How to Design a Tennis Court With Line Names

Many dream of having their own tennis court, but few are aware of the intricate details of court design and installation. Planning is the first step to creating a playable space. Learn about a tennis court's layout, dimensions, surfaces and preferences, and then design the court of your dreams.

Instructions

    • 1
      Accurate measurements will save time and money.

      Locate a a large level space to build your court. Professional tennis courts are 120 feet long by 60 feet wide; however, recreational courts need only be 110 feet long by 55 feet wide.

    • 2

      Educate yourself about the names and locations of a tennis court's lines. The baselines mark the court's rear boundaries. The doubles alley is the space between the singles and doubles sidelines. The service line runs between the singles sidelines parallel to the baseline and net and between them, and is halved by the center service line, creating the service boxes and delineating between the deuce (right, when facing the net) and ad (left) sides of the court. Viewing a diagram of a court's dimensions may help you envision the finished plan (see Resources). Draw these lines into your design and ensure that their dimensions are correct.

    • 3

      Note the path of the sun and plan the court's location accordingly. According to XSports.com, courts built south of the 38th degree parallel should be constructed lengthwise from due north to south. In the event that you live north of this latitude, your court should be situated lengthwise 22 degrees southeast and northwest off true north-south.

    • 4
      Clay courts require proper drainage and monitored irrigation for proper upkeep.

      Select a court surface, taking into consideration maintenance requirements and personal preferences. Hard courts, while potentially more expensive to install, require the least maintenance over time and need only minimal day-to-day upkeep. If clay is your surface of choice, take note of prerequisites like irrigation and proper drainage. Grass courts are nearly obsolete outside Wimbledon, and for good reason; many court owners struggle to grow the quality of grass needed for a tennis court.

    • 5

      Consult your local building authority about necessary permits for court construction. Often, the court itself is not of significant consequence, but accompaniments like lighting, irrigation, drainage and fencing can be points of contention between neighbors and zoning committees.