Tennis courts dimensions and types of surface

A tennis court is composed of the playing surface, and surrounding run-off area.

The court is a rectangle 23,77 m (78 ft) long and 8,23 m (27 ft) wide (Singles), or 23,77 m (78 ft) long and 10,97 m (36 ft) wide (Doubles) .

Minimum dimensions for a recreational size court (playing surface + run-off area) are 17,07 m (56 ft) x 34,77 m (114 ft), which allows a minimum run-back length of 5,50 m (18 ft) behind the baseline and a side-run of minimum 3,05 m (10 ft) on each side.

Minimum international standard dimensions are 18 m x 36 m (60 x 120 ft), with a run-back length of 6,10 m (20ft) behind each baseline, and side-runs of about 3,70 m (12 ft) on each side. (obviously it is always possible to build smaller courts).

In general, courts are surrounded by a 3m high fence and can be lit by floodlights.

At its inception, in 1877, tennis was only played on grass. Today, different surfaces can be proposed to answer different players needs. Each surface has its own specificities, which influence the gameplay.

  • Hard surfaces: e.g. porous concrete, resin 
  • “Comfort” surfaces: e.g. turf, clay (synthetic or natural)

 

Porous
Concrete

  • Hard surface
  • ITF 4-5 (Medium-fast, Fast)


  • Rebound: average
  • Maintenance: yearly (high pressure water cleaning, fungicide)
  • Surface can be painted the colour of your choice to optimise landscape integration

Synthetic
turf

  • Comfort surface
  • ITF 3 to 5 (Medium to Fast),
    depending on the characteristics of the turf
  • Rebound: Avg - Low
  • Maintenance: yearly (silica sand cleaning, fungicide)
  • Visually very close to real grass, very good integration in parcs and gardens, with or without landscaping
  • €€

Synthetic
clay

  • Comfort surface
  • ITF 1-2 (Slow, medium-slow)


  • Rebound: high
  • Maintenance: yearly (silica sand cleaning, fungicide)
  • Red or green, clay always keeps that "traditional tennis" aura

  • €€€