The Different Types of Tennis Courts, Explained

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In the last two years, more than 4.9 million people in the USA have taken up tennis, placing it among the fastest-growing sports in the country.

Are you one of these newcomers and keen to find out more about the game? Tennis is an excellent way to enjoy healthy outdoor relaxation, and improve your fitness at the same time.

Keep reading to find out more about the types of tennis courts available today.  

Natural Grass Tennis Courts

Wimbledon boasts the most famous grass courts in the world and has never wavered from this surface despite modern innovations.

These tennis courts are the softest surface for tennis and provide the fastest speed of play. Grass courts are rare in the USA as they’re difficult to build and maintain.

A grass surface requires constant mowing, weeding, and fertilizing to stay at its best. That’s why most US tennis clubs choose one of the other tennis court surfaces.  

Clay Tennis Courts

Clay tennis courts are one of the best choices for tennis courts.

They provide slower ball bounce than other surfaces. This means longer rallies, a more controlled game, and a better variety of strokes.

Thanks to their soft surface, clay tennis courts protect players from jarring their joints while playing by allowing them to slide into their returns.

The surface of these courts readily absorbs water which drains off from the base thanks to the sloped design of the court. This means clay courts are ready for play within minutes of a rain shower. 

These are high-maintenance courts, requiring monthly, weekly, and daily maintenance. You need to spray them with water regularly to keep the surface structurally sound and playable.  

Synthetic Tennis Courts

There are two types of synthetic tennis courts. Both have a fabric overlay, but one has an infill of sand or clay, while the other has a synthetic turf upper with sand infill.

Synthetic courts offer all the benefits of clay courts on a medium-soft surface, without intensive maintenance.  

According to Multiturf sports, you can also use this surface for other games, like field hockey, saving you money. This makes them a great choice for schools.  

Hard Types of Tennis Courts

Hard courts are also a low-maintenance choice and are available in two varieties. These are:

Cushioned Asphalt or Concrete with an Acrylic Color System

These tennis courts have a medium-hard surface for medium-fast play.The rubberized cushioning systems used in these courts help alleviate the pain of playing on a hard surface.  

One type of cushioning consists of a rolled mat overlaid on top of the lower layer. Others feature multiple coats of heavy-grade rubber granules and fine-grade rubber granules on top.  

Asphalt or Concrete with Acrylic Color System

Hard courts consist of a hard base sealed with an acrylic surface coat system. They require almost no maintenance, and you can customize the speed of play to suit your style.

Hard courts are harder on the joints and can become quite hot during the summer months as they reflect heat.  

Play On

Whether you’re heading for a round at your local tennis club or building a tennis court at home, it pays to keep the different types of tennis courts in mind. 

Choosing the wrong surface can make all the difference to your game and your enjoyment.  

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