30-Love: The Barricade is Back

From individuals to organizations, weekend warriors to professional players, minute observations to big-picture ideas, tennis has been top of mind across the board over the past two years.

“I feel like this is the tennis boom part two,” says Trey Waltke, general manager of the Malibu Racquet Club in southern California. “Everyone is talking tennis. Everyone is playing. People are rediscovering how great tennis is.”

Tennis shouldn’t rest on its laurels; the first boom didn’t last forever. But this is as good of an opportunity to reflect on what the sport has gotten right, during a time when so much has gone wrong.

Over the next few weeks, we'll do just that, with a series of stories—30-Love—that highlights 30 things worth celebrating about the New American Tennis Boom. Look for past articles on the left side of each page.—Ed McGrogan

It's always disappointing when a legend retires, but it can be downright jarring when the move is unexpected. Three years ago, Adidas threw avid players for a loop when it decided it was time to move on from the Barricade. Since it debuted in 2000, the iconic shoe had attracted legions of players—from public parks to Grand Slams—who depended on its stability, durability and support.

After recognizing the hole left by its absence, and addressing some of its shortcomings, the seminal shoe is making a comeback.

Being a Barricade, stability will remain its defining feature. However, if there was one area where previous models could fall short, it was in the comfort department. So several steps were taken—increased cushioning and more streamlined fit—to provide a cushier ride. And to keep up with the increasing speed of today's game, the shoe has trimmed down in the hopes of shedding its cumbersome label.

It's a welcome return of a tennis icon.