The U.S. Open is finally here, and we’re already blocking off our schedule to watch this year’s action unfold. If there’s anything better than the can’t-miss matches and inevitable upsets, it’s definitely the style. Between the flouncy skorts, preppy polo dresses, and accessories, we’ll be glued to the screen for inspiration we can copy in our own on-court outfits.
Top of our list this year is a pair of Asics sneakers. More specifically, the Asics Gel-Resolution 9 Tennis Shoes ($120), which are the sneakers of choice for competitors like American tennis pros Alycia Parks and Coco Vandeweghe.
Claire Liu, another American athlete competing in the 2023 U.S. Open, loves the Gel-Resolution 9s for their consistent, supportive fit. “Tennis is a very quick-twitch sport with lots of change of direction and I feel very secure and supported when I’m moving on the court with them,” she says. “Not only are the Gel-Resolution 9s light and supportive, but they’re also extremely comfortable. Putting in hours on the court and playing matches almost every week puts a lot of wear and tear on shoes, and these hold up very well.”
Asics, Gel-Resolution 9 — $120.00
Available sizes: women’s 6-12, in half sizes
Colors: 5
- Designed for baseline play
- Rearfoot and forefoot gel technology for better shock-absorption
- Supreme stability
- Grippy rubber outsole for better tread
- Lightweight upper
- Made with recycled materials
- Might feel stiffer than some other tennis shoes
- Runs small
Designed specifically for the baseline (the parallel line at the back of the court), the Gel-Resolution 9 sneakers boast a range of features that make them a grand slam for tennis, pickleball, and more. The Gel cushioning system in the rear- and forefoot absorbs impact, ensuring you comfort during intense rallies while reducing the risk of strain on your joints. There’s also the Flexion Fit upper, which not only offers a glove-like fit but also enhances breathability, keeping your feet cool and dry through every set.
Another “ace” feature of these tennis shoes is their specialized outsole. Designed with a herringbone pattern and a pivot point, they provide exceptional traction and stability on various surfaces, particularly on clay or acrylic. This ensures that quick lateral movements and explosive sprints at the baseline are executed successfully and, above all else, safely. (No one wants to slip or roll an ankle when it really counts.) Combined with extra stability in the midsole and upper, the Gel-Resolution 9s are a grand slam when it comes to lateral stability.
Other athletes, like 2022 semi-finalist Caroline Dolehide and Swiss athlete Belinda Bencic, are wearing the Asics Solution Speed FF 2 ($140) tennis shoes. While the Gel-Resolution 9s are designed for baseline play, the Solution Speed FF 2s are engineered for all-court play, meaning they’re faster and lighter for swift movements. Most of their flexibility comes from the upper, which is lightweight and breathable as opposed to stiff and structured; this allows them to be extra fast for rapid changes of direction and agile footwork.
Asics, Solution Speed FF 2 — $140.00
Available sizes: women’s 6-12, in half sizes
Colors: 5
- Designed for all-court play
- Lightweight foam and gel delivers supreme flexibility and shock-absorption
- Durable grippy outsole for excellent tread
- Supreme stability
- Lightweight upper
- Made with recycled materials
- Some players might prefer a more stiff upper
- Runs small
Another key difference between both sneaks is the use of the brand’s FlyteFoam in the Solution Speed FF 2s in addition to Gel. Asics’ proprietary foam allows for serious shock absorption on hard surfaces while allowing for excellent propulsion. This means they’re faster and bouncier at the draw for diving after stray balls and cutting back and forth across the court during serious rallies.
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You don’t need to be an elite athlete to wear these shoes, though. Sure, they’re made for professional-level play, but that doesn’t mean us leisurely players can’t wear them either. If anything, they’re bound to make you the most popular guy or gal at your weekly tennis match or after-work pickleball league; to be able to say, “Yeah, these are the same shoes Caroline Dolehide is wearing at the Open this year, no big deal,” is one helluva flex.
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