What kind of shoes should I wear?

Question: What kind of shoes should I wear?

Answer: Tennis involves lots of side-to-side motion, so you need a shoe that is built for lateral stability. Shoes made specifically for tennis are your best choice, of course, but basketball shoes will at least be safe. Running shoes are meant only for forward motion and are dangerously unstable for tennis, often causing severe ankle injuries. Deck shoes won't roll over like a running shoe, but your joints will take a pounding through the thin soles.

For much more on shoe choices, please see the Tennis Shoes FAQ.