The tennis net, which is placed across the court to separate the two sides for either singles or doubles, is usually made of polyethylene or nylon and attached to permanent posts on either end. According to the International Tennis Federation, which governs play around the world, a net acceptable for tournament play is made of "cord or metal cable" and attached to the posts at a height of 3.5 feet. Whatever material it is, the net "must be of sufficiently small mesh to ensure that a ball cannot pass through it." A net is lower in the center--it should be precisely 3 feet --and it's tightly affixed to the court surface there by a vertical strap. That strap, along with a band of material at the top of the net, should be 2 inches wide and white.
What to Look for
You can buy a nylon net at a specialized tennis retailer or at large general sporting good stores for $100 to $200, depending on how thick the nylon webbing material is. Typically, a net is 40 to 42 feet in length so it can be hung from posts that are placed beyond the doubles line, outside the court itself. (For doubles play, the court is 36 feet wide.) The most expensive tournament-play nets have steel cables that hold them up and will last several years. When installing, use a tape measure or stick to measure the height on either end and along the vertical strap in the center.
Common Pitfalls
A less-than-tournament-grade net will be woven with thinner webbing that can tear if subjected to a lot of play or if left hanging throughout the year in rain or extremely cold weather. People with their own courts should remove the net and keep it indoors and dry if the court will not be used for several months. Nets can stretch and sag, so it is a good idea to measure the side and center heights periodically.
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