Tennis Equipment Costs - It's a bargain

I'm guessing at these prices based on memory but here is a representation of how to value your tennis gear.

Late 1970's Corolla $2k, Stan Smith Shoes $12-15, Jack Kramer Racket $20-25. Current price Corolla $20k, Newest Endorsed Shoes $60-130, Newest Endorsed Racket approx. $200. Everything went up 10x since mid 70's as the dollar went down in value.

The quality has improved generally along with the technology so I'd say we're good on most things. Don't buy the latest frame and when you find a frame you love pick up a dozen of them when they are being discontinued. You can always get your money back on Ebay if you switch out.

Pick shoes that work for you and avoid the logos with endorsements that add cost. If you are hard on shoes get and apply shoe-goo at Wal-M and wear those shoes when practicing and not playing or teaching.

Clothing, well that's your call but the modern fabrics are so much better at surviving stains, wear, and maintaining color that if you get the top quality stuff and wash cold you'll have it for years.

No matter what you think the value versus cost of tennis equipment right now is as good as it has ever been. Just don't think that you can buy skill with fancy equipment. Do the deep and repetitive spending on training, instruction , and competition whenever possible.


Addendum: Everything went up but tennis balls. I think they were $2 a can in 1960 and haven't seemed to budge since then. Spend your money on new tennis balls and laugh.

Foot Health for Tennis

Most experienced players know that the health of their feet is a foundational necessity to surviving a grueling tennis competition.  Injuries can take you off the court and cause you to lose matches by having to withdraw if the pain becomes unbearable or if you feel that you are risking permanent injury.  Additionally,  your safety is enhanced if as your movements require more athletic efforts that you have a stable platform to transport yourself around the court.

Shoes

The first thing is to make sure you spend your money on very good tennis shoes.   I've found ASICS to be one of the best though I currently use the Brooks Beast which is as much a running shoe as a tennis shoe.  I ended up finding that shoe by going to a podiatrist to help alleviate back pain.  With a wide platform for a 4EEE width and a high arch this particular shoe is the one recommended to me.  It has served me well for a decade though they aren't inexpensive  but they aren't cheaply made either.  I haven't tried the ASICS in a long time but the reviews suggest they haven't lost their appeal. 
Keep in mind that some running style shoes offer less lateral support than is needed for competitive tennis so find a shoe that provides enough lateral movement protection that you won't easily turn an ankle.  Purely dedicated running shoes tend to sit higher with all the added cushioning and depending on the shape of the shoe might lead to instability on sideways movements.  I learned this the hard way myself but with a very wide shoe it seems less of a problem.

Socks

The second is to consider the quality of the socks you wear and even consider wearing two pairs if you want the extra padding and don't want to go for the high end tennis socks that are out there.  My favorite is shown below.  These are some of the best tennis socks available and the company has been around for decades.  These are thick enough that wearing two pair probably won't suit you but another option is to get an ankle length sport sock and then wear a crew length sock over it.  If they both have moderate or limited padding the combined width will still work.  But if you go for the quality and price for top performance you might try the Thorlos.

Gel Inserts

And finally we get to additional cushioning.  I started using gel inserts because of the time spent on the court just took its toll and this is a good way to soften the feel on the court.    

Final Note:  If you do go with two pairs of socks or even a very thick sport sock and then add gel inserts you may have to go up in size on the shoe.  That is what I have done though it may not be recommended by specialists.  Since I don't play competition any longer and need joint and spine protection this is a good way to soften the shock of hard tennis courts on an old body.  If you are young and spend a lot of time on soft courts then it may not be an issue for you.  

Disclaimer:   
As with all things related to health I recommend that you should consult your health professional and since we're talking feet that would be a podiatrist.  I just shared my experiences that might help you in the decision process.  Use your own judgement and consider the ideas listed above as informational but please do your own research to find the safest and best solution.

News: Britney needs shoes, Novak vs Tyson, Nishikori, Murray, Novak Recovery, Svitolina, Ken Flach Passes Away

Britney Needs Tennis Shoe deal says Evert
She also needs a backhand so if you're a tennis player you should feel good about yourself watching her swat at it.

Novak Hits With Tyson's Daughter 

Nishikori Withdraws from Indian Wells - illness

Murray Possible Return Date

Is Novak Recovered - loses to qualifier at Indian Wells

Svitolina Top Ten at 23

Bouchard Troubles

Rain Wreacks Federer Match at Indian Wells

Verdasco Upsets Dimitrov

Ken Flach Passes Away

Tennis Shoe Repairs - Shoe Goo

I don't know about you but I really hate paying $160 per set of tennis shoes.  That is what it costs to get a pair of Brooks Beast running shoes in 4E width in my size.  I was going through two pairs a summer during my busiest teaching phase.  It wasn't just that I wore the sole out but that the upper  fabric tended to look dirty after a while.  I tried going with some low cost good looking leather/faux leather uppers just for groups lessons since they looked good and I didn't have to run and I went through three or four of them per year and got almost no support.  They only looked good.

So now I'm going back in time to my days of playing when younger and even $30 shoes were a challenge so I resorted to Shoe Goo to keep them going.  Especially when on the practice court this is a viable way to extend the use of your shoes.   I may even try to launder the shoes first to clean them and brighten the uppers.

Here is a photo of the job.  I'll be using these on the practice court and day to day walking since the Brooks Beast is the ultimate support shoe for an over-pronater with wide feet.  When I started using them it changed and extended my life on the court.

Wear nitrile gloves to keep the goo off your hands and do the job outside to avoid fumes.  I let them dry outside too.

Tennis Player Feet: Double Socks To Save Your Feet, Wide Platform Shoes for Stability, and Gel Cushion Inserts for Shock

I got in the habit many years ago of wearing two pairs of socks for the long days of teaching or for matches.  Hard courts are hard on the feet and and joints so any cushioning your can add to your feet will help you in the long run.

The first step is the right shoes.  Get a good platform and in particular a wide platform.  If you have wide feet then take a look at some shoes that fit the bill.



Next is the insert.  As good as shoes might be the addition of get insoles is another add on I've found very useful.  I buy a shoe size larger so I can add these along with my two pairs of socks.


gel inserts for shoes


Finally, here  at the socks.  I use a black interior sock that is low cut so it doesn't reduce circulation on my legs but still gives me the cushioning,