n tennis, the type of court has a great influence on the course of the game. Some tennis courts are faster than others, meaning that the ball travels faster and bounces lower.
Some tennis courts are slower, meaning that the spin is more effective and the ball bounces higher. This article explains the different types of tennis courts and their characteristics.
Table of Contents
- Grass Courts
- Artificial Grass Courts (Turf)
- Hard Courts
- Clay Courts
- Artificial Clay Courts
- Hybrid Clay Courts
- Carpet Courts
- Asphalt and Concrete Courts
- FAQ
Grass Courts
Grass courts are the most classic type of courts in tennis, but also one of the rarest. As their name suggests, their surface consists of a carefully cut lawn planted on top of a thick layer of clay. They are also fitted with drainage pipes to prevent water accumulation.
Grass courts are the fastest of all tennis courts because when the ball hits the court it does not bounce straight upwards but slides along the surface for a short time. This also means that the ball bounces much lower than on other court types and the player has less time to react to the shot.
Grass courts therefore favour players who hit hard and flat. In particular, backspin shots such as the slice are very effective on grass courts, as they allow the ball to produce a very low bounce.
It is also more difficult to break a serve on grass, which is why games played on grass tend to last longer.
The popularity of grass courts peaked between 1905 and 1974 when 3/4 of the Grand Slam tournaments were played on them. Today, however, the popularity of grass courts has declined due to their challenging maintenance.
Playing on grass courts also requires completely dry weather, while other types of tennis courts can be played in light rainfall.
Artificial Grass Courts (Turf)
Artificial grass courts are similar to carpet courts. Their surface layer consists of plastic fibers imitating grass and sand to densify the court. Artificial grass courts are much easier to maintain than real grass courts, as they do not need to be watered, among other things.
The playing characteristics of artificial grass courts are similar to those of real grass courts. When the ball hits the surface, it does not bounce straight up but slides along the court for a while, and the bounce is also lower, as on real grass courts.
In addition, artificial grass also provides more grip for the player, making it easier to move around. Because of their irregular playing characteristics, artificial grass courts are not used in professional matches.
Hard Courts
Hard courts are the most common courts in tennis, thanks to their ease of maintenance and durability. They can be found both outdoors and indoors. The surface of hard courts is usually made of acrylic or polyurethane mixed with sand and paint. The amount of sand can, therefore, control the speed of the court.
Hard courts are generally considered to be fast tennis courts, as the ball bounces quickly and low from the surface. This type of court favors players who serve and hit hard.
Clay Courts
Clay courts are the second most popular type of court and are widely used, especially in Western Europe and South America. Clay courts generally require a warm climate, as they are intended to be played outdoors. Clay courts also exist in indoor arenas, but are less common.
The surface of clay courts is made of dampened brick rubble, which provides a soft and slippery surface. The soft and slippery surface allows the ball to bounce higher and slower. This allows players to slide on the crushed brick surface.
Clay courts are also more difficult to maintain than other types of courts. At the beginning of the season, they need to be watered regularly and the surface should be brushed after every game.
Clay courts are well suited to players who can produce a lot of topspin, as when a topspin ball hits the surface of a clay court, the ball bounces higher than normal.
The slower pace of play also makes clay courts suitable for baseline players, as there is more time for the ball to move.
There are two main types of clay court: red clay and green clay (claytech/har-tru).
Most of the clay courts in Europe and South America use red clay while most of the clay courts in America use green clay.
Although clay courts are popular among players, they cause mixed feelings. Some tennis players prefer clay courts because of their atmosphere and slower pace of play. On the other hand, some players dislike clay courts because of their uneven surface and slipperiness, which causes foul balls.
Artificial Clay Courts
Artificial clay courts are very similar to real clay courts. The difference, however, is that they have a carpet layer underneath the surface layer and can be made up of sand as well as crushed bricks. In contrast, the layer underneath the surface layer of a genuine clay court consists of crushed bricks, and the surface layer can only consist of crushed bricks.
The playing characteristics of artificial clay courts are also very similar to those of real clay courts. For example, the game is slower and the players are able to slide along the court. The main difference in terms of play, however, is that the ball bounces lower due to the carpet layer of the artificial clay court, making the game faster.
Hybrid Clay Courts
Hybrid clay courts are a new trademarked court type developed in Europe and approved by the ITF. It is similar in appearance and playing characteristics to a clay court, but is much easier to maintain. Although the ITF has approved HybridClay, it is not yet used for official tournaments.
The most interesting feature of HybridClay courts is that they can be built on top of any existing court type. It has a lot of potential as a court type due to its cost-effectiveness, its non-freezing properties, and its excellent water drainage.
Carpet Courts
Carpet courts consist of carpets laid on top of a concrete layer. Thanks to their slippery surface, they are fast courts and favor players who serve and hit hard.
Nowadays, carpet courts are rare because of their instability. Because a carpeted court is made up of many smaller carpets rather than one large one, the carpets can move around more, causing more hazards.
As a result of the movement of the carpets, when a player rushes to the ball, the carpet can slide under the player, causing a tumble and a sprained ankle. In addition, there is no specific standard for carpet courts, so their speed and characteristics vary widely.
Asphalt and Concrete Courts
Asphalt and concrete courts are hard and inexpensive types of courts. They are built the same way as official hard courts, but without an acrylic coating on the last layer, making them more affordable. However, the lack of an acrylic layer makes asphalt and concrete courts more vulnerable to the weather, which causes them to wear and crack more easily.
However, asphalt and concrete courts are an excellent choice for public courts hosted by the city.
FAQ
Are all tennis courts the same size?
– Yes, all ATP and ITF courts are standard size. The courts are 23.77m (78ft) long, the width of the singles area is 8.23m (27ft) and the width of the doubles area is 10.97m (36ft).
Which type of tennis court should I play on?
– This is a matter of opinion. Some players like to play outdoors and others like to play even on a faster court. No one type of court is “better” than another.
However, beginners are advised to start playing on a hard court, as they have the fewest variables. The surface of grass and artificial grass courts is soft and slippery which can cause various bounces and harder movement.
A tennis enthusiast with a moderate level of play can play on both hard and soft courts, but it is important to choose a specific type of court for the best development.
If a player alternates between court types, he or she will have to constantly change playing style and movement, which can hinder development.
What is the difference between playing tennis on indoor and outdoor courts?
– The main difference between indoor and outdoor tennis courts is the wind. When playing outdoors, the wind has a major impact on the trajectory of the ball in lateral and depth directions.
When playing tennis indoors, however, the trajectory of the ball is easier to predict as it is not influenced by any external factor.
In addition, another challenge of playing outdoors is the surrounding environment. When playing indoors, the tennis court is usually surrounded only by a flat canvas or wall. When playing outdoors, the court may be surrounded by buildings, trees, or other details that can make it difficult to see the ball.
How much does it cost to build a tennis court?
– Building a tennis court costs around €10,000-60,000 depending on the type of court and the terrain.
Fun fact
– Did you know that the court for the Finland-Argentina Davis Cup match was built on ice from square pieces of court?