Tennis court

A variety of surfaces can be used to create a tennis court, each with its own characteristics which affect the playing style of the game.

A net is stretched across the full width of the court, parallel with the baselines, dividing it into two equal ends.

Based on the standard rules of tennis, the size of the court is measured to the outside of the respective baselines and sidelines.

This gives children more time and control so they can serve, rally, and score from the first lesson on courts that are sized to fit their bodies.

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) lists different surfaces and properties and classifies surfaces into one of five pace settings:[5] Of the current four Grand Slam tournaments, the Australian and US Open use hard courts, the French Open is played on clay, and Wimbledon, the only Grand Slam to have always been played on the same surface, is played on grass.

More esoteric clay-like surfaces, meanwhile, still exist in rural Australia ('antbed' courts, made out of compacted termite mounds and/or loam), India (animal dung) and the Philippines (crushed sea-shells).

[12] Points are usually very quick where fast, low bounces keep rallies short, and the serve plays a more important role than on other surfaces.

The quantity of sand added to the paint can greatly affect the rate at which the ball slows down.

A short piled form of artificial turf infilled with sand is used for some outdoor courts, particularly in Asia.

[7] Notable tennis tournaments previously held on carpet courts were the WCT Finals, Paris Masters, U.S.

ATP Challenger Tour tournaments such as the Trofeo Città di Brescia still use carpet courts.

The WTA Tour's last carpet court event, the International-level Tournoi de Québec, was discontinued after 2018.

Some tennis courts are indoors, which allows play regardless of weather conditions and is more comfortable for spectators.

The conclusion of the Wimbledon Championships, in 2012, was played on the lawn of Centre Court under the closed roof and artificial lights; the Halle Open has also seen a number of matches played on its grass court in the Gerry Weber Stadion with the roof closed.