Understanding tennis court dimensions is one way to improve your game.
After all, tennis is a game of angles, and the player with the best understanding of angles and court dimensions wins the match. Thus, a thorough understanding of the tennis court is crucial for both playing and enjoying the sport. This article covers dimensions, measurements, and layout.
Standard Tennis Court Dimensions
The “Rules of Tennis,” published annually, are established by the International Tennis Federation and specify the precise dimensions of a tennis court that are considered a “regulation tennis court.” All dimensions in this article are based on the official ITF Tennis Rules.
Key Tennis Court Dimensions
Tennis courts are 78 feet by 36 feet. However, only doubles matches are played on the entire court. The singles court is 78 feet long and 27 feet wide. Every court is made up of several components, so let’s have a look at each one.
Lines of A Tennis Court
Baseline: 27 feet (Singles Court) / 36 feet (Doubles Court)
The baseline runs parallel to the net and forms the farthest boundary, or back of the court, on each side.
Center Mark: 4 inches long
Players must serve diagonally and position themselves on the proper side when they serve. Hence there is a little line called the center mark at the midpoint of each baseline.
Service Line: 27 feet wide
The service line runs parallel to the net and marks the midway point between the net and the baseline. It also marks the end of the service boxes.
Center Service Line: 21 feet long
The centerline is the line that runs perpendicular to the net from its center, dividing the service boxes and defining the deuce and advantage sides of the court.
Singles Sidelines: 39 feet long
The singles sidelines are the outer edge of the singles court, are 13.5 feet away from the center of the court, and extend from baseline to baseline.
Doubles Sidelines: 39 feet long
The doubles sideline runs along the court’s outer edges when the court’s full width is used for doubles play.
The white lines that mark the court are also uniform in thickness. All court lines should be at least 2 inches wide, with the baseline up to 4 inches wide.
Areas of A Tennis Court
Tennis Court Area:
The size of a tennis court for singles is 2,106 sq. ft in singles and 2,808 sq. ft for a doubles tennis court.
Service Boxes:
Each service box is 21 feet long and 13.5 feet wide. The two equal-sized boxes are the spaces between the net and the service line divided by the center service line are the left and right service boxes (Deuce & Ad court)
Backcourt / No Man’s Land:
18 feet x 27 feet. This unofficial name refers to the area between the baseline and the service line, which is the largest box on a tennis court.
Double Alleys:
Each double alley is 39 feet long and 4.5 feet wide. These boxes differentiate a court from a singles and doubles game. The doubles alley is only used for doubles games.
Tennis Net Facts & Numbers
During a match, a tennis court net separates one side from the other, and the players or teams begin on opposing sides of the net. It spans the entire width of the Tennis Court. It runs parallel to the baselines and splits the court into two halves. A wire or metal cable holds the net up.
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) standard tennis net measurements are 3.51 ft high at the posts and 3 ft high in the center, with a net width of 41.99 ft between the posts.
FAQs
What Is the Tennis Court Size for Children?
The ITF has defined tennis court dimensions for children, which vary according to age. For example, children under the age of ten should learn to play tennis on smaller courts. Children’s tennis courts are available in two sizes.
- Under the age of ten: 59ft x 21ft wide.
- Under the age of eight: 36ft x 18ft wide.
What About the Area Outside the Primary Playing Court Surface?
While the overall playing area is 78ft by 36ft, some space beyond the playing surface is required for various reasons. At no level do you want players’ momentum in a rally to end in a crash, and even at the most professional level, extra room is required for the chair ump, tennis ball boys, and line judges.
The ITF has also specified the minimum space (length and width) required beyond the playing area. It must extend at least 27ft beyond the baseline and be at least 18ft on the side. It’s the specified minimum size, and at different levels of tournaments, this may change depending on availability.
Are There Different Sizes of Tennis Courts?
All registered tennis club courts and tournament courts are the same standard sizes. Only the space around the courts varies from one court to the next. There are minimum requirements for the area surrounding a court at the tournament level, but it can vary greatly at the recreational level.
How Many Court Surfaces Are There?
There are five types of tennis court surfaces: hard courts, clay courts, grass courts, synthetic courts and carpet courts. The hard tennis court is constructed of asphalt and concrete. The French Open takes place on a clay court. The grass court is also known as a lawn court. A synthetic court is a court made of artificial grass.
What Is the Width of The Lines on A Tennis Court?
A tennis court’s lines should be at least two inches wide, with a baseline at least four inches wide.
What Is the Height of An Indoor Tennis Court?
The minimum height for indoor courts is 29.53 ft above the net line. The ceiling should be 18.86ft above the baseline and 13.12ft above the runback’s back end (the distance behind this baseline). These areas must be free of obstructions.
How Much Space Is Required to Construct a Tennis Court?
The minimal amount of space required for tennis court construction depends on whether the court is utilized for competitive or recreational purposes. The minimum court length for recreational usage is 114 feet (34.8 meters), and the minimum width is 56 feet (17.1 meters). 595.1 square meters in total.
What Is the Difference Between Indoor and Outdoor Tennis?
One can play on indoor tennis courts regardless of the weather on any particular day, and they are usually more comfortable for the audience. Extreme cold, heat or rain can negatively affect outdoor play, but indoor courts stay dry and maintain a comfortable temperature for optimal game conditions.
In addition, indoor courts typically have softer surfaces than outdoor courts, which can be easier on players’ joints. The elements are much more noticeable on outdoor courts, where the ball travels more slowly as it picks up moisture and dirt.
Are all tennis courts the same size?
Yes, all courts used for tournaments and courts used by official tennis clubs are the same size. The only size difference is in the areas surrounding the marked court, which vary from site to site, with some having more play area than others.
How many pickleball courts can you put on a tennis court?
The size of one pickleball court is precisely one-fourth of a typical tennis court pad. Two courts can fit very well together if the corners are angled.
How much does it cost to build a tennis court?
All you need to build a tennis court is a lot of space and a lot of money. The cost to build a tennis court averages about 60k; some can be as low as 30k, and others can come to 100k.
Also, check out our article for all the basic Tennis Rules explained!
Christoph Friedrich is a German tennis player and coach currently residing in Oakland, California. He began his tennis journey at the age of eight and has since dedicated his life to the sport. After working as a tennis coach and hitting partner in New York City for eight years, Christoph decided to share his knowledge and experience with tennis players around the world by creating the My Tennis Expert blog. His goal is to make tennis education accessible to everyone and help players select the best equipment for their game, from racquets and strings to shoes and overgrips. Christoph's extensive research and expertise in tennis technology make him a valuable resource for players of all levels.