Wilson Sporting Goods Co. announced the launch of the Intrigue Tour, the brand’s first performance tennis shoe built for women, informed by extensive athlete feedback and advanced technology.

“At Wilson we are committed to empowering the female athlete at every level, especially in the sport of tennis. The game continues to grow and evolve, and we are committed to innovating and delivering the best products for our players to thrive,” said Gordon Devin, president of Wilson Sportswear. “The Intrigue redefines what it means to play fast, and it will undoubtedly give women tennis players the bold advantage they need to dominate on-court.”

Developed in close collaboration with Wilson athlete Marta Kostyuk, the Wilson footwear team worked on an expedited timeline to build her a sneaker that is responsive and comfortable, similar to a running shoe but allowed her “to play a more dynamic, aggressive style of game,” said Wilson in a media release.

“Wilson and I wanted to create something that empowers women to move quicker and be more agile while still looking sharp; the Intrigue does exactly that,” said Kostyuk. “This shoe has made my game faster and more relentless, and I hope it helps female athletes everywhere elevate their tennis game.”

The shoe’s fit comes from a detailed analysis of the female foot and female preferences. “Women’s feet are different from the feet of men; our team spent as much time creating a fit that accommodated their feet but also provided security and confidence when on the court,” said Shivam Bhan, senior director of Footwear at Wilson.

The extensive testing process led to the company developing a female-specific last, the new fit standard for Wilson’s female-specific tennis footwear. “After we developed the last, we designed from the inside out, starting with the materials the most closely touch the feet,” added Bhan.

The fit, feel and function of the Intrigue centers on three key technologies:

  • UltraShield: Wilson’s newest engineered mesh that is lightweight, and breathable. Built to withstand tough challenges with a seamless fit.
  • FootFrame: Dynamic support for personalized comfort for all women during play. The fit system integrates with the shoe’s laces to adjust where the wearer needs it most.
  • SwiftStep: Drop-in sockliner, designed to bring the responsive foam closer to the foot by designing it into the footbed.

The Intrigue will be available in stores and online at Wilson.com starting February 11 in the Dewberry colorway, with more releases and colorways expected for the rest of the year.

Image courtesy Wilson Sporting Goods Co.