Last Updated on November 11, 2022 by admin_hosting
There are quite a few things to take into consideration when building a tennis court. The location, the orientation of the court, the soil, drainage—then, you need to consider things like landscaping, fencing, equipment, and lighting. It’s enough to make your head spin! But don’t worry, we’re here to help.
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This guide will walk you through many of the most important things that need to be considered when you’re thinking about building a tennis court from start to finish—game, set, match.
Selecting the Location
The first thing you need to do when planning to build a tennis court is to find the perfect location. It sounds simple, but the site chosen to construct your court will dictate many of the other decisions you’ll make during the construction process. So, it’s very important to choose the location wisely. An experienced sports facility design and construction firm can help you locate the optimal site to build your tennis court.
The dimensions of a regulation tennis court are 78 feet long and 27 feet wide for singles matches or 36 feet wide for doubles matches. The court is divided in the middle by a net that is 3.5 feet high at the posts and 3 feet high in the center.
The minimum amount of space required around the court is 10 feet on all sides. However, it’s often recommended to have at least 20 feet of space on all sides to allow for players to chase down errant balls.
Orienting the Court(s)
The orientation is very important when you build tennis courts because—well, you want to take the sun (and shade) into consideration. The ASBA (American Sports Builders Association) recommends that tennis courts be built north-to-south to avoid direct sunlight in players’ eyes during matches. Of course, that’s not always possible or practical.
If you can’t orient your tennis court north-to-south at the chosen construction site, there are ways to mitigate the effects of the sun. You can install windscreens or shading structures over the court, or you can plant trees or shrubs around the perimeter of the court to provide natural shade.
The amount of shade, and the path of the sun overhead, can also be important for tennis match spectators—as well as the court surface itself. If you’re in an area with high temperatures, you might want to orient your court so that the sun isn’t beating down on it all day long.
You also need to take into account the prevailing winds. You don’t want your court to be in a location where strong winds will constantly disrupt play.
Indoor tennis courts may not have to worry about sun and wind as much, but they have their own indoor sports facility considerations.
Soil/Foundation
The soil is an important thing to think about, because you need to make sure it’s suitable for the construction of a tennis court before you can begin building. The soil needs to be able to support the weight of the court, and everything that goes on top of it. The type of soil at the site will also dictate what kind of foundation you’ll need to lay for your court. (If you have sandy soil, for example, you’ll need to make sure the foundation is properly compacted.)
And of course—very importantly—utility infrastructure needs to be taken into account when building a tennis court. Whether you’re building a tennis court in your backyard or constructing a community sports complex with multiple tennis courts, you don’t want to build on top of underground cables, gas pipes, or water lines!
In urban areas, there are other considerations to make sure the weight of the court can be supported—for example, if there are metro lines or other underground infrastructure. In these cases, you might need to consult with an engineer to make sure the site is suitable for construction before the court can be built.
Tennis Court Surfacing
When it comes to choosing the surface material, most tennis courts will use one of the following types:
- Concrete/Asphalt Courts
- Clay Courts
- Grass Courts
- Artificial Turf Courts
When selecting surfacing for a tennis court, you don’t just have cost and maintenance to consider—the surface actually changes the way the game is played.
Each surface type has different characteristics that can affect things like the speed of the ball and the way it bounces. For example, the ball will bounce faster but lower on grass and artificial turf courts compared to a clay court.
Concrete and asphalt are the most common types of surfaces for tennis courts. That’s because they’re hard, durable, and easy to maintain. Tennis balls will bounce fast and high on a concrete or asphalt court.
Clay tennis courts are also popular, but moreso in Europe than in the USA. They offer a slower pace of play because the ball moves slower, but with higher bounce height. They can be more difficult to maintain than concrete/asphalt courts or artificial turf courts.
Grass courts are less common than other options, but they’re still used in some tournaments. They can be more challenging for players, are more susceptible to weather conditions, and require more maintenance than other types of courts. Tennis balls will bounce low on grass, but will move faster than on clay or hard court surfaces.
Artificial turf is becoming more and more popular for tennis courts and sports facilities in general. It’s a good option if you want a low-maintenance court surface that won’t cost a lot to install, or to keep in good condition for many years. The ball will move fast on artificial turf, and will bounce higher than on regular grass, but lower than on hard surfaces.
Drainage
Drainage is important because you don’t want your tennis court turning into a swimming pool every time it rains! If the court is built in an area with poor drainage, you’ll need to take measures to ensure that water is directed away from the court.
This can include installing a drainage system around the perimeter of the court, adding a layer of gravel underneath the court surface to improve drainage, and/or ensuring that the court is very slightly sloped so that water drains away from it.
The last thing you want is for a newly built tennis court to be unusable because it’s covered in puddles every time someone goes to play.
Landscaping, Fencing, Equipment, and Lighting
Once you’ve taken all of the above into consideration and chosen the perfect location for your tennis court, it’s time to start thinking about the other elements that will go into making it a great place to play.
Things like landscaping, fencing, and equipment can enhance the look, feel, and function of your court. And if you’re planning on playing tennis at night, you’ll need to make sure the court is properly lit.
Landscaping
Landscaping can help to create a beautiful and inviting environment around your tennis court. Planting bushes, trees, and flowers around the perimeter of the court can add some privacy and make the area feel more like an oasis. Adding benches, picnic tables, and other outdoor seating can create a comfortable place for players and spectators to relax between matches.
Fencing
Fencing is important for two main reasons. First, it can create a physical boundary around the tennis court so that balls don’t go flying off into other areas (or onto neighboring properties!). Second, it can provide some privacy and wind protection for players and spectators. There are many different types of court fencing material to choose from, so you can pick something that fits in with the aesthetic of your property or construction site.
If noise is an issue, perhaps due to a highway located near the tennis court site, proximity to homes, or other factors, you may want to consider sound-dampening barriers. These type of barriers are specially designed to reduce noise levels. You don’t want players (or nearby residents) complaining about the racket.
Tennis Equipment
Equipment, such as nets, posts, and windscreens, is essential for playing tennis. But it can also be used to enhance the look of the court and make it more functional. For example, if you live in an area with high winds, you might want to invest in windscreens to help keep the court sheltered from strong gusts.
Court Lighting
And of course, lighting is important if you want to be able to play tennis in the evening, or even around sunset when visibility can be at its worst.
You’ll need to make sure to install necessary lighting around the court to make sure that players can see the ball and each other clearly; if there is a spectator area, you’ll need to make sure it’s well-lit too. Tennis court lighting can be functional, stylish, or both.
Conclusion
Building a tennis court is a highly specialized type of construction project, and it requires careful planning and execution by an experienced sports facility construction firm. By following the tips in this guide, you can choose the perfect location for your court and make sure all the other elements come together to create a beautiful and functional space that everyone can enjoy.
UDC Sports is a full-service sports construction and consulting firm, handling everything from planning, designing, building, and maintaining sports facilities. Let us put our expertise to work for you so that you can create the perfect tennis court for your community, school, or organization.
Give us a call at 828-518-5787 to learn more about your options when it comes to tennis court or other sports field construction, or click here to email us. We would be happy to answer any questions you have, and help you get started bringing your vision to life!
