Tennis Court Dimensions & Layout
Tennis Court Dimensions & Layout
Tennis Court Dimensions: In total, tennis courts measure 78 ft. x 36 ft. or 2,808 sq. ft., however the full area of the court is only used for doubles matches. The singles court measures 78 ft. x 27 ft. or 2,106 sq. ft. Every court is composed of quite a few elements, so let’s take a look at each individual component.
A tennis court is a venue where the sport of tennis is played. It is a firm rectangular surface with a low net stretched across the center. The same surface can be used to play both doubles and singles matches. If you are a starter and want to play this game then first you should know “how to choose a tennis racquet for beginner”
Tennis Court Dimensions
A tennis court is a venue where the sport of tennis is played. It is a firm rectangular surface with a low net stretched across the center. The same surface can be used to play both doubles and singles matches. 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. The dimensions of a tennis court are defined and regulated by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) governing body and are written down in the annual ‘Rules of Tennis’ document. The court is 78 feet (23.77 meters) long. Its width is 27 feet (8.23 meters) for singles matches and 36 feet (10.97 meters) for doubles matches. The service line is 21 feet (6.40 meters) from the net. Additional clear space around the court is needed in order for players to reach overrun balls for a total of 60 feet (18 meters) wide and 120 feet (37 meters) long. A net is stretched across the full width of the court, parallel with the baselines, dividing it into two equal ends. The net is 3 feet 6 inches (1.07 meters) high at the posts and 3 feet (0.91 meters) high in the center. The net posts are 3 feet (0.91 meters) outside the doubles court on each side or, for a singles net, 3 feet (0.91 meters) outside the singles court on each side.
What Are The Dimensions Of A Tennis Court
This post was inspired by a question I received via the contact form which asked me about the size of a tennis court. I’ve written a lot about tennis courts in the past but only ever about court speed, court pace index, and the different court surfaces used but never about the dimensions.
The reader was new to tennis and the camera angle on TV made them think that different tournaments had different size courts. This is obviously not the case because virtually every tennis court across the globe is the same size.
There are obviously some exceptions to the rule where individuals have put in smaller courts for recreational use or for ‘Touch Tennis’ but all ATP and ITF courts are a standard size. But what are the exact dimensions of a tennis court? Let’s take a look.
Tennis Court Dimensions In Feet
Below are some important guidelines to help you correctly measure your tennis court.
Size of a Tennis Court (Standard)
The minimum suggested the length of a tennis court is 120 ft. and the minimum suggested width is 60 ft., giving 7,200 sq. ft. (minimum) of total area needed for a single one court.
Size of a Tennis Court (Tournament or Stadium Courts)
An additional 10 ft. on both the length and width of the overall dimensions of the court are suggested to give extra perimeter area for judges to stand and for player overrun. Therefore, the overall court length would be 130 ft. and the overall width would be 70 ft.
Playing Area
The length of the playing area is 78 ft. and the maximum width (the doubles court) is 36 ft., giving 2808 sq. ft. of the total playing area.
Tennis Court Dimensions/Measurements
Always measure to the outside of the line to get the correct measurement. The Center Line and Center Mark are measured on the centerline of the court.
Side Space and BackSpace
Leaving enough space along the sides and back of the playing area is important. You want to have a minimum of 12 ft. from the sideline to the fence, divider curtain or any fixed obstruction. A minimum of 21 ft. from the baseline to the fence or backdrop is required.
Overhead Space
For indoor facilities, the minimum overhead clearance free of any obstructions should be 20 ft. above the baseline and 35 ft. above the net.
Backstops and Fences
Normally the fencing or walls around a court are a minimum of 8 ft. high for residential courts and 10 ft. for clubs or park facilities. This includes tennis court dividers and backdrops.
Tennis Court Markings
The white lines that mark the court also have standard thicknesses. All court lines should be a minimum of 2 inches in width, and the baseline may be up to 4 inches wide.
Padding for Round Poles, Posts and Columns
When ordering tennis post padding for a circular column, you will need to provide the circumference and diameter of the column in inches for whichever pad you want (2 ½” or 4” thick) so that the size of the padding can be determined. The finished pad size will be significantly different than the post circumference because foam changes shape as it wraps around a round object. Our customer service staff at Do It Tennis would be happy to provide you with the finished pad size and price.
Paddle Tennis Court Dimensions
Service Area
A center service line divides the service area on each side of the net into two rectangles. These areas represent the space in which the served ball must land. The size of each area is the same for both singles and doubles matches.
Service line location: 21 feet (6.4 meters) from the net.
Service area dimensions: 13.5 feet wide x 21 feet long (4.1 meters wide x 6.4 meters long).
Tennis Net Size
The tennis net stretches across the width of the court, dividing it equally. The net is attached to posts on either side of the court. The center point of the net is about 6 inches lower than its height at the posts due to its weight. The net posts are located 3 feet (.91 meters) outside the sideline for both singles and doubles matches.
Tennis court net height at posts: 3 feet 6 inches high (1.07 meters).
Tennis court net height at center: 3 feet high (.91 meters).
Best Tennis Court Size for Home
Here are tennis court measurements for those looking to build their own backyard court. The area required for a home court is determined mainly by available space, but it is recommended not to build a court within a play area smaller than the minimum size. Sizes below represent the entire play area required (tennis court plus outer clear space).
Minimum play area for home tennis court: 98.4 feet (30 meters) long x 49.2 feet (15 meters) wide
Ideal play area for home tennis court: 110 feet (33.5 meters) long x 53 feet (16.2 meters) wide
Maximum play area for home tennis court: 119.75 feet (36.5 meters) long x 59.7 feet (18.2 meters) wide
Tennis Court Size with Fence
Extra space is required surrounding the court sidelines and baseline to accommodate player overruns. The following is the recommended clear space that is needed around the court.
Court length plus required clear space: 120 feet (37 meters) long.
Court width plus required clear space: 60 feet (18 meters) wide.
Ping Pong table dimensions also include quite a few elements.
Smaller tennis courts for children: The ITF has determined that children under 10 years of age are better able to learn the game of tennis in smaller size courts, using slower orange, red and green balls.
These smaller size courts have the following dimensions:
Orange courts (children under 10 years old): 59 feet (18 meters) long x 21 feet (6.4 meters) wide.
Red courts (children under 8 years old): 36 feet (11 meters) long x 18 feet (5.5 meters) wide.
