Tennis Courts

The recommended size of a single court is 60′ x 120′. The minimum required dimensions per the International Tennis Federation (USTA) is 56′ x 114′. Stadium courts should be 66′ x 132′ to allow for judges and benches.

The recommended size of multiple court complexes are for each court to be 60′ x 120′, which allows 24′ between the courts. The preferred minimum space between courts is 18′ and the absolute minimum space between courts 12′.

Per USTA regulations and American Sports Builders Association (ASBA) standards, there should be no obstructions within 12’ of the doubles playing lines. This will be a factor in divider fencing and light pole locations when the courts are less than 60’ in width.

Hard courts should slope in one plane; side-to-side, end-to-end, or corner-to-corner, at a minimum of 1″ in 10′ (0.833%) and a maximum of 1%. Clay courts should slope in one plane at 1″ in 30′ to 1″ in 40′.

Substrates for hard tennis courts are either concrete or asphalt. Asphalt has a lower initial cost of installation, but will begin to deteriorate quickly. At three to five years structural cracks will have developed or are developing, as well as settling or displacement. At 10 years major restoration work is required.

Concrete courts should be constructed utilizing post-tensioning. Post-tensioned concrete utilizes steel cables in a plastic sheathing, which are placed in a grid through-out the slab. The cables are partially stressed at 24 hours, and once the concrete has reached a minimum strength of 2,700 psi (typically 5 to 7 days depending on temperatures) the cables are fully stressed. A minimum of one full court is placed at one time, monolithically. This process eliminates the need for joints or saw cuts in the each court. Although random cracking may occur, the cable compression will keep them to a hairline crack which will not affect playability or longevity of the court and not allow displacement. This is the most structurally sound method of construction, and will provide a long lasting court for many generations.

Clay courts are constructed over properly compacted road base or non-expansive native soils. An underground watering system is installed to provide the most economical, consistent and lowest maintenance approach to keeping the courts in optimal playing condition.

Acrylic color coatings are standard hard court surfaces. These are comprised of a primer and sand filled color coats for a consistent textured playing surface. Cushioned surfaces are also available for hard court substrates. These can be an acrylic/rubber layered system or a polyurethane/rubber system with acrylics coatings. These systems can be applied in varying depths to accommodate player individual preferences. General Acrylics’ Gameco surfacing systems come in various colors and cushion types.

Sand-filled turf surfaces can be installed on either concrete, asphalt or a properly prepared gravel base. These surfaces work well as a rehabilitative surface, being placed over severely cracked substrates and also provide for various degrees of cushion for the player.

Clay surfaces are comprised of aggregate bases, with green or red clay playing surfaces. These “soft” courts provide a unique type of play that is easy on the body and a slower pace than “hard” court surfaces.

Standard resurfacing includes crack filling, repairs and re-coating of the acrylic surface. Birdbath leveling may or may not be included, depending on the customers’ budget and the severity of the problem. Structural cracks, although filled, will reopen, due to thermal expansion/contraction.

Armor Crack repair as an option for customers that wish to provide localized crack resistance. Sand-filled turf systems and the Nova Pro-Bounce system can be installed over cracked substrates to prevent the cracks from interfering with play. These surfaces are free-floating over the surface area of the court to allow the cracks to continue movement without reflecting through.

Tennis court lighting should provide low glare lighting with low light spillage. Spill light is light shining beyond the sports facility that may annoy occupants of adjoining properties. LSI lighting products which offer lighting solutions for indoor/outdoor tennis courts and other selected specialty sports applications are leaders in the tennis industry. Their sharp cutoff outdoor sports lighting products limit environmental impact by reducing glare, light spillage, and sky glow.

These systems are general metal Halide fixtures. LSI sports lighting products provide high performance and energy efficiency. Beyond the product, they are committed to providing our customers with unparalleled support in lighting design, program and field support. Spill light restrictions are enforced by most local bodies and these aspects should be addressed at the commencement of the design process.