A tennis court adds tremendous value to a school or athletic facility. In addition to giving athletes an appropriate setting to play tennis, a new or upgraded court provides an elegant look to increase the appeal of a property. However, not all tennis courts are made the same.
There’s more than one choice for tennis court surfaces. But which surface is right for you? With so many options, you can turn to the experts at American Athletic Track and Turf to help you decide. We are an award-winning certified builder with more than 25 years of experience serving East Coast states.
Here, we discuss the different tennis court types and how to choose the best one for your needs.
Different Types of Tennis Court Surfaces
When adding or upgrading a tennis court at your facility, one of the first decisions is what surface material you want. What are tennis courts made of? The following are some of the common types:Grass
When you think of today’s tennis courts, grass may not come to mind. However, grass is one of the oldest types of surfaces for tennis, and it is the surface for the famed Championships at Wimbledon. Grass offers an elegant look and is great for short points and hard hitters. As beautiful as they are, grass courts require a substantial amount of upkeep. Additionally, this playing surface is known to be unsafe when wet, making play during inclement conditions risky.Clay
Most common in parts of South America and Europe, clay courts have a top layer of crushed aggregate. This allows players to slide on the court’s surface to make outstanding plays. Much like grass, clay courts require considerable maintenance. Between irrigation, rolling, and brushing to keep the lines visible, these surfaces are best for tournaments or facilities with adequate resources.Acrylic
If you’ve seen a tennis court in the United States, chances are it was an acrylic court. This playing surface combines a strong regulating base containing concrete or asphalt with a wearing surface of acrylic or polyurethane. Acrylic courts can also have a cushioned layer underneath. Acrylic courts offer a lot of bounce, which results in enjoyable rallies and breathtaking points. For this reason, most professional tennis tournaments are played on this reliable surface.Asphalt
Asphalt courts are a cost-effective option. They are designed much like an acrylic court but without the final layer of acrylic on top. Asphalt tennis courts are a great budget-friendly option, as their initial cost is very affordable. For this reason, most public courts are made of asphalt. Even though they are prone to cracking over time, the money saved upfront generally offsets any repairs needed in the future. The International Tennis Federation also recognizes the following types of tennis court surfaces:- Artificial clay
- Artificial grass
- Carpet
- Concrete
- Tile
- Canvas
- Wood
