Tennis is known as being an elegant sport. Many people desire to have their very own tennis court in their backyard but rarely do they take into account the factors that make the experience great. This is why, today, we will talk about the 7 most important things that will make a tennis court the perfect place for your practices. So, let�s get right into it..
1. Find the Right Surface for Your Needs
Different surfaces will be more suitable for different people. It is recommendable to take into account their differences, as well as the geography of the place where you want to construct the court, before deciding on a court surface.
A grass court is considered the best suited option for the fastest players, as it enables a fast-paced game to be played due to its slippery surface.
A clay surface is generally suited for slower-paced matches. Its surface slows down the ball and it produces a higher bounce than any other court surface.
A concrete/asphalt court offers a compromise for both slow and fast players. It is, by far, the east court type to maintain and the extremely flat surface allows for the ball bouncing pattern to be easily predictable.
Taking these factors into account, choose what kind of terrain suits you the best for your game style.
2. Always Having Proper Shading
It is no secret that tennis players sweat a lot due to being constantly exposed to the sun. Very rarely will you find a tennis court with adequate shading by itself. Usually, you need to be the one to implement the change. So, firstly, see if high trees are a realistic option for shading the court, if not, then you have to improvise. Especially for countries with known heat waves like Australia, having some form of protection against the sun is a necessity if you want to have long matches during the summer.
3. Make Sure Your Field has Enough Space
Court size falls under one of the most, if not the most, important aspects that influence the enjoyability of the game for the players. In order to have the proper amount of space for a singles game, you need the field to be 24 meters long and 8 meters wide. However, if you intend to have friends play as well and organize doubles matches, then you will need a larger field. For a standard doubles court, you need the court to be 24 meters long and 11 meters wide.
4. Make Sure That the Lighting is Perfectly Adjusted
Proper lighting makes the difference between being able to play only when the sun is completely up and playing all the time. If you opt for the first option, you will get to play tennis in a limited time frame, and an even smaller one during winter when the days are shorter. This is why it is necessary to have lighting on your court. This is, of course, if you want to play safely without having to squint your eyes every few moments and risk getting a ball to the face. It�s a common misunderstanding that it has to be expensive. In reality, if you introduce LED tennis court lights, you will not be spending as much money on electricity bills as you would with normal lights.
5. Always Keep Some Spare Parts Nearby
Everything breaks at some point, there is simply no way around it. The best thing that you can do is to maintain the field and the gear properly but be prepared for something to fall apart. This is why it can really come in handy to keep some spare parts around the court in order to fix something fast so it doesn�t disrupt your game (much). The type of spare parts you should keep around include extra nets, lighting, and tie-down anchors.
6. Consider Ball Machines to Improve Your Ball Game
If you are a newbie or you just want to practice alone, then consider getting yourself a ball machine. It doesn�t only allow for you to keep training to improve, but it also allows you to better observe others when they play. Even though pro tennis players would not recommend using a ball machine. It, nevertheless, remains a solid boost at the start of your training, especially if your tennis partner has bailed on the training.
7. Maintaining a Clean Field
If you want to be able to fully enjoy the court for extended periods of time, you need to always keep it in top shape. Regardless of the material, the field will need to be maintained. Of course, some materials will require more upkeep than others. Asphalt, grass, concrete, and clay all have their own specific needs and require different types of upkeep. Regular cleaning will involve clearing all kinds of different debris from the field such as stones, leaves, and built-up dust. Aside from that, you should pay attention if any cracks or mold start to appear, as they can ruin the experience at the field.
