Different Tennis Court Material Types

3 years ago

Tennis is without a doubt one of the most popular sports in the world. After all, it is one of the very easy sports to learn, and you can play it competitively or recreationally for hours of endless fun. 

However, before you even step onto the tennis court, you need to know what type of surface you will be playing on. The tennis court surface affects the speed of the game and the outcome of the match. There are up to nine different tennis court surfaces, but these are most used:

• Hardcourt (acrylic)
• Clay court
• Grass court
• Modular Surfaces

Hard or Acrylic Court Surfaces

Hard courts are the most common type of tennis court surfaces, and they are made out of asphalt or concrete with acrylic coating. Hard surfaces are faster, and they provide a consistent bounce compared to other tennis court materials. Moreover, the acrylic coating not only smoothens the surface but also provides some cushioning against injuries.

The reason why hard court surfaces are common is that they are easy to clean and maintain. In addition, you can install them indoors or outdoors due to their excellent permeability. However, a noticeable downside is that hard courts are hard on the body in case of a fall. [note on durability in Las Vegas – how long do they last, need to be repaired]

Clay Court Surfaces

Clay courts are made from either natural clay or crushed and compacted stone. They are softer compared to hard courts, and they have a slower and higher bounce. Moreover, the tennis ball tends to hang longer, and there are more bad bounces when playing on a clay court.

As much as clay is softer, it has so many downsides. First, it requires consistent watering and rolling to maintain an even surface. This can be a bit pricey and time-consuming. Moreover, the top dressing requires frequent replacing to keep the surface in good shape. Given that clay is extremely porous, you cannot enjoy a game of tennis in any weather. You need to drain the surface in case of rain.

Grass Court Surfaces

Grass court surfaces are less common but are still ideal for a good game of tennis. They are made from either natural grass or synthetic softer. Like clay courts, grass surfaces are softer and more forgiving on your body in case you fall. The major difference with other surfaces is that grass court surfaces are the fastest since the ball tends to skid rather than bounce.

Like clay surfaces, grass is a high-maintenance surface. It requires frequent watering and rolling to maintain an even surface. Grass also wears out quickly, which limits the amount of time you can spend playing on the court.

Sport Court Power Game™ Modular Court Surface

As much as tennis is fun, it is also a highly demanding sport. The game requires you to move quickly from side to side as you serve and hit shots. This increases your risk of muscle and joint injuries, especially when playing on hard, acrylic surfaces. To reduce the risk of injury, you should consider installing a Sport Court Power Game™ modular court surface.

PowerGame is "The Safest Court in the World" and features the lowest skin abrasion of any outdoor court surface. PowerGame is made of the highest quality materials and UV stabilizers. The patented Double-Tier shock absorbing grid and Lateral Forgiveness™ reduce joint strain and fatigue, allowing you to play longer with less risk of injury. 

Additionally, PowerGame is also low maintenance. There is no resurfacing or repainting needed. Thanks to the self-draining surface, water, dirt, and debris drain right through, allowing your tennis court to stay clean. Our surfaces won't flake, blister, or peel from the outdoor elements, which helps your tennis court last for many years. 

Ready to install your new tennis court? Contact Sport Court today to get started!