SASR Norms & Standards Vol 2 new.indd - Sport and Recreation ...

1.4.20 Tennis
Tennis is played on a rectangular fl at surface, usually on grass, clay, concrete (hard court) or a synthetic
suspended court. The court is 23.77m long and its width is 8.23m for singles matches and 10.97m for
doubles matches.
Additional clear space around the court is needed in order for players to reach overrun balls for a total
of 18.288 m wide and 36.576 m long. A net is streched across the full width of the court, parallel with
the baselines, dividing it into two equal ends. The net is 1.07 metre high at the posts and 914mm high
in the center. The court on the right side of each player is called the deuce court, while the left side is
called the ad court (short for ‘advantage court’)
Types of tennis courts
There are four main types of courts depending on the materials used for the court surface: clay courts,
hard courts, grass courts and indoor courts (carpet, rubber or wood). Each playing surface has its own
characteristics which affects the playing style of the game.
Of the Grand Slam tournaments, the U.S Open and Australian Open use hardcourts (though both used
grass courts in the past, and the U.S Open also used clay courts), the French Open is played on clay
(though it too was played on grass before 1928) and Wimbledon is played on grass.
Hard Courts
Hard courts, usually made of cement or asphalt, are considered “medium” to
“fast” surfaces, where fast hard-hitting players have a slight advantage. Hard courts can vary in speed,
but they are faster than clay and slower than grass courts, which allow the ball to slide. These courts
are considered the most equal for all playing styles.
The US Open is played on Deco Turf, an acrylic hard court, while the Australian Open is played on the
synthetic hardcourt Plexicushion, having previously used Rebound Ace.
The main difference between a synthetic hardcourt and true hardcourt surface is the level of hardness.
Synthetic hardcourts are normally softer (more spongy). Consequently, when the ball bounces on this
surface a large part of the ball’s momentum is absorbed by the surface and reduces its speed.
On a hard surface the loss of momentum is negligible because the surface provides less cushion to the
bouncing ball. The amount of sand used in the top paint and the size of the sand also determines the
speed – more sand means less speed and the larger the sand particles will slow the speed of play. The
amount of friction can also be altered and more friction will produce a clay court effect, where topspin
is magnifi ed. The extra grip/friction will resist the sliding effect of the ball and the resistance will force
the ball to change its rotation. The extra grip provided by the surface can resist the movement of the
player and can cause injury.
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Tennis