DISCOVER YOUR IDEAL TENNIS OASIS

Just like there are plenty of equipment options to choose from, tennis players also have their pick of court types, surfaces, and backdrops that allow them to enjoy their favourite sport. Familiarize yourself with where you can play.

78 x 36

A standard tennis court measures 78 feet in length and 36 feet in width. For singles matches, the court is narrower at 78 feet x 27 feet.

3-3.5

Every court has a net, and it’s usually about 3.5 feet high at the posts and 3 feet high in the middle.

40-44

Court pace is established by firing a ball at the surface and recording its velocity before and after the bounce. For example, a court speed rating ranging between 40-44 is classified by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) as Medium-Fast.

14

Rafael Nadal is considered the "King of Clay" because of his remarkable results on clay courts throughout his illustrious career, including a record 14 French Open titles at Roland-Garros.

THE GEOMETRY

So, what do all the shapes and lines represent? Where should you place the ball? Which lines should you aim for? A tennis court is a bit like a puzzle. Let us help you piece it together.

THE LINES

As a symmetrical rectangle, a tennis court has two baselines, four service boxes (the two spaces in front of each side of the net where a successful serve must land) and two sidelines. For a singles match (two people), you will use the inner sideline as a boundary line and for a doubles match (four people), you will use the outer sideline as a boundary line. If the ball bounces outside the baselines or sidelines, or outside the service courts during a serve, consider it out of play.

SHOT PLACEMENT

If you hit the ball diagonally from one corner of the court to the other, you've made a crosscourt shot. Meanwhile, if you hit the ball and it goes down the sideline of the same side you hit the ball from, it has gone down the line. When used at the right time to change direction, both shots can quickly turn a point in your favour.

TENNIS POINTS AND RULES

PROGRESSIVE TENNIS

Using modified tennis balls, racquets, nets and courts (usually measuring 18 feet x 36 feet), players new to the game are properly equipped to enjoy rallies and learn the fundamentals of the game early on. Skills are developed much quicker, allowing for an easy transition to full court.

START SMALL

FIND YOUR FOOTING

Every tennis surface presents its own unique set of challenges and opportunities. The strategy changes, the shot selection differs, the ball bounces differently, and footwork needs to be adjusted. Learn tips to adapt your game depending on the court conditions.

Hard courts are the most common surface found in public spaces like parks, clubs, and schools. Their low-energy absorption means that the ball bounces higher and moves faster. Hard courts are considered universal for players of all skill levels and are best suited for beginners because the surface allows them to develop every aspect of their game.

Due to their textured surface, clay courts are the slowest in terms of ball speed. This reduced speed extends points, which is ideal for baseline players who have a more defensive style of play. Clay is more forgiving on the body because it allows players to slide into shots rather than always coming to a complete stop. It also neutralizes the effectiveness of a big serve, giving the returner more of an advantage.

A grass surface consists of short-cut grass on tightly packed soil, and is the fastest type of court, offering low-ball bounces and shorter rallies. Unlike clay, the serve plays a more important role than on other surfaces, and grass tends to favour the serve-and-volley tactic.

FOLLOW YOUR FAVOURITE PLAYERS AROUND THE GLOBE GO CANADA GO

MORE WAYS TO PLAY Try these unique ways to gain a new appreciation for the sport.

The Australian Open and U.S. Open are played on hard courts, the French Open is contested on clay, and Wimbledon is played on grass at the famed All England Club.

Canada's ATP Masters and WTA 1000 tournaments held in Montreal and Toronto are also played on hard court during the lead up to the U.S. Open.

The court size is proportional to the young player’s size. This assists them in developing an all-court game by ensuring realistic court coverage. The proportional court size will allow them to develop tactics similar to the advanced ones they will adopt on a full court when they get older.

Don't worry if you've outgrown the court though because progressive tennis is a good way to be introduced to the sport regardless of your age.

It is a technology used in tennis to make accurate and reliable line calls during matches without the use of a human line judge. It relies on a combination of cameras, computers, algorithms, and microphones to track and calculate the trajectory of the ball.

Electronic line calling is now being used on most courts at most ATP and WTA tournaments. Meanwhile, the Grand Slams use it on all of their match courts, with the exception of Roland-Garros.