Alexander Zverev's New Tennis Shoe

After several seasons of wearing the Ubersonic line, Alexander Zverev's new shoe is the adidas Defiant Speed 2. Though the change seems odd on the surface, the Defiant Speed 2 is an impressive shoe with quite a bit of technology at an easy-to-stomach price. Zverev battles Taylor Fritz tonight at the US Open which should be a strong test of this new shoe choice. Below, we break down the gear change and the reasons why this might not be the shocker it seems to be. adidas Defiant Speed 2 Tennis Shoes

adidas Defiant Speed 2

The Defiant Speed 2 shares the same Lightstrike midsole as the Ubersonic 4.1. So Zverev's change is not a drastic one. The Defiant 2 also features the same outsole as the Ubersonic 4, with a more refined entry. The more traditional tongue design is easier to negotiate, and the injected heel counter provides a lock-down fit. The Defiant 2 takes its inspiration from the Ubersonic line and offers outstanding performance for the price. adidas Defiant Speed 2 Alternate

Sam's Take

"I was never fully comfortable with the sock design on the Ubersonic. It seemed too constricting and I didn't like not being able to decide how tight the shoe fit. I laced up the Defiant Speed 2 and I immediately loved the more traditional tongue design. The tongue is thin as well, so it doesn't add any unnecessary bulk. The shoe sits close to the court and is very well-ventilated. The best thing I can say about the Defiant 2 is that I wasn't thinking or worried about it. I felt fast, with enough cushioning to get me from point A to B without comfort issues. I think the shoe restores a little customer belief that you can get an elite tennis shoe for $120.

Alex's Take

"For the amount of cushioning, they felt surprisingly low to the ground. They seemed to have a lower cut than pretty much every tennis shoe that I normally wear, so they felt very, very agile. Even though they lean towards the "lightweight" category of shoes they don't feel flimsy or weak when stopping hard or doing a quick pivot I'm a big fan of the little AdiTuff shields they have on the inside of the shoe because I know a lot of people are sliding even on hardcourt now so that is a much-needed feature on every shoe. Oh and they do for sure need a break-in, after that they feel great."

Wrap Up

Alexander Zverev prefers a lighter tennis shoe because it gives him an extra boost of speed and agility. As one of the taller players on tour, it makes total sense he would be focused on court coverage and speed. The Defiant Speed 2 is a capable tennis shoe for players who want to feel close to the court, and value speed. The shoe has an easier entry than the Ubersonic, thanks to the more traditional tongue, which should give the Speed more universal appeal.

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