Court types

Choosing a court surface

As a prospective court owner you have a variety of choices when it comes to tennis court surfaces. We have put together a brief comparison that summarizes the benefits and drawbacks of each court surface type:

Let’s take a look at the specific types of clay and hard courts while comparing their pros and cons:

Har-Tru

Pros

Slower ball bounce - promotes longer rallies and more well rounded game

Cool, non-glare surface - 20% cooler than hard courts

Surface dries quickly - allows play shortly after heavy rains

Will last a lifetime with proper maintenance

Cons

Sliding surface prevents injuries - 85% less than hard surfaces

Requires daily/weekly maintenance

Requires watering/water usage

Not playable in the winter months if above the freeze/thaw line

HydroCourt

Pros

Slower ball bounce - promotes longer rallies and more well rounded game

Cool, non-glare surface - 20% cooler than hard courts

Surface dries quickly - allows play shortly after heavy rains

Will last a lifetime with proper maintenance

Requires less maintenance and water than a standard Har-Tru court

Cons

Sliding surface prevents injuries - 85% less than hard surfaces

Requires daily maintenance

Requires watering/water usage

Not playable in the winter months if above the freeze/thaw line

More expensive to build than a standard Har-Tru court

ClayTech

Pros

Slower ball bounce - promotes longer rallies and more well rounded game

Cool, non-glare surface - 20% cooler than hard courts

Surface dries quickly - allows play shortly after heavy rains

Cons

Sliding surface prevents injuries - 85% less than hard surfaces

Plays slightly faster than a Har-Tru court

Expensive

Hard (Asphalt)

Pros

Medium to fast ball bounce appeals to power players

Speed of court can be tailored

Court can be used for other activities (basketball)

Available for play year-round, even in cold climates

Cons

Low maintenance

Harder on the body

Longer drying time after a rain than Har-Tru or ClayTech

Expensive to build

May require major renovation after 10-15 years

Hard (Concrete)

Pros

Speed of court can be tailored

Court can be used for other activities (basketball)

Great for low-access sites

Cons

Low maintenance

Hard on the body

Longer drying time after a rain than Har-Tru or ClayTech

Expensive to build

May require major renovation after 10-15 years

Hard (Cushioned)

Pros

Medium to fast ball bounce appeals to power players

Speed of court can be tailored

Court can be used for other activities (basketball)

Available for play year-round, even in cold climates

Cushioning relieves some of the physical stress of playing on hard surface

Cons

Low maintenance

Hard on the body

Longer drying time after a rain than Har-Tru or ClayTech

Expensive to build

May require major renovation after 10-15 years