Tennis Courts

Once you decide the time is right to build a tennis court, the first thing to do is ensure you have enough space to build on. Whether it is for a school, athletics club, park, or even a personal project, it is essential to focus on the site positioning and assess the surrounding area. 

The good news is most land areas and building sites do not require much investigation. However, to avoid any problems down the road, it’s advisable to contact builders or contractors specializing in tennis court construction. They can advise on some essential factors such as the soil condition. 

Other issues that may need to be addressed include waste and fill materials or the presence of peat or different organic soils, plus the possibility of excavation. Water retention issues need to be checked, as is the possibility of using the tennis surface off-season for other sports such as ice hockey or skating during the cold month. Additionally, ease of access for machinery must also be factored in.

The amount of investigation needed depends on each site location and must be agreed upon by all interested parties before the process before the necessary work can begin.

The next step is to remove all grass, topsoil, and other non-essential materials from the court area. To reduce waste and logistics costs you can store the topsoil, which can be re-used for landscaping after the tennis courts construction has been completed. 

Drainage could cause you some issues as work must comply with local regulations and building guidelines. If in doubt, an expert can advise on the best course of action. We suggest contacting a professional in tennis construction at the beginning of the building process.

Once the court area is cleared, it needs to be filled with an embankment fill, preferably using well-graded granular soil. Building contractors can advise on soil quality, which depends on various factors, including material density and water consistency. After the embankment fill has been correctly filled, the base course can be applied to the tennis court surface.

The dimensions of a standard tennis court are 78 ft x 27 ft. However, those are not the dimensions you have to plan for: courts need playable space behind the baselines and outside the sidelines. The standard dimensions court builders plan for are 120 ft x 60 ft x, an area of 2,200 square feet. In addition, courts require a run-out zone of at least 18 feet behind the baselines and outside the doubles lanes.

According to international standards, a distance of 12 feet is required between multiple courts, and only four courts are permitted next to each other in a single row. These design standards minimize the disturbances and distractions that could occur if the courts are in use at the same time. Moreover, these specifications allow the tennis facility to host competitive games under standard conditions.

The court surface is the one feature everybody notices at a tennis center. When choosing the appropriate tennis flooring surface, club managers are spoiled by a variety of choices for the design, material, and color. 

Many factors go into the decision of what floor to install: Who are the main users  and what are their expectations for the floor’s look and performance? What features do other nearby tennis complexes have, and to what extent does this influence the decision? And, of course: How much does each option and combination of features cost, both up front and in the annual operating and maintenance costs?

Read more about tennis court surfacing options in our article.

Many tennis center owners and athletic directors face the decision of which surface their tennis courts should have for the next several years. These projects share a few common questions: 

• What is the cost of a new surface for an indoor or outdoor tennis court?
• What is the club’s budget for installation, resurfacing and maintenance?
• Which court surfaces do the club’s members or the main users of the courts prefer?
• How high-maintenance and cost-intensive is each surface, and how often will they need to be resurfaced?

A beautifully finished court can create a buzz among tennis enthusiasts, and that’s why the painting of court lines is a pivotal part of the tennis court construction process. Before applying paint, tennis contractors or builders will survey and clean any leftover moss, debris, or dirt. A fungicidal wash may also be necessary. You want a neat finish, so applying 50 mm tape before the painting begins is advised A taping machine is a helpful tool to avoid any paint bleeding onto the court playing surface.

Acrylic is a popular choice among tennis center owners and athletic directors. It is durable, dries quickly, and is weather-resistant, however, water-based paint is better if the court surface is asphalt and tarmac. The color contrast between the playing surface and lines is essential while playing tennis to determine if the ball is out of play. Experts in the field can advise on which color combinations work best for you and your customers.

Line marking is an exact and technical process, and therefore seeking professional assistance is essential. Airless spraying or the double roller technique can be used to apply the paint. Professionals can determine the amount of paint needed, as using too much paint may cause thickness, affecting the playing experience. 

Do you want your school or club logo blazed around the tennis court, or maybe your sponsor is keen for more visibility?

Customizing your tennis courts and surrounding fences/windscreens is a popular choice for schools and clubs that take their sport seriously.

Customization enhances the look of the tennis court area, opens potential revenue streams, and increases team spirit. The polished look customization offers will add importance and a touch of class and professionalism, which will be appreciated by tennis club members. It could also attract new members looking for a tennis club or sports facility that is willing to go that one step further to please their clients.

Depending on budget constraints, custom tennis logos are hand-painted, reproduced digitally, or masked and then painted. Applying logos and branding to the windscreen and court covers is a good option. They provide strong visibility, use high-grade vinyl that is UV resistant, and are easily applied using digital printing or painted onto the material. Windscreens also offer the opportunity to cover existing fencing with customized graphics for companies that want to get their message out to a wider audience.

Tennis enthusiasts appreciate the whole tennis experience, which can be achieved by purchasing various accessories. Some aspects of a tennis court are obligatory, such as tennis nets and fencing. The choice of net depends on the length of the tennis season, court surface, and frequency of use. Options such as braided or twisted nets should be planned in advance and discussed with a specialist tennis court builder or contractor.

Using an air dome or tennis bubble covering is another option that needs you should consider, especially if members and clients expect to play tennis all year round. Additional elements such as LED lighting and the tennis air dome storage facilities should be assessed with experts in advance, preferably during the summer months.