Nike’s New Hypersmash Tennis Shoe Looks Like the Classic Hyperdunk Sneaker
Nike may have just lost one of its all-time top men’s tennis players to retirement, but it looks like the brand has big plans for the sport in the new year. In addition to a full-fledged retro push of Andre Agassi’s 1990s signature line, a new performance model is on the way, and it’s borrowing some aesthetic inspiration from a basketball classic.
Images of the all-new Nike Hypersmash recently hit the internet. The low-top tennis silhouette takes some clear inspiration from the Nike Hyperdunk basketball model, which was originally released in 2008 and was famously worn by Kobe Bryant.
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The late NBA legend wore the “United We Rise” Hyperdunk while playing as a member of Team USA during the 2008 Olympics. Its launch came in-between the Kobe 3 and the Kobe 4 and offered a first glimpse at a new Nike tech known as Flywire that would define many of the era’s performance shoes.
Inspired by suspension cables on bridges, Flywire tech used lightweight-yet-durable Vectran filaments to support the wearer’s foot. In addition to the Hyperdunk, Flywire was prominently featured on models such as the Kobe 4, Kobe 5, LeBron 7, and LeBron 8.
Now, it looks like Flywire’s legacy will live on in the upcoming Nike Hypersmash. Based on the early images, the model essentially appears to be a low-cut version of the Hyperdunk with changes to make it suitable for tennis performance. Modifications include a reinforced toe box, exposed mesh for breathability and added lateral support from a TPU cage that extends from the midsole.
Beyond sport, the Hyperdunk’s history includes a special pair that was created exclusively for the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama.
Despite the pending arrival of the Nike Hypersmash, there’s no word on a Hyperdunk retro. The “United We Rise” colorway was last rereleased in 2016.
The Nike Hypersmash is expected to debut during spring 2025. Retail pricing has not yet been confirmed.
