Tennis Court Surfaces: A Guide

Tennis can be played on a variety of surfaces, all of which have an impact on the way the game is played.

The type of surface will effect the speed of the ball coming through to how you are able to move. Naturally, the game can play, look and feel noticeably different depending on the surface.

There are generally 6 types of tennis court surfaces often seen in the UK. Most clubs will have a range of different surfaces and members will have their favourite:

• Porous Macadam - very popular in residential gardens, clubs, schools & parks as playable throughout most of the year. Normally spray-painted in a two tone colour scheme.

• Non-porous Acrylic - preferred by higher-level players as the playing characteristics encourage good technique. Most indoor tennis centres will have this surface.

• Porous Acrylic - comfortable & becoming more popular due to the cushioned mat that the coloured paint coatings are sprayed onto.

• Artificial Grass - has been used for many years. Visually clean with a sand infill to support the pile.

• Synthetic & Hybrid Clay - designed to have the same slow playing qualities of a clay court surface but without the climatic limitations and demand for maintenance of real clay.

• Natural Grass - the origins of tennis: we’ve all seen it at Wimbledon

So, whether you like to ‘slice or cut’ the ball, are a ‘serve-volleyer’ or just a natural across all surfaces, you can enjoy a game across a range of surfaces in all weathers.

Make sure you’re prepared the next time you play by reading our guides to what you can expect from each surface and the maintenance that each one requires.