Tennis Court Dimensions
The dimensions of a tennis court are regulated by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and specified in the annual Rules of Tennis document.
| Standard Court Measurements |
| Length: |
78 ft (23.77 m) |
| Width: |
|
| Singles: |
27 ft (8.23 m) |
| Doubles: |
36 ft (10.97 m) |
| Service Line Distance: |
21 ft (6.40 m) from the net |
| Net Height: |
|
| Posts: |
3 ft 6 in (1.07 m) |
| Center: |
3 ft (0.914 m) |
| Net Post Placement: |
3 ft (0.914 m) outside the doubles sidelines (or singles sidelines for singles matches) |
| Total Recommended Playing Area (including overrun space): |
60 ft (18 m) wide |
|
120 ft (37 m) long |
| Court Lines |
| All lines are measured to the outside edge. |
| The ball must completely miss the line to be "out." |
| Line Widths: |
|
| Center Service Line: |
2 in (5 cm) |
| Other Lines: |
1–2 in (3–5 cm) |
| Baseline: |
Up to 4 in (10 cm) |
| Smaller Courts (for Juniors) |
| The ITF promotes smaller courts for younger players |
| Orange Court (ages 10 & under) |
| Length: |
18 m (59 ft) |
| Width: |
6.4 m (21 ft) |
| Red Court (ages 8 & under): |
|
| Length: |
11 m (36 ft) |
| Width: |
5.5 m (18 ft) |
| Net Height: |
0.8 m (2 ft 7.5 in) at the center |
| Court Surfaces |
Tennis is played on various surfaces, each affecting gameplay: |
| Clay Courts |
Made of crushed shale, brick, or stone. |
| Characteristics: |
Slower pace, high bounce. |
| Favors baseline players. |
| Types: |
Red Clay (e.g., French Open). |
| Green Clay (HarTru): |
Used in some U.S. tournaments. |
| Maintenance: |
Requires rolling and water balance. |
| Grass Courts |
| Fastest surface with low, unpredictable bounces. |
| Characteristics: |
Favors serve-and-volley players. |
| Maintenance: |
High-cost (watering, mowing). |
| Example: |
Wimbledon (only Grand Slam still on grass). |
| Hard Courts: |
Made of rigid materials (acrylic, asphalt, concrete). |
| Characteristics: |
Medium-fast pace, consistent bounce. |
| Examples: |
Australian Open: GreenSet (acrylic). US Open: Laykold (acrylic). |
| Carpet Courts: |
Removable synthetic surfaces (indoor/outdoor). |
| Characteristics: |
Fast, low bounce. |
| Usage: |
Rare in pro tournaments (last ATP event in 2009). |
| ITF Surface Categories (by Pace) : |
Category 1 (Slow) |
| Category 2 (Medium-Slow) |
| Category 3 (Medium) |
| Category 4 (Medium-Fast) |
| Category 5 (Fast) |
| Indoor Courts : |
Allow play in any weather. |
| Common surfaces: |
Hard courts (permanent/temporary), clay (with watering systems). |
| Examples: |
ATP Finals (indoor hardcourt), Davis Cup (indoor clay). |
| Terminology |
| Baseline:. |
Back boundary line |
| Service Box: |
Area between net and service line. |
| Alley (Tramlines): |
Doubles-only side lanes. |
| Deuce Court: |
Right service box (for server). |
| Advantage Court: |
Left service box (for server). |
This summary covers the key aspects of tennis court dimensions, surfaces, and terminology. Let me know if you need further details!
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