Athletes and Coaches Review the Mizuno Wave Enforce Tour 2 AC and Dry Aeroflow, trusted products on their Tennis Journey
While there are many attributes required for athletes to excel in tennis, having the right support system and equipment to support your journey goes a long way towards ensuring success - beyond the countless hours of training on the court.
Here we explore not just the incredible athleticism and skill required to excel on the court, but also celebrate the stories of perseverance, passion, and the relentless pursuit of improvement that define this beloved game for four Mizuno tennis athletes: Singapore's rising star Allen Leong, and coaches Timothy Percival, Nino Salvador, and John Villa.
But what do tennis athletes look for in a good pair of tennis shoes and tennis apparel when they train and compete? Well, SportPlus.sg sat down with the quartet to discuss their favourite features of the Mizuno Wave Enforce Tour 2 AC and Dry Aeroflow Performance Gear, staples of their tennis journey in 2024.
Mizuno Wave Enforce Tour 2 AC Tennis Shoes
To begin, a good pair of tennis shoes needs to enhance performance, comfort, and safety on the court. This was a sentiment echoed across all four athletes.
"A tennis shoe should be light, so you can move around more freely. It shouldn't weigh you down, and when the shoe is comfortable it makes moving a lot easier," shared Allen, currently a year 3 student of MOE's integrated programme curriculum, and who has achieved a career high ranking of number 1 in STA Men's Advanced 2024 and is a ITF World Junior national athlete.
A competitive tennis athlete with international experience on the junior tennis tour in the Asia Pacific, Allen has also claimed the Persatuan Johor Tennis U21 in May this year and the Asian Tennis Federation 14&U championship (2023) titles in a growing list of accolades.
Beyond the weight of a shoe, support and grippiness also go a long way in determining how a tennis athlete performs on court, especially with the quick changes of direction.
"My playing style when I was a competitive player was more of a retriever type player, I am more on baseline but if I have opportunities I will attack more on the net and I will play more on volleys," said Nino, who previously represented the Philippines in the Davis Cup from 2001 to 2003.
"So most of the time I am at the baseline, as such I need shoes that support my playing style such as the Mizuno Wave Enforce Tour 2 AC. These shoes are versatile and really grip the surface well - I use them for my everyday coaching and playing, as it really grips well on a variety of surfaces - from synthetic clay carpet surfaces, to hard courts.
Nino now coaches at Savitar Pte Ltd, Singapore American School and XCL World Academy among several others.
Meanwhile John Villa, who hopes to share his knowledge and work as a professional tennis coach with others, previously reached an all time career men's ranking of 25 in the Philippines in 2004, and is now the peak performance coach in Ace Tennis Sports Academy.
"I wore other tennis shoes previously, and it caused me discomfort on the outside of my feet. After switching to Wave Enforce Tour 2 AC it's a lot more comfortable for me, plus it's also a wider cut for me. It is also great that I can wear these for other similar sports such as Paddle, which I know for a fact I have other players and coaches asking me about these shoes and placing orders because of how it can be used across various surfaces," said John.
Mizuno Dry Aeroflow Performance Gear
Beyond tennis shoes, the right apparel can also help to keep an athlete's performance at the right levels even under hot and humid conditions.
Comfort is once again at the forefront of the athlete's experience and Allen shares the most important feature he looks out for in his tennis apparel is breathability, and something he gets from the Dry Aeroflow Performance Gear, thanks to the Dry Aeroflow technology, a transformative advancement in sportswear designed to enhance comfort and endurance.
"I feel that shirts should be airy, because when you are training you sweat a lot so if a shirt traps heat, you don't feel comfortable wearing it," said Allen.
Timothy Percival, a former competitive player and coach, and a Managing and Tennis Director at Ace Tennis Sports Pte Ltd agrees. "This shirt I am wearing now is nice when you play tournaments, as it still feels light even if you are super sweaty after playing three sets," said Timothy.
He added: "As a coach you not only need your apparel to be comfortable, it also needs to look presentable and neat which is what I get with Dry Aeroflow Performance Gear."
For Nino, he likes how the shirt dries up quickly even in Southeast Asia's hot and humid climate. He shares: "I have worn Mizuno since 1997, and the material has always been very natural. It doesn't make you itch even when you play too much under the sun, it keeps you cool even in hot weather conditions. It really dries up right away, as compared to other shirts I've worn."
Meanwhile, John Villa likes the aesthetics of the shirt as much as how easy it is to move in it with as little restrictions as possible. "I love the combination of colours, because when you play outdoors you can't just wear any kind of colour. It is also an image for me when I go condo to condo to teach tennis as it makes me more presentable. A nicely designed shirt is bound to grab attention," he said with a laugh.
Key Highlights and Product Information
MIZUNO WAVE ENFORCE TOUR 2 AC
Comfort:
The Wave Enforce Tour 2 AC shoes offer excellent comfort right out of the box. The cushioning is soft yet supportive, making them ideal for long matches. The interior lining is plush, reducing the risk of blisters.
Support and Stability:
These shoes feature a solid structure that provides great ankle support. The Wave technology in the sole helps in absorbing shock and enhances stability during lateral movements, which is crucial for tennis.
Traction:
The outsole is designed for both clay and hard courts, providing exceptional grip. Players can make quick cuts and sudden stops without slipping.
Breathability:
The upper is made with breathable materials, ensuring that your feet stay cool during intense matches. This is especially helpful in warmer conditions.
Durability:
The construction of the Wave Enforce Tour 2 AC is robust, designed to withstand the wear and tear of regular play. The rubber outsole is particularly durable.
Technical Highlights
MIZUNO ENERZY OUTSOLE:
Versatile cushioning that maintains softness and responsiveness, boosting performance capabilities.
MIZUNO ENERZY MIDSOLE:
State-of-the-art midsole material offering unparalleled resilience and softness, enhancing comfort and dynamic performance.
MIZUNO ENERZY INSOLE:
A high-repulsion insole material, it delivers 20% more cushioning and 28% greater energy return, enhancing comfort and performance.
MIZUNO WAVE®:
Innovative plate technology that disperses impact energy, ensuring a stable platform with superior cushioning
DYNA-HEEL LOCK LITE TECHNOLOGY:
The precision-engineered upper adapts seamlessly to every movement, delivering a glove-like fit for unparalleled comfort and support.
DRY AEROFLOW PERFORMANCE GEAR
Material:
The Dry Aeroflow fabric is lightweight and breathable, making it ideal for active sports. It wicks moisture effectively, keeping you dry even during the most intense workouts.
Fit:
The apparel is designed to offer a comfortable fit without being too loose or restrictive. The cuts are athletic, allowing for a full range of motion.
Style:
Available in various colors and designs, the Dry Aeroflow collection is stylish enough for both on-court performance and off-court wear. The modern aesthetic is appealing.
Durability:
The fabric holds up well after multiple washes, maintaining its shape and colour. It’s resistant to pilling, which is a plus for regular use.
Key Innovations
Enhanced Breathability:
Specifically engineered to eliminate sweat film formation, "Dry Aeroflow" ensures superior air permeability, preventing uncomfortable garment temperature rise.
Optimal Temperature Regulation:
With its exceptional breathability, this material efficiently regulates body temperature, keeping athletes consistently cool and comfortable.
Sticky-Free Comfort:
Experience unprecedented comfort with Dry Aeroflow's innovation that prevents the sticky sensation caused by sweat accumulation, ensuring a distraction-free performance.
Performance Optimisation:
By facilitating efficient heat dissipation, Dry Aeroflow supports prolonged athletic performance, allowing athletes to maintain focus and take their game to new heights.
State-of-the-Art Fabric Technology:
Representing a breakthrough in sportswear, Dry Aeroflow is tailored to elevate both comfort and performance by tackling the challenges of perspiration.
SportPlus.sg's Conclusion
Both the Mizuno Wave Enforce Tour 2 AC shoes and Dry Aeroflow Performance Gear stand out in their respective categories. The shoes provide excellent support and comfort, while the apparel ensures you stay cool and stylish on the court.
Together, they make a great choice for any tennis player looking to enhance their game whether you are a beginner or a pro looking to take your tennis game to the next level.
Looking to purchase the Mizuno Wave Enforce Tour 2 AC or Dry Aeroflow Racket Sports Apparel? You can do so either on Mizuno's official website at Mizuno.com or Lazada.
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