What to Expect From Different Tennis Court Types

Whether you’re a professional or a beginner, the type of tennis court you play on affects your game. Although most of us have only ever played on hard courts, understanding how the ball and the players behave on each court type makes watching the Grand Slam tournaments that much more enjoyable. The three main tennis court types are hard courts, clay courts, and grass courts.

Hard Tennis Courts

Hard tennis courts are the most common type of tennis court because they’re easy to maintain. In terms of performance, hard tennis courts are ideal for players who prefer a faster game. However, depending on the rigidity of the surface layer, a hard court may absorb some energy and slow the game down marginally. On hard courts, the ball tends to bounce higher, and they’re great for new players who want to learn advanced techniques involving spin.

Clay Tennis Courts

Clay tennis courts are much less common than hard tennis courts, and newer players are less likely to have the opportunity to play on one. That’s mainly because they require a higher level of maintenance and watering.

Clay tennis courts are, by far, the slowest tennis courts on this list. They provide a much higher and slower bounce on the ball, therefore removing the advantage of an aggressive serve. That’s why clay courts are great for defensive-minded players. In fact, clay courts are commonly thought of as a great leveler between newer players and experienced players because they force experienced players to slow their game down.

Grass Tennis Courts

Grass tennis courts are the rarest tennis court type because they require the most maintenance. Along with regular mowing, they need to be watered regularly to make sure they’re healthy.

Grass courts are the fastest tennis court type, as well. Balls tend to bounce fast and low, making returning aggressive serves and volleys difficult. For that reason, grass courts favor more experienced players, and new players may have difficulty learning on them. Grass courts are also the best for players’ ankles and knees because they absorb the most shock.

New England Courts installs state-of-the-art, customizable sports flooring all across New England, including tennis courts. If you’re interested in installing a tennis court or resurfacing your tennis court, contact us online or call us 603-944-1184 today.