There are some creators that are like, ‘I’m going to charge $1,000.’ But I’m like, ‘I want like the kid who’s actually going to play ball in his driveway to be able to get this.'”

Is anything else in the works with Wilson?

“I take it one project at a time. Basketballs were the one because of its direct connection to sneaker culture, but they probably don’t even know that I used to play junior pro tennis.” 

What else are you working on for the rest of 2023 and into 2024?

“A couple more footwear projects are coming out [in 2023]. We are continuing this project we’ve been doing for a while with Puma that reflects my Asian American heritage. We just had a new collection that just came out this week called the ‘East West Ivy’ collection, which is gorgeous. It’s taking college prep Ivy League and interpreting it onto apparel and footwear. And we’ve got something with a footwear brand that just won a huge award from Time magazine. I would love to announce it, but I’ll let them do the announcing. It’ll come out next year. And Q1 2024 is the first standalone Staple flagship store in New York City. We had Reed Space, a multibrand store, but there’s never been a Staple freestanding store. People are going to think I’m wild, and sometimes I have to check myself and the things I say, but I realized when the brand turned 25 years old that it was time to open a store. That’s just how I think. Imagine a physical space that encompasses a quarter-century of history from a brand. I consider it more of a museum than a store. I’m really excited about that.”

The 2023 U.S. Open championship is close at hand, set to kick off Aug. 28 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Astoria, N.Y.

Amid a recent boom in tennis participation — and growing interest in the on-court look as a trend statement — both fashion and athletic brands are already gearing up for the premier sports event with special collections, partnerships and events.  

Ralph Lauren

Since 2005, Ralph Lauren has defined the look of the U.S. Open tennis championship in New York, as the official outfitter providing uniforms for over 215 on-court officials and 400 ball crew members. For its 18th appearance at the tournament, the brand’s special collection includes a ball crew polo inspired by vintage rugby stripes, done in navy with pops of yellow and green, and made with yarns derived from recycled plastic bottles. (In 2022, Ralph Lauren and Wilson initiated a partnership to collect plastic ball cans at the U.S. Open to be recycled and utilized in fabric production.) The brand also will offer two updated sunglass and eyeglass styles. For consumers, they’ll have the chance to customize their own polo, water bottle or tote through the company’s Create-Your-Own program, an innovative printing process that will be available onsite at the tournament and on RalphLauren.com. — Jennie Bell

Asics

As part of their ongoing collaboration, Asics and Hugo Boss will unveil a new shoe in honor of the U.S. Open on Aug. 1. What’s more, Matteo Berrettini, who is an ambassador for both brands, will serve as the face of the sneaker launch and also co-designed the shoe, which is an updated take on the Asics Gel-Resolution 9 — the same style Berrettini wears. In addition, in mid-August, Asics will unveil new social content featuring Mohammad El-Haj Ahmad, program director at the Kings County Tennis League (KCTL) in Brooklyn, N.Y., as part of its “Sound Mind, Sound Body” ambassadors program. Ahmad and his colleagues at the KCTL are on a mission to use the sport of tennis as a vehicle to unlock the potential for kids living in public housing in NYC. — Stephen Garner

Wilson

Get ready to see lots of Wilson at the U.S. Open. Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk recently signed on as the brand’s first 360 ambassador and will be dressed head-to-toe in its sportswear and will be playing with her Wilson racquet in competition. And as the official ball and racquet stringer at the tournament, the athletic label will be present at every match. Additionally, on the grounds at the open, Wilson’s pop-up store is set to return and will feature the latest tennis-inspired sportswear coming this summer, plus all the equipment used by the pros. — J.B.

Sarah Flint x Shiffon

To honor the 50th anniversary of the Women’s Tennis Association and the year the U.S. Open awarded equal prize money for men and women, Sarah Flint and fine jewelry brand Shiffon collaborated on a capsule shoe collection. “As female founders, Shilpa [Yarlagadda] and I are both passionate about supporting female entrepreneurship and celebrating other women’s successes,” Flint said. Within the line is limited-edition kitten heel and two high-heel pumps in multiple colorways. The shoes are inspired by the 1970s, as well as Shiffon’s best-selling pieces, such as the 1973 Tennis Pinky Ring. The collection, retailing for $595 to $795 on Sarahflint.com, features sparkling straps, ankle-wrap details and a green silk jacquard material inspired by tennis courts. Featured in the campaign is Olympic gold medalist and former No. 1 doubles player Bethanie Mattek-Sands. — Nikara Johns

Mizuno

Mizuno started rolling out its fall ’23 racquet sports footwear collection in July anticipation of several important events, including the U.S. Open in tennis and the second half of the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball seasons in the pickleball space. Key styles that hit the market in July included the Wave Exceed Tour 5 AC for the high-performance player (retailing for $130) and the ultra-lightweight Wave Exceed Light 2 AC ($110). Due in August is the Wave Enforce Tour AC, an all-new premium shoe for advanced players ($135). All styles feature the brand’s proprietary Enerzy foam. — J.B.

Head Sportswear x Bandier

To help introduce its racquet sports collections to the U.S. market, Head Sportswear has teamed up with buzzy retailer Bandier. The brand’s summer tennis and pickleball collections launched at Bandier’s Los Angeles flagship on Melrose in July, followed by a residency at its Flatiron store in August. “Our customers are obsessed with tennis right now and we are thrilled to be the first retailer to carry Head Sportswear,” said Bandier president Danielle LaFleur. The two are set to host an event in New York on Aug. 25 during the U.S. Open with Head athletes in attendance. Head’s summer collection consists of two classic tennis dresses in navy and white, and a tennis skirt that Bandier is carrying in raspberry, white and navy, along with a selection of skorts, leggings, tanks, polos, and color-blocked tracksuits. — J.B.

Yonex

Yonex ambassador Stan Wawrinka will be rocking a new racquet at the U.S. Open: the Percept. The athletic brand unveiled the Percept last week and it will officially launch on Aug. 25, replacing Yonex’s VCore Pro control-oriented frame. The brand’s goal was to offer users a sensory advantage by creating a racquet that maximizes a player’s connection from the racquet to the ball. The Percept frame features graphite with a Servo Filter technology that reduces unwanted vibration by 13 percent, while its FlexCon System provides 15 percent more flexibility in the shaft. — J.B.

For the Los Angeles Angels home opener, New Balance and Wilson have created a custom glove for Ohtani. New Balance said in a statement that Wilson master glove craftsman Shigeaki Aso collaborated with Ohtani to design the New Balance glove. It is modeled on Wilson’s A2K line of gloves that are made in Japan, and is made with Tan Pro Stock Select Leather and Double Palm Construction to meet Ohtani’s rigorous demands.

What’s more, New Balance said the glove will feature an embroidered 574 shoe on the wrist. The embroidered shoe, the brand explained, is a nod to Shohei’s relationship with New Balance that extends beyond baseball.

“New Balance’s dedication to product innovation, brand authenticity and letting me be myself is an important part of our relationship, and this glove shows that,” Ohtani said in a statement. “I used a prototype of the glove during the World Baseball Classic tournament and it helped me achieve my dream of bringing the world title home to Japan. The details on the glove are a way for me to live freely in baseball and have fun with product.”

The glove, which New Balance explained is based on an outfielder’s glove with longer fingers, is built with a wider pocket and a closed web design to meet a pitcher’s needs. In terms of materials, the glove is made with Wilson’s lightweight and water-resistant material SuperSkin along the thumb and wrist to reduce weight and improve durability.

Also, New Balance said Aso designed Ohtani’s glove with a tailored wrist strap for a secure fit while fielding and pitching, and to meet his requests for a stiffer glove that would not shift while playing, the glove designer included high-grade wool inserts in the thumb and pinky, as well as a modified palm liner with improved grip.

“From our very first conversation, Shohei has been a seamless fit into the New Balance family,” New Balance CMO and SVP of global marketing Chris Davis said in a statement. “His passion for the brand and his trust in our team will allow us drive innovation, stylistic expression and inspire the next generation of athletes.”

Ohtani and the Angels will face the Toronto Blue Jays tonight at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. The game will start at 6:38 p.m. PT.

New Balance announced it had signed Ohtani to an endorsement deal in January. Terms of the multiyear apparel and footwear deal were not disclosed.

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Footwear News may receive an affiliate commission.

If you’re one of the millions who picked up tennis as a hobby in recent years, then you know that the best tennis shoes are key to feeling comfortable and confident on the court. But if you’re a tennis newbie or you’ve sworn by the same shoes for years and are looking to change things up, it’s hard to know where to start when it comes to finding the best tennis shoes for women.

Tennis pro Bill Patton has over 30 years of experience in tennis as a coach and player, and has tested a ton of tennis shoes over the years. He says finding good tennis shoes is key, since they “improve your interaction with the court and give you confidence to move well without injury.” He adds that they can also help reduce fatigue, while helping boost quickness as you change direction.

So why buy special shoes for tennis instead of wearing whatever sneakers you have laying around? According to Elizabeth Bondi, a podiatrist at Northern Illinois Foot & Ankle Specialists, tennis shoes help with not only preventing injury but also help improve performance on the court.

“The design of the tennis shoe is meant for more lateral movement and stopping and starting as opposed that of a running shoe — which is built from more forward movement,” Bondi says.

What to look for when shopping for the best tennis shoes for women

Two of the most important factors to consider when shopping for tennis shoes is comfort and also if the shoe gives plenty of space for your toes.

“You want to get a tennis shoe that has a wider toe box that allows the toes to spread out to improve foot stability,” Bondi says. “If the shoe is too loose, then the foot is going to slide around too much and cause blistering and jamming of the toes.”

Patton echoes this sentiment, and mentions that you want to consider what type of surface you’ll play tennis on as that can help dictate what type of traction you need.

“If you play on a relatively smooth surface, you will want a shoe with more grip on the tread,” Patton says. “Conversely, a more rough surface goes better with a smoother shoe bottom.”

At the end of the day, keep comfort and the above features in mind, but also follow your instinct one what tennis shoes feel best.

“Perhaps no shoe will feel perfect, but a blend of good qualities is nice,” Patton adds. “You know your feet! Don’t ignore red flags, such as whether the side of the shoe rubs your toe, doesn’t give any room for the toes to slide forward or constricts your foot.”

How often should you replace your tennis shoes?

“Shoes degrade naturally,” Patton explains. “The PU [polyurethane] material becomes less springy over time.”

He notes that if you play less frequently, such as a maximum of twice a week, you should be get at least six months of wear out of your tennis shoes before needing to replace them. Conversely, if you play very competitively for hours at a time — say three or more times a week — he mentions that a pair might only last you a month.

Bondi agrees. “According to the USTA, the midsole of the tennis shoe starts to wear down between 45 to 60 hours, at which point the shoes should be replaced,” she says. “If you play tennis for an hour or more at a time, that means you could look at replacing your shoes pretty often, and less if you’re more of a casual player.”

Bondi mentions there are also other factors that can shorten the lifespan of shoes, including the court surface, style of play and weight of the player.

“The singles, hard court, or more aggressive player is going to wear down a shoe quicker than other court and player types,” says Bondi.

So, ready to find your perfect match? With the help of our experts, we compiled the best tennis shoes for women you can buy. Shop them ahead.

Want to up your shoe game? Sign up for Footwear News’ Weekly Style newsletter to stay in the know on the latest sneaker releases and best footwear finds to shop now.

K-Swiss Ultrashot 3

Best for out-of-the-box comfort

K-Swiss is known for making low-profile tennis shoes. Patton, who was formerly sponsored by K-Swiss, is a fan of its styles. He also points out that the brand started with making tennis shoes before branching out to other products. “K-Swiss styles are well known for fitting like a glove on your feet, having the best blend of qualities and not needing any break in period, ” he says.

Babolat Jet Match 3 All Court

Best women’s tennis shoes for wide feet

“People are raving about [Babolat’s styles] as low-profile performance shoes,” says Patton. “There’s great quality craftsmanship in this brand.” The Jet Match 3 is one of Babolat’s most popular styles and comes in wide widths. If you’re not looking for a wide shoe, the brand makes plenty of other standard and narrow fit options, too.

New Balance 806

Best New Balance tennis shoes

The New Balance 806 shoe features a Herringbone outsole that helps with side-to-side movement and quick pivots. If your feet sweat a lot, this shoe contains a special liner meant to help control sweat and keep you dry. “Like K-Swiss, [New Balance] does research on women’s feet for their women’s shoes,” says Patton. He notes that some brands shrink down men’s styles for women, but New Balance takes the extra step to make sure they get the women’s fit right.

Adidas Stella Court

Designed in partnership with Stella McCartney, the Adidas Stella Court shoes deliver on style and performance. They feature a breathable Prime-Knit upper, 3D-Torsion system for stability and support and boost capsules under the heel to create extra bounce and energy return. Patton is also a fan of Adidas, noting that its styles are very popular and worn on tour by many top players. “Adidas shoes are great for performance, but tend to slide on smoother surfaces,” he adds.

Xero 360

Best barefoot-style shoes for playing tennis

Barefoot-style shoes aren’t the conventional choice, but some podiatrists rave about their benefits — as does Patton, who recently started playing in them. “It takes time to get used to playing in these, but I am a recent convert. Now my feet are more flexible, my ankles are showing greater range of motion and my posture has improved while my calf muscles have become more supple,” says Patton. (Note: Patton does have a current affiliation with Xero Shoes.)

Asics Court FF 2

Best cushioned tennis shoes

Just like its popular running shoe models, Asics’ tennis shoes provide the support and comfort the brand is known for — with the Court FF 2 being no exception. “This style offers plenty of cushioning thanks to a proprietary gel system yet doesn’t sacrifice stability,” says Bondi, who adds that the shoes have great ventilation.

Nike Air Zoom Vapor Cage Pro

Best Nike tennis shoes for women

Nike is another popular brand for tennis styles, and Bondi is a fan of the Nike Air Zoom Vapor Cage 4. “[These have an] improved, wider toe box than previous versions with a new lacing pattern and lateral frame for improved stability,” says Bondi. He also notes that the shoes have good durability.

NB Fresh Foam X Lav V2

The fresh foam technology from New Balance gives you a nice cushion and bounce where you need it most. New Balance also improved the traction and durability on the these, so you don’t have to worry about sacrificing quality for style.

Reebok Prince Club C 85 Shoes

Best retro-style tennis shoes

Reebok collaborated with tennis brand Prince for these retro-style sneakers. The rose, chalk and mint colors are subtle, but offer fun details all the same. The upper is made with leather and mesh, and the shoes also feature a rubber outsole for stability. One Reebok.com reviewer noted that the shoes run about a half size small, so you may want to size up, especially if you’re in between sizes.

Nike RYZ 365 2 Serena Design Crew

Best statement tennis shoes for women

Designed in collaboration with tennis legend Serena Williams, these shoes make a statement on and off the court. The style provides stability and comfort, with a soft midsole and fun cutouts. One review on the Nike site said that they are, “very comfortable to walk in and offer great style as well. With the price point, you cannot beat getting these sneakers.”

Fila Axilus 2 Energized

Best tennis shoes for women with arch support

If you need more arch support, these Filas (which are known to be worn by the pros) contain an arch-boosting sock liner. The shoe also features a lightweight feel, with a rubber outsole designed for stability. One Amazon reviewer said they loved the shoes so much that they purchased a second pair. “Performs well on the court and broke in quickly,” the reviewer mentioned.

Adidas SoleCourt Prime Clay Boost Shoes

Best tennis shoes for clay courts

If you play on clay courts, you need shoes that can hold up to the more abrasive surface. Enter: Adidas’ SoleCourt Prime Clay Boost shoes. Designed specifically for playing on a clay court, the silhouette is meant to provide support and resist abrasion from repetitive movements. The design also supports quick changes on your feet while giving you a boost.

New Balance Women’s 796 V2 Hard Court Tennis Shoe

Best budget tennis shoes

If you’re looking for a solid tennis shoe without breaking the bank, look no further than these New Balance shoes, which clock in at under $50. They’re designed for an ultra-lightweight feel, so if you’re not a fan of clunky shoes, you’ll like these. One rave Amazon reviewer said, “The support is amazing. I have plantar fasciitis and usually have to wear a customer orthotic with my tennis shoe, but not with this pair. I’ve paid a lot more for less support.”

Wilson Rush 3.0

Best Wilson tennis shoes

Wilson is known as a leader in the tennis space, and created these shoes with women’s support needs in mind. The outsole is designed to prevent ankles from twisting with the brand’s 4D Support Chassis technology. Wilson says these shoes are ideal for balancing explosive movement with comfort and stability.

One Amazon reviewer also notes, “These shoes are roomy enough to accomodate custom inserts for arch support, without forcing me to buy a half size larger to fit the insert. I think I’m more nimble on the court in these shoes.”

It’s been nearly 48 years since Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in the “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match in 1973, and she’s still fighting for equality to this day. The tennis legend, 77, is busy promoting her new memoir, “All In,” where she talks not only about her sport but her history as an activist for women’s rights.

“Why do you think the King v. Riggs match was so important? It was because I was now in a male arena,” she said about the stark difference in representation for male and female athletes. “And 95% of the media is still controlled by men. That was about them, the media guys — because ‘it’s about me as a male.’ If I played another great woman, they wouldn’t have even cared.”

King’s passion for advocacy is part of the reason why women’s sports is where it is today.

It was King who in 1972 stood in front of Congress to testify on behalf of Title IX for girls and women to advance in their sport. When Title IX passed that year, it ended discrimination based on sex and remains one of the few laws that grants women equality in America. Billie Jean King then created the Women’s Sports Foundation, in part to protect the sports side of Title IX in 1974.

Without her, the current generation would not be in a position where they could earn the same amount of money as their male counterparts or receive scholarships to play sports in college — much less speak up on social issues or refuse press and attention, a debate that’s dominated the tennis world this year.

“We wished people would even listen to us then,” King told FN at the launch of Wilson’s New York pop-up. “So it was a different challenge.”

Current No. 2-ranked tennis star Naomi Osaka, a four-time major champion, has lately used her platform for social justice advocacy, but she garnered controversy in May for declaring that she would not be doing press conferences. She later withdrew from the French Open citing her mental health.

For King, to be activist and a leader for change, it all starts with caring for yourself, she said.

“You’re going to have to give more and more energy. You have to ask yourself questions like, ‘Am I taking care of myself?'” she said. “Now, my generation wouldn’t have asked that. Because we would have said, ‘How can we get one more person to watch us?'”

King added, “If you don’t take good care of yourself, you can’t take really good care of others. So if you need to not play, do not play. The human element has to come first, and once you get that balance the way you want it, then you can give more to others and give more out on the court and do more for what you care about. For me, I care about equality and inclusion, but we just did it because we had to. So the younger generation needs to take advantage of those choices from the generations before.”

While King admitted that she has not spoken to Osaka about her recent choices, she believes the game needs to be promoted. However, the tennis legend said that female athletes face undue scrutiny. For instance, they often are asked about their sexuality and other topics that the media doesn’t ask men.

King suggested a training or rookie school of sort to understand what it means to be a professional athlete or entertainer. And part of that has to do with the media. She also believes that the younger generation needs to look outside the bubble of their own brand to continue to push the sport forward and find what cause they may be fighting for.

“It’s not just about me or my career, it’s about everyone,” she said. “So how can you find that balance of giving enough back as well as taking care of yourself?”

Wilson Sporting Goods Co. is bolstering its brick-and-mortar presence. On Thursday in New York, the brand launched a pop-up museum and store. The move celebrates Wilson’s historic role when it comes to New York tennis as its the official ball and racket stringer of the US Open.

Inside the shop, located in New York’s SoHo neighborhood, consumers can experience the museum, titled, “Love All: A Wilson Tennis Experience,” which features Wilson’s milestones in tennis. It highlights athletes such as Billie Jean King, who was on hand to help launch the exhibit on Thursday, and her fight for Equal Rights, as well as Serena Williams and Roger Federer.

“We created this experience as an opportunity, specifically around the time of the US Open, to share how tennis is breaking down [its exclusionary] stereotypes, how we are participating in that — whether it be through the story of the first interracial tennis match to Billie Jean’s personal endeavors. When you think about tennis, it was the first sport that had equal pay between males and females,” Wilson sportswear president Gordon Devin told FN.

It also highlights Wilson’s upcoming collaboration with Kith, which includes the Kith x Wilson Pro Staff 97 tennis racket.

“With collabs, there must be a reason why. And the outcome of that purpose must be to create something that would not otherwise exist if these two companies did not come together to create it,” Devin said on the collab. “Kith’s Ronnie Fieg is a guy that has a vision to just improve the world and great collaborations have to start with a shared vision and purpose.”

In addition, the pop-up serves a Wilson retail location, offering tennis-inspired apparel collection for men and women, along with a curated assortment of footwear, balls, accessories and tennis rackets.

This is part of the company’s expansion program. While the heritage brand is known for its sporting equipment across football, basketball, baseball, tennis and golf, growing categories such as athleticwear and shoes are top of mind.

“When it comes to footwear and soft goods in general we are tiny in comparison to the major players and it is our major focus moving forward,” said Devin. “That is the transformation that you will see Wilson taking. You will see us go from the brand that everybody uses to the brand that you wear as well.”

Wilson’s New York debut comes a month after it opened its first-ever retail location, a “Wilson Heritage Store,” in Chicago in July. According to the company, more flagship store openings are down the pike for New York, Los Angeles, Beijing and Shanghai in coming months.