There are many types of tennis courts; clay courts, hard courts, grass courts and carpet courts. Each type of court has its own characteristics and this affects the playing style of the game. This also means a few of the types of courts utilize different types of tennis equipment. Different characteristics make it easier for some players to perform on certain courts than others. Do you know which type of court allows you to perform your best?
Carpet courts are normally used for indoor courts and are designed to have more cushioning. The playing characteristics depend on the texture and thickness of the materials used to make the carpet. Normally a carpet court is tough and thin, sort of like ‘astro turf’.
The bounce is predictable – like hard courts – but the friction from the carpet can slow the ball down.
Clay courts can be made of crushed shale, stone or brick and can range from red to green to gray. This type of court can slow down the tennis ball but it produces more bounce. This is because clay courts have more grab and give off more friction when the ball lands. Clay is more favored by defensive players who enjoy playing from the baseline. Although, if you have never played on a clay court, this might be quite an adjustment as the different textures in the court can cause the ball to bounce at unexpected angles. This type of court is also easiest on the legs.
Clay courts are more traditional and while they are cheaper to create, they are more expensive to maintain. A good tip for playing on clay courts is to hit the ball deep on your opponent’s side of the court to limit their ability to return the shot. The French Open is a large tournament that uses clay courts.
Grass courts consist of grass grown on hard-packed soil and are the fastest types of courts in common use. On grass courts, the height of the bounce depends on how healthy the grass is as well as how recently it has been mowed and the wear from recent play – although most grass courts give the tennis ball a lower bounce. If you are a ‘serve-and-volley’ tennis player – like Pete Sampras – then a grass court is the best bet for your style.
The surface isn’t as firm as hard court surfaces, which causes the ball to bounce lower and depending on the court, the ball can bounce unpredictably. Many times, players hit flatter shots to increase the power and allow the ball to travel faster before the ball hits the ground. Grass courts are more slippery than hard courts, which also affects the bounce of the ball. Wimbledon is the most famous grass tournament.
Hard courts are usually made of asphalt and vary in speed. They are typically faster than clay courts but not as quick as grass courts. Hard courts are considered the most equal courts for all playing styles because they give the most predictable bounce and speed. They are also the most common courts and easiest to maintain. If you are a hard-hitting player, this is a great court for you. The consistent surface makes this court a great court for beginners and the easiest for the arm.
The US Open is played on an acrylic hard court while the Australian Open is played on a synthetic hard court. The main difference between a true hard court and a synthetic hard court is the level of hardness. The amount of sand used and the size of the sand in the top paint also affect the speed. More sand means less speed while larger sand bits slow the speed of play.
