Equipment

Tennis shoes are made especially for the game of tennis and differ from other shoes because they are made with a key characteristic that is necessary for the sport: lateral support. Tennis players are constantly in the act of sideways starts and stops and therefore need a great amount of lateral support or run the risk of serious injury.

Because the mid-sole material of an athletic shoe takes a pounding and eventually loses its ability to provide your child's foot with adequate support or cushioning, experts, such as Dr. Michael Lowe, past President of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, and long time team podiatrist of the NBA's Utah Jazz, recommend periodic replacement of athletic shoes, even if the bottom sole shows no sign of excessive wear.