Although the dimensions of tennis courts do not vary, the surface upon which you play may not always be the same, according to online news source On Tennis. Competitive and recreational tennis matches may be contested on the following types of surfaces: grass, clay, and hard surfaces, such as cement or plastic. The various tennis playing surfaces possess their own unique qualities and characteristics, which help determine the style of the match, and the speed of play.
Grass
In a June 2009 article in "Forbes" magazine, Monte Burke noted that, although grass was the original surface for the game, less than 1% of tennis courts in the United States had grass surfaces at the time. Grass courts are the fastest of all the tennis court types. Like golf greens, grass tennis courts consist of grass grown in tightly packed soil, which partially dictates how your tennis ball bounces. The bounces will vary based on the health and length of the grass, and on recent wear and tear. Because of the speed associated with grass courts, points typically are short, and serves are more important. Grass courts favor players with considerable foot speed, as the ball slides and bounces lower, which requires quick lateral movements to return a shot. Grass courts are rare because they're challenging to maintain, according to On Tennis. They need to be watered and mowed often, and dry more slowly than hard courts following rain. Wimbledon, one of the four major championships of professional tennis, is held on grass courts.
Clay
According to Play The Clay, an online advocate for clay-court tennis, playing tennis on a clay court helps you find the true emotional and physical satisfaction of the sport. On Tennis notes that clay courts consist of crushed shale, stone, or brick, and can be either red or green. Most tennis players consider clay courts to be slow, due to the relatively slow bounce balls take off the court's surface. The slower bounce allows players to return shots they might not otherwise be able to return on a different type of surface. As a result, points typically are longer, and there are fewer aces. Successful clay-court tennis players hit shots with plenty of topspin, which causes the ball to bounce higher once it hits the clay surface. Clay tennis courts are more common in Europe and South America. The French Open, one of the four major championships of professional tennis, is held on clay courts.
Hard Surfaces
Although hard-surface tennis courts are the most common type of court in the United States, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends that you avoid playing tennis on surfaces with no give, such as cement, asphalt, or synthetic courts. On Tennis notes that hard courts typically consist of cement or plastic, and are considered fast surfaces. The speed of play on hard courts varies, although typically it's faster than clay courts, and slower than grass courts. Rallies on hard courts are often short and intense, and favor players with powerful serves. Because the speed of play on hard courts is more moderate than grass or clay courts, they're considered the most suitable type of court for all playing styles. Two major tennis championships --- the U.S. Open and the Australian Open --- are contested on hard courts.
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