Intro:
The Court FF Novak 3 is Novak Djokovic's latest shoe and was developed in close consultation with him. Last year I had the privilege of interviewing René from ASICS, the man who spent many hours on the court with Novak to perfect this shoe. In this review I compare the new version with the previous version, and also discuss how this shoe compares to other models in the ASICS line, such as the Gel Resolution (for baseliners) and the Solution Speed FF (for all-court players).
ASICS clearly segments its tennis shoes. For players who move a lot sideways (baseliners), there is the Gel Resolution 9 and the Gel Challenger 13. These shoes offer maximum lateral support. For players who cover the whole court and make more forward movements (all-court players), there are the Solution Speed FF 2 and the Solution Swift FF. Are you looking for a mix of speed and stability? Then the Court FF 3 might be your ideal shoe!
Fit:
The Court FF Novak 3 is slightly wider at the forefoot than the Solution Speed FF 2, my favorite ASICS shoe. However, the Court FF 3 feels slightly more compact, especially around the ankle and instep, thanks to the mono-sock construction. For my narrow foot I used a thin insole, which immediately made a world of difference. Now the playtest could really begin!
Speed/agility:
Personally I think the Court FF 3 Novak is faster than its predecessor: the shoe feels slightly less heavy, to put it bluntly. The upper is more refined and doesn't 'buckle' as much as its predecessor. The mono-sock wraps around the ankle and instep well, allowing you to push off explosively easily and confidently. In terms of speed and agility, it's a good improvement in my opinion. However, if you are mainly looking for speed, be sure to check our review of the ASICS Solution Speed FF 2.
Stability:
In terms of stability, the Court FF 3 really shines. The shoe feels solid without being heavy or stiff. The Twistruss midfoot bridge (built in two parts) runs all the way to the outside of the forefoot, allowing for direct and efficient lateral movements without loss of energy.
I have tested this shoe indoors on carpet several times, and although sliding on carpet is not really an issue, I can imagine that lateral sliding on clay feels confident and controlled. The sole is flexible, so if you want to go into a split like Djokovic, that's perfectly fine!
Durability and grip ASICS Court FF Novak 3:
The Court FF 3 Novak is a robust shoe, from the outsole to the upper. Indoors on carpet, the toe of the shoe always takes a beating, as does the outsole. These have held up excellently. Because this is an all-court sole, it is particularly suitable for hard court and indoor. Outdoors on clay, this shoe lacks some grip, but that's what the Clay variant is for. Judging by the hours I have been able to make indoors in this shoe, the durability looks great. The forefoot is completely wrapped in PU, which not only makes the upper very durable, but also shape-retaining.
The advantage is that you always maintain fine forefoot support. I definitely thought this was worth mentioning.
Comfort/cushioning:
The Court FF Novak 3 is clearly a premium tennis shoe. The comfort and cushioning are fantastic! The footbed even feels better than that of my favorite Solution Speed FF 2. The Court FF 3 feels a bit higher, because more material is incorporated into the midsole. The Solution Speed FF 2 offers a 'low to the ground' feel for extra speed and agility, but also feels a bit flatter because of this. The Court FF 3 offers more comfort, partly thanks to the mono-sock that nicely wraps around the instep and ankle.
ASICS Court FF Novak 3 at the bottom of the line:
Are you looking for a shoe that offers a great combination of speed, support and comfort? Then the ASICS Court FF 3 Novak is an absolute recommendation. The shoe is slightly wider at the forefoot than the Solution Speed FF 2 or the Gel Challenger, and fits more closely to the Gel Resolution in terms of fit. Does this suit your foot type? Then there is currently no better all-round tennis shoe on the market than the Court FF 3.
