Top Tennis Shoes to Prevent Ankle Sprains

By: Tracy Rolling

Tennis is a game of quick starts and stops which can result in a tremendous amount of strain on your feet and ankles. Wearing ankle-safe tennis shoes is one of the easiest solutions. This will help you avoid painful injuries triggered by sudden lateral movements such as ankle sprains, rolled ankles, plantar fasciitis, or other tennis-related foot injuries. It’s especially important for players who are prone to sprained ankles to wear shoes with the appropriate support and protection. These are the players who already know the cost of a foot injury. Sometimes it is more than a few points or a match, but it’s time away from the court. In this blog post we’ll share the best tennis shoes to prevent ankle sprains, as well as a few tips for improving ankle strength and stability.

Asics Gel Resolution X

Available in men’s and women’s sizes, the Asics Gel Resolution X were built for baseline players who want to hunt down every ball, every chance they get. These shoes are best known for features like DYNAWALL technology which offers exceptional stability during side-to-side movements and a DYNALACING system that ensures a secure fit. But the real ace is a higher medial collar that helps prevent ankle twisting during fast, abrupt cuts.

New Balance Coco CG2

The New Balance Coco CG2 is one of the few high-top-tennis, tennis shoes you’ll see on the court. Designed in collaboration with Coco Gauff, this signature tennis shoe features a top-tier underfoot technology with all-around ankle protection. Offered in unisex styles and colors, this second generation shoe comes in regular and wide width. It’s made for modern-day players who favor basketball-like sneakers and has an excellent grip on most hard court surfaces. This tennis shoe is useful for aggressive movers who don’t mind a little extra weight.

Babolat Jet Mach III

One of the best ankle-friendly tennis shoes is the Babolat Jet Mach III. Its core strength is to provide maximum agility with its lightness, comfort, and stability. Using Matryx technology and a redesigned Michelin sole, the Jet Mach 3’s are designed for players who make sudden starts and stops. They have superior traction and are surprisingly durable despite their lightweight build. This is one of Babolat’s top selling men, women, and junior players tennis shoes.

Diadora Blueshield Torneo 3

Another well qualified shoe with great ankle support is the Diadora Blueshield Torneo 3 tennis shoes. Designed to deliver comfort and performance on hard courts or clay surfaces, the Torneo 3’s are built with Suprelltech + air mesh upper and a D-Skin technology. This helps them maintain a high-level of comfort, breathability, support, and durability. But it’s really the medial reinforcement that is responsible for providing exceptional stability and shock absorption, and will keep men and women at the top of their game.

K-Swiss Hypercourt Supreme 2

Competitively priced, the K-Swiss Hypercourt Supreme 2 is the pinnacle of the hyper family. With updated technology, the Supreme 2 now offers a more secure fit, enhanced support, and increased durability—all while prioritizing maximum comfort. Engineered with Durawrap X, the support is outstanding as is the drag protection during swift movements. A Shock Spring inner foam helps the foot rebound with every step and the modified herringbone tread pattern, guarantees exceptional traction and durability across various court surfaces. These tennis shoes were built for uncompromising men and women, who demand high-performance footwear with first-rate ankle support.

Mizuno Wave Enforce Tour

Avoid ankle sprains wearing the Mizuno Wave Enforce Tour. Built for players who demand stability, durability, and lightweight performance, these tennis shoes have a concentrated cushioning system in the heel and midsole specifically designed for people with foot pain and who require extra ankle support. With a powerful DuRubber outrigger outsole, the Wave Enforce Tour 2 provides exceptional grip and rotational control for men and women who dominate the court with powerful groundstrokes.

Yonex Eclipsion 5

Men and women looking to experience an ankle-safe tennis shoe for hard court or clay surfaces need to check out the Yonex Eclipsion 5. Tailored for intermediate and advanced players, these shoes offer superior support during intense and dynamic footwork. They are particularly sturdy and will not only enable you to have precise movements and quick direction changes, but will give you a generous boost of confidence starting from your toes to the tip of your racquet.

Pro-Tips to Keep You on Your Feet

Below are some tips for building stronger tennis ankles and feet.

Strength & Conditioning

Do calf raises (3 sets of 10 reps)
Practice ankle bends (inversion/eversion)
Single-leg balance drills (2 to 3 times each)

Balance & Pronation

Single-leg squats (2 or 3 sets of 5 rep)
Utilize a balance board
Hop over or zig-zag through cones

Pre-Game Warm-Up

Run the court lines
Do 5 minutes of dynamic warm-up (jumping jacks, leg swings)
Lateral shuffles across the court and back

Smart Play Habits

Inspect the court for cracks and debris
Rest when your feet or ankles feel fatigued
Practice controlled footwork

Best Tennis Footwear Practices

Wear tennis-specific shoes with good lateral support
Replace worn out court shoes
Use ankle braces or wraps if you’re prone to injuries

In Summary

By wearing the right tennis shoes to prevent ankle sprains, and using the pro-tips mentioned above, you’ll not only avoid these painful conditions, but you’ll perform at your optimum level. Check out more tennis equipment and find the Best Tennis Shoes to Prevent Ankle Sprains at Midwest Racquet Sports. GEAR UP! GAME ON!