Tennis is a sport hard on the feet with its constant starting and stopping in all directions. Tennis shoes are designed to provide support and resilience through long days on the court. While cross-trainers are not ideal, they provide enough support for recreational players to enjoy the sport without injury resulting from inadequate shoe function.
Demands on Tennis Shoes
Tennis requires constant stopping and starting, often on a hard court. Sprinting for a ball and then stopping to get back into position puts a lot of stress on feet. Tennis shoes must provide enough traction so players don't lose footing. Tennis shoes are also heavier than most athletic shoes, having several extra layers of cushioning and shock absorption. The soles are thicker to take the miles of running a tennis player puts in on the court. While most tennis shoes are not high-tops, the ankles have added cushioning to help prevent twisting and injury.
Cross-Training Shoes
Cross-training shoes are designed to meet the demands of many different sports. As a result, cross-trainers are heavier and more durable than traditional running shoes, and provide support for a variety of sports. including basketball and tennis. Soles of cross-trainers are thicker with heavier cushioning than walking or running shoes but have a different type of traction that is not always conducive to the movements on a tennis court.
Court Rules
Tennis court facilities may have regulations regarding the types of shoes allowed on the court. Most courts require players to have non-marking skid shoes. There are different types of court surfaces that might not allow cross-trainers with knob traction that could create divots or otherwise damage the courts. If the shoes are within court allowances, there is nothing preventing a player from using cross-trainers.
Player Choice
Competitive tennis players generally choose tennis shoes specific to the court and style of play. Different tennis shoes have custom qualities to support not only the foot type but also the player style. A shoe with more cushioning on the sides helps baseline players start and stop in side-to-side movement. A thicker front sole helps serve and volley players move to the net quicker and make the first step toward a volley. Recreational players wanting to buy a shoe that satisfies many sports requirements can play and be quite satisfied with the performance of cross-trainers when playing tennis. It is a personal choice that is often determined by the amount of time someone spends on the tennis court.
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