Tennis Grass Courts

Grass courts are one of the three main types of playing surfaces used in tennis. The court’s entire surface is grass and is very traditional within the sport of tennis. Read on to learn more about grass tennis courts.

Grass Tennis Courts

Grass tennis courts have the same regulations and requirements as all other courts, but the surface is made up of natural grass that must be maintained. These types of courts are very common in England and many Northeastern states in the United States. The most famous example of a grass court in tennis is at Wimbledon, the Grand Slam tournament held in London every summer.

Grass courts are the original type of tennis courts; however, there are not many remaining due to the difficulty of maintaining these courts. Yet, despite the limited number of courts, many professional tournaments still use grass courts, including Wimbledon. Bounces on grass tend to be quicker and lower to the ground, giving the advantage to harder hitting players. Bounces are generally very consistent on this surface.

Pros:

• Most visually appealing court type
• Original tennis court surface with a long history
• Consistent bounce
• Bounces are generally fast and low, giving the advantage to hard hitters and big servers

Cons:

• Easily worn down and require a lot of maintenance to keep at peak condition
• Difficult to find
• Fast and low bounces put shot returners at a disadvantage
• Can be slippery when wet

Grass Tennis Court Speed

Grass tennis courts are considered to be on the faster side, meaning the ball travels faster after bouncing on the ground. The ball tends to move faster due to the slippery nature of grass. The ball also does not bounce as high as other types of courts, due to the relative softness of the grass.

Pros of Grass Tennis Courts

There are many advantages to playing on grass courts for tennis players thanks to its soft surface texture. First, there is less strain and impact on individual players, which helps older players continue their career with a lower risk of injury or strain. The grass can also cushion a player’s fall, leading to less pain or injury when a competitor falls to the ground during a match. Lastly, matches played on grass typically have shorter points, which means less running and strain on players.

Cons of Grass Tennis Courts

There are also disadvantages to grass courts, mainly due to their maintenance needs. Grass courts can be very expensive to maintain, with the need for constant watering and precise grass cutting. Many organizations prefer fake grass or a mixture of both for this reason. Additionally, should the grass get wet unexpectedly, it can take a very long time for it to dry, making it an extra slippery surface that could lead to injury.

History of Grass Tennis Courts

Grass tennis courts are the original tennis court, dating back centuries to when nobles played “lawn tennis” in Europe. Some of the biggest tennis tournaments in the world, including Wimbledon, have used grass courts for their entire existence. While the grass has been cut at different lengths throughout time, the material has persisted and still prominently exists in today’s game.

FAQ