Walking up to a public tennis court, you notice the net is sagging well below what it should be at. You crank the winder at the net post on the side of the court and raise it up, however, you don't want it too high. That would have you missing balls that are otherwise sure to go in. Knowing the rules and how to measure the net help keep the game fair.
Court Regulations
Tennis is played as singles or doubles. Singles uses the narrower lines on the court when one person plays another. Doubles uses the wider court, including the alleys along the singles sidelines when the competition is two on two. The center of the should always be 3 feet high. This is the lowest spot along the net as it gradually increases to 3.5 feet at the side posts. The net is side posts may change for singles or doubles. The posts for singles are 3 feet outside of the singles sideline, sitting in the doubles alley. Doubles net posts are 3 feet outside the doubles alley outer sideline.
Strap Considerations
Every tennis net has a white strap extending across the top of the net. This is often referred to as the "tape" by tennis players. The strap must not exceed 2 inches from top to bottom. The tape folds over the top of the cable or cord holding the net in place. This cord can not exceed 1/3 of an inch in diameter. It is possible to have the the net at all the correct heights but have different tensions sitting along the cable. A looser tension allows balls to hit the tape with the net absorbing the pace and roll over known as a let. Tighter tensions don't absorb the pace and send balls hitting the tape backward ending the point in your opponent's favor.
Checking Height
Serious recreational players keep a tape measure in their racket bag to use when there is a question of net height. There are also "net checkers" you can purchase that have the exact measurements marked. Some players estimate the height by using their rackets with most standard frames having the center strap equaling one racket length plus one-half the frame width. Each racket is different so this method is truly an estimation.
Considerations
While the United States Tennis Association has regulations determining the official height of the center end ends of the net, everyone on the court is dealing with the same circumstances in play. Generally a higher net is considered a disadvantage to everyone while a lower net is a disadvantage to some creating a competitive advantage to someone who normally nets a lot of balls.
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