Tennis court facts for kids
A tennis court is a special area where people play tennis. It's shaped like a rectangle and has a net right in the middle. You can play with one person on each side (called singles) or two people on each side (called doubles). Tennis courts can have different surfaces, like grass, clay, or a hardcourt.
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Court Size and Lines
The size of a tennis court is set by the International Tennis Federation. A tennis court is 78 feet (about 23.77 meters) long. For singles matches, the court is 27 feet (about 8.23 meters) wide. For doubles matches, it's wider at 36 feet (about 10.97 meters). The service line, where players serve from, is 21 feet (about 6.40 meters) away from the net.
Different Court Surfaces
Tennis courts can be made from various materials. Each type of surface affects how the ball bounces and how fast the game is played.
Clay Courts
Clay courts are mostly made from crushed stone, brick, and shale. When a tennis ball hits a clay court, it often digs into the surface a little. This makes the ball bounce higher and slower than on other courts. Clay courts are usually the cheapest to build. However, they need a lot of care. Workers must balance the water in the clay and roll the courts often to keep them flat and smooth.
Grass Courts
Grass courts are known for being the fastest type of tennis court. In the past, most big tennis games were played on grass. Over time, these courts became less popular because they are expensive and hard to maintain. Grass courts are made by growing grass on hard-packed soil. This can create tiny bumps or differences on the surface, which can make the ball bounce in unexpected ways.
Hard Courts
Hard courts are the most popular type of tennis surface today. They are a good choice because they don't cost much to build and need very little care. These courts are made from a strong, even material, often covered with a special acrylic layer. This layer helps the ball bounce very consistently. Hard courts are generally slower than grass courts but faster than clay courts.
Images for kids
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The French Open is played on clay courts.
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Grass court maintenance at Wimbledon
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Rooftop tennis hardcourts in Downtown Singapore
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Indoor tennis courts at the University of Bath, England
See also
In Spanish: Cancha de tenis para niños
