- ASICS and Novak Djokovic have created the perfect tennis shoes for the world’s best players.
- The GEL-RESOLUTION X caters to both elite athletes and everyday players.
- ASICS puts comfort and performance above all else.
Walking through Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club in Melbourne’s East, you’re reminded of the myriad of moments in tennis that continue to reverberate through its halls to this day. The achievements of Australian icons like Pat Cash and Ash Barty are immortalised with shrine-like reverence; their many trophies and accolades lining the corridors as you enter.
This historic venue, known for its pristine grass courts, welcomed thousands of tennis fans each year during the ’70s and ’80s. Its relatively small stadium created an intimate atmosphere that fostered a close connection between the tournament’s players and attendees – a notable departure from larger tennis tournaments like Wimbledon – giving fans a traditional Slam with a uniquely Australian charm.
The Australian Open’s Evolution and Kooyong’s Timeless Appeal
After the Australian Open moved to Flinders Park in the late ’80s, Kooyong shifted to one of the most exclusive clubs in Australia, yet its AO heritage lived on. Today, it serves as the perfect backdrop for leading sportswear brand ASICS to announce the latest generation of tennis shoes, the GEL-RESOLUTION X, designed and tested by the sport’s most decorated player in history.
‘It’s the best tennis shoe I’ve ever played in.”
Novak Djokovic
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“ASICS has a long-standing tradition and history in tennis,” Novak Djokovic told a group of media at Kooyong, including DMARGE.
“But of course, it is one of the most recognised brands in sport overall, globally. And I’m biased because obviously I have worn the ASICS shoe for quite a few years already. But for me, it’s the best tennis shoe that I’ve ever played in.”
ASICS: A Brief History
ASICS started life as a small sportswear company founded by Kihachiro Onitsuka in Kobe, Japan. In the mid-20th century, the company was established with a mission to create high-quality footwear that would promote physical health and well-being in post-war Japan, embodying the company’s motto Anima Sana In Corpore Sano (which the eagle-eyed will notice builds the acronym ASICS).
This enduring philosophy has guided the brand’s innovations throughout its 100-year history, particularly in developing performance footwear and apparel that puts comfort and stability at the heart of all that ASICS makes and does.
“The two most important items that the tennis player has is a tennis racket and a shoe,” Djokovic continued. “So you can’t mess around with those two and it’s very difficult to change, and once you are comfortable with a shoe, you want to stay in that shoe.”
“But I think there is a great kind of approach and philosophy of ASICs to innovate and to always try to be better, even if it’s a small percentage to what it was the year years before. So that’s something I respect because I resonate with that kind of mentality.”
ASICS Unveils the GEL-RESOLUTION X
Novak Djokovic, speaking to a select group of media ahead of his 2025 Australian Open campaign, stands as the most decorated male player in history, with 24 Grand Slam titles – equal only to Australian legend Margaret Court.
Last year, he completed his trophy cabinet by winning Olympic gold in Paris, a title that had eluded him in four previous Games. A win over his recent rival in the French capital completed a historic clean sweep of all the major titles available to the modern tennis player.
A 25th title in Melbourne would solidify his claim as the greatest player of all time. Naturally, a player of Djokovic’s calibre demands footwear to match his extraordinary achievements.
The ASICS GEL-RESOLUTION X is a game-changer for the modern player. Higher ankle support and the brand’s patented DYNALACING technology mean this next generation of footwear offers a locked-in fit for the player, enhancing stability and control for explosive lateral movement.
Those who have read some of my footwear reviews before will know that I have debilitating glass ankles. This means that my barometer of success is purely centred on avoiding the physio room after a physical session and ensuring that I’m able to recover effectively to do it all over again.
It’s all well and good keeping my feet protected from injury – I feel like that should be the bare minimum for any shoe that enters the market. What’s more important for me is having the confidence to make that extra lunge from the baseline or even sprint to the net.
That’s where ASICS has continued to excel in this space (where perhaps competitors have consistently fallen short). Footwear that can support my instability and give me the confidence to move even with a recurring injury is an instant winner.
“The technical team of ASICs, along, of course, with management and everyone involved, but particularly the technical team, put in so much effort along with me and my team, to develop the “perfect tennis shoe” that is personalised for me,” Djokovic revealed.
“It took almost three years to get to the point where we can say: ‘OK we have that shoe that I’ve been playing with for the last few years.’ It’s difficult for me currently to imagine playing in a different shoe.”
Designed for intermediate to competitive players who dominate from the baseline, the all-new ASICS arrived with a lot of hype. Endorsements from some of the biggest names in tennis – Novak Djokovic, Patrick Mouratoglou and Alex de Minaur, to name a few – have placed this next generation of tennis footwear on the proverbial pedestal ahead of this year’s Australian Open and I couldn’t wait to see what all the fuss was about.
The Perfect Tennis Shoe for All Abilities
Now, before we headed out to Melbourne, we were invited to complete a form to self-assess our ability. We were given three options: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. After spending half the day at my desk in Sydney, mulling over my choices, reliving every serve, every drop shot I had attempted in the previous year, I settled on a happy medium and chose Intermediate.
Stepping onto the legendary courts of Kooyong, where tennis greats like Pat Cash, Lleyton Hewitt, and Billie Jean King once graced the baseline, I quickly questioned my choice. The quality of play around me was nothing short of humbling.
To give us a proper challenge and test out the latest innovations in footwear, ASICS had gathered not only journalists but also rising talents from across the globe and a handful of their ambassadors. Among the crowd were Lorenzo Musetti, Patrick Mouratoglou, Jasmine Paolini, and Ons Jabeur, effortlessly landing forehands while I quietly wondered if I could switch my assessment back to Beginner.
But there was no time for second-guessing, and honestly, it didn’t matter once I stepped into the ASICS GEL-RESOLUTION X.
Testing the GEL-RESOLUTION X at Kooyong
Right away, the shoe’s overall comfort stood out. You’d expect a premium tennis shoe to feel solid, but the GEL-RESOLUTION X is on another level. Perhaps I’m finally wearing a shoe that fits after all these years. But more likely I was benefitting from the shoes’ improved two-piece midsole and gel cushioning, making each step feel cushioned yet grounded as I attempted an audacious return.
Then there’s the DYNAWALL™ technology, which feels like a secret weapon for lateral stability. Whether you’re charging along the baseline or planting your foot to pivot, the shoe responds in a way that feels both secure and agile, effortlessly anticipating your movements.
“I think we are such a product-oriented brand and our DNA is really about craftsmanship,” Rene Zandbergen, Senior Merchandising Manager Core Performance Sports, ASICS EMEA, told me later that day.
“The GEL-RESOLUTION X is perfect for the baseline playing style, where it’s all about those players who are a bit more defensive and are behind the baseline, moving side to side. And for them, we have a specific shoe which offers more stability – to make sure that when you’re moving side to side you get the support and stability you need to play in the most efficient way.”
How ASICS Became Your Favourite Tennis Player’s Favourite Shoe
On a practical level, it’s the kind of shoe that doesn’t just perform but subtly encourages you to play better. It makes you feel like you belong on the court with the likes of Musetti or Jabeur, even if your forehand says otherwise.
That’s because ASICS has spent years working closely with professional tennis players to produce its footwear, demanding honest feedback on what’s working and what isn’t to perfect the design and comfort.
“It’s weird, we are always saying in our first conversation or discussion with new players: ‘Please be as negative as possible. So if there’s anything that disturbs you, or if something doesn’t feel right, tell us,’” Zandbergen continued.
“We use those insights as a brand to improve the next model, or sometimes even improve his model, right? So that is what we’re always trying to do with our footwear.”
Novak Djokovic and the Race Against Time in Paris
One such example was ahead of the Olympic Games last year in Paris. Novak Djokovic called up the ASICS team with an issue regarding his footwear.
The conditions at Roland Garros in May were unusual – colder temperatures and higher humidity. This affected the clay, making it slicker, and many players, including Novak, were slipping more than usual. Five weeks out from Djokovic’s final Olympic appearance, it could have been a serious problem.
“I started working with the ASICS Institute of Sports Science and our customisation team to see if we had an existing outsole with a more open structure – like a winter tyre – that could shed clay better,” Zandbergen said.
“We found one, but the challenge was fitting it to Novak’s shoe. It wasn’t a perfect match, but it fit well enough – about 90-95%. While I could tell it wasn’t a seamless fit, it was good enough that no one else would notice.”
The team rushed the shoes to Paris, delivering them just three days before Novak Djokovic was set to take to the courts and attempt to win his first Olympic Gold. The Serbian tested them, and ASICS didn’t hear anything – until he won the gold.
“The day after, I was at the ASICS house in Paris, where Novak stopped by. When he was coming out, I was like: ‘I want to know. I want to know.’ But the room was packed, so I couldn’t ask him directly about the shoes. He started to explain his road to the gold medal and when he finished that story, we thought that was it until he thanked ASICS for rebuilding the shoes and giving him an extra option. That acknowledgment, knowing we played a part in his victory, was an unforgettable moment for us.”
After wrapping up our session at Kooyong, it became clear that Djokovic and I might have slightly different priorities when it comes to tennis shoes. For the sport’s most decorated player, a shoe that keeps him at the pinnacle of his game is invaluable. For me, simply staying in the match is more than enough. Fortunately, ASICS has managed to create the perfect shoe for both of us.
