60′ x 120′ is the playing area (the court size, plus the area outside the playing lines). The court size (the area bordered by the playing lines) is 36′ x 78′ for doubles tennis.

It depends upon the type of court. Please look for the type of court you have (or wish to build) on the list below. Proper slopes are shown below each court type. Slopes are expressed in inches per feet, percentage, and ratio.

• Minimum slope of a clay or fast-dry court: Inches per Feet Percentage Ratio 1″ in 30′ 0.28% 1:360
• Maximum slope of a clay or fast-dry court: 1″ in 24′ 0.35% 1:288
• Min. slope of a hard court:* 1″ in 15′ 0.56% 1:180* Minimum slope of sanctioned tournament facilities. Not recommended for other types of construction due to cost and expertise required. Requires laser grading.
• Recommended slope of a hard court: 1″ in 10′ 0.83% 1:120
• Max. slope of a hard court; minimum slope of a non-court pavement: 1″ in 8.33′ 1% 1:100

Note that a tennis court should be sloped as one true plane; in other words, water should drain in one direction only. The preferred directions of slope on a court are from side to side (that is, from net post to net post); from end to end (that is, from baseline to baseline); or from corner to corner, draining diagonally across the court. The court should never be crowned like a road, nor should it drain to or from the net line, or to or from the sidelines.

Of all the questions we get, this is by far one of the most commonly asked — and one of the most important, because of the safety issues involved. At a minimum, outdoor courts should have 12′ between each sideline, although an 18′ separation is preferred. For a battery of courts within a common enclosure, a 24′ separation between courts is recommended. This permits sufficient space for a shade structure, player seating/storage between courts, as well as a safe overrun area for players. It also permits the installation of separator fences to prevent balls from rolling into the next court. For indoor courts where movable netting is used between courts, a minimum of 18′ between courts is recommended. (Divider netting is not considered a fixed obstruction.) 18′ is the minimum recommended distance between indoor courts.

For outdoor play, the space over the court should be clear overhanging limbs or other obstructions and should be not less than 18′ at the fence, 21′ over the baseline, and 35′ over the net, although 38′ is recommended. For indoor play, the space overhead should be not less than 18′ at the eaves, 21′ over the baseline, and 35′ at the net, although 38′ is recommended. (Note: The above distances for indoor courts reflect the measurement from the court surface to the interior finished ceiling of the building).

The net should be 3′ (36″) at the center strap, and 3’6″ (42″) at the post. This is the standard for both singles and doubles courts.

The overall court size is 60′ x 120′. However, because vegetation must be removed for a minimum of 5′ around the site and since drainage must be installed and the contractor must have room to work, the actual working area must be larger. Therefore, a minimum site size of 70′ x 130′ is recommended; a site of 80 x 140′ is preferred.

The cost of a tennis court is dependent upon many factors. These include, but are not limited to, the proposed location of the court, and the condition and accessibility of the site, the type of court to be built (i.e., what type of surface is desired), accessories and amenities, and so forth. Also important is the complexity of the facility itself — is it a tennis court only, or does it include options such as extensive landscaping, fencing, a spectator area, shade shelter, lighting for night play, etc. All these things, plus others, will factor into the final cost.

In most cases, synthetic floors can be manufactured in custom colors. Minimum quantities, price adjustment, and increased lead-time may apply. Consult with the manufacturer for additional information.