In this episode of the Functional Tennis Podcast, I’m joined by Yuhi Tanigaki, Product Manager for Tennis Footwear at ASICS, to go behind the scenes of the new Solution Speed FF4.

Yuhi plays a central role in shaping ASICS tennis shoes, working closely with designers, researchers, professional athletes, and recreational players to turn feedback into real on court performance.

We cover what actually goes into building a modern tennis shoe and how small changes can make a big difference.

In this episode, we discuss:

1. How long it really takes to develop a tennis shoe from first idea to retail
2. What stayed consistent from the original Solution Speed and what has evolved
3. The key updates in the Solution Speed FF4 and how they affect feel and movement
4. How ASICS balances speed, comfort, and durability without adding weight
5. The role of athlete feedback, including insights from Belinda Bencic
6. Differences between what professional players and recreational players value
7. Why ASICS sees the FF4 as an evolution rather than a complete redesign
8. Which type of player the Solution Speed FF4 is built for

This episode is a deep dive into tennis footwear design and a rare look at how performance products are actually created behind the scenes.