What Is Tennis Court?

A tennis court is the venue where the sport of tennis is played. It is a rectangular court with a low net stretched across the center.

Tennis Court Basics

A tennis court is a rectangular court used for playing tennis. The net is 3.5 feet high at the posts and 3 feet high in the center. The court is 28 feet long for singles matches and 36 feet long for doubles matches. The width of the court for singles matches is 27 feet, and for doubles matches, the width is 36 feet.

The dimensions of a tennis court

A regulation tennis court is 78 feet long and 27 feet wide for singles matches, or 84 feet long and 36 feet wide for doubles matches. The service line is 21 feet from the backboard for singles, or 21 feet from the backboard or 28.5 feet from the center mark for doubles. For clarification, service lines are closer to the net on either side of the center of the court. The baseline is the back wall of the court.

The net height

The net is 3.5 feet (1.07 m) high at the posts and 3 feet (0.91 m) high in the center.[17] The netposts are 3½ feet (1.07 m) outside the doubles court on each side or, for singles with a partner, 3 feet (0.91 m) outside the court on each side. Tennis is played on a rectangular, flat surface. The court is 78 feet (23.77 m) long, and 27 feet (8.2 m) wide for singles matches and 36 ft (10.97 m) for doubles matches.[1] Additional clear space around the court is required in order for players to reach overrun balls for a total of 120 ft (37 m) wide and 120 ft (37

The surface of a tennis court

Tennis is played on a rectangular court. The court is 78 feet (23.77 m) long, and 27 feet (8.2 m) wide for singles matches and 36 ft (10.97 m) for doubles matches.[1] Additional clear space around the court is required in order for players to reach overrun balls. A net is stretched across the full width of the court, parallel with the baselines, dividing it into two equal ends. It is held up by either a metal cable or cord that can be no more than 0.8 cm (1⁄3 in) in diameter, no more than 2.0 cm (3⁄4 in) wide, and The playing surface itself can vary significantly depending on the tournament, but is most commonly composed of hard courts (e.g., asphalt or concrete).
The standard-size tennis court for singles matches has a length of 78 feet (23.77 m) and a width of 27 feet (8.2 m).[2] Nationalsalls governing body normally recommends a minimum court size of 60 × 120 ft (18 × 36 m).[3][4][5] This regulation applies to courts built after 1974.[6]. For doubles matches played on full-size tennis courts, each player has effective control over one half of the area between the centerline and baseline without moving past their respective service boxes.[7] These dimensions are also regulated by Nationalsalls governing body and apply to courts built after 1974.[8][9]

Tennis Court Construction

A tennis court is the venue where the sport of tennis is played. It is a rectangular plot of ground with a net running across the center. The dimensions of a tennis court are regulated by international tennis governing bodies. The court surface may be made of grass, clay, or a synthetic material.

The layers of a tennis court

Tennis court construction generally consists of three layers:

First, a layer of stone dust is spread and compacted. This provides a stable base for the second layer, which is mostly asphalt with a smaller percentage of stone dust. The top layer is a softer material, often acrylic, that provides good footing and resilience.

The sub-base

A properly installed gravel sub-base is important to the life of your tennis court. Although a layer of concrete is poured over the sub-base, it is the sub-base material that actually supports the weight of the concrete, asphalt or purolite surfaces, player foot traffic, and heavy tennis court equipment. Proper compaction of the sub-base prevents settling and keeps your playing surface level and free from uncontrolled cracking. An improperly compacted sub-base will cause your playing surface to crack and/or settle unevenly.

The base

A firm, level base is critical to the success of any tennis court project. Depending on your location and climate, there are different base requirements. A reputable contractor will be able to advise you on the best material for your needs. The three most common types of bases are asphalt, concrete, and post-tensioned concrete.

Asphalt: A layer of asphalt is the most common type of base for tennis courts. It is a flexible material that can accommodate minor shifts in the surface below it. Asphalt also has excellent drainage properties, which is important in locations that receive a lot of precipitation. The main downside of asphalt is that it can get quite hot in direct sunlight, making it uncomfortably to play on during the summer months.

Concrete: Concrete is a more rigid material than asphalt, so it can be more susceptible to cracking if the ground underneath shifts. However, concrete provides a very smooth surface that is ideal for playing tennis. Concrete also does not absorb heat the way asphalt does, so it stays cooler in direct sunlight.

Post-tensioned Concrete: Post-tensioned concrete is a type of concrete that has been designed to resist cracking caused by shifting ground. It achieved this by inserting metal cables into the wet concrete mix before it dries. These cables are then tensioned after the concrete has cured, creating a strong bond that prevents cracking. Post-tensioned concrete is more expensive than regular concrete, but it provides peace of mind for homeowners in areas with shifting soil.

The asphalt top

The asphalt top is the playing surface of a tennis court. It is generally made up of a concrete base with an asphalt top. The asphalt top is usually 3 to 4 inches thick and is mixed with various additives to give it structure, weather resistance, and durability.

Tennis Court Maintenance

Whether you have a private tennis court or you belong to a club, you need to take care of it. A well-maintained tennis court will not only look good but will also be safer to play on. Here are some tips on how to maintain your tennis court.

Resurfacing a tennis court

The process of resurfacing a tennis court is done in order to maintain the playing surface and extend the life of the court. The most common type of resurfacing is acrylic, which is a mixture of acrylic latex and sand that is spread over the playing surface and then compacted. The surface will then need to be primed and painted.

Cleaning a tennis court

To clean a tennis court, you will need a leaf blower, stiff broom, tennis court cleaner, and hose with a nozzle. First, use the leaf blower to remove any debris from the surface of the court. Next, use the stiff broom to sweep the entire court in one direction. Be sure to go over the entire court surface multiple times until all dirt and debris have been removed.

After sweeping, mix tennis court cleaner according to directions on the bottle. Use the hose with nozzle to apply the cleaner evenly over the surface of the court. Let the cleaner sit on the surface for at least 10 minutes before rinsing it off with clean water from the hose.

Once the court is clean and dry, it is ready for use!

Painting a tennis court

Tennis court painting is an important part of maintaining your court. Depending on the type of paint and surface you have, you will need to repaint your court every couple of years. Acrylic paint is the most common type of paint used on tennis courts. It dries quickly, has a non-slip surface, and is available in a variety of colors.