by: Nima Naderi
With Wimbledon wrapped up until 2016 and Serena Williams hoisting yet another Grand Slam title, we thought it would be a good time to take a look at the latest signature shoe for the World No. 1. If you’re looking for ankle stability, without sacrificing the weight of the shoe, then the NikeCourt Flare is certainly worth a try. The team at Nike Tennis had their work cut out for them when designing the all-new NikeCourt Flare, as they were interested in a shoe that would be sturdy on court without the added bulk. Creating a sneaker that was an extension of Serena’s foot, the designer of the NikeCourt Flare succeeded in allowing the athlete to move with precision, while obtaining feedback from the ankle brace.
Easy to try on, the NikeCourt Flare requires no break in period and our wear-tester found the shoe surprising light compared with other sneakers in Nike Tennis line. The flexibility in the forefoot of the shoe allowed for great lateral and horizontal movement, with the ankle unit providing unparalleled support throughout any directional change. Built for a more narrow foot, the full herringbone pattern is designed to provide traction on both hard and clay courts. The lacing system also allows for great security towards the foot and the thinness of the shoe’s material allows for superb breathability even under 100 degree temperatures.
From an aesthetic point of the view, the minimalistic appearance of the NikeCourt Flare is like nothing else on the market. We were impressed by how sleek the shoe looked in person and by the reflective nature of the non-mesh material surrounding the sneaker. All in all, the NikeCourt Flare is as innovative of a tennis shoe as they come and will be surely remain a trailblazer for future generations of tennis shoes for women.
With a price tag of $200, further colorways of the NikeCourt Flare are set to hit the market in time for the US Open. To pick up your very own pair of Serena Williams’ signature shoe, checkout the following Nike.com link.
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Playing his best-career tennis on the lawns of Wimbledon, Roger Federer has built a career on winning Major titles and continuing to be the best-dressed player on Tour. Debuting the NikeCourt Coaches Jacket presented by NikeLab at SW19, Federer appeared elegant as ever in this eye-catching, cozy garment. Great for an early morning hit or keeping you warm after an intense contest, the NikeCourt Coaches Jacket features lightweight, waxed nylon fabric, innovative style, mesh lining that helps the player keep cool and comfortable, underarm eyelets that add extra ventilation and a NikeCourt logo on the left shoulder.
Fitting true-to-size, the NikeCourt Coaches Jacket is currently only available in Europe at Nike.com, but is set to be released in time for the US Open.
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Make sure to hit up NikeCourt on Twitter and Instagram for all latest from the team and players at Nike Tennis.
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Nima Naderi is the Editor in Chief of TennisConnected.com. He is also the Head Teaching Professional at Bayview Golf & Country Club. Nima is an award winning coach and a PTR Professional rated in all categories and has over 18 years of coaching experience.
