Anyone in the tennis world will tell you that footwork is key to building a better game. Besides, what good is that swing you’ve been perfecting if you can’t get to the ball? It may be time to upgrade your footwear.

One of the best hard court tennis shoes just got better with the updated Adidas Barricade V. Extremely comfortable and flexible, with ample mesh to keep your foot dry when the pressure is on. Although the Barricade V is lightweight, it sacrifices nothing in support. Utilizing a combination of Adidas’ Torsion System and Claw supports, this shoe gives your feet excellent stability and lateral side support, perfect for those quick transitions on the court when you need to stop on a dime to whip that forward winner cross court.

What This Means To You: Treat your feet to something nice. Believe us, they’ll appreciate it.

Cost: $120 @ Amazon

There are a few instances where a brand becomes synonymous with a person. Nike Air Jordan’s, Tiger Woods Golf, for example. Boris Becker’s tennis equipment is just that and the Boris Becker 11 Special Edition is the epitome.

The Becker 11 is built to the exact same specifications as the three-time Wimbledon winner - right down to the gram and millimeter. Each racquet is adjusted and calibrated by hand in Straubing, Germany. Of course that means it’s a very finely tuned racquet which doesn’t equate to easy playing. If you’re picking up this tennis racquet it’s expected that you know how to handle yourself in advantage-point situations. It’s increased weight in the head guarantees higher swing-weight ratio and the additional weights at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions provide greater torsion stability for better control. For those men that care about exclusivity, each racquet has a serial number along with your name engraved right onto the frame. Not that you’ll be mistaking your racquet next to others on the court.

What this means to you: If you consider yourself a strong player on the court and you take big cuts at the ball then this racquet is for you. Timid men need not apply.

Cost: $180 (Standard Becker 11) @ Tennis Warehouse

The US Open is upon us and most likely you’re hopeful for the Nadal | Federer match up as much as we are.

Those of you who aren’t able to attend the US Open here in New York may want to pick up this awesome toy/souvenir. It’s a giant US Open Tennis ball (you can see the size difference in the photo) that’s bound to look great in your office or home. It’s been an exclusive purchase only sold at the US Open but now it’s available year-round.

The ball is covered in real tennis ball felt, it’s 9″ in diameter but you’ll need to inflate it on your own unless you’re at the Arthur Ashe complex… we know we’ll be.

What this means to you: I mean, it’s a giant tennis ball for pete’s sake. What’s not to like?

Cost: $34 @ US Open Shop

In the spirit of Wimbledon we present to you Daniela Hantuchova. An incredibly talented tennis player with a double handed backhand you probably have no chance of returning. It doesn’t hurt that she’s incredibly gorgeous too.

Date of Birth: April 23, 1983
Place of Birth: Poprad, Slovakia
Factoid: She’s 5 ft. 11 in. and earned $4,796,191 during her tennis career which means she’s most likely taller and earns more than you. Sobering and hot.

More photos of Daniela after the jump. Including one of her in another one of our favorite sports.

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This racket is all about effortless power and control. Its lightweight aerodynamic design and cushion grip handle help players with moderate to full strokes hit their best shots. We’ve used the Silver and Blue O³ Speedports and can say that the Red is far easier for the moderate speed strokes most of us swing.

Features

• Power Level: 1100
• Length: 27.25
• Headsize: MP+, 105 sq in
• Flex: Firm
• Cross Section: 23-25-23mm
• Weight: 9.9oz./280g unstrung
• Balance: 13.2in/33.5cm, Head Light
• Grip: DuraPro+

What this means to you: Let aerodynamics assist you in the dignified thrashing of your opponent.

Cost: $250 @ Golfsmith

Brandished by Roger Federer, the [K]Factor Racquet comes to the court strong with a lot of breakthrough technology (no it does not have an iPod dock)…

The racquet introduces Karophite Black, a structure created when bonding Carbon Black, Graphite and SiO2 together at the nano level creating a denser and stronger racquet matrix. This along with the Connecter wings, Contour Yoke and Compact Center provide maneuverability and basically one fantastic piece of equipment.

What this means to you: We’re still curious to see what Sampras would say about this racquet, but until then this should work quite well.

Cost: $199 @ Tennis-Warehouse