Asics launches the Gel-Resolution X shoe with help from Djokovic, Mouratoglou, Musetti and Paolini

MELBOURNE—For the 10th installment of its Gel-Resolution shoe, Asics wanted to do something special. So just ahead of the Australian Open, it held the Asics Tennis Summit in Melbourne. Media and content creators from around the globe descended Down Under to discuss health, fitness and footwear.

The unveiling was done at the historic Kooyong Lawn Club, the former home of the Australian Open. Ambassadors including Novak Djokovic, Alex de Minaur, Lorenzo Musetti and Jasmine Paolini addressed the audience about their relationship and appreciation of the brand, before the attendees got a first look and first on-court impression of the new Gel-Res.

Guided by the philosophy “a sound mind in a sound body” (anima sana in corpore sano), Asics believes that players move and play with more confidence and better execution when they are more comfortable on court without any mental distractions. Trusting a shoe enough to not even think about it during play is arguably the best compliment a player can give it.

The Gel-Resolution franchise is aimed at baseliners whose preferred style of play is to engage in extended side-to-side rallies. Typically, because of the components and materials, stability shoes like the Gel-Resolution can be beefy and tough. For this latest version, Asics wanted to create the most comfortable version possible.

To accomplish this goal, the shoe received some key technology upgrades:

The two-piece midsole construction now combines FlyteFoam in the forefoot with FlyteFoam Blast Plus foam in the heel. The latter makes it way from the brand’s running shoes and provides enhanced cushioning. When players plant to strike the ball, it’s often heel first; this extra padding makes it a softer landing.

The Dynawall support structure extends to wrap around the foot and heel for improved stability. Additionally, the materials used in the feature have been refined so it’s not as firm. Players still get the necessary rigidity to handle aggressive lateral movement and slides, but with a friendlier response.

In the upper, Dynalacing has replaced the outgoing Dynawrap for a more personalized and supportive fit. There are now two rows of eyelets on the medial side of the shoe so players can dial in the perfect level of squeeze through the upper. This is particularly useful for those with narrower feet who need a tighter pull on the laces. The laces are also completely protected on this side of the shoe to prevent any damage or breakage for sliders.

A higher ankle cut on the medial side of the shoe provides additional support during movement. It also adds a layer of protection when extending out on slides.

“The key thing was to make it more comfortable,” Rene Zandbergen, Asics' senior merchandising manager of core performance sports, said. “When a shoe is more comfortable, no matter what your level, you will enjoy the game that much more and will perform better.”

Look for Asics players such as Musetti and Paolini wearing the new Gel-Resolution X at the Australian Open. It’s priced at $155 and currently available at tennis specialty retailers. Check back in the coming weeks for a more detailed review.