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How do the different tennis courts play? French Court, artificial grass, gravel en hard court, all jobs have their own specifics. But how exactly does that work?
French Court is an internationally patented clay court with unique features. In contrast to a normal clay court, a French court course can be played almost all year round. Looking at tennis results, French courts lie a bit between the clay and coastal grass courts.
In this article I discuss the differences between the courts and what you should pay attention to when choosing a court for your club.
What we discuss in this comprehensive post:
- 1 Artificial grass: the fake sister of the grass track
- 2 Gravel: The surface you must slide on to win
- 3 Hardcourt: The surface for speed demons
- 4 French court: the tennis court that can be played all year round
- 5 Carpet: the surface on which you do not slip
- 6 SmashCourt: the tennis court that can be played all year round
- 7 Conclusion
Artificial grass: the fake sister of the grass track
At first glance, an artificial grass tennis court looks very similar to a grass court, but appearances can be deceiving. Instead of real grass, an artificial grass track consists of synthetic fibers with sand sprinkled in between. There are different types of fibers, each with its own wear pattern and lifespan. The advantage of an artificial grass court is that it does not have to be replaced every year and that tennis can be played on it all year round.
The benefits of artificial grass
The biggest advantage of an artificial grass court is that it can be played all year round. You can even play tennis on it in winter, unless it is very cold and the track becomes too slippery. Another advantage is that an artificial grass track requires less maintenance than a grass track. There is no need to mow and no weeds grow on it. In addition, an artificial turf track lasts longer than a grass track, which means that it can be an investment in the long term.
The Disadvantages of Artificial Grass
The main disadvantage of an artificial grass court is that it is fake. It does not feel the same as real grass and it also looks different. In addition, an artificial turf track can become very slippery when it freezes, which can make it dangerous to walk on playing tennis. It is also not good for the court to play tennis when there is snow on it.
Conclusion
Although an artificial grass court does not have the same feeling as a real grass court, it does have its advantages. It is playable all year round and requires less maintenance than a grass track. Whether you are a professional tennis player or just play tennis for fun, an artificial grass court can be a good choice.
Gravel: The surface you must slide on to win
Gravel is a substrate consisting of crushed brick and usually has a reddish color. It is a relatively cheap surface to install, but it does have some disadvantages. For example, it can be played on to a limited extent during cold and wet periods. But once you get used to it, it can be technically ideal.
Why is gravel so special?
According to the experts, the ball on clay has an ideal ball speed and ball jump. This makes it possible to make slidings and thus prevent injuries. The most famous clay court tournament is Roland Garros, a grand slam tournament that is played annually in France. It is a tournament that was won several times by the Spanish clay court king Rafael Nadal.
How do you play on clay?
If you are not used to playing on clay courts, it can take some getting used to. The property of this soil is that it is very slow. When the ball bounces on this surface, the ball needs a relatively long time for the next bounce. This is because the ball bounces higher on clay than on grass or hard court, for example. That's why you probably have to play a different tactic on clay. Here are some tips:
- Prepare your points well and don't go for the direct winner.
- Have patience and work towards the point.
- A drop shot can certainly come in handy on gravel.
- Defending is certainly not a bad strategy.
When can you play on clay courts?
Clay courts are suitable for playing from April to October. In the winter the courses are almost unplayable. So it is important to take this into account when you are looking for a clay court to play.
Conclusion
Gravel is a special surface on which you must slide to win. It is a slow surface on which the ball bounces higher than on grass or hard courts. Once you get used to playing on clay courts, it can be ideal from a technical point of view. The most famous clay court tournament is Roland Garros, where the Spanish king of clay Rafael Nadal has won several times. So if you want to win on clay, you have to adjust your tactics and be patient.
Hardcourt: The surface for speed demons
Hard court is a tennis court with a hard surface of concrete or asphalt, covered with a rubbery coating. This coating can vary from hard to soft, allowing the speed of the track to be adjusted. Hard courts are relatively inexpensive to build and maintain and can be used all year round.
Why is hard court so great?
Hard courts are perfect for speed demons who like a fast course. The hard surface ensures a high bounce of the ball, so that the ball can be hit faster over the court. This makes the game faster and more challenging. In addition, hard courts are fairly inexpensive to build and maintain, making them popular with tennis clubs and associations.
What coatings are available?
There are several coatings available for hard courts, from hard coatings that make the court fast to soft coatings that make the court slower. The ITF has even developed a method to classify hard courts by speed. Some examples of coatings are:
- Kropor drain concrete
- Rebound Ace (previously used at the Australian Open)
- Plexicushion (used at the 2008-2019 Australian Open)
- DecoTurf II (used at the US Open)
- GreenSet (most used coating in the world)
Where are hard courts used?
Hard courts are used all over the world for both professional tournament tennis and recreational tennis. Some examples of events played on hard courts are:
- U.S. Open
- Australian Open
- ATP Finals
- Davis Cup
- Fed Cup
- Olympics
Is hard court suitable for novice tennis players?
While hard courts are great for speed demons, they may not be the best choice for beginner tennis players. The fast trajectory can make it more difficult to control the ball and lead to more mistakes. But once you gain some experience, playing on a hard court can be a great challenge!
French court: the tennis court that can be played all year round
A French court is an internationally patented clay court with unique properties. Unlike a normal clay court, a French court can be played almost all year round. It is therefore not surprising that more and more tennis clubs are switching to this surface.
Why choose a French court?
A French court offers many advantages over other tennis courts. For example, it is a relatively cheap tennis court and many tennis players have liked to play on clay. In addition, a French court can be played almost all year round, so you are not dependent on the season.
How does a French court play?
The playing result of a French court is somewhat in between a clay and artificial grass court. It is therefore not surprising that many clubs that have always had clay courts switch to a French court. The grip is good and the top layer gives stability when taking off, while the ball slides nicely. Ball behavior is also experienced as positive, such as ball bounce and speed.
How is a French court constructed?
A French court is constructed with a special type of gravel that consists of different types of broken rubble. In addition, a special stability mat is installed that ensures good drainage and stability of the track.
Conclusion
A French court is an ideal tennis court for tennis clubs that want to play tennis all year round. It offers many advantages over other tennis courts and the playing result lies between a clay and coastal grass court. Are you considering building a tennis court? Then a French court is definitely worth considering!
Carpet: the surface on which you do not slip
Carpet is one of the lesser-known surfaces to play tennis on. It is a soft surface that consists of a layer of synthetic fibers that are attached to a hard surface. The soft surface ensures less impact on the joints, making it a good choice for players with injuries or age-related complaints.
Where is carpet used?
Carpet is mainly used in indoor tennis courts. It is a popular choice for tournaments in Europe and is often used in professional matches. It is also a good choice for tennis clubs who want to play tennis all year round, whatever the weather.
What are the benefits of carpet?
Carpet has several advantages over other surfaces. Here are a few:
- Carpet is soft and resilient, making it less stressful on the joints.
- The surface is non-slip, so you slip less quickly and have more grip on the track.
- Carpet is durable and long lasting, making it a good investment for tennis clubs.
What are the disadvantages of carpet?
Although carpet has many advantages, there are also some disadvantages to be aware of:
- Carpet can trap dust and dirt, making it important to clean the court regularly.
- The surface can become slippery when wet, so it is important to take care in rainy weather.
- Carpet is not suitable for outdoor use, so it is only an option for indoor tennis courts.
So if you're looking for a soft surface that won't slip and you can play tennis all year round, consider carpet as an option!
SmashCourt: the tennis court that can be played all year round
SmashCourt is a type of tennis court that resembles artificial grass in terms of playing characteristics, but resembles gravel in terms of color and appearance. It is a popular choice for tennis clubs as it is playable all year round and requires little maintenance.
The benefits of SmashCourt
The biggest advantage of SmashCourt is that it is playable all year round, regardless of the weather. In addition, it requires little maintenance and lasts an average of 12 to 14 years. Also, the service life of this type of track is quite durable.
The cons of SmashCourt
The biggest disadvantage of SmashCourt is that this type of surface is not internationally recognized as an official tennis surface. As a result, no ATP, WTA and ITF tournaments may be played on it. The risk of injury at SmashCourt courts is also generally greater than when playing on clay courts.
How does SmashCourt play?
SmashCourt has a gravel-colored stability mat that is provided with an unbound ceramic top layer. By using the stability mat, a very stable and flat tennis floor is created. The unbound top layer ensures that you can slide and move perfectly. In addition, all materials used are weather-resistant and can therefore be played all year round.
Why choose SmashCourt?
SmashCourt is the ideal weather court for tennis clubs because it is playable all year round, requires relatively little maintenance and offers excellent playing quality. SmashCourt tennis courts are comfortable to play and have good grip. The top layer provides enough stability and you can slide comfortably on it to get difficult balls. The ball bounce speed and ball behavior are also experienced as very pleasant.
Conclusion
SmashCourt is a popular choice for tennis clubs because it is playable all year round and requires little maintenance. Although it is not internationally recognized as an official tennis surface, it is an excellent choice for local level clubs.
Conclusion
It is now clear that there are different types of tennis courts and that each type of court has its own specific characteristics. Clay courts are good for playing on, synthetic turf courts are good for maintenance, and French courts are good for year-round play.
If you choose the right course, you can improve your game and enjoy yourself to the fullest.
