Benoit Benaibbouche - A 5 Year Tennis-Miami Veteran

Benoit Benaibbouche, Tennis-Miami's very own French tennis phenom. Despite the French Open having wrapped up this month, Benoit has our full attention as he has been playing down in Miami for several years and has played over 200 matches! And he's loved each and every one of them.

Here's a bit more about Benoit:

Which league are you a member of? 

I participate with Tennis-Miami.

How long have you participated in your league? 

I started in late 2010.

How did you first learn about it? 

From a player I met at a tennis club.

How often do you play? 

Twice a week is usually my minimum.

What do you like most about the league? 

I like meeting new players and facing new challenges. The organization as a whole is great, and I like the idea of competing with people who have the same passion about tennis.

Tell us about your most memorable match(es) 

It was a tournament final back in late 2012. We played in Key Biscayne—great court, great temperature, and a great rival—Nelson Machado. He is a fantastic player and I had never beat him before. I played my best tennis and won in straight sets. I pushed myself so much as I knew a trophy would be the most exciting award as my son—also a tennis a player—asked me to bring him a trophy… now it’s sitting in his room!

Who are your favorite rivals in the league? Why? 

Honestly, all the players I meet are fantastic rivals. In general I love to play better players to step my game up.

Do you have any other interesting comments about your experiences with the league? 

Nothing except the fact that it really is the best. I wish I had more time to promote it more, but overall it’s a well rounded and great league.

How did you get started playing tennis? 

Against a wall in my hometown Paris, France, in the back of a large parking lot behind the house I grew up in. It sounds like the stories of many big champions, I wish I was one of them!

What level player are you? (NTRP rating)

4.0

What do you love about tennis? 

It’s a complete game: Physical, cardio, mental, legs, upper body, and the HEAD! And its never over until it’s over, unlike most other sports where they reach a time limit and the game is over.

Who are your favorite pro players? Why? 

Federer. He’s a legend: Class, style, fair play, calm, superb tennis… Just a huge fan.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I work in a high-end watch group, traveling in the Americas. French born, but I’ve been in the USA for over 17 years. I love traveling to tennis destinations with my wife and son who is a tennis lover too.

How to Play Tennis in the Heat of Summer

As you know, tennis can really get your heart pumping and body sweating, but in the Summer it can sometimes be too much because of the heat.

Nobody wants to have to sit inside though—they want to play the game they love. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to stay safe when it’s hot out.

Stay Hydrated

The biggest risk from playing tennis outside in hot weather is heat exhaustion. This is when the body’s core temperature begins to rise above the normal 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. It can induce nausea, dizziness, cramps, and even fainting.

If left alone, heat exhaustion can turn into a heatstroke. A more serious medical condition that can lead to permanent damage to the body. All in all, an unpleasant experience to be avoided.

One of the biggest causes of heat exhaustion is dehydration. To prevent dehydration, you should bring several cold bottles of water and/or sports drinks with you on the court.

In between every game, or changeover, you should drink enough water to where you’re full. Even if you’re not thirsty, you should drink. It is a good insurance against heat exhaustion.

Consume Electrolytes 

Another leading cause of heat exhaustion is electrolyte loss. When your body sweats, it removes essential nutrients like salt and potassium from the body. This is why products like Gatorade include plenty of electrolytes to help restore that activity during strenuous exercise.

It’s also a good idea to consume foods that contain salt and potassium before matches, so that when you sweat it won’t be detrimental.

Acclimate to the Heat 

If you haven’t played tennis all summer, and it’s already in the midst of August, you may be in for an unpleasant awakening if you try to match your usual level of play. The body needs to adapt to hot environments, and not over a period of hours, but days.

If you plan on playing tennis during the summer, give yourself a few ways to get prepared. This can mean either taking a brisk walk in the afternoon, or just hitting a few rallies with a partner and wrapping things up quickly. After a few days, you can get back to your typical tennis routine.

Reduce Your Playing Time 

If you’re playing in a tournament or a match through Tennis League or another organization, there are guidelines that must be followed year round. However, if you’re just playing a casual game of tennis you may want to consider reducing the overall amount of time played.

For example, instead of playing 3 sets, play 2. Instead of playing for 2 hours, play for 90 minutes. These reductions are your best bet against heat exhaustion.

There are many ways to stay cool 

Take Breaks

Not only is the heat going to increase your temperature, but playing a tennis match will as well. This is why it is a good idea to take breaks when possible, so that you can reduce your body temperature periodically during the match.

Wear Sunscreen 

Sunscreen won’t prevent dehydration or heat exhaustion, but it’s something that people often forget when spending extended amounts of time out in the sun. If your prone to burning, put plenty on before you head outside.

It’s a good idea to use sunscreen designed for sports, as it is less likely to come off from sweat.

5 Reasons Tennis Will Keep You Fit and Healthy

One of the great things about tennis is that it’s not only a ton of fun, but it’s a great way to stay in shape. This is important because a lot of people have a hard time staying in shape because they aren’t motivated to get to the gym. However, once these people fall in love with tennis they’ll be able to reap all the health benefits.

Here are a few:

image via fitafterfifty

Tennis is Good for Longevity 

Although tennis can cause some elbow and knee pain, for the most part injuries are few and far between. It is generally a low-impact sport and doesn’t require a person to exert themselves to the point of an injury.

Because of this, people can play tennis throughout their lifetime. This is one of the reasons the sport is so popular. Tennis is enjoyed by people of all ages because it is conducive to anyone’s level of physical fitness. Yes, being a great tennis player does require speed and agility but if you play people at your level of physical fitness then it’s an even playing field.

Improves Heart Health 

Heart disease is the single leading cause of death in the United States, yet it is so preventable. Fortunately, tennis is a great activity for improving cardiovascular health.

One great aspect of tennis is that it is a form of both anaerobic and aerobic exercise. That is, it requires you to run short sprints during sets (anaerobic), but also takes place over long durations and requires an exertion of effort for 1-2 hours (aerobic). This combination lowers your risk of heart disease and stroke down the road.

Healthy Muscle Development 

During a tennis match you’re going to use many of the muscles in your body: Your thighs and calves when sprinting, as well as your back, arms and shoulders when swinging. These aren’t just static movements either, which keeps your joints healthy.

Playing tennis won’t make you a bodybuilder, but it will help keep muscles toned and in great shape.

Boosts Flexibility and Balance

Tennis is a sport that requires you to constantly be moving your whole body. You must be able to quickly spot the ball, chase it down, and reach out to get it (flexibility). You then have to be able to stay upright (Balance) so that you can get back in position to receive the next shot.

Playing tennis regularly helps to keep all these movement in sync, which can carry over to other areas of life.

Burns Plenty of Calories 

Running across the court, lunging, twisting, jumping and turning—tennis can be quite the workout. It requires you to use every part of your body which means you’re going to be exerting more effort overall.

Tennis is a great way to burn calories and burns more calories than many traditional forms of exercise like walking, cycling and weight lifting. In fact, according to HealthStatus, a 150-lb. person can burn approximately 414 calories in an hour of singles tennis. While a 190-lb. person can burn 524 calories in an hour of singles tennis.

In fact, we calculated that from the 140,440+ Tennis League Matches played, the average player has burned 1,200 calories!

If you’re looking for a great way to stay in shape, play a competitive sport, and have a ton of fun, sign up to Tennis League in your city today.

How to Dominate Your Doubles Matches

Playing a doubles match as someone who exclusively plays singles can be a significant change. Despite the rules being the same (with the exception of the doubles line), people often fail to adjust to the dynamic of a doubles match.

To really dominate your doubles matches, you need to work closely with your partner and adapt to this structure. Here are a few of the most important factors to keep in mind when playing:

Look Forward 

It’s tempting to turn around at your partner when you’re posted up at the net. However, this is a poor habit. Your eyes needs to be on your opponents.

When your partner is hitting the ball, you should watch what your opponents are doing. They may be running up towards the net to hit a volley, or backing up to hit a powerful ground stroke. These split second differences may seem subtle, but in tennis they are very important.

The non-serving player has eyes across the net

Communicate Effectively 

You should be talking to your partner on a regular basis throughout the match. This is so that you can let your partner know where you are going, where they should go, what your intentions are etc.

If you’re not used to communication on the court, or don’t feel comfortable with it, start small. Perhaps let your partner know where you intend to serve.

Communication on the court doesn’t have to be limited to movement or technique—it can just be words of encouragement.

It’s also a good idea to avoid too much ‘teaching’ on the court. Technique is best honed during practice sessions, and people may take advice as criticism which will only diminish their play.

Take Charge 

Going off the last point, because people play doubles with a close friend or significant other, people tend to shy away from giving out commands.

It may seem a bit uncomfortable, but giving out directions is crucial when playing doubles—this goes for both partners. If you can’t chase down a ball, let your partner know. If you think they should poach a return, tell them.

Know Your Role as the Non-hitter 

During a singles match you’re going to be hitting every shot that comes on your side of the net, so if you play singles exclusively you may be tempted to chase down every shot. However, in doubles you have to determine when to take the shot, and when to let your partner get it.

This goes back to clear communication and taking charge. If you can get the ball, go for it. If not, tell your partner to chase after it.

When you’re not hitting the ball, and your partner is you need to be analyzing the court: Where is the weakness on your side, where are they positioned, where are you positioned relative to the ball etc.

The best Doubles Duo of all-time

Practice as a Team 

The most dominant doubles teams are the ones that have great chemistry like the Bryan brothers. As siblings, they had many opportunities growing up to play tennis together. Over the years they learned each others’ strengths and weaknesses and have seemingly applied those to their game.

To really dominate your matches, you should minimize the number of partners you have. The more you play with a particular person, the better you two will get.

Looking to Play Competitive Doubles Matches in Your Area?

We have doubles leagues in many of our leagues across the country--from Baltimore, to Denver to San Francisco!

Check out the Tennis League website in your city for more details.

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Images via TennisWorldUSA and HitItOver

Sign Up Today for a Competitive Tennis Tournament in Your Area

Are you looking for a fun and competitive way to play quality tennis players in your area? Then you have to sign up for our Tennis League Tournaments!

Our tournaments are a fantastic way to play tennis in a competitive setting in your city. All matches are designed for your utmost convenience and enjoyment.

When you sign up, you:

- Are guaranteed to play at least 2 matches (Single elimination tourney and then consolation bracket if you lose the first match)
- Play at a time and place that is convenient for both players
- Play competition that is no more than +0.5 points of a higher rating

We kick off a tourney with at least 6 players. If we can NOT reach this criteria then we will refund your entry fee and give you the next tournament for NO COST.  Each Tournament our hope is to run multiple skill level brackets for each tournament.

Here are some great things our most recent tournament winners are saying:

Dylan Reffe

Convenient to Your Schedule

"TennisDC makes setting up the matches easy, they give you a date to have the match completed by, and your opponents email/phone number." - Dylan Reffe

A Competitive Environment 

"I think the idea of having a single elimination tournament is great, considering most of the tennis tournaments are like that, also this increases the competitive level, since nobody wants to be eliminated in the first round." -Enrique Padilla

Eric DeClerck

Plenty of New Competitors to Play 

“I liked the tournament this past May. The matches were really competitive and I got to play a couple players that hadn't been around in the flex leagues, so it was good to face some different players. I generally liked that I didn't know who I was going to be playing or what to expect when its usually just the opposite in the regular flex league, where I've played most of the people through the years." -Eric DeClerck

All Tourney Participants Have a Chance to Win Prizes 

”I also liked that there was prize money much closer in reach. Even though its not like we're playing for the money of course, it makes it fun and competitive. Its also one of the things that makes the TennisDC unique from other leagues like USTA or ACTA in our area.” -Eric DeClerck

Your Chance to Win Great Prizes

The prize pool will be based upon enrollment in each bracket. A tournament can have multiple brackets. The tournament prize structure is based around our partner Tennis Warehouse (TW).

6 to 8 players: $50 TW Gift Card for the winner*, $25 TW GC for Finalist, $25 TW GC for Consolation bracket winner
9 to 13: $100 TW GC for the winner* + Trophy, $50 TW GC for Finalist, $25 TW GC for Consolation winner
14 to 19: $150 TW GC for the winner* + Trophy, $50 TW GC for Finalist, $25 TW GC for 3rd & 4th place, $50 TW GC for Consolation winner
20+: $200 TW GC for the winner* + Trophy, $100 TW GC for Finalist, $25 TW GC for 3rd and 4th place, $50 TW GC for Consolation winner

Tournament costs in 2015 will be set at $19.95 This is a great price that allows you to play multiple matches against competitive players.

Sign Up Today!! 

We frequently hold tournaments year-round, so please check our schedule of events to see when our next tournament is. Don't miss it.     Tennis League Network, llc

Darren Smolkin - Approaching a Record Breaking Season

Darren Smolkin, a Tennis-Los Angeles player, is currently on an exciting chase to break the record for most matches played in a year. The current record, set in 2012 by Jorge Daniels, is 147. Darren is easily on pace to break that with 91 matches already played this year!

What makes it even more impressive is that Darren just started playing tennis 2 years ago (at age 45). Since then he has honed his skills and sports a winning record in the Advanced Men's division.

Here's a bit more about Darren's life on an off the court:

Which league are you a member of? Tennis Los Angeles (advanced division) . https://www.tennislosangeles.com/60583/profile

How long have you participated in your league? Since January, 2014

How did you first learn about it? Through a friend who plays in Tennis LosAngeles, Alex De Castro Profile

How often do you play? I play 4-8 matches a week

What do you like most about the league? Being able to find someone to play pretty much whenever I want to. Also, being able to play different types of players which keeps me on my toes and helps me improve

Tell us about your most memorable match(es): I have a few that stand out above all the others. My first match in the league against David Goldman. I never played competitive sports before and had only been playing tennis for a year-- I was extremely nervous the entire  match. I ended up losing, but it was still fun.

After being in the league at the 3.0 division for 6 months, they bumped me up to the 3.5. I ended up getting slaughtered. I played Andy McCormac and he beat me 6-1,6-1. He had a very powerful forehand and I was scared to play him again. They put me back down to the 3.0 and I started to take lessons. After 4 months, they moved me back up to the 3.5. I played Andy again, still lost but fared much better. Within the last 6 months, I have been playing him and winning almost every time. he now says he is "scared" to play me! What a compliment.

Lastly, the final match in the spring 2015 playoffs against Valentin Ionescu Tiba, which I won, will always be my most memorable match.

Championship Bracket:  https://www.tennislosangeles.com/3336/tournament_report

Who are your favorite rivals in the league? Why? By far my favorite rival is Keiji Tomita. He is the ultimate defender. He gets everything back. He has won most of the times we have played, but they have always been close. I get a great workout playing him and always feel like I just came back from war after our matches.

Do you have any other interesting comments about your experiences with the league? This league is great because anytime you want to play tennis you can find a person to play with, whereas if you're trying to play with friends their schedule may not match yours.

What do you love about tennis? The part of tennis I love the most is the workout. I would much rather lose 7-5,4-6,7-5 than win 6-1,6-1. Nothing beats playing a long, close match, win or lose.

Tell us a little bit about yourself: I grew up in Canada and moved to Los Angeles in 1995. I am a dentist, married with 2 kids. Prior to playing tennis, I did not do any cardiovascular activity. I was heavy into weightlifting for the last 20 yrs. I happened on tennis by accident when I was 45 (2 yrs ago) and have been addicted ever since.

The tennis league keeps a running stat page for the most number of matches played by anyone in the league over the whole country ever since the league has been in existence. The top player has played 147 matches. I'm planning to blow this out of the park with a number that will never be touched. My goal is 200 matches, it is now the beginning of June and I have played 91. I might even surpass my goal!


By Bryan Rosenthal
Tennis League Network Blogger

Joezen Punongbayan - A Go Getter On and Off the Court

Joezen Punongbayan, a Tennis-Los Angeles player.
  
He grew up in LA and continues to live and work here, raising young boy/girl twins. He is the winner of our inaugural tournament and we look forward to seeing more victories from him.

Which league are you a member of? Tennis Los Angeles

How long have you participated in your league? Off and on since 2008 (just reconnected in 2015)

How did you first learn about it? Through an online search

How often do you play? About once or twice a week

What do you like most about the league? The flexibility of scheduling it offers

Tell us about your most memorable match(es): First round in the April Tourney, I played the #1 seed and was up in the first set and actually had a few set points. I ended up losing the set in a tie-break. Normally I would be dejected and lose the second set 1-6 or something like that. But I dug deep and was able to pull off the 2nd set and really wear down my opponent in the 3rd. That was my toughest match and I ended up winning the entire tourney!

Who are your favorite rivals in the league? Why? Victor Kowalewski because his game gives me trouble with all the spins, drops, and also powerful lefty forehand. I like a challenge and it makes me have to think on the court.

How did you get started playing tennis? In 8th grade because I had a friend who played tennis and invited me to play.

What level player are you? (NTRP rating) - I'd say I'm a 4.0.

What do you love about tennis?  The mental aspect is the most challenging so I love that the most. I also love the aspect of movement, since my biggest strength is that I can get to 

any ball that comes over the net.

Who are your favorite pro players? Why? Novak Djokovic. He's got amazing form and is both defensive and offensive in his game. I liked him way before he was number 1, so I didn't jump on the bandwagon.

Tell us a little bit more about yourself: I grew up in Los Angeles playing at Poinsettia and Plummer Park courts. I love to write and hope to do more of that in the future. I have 3 1/2 year old twins who keep me busy. For work, I head the Product Marketing department at a marketing analytics company that helps other companies figure out how to optimize their marketing budget to maximize sales/revenue.

https://www.tennislosangeles.com/

https://www.tennislosangeles.com/13228/profile


By Bryan Rosenthal
Tennis League Network Blogger

4 Tennis Drills to Boost Speed and Agility

In order to really dominate your competition, you’re going to need more than a powerful serve and flawless ground strokes. You need to be able to get to the ball, fast!

This requires a player to develop speed and agility so that they can react quickly enough to reach any ball that comes in their court.

Here are 4 great drills that all players must complete:

Run & Shuffle

image via tennisworkout

This drill helps to develop foot work by forcing players to properly transition for forward to lateral movement. This drill can also be performed while being fed balls from a partner.

1. Set up 3 cones along the base line, one in the center and two where the baseline and singles line intersect. Have the trainee stand towards either end.

2. If desired, have someone on the opposite side of the court feed the ball to the opposite end where the player is standing.

3. The trainee should start by doing a lateral shuffle towards the center cone, and once that center cone is reach they can turn into a sprint to reach the ball.

4. The player can return the ball with either a forehand or backhand.

Perform: 3 sets of 10 repetitions (1 repetition being crossing the width of the court) Rest: 1 minute between sets, as little as possible between repetitions

Call a Cone

This exercise will enhance agility reaction time in trainees by forcing them to respond quickly to commands:

1. Place 4 cones in the court about 10-15 feet apart in the shape of a square court to form a square (Two towards the baseline and two towards the net).
2. Assign each cone a respective number 1-4.
3. Have the trainee stand in the center, and call out a number 1-4. The trainee will then run to that cone, and return to the center.
4. The numbers should be called out in rapid succession so that the trainee is constantly moving.

Perform: 3 sets (30-60 seconds of movement). Rest: 1-2 minutes between sets

Drop Shot

Players must be able to quickly chase down drop shots in a match. This drill will force them to quickly locate and reach any given ball.


1. Have the player stand several feet behind the base line, and another person several feet behind the net on the opposite side.

2. Have the partner hit a light drop shot on the player’s side of the net.

3. The trainee must then sprint to return the drop shot allowing only one bounce.

Perform: 2 sets (6-8 drop shots). Rest: <1 minute between sets

‘Suicide’ Sprints

This is a grueling exercise that will really wear someone out. It is best done at 95% of full speed. Because this exercise is so draining, save it for the end of practice or workout session.

1. Start outside the doubles line. When ready, run directly to the singles line several feet in front of you. 
2. Turn around, run back to the doubles line, and touch the line.
3. Turn back around and run to the center of the court. Touch the line (if applicable) and run back to the outside of the court.
4. Repeat this until you touch each line going vertically across the court.

Perform: 2-3 sets Rest: 2 minutes between sets


By: Bryan Rosenthal
Tennis League Network Blogger

French Open Racquet Giveaway

There is no better time to be involved with the Tennis League Network. The weather is gorgeous and only hopes to get better. The professional tennis circuit is about to reach its most exciting time with Grand Slams coming fast and furious in back to back to back months. 

And speaking of Grand Slams, the French Open is upon us! What better way to celebrate than by giving away racquets to our valued Tennis League Network players! All players that purchase a paid program, $25 or more, during the French Open, will be entered into a racquet giveaway lottery. Eight (8) racquets will be given away in the lottery. 

The good part about our lottery is that not only do you have a really good chance to win, you'll also know each winner as they'll be posted on the website when each drawing occurs. Real people winning real prizes, how could you go wrong? 

As with any lottery, the more purchases you make, the better shot you have at claiming the ultimate prize. Purchases valued between $24 and $49 will earn 1 entry into the lottery; purchases valued between $50 and $74 will earn 2 entries into the lottery; and purchases valued at $75 or greater will earn 3 entries into the lottery.

This is a national promotion across all the cities in the network! Tennis League Network, LLC will purchase the racquet and have it shipped to the customer within 1 week. Any amount above $150 for the racquet will need to be covered by the winner. If the player chooses a racquet that costs less than $100 including shipping, we'll give a $25 Gift Card on top of the racquet purchase. The earlier you sign up the more chances you will have to win! And let's be honest, everyone could use a brand new racquet for the season.


Fine Details

** The maximum cost that TLN will spend on the racquet will be $150.00 shipping included.
** Any amount over that must be covered by the player.
** Entry into the lottery does not guarantee you a prize; it just gives you a chance to win.

The Best Footwear for Grass, Clay, and Hard Courts

Mike James

Content Editor

www.sovereign-sports.co.uk

    You may have noticed that many of the world’s top tennis players combine their playing style with the court on which they are competing on. Some are hugely fond of a specific type of court, with grass, clay and hard courts featured throughout the ATP World Tour and at some of tennis’ biggest competitions, such as the French Open, the US Open and Wimbledon.

    Rafael Nadal has had notable success on clay courts in the past, while current number one Novak Djokovic has now won five Australian Open titles which take place on hard court surfaces. Experienced tennis players will tell you that one of the most important aspects of your game when competing on varying court surfaces is your footwear. While top payers change their style to suit a specific surface, they also make a habit of changing their shoes.

    If you study the movement of the ball at one of the four major tennis tournaments, you’ll notice some interesting differences. Wimbledon is played on grass which causes the ball to stay low and flash off the surface of the court. On the other hand, the movement of the ball at Rolland Garros is very much determined by the bounce effect caused by the clay surface. This means the game speed becomes a lot slower to accommodate the bounce.

    Tennis players have to change their game to adapt to the surface, which is why footwear plays an essential role in improving your game. To ensure you’re fully equipped for all types of tennis surfaces, here’s a guide you can use when shopping for tennis footwear.

The Best Footwear for Grass Courts

    Wimbledon has always been a tournament for the big servers. The likes of Pete Sampras, Andy Roddick, John Isner, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Juan Martin Del Potro have all flourished at Wimbledon in the past thanks to the quick grass surface. The serve and volley style has thrived at Wimbledon over the years with players taking full advantage of the surface to race to the net after a serve. All this movement requires footwear with excellent grip, flexibility and a falter out-sole.

    The grip is vital as grass courts can be quite slippery. Grass courts tend to wear out over time and they also attract plenty of due, so there’s always the chance a player might slip and suffer injury if they aren’t using the correct footwear. In order to not wear out a grass court, a flat out-sole is required. You are required to wear completely flat shoes when competing at Wimbledon. The flexibility ensures you aren’t restricted of movement when having to dash across court for a return or volley. 

The Best Footwear for Clay Courts

    Clay courts cause the ball to bounce higher, thus resulting in a much slower game compared to Wimbledon. The clay courts at Roland Garros often host a unique baseline playing style, commonly adopted by Rafael Nadal. The slow court gives Nadal the option to unleash powerful shots from the baseline. You’re most than likely to be moving regularly from side to side when playing on clay courts, which will demand excellent grip, durability, lateral support and a well-designed out-sole from your footwear.

    You get very little traction for clay courts, so a strong grip is vital. The well-designed outsole keeps clay off of your grooves and doesn’t mark the court, which can potentially save you from injury. The durable sides ensure your shoes won’t be damaged from constantly sliding from one side of the court to the other. You’ll also need lateral support when moving in this way.

The Best Footwear for Hard Courts

    Hard courts are often regarded as being neutral ground, with the bounce and speed of the play very much in between that of the effects of clay and grass courts. Many different playing styles can perform well on hard courts, but it’s still essential that you have the correct footwear to ensure your playing style reaches top form. Most hard court footwear requires cushioning, a tough upper and a tough out-sole.

    The toughness and durability of the out-sole is vital if your footwear is to handle the harder surface. You don’t want your trainers gradually deteriorating as the match goes on. Hard courts can cause plenty of stress on your legs and knees, so having that cushion from your footwear can help to prevent injuries. You’ll also need stability from your footwear which can be provided by a tough upper, thus ensuring less constriction when moving around the court.