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.
