Intro:
The Court FF Novak 3 is Novak Djokovic’s latest shoe, developed in close collaboration with him. Last year I had the privilege of interviewing René from ASICS , the man who spent countless hours on the court with Novak to perfect this shoe. In this review I’ll compare the new version to the previous version, and also discuss how it 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 entire 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 a bit 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 find the Court FF 3 Novak faster than its predecessor : the shoe feels a little less sluggish, to put it bluntly. The upper is more refined and does not 'bend' as much as its predecessor. The mono-sock encloses the ankle and instep well, allowing you to easily and confidently push off explosively. In terms of speed and agility, a good improvement as far as I'm concerned. However, if you are mainly looking for speed, be sure to check out 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 (constructed in two parts) runs all the way to the outside of the forefoot, which allows for direct and efficient lateral movements without loss of energy.
I tested this shoe multiple times indoors on carpet, and while sliding on carpet was not an issue, I can imagine sliding sideways on clay feels confident and controlled. The sole is flexible, so if you want to do the splits like Djokovic, you can do it!
Abrasion resistance and grip ASICS Court FF Novak 3:
The Court FF 3 Novak is a robust shoe, from outsole to upper. Indoors on carpet, the toe of the shoe always has to endure something, as does the outsole. These have held up excellently. Because this is an all-court sole, it is particularly suitable for hardcourt and indoor. Outdoors on gravel, this shoe lacks some grip, but that is also what the Clay variant is for. Based on the hours I have been able to spend on this shoe indoors, the wear resistance looks fine. The forefoot is completely wrapped in PU, which makes the upper not only very wear-resistant, but also dimensionally stable.
The advantage is that you always have nice forefoot support. I thought this was definitely worth mentioning.
Comfort/cushioning:
The Court FF Novak 3 is clearly a premium tennis shoe. The comfort and cushioning are great! The footbed feels even better than my favorite Solution Speed FF 2 . The Court FF 3 feels a bit higher, because there is more material in the midsole. The Solution Speed FF 2 offers a 'low to the ground' feeling for extra speed and agility, but also feels a bit flatter. The Court FF 3 offers more comfort, partly thanks to the mono-sock that nicely encloses the instep and ankle.
ASICS Court FF Novak 3 bottom 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 must. The shoe is slightly wider at the forefoot than the Solution Speed FF 2 or the Gel Challenger , and in terms of fit it is closer to the Gel Resolution . Does this suit your foot type? Then there is currently no better all-round tennis shoe on the market than the Court FF 3 .