How Big Is a Tennis Court?

A tennis court, whether for recreational or professional play, can have a surface of grass, clay or concrete. But it's dimensions are always the same. The court is lined so that it can be used for both singles and doubles play.

  1. Shape

    • The court is a rectangle and built on a flat surface, with the total playing area 78 feet long (the sideline) and 36 feet wide (the baseline).

    Singles versus doubles

    • The entire length of the court is used for both singles and doubles play. While doubles play also uses the entire width, singles play is narrower, using only 27 feet of it. There are lines 4-1/2 feet in from each side to mark the singles court.

    Around the court

    • Additional space is needed around the entire court to give players space to chase return shots. The Internation Tennis Federation recommends 21 feet behind each baseline and 12 feet on each side.

    The net

    • The net divides the length of the court into two equal sides and is parallel to the baselines. The net is 3 feet, 6 inches high at the posts and 3 feet high in the center, per ITF rules.

    Service Boxes

    • A line is drawn across the center of each side of the court, parallel to the baseline, dividing each side into two halves. The half of each side closest to the net is then divided in half again, this time with a line centered and parallel to the sidelines. These are the service boxes.