K-Swiss, now the home of five-time Wimbledon winner and current Australian Open competitor Venus Williams, debuted its latest sneaker earlier this month.
The heritage tennis brand’s Ultrashot 3—seen on the court starting in January—“is crafted for the next generation of competitive, aggressive, and powerful players to offer the ultimate durability and traction on any court surface,” K-Swiss said. The sneaker includes an updated, 360-degree Plantar Support Chassis for enhanced mid-foot and heel stability, and a new durable outsole designed for hard-court surfaces. It also features “stay-tied lace” and the brand’s Surge 7.0 midsole technology. The shoe, available for $145, comes in two colorways, peach nectar and soft neon green.
Fabio Fognini, a new K-Swiss brand partner, described the Ultrashot 3 as “super stable,” claiming it improved his movement around the court. Fognini was seen wearing the shoes at the recent Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Cup in Melbourne, where Italy lost in the finals against Russia.
Fognini, currently competing in the Australian Open, signed a two-year footwear-only deal with K-Swiss beginning this year. The 33-year-old athlete, ranked 17th in the world, has earned nine ATP singles titles and five ATP doubles titles.
Tapped as global brand ambassador late last year, Williams also designed a limited-edition footwear and apparel collection in partnership with her activewear and lifestyle brand EleVen by Venus Williams. Released in November, the K-Swiss x EleVen by Venus Williams Limited Edition capsule includes one footwear release, the K-Swiss Classic 66 X EleVen by Venus Williams, as well as an assortment of preppy apparel. Items include the MVP Varsity Jacket, Prep Rally Hoodie and School Spirit Sports Bra, as well as a sweater, pair of joggers, tops and leggings.
Related Stories
In July, another tennis great, Roger Federer, teamed up with the Swiss performance brand On to drop the Roger Centre Court. The sneaker, designed to reimagine the classic tennis shoe, swapped out the typical thick sole for a silhouette more suitable for everyday comfort and wearability. The Roger was also crafted from vegan leather, with an environmental footprint just 30 percent of animal leather’s impact.
In December, Nike and Comme des Garçons partnered to honor rising tennis star Naomi Osaka. An extension of Comme des Garçons and Switch Publishing designating the three-time Grand Slam champion one of its “People of the Year,” the Nike x Naomi Osaka x CDG Blazer featured a neutral color scheme with the tennis star’s signature on the shoe’s quarter panel. A print graphic repeating the tennis star and Japanese fashion label’s names covered the shoe’s upper.